What follows are days of endless moments of what can only be described as coming straight out of one of those romcom's your mother used to like watching.
Reaching for the same loaf of bread at the same time, the brushing of hands.
Losing grip of the hose one afternoon as the pressure was on a bit strong and dousing yourselves with it, a odd sort of laughter emanating from the both of you at the situation.
Fleur walking in on you as you changed out of your wet shirt in the downstairs restroom.
Making sure to make her tea out of those herbs her dad gave you.
And the last and most recent, most baffling, most idiotic one that you can't stop berating yourself for…..the one that just occurred just a few minutes prior as you were walking out the door to pick up a few things for dinner from the local market….you'd shouted "love you" as the door shut behind you.
A simple enough slip, as you'd shouted the very same words to your parents on previous occasions when you'd been sent out to get a thing or two.
But the slip in it of itself.
And the person in particular you'd uttered it too.
A woman who for the past few weeks you hadn't quite known how to place your feelings much less emotions towards.
You didn't hold any animosity or loathing for her any longer, that much was true.
As evidenced by the peaceful co-habitation you'd both been doing. The meals you'd shared, gardening, strolls throughout London etc.
Your feet take you further and further away from your your home as you seek to put enough distance between yourself and what you can only imagine is Fleur's stunned face at your declaration.
Do you love her? No, couldn't be…...But then again, could it be?
She'd certainly made more strides to open up to you and you in return had reciprocated.
But could the feeling you'd been unable to place be love?
You're not sure yourself.
Have you ever been really?
You're not sure anymore.
And so you make your way to the store, grab the necessary vegetables Fleur sent you out to get and make your way back home.
Fleur thanks you as you make your way into your shared home and hand her the bag of vegetables.
She gives you a simple "merci" and a quick kiss on the cheek, a habit she'd picked up just the week prior.
It had startled you at first and she'd noticed your startle at her show of affection so she'd simple said, "We're married non?" and gone about her way.
Suffice it to say, you'd grown accustomed to it.
You take a seat at the table finishing up your records, you'd been settling about your family finances before Fleur had asked if you'd be able to step out to the store to grab a few things for dinner. And as a dutiful spouse you'd obliged.
Sitting down once more and taking a pen in hand you briefly look up to see if Fleur's body language betrays anything to how she may have reacted at the words you'd uttered.
Not a thing.
And so with a sigh you get back to your ledgerbook and set about tallying the family money left to you, what goes in and what goes out.
You'd after all been allotted a generous monthly sum for your efforts in the war.
A "Victor's Reward" so to speak for riding the world of the wretched creature that had been the Dark Lord.
The ministry's way to feel better for leaving the destruction of a megalomaniac at the hands of three teens not even out of school yet.
With that musing you get back to your chore at hand and allow Fleur's gentle humming, as she whirls about making dinner, to lull you into a peaceful pace as you crunch numbers in your head.
Xxxxxx -
"Blimey, its nice to see you in high Spirits," Ron utters with a smile as he claps you on the back as you make your way inside Grimauld Place for your bi-weekly get togethers.
You'd asked Fleur if she'd like to join but she'd simply shook her head and gave you a "no thank you," and given you a kiss on the cheek goodbye as you'd said your goodbye's and promises to be back soon.
Your heart all but clenching as you'd apparated away from your home and away from her.
"I could say the same for you Ronald," you respond in turn as you both make your way to the back garden and take your usual seats around your usual firepit.
"And what's got you in such high spirits Hermione?" Harry asks as you take your seat across from him and Ginnny.
"Fleur actually," you find yourself uttering the words with ease, your heart gives a flutter.
Your friends stop all action for a moment before Ginny asks, "Phlegm?"
You give her a hard look in turn which causes her to ask further and correct herself, "Sorry, Fleur?"
You offer a grateful smile at the red-head's correction and nod, "Fleur, she's really opened up to me," your friends take this bit of information in before Ron asks.
"And she hasn't been?"
"Stuck up?" you finish, he nods in turn.
"Not at all, its more of a front really," you respond, this seems to go over well with your boys as they nod at your words.
"I told you Fleur was kind," Harry says with a sigh and a smile.
This does alot to calm your nerves as you gather the courage to tell your friends the feelings you're almost certain now can only be what you've been questioning they've been all along.
"I think I'm in love with Fleur,"
Your friends go quiet as you see a mixture of emotions pass throughout each of their faces.
Shock. Surprise. Glee. Amusement.
"You do remember that Fleur's a quarter veela," Ginny is the first to speak up as she looks at you with mild concern.
"And the thrall doesn't affect women, only men," you counter in turn.
She seems to mull this over before nodding solemnly.
"Valid point," her simple response.
"That's great Hermione, I think you both make a lovely couple," Luna comments from beside Ron as your red-headed male friend nods beside her.
"Glad it worked out for you guys," Ron says with a smile.
"Thanks, now I just have to figure out how to tell her," you find yourself saying as your friends are quick to jump in to offer their words of advice.
- xxxxx -
Right.
Just go straight to where she is and say it straight out.
Not hard at all.
No.
Not hard at all.
You try to calm your rapidly beating heart as you apparate into your home.
The general consensus of advice your friends had given you was to just be upfront.
'Your married already? Why beat around the bush,' Harry had said as your friends, after explanation of the expression, had agreed with him in turn.
And they were right.
You were married already.
In all perpetuity, you'd consummate your marriage after all.
What was the point of delaying your confession?
"Did 'ou 'ave a good time?" Fleur's melodic voice breaks through your musing as you turn to see her at the bottom the the staircase, you'd thought to find her in her room and had completely missed checking more of the downstairs areas of your home.
You want to mentally slap yourself.
"I-I" you stammer out to say as you feel the blood rush to your cheeks, Fleur just looks at you in turn, face betraying no emotion as she returns your gaze.
You take a deep breath.
"I love you too,"
The words all but make the gears in your head grind to an abrupt stop.
Thankfully Fleur has enough sense for the both of you to speak.
"Iz what 'ou were going to say to me 'I love 'ou'?" she asks with a small amused smile.
You can only nod in turn at her question.
"I zink zat I love 'ou too, I just realized it maiself," she explains as she gives you a rueful smile.
"To zink zat I wasted so much time we could 'ave 'ad discovering our relationship, fighting wiz 'ou, when you were nozing but generous and kind,"
You make your way down the stairs and take her hands in yours.
"I could have been more understanding of your situation," she smiles at you in turn and shakes her head.
"I was cruel,"
"You were hurting," you respond in turn as she leans into you, pressing her forehead to yours.
"Still not an excuse mon'amour," she says with a sigh as you match gazes.
"If 'ou'll let me I'd like to make amends," she says once more.
"Oh?" you find yourself asking before she captures your lips in hers.
All thought leaves you in a rush as you feel the sensation of her lips on yours.
A gentle searing kiss, you can feel her as she puts her hands on your chest to steady herself into it. You wrap your own around her waist and pull her closer in turn.
You may have felt a need to avoid being anywhere near this woman.
This gorgeous perfect woman.
May have even felt the need to be away from this home, if only to avoid seeing her.
But now you can't help but feel anything but.
Now you feel safe.
You feel at home.
- xxxxxxxx -
It hard started off innocent enough, a few pecks here and there as you'd settled into a comfortable evening.
The month following your confession, you'd both started exploring a relationship in earnest.
Trips into town turning into dates in earnest.
Spending time together gardening, cooking, shopping for furniture to really make the place your own.
Moving around things here and there to give it a personal touch.
And much like evenings such as these, had settled into a comfortable lull on the couch by the fireplace reading a good book a piece.
And it had only been meant to be a few pecks here and there.
You'll swear it to your dying day.
But as Fleur moves herself onto your lap and grinds herself into you, you can't help but think otherwise.
What started as innocent pecks, had quickly evolved into a make out session in earnest. And inevitably to what was currently occurring as you find yourself exploring Fleur's mouth. She meets your passion in turn as she kisses you back with equal fervour. A game of wills as you both battle for dominance.
Her hands explore about your body as you feel the soft touch of them as they glide up your stomach and settle on your breasts.
A gentle squeeze, Fleur's a gentle lover you're soon coming to realize.
A contrast to that first night.
You will the events of that awful night at bay.
You're both different people now.
Two….very…..different people.
You struggle to put the words together as you feel one of Fleur's hands dip into your jeans, beyond the waist band of your underwear and onto your crotch.
Merlin's beard.
Wow.
"Fleur?" you find yourself asking.
She only look at you with that coy look of hers and gives you an equally coy response, "Hmm?"
"Do you want to?" you find yourself asking, you can't help but too, for lack of better word.
She contemplates this for a moment before responding, "Only if 'ou want too,"
And that really is all you need as your resolve breaks and you surprise her by capturing her lips in a searing kiss.
What happens next you will only describe as a divine blessing, for you know not where you got the strength..nor will you question it.
You place your hands firmly on Fleur's rear as you hold her in place to you, this elicits a moan from the blonde, as you sit up and manuver yourself to pull the both of you from your seated position on the couch.
You give yourself a moment to adjust as you hold Fleur around you, she likewise wraps her legs around your waist in turn and you navigate yourself throughout your home.
You make quick work of maneuvering yourselves up the stairs and begin walking in the direction of your room before Fleur breaks away from your kiss, "Mai- Our bedroom," she states and you turn and all but stomp the doors open with your foot as you make your way inside
The next few minutes are a blur of clothes as you settle yourselves onto the bed and Fleur eagerly removes your clothes, you return in gesture in earnest as you both find yourselves in a naked embrace soon after.
Flesh on flesh, naked as the day you came into his world. You don't have time to feel embarrassed at your own nakedness as you find yourself atop the older witch and you can't help but grind into her.
The moan she provides makes your heart race even more as she wraps her arms around your neck and pulls you to her.
Kiss begging the question, 'You really love me?' an insecure question but one you've been elated to respond to every time.
'With all of my heart,' you pull back, using your forarms to allow you to gaze upon the beauty underneath you.
"I am yours, and you are mine," you recite as you try to convey your emotions.
"From this day until our last," she responds in turn, she gazes at you with the most loving eyes you've seen.
And you can't help but want to worship her.
You dip back down and kiss her lips once more before making your way to her neck and down her body. Taking ample time to kiss as much of her as you can. Her legs opening as you make your descent downwards.
You settle yourself between them in short time and she wraps her legs around you in turn.
"Is this what you want?" you find yourself asking, you're all but drunk off of the ambrosia that is Fleur.
"D-Don't tease mon'amour," her soft plea.
You comply as your tongue starts a slow lick on her vaginal lips.
You feel her shudder as you delve further, allowing yourself to explore Fleur's most private of places. You swipe your tongue past her clit earning you a rather loud moan.
This spurs you on as you fall into a pattern, Up and a firm swipe with the occasional counter clockwise spin of the tongue. This is afterall your first time giving anyone oral sex and you want to make sure you're doing it right.
Fleur's moans elevate in pitch as you continue your ministrations, you can feel her getting close as her legs wrap a bit more firmly around you and you're all the eager to oblige as you continue in equal fervor.
The feel of her hand on your shoulder however stops you as you look up into the eyes of your beloved. She's got a light sheen of sweat as she looks at you with hungary eyes.
"I need 'ou inside of me,"
Your brain all but short circuits at her words and you remove yourself from between her legs and start making the wandless magic gestures for a contraceptive spell.
She stops you however and you startle for a moment, "I need to-," you start before her lone finger presses to your lips silencing you.
"Does it matter?"
No.
It does not.
She gets you back atop her, hand coming to rest on your cock as you get up to try to align yourself with her entrance.
You nearly blow your top when she takes ahold of you, but you will yourself down.
"Let me," she purrs as she guides you to her entrance.
You push forward slowly not wanting to be too forceful as you make your way inside Fleur for the second time in your life.
She feels positively amazing as she holds you within, soft, warm and inviting.
Burying yourself into the crook of her neck. You can't help but let out a rather loud moan as you allow yourself to feel the sensations properly. It feels like you were made for her and she for you.
You use your elbows to prop you up so you can gaze upon your partner.
"I love you," you mutter.
She wraps her arms around your neck once more bringing you into another kiss and utters "I love ou too," as she kisses you.
This urges you on to continue as you begin to push in and out of her. Your moans echo throughout the room as you make love in earnest.
Her walls clench around you as you feel her cum, you pick up your pace in fervor as your cock continues to go in and out as she rides out orgasm.
What you do next is unexpected and in total honesty you don't know why you even did it, but you don't regret it.
Without removing yourself from Fleur you push her legs towards her and maneuver them onto your shoulders. This allows you to go in deeper. A tid bit from Ron the last time you'd spoken, he'd taken you aside and given you this piece of advise. But now's not the time to think about your red-headed friend. You want to do anything but as you focus your attention back to your partner.
She moans out at the sensation as you penetrate her deeper. You give her a moment to adjust to the new sensation before starting again.
You're still hard and the little voice in the back of your head can't help but say, 'no contraceptive spell, she wants you to breed her,' you're not entirely sure where it came from but you don't question it as you rut into her in earnest. Your hands are on her hips to steady yourself as you fuck her.
Her walls start to squeeze around you once more as you feel her moan's pick up in pitch, she's close and you're not that far behind.
You thrust into her a few more times before her walls grip you firmly once more and she throws her head back, her orgasm coursing through her. You follow soon afterward and empty yourself within her as she milks you for all that you're worth.
- xxxxxxxx -
"I love 'ou, did I tell 'ou zat yet?" Fleur utters as she lazily draws circles on your stomach.
After a couple more go's you've settled in for the night, neither one of you bothering to put any semblance of clothing on.
You rather like the feel of yourself against her.
And she seems to like it if the way she cuddles into your side is anything to go by.
"You may have mentioned it once or twice," you respond as you pull her closer to you. Your arm wrapped around her waist holding her to you.
"Well I do," she says with a smile as she settles closer into you.
"I love you to," you say as you kiss her forehead and you both settle into a deep slumber.
Xxxxxxxx -
Its bliss, its pure utter bliss the months that follow. You move into the master bedroom with Fleur and your relationship only grows. You're both completely open with each other and you can't help but think that perhaps the spell had been right all along.
You settle into a love that you've only read about in books before. Your parents had been loving towards one another, that's not to say they weren't. But this is different. This is passionate, this is sweet, all encompassing. You can't get enough of Fleur and don't wish to be parted from her.
And she you.
Which is how you found yourself bringing Fleur to your get together's with your friends. Ginny had been a tad hesitant at first, but after the first few times she quickly came around and your friends quickly became both of your friends.
You'd built up a great report with Fleur's father as you'd both gotten into the regular habit of exchanging correspondence. Political opinions and all that. He had great insight and asked for your insight in turn. And you were all the happy to provide it.
Which is why when he'd asked if you'd be willing to change your surname to Delacour for the sake of their lineage and the expectations that the french had for their family, you'd said yes in a heartbeat. At the end of the day you'd always be a Granger, nothing would and could take that away from you. You were a newcomer to the wizarding world and its customs but you had enough sense to understand the magnitude of the implication, the importance that Fleur's family name carried with it. And you would support your wife however you could.
Her family to say the least was elated at the news and if the way Fleur responded by taking you to bed as soon as she heard the news was anything to go by, she was happy too.
It was pure bliss and you couldn't imagine how it could become anymore perfect.
"I'm pregnant," the words ring in your ear as you put down the book in your hand and get up from your seated position on the couch.
You walk up to Fleur, wrap your arms around her waist, lift her up and twirl her around.
"Really?" you ask in wonder as your heart picks up in rhythm at the news.
A babe.
You were having a baby.
She nods with the happiest smile you've seen on her face to date.
"We're having a baby Fleur!," you shout as you hug her to you and twirl her around once more, earning yourself giggles from your partner in turn.
"A little me or you," Fleur says into the crook of your neck as you hold her to you.
You never want to let go of this woman.
Not in this lifetime.
Or the next.
Xxxxxxxxx -
"I hear congratulations are in order," George's booming voice states as he claps your back.
You'd both been invited for dinner at the burrow. A reunion of sorts that Molly had arranged now that you'd all properly settled into your wedded lives.
You'd asked Fleur if she felt well enough to go, she'd understood your double meaning. The baby and having to see Bill.
She'd assured you that she was healthy and of sound mind enough to go.
And that's how you found yourself amongst the red-headed Weasley clan once more.
Fleur had been whisked away by the other Weasley spouses. Angelina, Rolf, Genvive and Luna. None had had children as of yet and so they had whisked your Fleur away to inquire about the babe that grew within. Doting upon her.
You in turn found yourself amongst the Weasley siblings plus Harry as they congratulated you on your child.
You and Fleur had broken the news to Harry, Ron, Luna and Ginny not long after you'd found out.
They'd been elated for you and were equally as much today as they and the rest of their siblings gathered around you.
"Bill's running late isn't he?" Ron states.
"A baby will do that to you," Charlie comments as the floo erupts and the man in question steps forth, wife and child in tow.
"Hello," Bill states as he walks out of the fireplace with his wife and child. A babe with black hair and little freckles strewn about.
He only makes a few steps out of the floo before what happens next makes your heart lurch and your stomach curdle.
"Fleur are you pregnant?" Bill asks as he zeros in on your pregnant wife.
Fleur with her hands on her stomach, surrounded by Weasley spouses looks back at him in turn, gaze never wavering "Oui"
"With who's baby!?" Bill all but demands.
"I would zink zat it would be obvious," Fleur responds in turn, singular eyebrow raised.
"You!?" Bill accuses as he turns to you.
"Yes," you respond, the hairs on the back of your neck have risen and you're not entirely sure why but something is telling you that something is off.
"But how!?" Bill demands once more as his wife beside him grows increasingly uncomfortable at his actions.
"Well when the waskpurts and the crumple-horned snorkacks," Luna begins before Bill cuts her off.
"How could you!?" Bill all but accuses as he looks at Fleur in alarm.
"Excusez-moi?" Fleur says as she looks at Bill in mild alarm.
"Why don't we go outside for a game of quidditch," Charlie says as he steps forward toward Bill in an attempt to calm whatever Bill is going through.
He makes to put his hands on his older brother's shoulder's but Bill shakes him away, an odd look about him.
"No! No! The love potion should have kept her as mine! She's mine! MINE!,"
The room grows silent.
"WHAT!?"