Fleur didn't really sleep a lot, an hour later she was awake, watching the brave witch in her sleep and thanking Merlin she hadn't been disturbed by another nightmare. Hermione looked peaceful in her arms and she wasn't able to refrain herself from kissing the younger woman's forehead. She held the lioness closer to her and swore once again that she would find every single person involved and throw them in Azkaban to rotten. She was still lost in thoughts when Hermione began to stir.

"Hey…" Hermione murmured to her without opening her eyes, startling her a bit.

She looked down, into the brunette's eyes (now lazily open) and smiled. "'ey, sleepy 'ead…"

"Are you awake for long?" the lioness asked after kissing her softly, she simply shook her head. "What were you thinking about? You were quite tense…"

"Sorry, I just realized 'ow close I came to never finding you…" Her voice cracked a little, finding her had been the biggest blessing she could have wished. Not every veela was able to find their mate, she had always been aware of it.

"I'm here, babe. Don't think about it." Hermione embraced her, trying to reassure the blonde.

"Sorry, I couldn't 'elp myself from zinking about eet."

"Shh…" They were both crying now. Hermione for seeing how distressed Fleur was and Fleur in relief, for having the brunette in her arms.

"I swear I'll find zem all." She stated in a small voice.


"I know, Fleur." Hermione really knew she would. They remained still, holding each other to reassure themselves until Hermione's stomach growled. They chuckled.

"Someone ees 'ungry…" Fleur stomach in response.

"Yep, both of us." Looking at the clock, Hermione noticed it was just about dinner time. "Let's get down, see if we can get something to eat."

As they opened the door, they heard the other one open.

"…come on. You know Ginny can't stay hungry for long. She will end up eating us." Luna said with a light voice to the couple inside while stepping out of the room. "I don't think you will enjoy it in the way I meant, Harry!" Her voice still carried a bit of sorrow but was certainly closer to her normal tone. "Oh, hi! How did you sleep?" She asked when she saw Hermione and Fleur laughing at what she had said.

"Alright…" the brunette answered and hugged the Ravenclaw. "You?"

"Same."

Hermione looked into the other room to see Ginny rolling on the bed, laughing, and Harry walking to the door, slightly embarrassed. He smiled at her and Fleur and began to descend the stairs to avoid any other sex-related joke that would make him even more embarrassed.

"Awn, love! Don't run away from me!" Ginny shouted from the bed as soon as he stepped out of the room.

"Your stomach is being so loud that I'm afraid Lun is right and you will end up eating us all if you don't have dinner soon!" Harry answered from downstairs.

Hermione and Fleur followed Luna down, as soon as they reached the first floor Dobby appeared.

"Dobby heard you and came to see how you are doing and if you want dinner already."

"We are quite better than earlier, Dobby. Thank you for asking…" Luna answered, sitting near Harry in one of the couches.

"And we would love to have dinner…" Harry added, smiling at the Ravenclaw and then to the elf. Dobby disappeared with a soft pop and came back a few second later with the dinner for the five of them. Ginny reached the first floor as the table filled itself with food.

"Always on time…" Hermione teased. Ginny simply poked out her tongue at her. "Such a grown up." Hermione laughed.

The light atmosphere remained in the room thanks to the teasing. Hermione noticed they were all trying to keep each other happy, joking about their demeanor. They were all completely aware of what was happening.

After some time, the room fell into a somber silence. Hermione was lost in her own thoughts while trying to reassure the veela beside her, who was obviously still in deep distraught. Ginny, Luna, and Harry were cuddled up in their usual couch, apparently reassuring each other. They all startled when the portrait spoke into the room, breaking the silence.

"Miss Moire is asking for permission to enter." They exchanged relieved glances as to confirm it was ok for her to come in and Hermione voiced their clearance. In no time, the youngest Gryffindor entered the room looking quite concerned. Her expression turned into a small smile when she saw everyone smiling at her.

"'ello, Moire! To what do we owe zee 'onor?" Fleur asked with a small smile.

"I didn't see any of you the whole day and when I asked the other seventh years they had no idea of where you were… So I was a little worried… I figured I could come here…"

"Sure, Moire. I'm sorry we worried you. We had a tough night and had some problems and Professor McGonagall dismissed us from classes." Hermione explained, taking care not to give any more detail then what she thought would calm the younger girl.

"So you are ok? You seem quite sad…" Her eyes flicked between the five of them but lingered on Hermione and Fleur.

"We are still tired. But if you want you can cuddle with us until you have to go to bed." Hermione offered, after confirming with the others if it was okay.

"If it's not a problem…" Hermione shook her head and made space so the girl could cuddle into her while she leaned her head on Fleur's lap.

They asked about Moire's day wanting to fill the silence that would inevitably fall as soon as the girl stopped talking. Shortly after the girl fell asleep cuddling with Hermione. The low snores of the girl easing the tension of the silence. They were all smiling, admiring her peacefulness. That was when McGonagall's patronus came into view, letting them know that she was about to pay them a visit. Without the need of an answer, the portrait that guarded the external access opened, revealing the headmistress.

"I hope I'm not interrupting you." The Headmistress began, clearly not noticing the first year sleeping by Hermione. As the older woman stepped near them she took notice of the girl who, by the sound of the stern professor's voice, had shot awake. "What are you doing here, Miss Woods?" She added with a slightly alarmed voice.

"She came to check on us as we seemingly have gone missing," Hermione explained with an amused voice before the youngster could bring herself to answer.

"I see."

"I'm going, I'm sorry I slept…" The girl said in a small voice.

"It's not a problem, Moire. Goodnight," Hermione answered, being followed by the rest of the occupants of the room. When the portrait closed after the girl, she turned to her favorite professor.

"I forgot to issue one thing and I hope we can discuss it quickly." McGonagall began, "If I recall correctly, you scheduled the next DA gathering to tomorrow. And I hope you realize that going through with that plan goes against Poppy's instructions." They all nodded. "I was hoping we are able to come up with a plan to prevent the wizarding world from storming into the school in concern because two-thirds of the Golden Trio is under war trauma." Hermione nodded, knowing they would have to come up with an excuse good enough to keep the whole school from gossip. "Now, what do you suggest?" She asked as she sat down, worriedly glancing the five of them.

"I guess we could say Fleur had a problem and won't be able to come…" Hermione began to brainstorm out loud.

"Oui, as zee school regulation for clubs doesn't allow a club meeting without zee older teacher, it could be a good option."

"It won't really justify Fleur's presence in school during the week," Luna argued. "We need something that can possibly cover it."

Everyone nodded, and the room fell silent. None of them really able to come up with a sound plan.

"I'll call Poppy, maybe we can discuss with her your resting terms." The headmistress conjured a patronus and sent him to the healer. In no more then half an hour, the head healer entered the room.

"How can I help, Minerva?" She asked as she sat in the only empty armchair left.

"Poppy, we can't seem to find a sound excuse for all of them to cancel the meeting of the DA…"

"I see, what is your plan for the meeting?" Hermione began to explain what they had been planning on doing, while the others simply kept their silence. Fleur held her lightly, Hermione could feel some sort of pride emanating from her. Hermione leaned further into her without a second thought after she finished speaking. "As long as you keep this plan, I don't see a reason to keep you from the meeting. But I must say the three of you are not to demonstrate any spell nor do anything other than taking notes and observe." She eyed the group.

"I'll make sure zey follow your instructions."

"As will I," Ginny added, quickly.

"If that's everything," The healer eyed the headmistress (who nodded). "I must go." And she was gone.

"Now," The former head of Gryffindor spoke after a beat. "As to Miss Delacour's excuse to being in school…" The woman smiled. "After a long discussion with Professor Ward and a rather short talk with 'Dora, we come to the agreement that it would be of the school's best interest to have an Auror this week to take part in fifth and seventh year's DADA classes in order to explain and demonstrate the Law Enforcement work." She said with a small smile. "It will obviously require that you present your self officially to the school. I'd say, tomorrow morning." Fleur nodded. Hermione felt her gaze falling on her and felt her worry.

"Babe, it's one class each day. I'll use the time to study. And you will know if there is something wrong." Hermione reassured her in a small voice so only she would hear. Fleur nodded and kissed her head.

"About your discharge for the week,"

"I doubt anyone would ask something about it…" Hermione said thoughtfully.

"Yes, but if someone does, simply say you were requested to report about the war and I dismissed you to do so. The fewer lies the better." The four students nodded. Thankfully they were all known to be important during the war, no one would give it a second thought. "Goodnight, then. I'll make the announcement tomorrow at lunch. Fleur, you can have your meals with Hermione at the Gryffindor's table, as your relationship is far from a secret in the school." McGonagall added before going through the portrait hole. Hermione felt her face warm and could swear she saw a smirk on the headmistress' face.

"Am I dreaming or I really saw McGonagall smirking?" Harry asked, half laughing.

"She was totally smirking." Ginny laughed, "She made them both blush. A veela blush! WOW!"

Hermione hid her face on Fleur stomach which made the latter hold her breath a little. This exchange simply made the other three laugh harder.

"I'm going to sleep." Hermione stood, feigning annoyance and pulling Fleur with her.

"Right, sleep!" Ginny howled from the common room as both of them went up the stairs.

"Shut it, Ginny!" Hermione shouted back, laughing a little.

They went through their nightly routine and into bed, Fleur held Hermione closely.

"I'll write to Grandmére tomorrow morning to ask 'er about zee connection," Fleur said in a whisper.

Hermione nodded and sank her head into the blonde's neck, her body half over the veela. "All I can think at the moment is: I'll have my girlfriend with me for a whole week."

"Uhm…"

"I might get spoiled…"

"Ditto." They both smiled.

The following morning got all of them gathered in the common room fairly early. The breakfast had been brought by Dobby. Hermione had the impression that the house elf might have asked the headmistress to take care of them personally given he was always quick to answer to any of their calls. She wasn't fond of this idea but at least she knew he was being paid. Every time she asked him to deliver her letters to Fleur she made sure to offer him a payment for it. It was currently mid-morning and Dobby had just delivered their favorite hot beverages, all of them thanked him aloud in the hope he would hear.

"Mon Ange," Fleur whispered in her ear, bringing her back to reality. "I zink I'll write Grandmére now. Zee sooner I send it, zee sooner we 'ave our answer."

Hermione simply nodded and got up. She had no wish to part from the veela and was quite sure the woman actually had the same thing in mind. "We have some things to figure out with Fleur's family, I guess we meet you down here in about two hours so we can go have lunch…"

"Sure…" Ginny answered with a smirk plastered on her face, making Hermione roll her eyes.

Hermione ignored her best friend's snickering and basically dragged Fleur to their room, the latter trying to hold back an amused smile at the brunette's annoyance.


As the door swung closed, Fleur wrapped her arms around her girlfriend's waist.

"Why are you letting Ginny get under your skin?" She asked. Hermione let out a sigh.

"I don't know." She heard the brunette take a deep breath. "I guess I'm just afraid you will get tired of waiting soon and all her jokes are making it worse… It's not that I don't want, I do. It's just…"

"Eet's something with a 'uge importance for me and you don't want to risk being wrong and 'urting me. And eet's a rather large step for both of us." Fleur completed what the younger woman was saying as she went silent. Hermione nodded, looking into her eyes. "I know, 'ermione. I understand. I want you to understand I won't ever get tired of waiting, simply because I know eet ees worth eet." She smiled upon seeing brown eyes lighten up at her words.

"I'm sorry"

"Don't apologize for what you feel, mon Ange."

They stood there, holding each other silently.

"I must say I 'ave been afraid you will grow tired of me…" She added with a small voice as if she was afraid to say it too loud and it turned out to be true. Hermione's head shot upwards upon hearing the confession.

"That," She paused to make sure Fleur was looking at her. "Is absolutely impossible." She smiled. Fleur couldn't help but hold her close and let their proximity soothe them both away from their fears.

The blonde held back the three words that were floating around her mind, she was sure it was not the moment. She felt a pang of annoyance from her veela and sighed.

"What is it, babe?" Hermione looked concerned. "Are you annoyed with something?"

"You…" Fleur was absolutely awestruck. "You sensed what I felt?"

Hermione nodded and cocked her head clearly trying to make sense of herself. "Yes. I think since yesterday… I kind of knew when you were upset or worried…"

"Zat's something we need to add on zee letter," Fleur said silently.

"It's not common, right? Even with mated couples."

"No, eet's not. At least from what I remember reading."

They sat, close to each other, as Fleur wrote to her grandmother. It ended up being a long letter as they both wanted to explain everything that happened. By the time she finished writing and placed it in an envelope, they were due to go down meet the others. Hermione called Dobby, knowing Fleur was eager to get the answer and that they would have no time to send it before the end of the day. The house-elf gladly accepted the request, even with Fleur saying it would be for the better to send it trough Yuna, as she knew where to go. He left quickly, smiling. The two woman met their friends and went to the Great Hall after changing into their "teaching" clothes. The room was yet to be filled by everyone but all the teachers and staff were already here. A notice had been put in the common rooms to let the student body know that they were all to be at the Great Hall early for lunch because the Headmistress had an announcement. Fleur saw all the staff nod at her and give her small smiles and felt an urge of uneasiness coming from Hermione. She caught the worried glance McGonagall sent towards the brunette. Fleur tightened her grip on her Gryffindor's hand to reassure her. She figured the former head of house wouldn't say more than what the rest of the staff needed to know, therefore she was sure the witch hadn't talked about the awful amount of torture Luna and Hermione went through. The simple thought of their moment in the mansion made her release a shaky breath. It was Hermione's turn to tighten her grip. The group sat at the Gryffindor table, not on their usual spot but close to the staff table as Fleur would probably have to present herself at the front. Soon, the whole student body flooded through the doors.

"Good afternoon!" McGonagall began, effortlessly making the hall go silent. "I trust you all noticed we have a guest today." An agreement noise was heard. "Well, I managed to get Fleur Delacour out of her current job in the Ministry for a week. This week marks a new policy in school. Until the end of April, we will be receiving professionals in different years to help you decide your intended professions. Miss Delacour is here to represent the Law Enforcement department, therefore she will be attending the DADA lessons for fifth and seventh years. I expect you to warmly welcome her to our school once more." She sat and the food appeared in front of them.

Fleur felt a lot of eyes on her. She was used to it, used to the attention that involved being a veela. She sighed. Being around people that had already found their loved ones was a blessing, even those who didn't, had developed some kind of resistance to her thrall so she was rarely bothered by so many blurred eyes. She couldn't really use her thrall to avoid unwanted attention at the moment so she fought herself to maintain it as subtle as possible. She heard a low huff from her side and felt her girlfriend get slightly closer to her. Looking at her, she saw the younger woman hold her fork with her left hand and hold her waist with her right arm.

"You know zey are already aware I'm taken, right?" She whispered in her ear with an amused voice. Her heart swelled in her chest.

"Yes, but some might need a reminder." The lioness answered, her voice laced with annoyance.

"Je suis à toi pour toujours. Don't worry about zem." (I'm yours forever) She saw Hermione smile at the use of French. She had been studying the language ever since they began dating and had obviously understood what she had said. Fleur kissed her cheek softly and smiled at her.

"Moi aussi bébé" (Me too, baby) The lioness said in a perfect accent, taking Fleur by surprise. She looked at Hermione with wide eyes, the brunette smirking. Not being capable of holding herself, she kissed her sweetly. Gasps and wolf whistles erupted all around the room. There were even some people cheering. Laughing, they pulled back.

"I knew it would work," Hermione added, whispering in her ear. She snickered.

"Eet's not always zat I'm able to 'ear my girlfriend speaking in my mozer language, ma belle." She answered, amused. Casting an apologetic smile at the headmistress, who quickly glared at them. She was sure she saw a small smile on lips as she moved her attention back to her plate.

"What was that about?" Ginny asked, laughing.

"Unwanted attention," Luna answered, smiling. "Many of the students here are susceptible to Fleur's thrall… 'Mione got… Territorial." Hermione blushed deeply. Fleur smiled and kissed her head. "And she spoke French." Ginny was now fully laughing, Harry was smiling at his friends and Hermione hid her face on Fleur's side.

"At least now we can be certain no one will try their way with Fleur!" Ginny exclaimed, Harry and Luna nodding. "Or Hermione, for that matter." Fleur raised a brow at it, her own jealousy rising. She felt Hermione tug at her hand and turned to face her. The lioness placed a quick kiss on her lips as to make it clear that she shouldn't worry.

"Some of the students have a thing for 'Mione, as I heard…" Harry added. "There has been a rumor that you two were together, thanks to the DA meeting. But with that sweet demonstration of yours, it's more than confirmed." He smiled at Fleur. "The stories about your duel were the first to travel around here."

"You two are the hot topic of all gossip." Ginny beamed. "I wouldn't worry. You are either respected or feared here. No one will try anything."

"And I couldn't be less interested," Hermione added with a whisper, so only she could hear. The lioness then made her look her in the eyes, to make sure she had understood. She felt the quick change in her eyes. Her veela leaving it clear that she got the message. The creature had been basically relentless in jealousy ever since Ginny hinted that Hermione would possibly get hit by someone. Thinking about it, Fleur felt like an idiot. Of course, the lioness would have admirers. She was simply gorgeous, brilliant and kind… Hermione's words were soothing anyway.

After lunch, they went directly to the vanishing room and waited for everyone to arrive. The meeting went on smoothly, with Hermione, Luna, and Harry following the instructions of Madam Pomfrey and Ginny and Fleur the only active ones. At the end, a few students went to talk to them, mostly to thank them for the experience. They were back in the common room right after dinner. In no time they were all in their rooms, getting ready to sleep. Luna had insisted that she would be able to sleep on her own that night but Ginny had been insistent saying that there was no logic in what Luna was saying. So Ginny basically dragged Luna to their room, slightly annoyed, being followed closely by Harry who didn't seem any different from Ginny. Fleur decided to observe the trio more closely.

Any thoughts she could possibly have in her mind as she entered the room with Hermione were long forgotten, the lioness had attached their lips as soon as their door closed.

"Missed you." She said, smiling.

"You spent zee day with me, ma belle."

"But you were far away for most of the afternoon." Hermione countered, pouting slightly. "And as I have already stated, you look great in my shirt, looking all official…" Fleur had borrowed a shirt from Hermione, not wanting to go home to get her own. Hermione offered her the exact same from the previous Saturday.

"Uhm…" Fleur held the lioness closer and kissed her neck softly.

"And…" Hermione had to hold back a loud moan and closed her eyes. "I wanted to make sure you understood that you are mine." She said in a low voice, her mouth near Fleur's ear and the latter was yet to detach her lips from the lioness neck. When she opened her eyes, she was met with orange ones.

"Oh, I do know I'm yours, mon Ange. I do know…" Fleur's voice was laced with lust, her eyes were in deep orange.

"Good." Hermione smiled and closed the gap between their lips once more. They pulled back panting, both knowing that if they kept going, they would go further then they both wanted to. They exchanged their thoughts wordlessly, their eyes understanding each other.


A/N: Hey! Sorry! It took too long to post this one. I planned on having one chapter already written when I posted this one and it took me forever to write it. Because of life. I really hope you liked it! I'll probably write a chapter on Luna's POV, tell me what you guys think of it!

They are too sweet!

Please review!

Thanks for reading!

;3 Luv yah

see you soon...

For those who live in the areas affected by all those disasters, I hope you are alright and safe...

PS: lawless23: I won't say a thing about what you asked. Let's see where it goes, right?

wk: I'm glad you are still reading this one!

willtara4ever: Glad you like it! Sorry about the typos, I'll review everything soon. I do go through the chapter before posting but they slip from my eyes... Sorry! If you want you can send me what you saw, and I'll fix them...

PPS: Oh, right, my other story is up. So go read it (I managed to keep it shortish) hope you like, please review it!

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