Chapter 26: Clash of the Families
The day to the Third Task arrived pretty quickly, much to Hermione's dismay. She felt dread settle in the pit of her stomach. She definitely wasn't looking forward to it. All classes had been cancelled, which helped in some sense. She would have never been able to concentrate on class with the amount of worry swimming in her head. Fleur was sticking close to her, trying to provide a comforting presence. Hermione sighed as she realised it was all topsy turvy. She was supposed to be relaxing the blonde's nerves for the Task instead of the other way around.
"Madame Maxime told me zhat we are to 'ave visitors in a bit and zhat we should head out to the castle," said Fleur as she walked towards the brunette.
Hermione sighed again. Visitors? What kind of visitors? She had been looking forward to spending the whole day with the blonde, not even letting go for a second, but she guessed that she didn't have a choice. "Ok, let me grab a few things," she replied, going around to rummage for her items.
Fleur looked at the Gryffindor worriedly. She could tell that this whole competition was taking a toll on her mate. She regretted putting her name in the Goblet now. It wasn't worth it. Playing with danger and getting close to death didn't appeal to her. She didn't want to chance her life to end prematurely and miss all the things she wanted to experience with Hermione, namely a very long life together, side by side. She waited until the brunette was ready and slipped her hand in hers, interlocking their fingers. "Je t'aime, 'Ermione," she whispered, depositing a kiss against the bookworm's temple.
Hermione smiled, mood slightly better and looked up at the taller girl, "I love you too," she replied, bestowing a chaste kiss to soft lips before tugging Fleur out of the carriage.
As they walked into the Great Hall, they were met by Professor McGonagall, "Ah Miss Delacour! There you are." she said, approaching the pair with Harry following behind. "Now that I've got all the Champions, at least the ones allowed on the grounds," she said, slight grumble in her voice, "please follow me to meet your families."
Harry slid next to the couple as they followed the Gryffindor Head of House, "I don't know what she means… I don't have a family…" he said solemnly.
Hermione looked at her friend sadly and pulled him into one arm hug. They all walked quietly until they reached the door of a room.
"They are inside," said McGonagall before walking away.
Fleur opened the door and allowed Harry and Hermione to walk in first. Harry was shocked to see the Weasleys waiting for him as he walked in. He quickly shuffled towards them and was pulled into a hug by each of them, with Fred and George messing with his hair. Molly, Arthur, Ron, Bill and Ginny as well, were all there for him.
Fleur, on the other hand, smiled as she noticed her parents and grandparents in deep conversation with Gabrielle and Alexia. Artemis perched on her grand-mère's shoulder.
"Ma fille!" boomed Armand as he walked towards her and lifted her into her arms, twirling around, "How are you?! Gabrielle said you got injured!"
"Papa! Put me down!" chuckled Fleur, waiting until her father had deposited her on the ground before replying, "I am fine, all 'ealed." The others approached and hugged both Fleur and Hermione.
"We are so 'appy for you both!" said Angelique as she pulled the couple in her arms. Hermione blushed at the blessing of the Delacour matriarch.
"Indeed, we are!" gushed Apolline, pulling the brunette for a hug as well, "Welcome to ze family, 'Ermione!"
"Thank… you," stammered Hermione. Despite having met them all at Fleur's birthday party, she was suddenly meeting them again, this time as Fleur's partner and it made her nervous like she was sitting for an exam!
"Hermione, zis is Léon, my grandfazzer. He wasn't zhere at ze estate for my party because 'e travels a lot,'' Fleur introduced an older man.
Hermione offered her hand for a shake which the man took enthusiastically.
"You picked a beautiful one, my petite fleur," Leon said. Hermione blushed at the compliment.
Fleur, sensing her mate's nervousness, pulled her closer. She kept her face neutral as her family looked at them in amusement. She wasn't going to let them tease her!
"Please Fleur, you get to 'ave her every day! Let us talk to her for a bit," grinned Apolline, watching as her daughter unsuccessfully tried to keep the blush from her face.
Fleur pouted. They had been here not even for a minute and they were already at it.
"Maman, Fleur never leaves 'Ermione's side. They are joined to ze hip, as ze English say," intoned Gabrielle cheekily. Alexia snorted. Artemis chirped, as if in agreement.
The family laughed as the couple blushed. Fleur though just pulled the brunette tighter against her.
As they chatted, Hermione gave quick checking glances to Harry who looked happy to have people here for him. Her eye suddenly caught Bill staring at Fleur intensely. Frowning, she wondered why. Observing further, her stomach turned to lead and a fire bubbled in her chest when she realised that the redhead was looking at her girlfriend with barely concealed lust. She tightened her arms around the blonde as a low growl erupted from her throat. Fleur, hearing the sound, looked down at the brunette. Hermione just shook her head at the blonde and focused her attention back on Fleur's family. Fleur was hers. There was no need to worry.
"Hermione?" a voice called out after a few minutes, and Hermione and her group turned to find a family of redheads looking at her.
Hermione reluctantly pulled away from Fleur to go greet the Weasleys. "Hello Mr and Mrs Weasley," she greeted politely.
Molly Weasley eyed the brunette scruntinisingly before looking at the blonde women behind her, "You should be with us, Hermione. After all, we are all here to support Harry as his family."
Hermione frowned, confused. "I am supporting Harry, Mrs Weasley… but I'm also supporting my girlfriend. This is Fleur Delacour," she said pointing at the Veela, "she's the Beauxbatons Champion, and this is her family."
"Don't we all want Harry to win?" the Weasley matriarch asked, chuckling.
"Ah well," Hermione thought about it, "Harry never wanted to participate, and he's not interested in winning," she turned to look at Harry who was nodding, "So I'm more aiming at Fleur winning," she replied honestly.
"What are you doing, Hermione?" Molly's face turned red, "going against your friends for this…" she waved at Fleur in disgust, "When Ron told me you abandoned them, I couldn't believe him, but now, I see it's true." Ron was standing all puffed out behind her, feeling vindicated.
Fleur's face turned stormy as she heard the words, and she moved closer to Hermione. Hermione, on the other hand, was looking at the Weasley woman in shock.
"Mrs Weasley," Harry pressed to diffuse the situation, "it's not like that-"
"I thought of you to be smart, Hermione. You are known to be the brightest witch of your age! How… how did you fall in the wiles of this… Veela?" Molly asked, eyeing the blonde like she was an insect, "I thought you would be good for my son-"
"Your son?!" Hermione interrupted, voice high pitched and incredulous, "your son is a sorry ass of a man. He is insensitive, a prat, and barely something anyone would want," she said angrily, not caring at how both Molly and Ron's faces turned purple. How dare she?! How dare she insult us! Hermione was livid.
"What did you say about my daughter?" shrieked Apolline, approaching the woman with a stomp.
"How can you be so blind, Hermione?!" cried Ron, feeling more courageous with his mother's presence. "She is not from here. She's going back to France after all th-!" A flapping of wings interrupted him, and he cried out when Artemis flew into his face, pecking and clawing him.
"Artemis, reviens!" Angelique called out. Artemis pecked the redhead one last time before flying back to the Delacour matriarch's shoulder.
"What are you doing to my son?!" screeched Molly as she ran her hands over her boy's scratched face in worry.
"She's going back to France after all this, Hermione! Leaving you behind! Open your eyes!" shouted Ron, pushing his mother's hands away. His face sported red claw marks that started bleeding.
Hermione glared at him with all the fury she could muster, "And I'm going with her!" she screamed.
The statement shocked the group, the Delacours, pleasantly so.
"What?!" Ron shouted, "what do you mean?!"
"Exactly what I said. I'm leaving for France with Fleur after graduation," replied Hermione, crossing her arms to her chest and daring anyone to object.
"There is no need for you to go to France, Hermione! What about the dreams you had of working here? I'm sure Arthur can put in a good word for you at the Ministry," replied Molly, not believing what the brunette had said.
Fleur scoffed, "'Ermione needs no one to put a 'word' for her. She's brilliant enough zhat people will come knocking at 'er door!"
"This is not going to last, Hermione! She's a Veela and will throw you away after she's had enough of you!" Ron tried to reason with the brunette.
The outrage that blew up from the Delacours made him stumble backwards in fear, but Hermione stepped forward, getting into his face, "Veela mate for life, you moron! And Fleur is my mate. I have already bonded with her. We are forever!"
The gasps erupting from the Weasley family resonated loud into the room. Any other time, Hermione's face would have been red with embarrassment to people knowing she had slept with Fleur, but right now, her face was fierce and daring anyone to say anything about it. She loves Fleur and is bonded to her. She wasn't ashamed of it, never would be. Fleur was part of her now, and she felt damn lucky about it. She wasn't going to allow anyone to belittle her relationship.
Molly and Ron stood gaping like fish.
"How dare you speak to my family like this?!" boomed Armand, standing tall and showing his size. When in good mood, he looked like a cuddly bear, but right now, his physique was intimidating. Ron stumbled further back.
"'Ermione is our family! And I will not 'ave you speak to 'er like zhat!" spat Apolline, "She deserves respect! She is going to be ze Chief-Consort of ze Clan, together wiz my Fleur! Fleur's Queen!"
Arthur tried to pull his family away, apologising profusely for his wife and son. Ginny shot an apologetic look at Hermione as she violently pulled Ron away by the ear, making sure to twist the flesh for added pain. Harry whispered a small sorry at the couple as he shuffled out with them all.
Hermione huffed, taking a deep breath before sagging under the weight of her emotions. She was immediately gathered into Fleur's arms and buried her face in the blonde's chest, to centre herself back, the fury still burning under her skin.
"Such rude people!" said Angelique, looking at her granddaughter with worry as she comforted her mate.
Hermione pulled away from Fleur's chest and looked at the matriarch, "I apologise for their behaviour," she said, ashamed.
"Nonsense," replied Angelique, patting the brunette's hair, "you did nothing wrong. You shouldn't apologise for zhem." Artemis chirped. Fleur made a mental note to give her bird extra sugar cubes later for scratching Ron's face.
Hermione sighed in relief, thankful that the Weasley's display hadn't upset Fleur's family. It was the last thing she wanted to happen on this very day.
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"Can you believe what she said?" Ron asked Harry as they were pulled out of the room, "she is leaving us! For that wench!"
"Stop it!" shouted Harry, pushing the redhead who staggered backwards in shock, "Fleur has done nothing to warrant this from you!" he spat, glaring at the redhead before turning towards Mrs Weasley, "I didn't put my name in this competition! I didn't want to be in this competition! Had it not been for Fleur, who has been helping me throughout, I'm not sure what would have happened!" He saw how Mrs Weasley's eyes widened at the information.
"She's cast a spell on Hermione, Harry! Fooled her with her thrall! She is taking her away from us, to France!" cried Ron, face purple in anger.
"For fuck sake, Ron!" Ginny growled, not caring about her language despite her parents standing right there, "how much of a fucking moron can you be?! No one makes Hermione do anything she doesn't want! If she is going to France, it's by her own decision! You know nothing about her and you claim to love her!"
"I do!" Ron argued with his sister.
"No, you don't!" Ginny replied, "and if you did, it doesn't matter anyway. Get it into your fucking thick skull, Hermione loves Fleur and is with Fleur!"
"She doesn't know what she wants, she's been fooled," Ron whined. Why was everyone against him on this?!
Ginny growled and approached him, grabbing him by the collar and pulling him towards her, "if you keep making her life and Fleur's life hell, Ronald, I will forget you are my stupid git of a brother and cut you to pieces."
"And I will forget you are my best mate," Harry added seriously.
Ron huffed and stormed out, feeling betrayed by his own best friend and sister.
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The door of the room opened again, startling Fleur and everyone else still inside. McGonagall walked back in with two people following closely.
"Mom, Dad?" Hermione called out, astonished. What were her parents doing here? She didn't wait for an answer before running to them and launching herself in their arms.
"Hermione!" Hermione's mother, Emma, hugged her tightly, bestowing kisses on her unruly hair, "I've missed you so much," she said as she pulled away to look at her daughter's face. Her girl was growing into a woman, and she had barely had the chance to witness it. The few holidays the girl came back home weren't enough.
"It's good to see you, Buttercup," her father Adam added, kissing her cheek.
"What are you guys doing here?" Hermione asked, still in shock at seeing her parents here in Hogwarts.
"We knew that the Tournament final was coming up, and since your girlfriend was participating, we contacted Professor McGonagall to see if we could come to support you both," Emma replied.
Hermione turned to look at the Transfiguration professor and saw her give her a note, with a small smile on her face.
"So where is this Frenchy of yours?" Adam asked, bumping his daughter on the shoulder.
Hermione blushed but smiled brightly and whirled around to beckon Fleur and her family to come closer.
"Mom, Dad, this is Fleur Delacour," she said, taking the blonde's hand and pulling closer, "and this is her family," she introduced the rest of the group.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Monsieur et Madame Granger," Fleur said nervously, putting her hand forward to shake theirs, "Hermione has told me so much about you both."
"Oh, please! You are part of the family now, from what Hermione has told us so please call us Emma and Adam!" Hermione's mother said, pulling the blonde into a hug.
After Emma had finished hugging the blonde, Adam wasted no time in pulling Fleur into another one, welcoming her in the family.
Fleur relaxed as she felt welcome and soon the two families were mingling and chatting, getting to know each other. Feeling a squeeze on her hand, Fleur realised that Hermione hadn't let go of her hand and she pulled the smiling brunette into her arms, bestowing a loving kiss onto her forehead.
The pair took a second to breathe each other in before joining their families, hand in hand.
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Hermione and Fleur spent the rest of the day with their families, giving them a thorough tour of the castle, showing off their classrooms, the Astronomy tower, the Greenhouses, obviously the library, and then the Hogwarts grounds! The Giant Squid even made an appearance.
Hermione enjoyed her time with the lively French family and was quite happy for their presence as she watched Fleur get teased mercilessly and pout. It was great to see the blonde relax and enjoy her time with her family, but she couldn't relax personally, with the Third Task fast approaching, with every minute ticking by. The task was scheduled after dinner, and Hermione was sure she wouldn't be able to have any food, stomach too much in knots.
"Mon amour?" Fleur called out, approaching the brunette who had been lagging behind. They were walking along the Black lake, enjoying the crisp Scottish air and the sunset.
Hermione shook herself out of her thoughts and smiled at the blonde. She really didn't want to get the blonde worried about her after she had managed to relax.
"What's on your mind?" Fleur asked, brows furrowed as she pulled the brunette closer.
"Don't worry, you!" laughed Hermione as she tried to smooth down the creases on the Veela's forehead, "I was just thinking of exams"
Fleur laughed, "we both know you will pass zhem with flying colours, mon amour," she said, kissing the Gryffindor's temple.
Hermione sighed, a smile blooming on her lips. She wanted it to be all done, the Tournament, exams, graduation so she could have Fleur to herself, starting their lives together… but she would have to wait so she shook her head and just whispered 'Thank you' to her girlfriend instead.
They joined back with the rest of the group and Hermione found herself walking next to Fleur's grandmother, Angelique.
"I 'ear you are experiencing changes already, 'Ermione. Is zhat true?" the oldest Veela asked.
"Yes, ma'am. I can hear a lot better now."
"Please 'Ermione," the woman looked at her sternly, "I told you to call me grand-mère."
"Oh yes, sorry," Hermione apologised shyly, "I have been hearing some specific noises, grand-mère. Rachel told me that it's just certain frequencies that I can hear. I have managed to tune some things out, fortunately."
"Impressive! When Fleur told me you were experiencing changes already, I was impressed. Your magical core must be very strong, ma fille, to require such little time to start assimilating ze Veela. You 'ave gained control of it as well, managing to filter some sounds. You are a brilliant witch," Angelique said with pride.
"Zhat she is!" said Fleur, puffing her chest like a proud peacock. Hermione just blushed in embarrassment and buried her face into the blonde's chest.
"Come on, you two," Alexia called out from ahead, "it's time for dinner soon."
Hermione felt Fleur kissing her hair and allowed herself to be tugged towards the castle.
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Dinner was a quiet affair. Extra tables had been added next to the Professors' Table for the Champions' parents and Hermione's parents. Hermione was happy to see no sign of Krum, which meant he was probably having his dinner with his parents in the Durmstrang ship. Good, I definitely don't want to see him, let alone his parents.
"Mon trésor, you are not eating much," Fleur whispered to her girlfriend, noticing her playing with her food. It was a bit hypocritical because she barely touched her dinner herself.
"I'm not hungry much," replied Hermione, looking at the blonde, "but you need to eat, Fleur. You will need your energy for the task."
"I did eat a bit," replied Fleur. She had, just a little bit, "I'll be fine. I don't want to be too heavy for the task," she joked.
Hermione laced their fingers together and rested her head on Fleur's shoulder, needing close contact. They stayed like this for the whole dinner, murmuring little things to each other, not caring about what was happening around them. A quick glance at the clock made Hermione realise that the end of dinner was approaching soon.
Dumbledore got up from his seat and banished the food from the tables, "Champions! Please make your way to Professor McGonagall for the Third Task. Students, please filter out to the Quidditch Pitch, please."
Hermione's hand tightened painfully around Fleur's as she turned to look at the blonde's blue eyes, "you come back to me, you hear!" she whispered hotly, more like demanded.
Fleur smiled and brought the Gryffindor's hand to her lips, pressing a tender kiss on the back of it, "I'll do my very best to come back to you, 'Ermione. Je t'aime."
Hermione's eyes misted over, and she pulled the blonde into a bruising kiss, not caring about the audience, "I love you too, so much" she whispered against the Veela's lips, unwilling to let go.
Fleur pulled away sadly and got up from her seat, giving a last squeeze of reassurance to the brunette's hand before letting go and walking towards McGonagall. She hugged her family and Hermione's as they wished her good luck, before disappearing behind the door. Harry joined her shortly, having had trouble getting out of Hermione's tight hug.
"She is worried beside herself," said Harry as they followed McGonagall out of the castle.
"Oui, I know," replied Fleur sadly.
"You better stay alive and win this, Fleur," Harry grinned, elbowing her gently, trying to lighten the mood.
"Maybe you will win, who knows?" she smiled. It was at least great to have a friend along.
"Me? All I want is for you to get to that cup and for all of this to be over!"
"Stay safe, 'Arry…" she whispered, hugging the boy as they reached the Champions' tents.
"You too, Fleur" he replied, hugging her back before they separated to go to their respective tents.
RESPONSE TO REVIEWERS:
pclauink: Haha, one of Hagrid's weird creatures? They probably wouldn't eat Krum, he probably tastes bad xD Drunk Fleur is clingy!
Brosealc: She's needly, clingy (more than usual xD), what's not to like? :P
wkgreen: It wasn't exactly cheating but unsportsmanlike, toeing the lines of a foul, that's why it wasn't called :( Drunk Fleur is so cute :3 Hermione secretly loves it :P
E Elliot: Haha, she's cute, clingy, cuddly, emotional xD basically, a wreck when drunk
BellaBerry12: As Santa would say "Surprise Bitches!" xD It's a cameo, not everyone gets it, I understand.
Arial Wolf: Krum is a pain in the butt! Hermione finds tipsy Fleur cute :3
yurippe15: Hey! Tandem Treasures is a different story altogether, nothing connected to Fleur De Mon Coeur. I will continue on with Tandem Treasures once I wrap this story.
1Deivle: Heya, yup Cedric is not in this story. I didn't want to deal with four champions xD It took a while, with Fleur and Hermione dancing around each other but they got there in the end! The Third Task is coming up next, so you will get your questions answered!
RedDevilLola: You jinxed it! xD Ron is back! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
DriftWood1965: Schools get to pick their mascot and they wear red and had fire tricks in their entrance so the Phoenix fits. Durmstrang itself is not a bad thing, despite being known for Dark Magic. You are asking difficult questions xD