They were late. That had been clear to Hermione as soon as she finished dressing (she had taken too long to choose what she would wear and had only decided after Fleur had helped her, asking what style she wanted.). She was pacing at the moment, Fleur still not ready and humming a tune Hermione didn't recognise. But her voice - even if with no true lyric - was beautiful, and the brunette caught herself smiling like a love-struck full, her eyes closed. He huffed and resumed her pacing.
"Mon coeur, I'm almost ready. Calm down."
"Fleur! We are late!"
"You don't even know when we're supposed to be zere." Fleur smiled at her knowingly.
"Molly said dinner, it's almost the usual time she serves and you are not ready yet." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I'm almost ready, ma Reine. Cinq minutes (five minutes)." Hermione groaned, annoyed. "I prefer zis sound with you under me." Fleur cast her a smile through the mirror as she moved to apply some make-up. She felt herself blush. "Zere! May we?"
"Finally!"
"Fashionably late, 'ermione." She said with a slight smile.
"Let's go."
They apparated by the beginning of the route to the Burrow. Hermione didn't want to risk getting in the way of no one, so they walked to the house. The first thing she noticed was the enormous tent - it was really hard to miss.
"How big is this dinner party, Fleur?"
"As far as I know, only friends and family." Fleur seemed to be curious too.
"You didn't help so there was no risk of me accidentally becoming aware." The blonde nodded.
"Maman said eet would be only friend and family."
"Love, only your family is almost the entire flock."
"Oui. Maman said Grandmère 'ad to forbid zee entire clan to come."
"But-"
"You are my mate after all."
"Merlin… Remember me to never let Maman and Molly organise a party together. Like, ever again."
"Wow! Mom outdone herself." They heard Ginny's voice by their sides.
"Also late?" Hermione gave her brother a knowing smirk, making him blush.
"Fashionably late, Hermione." The red-head corrected.
"See, ma Reine?"
"Whatever. We should get going." By walking to the tent, Hermione noticed the loud music, one of her favourite muggle tunes and looked at Fleur.
"Oui. Your Maman 'elped too."
"Oh, Hermione, Good luck trying to prevent mom and Apolline from planning your marriage. I bet they are already. Oh! That will be fantastic! A Delacour marriage, the brides two war heroes!"
Hermione almost groaned, but before she could say anything, Fleur smiled at their ginger friend. "Don't forget yours will be a Delacours marriage too, Ginny."
"Fuck." The brunette heard Harry exhale.
As they went into the tent, Hermione noticed that every present veela shot them a knowing smirk and felt her face getting warm.
'Seriously, Fleur. Your family will kill me sometime!'
'Our family.'
'I'm really not used to it yet. Sorry, love.'
'No harm done.'
"And we lost them again." Hermione heard Gaby say somewhere near them.
"Oi! Hermione! Fleur!" At that, Hermione blinked, having being staring at cerulean eyes for probably too long.
The party was practically packed, two classes, half a clan, two families and some more friends - including bosses and ex bosses. Hermione noticed that even the teachers had been invited. She was glad. She owned Minerva so much. Being her wizarding guardian musn't been easy. She spent too much time with Harry and Ron, the two - or three, if you counted the troll and the DA idea - of them attracting every possible trouble. Molly had seemed relieved that they had arrived (and only a bit annoyed they were late) and soon after they greeted some attendees, dinner was served. Before dessert was served, Arthur clinked her glass and got up to speak.
"I'd like to thank you all for coming, we are very pleased you were able to be present. Today I have the honour to say my lest children are graduating. Yes, I didn't say child. While Ginny is my daughter by blood, the other three we are celebrating today made their way to our family's hearts. It is a great pleasure to call you mine. Congratulations. The world is yours and you hold a home here forever." His words made everyone Hermione could see tear up. "Ginny, you are fantastically strong well witted and big-hearted. You deserve all the love you have found, and it's only an honour to be able to say they are part of our not-so-little family." Hermione saw the younger redhead beam at her father. "Oh, and congratulations on growing up with seven brothers. I know it wasn't easy." Indignation was heard by the time he finished speaking.
Fleur got up. Hermione almost yanked her back to her chair by her side. "I won't speak much. As you can see zee lady doesn't like zee attention. I just need to say I 'as been an 'onour to know zee four of you and train you. Thank you." The blonde sat back, 'See? It wasn't a lengthy speech. Maman might want to speak too… She's looking at us.'
Looking up, Hermione saw Apolline looking at her questioningly, the brunette simply nodded, everyone she had wanted to speak before it was out to the world - not that it wasn't obvious - was already aware. Her mother-in-law speaking at her graduation wouldn't do any harm. Before the older blonde could get up, Molly did. She was already crying. Since Arthur began talking.
"You are my youngest, Ginny. I know I didn't give you enough attention having to deal with the twins' antics and those three almost getting killed every year since they entered Hogwarts."
"Make it every year, dear." Minerva added, making everyone laugh.
"Yes… Every year. I'm absolutely proud of you and of who you've become. Luna, you lighten our lives with your way of thinking and have transformed our family in ways i'm not really able to describe. Thank you for being part of the family and loving my daughter - and son - so much." Hermione heard her best friend and brother sniff and smiled at him, knowing how he felt. The way the Weasleys opened their house and hearts to them still left her in awe. "Harry, despite you only coming to this family eight years ago, I consider you one of mine ever since Ronald sent me a letter saying he had met you in the train. Hermione, it took me a bit longer to begin seeing you as one of mine, but as soon as I did, I was able to see how wonderful and brilliant you are. I'm happy to see you achieve finishing this chapter of your lifes. I hope Hermione doesn't have to save you anymore, but knowing you... I think I might have to put you in the clock."
"Lets just hope they are not constantly at 'mortal danger'!" She heard Angelina exclaim, making everyone chuckle.
"Can't promise you that!" Tonks answered with a smirk. Molly sat back down, looking forever worried.
Just as the conversation began picking up, Apolline caught everyone's attention. "Well, I must apologize, for my English isn't as good as eet should. I 'aven't know any of you for longer zan a year, but as our kind take mates we are used to welcome family members at brief notice. I'm absolutely proud of 'aving you in my family. Congratulations." Hermione smiled at her mother-in-law, silently thanking her.
Her mother stood up as soon as Appoline sat. Hermione teared up for just being at the receiving end of such a loving and proud look. "Hermione, my dear…" A pause was needed there, her voice gave away how on edge of crying she had been. "The minute I saw your smile when I first held you I knew you were destined for exceptional things. Obviously I never once thought it would be being a witch or performing an essential role to winning a war. But somehow I knew you would do great things. When a strange figure - sorry Minerva - appeared at our doorstep, saying you were a witch and that you were expected to enrol at this equally strange boarding school, I knew I had been right. Seeing you come back every year with this glint in your eyes for learning so much more than I would have imagined and performing outstandingly well there. You are my pride. You have always been my joy. Seeing you well received - and yes, I know it hasn't been always like this - calms my heart. You have found your people and I couldn't be more happy for you. Harry, I can only imagine what you two have gone through. And hearing you never left her side makes me thrilled. I understand you are already like siblings in your world, but I'd like to offer our house for you too. The little I've got to know you and for everything I heard my baby say about you, - and I believe I can say this for my husband too - you already feel like ours. And obviously, if you two deem anyone worth being in your life, they will be welcome too. Congratulations for finishing this part of your journey, honeys. All four of you."
After she sat down again, the time felt like stilled. Hermione and everyone was waiting to see if anyone else would give a speech. She was actually trying not to cry desperately…
"I might as well speak too…" Hermione felt her eyes bulge from her face as none other than Minerva McGonagall started talking after silently getting up. "I can't lie, being your Head of House was basically a nightmare. But I couldn't be more proud. I tried to protect you as well as I could the moment I noticed that everything that happened in that school had you three involved somehow. I'm sure we all ask ourselves why was it always you three. Anyway, Harry… You are much like your father when it comes to being there for your chosen family. James wasn't always a great men, as I'm sure you are aware, but each day that passes I'm more than certain you inherited his best treats just like Lily's. Of course her studious manners only came to the world this last year, but you have always been kind hearted despite how you were brought up. I'm deeply happy to see everything you went through didn't change that in you. Ginny, I'm sure being the youngest and only daughter wasn't easy on you neither was your first year. Your are and have always been outstandingly strong and passionate about everything you set yourself to do. Luna, despite not being your Head of House - maybe only except for this last term - you always enchanted me. The light you cast on everyone's lives is inspiring just as your view of the world. Hermione… I has been an honour. Not only being your teacher and head of house but your guardian in a world you had no idea existed but blossomed so much. Yes, I think I can say it now. And I believe it was never a real secret, but you came to be one of my highest prides. I ended up being guardian to many muggleborns over the years I've been teaching. I don't believe I bounded this much with many. Maybe only two. Two awesomely well witted witches. One being you. The other… Well, her son is your brother." Minerva smiled at them for a second, Hermione noticed her eyes full of tears. After a deep breath, she ruled her face once more. "Congratulations. I can only hope to continue seeing the four of you grow up and achieve new dreams."
A round of applauses came through. Hermione had given up holding back her tears and was openly crying, just like her brother. They had begun holding each other's hands at some moment, probably when Arthur began speaking. Harry helped her ground herself and by the way he was holding her hand, she helped him. She felt Fleur's soothing magic touch her while the blonde caressed her hair, softly. She smiled and looked at her brother. He too had tear lines in his face. Behind him, Ginny and Luna smiled at her.
Soon, the tables vanished and music began playing.
A week after the surprise party, all their French family went back and their training resumed. A month later they had their last standard test and were assigned to field work under supervision. They were being briefed for their third assignment by Bill when Tonks all but stumbled into the room.
"Forget this mission! He has been spotted." The usually jovial boss was now serious and her eyes held such urgency that her hair was their natural colour - Hermione assumed, given the Black's genetic inheritance. She felt Fleur's temper flair.
'we will get his this time.' The brunette stated to her mate while sending off some calm to her.
'oui.'
"Any surveillance team?" Bill asked after locking eyes with all of them.
"I was honestly hoping you would be up to it. Since I think Fleur will end up murdering someone if something like last time happened…"
"Oui. I probably would." Hermione noticed her eyes had changed.
"Fleur. Take a second and calm down." Bill said but immediately cowered back as the veela's sight fell onto him.
"Love." Hermione knew she had to change the older woman's focus. Her voice seemed to do the work.
"Where?" The blonde visibly steeled her resolve.
"North Scotland. The intel came from Draco. He said one of his sources told him Lucius has been trying to recruit and seemed to settle there. He'll be here to brief you in an hour." With that, Tonks left.
"Fuck." Bill breathed out. "That's it."
"Go sort your things. We meet back here in half an hour." Hermione could sense the steel in Fleur's voice. With that, they set into motion. Harry, Ginny, Luna and Bill jogged from the room they were while she turned to Fleur.
"All right, what's next?" Hermione being herself already had everything she needed in her bag and she knew Fleur had it all too.
"Uniforms and gear. Not too many. Merde!" Fleur embraced Hermione, trying to calm down.
"You want to get to that? Focus on something other than what's next. I know you are still angry and nervous."
"Oui, eet might be a good idea."
They spent the next half hour separating three sets of standard surveillance uniforms and two raid sets for each of the team along with a few apparatus that would help them at the task and a set of enhancing potions.
"Uhm, sorry." They were both startled when they heard a voice from the door, being too focused on selecting the potions to each of them. Hermione knew the voice and took a steading breath before turning. Fleur clasped her hand as soon as she identified the source. Ron carefully stepped inside the room, eyeing her blonde. "I - uhm - I've just heard Lucius has been seen. I wanted to wish you luck… And… And say I'm sorry for what I said. I had no right."
"Thank you, Ronald." Was all Hermione said. The silent that followed wasn't at all pleasant and after a minute or so the redhead nervously nodded and left the room. "That was… awkward."
"Oui."
"Hermione? Fleur? You all right? You seem like you just saw a ghost." Harry's voice forced Hermione out of her head and helped the weird feeling go away. She was left with an unpleasant feeling of doubt as Ron had left.
"I'm ok." "Oui."
"I never really got to understand this muggle phrase. Ghosts exists, they're not always pleasant to be around but most aren't scary in the slightest." Ginny laughed but seemed really confused.
"Babe, muggles don't think such things exists. And I think they aren't actually able to see them. The unpleasant feeling we get when the go through us is probably the origin if it…" Harry answered.
"It might… But no, we didn't see a ghost. Ronald came by just minutes before you." Hermione allowed herself to relax and moved to embrace her veela.
"WHAT?" Ginny as the first to process what the brunette had said. Her outburst forced Harry to get out of shock and quickly grab her arm as she mentioned getting out of the room and chase her brother, constricting her demanded Luna to help.
Bill simply sighted. "What did he do this time?"
"Il n'a rien fait. (He didn't do anything)" Fleur answered.
"Then why did he come?" Luna asked, confused.
"He wished us luck." Hermione mumbled. "And said he's sorry for what he said."
"Oh." Ginny looked calmer. "What did you say?"
"She zanked 'im. He left before I could say anyzing."
"Ok! Let's sort everything out!" Bill clapped his hands, looking at the half-organised potions.
Draco walked in with Tonks just as they were securing everything inside their bags.
"Hello." The blonde said. He seemed nervous. "Uhm, I need to be direct with you. The first tip I had about him whereabouts came from himself. And yes, I know he's not someone to be trusted. That's why I asked a few of my contacts to check it. He reached me to ask me to join him. The man is crazy enough not to notice I never really wanted in to his prized bigotry club… Anyway, my sources confirmed he's there. And sent their memories of the place. Apparently there are a lot of possible hiding spots. It is a muggle city though. I'm sorry I can't give you more details." Draco passed three vials containing the shimmering memories. They all nodded and thanked him, then he left. After watching the memories, they agreed they should get there by muggle transportation. None wanted to appear out of nowhere and risk being caught or blowing their cover. They had about nine hours in a Train so they left pursuing Hermione and Harry since they were the only two that knew how to use muggle transportation. After they apparated at King's Cross, Hermione had immediately set to buy their tickets. In less than an hour, they were comfortably seated, their baggage in their pockets and wrapped in strong notice-me-not Charms, ones Hermione has developed during their eight year. Anything under it would simply not appear in muggle inspecting devices or when the caster didn't wish for magical inspections to detect it. Hermione was proud of herself with it and was considering turning it to the auror division. Maybe with a few modifications. She was no newbie to war, and knowing things gave a person some advantage. And that was quite relevant to a life and death situation.
A/N: Hey, my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! I hope you liked! Oh, the feels!
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! I hope this give you some help to survive the craziness we are going through right now.
PS: Guest: Thanks! I'll put it up as soon as I can have some pause working at the atelier.
WK: Thanks! You enjoyed? I had the idea of writing speeches, though I doubt I'm really good at it...
IVD: Thanks and welcome!
PPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
