Perpetual Nonsense AN: Ayeee, we're baaack. I can't speak for Fran, but I'm personally stoked that so many people jumped back on this crazy Greek tragedy train! It's great to finally dabble a bit in the dark arts and to bicker with Fran over how we're going to go about this haha I can't tell you how many times each of us have threatened to kill Fleur in our other stories as bargaining chips haha Anyways, my personal inspiration for this chapter was "Broken", "Liar", and "Void". All of them from Dark Piano. I'm so happy I stumbled on that youtube channel.
Fran A/N: Sup guys, I am really happy that you are enjoying our crazy and random story and how useless our lesbians are lol. We had this chapter almost done a few days ago but we had to delay it due to an assassin migraine that was killing me, my apologies. If only I could post our conversations here you guys would be dying. Lol yeah, killing Fleur and making Hermione go through hell is our hobby now. I went back to my anime playlist again so I listened to "Tears of the Lynx" from the Banana Fish OST. It soft paced and I think reflects on Fleur's feelings.
lipeviez PN: I have horrible news for you . . . your anxiety is going to get so much worse with Gabs haha but you know how I love to torture everyone XD This is definitely going to be a nightmare of a rollercoaster, but the journey is going to be so effin fun. Fran here: Lol, I am at fault for this too so I recommend you to have some chamomile when you read this and next chapter. In any case, we are trying something different here so yeah, drama all the way.
Guest [Fran here]: Nonsense's Spanish level covers mostly bad words so I will reply this. Me alegra mucho que te este gustando, ya tenemos el siguiente capitulo casi listo asi que no esperaras mucho. Gracias por leer.
UnknownReader3 PN: Yay! I'm so glad we could finally deliver an update! I blame Fran . . . even though, I suppose . . . it's mostly my fault haha. Fran here: Hi and thanks for reading, we will be posting chap 7 soon, as well.
Bella67x PN: I'm so glad you liked the update! It took us forever to get back into this story, but I'm happy we finally did. Fran here: we suck at keeping deadlines but we are trying, glad that you enjoyed our insanity.
ThatGayNerd PN: There is noooo way we would ever let this fic die. It's like a cursed animal that keeps coming back from the dead haha the drama is going to get soooo much more intense. I'm so stupidly excited and I'm so happy you're loving it too! And see Fran!? SOMEONE enjoys my jokes! I told you! I'm a fucking riot! XD lmao. Fran here: SHUT UP! Your jokes suuuuck, XD. Nah, we will continue working on this fic until we finish it, although I hope we can finish it before 2035, tho. JK! I am one of going all out of canon and explore different options and nonsense is just as insane as me so we can write together, I am glad that the result is well received 😀.
andrewpine PN: Fleur silenced her veela so Fleur has no idea Hermione is her mate and Gabrielle's veela is confusing Hermione as someone that is hers, because of that. It will be better explained later. I super promise. Fran here: just what she said lol. Gabrielle and Hermione fucking is something that was since the first draft as a twist, not everything can be triwizard and shell cottage, you know. [I am known for loathing the triwizard with a passion]
pappa PN: Yessssss and it's going to prove to be a very costly mistake. The whole mating thing is so far from perfect in this fic and I'm personally enjoy writing a bit of a different take on it X3. Fran here: [insert evil laugh here] we wanted to play with the scenario of what would happen if the mates are wrongly chosen and this happened and we are truly in love with this fic to the point that I stopped writing my other projects to come back before Nonsense would chase me with a lightsaber [inside joke for a future Fleurmione I am currently writing XD].
WildNight PN: Yay! A fellow lover of angst! There's just something so gut wrenching about this whole fic that I just love. It's so fun to write and heartbreaking at the same time. As we warned before, this fic isn't for the light of heart and I'm glad there's something like this for fellow angst and drama lovers X) Fran and I will be your guides on this nightmare of a rollercoaster we call Strike haha. Fran here: LOL I like angst and fluff so keeping a balance is where nonsense uses her creative machete [ok, that just sounded wrong XD]. We are trying to work on something different but that keeps the same essence of Fleurmione, somehow. Strike a pose is a fic for the ones that enjoy crazy.
Shadow994 PN: Let the angst rain down! Fran here: I am glad you do!
LookingAtYouKid PN: Oh, there may are may not be some issues with Gabrielle and Fleur looking really similar in this fic. I dare not reveal too much lol As for the bottom an thing . . . Haha oops! Must have been a mistake because we do the AN's off of Fanfic so we label things so we know where they go. How horrible would it be if we accidentally put a bottom AN on the top Fran? Omg . .. just spoil the whole chapter before it happens XD We'll definitely keep a better eye out for that! Thanks for pointing it out, because I seriously didn't even know lmao. Fran here: Nonsense's just babbling to hide how of a bottom she is bwhahaha. I think that was my mistake since I am the one in charge of posting but yeah, she's a bottom XD. OH, I won't spoil anything but we might kidnap characters from nonsense's cruel to this story [or not], there are some things that we are still figuring out but yeah, Fleur and Gabs look quite similar since they are close in age but their personalities are way different [thanks Merlin].
PlPhoenix PN: It is going to be a messssssss. This whole thing is a bloody mess that is only going to get worse before it can get better lol But! It's going to be such a fun journey X3. Fran here: I kinda envy Hermione because I mean, two hotties fighting for her but at the same time, angry Fleur is something I fear. But I am so excited for that moment to happen, eventually.
Strike PN: This triangle is a time bomb for sure lol It's probably one of the most twisted ones I've written, but maaaaan, I do enjoy watching this whole thing burn down haha. Fran here: Welcome to the triangle of hell bwhahaha. It's certainly something different to what we normally write and that makes it more interesting.
Guest PN: There were multiple guests, so we couldn't reply to all individually, but I'm eternally grateful for anyone who takes the time to review this fic. It's definitely a bit different and I think Fran and I both were a bit apprehensive as to how it would be received, but it's so great to see so many people enjoying it! Thank you all so much X). Fran here: I am always apprehensive with reviews since I normally don't get many so every time I get one you made my day. Thanks guys 😀.
Enjoy!
6.- Void
"Home sweet home" Tonks dropped the bags with the cameras on the floor before sighing loudly "It's been so long since we came to London."
"Not true, we have only been away for…" Hermione was checking the different letters she just picked up from her mailbox "…two months?" when she pushed the switch, the lights didn't turn on.
"You forgot to pay the bills again" the Ravenclaw turned to look at her assistant with a scowl.
"Oops?" Tonks chuckled uncomfortably while rubbing the back of her neck before withdrawing her wand from its holster "I can always use magic."
"Fine, just for tonight" Hermione sighed, only to immediately curse when she tripped and hit her knee on a nearby table. Soon, the entire apartment was filled by magical light and then all of the dust and spiderwebs disappeared "but tomorrow you will go and pay the bills, please."
"Fine, fine" Tonks nodded eagerly.
Hermione frowned when a black envelope with a dark red ribbon wrapped around the front came into focus under the newfound light. It glared up at her from the dark wood of the side table, filling her with dread and simultaneously, irritation. "It's that time of year again, isn't it?" She groaned, narrowing her eyes at the inanimate object as if it had offended her. She didn't have to open the envelope to know its contents.
"And we are going" Tonks emphasized "you need to stop hiding from the media and everyone else, come on."
"But it's just another award ceremony" Hermione grumbled before opening the balcony's doors and lighting a cigarette "it's a bloody pain to go those things."
Inside the envelope would be a pompous invitation to a ball where renowned photographers would stand around, inflating each other's egos until they were about to burst like a balloon that had been filled to the brim.
It hardly seemed to matter if the compliments and ego-stroking were sincere, which they weren't. It was all a charade. The only people who enjoyed going to such vapid events were cretins like Bellatrix Lestrange.
"Oh no, you won't do that hermit thing this time" Tonks handed her a beer before taking a swig from her own. Luckily, she still knew how to cast a decent freezing charm "you need the exposure."
Hermione scoffed into her beer at the absurd statement. "I need the exposure?" She asked with a raised eyebrow, the tip of the bottle sitting on her lips. "Do I need to direct you to our schedule, which is completely booked for the next couple of months?"
"I am not talking about business, mamba" the now purple-haired witch replied patiently. Sometimes Hermione behaved worse than a spoiled child "I am referring to the fact that if it wasn't for all the traveling due to work, you would totally be a shut-in and that's not healthy."
"Come on, I am not a shut-in." Hermione protested "I…socialize."
"Shagging the brains out of random girls does not count as socializing, mamba" Tonks deadpanned.
"But it's something" Hermione shrugged "besides, people are just…ugh and these ceremonies are a breeding ground for..." She struggled for a moment to come up with a word for the insufferable artists, "ego-maniacs who just drone on and on about their latest work as if they've done something groundbreaking."
"Ah, I believe the two words you were looking for are Bellatrix Lestrange," Tonks smirked, making Hermione laugh a little into her beer before taking a couple of swings. "That's all the more reason to go."
"Oh?" The Ravenclaw leaned her side on the rail of the balcony, looking at her assistant with amusement swimming in her honey eyes. "What makes you say that?"
"Someone needs to put that hack in her place," Tonks grumbled. "She thinks that just because she's cornered the eastern market that she runs the entire globe."
Hermione shook her head, chuckling to herself; Bellatrix really was something else. "Old bats like her need their delusions, Tonks."
"Well, perhaps it's time you broke the illusion, so she'll shut up for two seconds at these events." The purple-haired assistant sighed. "I don't think I can sit through another one of her little speeches about the beauty of the human form as if she's a real artist instead of a lecherous cow. They always place us at the same table as her, you know." She threw up her hand in exasperation, almost making her friend spit her beer out.
"They do?" Hermione choked on the cool liquid in her throat.
"Yes!" Tonks cried, leaning her back against the wall with a huff. "You would know that if you bloody bothered to show up at least once instead of sending me on your behalf."
"You know," The corner of the brunette's mouth quirked into a half-smile. "You're not making a very good case for yourself. It sounds like I've made the right decision."
"I'm asking you as your friend mamba," Tonks sunk to her knees dramatically, putting her beer aside to grab Hermione's free hand. "Please don't make me go alone this year."
"Okay, okay." Hermione laughed, wiggling her hand out of the purple-haired witch's grasp. "But I'm only going because you look particularly pitiful when you beg."
"Yes!" Tonks crowed as she jumped to her feet. "It's going to be so much better this year with you there! Plus, it's an all you can eat hot girl buffet." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, evoking a scoff from the photographer.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "You know I don't go chasing models."
"They're not all models." Tonks shot back with a smirk.
"Well," The brunette sighed, looking out at the sky scattered with bright stars. "I'm not interested."
"Woah, woah, woah," Tonks shook her head and attempted to clean out her ear as if there was something lodged in there that would impair her hearing. "I don't think I heard you right. The golden mamba is sticking her nose up at the thought of gorgeous women?"
"I'm not sticking my nose up at anything," Hermione growled. "I just-"
"Wait a minute . . ." A sly smirk slid onto the assistant's face that put Hermione on edge. "Does this have anything to do with that blondie in Norway? Merlin!" Her smirk transformed into a Cheshire grin that threatened to split her face in two when she saw the light dusting of a blush forming on her friend's face. "You like her!"
Hermione rested a hand on the cool rail in front of her while idly tapping the bottom of the beer bottle on her outer thigh as she got enraptured by the gorgeous night sky.
"I don't know." She mumbled, getting lost in thought. "There's just something . . ." She let out a sigh, remembering how elegantly the fairy glided across the sky the night she got her perfect photograph. It stuck with her, latching onto her heartstrings and tugging whenever it pleased. "Different about her."
"Oh my," Tonks mumbled to herself when she saw those amber eyes cloud over, it was a look she hadn't seen her friend wear in a long time. "And what is so different about this one?"
Hermione furrowed her brow, a troubled look overtaking her features as if she was trying to solve a puzzle. "I don't know. I can't exactly put my finger on it."
"From her disheveled state the next morning," she teased as a playful smile formed on her face. "I would say you definitely put your finger on, in and around it."
"Shut it," Hermione mumbled before turning her attention to the city below, her cheeks tinting a darker shade of red.
"Awe, I love it when you blush." Tonks laughed, pinching the Ravenclaw's cheek a little too hard.
"Oi!" Hermione growled, swatting her assistant's hand away. "I hate it when you do that." She grumbled, rubbing her sore cheek while Tonks chuckled.
"Are you going to call her?"
Hermione sighed, dropping her hand, and looking down into her beer. "I should."
"I agree," Tonks finished her beer and went back inside to grab another. "And maybe invite her to that thing you don't want to go to. I bet she can use more persuasive methods to convince you" She added over her shoulder with a cheeky grin.
"Or just out" Hermione mused before lighting another cigarette.
"Well, that's an improvement" Tonks grinned "so the mamba can do other things besides fuck…"
"Hush, you crass woman, and hand me another beer" Hermione playfully scolded her assistant who complied with a chuckle.
Hermione held her phone loosely in her hand, the digits on the dark screen glaring up at her as she nervously bounced her leg.
"I'm being silly. It's just a call" She mumbled to herself, her thumb hovering over the call button, but not making contact with the screen.
"Just call her already, you big pansy!" Tonks shouted in the background, making a scowl form on the brunette's face.
"I am!" She shot back petulantly.
"If you're calling her, then why are you talking to me?"
The Ravenclaw's eyes narrowed at the smug tone her assistant took on. She could practically see the smirk forming on Tonks' face even though she was in the kitchen.
"Shut up." She mumbled before she stood up and headed to her room to get a little more privacy.
She bit on her lower lip with her teeth for a moment, her thumb still hovering over the call button. Her heart pounded in her chest as she finally hit it and pulled the device up to her face, her pulse quickening with every ring that echoed in her ear.
'Maybe she's busy.' She thought hopefully, but a second later the ringing stopped.
"Bonjour." Gabrielle's sweet voice sang into the receiver.
"Oh, h-hey." Hermione closed her eyes tightly, cringing at the way she stuttered and fell over herself from a simple hello from the other girl. "It's-"
"I know who eet ees." The blonde practically purred, evoking a pleasant shudder from the brunette. "What took you so long? I was starting to zink you forgot about me."
Hermione could tell the fairy was pouting on the other end, a small smile tugging at her lips at the thought. It had only been a day, but it was nice to know Gabrielle was thinking about her just as much as she was thinking about the gorgeous blonde. "I just figured you were probably busy. I mean, you did just kind of run off."
"Je suis desole 'Ermoine." Gabrielle sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I 'ad ozer obligations, ozerwise I would not 'ave left."
"No, no. It's perfectly fine." Hermione laughed, shaking her head. "I was just giving you a hard time."
"You are too cruel." Gabrielle grinned and then paused for a moment, her eyes lighting up as she came up with an idea. "Let me make eet up to you."
Hermione raised an eyebrow in response. "Oh?"
"Go out wiz me."
The statement was simple, but the blonde's tone held a hint of a promise of something else. "You mean, like a-"
"Like a date." Gabrielle nodded her head, a slight feeling of apprehension filling her chest. Her mate could say no. She could never see her again, but she would fight tooth and nail before she let the elusive golden mamba escape her firm grasp. She felt utterly entitled to claim her.
The Ravenclaw felt as if a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders at the proposition. It had been so long since she had asked someone out. Casual sex was one thing, but actually dating someone was another beast entirely and she was grateful the French witch took the leap for her.
Gabrielle's nerves were getting worse and worse the longer Hermione stayed silent. Maybe she had made a mistake. Maybe she was moving things along too quickly, but she couldn't help herself. She needed to see her chosen one again.
Per'aps I came on too strong.
"Okay."
The petite witch let out a sigh of relief at the simple response. She had just been about to retract her proposition, but she was so glad she didn't now. "Tomorrow night?"
"Tomorrow night?" Hermione echoed the question as she looked up and searched her brain. Did she have any obligations? Was this too soon? She calculated the risks and rewards of going out before she finally answered, "Okay. Send me your address and I'll pick you up at seven."
The next night Gabrielle flitted about her room, throwing on a different outfit every minute, changing her hair, fixing her make up, but nothing looked good enough for her first real date with her mate.
"Ugh!" She cried out, throwing her blush brush down when she accidentally put too much on. "I look horrible!"
She looked to the clock to see it was already a quarter to seven and her date would show up any minute. She shifted her gaze to the mirror, letting out a huff as she fluffed her hair and grabbed a tissue to wipe off a bit of the blush.
"This will just have to do." She mumbled, glaring at the simple black dress that stopped mid-thigh and hugged her curves.
A moment later she threw on her black high heels before hastily heading out of her room and down the stairs, being careful not to slip on the smooth marble.
"Where are you going?"
The youngest Delacour paused in her steps, looking over her shoulder to see her older sister standing in the foyer with her arms crossed. A suspicious glint shined in her bright sapphire eyes that made Gabrielle bristle.
"Out." She replied simply, putting her nose up as she headed towards the front door.
Fleur quickly followed, the sound of her own heels clacking on the marble close behind her sibling. "You know you're not supposed to be sneaking out to do Merlin knows what with Merlin knows who."
"I'm not." Gabrielle snapped. "I'm going out with my mate so mind your own damn business for once." She quickly escaped out of the front door, slamming the door in her sister's face.
Fleur felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her at the statement, an uneasy feeling settling into the pit of her stomach. She wanted to follow her younger sibling out, to stop her from leaving, but she fought the urge.
Instead, she whirled around on her heel, stomping back into the kitchen while Gabrielle made her way down the giant cobblestone driveway only to see the brunette idly looking around outside of the front gate.
"This is where you live?" Hermione asked in disbelief while ignoring the anxious hissing of her mamba tattoo. Her eyes shone with wonder at the lavish manor Gabrielle just waltzed out of. The building towered over them in the distance; it almost looked intimidating. When she had first showed up, she thought she had received the wrong address, but before she could call her date, Gabrielle all but ran from the place.
"Oui. Eet 'as been een my family for generations." The blonde nodded her head, a coy smile starting to pull on her lips. "I could show you my room eef you would like."
"As tempting as that is," Hermione cleared her throat as she looked away from the mischief hiding in bright blue orbs. She desperately tried to rid her thoughts of all the things they could do instead of head to dinner and reminded herself that this was supposed to be a proper date. "I think we'll miss our reservation if you do."
"Per'aps later zen." Gabrielle winked at the photographer before clinging to Hermione's arm and leading her out of the driveway. "Where are you taking me?"
"Ah, well, that's a surprise." Hermione grinned as a warm feeling washed over her at how the other girl clung to her.
A soft tsk left the veela's mouth at her mate's reply. "You and your secrets."
"You and your impatience."
"Touché." Gabrielle smirked as they apparated on the spot.
After the nausea from the travel wore off, the blonde became aware they were standing in front of the very prestigious French bistro 'Chez Casimir'. It was nearly impossible to get a reservation there, so she had never been able to go. She should be surprised that they were going to such a place, but she didn't expect any less from the golden mamba.
"I hope this is okay," Hermione spoke nervously when she noticed the other girl hadn't said anything about the location. "You haven't been here yet, have you?"
"Non." Gabrielle shook her head, a smile lighting up her face as she looked over to the Ravenclaw. "I 'ave never been able to get a reservation 'ere. I 'ear eet ees wonderful."
"Good." Hermione let out a breath of relief as she opened the door for her date who glided in with a soft 'merci.'
When they sat down, Gabrielle pulled up the menu, wrinkling her nose behind the giant paper so her mate wouldn't see her distaste at the overly extravagant food options. She had been raised with riches and while places like this were nice, she was quite wary of the 'finer things.'
Fleur, on the other hand, adored them. She basked in the feel of diamonds decorating her neck, she lived to go to the most exclusive restaurants and clubs. In fact, she would be absolutely frothing with jealousy if she knew where her mate took her to dinner and that was enough to make Gabrielle enjoy the atmosphere that surrounded her.
"You know..." The veela drawled as she lowered her menu so she could gaze at her chosen across from her. "My sister would kill to go to a place like zis."
"Sister?" Hermione raised her head from her own menu, her curiosity peaked at the mention of Gabrielle having a sibling. "I didn't know you have a sister."
A melodic laugh slipped from the youngest Delacour's lips. "I do, but why would you?"
"Fair point." Hermione chuckled and shook her head. "I guess we didn't really spend a lot of time getting to know one another."
Gabrielle raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow at the statement, her coy smile returning to her face. "On ze contrary...I zink we spent plenty of time..." Her foot slipped forward to run up Hermione's calf slowly. "Getting to know each ozer."
Hermione took a sip of her water to try to extinguish the fire building in her stomach at the gesture. "I guess that's one way of looking at it."
The blonde hummed her agreement, but as she moved her foot up further the waiter approached their table, making Hermione scoot back a bit as she cleared her throat. A pout took over her features at her fun being spoiled as her date ordered some red wine and then they both spouted off their orders.
"So," Hermione took a sip from her glass of freshly poured wine before fixing her eyes on the girl across from her. "Tell me about yourself."
"Well, I come from a very prestigious family, in which I am the best looking" Gabrielle commented cheekily before taking a sip of her crimson drink eliciting an amused chuckle from Hermione "As I said before, I have an older sister who is quite…" the young blonde looked up as if trying to find the right words "as you ze English say…a pain."
"Surely, she can't be that bad" Hermione replied with a wide smile at the pout of her date.
"You say that because you don't know her, she's just ugh-" Gabrielle sighed exasperatedly while reminiscing her most recent argument with her sister. It was still bothering her and at the forefront of her mind. "You know, I used to admire her."
"Oh?" Hermione tilted her head and took a longer sip of her wine as if encouraging her date to continue.
"When we were growing up, I would follow her everywhere" Gabrielle giggled amused "we were inseparable."
"And what happened, then?" the Ravenclaw asked with interest. The mere mention of the older sister caught the photographer's attention. Maybe it was the bookworm in her, but Hermione, for a strange reason, wanted to know more.
"Well…" Gabrielle paused when the waiter brought their order "…it's a long story."
"We have time" Hermione insisted before observing the beautifully presented dish "but I guess we should eat first."
"Bon appetit" the blonde witch replied before taking a small piece of her food. Despite being too extravagant of a place for her, she couldn't deny that the food was absolutely delicious.
They talked for hours, revealing bits and pieces about themselves, but not too much for Hermione to give away her sad past or for Gabrielle to tell her she is a veela. The blonde shared some of her most precious childhood memories with the amused brunette and some of the reasons why she was mad at her older sister. Hermione talked about her trips all over the world and the places she had enjoyed the most.
It was a fine line to walk and they danced around it gracefully. The youngest Delacour found herself quite taken with her mate, even if she did take her to a restaurant that would be far better suited for her sister. She was trying after all.
"Do you have any siblings, mademoiselle mamba?" Gabrielle asked before taking a bite of her molten chocolate souffle. The delicious flavor invaded her senses and a satisfied moan escaped her lips.
"I don't. I am an only child" Hermione replied with a deep blush when she remembered a certain occasion where she was the one eliciting those sounds from the blonde.
"Mon dieu 'ermione, you need to try zis" Gabrielle took a spoonful of the decadent dessert and fed the photographer.
"For Merlin, it's delicious" Hermione also moaned in delight while trying to fight her still crimson face. It had been so long since she had shared this closeness with someone, and it made her feel rather shy.
"Do you perhaps want another bite?" Gabrielle asked while pointing her spoon full of fluffy deliciousness towards the nodding photographer.
A man approached them and politely informed them that they would close soon and placed a silver platter with the bill. Hermione snapped her hand out, grabbing it before the other girl could.
"'Ermione, s'il vous plait." Gabrielle chided the other girl. "I was ze one who asked you out."
"And I was the one who brought us here." Hermione laughed as she downed the last of her wine, the warm liquid washing through her veins and giving her a pleasant buzz. She fixed the other girl with a stern look that evoked a small smile from the blonde. "I insist."
"Well, eef you insist." The petite girl smirked, finishing her own wine. She liked that her mate was so thoughtful and that she would want to pay the tab. Sure, she had taken her somewhere that wasn't really her taste, but Hermione had clearly done her best to make a good impression, which was entirely unnecessary.
She was already smitten with the photographer who seemed to have secrets hidden behind those honey eyes. She longed to know what they were, but also knew this was part of the courtship. She would need to earn her mate's trust and completely win her over, which she thought she was doing a great job until they apparated back to her house.
"So . . ." Gabrielle drawled, running a well-manicured nail down her date's torso as they lingered in the driveway. "Since you paid, per'aps I can repay ze kind gesture." She grinned mischievously, running her finger down the Ravenclaw's arm at a tantalizingly slow pace.
Hermione struggled for a moment, the lure and pull of the other girl proving difficult to resist. She wanted nothing more than to take her inside and rip her clothes off again, but this was supposed to be a proper date. She was going to do things differently with this woman and she had to stick to her guns, no matter how difficult Gabrielle was making it.
And there was also another issue that had been bothering her. Her mamba. The moment she apparated at the Delacour manor, her golden tattoo became anxious and moved around as if searching for something or someone. Hermione couldn't deny the pull she felt towards the place like she belonged there somehow.
Fleur had stayed at the mansion after her sister departed, pacing around her the parlor like a madwoman. She didn't know why she felt so restless or why she stayed. She was only supposed to go home for a moment to drop off some paperwork, but when she saw her sister left in a hurry and then found out she was going to see this mate of hers, she couldn't bring herself to leave.
She pretended to be semi-interested in her grandmother's stories at the dinner table while her mind strayed to what her younger sibling could be doing.
Why do I even care? She's not my problem.
The model stopped her pacing in the parlor on the second floor and was ready to call it a night since Gabrielle had yet to return after four hours. She was pretty sure she knew what her sister was up to and she doubted she would come back any time soon, but then she heard the tell-tale sign of someone apparating outside.
She reaffirmed once more in her head that it wasn't any of her business, but curiosity tugged at every fiber of her being. Before she was even aware of what she was doing, she walked to the window overlooking the front yard and carefully pulled back the curtain to see two dark figures standing in the distance. One was clearly her sister. She could tell by the long hair cascading down her shoulder blades, but she didn't recognize the other one.
She squinted her eyes to get a better look. The only thing she could make of the other girl was her short hair and a slim figure. She was grabbing her sister's hand, pulling it away from herself in an almost timid manner.
"As much as I would enjoy that Gabrielle, I mean really, I would." Hermione sighed as she carefully grabbed the other girl's hand in her own to stop its tantalizing ministrations and the uninterrupted hissing of the mamba by her right ear. "I think we should say goodnight here."
A frown overtook the blonde's features, a sadness settling into her light blue eyes. "Did I do somezing wrong?"
"No, no." The photographer shook her head, squeezing Gabrielle's soft hand in her own reassuringly. "I just..." Hermione let out a breath, running her free hand through her hair as she struggled to open up a little to the French witch. "I tend to just do hook-ups and well, I don't want to do that with you, even though we did start off that way."
A curious look shined in those sapphire orbs as Gabrielle watched the other girl intently. "So, you're saying-"
"I really like you." Hermione cut her date off with a light blush. It was hard to believe she was capable of blushing considering the things she usually did sexually, but she felt particularly vulnerable trying to have a real go at things for once. "You're..." She struggled for the word, avoiding the probing gaze in front of her. "Different." She finished weakly.
She flinched at the touch of another soft hand moving up to cup her chin to make her look back at the blonde. She was scared of what she would see. Irritation. Confusion. Rejection.
She found her fears were for naught when she saw adoration shining back at her and instead of a response that could ruin the moment, Gabrielle leaned in, pressing her soft full lips to Hermione's. She had never felt so lucky to have such a sweet mate, even if she was a bit disappointed at the outcome of their night.
Fleur gripped the curtain tighter as she watched her sister pull her date in for a kiss that quickly deepened. The younger veela's hands tangled in the dark tresses of the other girl, bringing the other witch flush against her body.
She felt a bubbling rage boiling in the pit of her stomach at the sight. She knew this was none of her business, but she couldn't bring herself to tear her eyes away from the scene. Gabrielle was doing what she always did. Acting brashly and selfishly with…
Her mate.
The word was sour even in Fleur's head. Her knuckles turned white from gripping the curtain too hard and a rage she didn't know she had in her made her see red. The two had yet to part for air and it infuriated her. They didn't look like they would be ending their little kiss any time soon and she couldn't bring herself to keep watching so with a huff she closed the curtain a lot more roughly than she meant to, almost ripping the elegant fabric.
A soft burn on Hermione's wrist made her pull from the kiss she was so enchanted by. A soft hiss left her lips at the residual burn, glaring down at the mamba at her wrist seemingly trying to tug her towards the towering mansion.
We're not doing that, you little git.
The golden mamba was insistent and refused to listen to its master's scolding. It moved every which way, doing everything it could to get Hermione to move towards the house. She would have outwardly scolded the tattoo if it wasn't for a pair of amused eyes watching her.
"Your tattoo seems to 'ave a mind of eets own." Gabrielle chuckled as she watched the snake move every which direction to try to get a better look at the house.
"Yes." Hermione grumbled, rubbing her sore wrist. "It can be quite annoying sometimes."
"I can see zat." The snake let out an indignant hiss at the statement that made Gabrielle laugh and the snake now glared at the blonde which made the photographer frown slightly.
That's weird.
"Well," Hermione sighed, this was her cue to leave. She rubbed the back of her neck and shifted from foot to foot uncomfortably. She was no good at this. "I'd love to do this again. I'll call you."
"You better," Gabrielle growled, her eyes briefly turning gold as she grabbed the photographer by the front of her dress and pulled the brunette in for one more scorching kiss.
Fleur turned on her heel, heading to the bar to pour herself another scotch that she quickly downed in one gulp. The brown liquid stung her throat, but it was a welcome feeling compared to the other one threatening to take her over. Something wasn't sitting right with her about this whole situation, but she couldn't put her finger on it and that annoyed her even more.
She could feel the veela inside of her thrashing against its new restraints as if it was trying to tell her something, but Fleur being the stubborn woman she was, refused to relinquish the dark leash she had put on it. She was afraid. She knew that she had done something unforgivable and if her grand-mère noticed she would be in deep trouble.
Fleur also knew that her veela was furious at her. Every day that passed, the dark bindings were weakening and it was just a matter of time for her creature to take over and Fleur was afraid of losing more than just her own body to her veela but her freedom.
The heiress poured herself another drink before downing it in another big gulp and slammed the crystal glass down on the dark wood of the bar. It almost numbed the pull she was feeling towards where her sister and her guest were, but she won't spy on her. Not again.
It's none of my damn business!
The fact that she hadn't really been sleeping wasn't helping her foul mood either. She hadn't had another flash of whatever it was that bothered her before, but it still clung to her. She was afraid to close her eyes and rest for she didn't know what would happen when she would fall into a deep slumber, so she stayed awake most nights. The small bruising under her eyes was testimony enough that she was in a poor state.
She felt tense, on edge, and on the verge of frenzy. The only thing that seemed to dull the feeling was the warm liquor pouring into her empty stomach. She was entirely too wound up at the moment and then she heard the soft click of the front door closing below her.
Her shoulders seemed to relax at the sound. An odd feeling of relief washed over her as she made her way to a leather chair and plopped herself into it not so elegantly as her grand-mère had taught her.
She put her head in her hands, rubbing her face and trying to get a grip of herself while using the last of her energy to keep the thrashing veela within her at bay.
What is happening to me?
Perpetual Nonsense AN: Uuuuugh, this one was gut wrenching. They're so effin close, but so far away. I know you all have a lot of apprehension with Gabrielle, but we can both promise all of you that this is indeed a Fleurmione. Gabrielle and Hermione are definitely not end game haha but it's entertaining and tricky to write them like this in the meantime. You can all blame Fran for unleashing my evil powers and combining them with hers for this mess XD I take zero responsibility lmao
Fran A/N: Fun fact: When we were deciding about the nature of the ceremony I told nonsense "what if it's an art exhibit of Ginny?" and nonsense was like "didn't you kill her like in chapter 1?" and I was like "damn, that's true lol" a lot of zombie and resurrection jokes followed lol. When I was giving some touches to the dinner they had I told nonsense that it looks like a Gabsmione and she laughed and said that you guys would kill us if we do that and rest assured that this is a Fleurmione, somehow it will if Fleur doesn't go to Azkaban for killing the one that defiled her mate, lol. Thanks again for reading and we hope to read your thoughts.