Chapter 15: Momentary Respite

Impracticality was an ever occurring situation in Hermione's life. It was for most students in Hogwarts.

To name a few instances well... being in this hellish experience of having to live in fear from strings of misfortune all over the fact that someone wants to take over the world or maybe the fact that a god of thunder exists and doesn't have a shred of conscience after trying to end her life by plunging his hand on her soul.

Both are harsh, never quite in the spectrum of reason.

Now impracticality has a new form.

One being Fluer Delacour.

Now in comparison, she might be the lesser of three bad lucks.

Still an unwanted measure for sure.

Stuck in the conundrum from someone like Fluer, the ever posh french woman who knows just what to say or do, to get on Hermione's nerves has now started some kind of game with her.

A very odd game, or maybe a trick. Hermione wasn't sure.

For two days now, she would appear out of nowhere and keep her company.

It doesn't matter what kind of activity it would be, be it just going to the library to read and relax, or going for a jog in the woods. Whatever it is, she would smell her like a bloodhound and appear as if she apparated like some kind of handloom wanting to rob someone, which should be impossible!

The odder behavior Hermione observed was that Fleur would do nothing. Not the kind of 'nothing' that lays on the ground as if paralyzed.

No.

Nothing was her just either standing, walking, or sitting beside her and not uttering one comment that wasn't welcomed. That kind of nothing was what Hermione got.

No talking and no other explanation. She was just there.

Like a leech that she can't get off!

The first time she did this, Hermione glared at her. A useless attempt to push her away, she might say.

But she found out that if none of them start a conversation, none of the two would initiate talking out their frustrations with each other (especially Hermione), and if no one talked then Hermione won't get to end this ridiculous silent partnership that Fleur got out of her ass. But she wasn't about to recognize that Fluer was irritating her when she wasn't actually offending her.

At least, not directly anyway.

Hermione knows she's being rude but her patience was wearing thin.

Know why?

Because Fleur's attachment issue has somehow gone deeper, to the extent that she was now sitting at the Gryffindor table and eating with them and her friends, as if it was any other Wednesday.

"What is happening right now? Ginny, am I still dreaming?" Ron went to face his sister beside him, only to get the same expression of confusion as well. Then a small slap on his arm to woke him up.

"Okay that slap felt too real, so maybe no. You're not, Ron."

"Um, Hermione. Care for an explanation?" Harry sounded just as confused as the others. Only her expression was widely towards concern.

Hermione could understand.

Her recent routine was always to walk Harry to her classes, whenever she can. Just a show of support more than anything. Even Ron or Ginny do that for Harry.

But now that Fleur hit her head or something, she was also accompanying them whenever she can, which was surprisingly a lot.

The two didn't seem too keen on each other, even if they didn't say it. It was pretty awkward to introduce the Veela witch to Harry and not scare her best friend into a corner. Fleur can be pretty intimidating when she wants to. Which is all the time, unfortunately.

Hermione looked stoic as she tried to eat her breakfast in peace and ignore the looks she and Fleur got from their housemates, as Fleur was sitting beside her eating her bread and soup, and even ignoring the conversation as well.

Hermione took a glance at the Veela, as Fleur meets her eye. She only raised an eyebrow before elegantly chewing on her food.

She's even eating as if she's eating with statues.

"You might not believe me, but I am just as lost as you guys. If you want to know, you'd be my guest to ask Miss Delacour beside me." She said with a huff.

Since that would lessen her job in interrogating the blonde. It was already hard to ignore the fact that she knows about Hermes, she wasn't about to thread in that territory for now.

Upon hearing her name, Fleur perks up and looks at others expectantly. Finally registering that they were there and waiting for them to ask her the question they've (her as well) been dying to know about. But it must have been her thrall or something else because they didn't ask Fleur anything. Somehow she diverted the issue with just one look as Ron's face flushed red before his body went rigid.

"Ron, breath!" Ginny began to pound her brother's back to get him to stop being a moron in front of the foreign student. While Harry began to look even bothered as she keeps looking at her and then at Fleur. A pout in her mouth before avoiding Hermione's gaze to continue eating her egg with displeasure.

"Well, if that's all. Harry we should get going now" Hermione had eaten her fill and wanted to get out of the Great hall to finally get rid of the other's whispering.

"I'm fine going to class on my own" Somehow Harry's tone was irritated.

'Say what now?' Hermione asked herself again.

"I know. I just... I wanted to walk you there" Hermione replied, her tone softer.

Harry didn't seem taken with her response, as she continued to frown and continue playing with her food. "Thank you but you don't have to. Everyone has adjusted to my predicament already. No one is harassing me and I've been in this school the same time as you have. I can walk to my class alone." Harry suddenly stands up and walks away without warning.

Somehow, Hermione felt like Harry being upset was her fault. Although, she has no idea why.

She felt a headache coming but let Harry do her own thing. It was better to respect her wishes than to treat her as if she couldn't be independent.

Hermione has expected this a long time ago. She just didn't expect it'd be too soon.

"I'll see you guys later." She didn't go after Harry but said goodbye to Ron and Ginny as she plans on going to her class for the day.

And surprise ~ surprise, Fluer was tailing her.

"Don't you have other classes to attend aside from stalking me?" She asked with a low bite.

There! She finally said something to Fluer. Acknowledging her existence.

Fleur stares at her as if she was hit in the head, then mutters straightforwardly. "We have the same class. Remember... Arithmancy?"

Hermione couldn't help but blush as she forgets about that. "Other than that?"

"Hmm. I can get to and from classes easily. No need to worry" Fleur replied.

"Oh. I definitely am not worried. More so feeling inconvenience over how you keep following me around"

"Really. I didn't notice," Her tone had an underlying sarcasm that was hidden with smooth words. "Maybe because you haven't voiced out your indignation. Not even once"

"Because I thought you have the decency to read the room and figure it out that you are acting so uncharacteristically weird and just leave on your own."

"Of course, I can leave on my own terms. It's just that my terms seem to be different from what you have in mind."

"Yes. I know. Wouldn't be the first time we don't see eye to eye. Aren't you even a little bit embarrassed that you're following me like a chick following its mother hen? Worse like a pet."

Fleur didn't even react.

Sometimes, Hermione missed the older version of Fleur that would quip up and get riled up as easily as she was offended by everything. This one unnerves her even more because she'd just look either irritated or dismissive but never say it out loud.

"Why, isn't this what your headmaster intended when they hosted the Triwizard tournament? Unity for the three schools. Of course, even with the Triwizard tournament disbanded and exchanged, it doesn't change the essence of what your beloved headmaster wanted to accomplish. It has always been the same, cant you agree? So why would I be embarrassed to be with another student? We're all equal as you've been preaching to me this whole time" Then knock her out with a splendid smile that was borderline mocking.

Hermione hates this Fluer who she can't refute.

"I really don't know what you're planning with Hermes but I don't want anything to do with it. Got me—" For a moment Hermione falters as her head felt a spike run past it.

A deep voice is whispering in the background. Her body begins to shiver. Panicking as she was expecting it to pounce again.

But then, Fluer's warm hands grip her up. She was steadying her.

'Hermione, can you hear me?'

"I'm here." Hermione was able to utter as Hermes' voice ghosted over her fear.

'Deep breaths. Listen to my voice.'

Hermione adjusted her breathing as she squeeze Fluer's arm that was still grabbing onto her.

'You're okay. It's not here. I'm here' Hermes' voice slowly fills her head as her breathing comes normally again. She feels Hermes' presence drapes unto her, maybe in an attempt to quell her unease. Still, some of the residues stayed as Hermione was still keeping her eyes closed.

When it finally subsided, Hermione was grateful it wasn't her normal attacks. For one Hermes wasn't blocked and the other being...

Hermione opened her eyes and stared directly into blue irises, without much fuss she gave no indication that she would say anything but it was apparent that she wasn't comfortable with the situation at all.

Both of them weren't.

She softly pushes her away and averted her eyes.

"Thank you." In the lowest voice, she can.

She forgoes her earlier scolding as a form of gratitude while the brunette continues to go to her class.

For now, she'd let Fleur do what she wants.


Hermione was dazed.

Assessing the fact that Fleur knew about her predicament and remembering how much she felt relief that she wasn't alone this time.

She was still adamant about asking for help but it wasn't bad to have at least one person look after her. She was just surprised that it had been Fleur who voluntarily came and started being this weird samaritan.

Makes her think she might be after something.

Hermione rubs her forehead to get the headache away. All this thinking was getting the best of her.

"Hermione?"

"Huh?"

Hermione turned to see Daphne worried. She completely forgot she was in class already.

Looking in front they were already halfway through class already.

"Yes? I'm sorry. I was thinking about something." She excused while giving the blonde Slytherin a smile.

"You've been doing that lately. You weren't to class most days either." Daphne stated while looking at her textbook without much care about the context in them.

Hermione nervously played with her hands while biting her lips. She wasn't being the most subtle.

Daphne wasn't dumb either. While she wasn't the most astute when it comes to chants but she wasn't oblivious either. She can also notice that when it comes to her, the Slytherin was more intrigued to hear her talk and would rather look for her than the others. Maybe her efforts to be friends were bearing fruit but right now, it was a bit of a hindrance.

"Ahh. Well. I have been sick a few times now that's why I was either to Madam Pomfrey or in my room to rest."

"You should look out for yourself better. You know, you can also ask me if you're not feeling well," she says before mumbling. "I used to take care of my little sister before she doesn't want anything to do with me. Not that she's ever told me if I was good at taking care of people." Daphne said with a strained smile.

She doesn't really want to reply to that. She doesn't want Daphne to be worried over her problems.

So she only smiled and reached out to hold Daphne's hand while lightly squeezing them. "You know, you're sweet when you want to be. I'd be lucky to be your little sister. Plus, it'd be adorable to see you feed me soup." After imagining the proud sweet blonde holding a bowl of soup and then saying something like 'say ahh'. The image made her giggle.

Daphne was looking at her before she quickly averted her face which confuses Hermione.

Did she say something offensive?

But she didn't swat her hand away so that wasn't it.

Leaning closer to her to get a look at her face. "Daphne, you okay? Did I say something wrong?"

For a brief moment, she could see something red before Daphne's free hand suddenly covers Hermione's eyes. "Don't look."

She could hear her voice quiver a bit.

Hermione quickly came to the conclusion that the blonde was flustered. Cute

This made Hermione give a playful smile.

"Why?" she said. "Has no one ever told the revered ice queen that she's adorable?"

"Stop saying nonsense" While Daphne's hand was still on her face was still touching her eyes, the other hand squeezing her hand was being squeezed back. "I'll have our house elf cook you food."

"aww. I can't have your home cooking then?"

"Not if you want food poisoning."

Hemione chuckles before slowly grabbing Daphne's hand to let her eyes go and finally seeing the cute red blush on her face. Daphne was so fun to tease. "I don't mind. I mean, I don't believe I'll feel worse than what I'm going through at the moment."

"Don't be daff, Hermione. If I'm going to cook you food. Wait for me to get better." Daphne was pursing her lips as if she was embarrassed to even cook someone food.

Hermione hadn't felt calm for days now. Teasing Daphne seems to heal her, it made her remember the days before she was so stressed and miserable. When all she had to worry about was keeping her best friend safe, her studies, and how to maneuver all these girls she keeps meeting.

Now, most days she can't even recall if she even ate or attended a class.

Suddenly the two heard someone clear their throat. "Is that so? Would Miss Greengrass care to cook for the whole class as well?"

The two looked in tandem and saw the whole class and their classmates looking at them and at their intertwined hands and Hermione leaning pretty close to the blonde Slytherin.

"I wasn't notified that my class has turned into a flirting session. I mean, I do mean it when I said to be cooperative with your desk partner but not like this."

Hermione and Daphne are distanced without a second more, with Hermione scratching her neck and the blonde hiding her face in her books. Both girl's cheeks had turned their own shade of redness.

Hermione manages to apologize for both of them, as Professor Flitwick went on with class right after but not occasionally looking at them.

The brunette spared the blonde a look. One that Daphne often meets but not throwing her small glares.

Hermione wanted to laugh at her.

Thinking that Daphne might keep a grudge if she doesn't do anything, Hermione thought of a way to soothe her.

After a few scribbling, slips a note to her.

Does the offer still stand?

The blonde reads it before giving her a reply.

Yes.

Hermione was happy that she wasn't really mad. then she noticed she actually wrote something at the bottom.

...but only if you come to me if you're not feeling well. I'm your friend after all.

Suddenly, she couldn't continue to smile.

Guilt spiked on her chest.

Hermione realized that she was a big hypocrite.

She quickly hid the note in her pocket before crushing it in her hand.

For the rest of the class, she didn't look at Daphne.


"You seem to be more depressed than when I left you"

Leave it to Fleur to make it worse.

"Like there's any difference between before and now."

The two were now in the library as they keep each other busy studying while Hermione keeps pushing her attacks at bay. Hermes was being blocked again so she was afraid of having them. She thought that if she distracts herself with tutoring Fleur it might not show up.

"Well. Before you were irritating but okay. Now it's as if you got rejected." Fleur quipped while answering the formula in the paper.

"Wow. You must be great at cheering people up. A real natural. Want to comment about my nonexistent love life now."

Fleur glared at her. "I'm just saying. If you want to talk about it, you can."

"To who?"

Fleur straighten in her seat and crossed her arms, acting as if she was insulted. "You're so secretive from your friends, then that leaves me. Who else can you talk to?"

"I don't want to insult you but if I start talking about how I got caught in charm class acting like I was courting a Slytherin girl and then getting scolded, will you give me advice over my woeful experience of being a pathetic romantic?" Hermione tilts her head on her hand that was propped on the table to give the french woman a challenging stare.

"I... I well." Fleur was taken aback by Hermione's confession, even if it was twisted a bit.

"Other those scandalous things. You can tell me." The Fleur that Hermione met on the first day was rearing its head a bit, making her smirk. "Okay then, want to tell me how to flirt with a girl then? I mean, technically you're the one that's been flirted to and not by but I think you're experienced enough. I mean some guys might have done something smooth as well."

"You!" Fleur's previous composure was crumbling. "How can you think about courting some— some girl in a situation like this?! You deviant!"

"You offered. I was merely taking your generosity at hand." She said with a teasing tone.

"Be serious. That's now what I'm talking about and you know it." She said still glaring at her. "And stop being ridiculous. Don't go around harassing some girls"

"Why I'm charming to some women, like it or not. Hermes said I may be a lady killer if I learn under his previous conquest."

"Stop talking!" Fleur fumes as she screams. This resulted in Madam Pince shushing Fluer to keep her voice down, to which she apologized and went to keep glaring at Hermione.

The brunette started laughing, as Fleur's expression turns even greener. It was her first even genuine laugh she had since the incident.

Out in the corner of Hermione's eyes, Fleur must have noticed this too because she was giving a small smile as well.

Hermione didn't say anything to elevate Fleur's blood pressure further as she dropped annoying the french woman and taught her the second phase of the subject.

She hadn't realized then, that she didn't have any episodes for the whole afternoon.


For the lovely fellow Crucio18, who made me remember I had this in my chapter sitting in my folders, rotting away.

Keep safe, my loves.