After Fleur left, Hermione's parents agreed that it was better for them to also go home. After saying their goodbyes, they port keyed back home.

"Dear, is there any other way then this one?" Her mother said to her as soon as the sickness passed. "It's not that I won't take that again but that one we took coming from Australia was way better. That one is possible or it's only for international travel?"

"Oh! I'll see what I can do. I admit that port key isn't my favorite transportation either. I'll try to connect our fireplace to the floo network. I don't really know about the regulations about it in Muggles residences…" Hermione smiled and both of her parents were clearly relieved.

They all went to bed after a calming tea Hermione made them. The wise girl changed into her pijamas and tried to sleep. When she closed her eyes, she saw the blonde's smile and heard her laugh. Hermione couldn't refrain herself and sighted, a dreamy smile on her lips.

The next day she had breakfast with her parents and decided to go cloth shopping. She noticed she didn't have much clothes other than her uniform anymore and she had been wanting to buy some muggle clothes. Hermione spent most of the day in muggle London, walking with her mother, who offered company. Money had never been a problem for the Grangers. They weren't as rich as Harry, for example, but they were able to buy Hermione everything she needed and some of the things she wanted. And now, Hermione received Sirius's heritage even not being a Black yet, the money he left for her was on her vault. The woman had been considering Sirius offer and was studying pureblood families, of course.

"Mom, uhm, Harry's godfather, Sirius, left somethings to me as you know. But there is something he offered me that I didn't say because I wasn't sure it was even possible…" Hermione needed a second opinion. They were having lunch in a small restaurant near the last store they had gone into. Her mother was the perfect person to give her the opinion she needed, the woman had an analytic mind just like hers. The woman motioned her to continue. "Well, Sirius offered me to enter the Black's family…"

"And how would that work? Assuming you want it and is possible."

"Uh, from what I read, I need to sign some papers that have been prepared since Sirius's will had been read at Gringotts. Apparently is some source of magic and in the eyes of the law I would become Hermione Black, or Black Granger if I wish to keep my last name."

"So, it is almost a marriage."

"Yes…" Hermione blushed. "As we see marriage in the muggle law, yes."

"I understand you want my opinion." Hermione nodded. "Hermione, dear, if you think it has any importance for you, then yes you should do it. Is there any specific motive for you to accept it?"

"Harry and I would be considered brothers by the magical society."

"Harry?" The older woman smiled. "I was wishing you would fall for him but yesterday made me realize you have some other interest and he is dating that lovely redhead…" Hermione was strongly blushing, having realized her mother had understood her interest in Fleur. "Well if you do wish to be considered his sister, you should to go ahead. Will you want to keep the Granger?"

"Of Course! You are my family, obviously…" She smiled. They finished their lunch in a comfortable silence, both smiling. They walked out of the restaurant and resumed the shopping. Later, the older woman decided to go home and Hermione decided to go to the Diagon Alley they bid farewell and parted ways.

Hermione entered the Leaky Caldron and brought a Butter beer, trying to ignore the stares she always received while in the magical world. Being a member of the Golden Trio, as the Daily Prophet named the three of them, wasn't exactly pleasant and now she understood why Harry was always uncomfortable in public. She quickly drunk the beverage and readied herself to continue her way to the magical ally, the woman was practically praying that no one would try to start a conversation or even get an autograph. It had happened about two times and she already was mortified that someone would want that. As if they were listening to her thoughts, she felt someone tap her.

"E-excuse me." A little girl was shyly trying to reach her shoulder and get her attention. Hermione turned to face the girl a little annoyed but smiled when she saw the girl. "I-I am very sorry to bother you." The girl seemed to be around ten years-old and was fiddling with her fingers looking at the floor. Hermione kneeled and reached the girl's face so she could see her eyes.

"Hey, It's ok. What's your name?" She smiled.

"Moire" The girl's eyes were full of joy.

"Oh, it's a beautiful name! Now, you, I believe was going to ask me something." Hermione said, holding Moire's hand.

"Thank you. I actually wanted to thank you, for everything. I'm new in this world but since I knew it exists I've been reading about it and you saved it all." The girl smiled at her. "I just turned eleven, a month ago, but professor McGonagall was only able to reach me about four days ago. She explained everything about the wizarding world to me and my parents and brought me to the Diagon Alley so I could get to know everything. She also said that I will receive a letter in a few months with my Hogwarts Acceptance and that then I'll be able to buy everything I'll need for school. My parents noticed I'm completely curious and managed to buy some history books for me as well as subscribe to the Daily Prophet. We came today to buy some more books… I can't believe I got to know you!"

"So, you are a muggle born?" Hermione asked, smiling broadly.

"Yes. I hope it's not a problem…"

"Not at all. I am a muggle born myself! And thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you, Moire! Where are your parents?" The older girl hugged the other and stood, trying to find someone that looked like the younger girl.

"They are right there!" The girl pointed at a table where a couple was sat, watching them and smiling. Hermione waved at them and turned to the girl once again.

"Look, Moire, I have to go now, if I wish to get Flourish and Blotts open. But it was an immense pleasure to know you! And I hope to see you in school."

"What? You are still in Hogwarts?"

"Well, yeah. Maybe I can explain it to you later. But now I really have to go." Hermione smiled at the girl and acknowledged her parents and walked to the back of the bar, still smiling.

"Eet seems you 'ave a fan…" She heard Fleur say, as soon as she tapped the last brick of the sequence. Facing the source of the voice, she smiled even brighter. "'ello 'ermione!"

"Oh! Hi, Fleur! You should have said something, Moire would love to meet you too, I bet."

"I only saw you saying goodbye and telling 'er zat you will be zere in 'er first year. And I zink you just conquered anozer Griffindor." Fleur smiled. "What brings you 'ere, eef I'm allowed to know."

"Just a little trip to Flourish and Blotts to see if they have any books I might be interest. I was around here today, went shopping with mom. And you?"

"Same, actually. And maybe a little trip to Weasley & Weasley. I never really 'ad ze opportunity to see ze twins job…"

"I see… What about we walk together? I could help you at the twins' store and keep you clear of the worse tricks…" Hermione was feeling confident. Fleur beamed and nodded.

"You live nearby?"

"Uh, not exactly. Not currently, just outside London. You?"

"Actually, yes. But I leave in Muggle London. I really zink eets better zen to be recognized every move I make. You know, ze Triwizard Championship."

"I understand. If it wasn't a little girl I think I would have snapped."

They fell silent, each thinking about the others situation. They entered the bookstore and traveled through the shelves sometimes picking a book and reading part of the content. They both ended up buying three new books and had some mentally added to their wish list. After a while they were entering the twins shop and were greeted by the owners who happily gave Fleur a tour. When it was over, Fleur was holding a package with at least ten Weasley products that they had given her for free.

"'ermione, would you want to grab a cup of coffee somewhere? Zen I promise to leave you be…"

"Sure"

They found a little cafe near Olivander's shop and spent a couple of hours there. They both tried to make small talk. Hermione was feeling awfully insecure now that she acknowledged her own feelings for the blonde, she was being quite incapable of maintaining a simple talk and line of thought as thoughts about how the other looked really good that day. One of the times she zoned out, she was brought back by Fleur's question about the next year in Hogwarts. But she didn't quite understand.

"Sorry, what was your question?"

"Oh, what are you expecting about next year? I remember you said you were going back to 'ogwarts to finish school even zough ze minister offered all of you a free pass and a job at ze ministry."

"I felt like accepting the offer would be cheating and I like being there, it's homey. At least this year I hope there will be no problem… Every other year there was something. Ginny managed to persuade Harry to go back too. I hope it will be a good year." Hermione smiled, remembering her conversation with her mother about Sirius' offer. "I just don't know how we are going to work with me there…"

"Oui. But surely Minerva will figure it out…"

"I probably should remember her."

"You should enjoy your vacation, 'ermione…"

"Ah! Yes, but we still need to work. I still have to communicate the ministers request to all the DA members…"

"You will simply ignore my suggestion about ze vacation, right?" Fleur sighed and smiled at Hermione.

"Well, I'm not exactly on vacation. I'll work at the ministry until I get back to Hogwarts, beginning this Monday."

"Zat's actually wonderful! So, you got yourself an internship?"

"Yes, I'll work at with the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, mostly about the House Elves." Hermione was really proud of being able to say her ideas would be heard. Fleur smiled at her.

"I guess I'll be seeing you zere zen."

"Yes! I guess we could arrange our meetings after work?"

"Oui. Next week? 'ow about friday? So we will have some time to adapt to our work routine."

"That would be wonderful! Where?" Hermione and Fleur were beaming and already looking forward to their meeting.

"'ere? Ze coffee is quite good in my opinion and zey 'ave a more secluded area."

"Perfect! I actually loved it in here!" Hermione looked at the clock at the wall and stood. "Oh my! It's quite late and I promised mom I'd help her with dinner… I'm sorry Fleur."

"Not a problem I didn't notice time passing eizer. I'm supposed to meet Bill for dinner. Ze minister sent 'im our instructions for next week." Fleur smiled. "See you tomorrow zen? Unless you…"

"I'm looking forward to it. Girls night, I haven't been in one of these in ages!" Hermione cut her off and smiled. She walked out of the cafe and apparated to her room.

"Mom? Dad? I'm home!" She shouted from her bedroom door.

"Great, hun! Dinner in half an hour. Sorry, I didn't wait for you to cook. I figured you met a friend there when you got late." her mother answered her from the kitchen, downstairs.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I did actually, Fleur was there."

"I see…"

Hermione remembered her mother's request about the floo and began writing a request so their fireplace could be connected to the Floo net. She wondered to whom she should send it. Maybe she should go to the alley before going to Fleur's the next day. She should have brought an owl already. She finished writing and started thinking about what she should wear the next day.

"That's ridiculous." She said under her breath. "I just met her." She was growing nervous.

"Dinner!" She heard her mother call her and her father.

"Going!" She folded the parchment and made sure it wouldn't fly because her window was open. After dinner, she spent some time with her parents and went back to her room, wanting to unpack all the clothes she had brought.

While she was going through her new clothes, she came to the realization that it would be preferable for her to move already to the new apartment Harry and she would share. It was closer to the ministry. Of course, she would be able to apparate there every day or even floo, but she preferred walking. At least a little exercise would be good for her and except for weekends she would hardly see her parents anyway. They would get back to the clinic on Monday too. When she came to that conclusion, she decided to talk to her parents about it.

The three of them had a deep conversation about it the next morning and they all cried for a while. After lunch, Hermione went to London and stayed there until it was time to meet the other girls. They had agreed to meet at the Leaky Caldron and go to Fleur's from there, since none of them had been there yet. Hermione spent two hours at the bookshop, not seeing the time pass. It was almost time for her to go to the bar and she was yet to buy the three books she wanted. The woman was in line to pay when the men in front of her looked back and went wide eyed. Hermione fought against the urge of rolling her eyes. The guy starred at her for a few seconds before he started talking, when the cashier called him.

"Uh, Miss Granger… Please, go ahead. I can wait." The men moved to let her go before him. She looked at the clock in the opposite wall, she really could use the time.

"No, sir. No need." She said, her face growing red.

"I insist." She went ahead, praising Merlin that the wizard existed even though she hated the attention. "And thank you for what you did for us."

"Uh… Thanks." She still was simply incapable of dealing with all that thankfulness.

When she finished paying for the books, she heard a little commotion at the store entry.

"You see? I told you she was here!" She heard her best friend's voice and looked once more to the clock. She was late. The commotion had begun as her three friends entered the store. The four of them were, by then, known members of the Order of the Phoenix and of Dumbledore's Army who had important roles at the war. "Oh, shit…" The crowd inside the bookstore began to form a mob as Hermione got closer to her friends.

"Out, now!" The wise girl said quickly to her friends as people were getting closer to them. Thanks to their acquired quick reflexes, they were able to get out of there and before anyone outside the store noticed them, Fleur clearly used her veela magic to keep any other person from them.

"I'm sorry, I should 'ave warned you zat I was going to use zat. I just figured you also don't like ze attention we just got…"

They got out of the alley and into the bar then they were in muggle London. Once there, Fleur suspended the magic. Hermione saw the other two sight. She was actually in awe and thankful. The brunette had grown used to the harassment given Harry always received it and she was very sure that Fleur herself was too. She noticed the veela had done that only to help the other two anxiety that showed the moment everyone began to look at them at the store.

"Thank you, Fleur." Ginny said, leaning against the wall.

"De rien (you're welcome), Ginny." Fleur smiled. It was getting dark, and she moved to show the way to her apartment.

Hermione and the other two girls followed her. Ginny began to glance at her friend when they turned a corner. Both noticed the closeness of the older witch's house from Harry and Hermione's flat. Basically, Fleur lived across the street from where they would. Ginny slowed her pace, holding the brunettes arm so she would too.

"That reminds me," she said lowly, "Harry wants to know if you want to meet him tomorrow to fix the last things about the flat. He is actually thinking about moving soon because of the internship…" Ginny said this last part a little sad.

"Oh, sure. I was thinking of moving in earlier too." Hermione answered quietly.

Fleur went up the stairs once inside the building and moved closer to the only door visible on that floor. Without a key, she touched the doorknob and opened it, motioning them to get inside.

"Feel free, I'll get ze wine and some snacks." Hermione entered the room as Fleur got to the kitchen, leaving the front door open to them. Luna was the last one to get inside and closed the door. The three girls stood near the door and looked at the apartment. It was not really surprising for Hermione that the apartment was decorated in a simple and modern design nor the amount of books the french woman had. What caught her attention was the number of photographs that were hanging on the wall in front of her. The room had a white corner couch, the fireplace had two armchairs nearby and there was a round table near the kitchen balcony. From where they were they could see Fleur gathering the food and drinks.

"Fleur? Do you need help?" Hermione asked.

"Non. But thanks…" Fleur flashed a smiled at her a resumed her doings.

Hermione started walking around the room, reading the names of the books that Fleur had on the stocked shelves. The other two girls decided to do the same. As Fleur got back from the kitchen, holding four glasses in one hand and making everything fly to the table previously set, the three women were admiring the pictures and recognizing some of the people there.


"'ey, I took ze liberty of making dinner for us…"

"Ah! What do we have?" Ginny, who was clearly hungry but wouldn't admit it to no one, got closer to the dinner table as Fleur filled the four glasses of wine.

"Oh, the Weasley hunger!" Hermione said, making her best friend blush.

"I 'ope you like chicken and bacon… And pasta." Fleur said to the ginger girl and waited so everyone was settled and took her seat by Luna's side. She served them and then sat down.

"I believe the Weasleys like everything…" Luna said, smiling at the ginger in front of them.

"At least Ginny has better manners than Ronald." Hermione stated, laughing.

"Who doesn't?" Said the redhead remembering her sibling's way of eating. "Fleur, that is wonderful!"

"Merci!" Fleur was observing the three friends bicker, finding really heartwarming the way they treated each other, Hermione and Ginny the most. For what she had seen, Hermione really considered the Weasleys and Harry her family.

"Fleur, that wine is absolutely marvelous!" Hermione smiled at her, after taking a sip of the red liquid.

"Zat eez ze 'arvest Mom and Dad decided not to sell and keep mostly for family events. Eet's pretty good eesn't eet?" Fleur smiled as three other women nodded.

"Thank you, Fleur…" The ginger said. The girl seemed reluctant to speak what else she had in mind. "I guess I own you an apology. I judged you before I got to know you…"

"No need, Ginny. I guess I 'ave to recognize I was kind of bitchy when we saw each ozer zee first time." Fleur made sure to smile and reassure the girl it was indeed fine.

When they finished the meal, they moved to the couch, wine glasses in hand, and talked about mostly everything. The wine bottle had been enchanted and refilled itself when it was close to empty. At some point in the night, Fleur noticed that Hermione decided to stop drinking as she would have to apparate home, a wise decision she could say. Fleur herself kept the drinking in a low rate as always. They were laughing at Merlin knows what and when the laugh died they all spent some time in silence.

"Fleur! Tell me! Your love adventures?" Ginny asked loudly, earning a stare from Hermione. "What? I'm curious, I'm getting to know her better, I'm allowed to ask! And I already know everything about your's and Luna's." The ginger had her head resting on her best friend's lap, her legs were up hanging on the backrest which left her in a strange position. And she was now trying to look into Fleur's eyes who was smiling at the interaction.

"Well, I 'ave 'ad some boyfriends and girlfriends." When she said the last word, she examined the other girls' reactions. They remained unfazed, except for Hermione who had a strange glow in her eyes. "And there was Bill…"

"Come on! Spill the tea!" Luna squealed.

"Not about my brother, please!" Ginny made a disgusted face apparently from imagining Bill and her together. Hermione remained quiet, listening to the other girls.

"Not much, as I 'ad said earlier, I admit I was kind of a bitch in school and I kind of broke some 'earts just because I could. Zen my veela maturity came and I stopped doing so, kept to myself for about a year and when I came to England, I met Bill, we became friends and I 'oped 'e could be my mate. I suppose you are familiar with that term?"

"Yes, Harry explained to me. From what Hermione told him…" The other two girls nodded.

"When I realized I couldn't hold him back knowing zat any minute I could find my mate, I talked to him. Zat was ze first time I visited you 'ouse, Ginny. He already knew everyzing I told 'im and said 'e 'ad my back. Obviously 'e made me promise to tell 'im when I find zem. We were still in an on and off relationship until recently."

"Have you found your mate already?" Ginny pressed.

"I want to hear about Hermione's love adventures now! I only know Gin for long after all!" Luna said, smiling and relaxing a little more in the couch. Fleur smiled at her, silently thanking her for the save.

"Hermione has so little love life it's boring!" Ginny complained, and with that the older girl pushed her from her lap, making the redhead fall into the ground. They all laughed at the girl's face as she got up. "Hey!"

"Next time you will think before you speak!" Hermione said, with raised brow. "I dated Victor for a Summer and that was a complete failure, believe me! Oh, and Ronald, for like three months in sixth year. But he annoyed me so much… Yeah, I guess my love life is indeed dull." She laughed. That laugh would be the death of Fleur, she came to that conclusion that night as she watched the brunette. "I guess I kind of didn't have time for it between school and all the trouble your beautiful boyfriend seemed to attract."

"Oh, that's true. His like trouble magnet!" Ginny said, resuming her position on Hermione's lap.

"'ow about yours, Ginny?"

"All the time I didn't have, Ginny had." Hermione laughed. "Get comfy, it will take a while!"

"Rude! Also not true! I only dated Harry and Dean." She earned a raised brow from Hermione. "Oh right, Michael Corner too…" This time she earned a look from Luna. "Come on, I also hooked up with two ravenclaw girls" Fleur smiled as the other two women laughed at their blushing friend.

"That leaves me. I only dated Neville, actually. After… You know… The manor." For the first time, Fleur saw the other witch look sad. "We kind of decided not to when we saw we were better friends a while later." The girl smiled at the other three. The four of them knew what happened there, well Fleur didn't really know what happened to Hermione there but she knew it must have been traumatic as the girl froze when she saw Bellatrix at the battle. Feeling the mood in the room go down the hill, Fleur tried to make it better:

"So, I 'ave in my 'ouse one royalty and two girls who dated/date ze royalty of ze second wizarding war!" With that Hermione choked and the other two girls rolled to the ground, laughing.

"Royalty?" Hermione managed to say after drinking the glass of water Fleur summoned for her.

"Hell yeah! Don't you read the Daily Prophet? That's how they are calling you three and Neville." Ginny said as the laugh died.

"Actually I believe we have two royalties here, Fleur. Ginny was the head of the resistance alongside Neville. I believe she was listed as one there too."

"Oui. I remember now. Ze Golden Trio, Neville Longbottom and Ginevra Weasley, zee Royalty of zee Second Wizarding War, our saviors. I believe zey stated zat way." Fleur said, laughing and putting her hands up as reading the headlines of the newspaper.

"Oh, shut it. No one is royalty. Everyone had an important role." Hermione stated.

"Yes, and yours included making Voldemort killable. C'mon you three must have had the worst year and, except for Ron, you insist saying you haven't done anything extraordinary…" Ginny said at earnest.

"I'll give that if you stop calling me royalty. That's nonsense."

"As you wish" The other three said and bowed, mockingly.

"That's it! I'm out!" Hermione knotted her brows and turned away to retrieve her purse.

"Oh come on! We were just kidding!" Ginny said, holding her arm.

"I'm sorry, 'ermione…"

Hermione sighed. "Ok…"

"Now drink. You have no right to stay sober today!" Ginny handed her a glass of wine.

Fleur noticed Hermione took only one small sip of the red liquid and then only pretended to be drinking the rest of the time. The veela decided that she wanted to befriend her first, even if the girl couldn't reciprocate the feelings she had. Being close to her was enough for her, at least for now. She begun to feel a little sleepy and apparently, Hermione took notice of that.

"Uhm, Fleur I should go, Harry asked me to meet him tomorrow and it's kind of late…" She smiled at the veela. "And I believe Ginny and Lun are quite too drunk to go on their own… I should get them home."

"Oh, ok… Eet was a pleasure 'aving you here. We should do eet more…"

"Sure. And I'm actually looking forward to Friday." Hermione hugged the blonde, both lingering a little more than they should.

"WHAT? We are leaving already?!" Ginny complained as Hermione took the wine from her and conjured a Patronus to notify the Weasleys that she was going there with the redhead and Luna. Fleur said goodbye to the three of them and watched Hermione enter the fireplace, holding bot girls.

She sat on her favorite spot on the couch, that was the exact same place Hermione was seated earlier. She decided to read a little before going to sleep so she retrieved the book she had begun to read the day before. She fell asleep with the comfortable smell of roses, the scent of Hermione's hair she noted.


A/N: Hey everyone! First: thanks for reviewing! Second: I'm so so so sorry I skipped three (?) updates, I got caught up by the end of the term. But fear not! Now I'm quite free so I'll keep updating on the days I said. I'm a Graduate now! Anyway, keep reviewing, please! It's good to know what you guys think about the story.

Thanks!