The second story in the wonderful world of one-shots. This one is not related to the previous or future ones to come. They are also in no order whatsoever so please don't get confused. Like my other stories, Fleur's (and others) speech is altered for the effect of her accent. If anyone has problems it's simply changing 'th' to a 'z' and removing all 'h' from words. Harry Potter and the many characters do not belong to me (I wish). There are a few OC that do but they're only for added effect. Enjoy.

Bath Time!

Christmas time was always one of the best holidays in Hermione's opinion. The powder white snow covering the ground and the festivities she's seen and experienced were always ones to remember. Last year's Christmas holidays she spent with her parents, involving a big family gathering which did include an extra something for when they missed her birthday as she was away at Hogwarts. A 'Prestigious Boarding School' to her extended family, which her parents found amusing every time they brought up the fact they had a family member who was 'special' enough to be accepted into such a place. If only they knew how special Hermione really was.

The one specific thing Hermione loves to do in the wintery months is take a long steaming hot bath. The feeling of the scented water on her skin and the moments when she can clear her mind of everything and everyone for just a few moments is what she revels in. She couldn't do it during school days until the previous year as a prefect but nothing could compare to this. The large steaming bath she currently sat in was the size of an aquatic swimming pool; it was oddly shaped, was amazingly coloured and was being refilled with new hot water by several delicately carved stone fountains every few seconds. The sight of where she actually was always had Hermione thinking about how she ended up there in the first place.

Hermione Granger had never believed a moment in her life she would meet the one while away at school. The second thing she never thought was that said love of her life would invite her family over to their home for Christmas after a year and a half of the two dating. This led to a wonderful time of festivities and celebrations with gifts, food and extended parties going on till midnight. The last thing anyone, including Hermione was expecting was her love to get down on one knee and ask for her hand, before both their families at the toll of 12am Christmas morning. Only three months earlier had Hermione turned seventeen years old and she guessed the moment was allowed by that fact. Looking down to the ring that sat upon her finger made her giggle every time.

Shifting her body a little to rest herself back against the side, she closed her eyes. The brunette let her arms and legs stretch out before arching her back which gave off a soft click. She groaned in appreciation.

"Oh that feels so much better. This is perfect" Hermione sighed softly as a smile came across her features. The girl was lost in the world of pure content to notice the slight ripple effect of another entering the bath. The one thing that did wake her from her dream like state was the light touching trace of fingertips making their way up their arm. Hermione's high reflexes made her jump away from the unexpected contact, in the process causing waves of water to cover her assailant soon followed by her slipping and going under for a few seconds. When she came up, she was face to face with her culprit.

"Fleur! I will kill you!" the barely turned adult witch started throwing her arms about sending wave after wave of hot water at the other occupant in her bath. Fleur for her part was still laughing at Hermione's initial reaction to her surprise appearance; simply letting the water hit her over and over again. She needed to get soaked anyway so within seconds the two were dripping from head to two. That's when the younger teen actually realised she was naked; in the middle of a bath now with another who was equally naked. A full blown blush smeared over her face and ran down her neck as she tried to save some modesty and cover herself by ducking down into the water again.

"Oh mon amour, zat was so funny" wiping the excess water from her eyes Fleur ran her fingers through her damp blonde locks, setting them back off her face. Hermione caught herself staring openly for that one glorious moment before finally tearing away from the unclothed body. That mature, well-toned, blemish free body standing in only waist high water clear water… 'Damn hormonal stage of my life' Hermione cursed herself rapidly in her head.

"Why are you here Fleur? I'm trying to enjoy this time alone" her tone was hard but unintimidating as she was still turned away and still very red.

"Why else would I be in the bazing room my dear? I 'ave come to cleanse myself of ze days 'ard work. Besides, one does enjoy such a good soak" the Veela took a few steps before sinking herself down so the water came to touch her shoulders. "Won't you look at me? I came all zis way too"

"No. You came all this way down the hall into the bath to tease me. I know you did. And what 'hard work'? You were lazy the whole day! I saw you Fleur" she turned her head as her voice increased to a yell but at the closeness her face was to that of the now smirking blonde she napped it back. "Go away…"

"Aww now ma belle, don't be like zat. I did not come 'ere to tease you. I would never do such a zing" arms snaked their way around the tensed body to cover a very well developed chest. Hermione couldn't help but shiver at the increasing pressure on her back. "I only wish to 'elp my chéri reach all zose places you can't get on your own…pure intentions oui?"

"Pure intentions my butt! You have no pure intentions here! Now leave!" the poor girl was still in hysterics. Fleur simply giggled and hugged her fiancé closer. She laid a soft kiss onto slightly tangled brown hair.

"Zat bottom is very appealing but do you really zink so low of me 'Ermione?"

The brunette was a very private person most of her young life. She grew up with very few friends until she went to Hogwarts and even then she had a hard time making friends because of who she was. Even now her two best friends were boys; you do not share with boys, a universal fact. Sharing herself with Fleur that first time was something she had to prepare herself for, mentally. The night stared out very uncomfortable for the girl as she didn't know what she was to do and to place all her trust in another. Since then Hermione smiled every time she thought back to that night as it was magical in every sense of the word. Fleur was the perfect lover. Giving, patient, understanding and proved every second how much she loved the girl she held in her arms. And she seemed to have a magical touch. No pun intended.

Despite the romance the two held, Hermione was still twitchy over any idea of being naked in front of others including Fleur. It was vulnerability that she really didn't like to be exposed to. Fleur had time and time again told her how she saw her body and mind; beautiful and enchanting. It was still getting through the young witch's every growing intellect.

"I think you enjoy yourself a little too much at times like these to not be a little worried" she felt a slither of her Gryffindor courage coming through to joke while still cornered by the blonde beauty. Fleur laughed.

"You are very much correct mon amour. But I must admit; I do admire zat bottom of yours. So soft, so round, such a lovely zing to 'old in times of…"

"Now is not one of those times Fleur. Let us leave it at that. I would rather return to my bath then go to bed" Hermione tried to extract herself from the arms cradling her.

"Very well. I leave you to finish" as shocking as it was Fleur to listen to reason, when the presence retracted itself from her back Hermione breathed a sigh. She was going to find her hair products and finish quickly. As she turned around the sight of Fleur still in the bath, happily soaping her arms one at a time was not what she wanted. Her betraying mind just had to welcome those amazing features…

"I told you to leave" the blonde didn't bother looking up.

"I said I would leave you to finish. I never said anyzing about leaving this razer coincidently set time to take a baz myself. Oh it 'as been so long" humming to herself as she finished with a dunk under the water she caught the eyes watching her from a few feet away. "Would you like zat assistance after all ma chéri? Or perhaps you wish to assist moi?" By the grin on her face Fleur was enjoying catching her love in the act of staring so openly. Fleur was never one to care about modesty when around her love or family. Why bother? They've seen it all before. Snapping her head away with the brunette frowned.

"You wish. Keep your hands to yourself Delacour and we shall not be hexed in our sleep" grabbing her own soap and moving further away from the Veela, Hermione tried to re-relax in the steaming waters.

"I 'ope zat silence is not part of zis agreement you have here. Because I do not zink I could retain myself from such a temptation wizout a petite distraction" Hermione pulled her dripping hair over her shoulder to look sideways at her companion. She saw the way Fleur's eyes roamed over every inch of her body, taking in the fine details with a near lecherous expression. The now of age witch merely smiled to herself.

"Fleur despite how much I love you, and how much it does to my self-esteem you look at me like that. We are not doing anything besides cleaning ourselves in this bath. Am I understood?"

"Maybe just a little touching..?" Fleur was sneaking a little something into her voice in hopes of persuasion.

"No. I can handle cleaning my own body"

"But zat is not as fun as it would be sharing ze task"

"I'm sure we can both handle the less amount of fun you are thinking of"

"Would you at least allow me to comb your 'air? Zis is becoming a torture to watch such a beauty go wizout my touch…" Hermione looked properly at the now pouting Veela. Seemed the magical creature had learned a few evil tricks of dirty persuasion.

"You seem to refer to times of nagging and/or pouting to get what you want quite often Fleur. Can't you accept the first answer given to you?" Fleur dropped the look to slowly make her way over to the brunette and take her hair in hand. Gently enticing the girl to lean her head back and soak it once more before slowly running her fingers through the defining curls.

"If I did such a zing zen we would 'ave gotten to ze bedroom much later. All ze times you refused wiz some silly excuse did 'urt a little my belle. But I do recall 'owever you enjoying zat night to ze full extent I could give oui?" Fleur enjoyed the annoyed groan that came from her fiancé, but feeling kind she didn't pursue further on the subject. Hermione reached back to hand over a small scrub.

"I'm still not as comfortable with this as you Fleur. You know that. I haven't even met all the whole family yet"

"You 'ave met Maman, and Père. Gabrielle adores you almost as much as I. Maman seems close behind also. You are one to steal ze 'earts of us all. You little sneaky girl"

"I mean your Veela family side. Your grandmother for one, she's the family head right? So I have to make a good impression. You told me all about the whole, 'Veela think of family' stuff before. I haven't even met her and she's the important one" the girl shifted at the feel of the soothing pressure on her back. Fleur had moved on from washing to a massage. Hermione was not complaining.

"Important? You sound like my grandmère means more to you zan me…" the look of un-amusement she got for that comment made her redirect. "Alright, she is keen to meet you." The French witch admitted. "We were 'oping she would come zese 'olidays but alas; she is caught up on ze coast. Family issue's she says" Fleur gave an undignified huff as she splashed more water over the shoulder she was paying a lot of attention to. Hermione released a moan in appreciation before replying.

"You sound like you don't believe it. A little to the left please"

"I do not. It is ze worst excuse I 'ave ever 'eard. Most of ze family is 'ere anyway. Why would zey be anywhere else? Zat feel good mon amour?"

"Yes, but maybe you shouldn't be too harsh on her. Family heads do have a lot to deal with you know. And since when did this turn into such a touchy feel session?"

"Since you didn't object to it. I knew you couldn't deny me my belle" Hermione chuckled.

"You take advantage. You are such a law breaker Fleur. How could I fall for the 'bad' girl?" the two were caught up in in each other they didn't realise the close physical contact until they were skin to sking. Fleur's adventuring hands moved from the back to the front slowly, memorizing everything.

"You like ze 'bad' girl 'Ermione? I can be your 'bad' girl for you. All you need to do is ask…" her hands suddenly shifted upwards to grab.

"Fleur! Time and place for everything!" she took hold of those invading hands quickly to insure some proper bath time behaviour. Soon a struggle broke out followed by giggling and splashing.

"Surrender! You will give in to me 'Ermione! You desire me! Admit it"

"Never! You admit you are powerless against the magical essence that is my body! I will never submit!"

Somehow the two now playful girls were messing about in the bath rather than cleaning, trying to outmatch the other in a mixture of wrestling into the water or splashing relentlessly. This racket was enough of a distraction they didn't hear the door opening behind them. After more struggling, Fleur managed to capture her fiancé in her arms and held her tightly.

"You love me chéri?" Hermione became breathless at the pure sincerity that came with Fleur's voice as she spoke.

"Yes, now and forever" she traced her fingers along a delicate cheekbone before leaning in slowly, her lips barely touching those of their counterpart.

"I would severely 'ope you two declare your love more often. We were beginning to 'ave a few doubts on the depth of zis engagement" the voice came at such a shock Hermione screamed.

Fleur looked over her shoulder to witness the arrival of a few Veela family members that were staying for the holidays. Her sister and a few cousins amongst them. Majority of the ladies were wearing towels and what seemed to be nothing else. She was smirking at the sight of her mother already situated in the bath with her hair tied in a bun atop her head.

"Maman, I do not remember inviting you all to join us. What is ze occasion?" Hermione was trying to cover herself with her arms all the while trying to hide herself behind the blonde's body. Both attempts only half successful.

"Oh posh. Since when do we need an occasion to enjoy zis wondrous tub. It is 'ere to use as we see fit, it is my 'ouse after all young one. Why do you zink I 'ad ze biggest one zey 'ad put in 'ere?" with a simple wave of her hand, the few remaining Veela outside the water slowly dunked their delicate skin in one toe at a time. The heated water appreciated by the moans echoing the room.

"Of course Maman but now seems to be ze most…unfortunate of times…" Fleur was kneeling in the water, still holding a very shaky girl in her arms and trying very hard not to laugh at the obvious humor in the situation. She'd be sleeping on the couch for months if she let even a small squeak escape.

"We 'ave baz's all ze time Fleur. It is somezing your girl 'as to get used to. Now, come 'ere little one. Let me wash your 'air"

Apolline has always been very kind and polite to Hermione since the two first met that time ago during the treaded phase of the deathly tournament. She figured out quickly the woman held strong maternal instinct added to those she knew Veela's had naturally. The very little information on such a subject still made Hermione grind her teeth. Over the past months the two had come to a close relationship ones could have. They held a mutual interest in reading and Apolline loved to show the girl small charms that she had altered for her pleasure. Needless to say, Hermione was very impressed and inspired by the beautiful woman.

"I thank you for the offer Apolline but…Fleur has already done that for me so…Um… I think I'm finished here anyway. I'll take my leave now" her voice was very unsteady and she made no move to leave the secure embrace of her fiancé.

"Non. Come 'ere now 'Ermione" not knowing if it was the authority in that voice or its enchanting effects itself but Hermione retracted from Fleur to make her way over to the Veela mother without a second thought. Only when she felt a warm hand on her check did she snap out of the mind haze she was in. Her face returned to its blush while she tried to cover herself once more.

"Maman! Please, she is embarrassed enough as it is. Let 'er go"

"My petite flower, go meditate wiz your cousins. I will look after 'Ermione 'ere just fine. Besides, your grooming standards are in need of improvement I must say" Fleur was pouting again which did leave a small smile on Hermione's face. It became bigger as she watched another but smaller blonde Veela latch herself to her simmering fiancé.

"Fleur! Do my 'air! S'il vous plaît?! It's been too long" Gabrielle was causing a small hurricane of water to splash about with her actions, the murmurs in French proved to show how it was not appreciated. After a sigh, Fleur agreed and commanded the girl turn around. She did so happily.

"Now my chèri. Let's see what we can go wiz zat 'air of yours oui?" Apolline was a gentle and caring person; each and every time when Hermione saw her with her two daughters and any other member of the family especially the other Veela almost had the girl cooing in awe. Admittedly Hermione didn't understand everything she learned about the Veela culture, not that she didn't try or read the amazing material given to her but somehow it just didn't fit together in her head. The close physical contact they always seemed to have, the lack of thought for personal space or modesty. Even now she watched Fleur be touched along her shoulders and neck by two other Veela women and she didn't seem to care at all. Hermione's jealousy was written across her face for Apolline to see.

"You shouldn't worry yourself wiz meaningless zings chèri. It is simply ze way we are"

"But why? She's being caressed so openly and she does nothing. This is just…" the brunette groaned. A chuckled came from the seat behind her.

"Your jealousy is amusing, but it's as natural as breazing to us. Perhaps look at it zis way. When you are wiz Fleur you wish to touch her oui?" Hermione was blushing again. Poor girl couldn't get a break.

"Yes…"

"You wish zat ze two of you could be as close as you can get, together from first light to dusk" Hermione nodded her agreement. "We wish ze same for eachozer. Being close and touching is a show of affection wizin ze Veela clan. All unmated Veela zey bond wiz eachozer until zey find zeir one and only. Since ze time she could walk, Fleur 'as been touched like zat every day of 'er life. We crave it. 'Ow do you say…Um…show you care?"

"Showing you care is easy. By saying the words normally…" Hermione was mumbling lowly now, realising that there was much about Fleur she didn't know. How could she call herself her lover?

"Like 'ow you speak of your embarrassment of us?" The girl before Apolline turned about in such a quick motion she almost caused herself whiplash.

"NO! I didn't mean it like that but…" she was now ashamed of herself, guilty by all standards placed there by her mind.

"But…?"

"I'm not like you. I am a witch born from the muggle world and even after all the years at Hogwarts and all the studying, the reading and the researching…I'm no closer to your family than when I first met Fleur. I just feel so…shameful…I'm not worth it…"

"'Ermione, listen to me. You are right; you were not born into zis world, you 'ad to learn everyzing so late but zat doesn't mean you are any less. I was also born between worlds but I still make my home 'ere wiz my wizard husband and my Veela family. I knew zere is a lot about Veela you do not know and it will take years to learn ze rest, believe me my chèri you will love every moment. Do not for one minute zink you are not part of zis family. For it is one zing we cherish more zan anyzing else on zis planet, it is each ozer" while gently stroking the young girl's hair she pointed for Hermione to watch her daughters. "Zey grew up wizin a family of Veela and magic 'umans. At times zey may act odd to you but it is zeir base instincts coming out into ze light. 'Ow zey cling togezer or want to be close; it is simply ze way they show zey care. We Veela are very affectionate creatures 'Ermione. Upon your mating wiz my petite flower you will see for yourself. We tend to restrain from unmated ones…most times" Hermione thought over the words carefully to herself for a moment.

"I must say Fleur is rather cuddly in the mornings…So that is to show she loves me? But I know she does…"

"Mon chèri do not fret. She cuddles not just for 'erself, she 'olds you because she feels you are ze one who needs it"

"She can feel what I need? But I don't even know what I need" Apolline smiled.

"Exactly, we 'ave such a link wiz nature we feel zings that ozers cannot. When Reine had just born 'er first, she was terrified." Apolline pointed to a dark haired young woman talking softly with another opposite them. "We did not leave 'er alone wiz her child until she felt ozerwise. We could feel her fear more zan we saw it. It is 'ow we are 'Ermione. And, right now, I can feel your guilt. You need not be I promise"

"I don't mean to feel it but…I want to be your family. I want you all as my family, but I still think I have to earn it rather than just have it handed to me" she chuckled lowly "Just ask the boys, I earned all my marks the hard way" the Veela mother smiled before placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Well would you will feel better if you earned our affections from now?" she continued at the confused look Hermione had on her face. 'So adorable'. "Amongst ozer zings, we Veela love ze attentions mate's show between zem and we love fun and games. So sometimes we merge ze two. You are seeing what I mean 'Ermione?" the brunette slowly nodded her head.

"What can I do?"

"Listen carefully mon enfant…" Apolline began to whisper into the girl's ear. At the change of expressions the girl gave off the other ladies observing held their smirks off their faces for now.

Fleur was trying to avoid her rather rambunctious sister and her splashing. Gabrielle, after sitting through a rather enjoying time of her sister washing and grooming her hair had become a little restless and wanted to swim about the warm waters. The fellow watchful girls were only edging her on with their giggles and small playful splashes. Fleur could only groan to herself. She really wanted her love back in her arms, away from this lot and all to herself. Stealing a glance towards the treasure of her never ending thoughts, she saw both the girl and her mother whispering quietly with their heads tilted. A really bad shiver went down her spine and back up again at the look Hermione just sent her way. Oh she was in for it later.

This is a quick write and edit for me so please be lenient on grammar. Slightly shorter but I hope you enjoyed another wonderful tale of Fleurmione adventures in the world of Harry Potter. So far these are all one-shots for the humor of things. If anyone has any ideas or requests; feel free to PM me. I'll see what I can do but it will take me time to write and edit. At the moment I am writing a requested pre/sequel to my first fanfiction so that may be coming next.