Off to a Party!
During break time, in the Beauxbatons carriage… [French in Italics]
"So, you turned 18 today. You know what to expect at home," said Alexia
"Yeah, Grandma and Mom are probably going crazy for your birthday at the moment," added Gabrielle.
"Hmm, I know," sighed Fleur, "It's not going to be a simple affair, I'm sure."
"Well, I can't wait for the party! It's awesome for Mom to invite the whole Beauxbatons delegation," replied Gabrielle
"True, it would have been sad to have to leave them behind when there is just us as a group here," replied Fleur.
"I suppose Hermione is coming. Grandma and Mom are expecting to meet her," said Gabrielle.
"Yeah, well… I managed to get permission from her parents through Professor Dumbledore but thing is… I haven't mentioned it to her yet," replied Fleur sheepishly.
"What?!" exclaimed Alexia, "what have you been doing all this time?!"
"Yeah well, I was not sure she was going to say yes so I decided to ask her on my actual birthday. Less chance of her saying no to the birthday girl, right?"
"True…or she might just get pissed you asked her at the last minute," replied Alexia, squinting at the blonde.
Fleur sighed again, "Well, it's too late to do anything about it anyway. I hope she doesn't get angry at me and refuses to come."
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Hermione had some free time before lunch. Usually, she would spend it in the library but this time, she had an important meeting in the kitchen with Dobby and the other elves.
As she walked in, she was greeted exuberantly by the kitchen elves. "Hello everyone, thank you for helping with this." She said with a smile, "let me just send a message then we can get started."
She took a seat at one of the tables and took off her bracelet, quickly whispering the password to it and watched it turn into her parchment and quill.
H: Hey Fleur, are you free to talk at the moment?
F: Hermione? Is something the matter?
H: Sorry to interrupt you. I was wondering if you would be willing to have lunch with me at our usual place today, at the lake?
F: But of course Hermione! I'll just walk right to the lake after this class instead of going to the halls.
H: Great! Thank you, Fleur! I'll see you there then. I'll leave you to your class.
F: See you then :)
Closing the parchment back to its bracelet form, she slipped it onto her wrist with a smile.
"Alright everyone!" she said, addressing the elves around her, "It's time to get started."
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Fleur smiled as she changed her parchment back to her bracelet. Hermione wanted to have lunch with her, just the two of them. It was sweet. It also gave her the chance to broach the subject of her birthday party to the brunette.
Soon it was lunchtime and Fleur quickly said goodbye to her family before quickening her steps in the direction of the lake. She was anxious to get to Hermione and also the topic of the party was making her a bit nervous.
She quickly reached the spot and found Hermione standing, smiling at her next to a spread blanket and a basket on it.
"Ermione! I'm 'ere."
"Thanks for coming, Fleur. Happy Birthday again! Please come sit down."
As Fleur took a seat, she felt warmth spread to her bones, Hermione must have put a warming charm on the blanket.
"What iz all zhis?" asked Fleur, curiously like a child on Christmas.
"Uhm, I wanted to give you a special gift for your birthday. With the help of elves, I've prepared your favourites." She murmured as she pulled various French dishes from the basket.
"You made all zhis for me?" Fleur asked, surprised.
Hermione nodded shyly, "It's probably not as good as the dishes you are used to eating… I've rarely cooked in my life which is why I needed the help of the elves, for the recipes and to make sure I didn't mess anything but I tried."
"Oh 'Ermione! Thank you so much!" Fleur hugged her shy brunette to show how much she appreciated the gesture, "a 'omemade meal! It looks great! It must have taken lots of effort!"
"Well, don't judge it until you've tasted it. For all you know, it could taste really horrible."
"I don't believe zhat," Fleur said stubbornly, breaking a piece of bread and lovingly dunking it into one dish before popping it into her mouth, "Hmmmmm…."
Hermione blushed at the moan that came out of the blonde's mouth.
"Zhis iz delicieux. It iz sooo gooood." She moaned, reaching for more bread.
"Really?" Hermione asked sceptically.
"I am not even joking. You should try some." Fleur urged, dunking another piece of bread into the dish before bringing it to Hermione's lips who blushed furiously but opened her mouth and allowed Fleur to feed her.
"Good, right?" Fleur asked expectantly.
Chewing, Hermione realised that her cooking was actually pretty good, "uhuh", she nodded.
"Told you. 'Ere, 'ave some more." Fleur prompted, bringing another morsel to Hermione's lips.
"I can feed myself, you know," the Gryffindor said trying to evade Fleur's hand.
"Where iz ze fun in zhat? Now, come on, 'umor ze birthday girl. Say ahhh" Fleur grinned, loving the healthy flush of red that her teasing was bringing to her mate's face.
"You are pushing it," grumbled Hermione, not saying ahh but still allowing Fleur to feed her one more time, "alright, that was the last time. I'm feeding myself now."
Fleur pouted, "Ah, you are no fun," she whined.
"Enough woman! Eat your food or I'll take it back to the elves," the brunette threatened.
Still pouting, Fleur went back to sample the dishes.
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After having filled up their bellies with good food, the two girls were sitting, enjoying the tranquillity found at the lake.
"'Ermione?"
"Hmm?" Hermione turned her focus from the ripples in the water to the blonde girl.
"I 'ave something to ask you." Fleur fidgetted nervously.
"What is it?" frowned Hermione, having rarely seen Fleur nervous.
"Hmm, you see, since it iz my birthday, especially my eighteenth, my family iz organising a party tonight… I was wondering if you would go wiz me?"
"A party? Tonight? Where is it going to be held? Here at Hogwarts? Oh Fleur! I would love to go but I do not have anything to wear for something like that!"
"Ah well, you see, it will be 'eld at ze Delacour Estate in France. Ze Beauxbatons Delegation are all invited and we will be apparating zhere. As for 'aving something to wear, you should come to ze carriage, we 'ave all ze selection you would need."
"France!" Hermione shrieked, "I can't leave Hogwarts, Fleur!"
"Yes, you can. I asked Professor Dumbledore and told 'im, it iz on ze occasion of my birthday. He asked your parents, stating that it was an exchange for a day and that you would be supervised by a person of authority and he said they said yes."
"They did?!" Hermione was astounded, "wow… I don't know what to say."
"Please, say you will come." Fleur pleaded.
"Well, since my parents said yes, I guess I can go… I'm going to France," Hermione's eyes widened as she spoke the words out loud. "Wait!" she said abruptly, "Are you sure I can go? Who is the person of authority looking after me? Did you ask your parents? And you are sure I'll find something to wear for the ball?"
"Bof! Of course, you will find somezhing to wear. Ze girls will love dressing you up! As for my parents, my Maman iz dying to meet you, Grand-mere as well and zhey both will be acting as the persons of authority."
Hermione started sweating at the idea of meeting the Delacours and Fleur could see the girl getting nervous. "Do not worry ma chère 'Ermione! Zhey already love you from my letters and zhey will love you more when zhey get to know you in person!"
"Whatever you say," grumbled Hermione, she wasn't feeling confident about this .
"Now now, don't be such a grumpy baby. Let's pack up, classes will start soon. Meet me at ze carriage before dinner. We will be 'aving dinner at ze Estate instead. We'll get you all dressed up before we go."
"Alright." The brunette sighed.
"Again 'Ermione, thank you for ze gift. I loved it." Fleur said, quickly planting a kiss on the brunette's cheek before turning around to pack the blanket.
Hermione stayed frozen for a few seconds, taken off-guard at the sudden action before getting into gear and helping the blonde pack their things.
Fleur then offered her hand to Hermione, smiling "Let's go".
Hermione grasped the offered hand and allowed herself to be guided back to the castle for their remaining classes of the day.
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Later, Hermione descended directly to the grounds instead of going to dinner at the Great Hall. Ginny had asked her earlier if she should wait for her at dinner but she had declined, saying she wouldn't be there. Surprised, her friend had asked her where she was heading off for and Hermione had explained Fleur's invitation to her. Ginny had smiled wickedly, much to her confusion, and told her to 'have fun'. As she reached the carriage, she knocked on the light blue door of the carriage and nervously waited.
The door opened, revealing Fleur, who had been impatiently waiting by the door, "Hermione! Come in!"
Hermione's eyes widened as she stepped into the carriage. What, from outside, looked smaller than Hagrid's Hut was massive on the inside. It was like stepping into a mansion, the floor was deep blue marble with pillars going to the high ceiling while the walls were covered in royal blue wallpaper and golden fleur de lys. Large chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating the place with a golden hue making all the gold and silver highlights on the walls and pillars scintillate, "Wow! It's massive inside. It's beautiful..."
"Yes of course, 'ow did you think we all fit in 'ere? Come wiz me," Fleur smiled, taking the girl's hand, "We are going to my room, ze girls will dress you up zhere."
Following dutifully, Hermione asked, "Uh, what about you? Where are you getting dressed?"
"Since I decided it would be best if you use my room, I will be using Alexia' room."
"I don't want to inconvenience you, Fleur."
"Zhere iz no inconvenience, my 'Ermione." Fleur opened her door and pulled the brunette inside her room where Rachel, Santana and some of the other girls were waiting, already dressed in their best gowns, "I will leave you with them. I'm sorry I cannot stay, I 'ave to get ready as well. 'Ave fun my belle," smiled Fleur before leaving, closing the door behind her.
"Don't worry, Hermione," said Rachel as she pulled the nervous Gryffindor towards the massive rack of dresses that was in the room, "we'll take good care of you."
"Uhuh, you won't recognise yourself by the time we're done with you," smirked Santana.
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Hermione felt like she was an ice princess in a fairytale with the light blue dress that shimmered as she moved, the fabric looking as if it contained silver glitter all over. Her hair had been styled into a french braid, with a few curls out to frame her pale face. Her neck was adorned with a slim necklace of shining diamonds.
"Come on, it's time for us to apparate to France," said Rachel as she directed everyone outside the carriage.
Hermione noticed that the Beauxbatons girls were all outside, decked in beautiful dresses or elegant suits. The Veela with suits though, had a military/warrior style to them, with their swords strapped by their side or on their back, which intrigued Hermione.
"Oh, 'Ermione, vous êtes la plus belle créature que j'ai jamais vu. [Oh 'Ermione, you are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen]'' Fleur's voice whispered behind her and the brunette turned around, only to be surprised by the sight in front of her. Fleur was dressed in a long dark blue tunic that reached to her knees and was secured around her waist with a sash matching Hermione's own dress, accompanied by black pants that disappeared into tall black boots. The tunic's popped up collar and wrists were finely embroidered with silver vines, making Fleur look regal, almost like a prince, "You are magnificent, 'Ermione."
The brunette was brought back to the present by Fleur's voice and she blushed as she registered the blonde's words, "Ah, Fleur…you… you look amazing too."
"Shall we?" asked Fleur, offering her right arm for Hermione to link hers with, which she did nervously, "we are going to ze outskirts of Hogwarts so we can apparate. Since we cannot apparate inside."
The group of students accompanied by their Headmistress walked for quite a bit until they were out of the anti-apparating wards of Hogwarts.
Fleur walked to where everyone was gathered. "As we all know, we are apparating to France, to the Delacour Estate. Grab onto a Veela or their mate as we are doing side-along apparition." She waited for everyone to group, "Ready? Let's go." With that said, multiple pops were heard in the clearing. Fleur grabbed Hermione's hand and took Gabrielle's hand with the other and apparated away.