One heads up: NSFW (it's quite a small part, but still is. at the end.)
PLEASE READ END A/N!
They still had about two weeks to the end of term and graduation. A time they spent between enjoying their last days at the castle and training. Three days before their departure, during breakfast at the Great Hall and right after the normal mail time, a parliament of pristine-looking owls came into view.
"That's it." Fleur heard Hermione say as she saw and heard the owls. The blonde smiled as she felt the lioness grab her hand in anticipation, she squeezed it to reassure her and smiled at her just as four owls landed in front of them facing each one of them. She watched Hermione take a deep breath and take the parchment from its claw and trade it for a piece of bacon. "I have nothing to worry about. Nothing! Everything is going to be fine. I did my absolute best."
'Ma Belle, take a deep breath.' Fleur caressed the small of her back, smiling slightly. She also noticed the other three gulp and stare at the parchment, though Luna immediately opened the roll and beamed.
"That's awesome!" The other blonde smiled. "7 'O's, 3 'E's. What did you get?"
Fleur saw Hermione break the official seal. The foreign relief that followed the shuffling noise from the parchment being unfolded made her smile while giving her the announcement that her mate was indeed pleased with her grades.
"All 'O's?" Harry smiled at them.
"Nine 'O's. One 'E', DADA. Definitely not my subject. Thank Morgan for the auror training." Hermione smiled, clearly relaxed now. "What about you guys?"
"Spending so much time with you rubbed off, apparently. 4 'O's, 5 'E's." Harry beamed at them.
"Same as Lun."
The rest of the day was spent under a tree facing the lake. Fleur still despised the body of water given her experience with it during the tournament. She decided to ignore the lake and enjoy her mate's company as well as their friends.
Next day came with nervousness from the four graduates, 3 of them, actually. Luna was simply excited. Fleur basically guided them to the Great Hall for breakfast, knowing the soon enough the train would arrive with the attendees to the ceremony, friends and family of all the graduates. The returning day for the other years had been three days before, leaving only the graduates there. Any lower year student that wished to attend the graduation would have to come back on the graduation day. Fleur thought it was weird, having to leave only to return but leave it to the British to complicate simple things. As far as she understood it was a huge deal for them. There wasn't a party by the end of the day, but most graduates had plans to celebrate. She knew Molly had been planning an enormous party for them; they didn't. Fleur had stayed away from the planning since she could unwillingly tell Hermione about it. But her mother had sided with Molly and Charissa, so she was sure it would be great.
'Why are you smiling?'
Fleur looked at her mate, coming down from her reveries. "Ma Reine, you will know soon enough. Stop trying to pry into my zoughts. We should eat, zey will arrive soon and I'm sure Maman and Grandmère will ask for a tour before lunch."
Hermione pouted at not being able to unravel what she had been thinking. Forty minutes later, they went to the station along with the other graduates to meet whoever was coming to graduation. Minerva approached them, smiling.
"The four of you have the most guests this year, I believe." She said, with a slight smile. She had practically whispered to Fleur, but the blonde knew that Hermione's enhanced hearing would catch the words. A questioning glance from her mate confirmed that, but before she could ask what all that was about, the train arrived, and everyone was put into motion.
Hermione was about to ask her mate what that was about, but the train arrived just then. She heard Gaby's loud French and beamed at the thought of having her there too. They followed the teen blonde's voice and came to a stop in front of the car just as she was exiting it.
"Ma merveilleuse famille Anglaise! Et ma vieille sœur ennuyeuse. (My beautiful British family! And my annoying older sister.)" She beamed at them.
"Merlin! Quelqu'un devrait lui apprendre les bonnes manières, elle ne sait pas se tenir en société. (Merlin! Someone really should train her, her manners are showing.)" Lea, much to Hermione's surprise - and delight -, was the next one out of the car.
"Je te la laisse et essaye! (I'll let you have her and give it a try!)" Apolline exclaimed as she followed Lea.
"Woman, I didn't know you spoke French!" She heard Fred's voice as he stepped out while speaking to - she assumed - his girlfriend.
"Right?!" George exclaimed. "Anyway, you go, girl! To the untamable club!"
"What are you on about, Forge? You have been tamed ages ago!" Ginny exclaimed, clearly excited to see her brother.
"Shh! Ginny! Let them keep the illusion. It's easier that way." Angelina shushed the younger redhead.
"Tata! Je n'ai jamais dit que j'allais le faire! (I didn't say I'd do it, aunt!)"
Hermione suddenly noticed she could see a line formed to exit the car and asked herself who had actually come.
"Hermione, dear!" Her mother's voice made her come back from her questioning trance. "We're so happy you are graduating!" She beamed at her parents. The happiness she felt overcoming the sad memory of thinking she would never see them again. She proceeded to hug them.
As she parted from the embrace, she noticed there was a sea of red and yellowish-white. Hermione felt herself begin to tear up.
'your entire family is here.' Fleur said in her mind, her joy invading her and mixing with her own.
"Excuse me, may I pass?" She heard someone shout, a known voice, but couldn't place it. Soon she noticed a small party between the Weasleys and Delacours. A wild black mane appeared, followed by a bright red and gold one, two blondes (not as white as the Delacours) and a brown closing it (with a baby with changing hair). "You do have a big family, dear!" Andromeda beamed at her.
"Andy! I didn't know you were coming! Not that I knew most of them were."
"Well, it's not every day the head of the family graduates. Or his sister, in this case." Cissa smiled at her and Harry. She felt her cheeks redden.
"We should get going. I believe we are blocking everyone else from meeting their families." Isabelle said, taking Hermione's available arm, as her mother was holding the other one. The sea of people nodded and made their way to the carriages. The five matriarchs organised them and in no time they were on their way back to the castle.
'You knew they were all coming, didn't you?' Hermione asked Fleur. The blonde simply smiled at her.
'I had a hunch.'
'Thank you.'
'There's nothing to thank me for. You are a wonderful woman. Of course, they all would come.'
After re-entering the castle, Hermione took her time greeting everyone, just like Luna, Ginny and Harry. The last person she hugged was Andromeda.
"Hermione." She seemed serious, so Hermione focused on her. "Being a Black has not always been a dreadful thing. Some old ways have been kept alive along our lines. One thing I remember since a young age is that all female Blacks receive a few presents on the day they are graduating." She smiled and Narcissa nodded nearby. She then accioed two boxes from her bag. "I imagined you'd want it to be a symbol of the change undergoing in the family, this first one. Well, Cissy and I went to Gringotts and hired them to make one pendant for you, and one for Fleur. It's symbolic of growth, a change from ignorance to knowledge. It was designed by them. We simply said the meaning. Apparently, the centaurs got word of it and sent a request so that the Phoenix's constellation would be engraved." She smiled as she opened the box, revelling a lilac pendant, it actually appeared that the flower had been transfigured by how detailed it was. "Harry, I thought you'd like to have your godfather's graduation ring, but Remus was actually faster than me in that. He has it. The goblins asked it your ring was to bring the same meaning of Hermione's pendant, we said yes. I don't really know the stone they used, but the design merges it with the family's stone." she opened the third box and revealed the ring. Then Remus gave Harry Sirius' ring.
"He actually hated the fact that he received it. And basically never wore it. Walburga tried to disown him, but he and Regulus were the only ones that would keep the line. The accord from the sacred 28 didn't allow her to do that. He never liked the concept of them, but he couldn't do much."
Harry smiled and thanked them. Hermione was curious about what stone was on his ring and quietly asked to see it. "I think I know what stone that is."
"I was hoping you would, Hermione." Narcissa smiled at her.
"I believe it's an African Turquoise. It's considered the stone of evolution and brings about great change and transformation within life. Its encouraging energy opens minds to the possibility of newness." Harry and Hermione smiled at each other.
"Apparently only Humankind can't truly understand love. The goblins sent those to your mates, Harry." Andy smiled after accioing two other boxes.
"Thank you." Ginny and Luna answered as they received their pendants, they held gems similar to Harry's.
"Can we go see zee castle? Eet 'as been years and I'd like to see everyzing before zee ceremony!" Gabrielle rolled her eyes, exasperated, only to receive a light push from Bill.
"Gabrielle, be civil! That was part of House Black Traditions. Be respectful!" Lea chided.
"Ah, but we should indeed go. I understand most of you never came to Hogwarts?" Andy took lead, looping an arm on Apolline's. The other blondes nodded, except for those who had come for the Triwizard Tournament (which were few). As they walked the corridors, the kids ran among them, sometimes almost knocking down armours, other times talking to the portraits. "The school runs with a four Houses system. Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. Each house has a common room that is linked to the dormitories." the woman lunched on an explanation about each house.
"Of course, Slytherin is the best house." Draco smirked.
"I have no idea about what makes you think that, little cousin! Puffs make the best house!" Tonks interjected, changing her hair to match her House's.
"You certainly forget that our house alone has three war heroes." Fred exclaimed.
"One of them is the chosen one!" George completes.
"I really think it depends. Each house has its ups and downs. They are unique." Luna said calmly, interrupting the start of a discussion that could take up hours.
"Zee most reasonable is Ravenclaw as you can see." Fleur beamed while being lightly pushed away by Hermione, who sported a fake offended expression.
"As you can obviously see, there's a competition between them. There's a Cup at the end of the year and the house that has the highest score wins. Points are awarded or taken along the year. Good and bad behaviour, quidditch cup too."
"Unless you are Potter - or Granger - then Dumbledore would make sure you earn enough to win the house cup forever..." Draco joked, half snarling. Narcissa gave him a pointed look.
"I have to admit he was never the best at being unbiased. Our first year was basically the worst one. Slytherin was supposed to win that..." Hermione couldn't help but agree with the blond male.
Andy guided the whole group across the castle - or most of it - before Dobby appeared to let them know it was lunchtime. They thanked him and walked towards the Great Hall, the group speaking English and French in a mixed sense. All Delacours highly delighted with Ginny and Harry's will to learn the love language, they had been having lessons with Fleur, Hermione and Luna - who was especially keen on making them speak as much as they could at every possible moment.
The Great Hall wasn't much different from its usual appearance, given the four house tables were still there as was the teachers', but - for Hermione - it evoked the feeling of walking inside for the first time so many years before - it sure felt like ages ago. They all settled at the Gryffindor table, Luna foregoing sitting with her own house.
"I never really felt at home there... I never felt as much at home as now, actually." Luna said when Molly asked her, prompting a tear to slid from the older witch's eyes and a kiss on the cheek from both her mates.
"Well, good. You are family, after all." George said, smiling at his sister-in-law. All their party smiled at the younger blonde, who mirrored them with a wide smile of her own.
They ate and talked for a while, then Minerva got up from her chair and the entire room got silent.
"While I'm yet to get used to giving speeches at the begging and end of terms, I must say I'm used to getting the whole room to be silent as I speak. I must say it has been an honour. As much as some of you didn't ever truly heard me while on lessons," Hermione could see the faint smile at her stern face - most were shocked by the sass at the begging of her speech. "Most fought bravely for our school when needed. You are leaving this school and entering a new world, thanks to yourselves. And I feel like I must begin this new world by offering my apologies." She turned to the Slytherin table after glancing at Draco. "You were deprived of fighting for this school. One that is home for so much of you. I apologise for my act of prejudice and unfairness. Slytherin shouldn't be known only for the history of Oh-so-terrible tyrants, but for your loyalty, your ability to forge family and defend them. Many of you had friends in other houses and I'm aware I stripped you from your right to fight for them and freedom. I am terribly sorry." Hermione was the first to gather her bearings again as a stunning silence overcame the Great Hall. No one saw that coming. Every Slytherin was so used to the bias that most didn't even think about it. Hermione started clapping and soon Harry joined, both standing while doing it, in a short while, the whole room as clapping specifically for the green and silver table, filled with stunned families and soon to be ex-students. While at the Gryffindor table, Draco shared the feeling with his house-mates.
"That's definitely something I won't ever be able to forget." Hermione heard Draco say to his mother as the room calmed and sat again. "I'm sure pans will like to see it..." Narcissa nodded with a smile.
"I hope I have been able to contribute to your lives - all and each of you have surely given me a few white hairs." The Headmistress pointedly looked at Hermione, Ginny, Harry, and Draco. Causing them to beam at her. "But I'm absolutely proud of the adults all of you have become. I'm sure you will have splendid lives and families. We just have to remember to remain united and help each other. As Dumbledore would say, happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. Thank you. The ceremony will take place outside, near the quidditch pitch, graduates, please stay just so I can give you a few directions." Fleur smiled at Hermione and got up to follow the rest of the family. Hermione quickly kissed her and bid farewell to the rest of them. "Thank you. As you already know, you are expected to use Hogwarts' graduation outer robes. You will walk down the aisle in a line ordered by surname just as you came in seven years ago - or eight. You are to sit at the empty chairs by the front. I will call your names one by one. You will get to the stage, shake hands with your professors and proceed to sit, then the minister will say a few words to you, as will Filius. After the ceremony, Hagrid will again accompany you towards the docks to take the boats. You'll meet your families once again at the train station." At the group's nod, professor Flitwick - Filius - began reciting their names so they could get in line. All of them quickly putting on the outer robes.
Hermione was between two Claws, everyone seemed nervous, she was getting more nervous every second that passed. By the time they began moving, she had had to take a few calming breaths and mentally berate herself. She looked back and shared a smile with her brother - who looked just as nervous as her - and focused back on the front. A few steps later she looked at Ginny, then Luna. Both seemed relatively calm. Ginny gave her a thumbs up. She only felt her nervousness calm down when they approached the stands to the ceremony and she locked eyes with Fleur.
'Nervous?'
'How could you tell?' She answered with a raised eyebrow.
'Don't, it will be just fine.'
'Thank you, love.'
She sat in her rightful place and waited to her name to be called. While shaking hands she received numerous praises and "It has been an honour" she blushed every time. She noticed Harry had the exact same problem as her, if the obvious blush on his cheeks was any indication. Before the Minister got to the podium to give his speech, Minerva spoke once again.
"As most of you know, Hogwarts likes to praise those students who had an exemplary academic life. Yes, this year we have a few additions and a few exceptions, But it's an honour to call upon the stage the students that are due to receive it." She proceeded to call one student of each house, the best of their year - Luna being the Claw. Minerva then called Hermione - who felt herself blush. After a pause, she called upon one last name: "Draco Malfoy." Hermione stood by Luna and was able to locate the Slytherin in the crowd as soon as his name left the Headmistress' lips. He seemed utterly shocked, while his mother seemed pleased. He reluctantly got up and moved to the stage, coming to a stop just by her. "While Mr Malfoy didn't graduate here, given higher circumstances, the board wants to recognise his efforts during his years here and at his results at the N.E.W.T.s." Filius coordinated them to stand in line to receive the praise. Hermione beamed as she saw Luna move to hug Minerva and all Head of Houses. As Hermione approached, she saw the older witch smile for a second, "I must say I feared I wouldn't be able to give this to you, Hermione. Congratulations." With a wave of her wand, a bracelet of gold wolven around small red gems appeared in Hermione's wrist. She felt her eyes water.
"Thank you. For everything." She hugged her favourite professor dearly, trying to convey just how much she was thankful for her guidance in the wizarding world. She shook hands with the other professors and moved to take her place once again. As she walked down the stairs, she looked at a still shocked Draco and smiled at him.
The minister spoke about the world and how it was changing, thanked every graduate for their help at the battle and congratulated them. Filius spoke as Deputy Headmaster about how different the real world was and how he hoped all of them would succeed in life. As the whole ordeal came to an end, everyone received congratulations from their respective families and Hagrid called upon the recently graduated.
They walked to the docks, Ginny and Harry asking to see the bracelets she and Luna had gotten.
"Mum said there's an inscription on the underside. I'm curious." Ginny claimed as they reached the docks. Obviously, it spiked her curiosity, but she refrained herself, knowing she wouldn't be able to live with herself if it fell into the water. Instead, she focused on getting into one of the boats - rather larger than the ones she remembered getting into on her first day - and prompting the other three to get on board too. The experience of leaving the castle was indescribable. The nostalgia, pace and happiness overwhelmed her and she felt her cheeks burning as they reached the other shore. Seeing Hogwarts at this distance made her tear up. She felt Harry hug her and then Ginny and Luna. They stood there, facing the castle that had been their home for so many years and had been witness to so much in their lives.
"Yeh comin'?" Hagrid asked, making them come back to present.
"Ah, yes. Thanks, Hagrid!" Hermione exclaimed.
As got back to the rest of the family/group, Fleur enveloped her in a proud hug. Hermione couldn't help but laugh as the blonde spun her around and congratulated her again.
Molly approached them, "I expect you lot for Dinner at the Burrow. See you then." They bid farewell to them all - Hermione realising it would be one hell of a dinner with so many people present - and apparated to Fleur's Flat.
"Congratulations, ma Reine."
"Fleur, I didn't do anything more than I should have."
"You may zink so, but being zee best student ees not an easy task."
"You shall know that, love. I didn't know you so well at the time, but congratulations."
"You are not going to run from my praises by trying to praise me, a Cherie."
Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled. "Thank you."
Beaming, Fleur took her hand and led her to the bedroom.
"Fleur, I don't think we should-"
"'ush, maman sent you whole closet 'ere and we should be getting ready to zee Burrow."
"There's a party, isn't there?" Fleur's smile answered her, and she gave the blonde a sweet peck on the lips. "I need to shower first."
"We need indeed." Fleur followed her to the bathroom.
"We are on a tight schedule, love. No funny business."
"I'll ravish you later tonight, ma Lionne."
They both beamed at each other, and undressed. Hermione couldn't help herself and pressed Fleur against the shower tiles, kissing her deeply.
"Weren't we only taking a sho-" Fleur's words were cut short as she moaned loudly. As she had begun to speak, Hermione latched onto her neck, delivering small bites and kissed while her hands assaulted the blonde's breasts. It took Hermione one firm squeeze to elate the loud moan and needy whine that came after she moved away.
"Do you want me to stop?"
"Don't you dare." Fleur's eyes becoming yellow.
"You were complaining..."
"Non. I could never complain about 'aving you near me."
"Oh?! So what do you want me to not stop, love?" Hermione felt herself smirk and immediately moaned at the assault of images Fleur sent her.
She pinned her mate once again against the tiles. The kiss deepening as soon as it began. She felt her grip tighten on her lover, almost desperately. Hermione's hand lowered, reaching the peak of Fleur's legs and eliciting a needy moan from her. Unceremoniously, she thrust two fingers into her, feeling how turned on the other woman was, teeth clasped into her shoulder as she kept a fast pace, thrusting and caressing the nerve bundle. She was so focused on fucking the blonde; she didn't notice her hand moving. She moaned as the French woman entered her with two fingers and almost screamed when her thumb grazed her clit. They locked eyes and road each other until they both came undone, almost at the same time.
A/N: Hey, my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! I hope you liked! I always imagined the graduation there like that so there it is. I needed to make McG more reasonable than Dumby, hence her apologising.
So, I've been thinking: I'm starting to professionally write, though I don't have muuuch time with my other (very) important job (owning a Design atelier), and that's why I don't get to update much, honestly. I've been considering putting up a page for me, so I feel a bit more propelled to write to you (not that I'm not, but it would help me to be able to spend more time writing. So, would you contribute? If so, what benefits would you like?
Please review (and answer me...), I'm always pleased to learn what you think!
;3
See Yah! It's my birthday but you are the ones getting presents!
PS: WK: Hermione always loved dealing with a lot at a time, It would be good for her!
Healer: Welcome! I'm really glad you enjoyed (and hopefully still is...)! About the trio, being in a poliamorous relationship kind of makes me want to write about it. They are a joy to write about.
Summer: might get to that in a one-shot... Glad you like it.
PPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
