The French blonde walked through the city like a hawk. They had just arrived there, and she wished she could simply walk to Lucius hideout and curse the lights out of him.
"Love, you are scaring the citizens." Hermione said carefully.
"Serves zem right allowing 'im to hide 'ere."
"They don't even know who he is, Fleur." Bill fell into step with them.
Fleur sighed.
"I know."
"According to blondie's sources, we can get a view from here." Ginny said, motioning to an old building.
"Boss arranged everything to grant us access." Bill added.
"We should really get moving. We are drawing too much attention." Hermione murmured a bit later.
Fleur was on edge. They had been on surveillance duty for a week. She knew it was probably for the best that they kept it for another week, just so they could be sure of when would be a good time for striking and how many Lucius had been able to lure to his side. The man was clearly desperate, she could see that. She was honestly desperate to get him and his goonies so she could get back home with her mate and plan the rest of their life's.
She sighed. "I deeply 'ate surveillance." Her disgust for the death eater was actually the only thing holding her there. That and the fact that arresting him was the only thing she could do to tamper the hate she felt when she read Hermione's report.
Bill snorted. "No one likes it."
"I kind of do. There's a lot you can learn from someone by just watching them." Luna smiled at them.
"Lun, this is boring as fuck, babe." Ginny grumbled.
"Yeah." Harry nodded, not taking his eyes from the book he had been reading every time he wasn't the one monitoring Lucius.
"You two are too much of Griffindors." Luna smiled at them.
"Oi!" Hermione exclaimed from the watching spot. "I don't appreciate you saying that!"
"I still think you should have been a Claw." The younger blonde said thoughtfully.
"But you are right, we can learn a lot about them by simply watching." The older Lioness got up from her spot. "The spot is all yours, Lun. I think I'll stretch my legs..."
"I'll -" That was as far as Fleur could get before Ginny stood up and all but rushed to drag her friend out. "go with you" she completed sadly watching the space her mate had occupied seconds before.
"Probably for the best. You two would probably get lost into each other." Bill said, off-handedly. She narrowed her eyes at him.
Half an hour later, Hermione and Ginny were back, looking worried.
"What 'appened?" Fleur asked immediately after seeing the look at their face.
"Nothing really happened. We heard one of the goonies saying they were expecting more people in one or two days. Apparently, they are trying to get the few Wizarding people living in the surrounding area to join their ranks." Hermione said after a peck on her lips. "You reckon we should ask Tonks for reinforcement?"
"Maybe. We could take the lot that is already here, we could use some more hands though."
"There are at least four known death eaters here, we would be too lucky to have all the fugitives in one room?" Harry dropped on the couch with his head upside down.
"Yes." They all answered.
"And a death wish." Hermione added.
"Well, I suppose we will wait for more 'ands to come in zee next day."
They sent an owl, with Bill apparating out of the town with it in order not to raise suspicion.
Hermione sat beside Fleur and leaned on her. The blonde's heart rate slowed a bit, and she felt quite more calm.
"You should rest, love." Hermione said silently. Fleur started answering, but was interrupted by her mate's raised brow. She sighed.
"I'm just too worried."
"Yes, me too. But I need you to be fully rested so I don't worry so much…"
"Ma Reine, I'm used to zis kind of works-"
"Yes, yes… and before that you were a course breaker. That won't stop me from worrying. Just like me having fought at the war won't stop you. Now, get comfortable and rest. I'll wake you up if we need you."
"But-"
"The two of you should sleep." Bill chimed in, smirking. "You all should, actually. I'll wake you up if needed."
Fleur and Hermione snuggled against each other, laying on one of the beat-up mattresses they had brought with them. Fleur sighed, knowing she wouldn't be fully relaxed but also relaxing further just by inhaling her mate's scent.
By the end of the next day, their reinforcements began showing up. All four of them disguised, but each came into where they were to report. Only a day after, they were ready to strike. She and Bill agreed they should do it soon. The amount of magical energy could get suspicious and Lucius seemed to be planning something. By the evening, their last resources arrived.
"Lea? What are you doing here?" She heard Hermione explain as a known figure opened the door.
"Well, Grandmère zought eet would be wise to 'ave a few Veela 'ere. So 'ere I am. With a few other aurors."
"You never said you are an auror." Harry smiled at her.
"None of you asked."
"Merci d'être venue Léa. (Thank you for coming, Lea.)" Fleur smiled at her cousin.
The veela approached Hermione and Fleur, smiling. "Toujours. Vous êtes ce pour quoi nous nous battons. (Always. You are who we fight for.)" The Heiress smiled and extended her right hand, her eyes changing. Lea took her forearm, look at her eyes - she too had yellow irises - then bowed her head. "Votre combat est mon combat, Héritière. (Your fight is my fight, Heiress.)"
In one wand movement, after touching both their temples, Fleur linked their minds. She felt the mind of other seven Veelas connecting. In a last-minute decision, she made the same movement, but this time tried to connect Hermione's to the other Veela. Seeing the shock expression on both, she guessed it worked.
'Votre combat est mon combat, Consort. (Your fight is my fight, consort)' Lea said, taking the Lioness' forearm.
'Votre combat est mon combat. (Your fight is my fight.)' She heard the other Veela echo.
She smiled. 'Et votre combat est mien. (And Your fight is mine.)' She responded, Hermione following suit.
"What can we do for you?" Lea asked, looking at her, then at Hermione, Bill, Harry, Ginny and Luna.
Fleur grimaced, they didn't expect it to be a full operation. "Zan ees going to be 'ard to organise. Too many people…"
"We should have a team with each of you." Hermione suggested.
"Why?" Harry asked curiously.
"They can communicate. We can't. Not instantly at least." Luna smiled at the Veelas and Hermione, who simply nodded.
"Oh."
"We should do that then. How many of you?"
"Eight with me."
"Groups of three to five? We will hardly be noticed like that." Hermione started scheming. Bill and Fleur nodded.
"I'll go with Lea, organise everyone. And we'll give you sign we're ready." Bill said seriously. The pair left after Fleur nodded. Bill carrying his gear.
"So… What happened? If you can explain…" Ginny asked as soon as they disappeared. Hermione looked at Fleur too.
"Well, Veela are widely known for zeir attractive features, clearly. But only zose who work closely with zem, and specifically in defense, know 'ow we are fighters. Our main nature ees violent. Most of zee unmated Veela go for defense departments when working outside our clans. Zee most specialized teams in France are solely formed by Veela."
"Never heard of that." Ginny looked shocked and in awe.
"As we have gone zough many wars, we developed a specific spell zat 'elps us to communicate while apart." Fleur smiled tightly. "Eet can only be formed between people of zee same clan as eet 'as a few distinct movements and gestures. And can only be forged by the 'ighest in command line present. Grandmère probably linked zem before zey left so eet would be easier to me. Making ze same spell on 'ermine was a last-minute thing. I 'ad to try, our connection ees so unique zat I guessed eet was worth zee try. Eet worked."
An hour later, the five of them were appropriately geared and ready. Waiting for Lea to let them know they were ready. They decided where each team should be, Fleur sent instructions to all Veela and they waited when it was dark, then the teams began moving.
'Soyez prudent. Ces hommes sont très dangereux et vont probablement lancer des sortilèges impardonnables. (be careful. These men are highly dangerous and will probably be casting unforgivables.)' Hermione made sure to warn all of them before repeating it to their team. Fleur noticed a small glare towards Harry.
"No 'ero gestures." She said, remembering how he tended to act.
"I don't-" Harry started.
"Yes, you do!" Hermione, Ginny and Luna said before he could finish complaining. Fleur chuckled at it.
"Ok, let's go." The older blonde gestured for them to exit the building they were.
The building was located just by the outskirts of the small town they were sent. It was partly inside the forest they had been watching and its last floor gave them the view to a nearby clearing, the one Lucius was currently occupying. He clearly never thought someone would discover him, the haughty moron. No protective or disillusionment spells. He was on the open and either trusted himself way too much or believed he could flee again. His escape last time did nothing to shrink his ego.
Their group moved silently, all of them had put silencing spells on their feet and were minding their steps - it was a bit easier for Fleur and Hermione since it was dark and their enhanced visions helped so the blonde went ahead, leading them and Hermione stayed by the end, erasing their trail. When they arrived at the point they were supposed to be, Fleur sent an okay signal. It was a go to the operation.
A/N: Hey, my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! I hope you liked it! We have some due action... Also, sorry about the cliffhanger, but I couldn't help myself. I promise I'll try to post the next one soon...
I've been thinking, and I kind of feel compelled to write about everything that has been happening with the transphobic "opinions" from JK. I understand this only exists because of her but I've been reading a lot and thinking a lot and questioning myself if I should keep writing stuff on the wizarding world or not. My decision so far: Yes, I will. Although I'll probably start writing some things tending to non-binary characters, beyond simply lesbian, bi and pan as I'm currently writing. Being non-binary made me question if I should relate myself to it (the world) but I see it is mostly us fans now and it brings me much joy to see so many ppl speaking up against her speech. Thank you. Any way, this story is almost at it's end. I hope you are enjoying.
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: Brhunna: Hello! And Welcome! Thanks for reading, I'm honestly ok. I miss going for drinks with my friends and all. Good to see a Brazilian around here. So what would you like to get if you contribute?
WK: Thank you, thank you! I think I'll let him (Ron) out of the story from now on. I don't really like writing him...
PPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
