"Mom?" She heard a noise of things being placed on the table. She walked towards the dining room.

"Hermione, dear. You are just in time!" Her mother hugged her and placed a kiss on the forehead. Pulling back, she smiled. "Honey, she is here! And I think we should have lunch already…"

"Going!" Her father answered from upstairs. In less than a minute, her appeared. He, too, hugged her and kissed her forehead.

They ate in relative silence as apparently, they were all starving. After the finished eating, Hermione's mother walked into the kitchen once again and came out with a small cake and she and her father begun singing happy birthday to her. As they finished singing and Hermione blew the candles, they started talking. First the apologized for not being able to go to the party the previous day. The simple mention of the party made the brunette blush, something that clearly didn't pass unnoticed by her mother as she had a curious look towards her. Hermione asked they how they had been, hoping the change of subject would delay that specific issue. She was incredibly afraid of how they would react. She started fidgeting her fingers with the simple thought of that conversation. Hermione managed to control her nerves for a while, entranced by what they were telling her about how they had been. As soon as they stopped talking and her mother asked her how she had been, Hermione sighed. There was no way for her to talk about it without telling them about Fleur. By then they had moved to the living room to be more comfortable.

"I, uhm… I've been fine… I actually need to talk to you about something but I need you to have in mind that I haven't really changed, it's just something I realized about me and…" Hermione chocked, fearing they would have a bad reaction. "And I hope you are able to accept about me." They nodded, letting her continue. "Since I came back with you from Australia, I started to realize that, but I didn't want to say nothing before I was sure I knew what was happening to me…" Nodding, her mother motioned her to continue. "I… I like Fleur." She blurted and started to cry, already expecting their rash response.

"Yes, we know that, darling." She heard her mother say.

"In a romantic manner, I mean" she said, thinking she might had expressed herself badly.

"Yes." Her mother said yet again, kindly.

"We do know that."

Hermione finally gathered enough courage to look at them as she had been hiding her face in her hands since she began to cry. They both had worried looks, but none appeared to be judging her nor angry at her.

"Hermione, come here." Her mother tapped the small space between her and her husband. Hermione tentatively stood and walked there. "I'll tell exactly when I knew you liked her, ok?" She said soothing Hermione's hair. The younger woman nodded. "When you made us recognize you and got our memories of you back, do you remember I asked about who was the owner of the surname your friend had presented you to us?" She nodded, remembering how she had blushed. "Well, I'm proud to say I still know my daughter pretty well." Hermione heard her father mumble something. "Your father honestly only realized something was happening at the Weasleys' dinner" She laughed. "He is still bewildered he didn't notice before." She added smiling kindly at her daughter.

"Anyway, we waited for you to tell us because we figured you would need to think about it. We never thought you would delay telling us because you were afraid of our reaction…"

"I think I got overwhelmed from the books I read about coming out and ended up this afraid…" Hermione said as she calmed herself down.

"Now, tell us about Fleur. From what I was capable of see, she is very beautiful and french." Her mother requested. Hermione blushed.

"Well, there is something about her that you might need to know before I say anything else about her." Hermione moved to where she was before she sat with her parents. They nodded expectantly. "Well, do you remember those old mythology books we used to read?" They nodded and she continued to explain about the veelas. When she finished speaking, they had their jaws dropped. But Hermione knew them enough to know they were completely amazed by the new information.

"The Vila exist?" Her father said.

"Not exactly the vila, veelas are semi-human. But you can say they existed, at very least…"

"I see…" Her mother began, looking at her daughter, carefully. "And you told us that because…"

"Fleur is a quarter veela, which means her grandmother was a full veela who found her mate in a wizard as has her mother."

"Oh! That's why her hair look like platinum?" Her mother asked.

"Yes…" And why most people are drawn to her, she thought.

"And I'm right to assume you are her mate?" Once again her mother surprised her, she nodded nonetheless. "Then when are we going to meet your girlfriend?" She beamed as she saw her daughter's face become quickly red at the unexpected question.

"You already know her and she's not my girlfriend, yet." Hermione said, hiding her face causing both of her parents to laugh amused by her antics.

"Ooh! Yet!" Her father said mockingly.

At that moment, Hermione decided that they had already teased her too much and begun to tell them how her last month had been. She blushed every time she had do say something about Fleur and felt like dying when she told them about their first date. "Smooth! She was quite lucky, it's not a play produced very often." Her father said as she retold the date. They were happy to hear she was happy and in love. When she finished, it was getting late and she had promised to have dinner at Hogwarts with Harry, Ginny and Luna. She, then, said goodbye and guaranteed them that she would try to get in touch more often and that she would tell them as soon as she and Fleur were officially dating.

Hermione arrived at the living room pretty tired and just in time for dinner. As she stepped out of the fireplace, she saw Harry and Ginny descending the stairs. She smiled at them.

"Hi lovebirds…" She said.

"Hello, 'Mione! How did lunch go?" Ginny answered.

"Wonderful!" She said, beaming.

"I know that face, you have good news." Harry said, after hugging her. For a moment, he starred into her eyes as if trying to read her mind. Hermione said nothing, silently challenging him to figure it out. She had shared her fears with him some time before. "Wait. You came out?" Hermione nodded and Harry immediately hugged her once again. "I imagine it went well as I told you it would."

"Yes."

"Hey! Don't leave me hanging! You came out? To your parents?" Ginny beamed as Hermione nodded. "Oooh, she's planning on asking Fleur to be her girlfriend!" The redhead clapped her hands excitedly.

"How do you know that?" Hermione asked, blushing even deeper.

"Harry is your brother, 'Mione, but I'm your best friend. I, too, know how your mind works." She stated and hugged the brunette. "Now, let's go to the great hall or we are going to be late for dinner! I'm starving!" Knowing better than to stay in between Ginny and food, they followed her as she went through the access to the hall. They met Luna on their way to the great hall and the redhead exclaimed "'Mione is going to ask her to be her girlfriend!" before she could say anything to Luna.

"Awn!" The looney blonde smiled and hugged Hermione happily.

"And came out to her parents!" Ginny added.

"That's how you know she'll ask her…" Luna said, laughing. "I didn't really expect her to tell right away her plans…" Hermione looked at her, wondering how the blonde knew them so well. Noticing her stare, Luna smiled. "I observe a lot." The brunette nodded.

Hermione's next day was exhaustive, beyond classes, her boss had a huge pile of paper for her to review and she was helping Harry to plan the first DA meeting that would happen in two weeks. They had been deciding on what to do for two hours and then Ginny gave the idea of inviting the previous DA members to meet the new ones. The four liked the idea and decided to ask if it would be possible to do that. They retrieved to their respective rooms after that. Hermione entered hers to find a letter carefully placed near a steamy cup of tea.

Sipping the tea, she thanked Dobby out loud, knowing it was his doing. She, then took the letter and opened it. Smiling even before reading the first line.

Dear Hermione,

I hope you had a good day. I caught myself wondering how you were and decided to write as I can only imagine how busy you are, if Evangeline sent you as much work as Tonks sent Harry. Before you ask me how I managed to get it so quickly to you, I kind of asked Jilpy to get it to Dobby and ask him to make sure it reached you. I seriously hope it works. When I asked her (I did it before I began to write) she said she was happy to help. I'm yet to go to field again, there's a frightening amount of paperwork in my desk but I hope it will be finished by Wednesday. I'm growing restless.

How are you doing? And your lunch with your parents? I hope it went well.

Bonne nuit,

Fleur

P.S.: Maman sent you two bottles of wine. I can bring it to you on Friday if you wish.

P.P.S.: I really need to say this: I miss you. And your kiss.

Hermione was yet to stop smiling when she got up from her bed and decided to write back to Fleur. As she finished writing, she whispered to Dobby, asking if he was still awake. With a pop, he appeared.

"Dobby figured miss Granger would want to write back." He said, smiling, after she asked him if he could send the letter to Fleur. He caught the letter and popped away. She smiled and got ready to sleep. Practically passing out as soon as her head hit the pillow.


Fleur had decided to make some exercises after sending Hermione what she wrote, knowing she was too anxious to be able to sleep just yet. She was doing some push-ups when she heard a low pop right beside her. Knowing what it might be, she smiled and looked in its direction. Dobby said good night to her, leaving the letter on the coffee table and popped away, saying he had to go back to the school. She finished the set she was doing and got up, retrieving the letter form the table. Feeling too sticky because of the sweat, she decided to take a shower before reading it, in bed. Much more relaxed, Fleur laid in bed to read what Hermione had written. She hadn't worried about using pijamas as it was an unusual warm night.

Hello, Fleur!

Your letter just made my day, actually! It was a very exhausting day. The classes were good, my best subjects actually, transfiguration and charms. Harry complained his brain would be overheated any second. Yes, Evangeline sent me basically the same amount of work. When we aren't studying, we are working. I believe I forgot to tell you what transpired on the meeting with professor McGonagall, she said there has been a lot of requests to reactivate the DA but this time as an official extracurricular club. She asked us if we had interest in doing so, we agreed. I think we are actually getting crazy. She will probably get in touch with you soon given she asked us to suggest a graduate to assist us during the meeting and we asked for you. Well, Harry did. I was a little shy at the moment, but I did think of you. I really hope you can come.

Lunch went smoothly, it had been a while since I talked to them so they made me promise I would reach out for them more frequently.

I would love the wine! Please bring it.

Hope Dobby gets you still up.

Good night,

Hermione

P.S.: Miss you too. And you kisses and hugs.

With that, Fleur put the letter on her nightstand and dozed off.

She obviously wanted to write to Hermione right after waking up but didn't want to disturb her, although reading that she missed her too had left her longing for the brunette even more. Her mother had said to her once that finding a mate wasn't easy but controlling yourself after finding them was ever harder. The hunger she felt towards Hermione was almost unbearable at least when they were apart, she needed the brunette by her site. Oh boy, it would probably be the worst and better year of her life. Unless something changed. At least Hermione wasn't in danger. She couldn't imagine how she would have been if she recognized the lioness as her mate before the war ended. For that she had to thank her veela…

Fleur had a horrid Tuesday. She was hopelessly chained to her desk until she finished all the paperwork and overnight some more had arrived. What kept her focused was thinking the sooner she finished that, the sooner she would be able to go to the field.

"Hey, I'm going to lunch." Bill said, rising from his chair. She just nodded. "Are you coming?"

"Non. I desperately want to finish zis." She said, grimacing.

"Want me to bring you a sandwich? I won't be long. I kind of want the field too."

"It would be awesome! Thanks, Bill!" She smiled at him and he left.

Half an hour later, he was yet to return and her stomach was seriously complaining about the lack of food. She focused harder on the parchment in front of her. When she heard steps in the room, Fleur automatically guessed it was her co-worker. No one ever entered there.

"Finally! I'm starving!" She said, without looking up.

"Uh, I can buy you something to eat if you need, Fleur…" Her head shot up.

"'ermione!" She smiled sweetly, incapable of keeping it from her face. A moment later she got serious. "What 'appened? Why are you 'ere?" Concern reached her face in a second.

"Calm down. Nothing happened. I just had the afternoon free after miraculously finishing all the work Evangeline sent me and decided to get a book from her library for light reading." Hermione was indeed holding a book. But Fleur would hardly call it light reading. "Then I figured I could pay you a visit. You said you'd be here all day… I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you."

Fleur quickly stood. "Definitely not disturbing." She smiled.

"Bill said that to me… I believe he had some food with him. But he went in another direction when I asked where was your office…" Hermione smiled at her, eyes shining.

"Uhm…" Fleur lost herself in the lioness' eyes. Miraculously not crashing into something in her way, because she seemingly was unable to withdraw her eyes from Hermione, she hugged the brunette. Moving her head a little, the lioness kissed her chastely.

"Hi…" Hermione said as soon as they pulled back, smiling.

"'ello" She grinned and kissed her again.

"So, how's work?"

"Dreadful." She grimaced. "But you just made eet bearable…" Hermione laughed, kissing her cheek.

"Smooth. I can't really stay here for too long, unfortunately… But I'm glad I helped."

Fleur grinned. "A lot. Oh, Minerva reached me today."

"Really?" The blonde could see a glint of hope on the other's eyes.

"Oui. She told me about zee DA and explained me what I'm supposed to do."

"Oh…" The lioness was obviously eager to know her resolve about the matter.

"I said I might be able to assist you, as zee meetings will be on weekends." Fleur smiled.

"Thank you, Fleur!" Hermione hugged her, delighted. "I'll let Harry and the girls know as soon as I get back."

"Je t'en prie mon cher." Fleur said, cupping her face. Mon cher. Was she rushing things by saying it? She hoped not. The blonde was apparently incapable of not saying it to her. Snapping back into reality, Fleur looked at her smiling and kissed her. It was a calm but deep kiss.

They starred into each other eyes for a moment after they pulled back. Hermione's eyes flicked to the clock hung in the room and grimaced.

"I must get back…" She, then, looked at Fleur and smiled. "See you Friday?" The blonde nodded. "Great! I think Harry will want to discuss the DA matter too…" She said thoughtfully.

"We can figure eet out zen." The blonde said, placing a kiss on her cheek. "I must get back to work. Eef you see Bill in your way back, tell him I'm starving." She added, laughing as her stomach complained loudly.

"Sure thing. Have a good afternoon…" Hermione said, after giving her a goodbye kiss.

"You too." Fleur replied. The brunette smiled at her from the door. With a sigh, the veela went back to work ignoring her rumbling stomach. A couple of minutes later Bill showed off, smirking, and gave her the sandwich he had offered with a bottle of pumpkin juice.

"Happier?" He asked, obviously not referring to the food he had just gave her. She hummed in agreement, making him smile.

She refocused on her work as soon as she finished her unhealthy lunch.


Going to Fleur's office was obviously the best idea she had ever had. Hermione was happier for the next two days and then she was happy because she would see her again by the end of the day. Merlin, she was really head over hills for her.

"Hey, Hermione!" Ginny's voice made her get back to reality. "I don't even need to ask what you are thinking about. I'd be astounded if it's not obvious to half of this school that you have your eyes on someone…" She laughed as Hermione focused her eyes on her and childishly stuck out her tongue.

"What do you want, Ginny?" She said, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, it's just that we are late for History of Magic." The redhead said. The four of them had decided to spend the break they had just before their last class of the week by the lake and apparently lost track of time. "Absurdly late, actually. Let's just go to the common room…"

Hermione nodded, knowing that they would lose their time trying to go to the class. She would apologize to the ghost teacher next class. As soon as they reached their living room, the four of them begun discussing their plans to the DA meeting. Luna had talked to the headmistress about their idea but it wouldn't be possible to accomplish because almost everyone they reached already had plans or something. Hermione sent Fleur her silver otter to let her know she could get there earlier. About an hour later, they were all standing by the table, looking at a list with the names of the students that showed their interest in the "club". As they were all discussing how to measure everyone's ability, none of them noticed as the blonde entered the room through the flames of the fireplace. Hermione startled and almost got a hold of her wand when Fleur approached her from behind, only to relax instantly after the blonde hugged her.

"'ello, 'ermione…" she heard the veela murmur on her ear, causing goosebumps all over her skin.

"Hi, Fleur…" her voice came out quite hoarse and she felt her face getting hot. She turned on her arms and kissed her deeply only stopping when Harry cleared his throat. Hermione looked at him and he looked away. "Come on, you and ginny do worse. Shush." Luna and Ginny simply gave the women amused looks as Harry blushed

"That's kind of true, babe…" Ginny agreed, making him blush even more.

"'ello everyone!" Fleur said before anyone made Harry even more frustrated. He smiled at her and the three said hi. "What are you doing?" She asked, looking over Hermione's shoulder as the brunette focused back on the parchment on the table. "Oh! Zat's a lot of people…" She smiled. Ginny, who was standing between Harry and Hermione made the boy move and gave Fleur space around the table. "Merci." Hermione noticed Fleur had moved to her side but was still holding her by her waist and smiled.

"Yes, almost too many… I don't really know how we are going to fit everyone in one room." Ginny said.

"Doesn't the vanishing room fit our necessities?" Harry asked.

"I'm not sure. We never really tried to expand its capacity. But it may work. I just don't know if we should have so many performing magic at the same time." Hermione answered.

"We could split them in two fronts." suggested Luna

"One group could study zee zeory while zee ozer zee practical." Fleur added, making Hermione beam.

"I do like the idea!" Harry smiled at them.

"We make a good team." Luna said, smiling back.

"Oui." Fleur smiled. "What are you planning to do next Saturday?"

"At first we thought we could call everyone back for a chat but basically no one can make it." Luna answered.

"Now we were thinking about what to do…" Hermione added. "Right before you arrived." She smiled.

"We could still 'ave a conversation at least to know what zey want to learn…" Fleur proposed.

"I like it." Ginny said, smiling. "Now, can we eat?"

The other four started laughing and nodded. They all agreed to have dinner together so they could finish their plans so Harry called Dobby and asked him to get food for them. They began to eat as soon as the house elf came back.

"Our next problem is how we will be able to know their abilities…" Hermione provided.

"Duels?" Ginny said.

"Eet might work. Do we have any first years?"

"No. And just a couple of second years." Luna answered. "They are quite ahead from their class, according to professor McGonagall."

"Duels are a good idea…" Harry said, smiling at his girlfriend.

As they finished eating, they had decided everything they wanted to. Ginny and Harry headed to the common room and Luna went to the Ravenclaw tower after saying goodbye to Fleur and Hermione. The lioness smiled at the veela and hugged her, sighing as she felt the blonde's arms around her.

"Hey…" She said.

"'ey…" Fleur answered.

"Wanna chill for a while?"

"Oui… 'ow 'ave you been?"

Hermione looked at her with a raised brow. "You heard from me literally every day, Fleur…"

"From letters. I do like to 'ear your voice." Fleur smiled at her as she blushed. She relented and begun to retell her week and then made Fleur do the same. Half an hour later, they resumed their work. A few hours later Hermione put down the papers she had been reading. It was the last one she had to review that night. Sighing, she leaned on Fleur waiting for her to finish reading.

"Are we finished?" Fleur asked, putting down her file as Hermione nodded.

"Yes…" She said, placing a kiss on the blonde's cheek.

"So, zat date…" Hermione hummed. "What are you planning?"

"You'll find out tomorrow."

"Fair enough. I'll meet you 'ere two in zee afternoon?" Hermione nodded.

The lioness and Fleur stayed in each other's arms until they began to yawn. The veela decided to go, kissing the brunette goodbye.

"See you tomorrow…" Hermione murmured then Fleur gave her on last kiss and walked into the fireplace, vanishing.

Hermione woke up the next day early. She was obviously anxious and begun organizing everything she needed to make sure the day would be perfect.


A/N: So I know it's been a while, sorry about that... I'll try to get back to the schedule... So, Hope you liked the chapter, the date date with Mione paying is next. (and was SO fun to write...). Hermione comming out was basically how it happened when I did, so yeah... I'm lucky...

So, this chapter was slightly longer than usually...

Please review!

;3

PS: wk: sorry I basically forgot about the presents as I wrote so there's nothing about that... =/

FB: Next one!

PPS: I'M KIND OF WRITING A ONESHOT(at least trying to as I'm apparently incapable of writing a short story...) OF GINMIONE. Let me know if you are interested...

PPPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)