Fleur spent the night trying to figure out how she would deliver the book she had in front of her to Hermione. Before leaving the day before with the brunette, Bill told her that he saw her reading about veelas. Fleur took some time, after they were gone, researching the books about her heritage available in the library and came to the conclusion that those had almost any useful information. She wondered how Luna managed to know so much about veelas. When asked, Luna explained that she had actually brought some books. With that in thought and knowing that Hermione wouldn't comeback in a while, she asked her mother to send her one of the most complete book she knew about her heritage. Apolline managed to make it be delivered to her by one of the Delacour's house-elves along with a portkey to France.
The veela had decided that she would ask Luna to give the book to Hermione. She was too nervous. So, she managed to write a small letter to the wise girl and asked Luna to give it to her. Both were up before the first light. As soon as she handled the book to the other blonde, Fleur activated the portkey and headed to France.
When Hermione entered the Great Hall, it was empty, except for one girl. Luna. That was a strange thing, Fleur usually was also awake this early.
"Good morning, Lun…" During the time they spent together after the Malfoys incident Hermione began to really consider her a friend. The girl always intrigued her but she grew found of her talking about all those magical creatures so passionately.
"Morning, 'Mione!" Only when she got closer to the blonde girl she noticed the book in front of her. At first you thought it was Hogwarts: a History, you knew she had it as one of her favorite too, but then you realized that its binding was different. She noticed your curiosity. "Oh, right! Fleur asked me to give it to you. She had to leave earlier than she thought."
Hermione admired the book and noticed a parchment inside it. "Oh, she left already?" Her heart seemed to sink a little.
"Yup, earlier this morning." Luna said, with a smirk that Hermione didn't understand.
She opened the book and first of all read the parchment covered with a handwriting that she could only guess as being Fleur's.
Dear Hermione,
I'm sorry I couldn't deliver this book personally to you. Mother and Gabrielle asked me to go as soon as possible, we have something to attend. Before you left with Bill yesterday, he told me that you were reading about my heritage. Judging from the titles he told me, Hogwarts library doesn't have the best collection about Veelas. And I remembered Harry once telling me that one of your favorite books is Hogwarts: A History. You could consider this present book the Veelas: a history, if you allow me the joke. This is the most complete book I know about Veelas. I hope you enjoy it,
Fleur.
Hermione felt her face grow hot. She opened the book once again, reading its title: History and Cultural Context of the Veela Society, by M. Delacour. Her eyes widened when she read the author's name, they were in some way related to her.
"Hey, 'Mione!" Harry entered the hall and walked to them. It was still really early and apparently, her friend decided that he too should wake earlier than usual. The DA members had already gone home, except for the ones whose parents were Order members and those already off age like Harry and herself. "Hogwarts: a History?" He said, noticing the book in her hands.
"Fleur lent me this. It's about veelas and apparently is the next best thing to Hogwarts a history on veelas. Because someone told her I deeply like this kind of book…" She glared him.
"Sorry…" He shrugged. "Where's Gin?"
"She should be here already. Must have slept again. She told me she would come soon." Hermione smiled, she knew her friend had madly missed her. "Oh, she seems to think that Fleur is stalking me…"
"Well you have indeed been orbiting each other these days…" Harry said with a smirk.
"What? She helped me with the spell…"
"Hermione, the number of Wrackspurts around is surprisingly high…" Luna looked at her dreamingly.
"Oh, come on, you two!"
"Ok, Hermione. I'm going to ask you something and I really want you to think about it before you answer me." Harry sat in front of her. "I'll ask you now that Ginny isn't here and I believe Luna won't say anything about that conversation." Luna smiled and sat on the table so she could watch both of them easily.
"Of course." the blonde answered. Hermione sat straight and motioned him to continue.
"I ask you that because I know you enough to understand that you might be missing something here." She nodded. "The question is: what do you feel about Fleur?"
Hermione froze, looking directly into Harry's eyes. Her eyes went wide.
"I… I don't know."
"Right, I believe you need to think about it." He said.
"I was planning on doing it before I meet her in a week." Harry crooked a brow.
"You have plans to meet her?"
"Yes, the minister requested us to assemble the war reports." She said, innocently.
"Us who?" Ginny slowly entered the hall and sat beside harry, kissing his cheek and making him blush.
"Fleur." She answered, ready to see her friend's frown.
"Oh, right. I think you mentioned it." She said and put her head on Harry's shoulder.
They stayed in a comfortable silence. Soon the rest of their families came down to have breakfast. Luna and Bill were beside her, Ginny, Harry and Ron were in front of her, the twins were nowhere to be seen. Her parents were deep in conversation with the older Order members.
"Harry, where are you going to stay?" Hermione asked. She was curious, knowing that he wouldn't stay at the Grimmauld Place.
"I'm thinking of buying or renting an apartment in muggle London. Probably near the Diagon Alley." He smiled. "But Gin here is actually trying to persuade me on coming back and finish school."
"That would be wonderful!" She smiled but frowned right afterwards. "As long as you don't copy my work anymore!" Everyone near her chuckled, except for Harry who only stared at his own fingers.
"Sorry, 'Mione! I didn't think of it…" Gin grinned at her friend.
"It's ok. He is copying you this year." She laughed when her friend grimaced. "Anyway, Harry, I was thinking of doing something similar after finishing here."
"Oh, we should look around sometime." She nodded.
After some time, they all said good bye and went home. Harry would stay at the Burrow while he hadn't decided what to do and she promised Mrs. Weasley that she would pass by there with her parents soon.
Hermione entered the house she had grown up and felt like crying. The last time she had been in there, she didn't know if she would be able to see her parents again. She didn't even know if she would survive. Feeling her distress, her parents hugged her. And she returned the embrace dearly. The family fell into a routine, every day they would have breakfast together, got outside to walk on the park nearby, had lunch and spent the afternoon inside, reading. Hermione had inherited her parents interest in learning and reading. And now more than ever they were interested in learning everything they could about the world she found herself in.
Within two days, she received a call from Harry. Asking her if she wanted to go to London the next day and have a look on the available apartments which she happily complied. They met at the Leaky Caldron early the next morning and begun their search. When they paused for lunch, they had seen three apartments which none of them they liked.
"Maybe we should look if there are any available at the Diagon Alley. I'm starting to doubt we'll be able to find one around here." Harry said, frustrated.
"Let's see some more before giving up. If we had given up so easily when we were searching for the horcruxes, he would still be here and we, long dead." She argued.
"You are right, as always." he smiled at her. "And what about the question I asked you?"
"Oh, I haven't thought about it yet…" Her voice low, she was a little ashamed that she was trying to forget that problem.
"Hermione…"
"I know! I need to know. I was just… trying to ignore my absolute confusion."
"Well, I'll cut you some slack by now. But you really should think about it. Changing the subject. I want to ask you something that actually I should have earlier. I consider you my sister, you see?" She nodded. "I have been wondering, since you said you are planning on moving to London after school, would you like to share the apartment with me? I mean, if you want, obviously…"
"That would be lovely, Harry! I consider you a brother too!" She said before he could start rambling.
They spent the rest of the day searching for the perfect apartment. Their last hope for the day was a duplex near the Leaky Caldron. If they wanted, they would be able to go there walking. The moment Hermione stepped into the flat she felt immediately like it could be her home. She looked at Harry, and smiled. He was obviously in awe. The first floor had an open concept, it had a modern design. The second floor had three rooms, all of them were suites.
"Hermione…"
"Oh My Gods, Harry! It's perfect!"
"I couldn't agree more!" He grinned at her. "I'll contact the seller today, if you agree."
"Harry, how am I going to pay for it?"
"That's another thing I needed to talk to you. Yesterday I went to Gringotts, as the last Black, Sirius left a will. He left me half of the Black's properties and vaults, reinstated Andromeda to the family leaving her a quarter of the vaults and properties and the last quarter has been left for you and Ron." He said, smiling. "And he wrote a letter for you." He handed her an envelope. She was crying.
"Sirius…" she whispered, ripping the envelope and unfolding the parchment.
Hermione,
I'm going to risk saying something you heard your entire life. You are one of the most intelligent people I ever had the pleasure to know. Unfortunately, if you are reading this letter, it means I passed while we are at war. I hope you managed to keep my inconsequent godson alive (because both of us know you are the only reason he is in one peace) and that by the time you read it, our world is finally in peace. I know you must be thinking that you don't deserve what I'm leaving you, but you do and I'm have absolute certain that Harry will be pleased to tell you the same. As the head of Black house, I have certain powers that allow me to include someone in the family. I would be honored to have you in the family, if you want to. I left instructions so that you can be admitted in the Black house. Thank you for saving my life and for trusting me.
With love,
Sirius.
Hermione was openly crying now. Harry hugged her and kissed her forehead.
"Harry, he…" She began, sobbing.
"I know, 'Mione. I know."
"I mean, a Black?"
Harry smiled, "Oh, yes. The goblins confirmed that he can do it. You would be fully a Black. I have become one you know? As Sirius's main heir, I am now head of the house. As I already was of the Potter. You would officially be my sister!" Hermione grinned.
After she calmed herself down enough, they got out of the house. Immediately Harry went to a telephone booth and called the owner.
"All set. We have a flat!" He said, stepping out of the booth, beaming at her.
"Hey, I believe that means you aren't going to Hogwarts this last year…" She began, while they walked to the Leaky Caldron.
"No, actually I am going. Your ginger friend is quite persuasive." He smiled. "I suppose I'll need your notes to study." She nudged him. "Ouch! I just need to revise everything. I'm taking it seriously this year."
"Yeah, the only way I'll believe it is seeing." They reached the bar, had a butterbeer to celebrate their new acquisition and parted ways.
Hermione apparated in her room, at her parents' house.
"I'm home!" She said, opening her door.
"Great! Just in time for dinner!" Her mother said from downstairs.
She changed into something comfier and went to the kitchen to see if her mother needed some help. Hermione didn't discuss with them going back to Hogwarts nor moving out. She decided she should do it. After dinner, they began telling each other their days. It was her parents first day back at clinic, they had a lot of news and apparently, they had a busy schedule ahead.
"Uh…" She said, "I have been wanting to tell you something…" They were at the living room, she was in an armchair facing them. Her parents motioned for her to continue. "Obviously, I missed last school year. I talked to professor McGonagall and she allowed me to go back next year."
"We guessed you would want to do so…" Her mother smiled at her.
"There is another thing." She starred at her hands. "I have been thinking about moving out."
"Oh, when?" The woman in front of her didn't hold back the sadness, it was clear in her eyes.
"After coming back from school. I have a job offer from the minister to work in London… And he actually has offered me an internship in a way, if I say yes, I'd get to work at the ministry until I get back to Hogwarts."
"That's wonderful, darling!" His father said, his wife nodding.
"I met Harry today to help him finding an apartment. He ended up asking me if I'd like to share a flat with him, as we consider each other siblings and we were both considering living in London." She smiled at her mother, starting to cry herself. Realizing that a year from now she wouldn't be leaving there anymore. "At the end of the day we found the perfect one. He is negotiating with the owner…"
"Oh, my little girl is all grown up!" Her mother said, wiping her eyes. Hermione stood and sat between her parents, whom hugged her dearly.
A/N: And there goes another chapter! I confess I almost forgot to post today. Anyway, I hope you are enjoying the story!
Please review!
Stay safe,
Thanks for reading!
