"Ma belle, you can't possibly want to carry all zose books!"
Fleur was sat on her armchair while she observed a pile of books get bigger by the second. They were at the lion's den library with Hermione currently trying to sort out which books to carry.
"I don't know what-"
"Yes, I understand. 'Ermione, ma lionne. Come 'ere." She opened her arms. "You know just 'ow big ees Delacour's library and Maman already answered you zee last two times you asked 'er eef you could use eet. And eef you find something missing, we can get eet." She caught her hand and made her sit on her lap.
"I know. I'm sorry. I just think I'm anxious." Hermione said in a small voice.
"Of course you are, chérie. To be honest, I am too."
"Really?"
"Oui. We are taking a big step towards something new and big. Of course we are anxious." Fleur kissed her mate's hair, feeling her relax in her arms. They naturally melt together, revelling in each other's warmth.
"Oi! Har says lunch is ready and you better come already." Ginny beamed at them. "Mi, you are going to take all these?"
"Not really, Gin." Hermione smiled softly. "I like Mi, by the way."
"I thought so."
"Bill will eat everything if you don't come already!" Harry shouted. Fleur calculated he must have cast a sonorous to be so perfectly heard.
"We better go. Weasleys have quite the appetite."
"Oui. Better not get between a Weasley and zeir food."
"Oi! I'm right here!"
"Precisely why we're going." Hermione smiler toothy.
As they got back to the living room, they greeted Bill who hadn't been there when they arrived.
"Hermione is planning on bringing the entire library along with her to France." Ginny stated as they moved to the dining table, making all of them laugh.
"Figures. Just leave the DADA books for me, sister."
"Fleur convinced me I don't need them in France…" Hermione mumbled, raising another laugh around the table.
"I've said it a few times, Beauxbatons 'as a bigger library."
"And I'm sure Hermione has already read every book from ours." The war reflexes had everyone on the table drawing their wands and pointing to the new arrival as soon as the first sound left her mouth. "Oh, put down your wands! As much as I appreciate you keeping your guard up still, the war is over and your house heavily warded."
"Professor!"
"Miss Granger…"
"Sorry, Minerva. I didn't know you were coming." Hermione quickly corrected herself.
"I personally wasn't planning on getting here this late, but I had to deal with a few of rogue students before being able to come." The older woman gave them a tightlipped smile.
"Professor." Bill greeted her.
"Oh, not even going through war together will make you stop calling me professor, Mr Weasley?" He shrugged. The headmistress greeted everyone while Harry set up another place for her on the table. "Thank you, Harry."
"Of course, Minerva." He gentlemanly said, beaming at her.
"I very much prefer you now then giving me headaches over whatever you were doing." The Scottish woman quipped. "Though I expect you to behave whenever you go back there." Everyone looked surprised. "Are you really surprised? As if I'd skip the chance of having two of the highest grades in their year teaching at the school."
"Harry...?" Ginny asked incredulously. Earning a light shove from her boyfriend.
"Yes, as far as I know, until your eighth year, the only subject he put effort on. Aside from getting into trouble, of course."
After eating, they mingled as talked a bit about everyone's plans with Minerva smiling proudly at them every time they said something about how focused one of them was on chasing their dreams. It was close to midnight when Minerva excused herself, wishing Hermione and Fleur a safe trip and demanding all of them to keep in touch with her.
"I certainly need to know when I'll have the new teachers I've been hoping to have."
Her departure prompted Bill to go shortly after, despite Harry and Hermione offering her room there for him.
"I might as well go." He said with a smile.
"Don't want to 'ear your little sister, Bill?" Fleur probed, making Harry blush brightly.
"Precisely, Frenchy." He said before stepping into the fireplace.
"We should go too." Hermione said, smiling sadly at her three friends.
"We actually have something for you." Harry beamed at them. "Just a sec." He made a quick run to his room and came back with two small bundles. "Before you open it-"
"There are a few instructions in it, actually." Ginny interrupted her boyfriend.
"Merci!" Fleur said, and immediately started opening her own gift.
She was in awe as she opened the parcel. Four notebooks neatly piled under a beautiful set of pens, pencils and quills. She then noticed a slight note under the writing set.
"That's genius, guys!" She heard Hermione exclaim before she finished reading the note.
"Oui. 'ow did you find these?"
"Well, it's not only from us. Everyone helped. Even Ron." Ginny grimaced a little as she said her brother's name. "We all wanted to give you something before you went to your masters."
"The obvious response seemed notebooks and quills." Harry offered.
"But it was too far obvious to me. So I suggested a few enhancements after remembering the amount of time you spent sorting through your notes, Hermione." Luna added.
"Mum and dad were around when we were trying to figure it out and suggested them being self filling. After that, Gred and Ron passed by and heard us discussing it. Ron remembered something about a two-way mirror Sirius gave Harry and Forge said they had seen something about a two-way notebook. Well, I won't tell the entire story. But about two days ago, we were chatting with mum saying how we thought it would be a wonderful present when McG came through the Floo."
"She suggested making the notebooks self arranging. As we already had two notebooks and one two-way mirror for each of you, she went back to Hogwarts and came back holding two other notebooks. She as smiling. Like a full smile." Harry retold, making everyone chuckle.
"She linked the notebooks, so you can choose which you'll use for what. You just need to write their use on its first page, as the note says. The one you choose as the storage will multiply according to the subject you enter." Luna smiled softly. "And it'll reorder your notes despite the other notebooks order."
"That's a lot." Hermione seemed awestruck.
"Fleur, your mother sent the quills and pencils, saying they are your favourites." Luna continued.
"And your parents chose the muggle pens. Bill found a woman that enchanted them so they won't run out of ink anytime soon." Ginny smiled. "Even with your furious writing."
"As for the two-way… They have a few more connections. Each of us has one, as Molly, Appoline, Antoine, Gabby, Bill, Charissa and Emmet do. I think Bill gave one to Lea too, I'm not sure though." Harry beamed. "As it says on the note, you need to write your names on the first page before using, for it to settle the connection. Then you simply must write to whom you want to write and tap it with your wand when you finish. Your parents' have a minor difference for them to be able to write back to you and they have to sign by the end of the letter."
Hermione bounced out of the chair she was to hug her brother, brushing a few stray tears from her face.
"Thank you, guys."
"Oui. Zank you, mes amis. Eet was very thoughtful."
They left the flat after Harry handled Hermione the name and address of the woman that had charmed the pens as Hermione was sure they would need a few more before they finished their masters. Walking hand in hand towards their flat, Fleur smiled dreamily.
"What's on your mind, love?"
"Uh?"
"You were smiling…"
"Ah, I was just zinking about 'ow I'll be able to show you all of Paris…" The blonde beamed at her mate, moving to embrace her. She felt the brunette's happy sight.
"I can't wait."
After getting home, she occupied herself with making some tea for them, as they usually shared a cup while reading something before going to bed. Hermione went inside to pack their presents and take a shower since she enjoyed freshening up as soon as getting home. Tea ready, the pot under a warming charm sided with small biscuits, Fleur made her way to the bathroom too. The brunette was already leaving it, which made the veela pout.
"See you in a minute, don't ruffle your feathers." Her mate teased. "Do take a bath, stinky mate."
"I don't-" Fleur said, after indignantly sniffing herself. Hermione crackled, releasing a full belly laugh.
"No, ma belle. You don't stink. You can't possibly." The brunette smiled and kissed her cheeks.
"Oui." The blonde pouted again before entering the bathroom. "Stinky… stinky." She grumbled.
"I love you even if you stink a bit!" The lioness shouted from their walk-in closet.
"You-" Fleur paused at the bathroom door. "I love you too, my gorgeous mate." A pause, as she felt the other woman swoon through the bound. "Even your annoying antics."
'Stinky.'
'Overachiever.'
'As if you weren't too.'
'Precisely why I think we work so well.'
'Uhm.'
Fleur smiled at herself as she got under the shower. She loved that woman even more than she thought it was possible. She found Hermione on the balcony, looking at the surrounding city.
"I honestly didn't think I'd survive everything. Being able to make plans, good plans that is, is something I only dreamed."
"I feared zee same. Being 'ere, my family in another country and not being able to know eef zey were alright…" Fleur solemnly caressed her mate's waist, after passing her a cup of steaming tea, and stood by her side taking in the view. "I'm glad I stayed, rough. Eef I didn't stay I'd 'ardly find you."
"Me too." Hermione leaned her head on her shoulder. "It was hard, but we are mending. The world is mending. Thank you."
"For what?"
"For loving me. You help me find the strength I never thought I had."
"Eet is I who should thank you then. You inspire me to be better, ma belle."
They chuckled.
"I'll miss it."
"Oui. Even with eet being so cold. And bloomy." She laughed as Hermione pushed her lightly. They spent some time hearing the city's sounds and lights.
"We should go to sleep. We have an early morning tomorrow."
The blonde nodded. With a few flicks of their wands, the rest of the tea vanished, then the pot and cups washed and stocked themselves in their rightful places.
Fleur noticed the light surrounding her as she was nudged awake, but small light kisses on her shoulders and back.
"Bonjour, ma Belle." She all but mumbled, still half asleep.
"Bonjour, love." She felt her smile against her skin. "I planned on waking you in a much more pleasant way, but I believe we have guests."
"Forget zem." She said, casting a cleaning spell on her mouth as she turned.
"I fear we can't. The entire family seems to be here." Hermione smiled at her.
"Zeir choice to come barging in 'ere so early."
"We are leaving today. I think they wanted to surprise us."
"Merlin, zen are loud." She said as they heard something crumble to the floor in some loud cursing.
"That might be Tonks." Hermione chuckled. "Come on, we can share a bath."
"Yes!"
"No funny business, love."
"No fun." She grumbled.
They showered, somehow managing to keep their hands to themselves, and dressed each other, sharing kisses along the way. Only after they were ready for the day - and travel - that they left the room. As they reached the end of the short corridor, Fleur felt her eyes swim with tears. Everyone she most cared about was there, at least the one living in England. Most of those from the order and every member of the Weasley family, even Ronald - though he looked out of place and extremely uncomfortable, and the Grangers.
"Dearies! I thought you would take a bit more to be up…" Molly emerged from the kitchen carrying a large bowl of scrambled eggs. "Did we wake you up?"
"Well…" Hermione smiled faintly.
"The wards?" Harry asked knowingly, she nodded.
"Hermione woke me actually…"
"She would have slept through a bombing, I think." Hermione smirked at her. Fleur knew what she was talking about, but most of the others in the room looked at her as if she had grown a second head. As she was about to explain, Ginny bursted laughing with Harry and Luna following close. She joined in a second, followed by the lioness' parents.
"It's a muggle thing." Ginny said, taking notice of the weird looks and trying to control her laughter. "As far as I understood, it's like a bombarda maxima, though if strikes a larger area."
"Yes." Hermione beamed at the auburn-haired woman.
"Oof!" Tonks sighed and relaxed on the sofa. "I though I had wakened you up."
"We did 'ear zat." Fleur beamed at her now purple haired friend. "Knocked down zee books, didn't you?"
She noticed Tonks blush lightly and nod.
"Sit! Breakfast will be ready soon." Molly shooed them from the kitchen entrance.
"Molly-" Fleur started.
"No. You are leaving. I've got it." She noticed a few tears filling the older witch's eyes.
They took the usual place they liked when receiving people, and got comfortable, talking to everyone while comfortably wrapped into each other. A couple of minutes later, the fireplace flashed green and in walked Minerva holding a few packages.
"I'm sorry, everything has been crazy with the preparations for the start of term." Minerva said with a tight smile. Conversation resumed and soon they were all sat at the enlarged table to eat.
"Molly expanded the room with Dobby's help." She heard Harry whisper to Hermione, who nodded. "Sorry. I should have imagined your wards would wake you with so many people here…"
"No problem, Harry. I instantly knew it was you. I just couldn't sleep again. You were loud." Her mate answered with a smile.
"Fleur, how did you survive war sleeping like the dead?" Ginny teased, making the table laugh and her blush.
"Hermione makes her relax." Luna stated so matter factly that she blushed even deeper but relaxed after feeling the brunette's hand touch her knee.
"You could say zat. I zink my veela would ave know eef we were in danger."
"Fleur slept through the burrow's morning caos." Bill added with a laugh.
She felt a spark of jealousy arise. Knowing it couldn't possibly be hers, she moved to caress Hermione's leg.
'Sorry.' The brunette said, through their bound.
'I understand. I'm still not completely comfortable with Ronald here. You don't have to apologise, ma Reine.'
After eating, wands were flicked, and the house began to clean itself.
"I fear I need to get back to school." Minerva said after another half an hour talking. "I have a few things for you though." She smiled at them.
"I still can't deal with smiley McG." Ginny whispered, earning a full smile from the Headmistress. "See?" She said to Fred and George, who laughed and agreed with her.
"Don't get used to it, Miss Weasley." The older woman added, sternly. Ginny beamed at her. Turning back at her and Hermione, the Scottish woman had fondness on her eyes. "Hermione, I trust you'll take good care of those. I still refer to them from time to time." She said, handing her the larger package. She saw Hermione's eyes widen as she opened the parcel.
"Are these…?"
"Yes. I figured you would find some use on them, Juliette and I had distinct lines of work but knowing you, you'll probably find your own no matter who guides you." Hermione cautiously placed the notebooks on the coffee table and silently asked the older witch for a hug. "There is no secret here that I have a soft spot with you. I hope you enjoy them as much I did."
"Only them would take about enjoyment while talking about studying." Bill joked.
"Minerva was considered the Brightest Witch of Her Age too, after all." Molly smiled at the professor.
"Badass teacher, I might add." Tonks beamed.
"Oh, shush!" Minerva said, a tight smile on her lips. "Bathsheda asked me to give you this." She placed another parcel on Hermione's hands. "She heard about your interest, though I believe she was hoping you would choose Ancient Runes instead of Transfiguration."
"As if…" Ron had been quiet for most of the affair, but this small mumbled addition had everyone in the room laughing.
"And I'm very happy with that, Mr Weasley." Fleur noticed the youngest redhead tense and relax a few seconds later. "Now, Miss Delacour. Fleur. Severus left these in my hands, saying I would know when to pass them. And Horace sent a few too." She placed the second larger parcel on her lap. Before opening, she beamed. "Severus was one of the best potion makers I've known. Paired by Lily…" She smiled at Harry, who nodded.
"Speaking of…" Harry beamed at Hermione and Fleur. "I found these in the vault." Harry offered a small parcel to Fleur. "It will definitely be of more use to you." Fleur had tears in her eyes as she hugged her brother-in-law. "Hermione…" He smiled. "I think it's only fair you had these."
"Oh, yes, James was in the middle of his Master when war broke." Minerva smiled.
"Harry?" Hermione whispered.
"Shush. You are my sister. You have the right. Besides, I've never been good at it."
"He would have liked." Lupin said with a smile. "Prongs was a rebel with a bookworm heart. Just like you, Hermione."
"That's pretty much true. You lot gave me as much headache as those three." Minerva chuckled. "I should go now. I still have a meeting before lunch and Rolanda will kill me if I'm late once more." The younger ones there were left in a shocked silence as she left through the fireplace.
"Did she just-?" Ginny was the first to say something.
"Yeah." Forge answered.
"Madam Hooch? Whoa!" Ron said under his breath.
"Well that makes sense." Hermione smiled.
"They make a good couple, I think." Luna smiled dreamily.
"Yes, yes, Minerva has a personal life." Molly said, rolling her eyes.
"Well, you two have to go too, right? You said you wanted to be in Paris before lunch." Charissa smiled at Hermione and Fleur. "You've got everything ready?"
They nodded.
"We have something for you." Emmet smiled at them, holding what looked like a heavy case. "We remembered you liked to study with these and managed to find some more for you. Fleur, Appoline said you enjoy them just as much…" He said, handling them the case. She and Hermione opened it together, just to find a record player and a collection of vinyls with it. "As far as I understood, it will need to be charmed to function properly on school property. But It's working just fine as it is."
"Thank you, Dad!" Hermione was crying as she struggled to hug both her parents at once. "Thanks, Mum!"
"Thank you! I love music indeed." Fleur smiled and hugged them too.
Looking at her watch, Hermione gasped. "We really should go!"
With a soft pop, as if they had been called upon, Dobby and Jilpy appeared.
"Dobby and Jilpy are happy to help." They beamed at their elf friends.
"Thank you, but-" Hermione began.
"Hermione, please don't say no." Harry murmured. "You need to go through both Ministries."
The brunette sighed but nodded. They hugged and said goodbye to everyone, then made their way to the ministry and the international travel department. As they were leaving the lift, Hermione beamed at her. Beaming back, she remembered the first time they passed there. She couldn't help but remember the jealousy she felt that day.
'Fleur?' Hermione reached for her.
'Sorry.'
'I must admit I find it funny that you are still jealous of her.'
'She was-'
'I'm aware, love. You know you don't have a thing to worry, right?'
'Oui.'
"Miss Granger and Miss Delacour. Good morning. Please sign these." The attendee this time had smiled at them and moved to give them the papers for them to sign. Fleur noticed she looked in awe at them and felt the jealousy crawl inside her. "I must say, thank you for your service." She said as they handled back the document. Fleur felt her cheeks warm up and knew Hermione was blushing too. They thanked her. "I hope you have a great time abroad." She added, giving them the portkey. An old boot this time.
Fleur had to admit landing without baggage was quite easier. As they would live in France for some time, Hermione had to register therefore they were sent to the ministry instead of going to her family's home. Everything moved faster than she expected, though she was under the impression it had something to do with Hermione being who she was and with her mother's meddling. As soon as they left the department, Appoline met them.
"Maman!" Fleur beamed.
"Bonjour, mes chéries. Je suis si contente pour vous. (Hello, my dears. I'm so happy for you.)" The older French woman smiled fondly at them. "Tout s'est bien passé? J'ai demandé à Louis de tout déplacer à l'avance. (Everything went fine enough? I asked Louis to move everything along beforehand.)"
"Oui, Maman" Hermione answered, making the older witch smile warmly. "Merci,ce fut très rapide... (Thank you, it was rather quick...)"
"Bien! (Good!)" After hugging them both, she started guiding them out of the ministry. "Le restaurant n'est pas très loin, nous pourrions y aller à pied? (The restaurant isn't much far, perhaps we could walk there?)"
"Oui"
The trio walked together to the restaurant. She had planned the lunch with the family as soon as they arrived so she could have her mate for herself for the rest of the day. Lunch was a delight.
'You missed them.' Hermione said after they parted ways with her parents. Fleur began guiding the younger woman to their first stop.
'Oui. I don't think I realised it until now.' She answered even though it was more of a statement.
"We could have stayed some more with them…"
"You mean you'd prefer spending time with zem rather zen with me?" Fleur stopped in her tracks, feigning hurt.
"No. I mean, I'd be happy to keep you company while you enjoy your family's company, love." The brunette smirked at her. "I wouldn't let you too far from me." She added with a beam.
Fleur couldn't control her reaction as she pulled her mate by her waist for a passionate kiss. They beamed at each other, the world fading to the background.
"Ah l'amour naissant! (Ah, young love!)" Fleur heard and turned to the voice. An elderly woman smiled at them.
"Vous faites un merveilleux couple, mes petites chéries. (You make such a beautiful couple, dears.)"
"Merci!" Both of them answered blushing a little. After the woman left, they starred at each other for a bit longer, neither wanting to let go.
'So, where are you taking me?' Hermione asked as they began walking again.
'Since we only have half a day, I thought about going to a few magical spots then we could have dinner…'
Hermione leaned on her while she guided her to their first stop.
'I know the view is magical, but it's a very well-known muggle spot, love…'
"Ah, but you don't know it all, Ma Reine." She guided the lioness until they were standing near the tower's information desk. She smiled at her and raised her hand to touch the wall, letting her magic flow through her fingers. Fleur kept her eyes trained on her mate and smiled at the look of wonder that took over her face. An attendee window appeared much like the door of the come and go room at Hogwarts. The blonde had planned little besides the Eiffel Tower. Nothing, if she had to be honest. And she was actually glad she didn't. They spent most of their afternoon simply admiring the view and each others company. Hermione bought a few things for her family, not minding Fleur's light teasing about this only being their first day there.
'I know once we begin studying I'll not be able to do most of this, love.'
They went to the Flat before the restaurant so they could change as Fleur said it was a bit formal.
As they entered the restaurant (having almost lost the reservation due to the blonde's inability to keep her hands to herself), Hermione noticed it had a more formal dressing code indeed even though it was quite cosy and small. They wouldn't need to order, as the French maitre explained, since the restaurant didn't have a specific menu and used only the most fresh ingredients they could find. They had a four course meal and, to Fleur's obvious delight, Hermione loved every part of it.
"I have a surprise for you, Ma Belle." Fleur stated as they left the restaurant.
"Fleur you are going to spoil me rotten if you keep this up."
"Oui, you deserve the world, 'ermione."
"Uhm" Hermione answered as she kissed the blonde softly. "You deserve it too, love."
"All zat matters ees right 'ère." the blonde said, holding her close and making the English woman giggle and blush. "Now, we should go. I'll apparate us zere." she said as she guided them to where the lioness guessed was an apparition point. "Close your eyes, Ma belle. And only open when I tell you so." Fleur smiled and kissed her lips softly. She felt the hook sensation as soon as Fleur draped her arms around her. Feeling the air change a bit compared to where they were, Hermione inhaled deeply but kept her eyes perfectly closed. She felt her mate's arms still around her, holding her from behind.
"Tu es le plus beau des trésors que quiconque pourrait espérer trouver. (You are the most beautiful treasure anyone can ever hope to find.)" was whispered in her ear, the passion behind the words making her heart flutter. "Open your eyes, Ma Reine." She felt the blonde step back.
As she opened her eyes, she gasped. "Fleur..."
"La Bibliothèque Nationale de France. (The National French Library)"
"It's beautiful." She said as she took in the view. They were at one of the raised walkway that that connected the four open book-like towers, she could see three of them and could guess one was behind her. Despite being a clear night, it's lightning made the enormous building even more magnificent. As she turned, she found her mate on one knee, smiling at her.
A/N: Hey, my dear readers! It's I, your friendly neighbour Celtic! I hope you liked it! Some fluff and domestic... You obviously know what will be asked. But how?
Also, do you want any specific oneshot? I accept suggestions!
Please review (and answer me...), I'm always pleased to learn what you think!
;3
See Yah! I hope this gives you some help to survive the craziness we are going through right now.
PS: Guest: yup, only some loose ends then we're finished!
WK: Yep! final chaps are here!
Society-Sculpted-me: Yeah, i'm not really into writing that i'm not sure I can LOL but I might try on other fic to come... Thanks for reading!
PPS: If you feel like sending me requests suggestions or prompts, feel free to reach me by PM or email me: celticdaughterfics (gmail)
