Ill try to keep up the chapters, but I might be running out of steam. Please be patient. Ill do my best. Those of you who noticed the glitch with my stories. everything should be fixed. If they are not right, let me know. Thank you
Enjoy,
Snow
My Little Creature,
I am delighted you are embracing my name for you. Honestly, I would have called you Little Creature just to rile your feathers a bit. Oh dear, do you have feathers? That would be delightfully funny, well for me. Please tell me when I begin to offend you.
I was told by a muggle healer that I tend to diffuse intense situations by being snide and unfeeling. I guess that could be true. Now that I think about it, I don't see you as a French bird woman. Well, as you said you didn't care if I knew who you were, I will ask for your permission to go diving into the archives to discover my hero.
Yes, take the compliment dear. When I found my sister, and then took her home to keep her out of trouble, and more importantly keep an eye on her, I felt myself slipping. My entire world was crumbling and when I realized I had you… well it boosted my resolve and my strength.
If I will be delving into your identity, I find no reason not to offer you the same allowance. However, I do warn you that you may not like who you find at the end of your quest for knowledge. My family are not good people and will always and forever be revered as Dark. It is not too far from the truth. I am a Dark Witch, but I have a heart. Maybe someday I could be more of a grey witch.
My sister has woken, and I am not sure I want her to know of my tie with you yet. It is not because of your blood, no. It is because I don't want her to take away from me something that is good. Somehow she always seems to wrench away anything I find that makes me happy.
Until next time Little Creature. I also want to know what you would wish for.
Your Friend
Fleur received her letter at breakfast once again. She read it and then looked at Hermione. She looked like Hell reached out for her, pulled her through the mantle of the earth and then spat her back out. Hermione didn't eat. Something kept her from keeping her food down. She sipped on broth, and nibbled on a crust of bread but Fleur watched as she paled and Hermione looked over and smiled at her. Fleur reached out and rubbed her back and pulled her to her and pressed her lips to her temple.
In retrospect she wished she never would have done that, but after that small moment of affection the kids thought Hermione and Fleur were an item and the kids immediately stopped their foolish behavior. Later, it would make Hermione and Fleur smile. But at the moment Fleur was worried for her friend.
"Miss Granger, are you alright?" asked the Headmistress. Hermione swallowed and nodded. Fleur shook her head and let Hermione go but hovered close. She knew the woman would fight through an army before finally succumbing to an illness. Fleur knew how to make her feel better. She gave the letter to Hermione and watched her facial features.
Hermione, when she read things was like an animation. She said words with her expressions and Fleur was delighted to see her friend smile softly, and then blink and tear up at the end and give it back to Fleur. Hermione stood, kissed the top of Fleur's head in thanks, and then walked from the Great Hall. Children and staff alike watched Hermione and then Draco Malfoy stood and looked at Headmistress McGonagall and Fleur. Both of them nodded and he walked after her.
Draco was happy he followed her as she walked with a hand on the wall and then her legs gave out. He rushed to her and caught her but slipped her down to the cold stone floors. Draco shot a Patronus, a small toy soldier reminiscent of a nutcracker, to Professor McGonagall. Hermione's brow was budding with sweat, and her breathing was labored. She was in full blown panic mode.
"Hermione, I'm here, listen to my voice, please love, I'm here," his voice soothed in her ear as he picked her up and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Children came out of the Hall, but Draco was rushing away to Hermione's quarters. He didn't care if the kids saw him, a student, take Miss Granger, a teacher, to her quarters. Fleur burst out of the doors and followed behind. The headmistress bellowed over the crowd with a sonorous. She announced Charms was canceled for the day and suggested the students use their time wisely.
Draco waited patiently with his best friend in his arms. Sometimes he forgot how small she was, how light she was, and how she might not have recovered from those months on the run as he hefted her into a comfortable position in his arms. Fleur spoke their password and ushered Draco in. Draco walked to Hermione's room and then blinked and sputtered and Fleur began stripping Hermione in front of him. He turned his back but refused to leave.
"I'm sorry," rasped Hermione behind his back. He threw Pureblood procedures out the door and turned around. He was thankful she was in a set of pajamas, but Fleur was looking her over. Hermione looked into Fleur's eyes as she placed her hand over Fleur's wand.
"I will be fine," Hermione said.
"But..." Fleur said and then Hermione placed her index finger to Fleur's lips. She caressed Fleur's cheek.
"Your job is for the children. If I take a turn for the worst Draco will alert you," Hermione said with a softness in her gaze Draco has not seen often. He was on the receiving end of that soft gaze once and it nearly melted him.
"Cheri, no, if I go you need to come with me to the infirmary," Fleur said with a grit to her voice. Hermione took her blanket and smiled.
"I will not let my students see me like this. It was enough having half of Hogwarts see Draco, who is still my student by the way, carry me to our quarters with you chasing after me like some crazy love triangle. No, Love. This was too much of a controversy in one day. However, I think we got the student body to lay off their stupid displays of affection thinking you are my lover," Hermione giggled as Fleur smirked and shook her head.
"Amour, mon amie, I don't want to leave you here. What if you have another nightmare?" Fleur asked. Hermione reached out a hand and took Draco's cold hand in her own.
"My friend will see me through it, and alert you immediately," Hermione said.
Fleur looked at Draco with cold eyes.
"I know what happened throughout her years here with you, and I know what happened at the manor," Fleur paused when Hermione gasped, "I will gut you, boil down your body and use you as potion ingredients if you so much as hurt one hair on her head," Fleur threatened. Draco swallowed.
"I would sooner harm myself than have her go through any torment or pain at my hand. I promise this, Hermione will not be harmed by my hand, and I will help her through whatever trial this seems to be," Draco swore and Fleur narrowed her eyes and looked down to Hermione.
"You trust this boy?" Fleur asked softly.
"Yes," Hermione said and Fleur looked to Draco and then to Hermione.
"I will contact your professors and get a house elf to deliver your homework. You are my assistant for the day," Fleur kissed Hermione on the lips then her slightly feverish forehead and then popped away as the medi-witch on campus could do.
"Holy shit I thought she was going to require my balls for tribute to watch over you," Draco sighed and Hermione laughed.
"What's going on? I know you are not telling her everything. If I can tell, I know she can tell and the last thing you need is secrets," Draco said and then looked at Hermione's face.
"Bellatrix is back, and living with your mother," Hermione said and Draco collapsed onto the edge of the bed. He reached for Hermione's hand and then turned it over. He saw the bandage and furrowed. He looked to Hermione and she nodded. Draco took the bandages carefully from her arm and Hermione watched him every second of every moment.
Once revealed he gritted his teeth. Hermione accioed a salve and Draco took it, and Hermione accioed bandages. Draco nodded as he took the salve and slowly gently rubbed the ointment onto her arm. Hermione watched on and found tears in his eyes, as he gently but securely wrapped up her arm and looked for something to slick the gauze down, and found nothing. Hermione lifted her wand and cast a sticking curse.
"I had a nightmare of Bellatrix, and that day. I thrashed, and opened the scar," Hermione said. Draco nodded.
"I will wager you 20 galleons that you knew Aunt Bella was alive before you went to bed and thrust you into this downward spiral," Draco said looking at Hermione.
"Yes love, I knew," Hermione said as she grasped Draco's hand. Draco fell into those brown orbs.
"God Hermione, why do you have to take away everyone's pain? Why do you take care of everyone else by not yourself?" Draco looked away, "Why do you make everyone fall in love with you?" Hermione pulled her hand from his, but he reached out. He shook his hand.
"No, please don't. It is the first manifestation of true emotion I have had in Merlin knows how long. Let me keep you right here," Draco lifted her hand to his chest, "Let me keep these moments for I know your heart belongs to another. But for me, you have encompassed many parts of my heart. I don't know where you belong," Draco said.
Hermione clutched the black coat he always wore instead of robes.
"I belong here," Hermione said as Draco clenched his jaw and then she reached out and made him look at her, "I am a sister, a friend, a teacher, and a confidant, but for you I will never be a lover. Please take what I am willing to give," Hermione pleaded.
Draco nodded and lifted her palm to her cheek.
"Sometimes when we are like this, I miss… I miss my mother," he confessed. Then Hermione laughed lightly.
"I will never be your mother."
"No, you prat. I meant she was the closest person to me and was my everything. Now you have done that," Draco confessed.
"I will never be your mom Draco, but if you need me to be anything other than a lover and mother, I am your girl. It might not hurt to owl your mother and tell her how you feel," Hermione said with a smile. Draco smiled back, shaking his head.
"How do we combat your problem?" Draco asked changing the subject and Hermione sighed.
"It will take some time, and Fleur will have to be there for a lot of it. Gods I hate bothering her," Hermione said.
"Who else was there that can help you get over your nightmares?" Draco asked and Hermione blushed.
"Luna, got it," Draco said and went to her desk. Hermione went to stop him but she found herself too weak from lack of sleep, lack of food, and lack of mental capacity.
Draco took it upon himself to write the letter Hermione had been meaning to write. Once a house elf arrived and dropped Draco's homework on the end of the bed away from Hermione's feet, he gave the little elf the letter to be owled. She smirked and he rolled his eyes.
Little did they know a small blonde made her way from Hogsmeade and asked for admittance into Hogwarts and to see the Headmistress.
Infirmary
My Dark Witch,
How about that for a nickname? You are painfully obvious with my name, why can't I be painfully obvious with mine?
Today my mind is in a frenzy. Alright I will tell you one small thing about my living conditions. I live with my best friend who picked me up when I fell into a massive depression. She loves me, wants the best for me, but is not in love with me. She actually loves a lovely girl who dreams of imaginary beasts, or so I think. But this girl is wonderous. She picked me up and has been with me through thick and thin, nightmare and daymare.
I am so entranced by her strength that she shows everyone, I constantly forget she is human, she has suffered. She is a girl, a wonderous girl that was tortured and, in a snap, arrived on my doorstep in the middle of a war.
She was on the verge of mental collapse and possibly death and yet she lives. The bloody girl thrives. So, when I tell you that she needed me as her nightmares reared their ugly head, I let her use me as solace as I held her through the night.
I tell you this because I find myself at a loss. Overnight she became ill. I cannot decipher the meaning or source. Maybe it is her curse. I don't know. I will breathe and work through it, and make sure my friend is in the best care I can give her, since she is adamant against going to St. Mungo's.
If I had a tangible wish, I would wish for two things. I am ever the romantic and wish for love. That sharp love where everything is live or die, need and want, everything and complete. The second is for my friend to find happiness. She needs it. Dear Dark Witch, you have no idea how she has suffered. She needs a love of the ages to heal her heart. I wish that for her.
On another note, I give pause at you finding out who I am. Not for my blood but for who my associates are. You may not like what YOU find, my Dark Witch but if you insist, I will not stop you. When you find out who I am, I think you will find out before I do, let me have time to find out who you are too before we get too cordial. I cannot see me hating you, but if you harmed my friend, I will eviscerate you. And that was a promise and not a threat.
Your Little Creature.
Fleur walked to the owlery on a slow moment and sent the note to her friend. She felt a kinship with her. Something wondrous yet barely on the surface, but never shallow.
She walked by their portrait entrance and entered. Draco did homework. She smiled looking at Hermione's bed filled with his notes.
"No Draco, transfiguration is the sight of seeing and then pushing your magic into the form. Try it again." Hermione said as she taught Draco from her bed.
Fleur stood against the doorway and watched the two friends do homework. Draco was exemplary in Potions and Dark Arts, but Charms and Transfiguration… he needed a little work.
On the second try Draco got it and Hermione smiled and pulled her memory from her mind and then sent it to the new transfiguration teacher as evidence of his hard work.
"Very good, now Charms. You can charm portraits but what about charming…" Hermione's ramble went on. Fleur looked on to her friend and Draco. She was not even noticed. She cleared her throat.
Draco jumped slightly but Hermione smiled.
"Mr. Malfoy, I believe you have kept her entertained?" Fleur asked as she went to her and ran a diagnostic. Hermione scoffed.
"I am fine, it was just dreams and a bad morning," Hermione interjected.
"Dreams that split your scar open and made you howl out in the middle of the night," Fleur said matter of factly and Draco looked to Hermione but he looked away. He knew her dream, and why they were back.
"Fleur that is enough," Hermione said softly but her patience was wearing thin. Draco stood and went to leave, "Mr. Malfoy, I still want that Charm's essay on my desk tomorrow for I WILL be back in class," Hermione said narrowing her eyes at Fleur. Fleur took a deep breath and crossed her arms over her chest waiting for the boy to gather his things and walk him to the portrait. Once the portrait closed, she walked back into Hermione's room in time to see Hermione sitting on the edge of her bed as if she were about to get up and move about. Fleur rushed to Hermione but Hermione held up a hand.
"Pour l'amour de Dieu! Hermione let me fucking help you!" Fleur shouted exasperated with her friend. Hermione sat on the edge of her bed and glared at her friend. Hermione took a deep breath and exhaled and then waited. Fleur looked down at her as they both stared at each other.
"Are you going to continue to yell at me?" Hermione asked with an edge to her voice. Fleur clenched her jaw.
"Non, but you are being unreasonable. You need help. Let me help you. Why can you help me, but I can not help you?" Fleur asked heatedly. Hermione looked up into Fleur's eyes with softer eyes. Draco said similar words to her just that morning. Hermione held out her hand and pulled Fleur to sit on the bed with her. Fleur watched her friend with eagle eyes waiting for her.
"I will not lie to you, but at the moment I cannot tell you the truth," Hermione sighed as she looked into Fleur's eyes. Hermione saw the wounded shimmer in her eyes and Hermione shook Fleur's hand.
"That 'urts, amour," Fleur whispered letting more of her accent slip through with her emotions running so deep. She let go of Hermione's hand and stood from her friend. Hermione watched her go, but Fleur looked back once more then turned from Hermione. Shook her head and walked from Hermione's room. Hermione growled and fell back on to the mattress.
"FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!" Hermione gritted trying not to scream as she hit her fists against the mattress. She got up from her bed and went into the common area and then looked to Fleur's bedroom door. It was closed. She hardly ever closed her door. Hermione walked over to the door on wobbly legs and knocked against the wood. There was no response, but she could hear Fleur on the other side moving about the door.
"Fleur please," Hermione begged at her best friend's door. Hermione jerked from the door when the door thudded as something was thrown against it. Hermione sighed and sank down to the floor.
"You have something so wonderful happening to you Fleur. I cannot get into the way, not yet," Hermione let her head hit the door softly, and then she stood up on her two feet. Her knees wobbled, but she walked back to her room, changed her clothes and retrieved her wand.
"Hermione," Fleur said as she opened her door. Fleur looked to Hermione and Hermione held her breath.
"I don't want to hurt you, Love," Hermione said as she swallowed and put her hands in the pockets of her jeans.
"I know that, but you can tell me anything. Nothing will change what we have," Fleur said as she watched the girl swallow and nod her head.
"But things may change with other things. Did you know you haven't smiled that gorgeous little grin of yours in months, way back when Bill was alive?" Hermione said, looking to Fleur and the blonde blinked and shook her head.
"Non, I did not know that," Fleur said and Hermione nodded.
"When you began to open up in your letters, or maybe your pen pal was making you open up. I don't know, but when you began to get those letters it was as if with each letter, you began to smile just a little bit more," Hermione said and then took a deep breath, "I will not ruin that," she said softly and Fleur's head tilted.
"What does …?" Fleur began and then Hermione shook her head.
"I love you, Fleur," Hermione said as she turned and walked out of the portrait. Fleur went to reach out for Hermione but stopped as Hermione held the portrait door open, "Do you want to come with me to make sure I don't fall over from my stupidity?" Hermione asked with a smile. Fleur smiled and walked to Hermione and wrapped her arm around her friend as they walked to the Great Hall. It was just before dinner and Hermione was hoping the house elves would take pity on her and feed her before dinner. Fleur and Hermione smiled and giggled as they walked down the hall overlapping their steps like children. Hermione almost fell over when Fleur caught her and they heard a giggle. Hermione's head snapped up and then in her shock she released Fleur causing her ass to hit the ground. Fleur tried to hold back her chuckle as she reached down and helped Hermione up to her feet.
"You look like you were having fun Hermione," said a soft voice and Hermione stood straight and arranged her clothes. Fleur shook her head at her friend.
"Bonjour, Luna. 'Ow are you?" Fleur asked and walked to the girl and kissed her cheeks and Hermione swallowed as Luna returned the greeting with a dreamy little smile. Then she looked to Hermione and looked around in the air as if tracking something.
"I am fine Fleur, but Hermione seems to be infested in nargles," Luna said and smiled as she walked to Hermione and without pausing walked right into Hermione wrapping her arms around the older woman making their body softly collide into each other.. Hermione blinked and smiled as she wrapped her arms around Luna.
"Hello Luna. I have missed you," Hermione said as she held the woman she loved in her arms. She looked past Fleur and saw Fleur watching them with a grin on her lips. Hermione broke away from the girl after a long moment.
"What brings you to Hogwarts Luna?" Hermione asked as she guided the woman and Fleur to the Great Hall. Luna smiled as she walked up to the guest table and Hermione was grateful the house elves in fact took pity on her and fed her chicken soup.
"You," Luna said easily. Hermione, spoon halfway to her lips, looked at the blonde.
"Draco's letter could not have gotten to you this quickly," Hermione said.
"What letter?" Fleur asked and Hermione placed a hand on Fleur's.
"I'll tell you later, I promise," Hermione said, turning back to Luna.
"No, I don't know anything about Draco's letter," Luna said.
"I am ecstatic that you are here but why are you here for me?" Hermione asked.
"Bellatrix, she is back," Luna said flatly.
Hermione took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"Can we go to our quarters Luna, please?" Hermione asked. She suddenly felt tired, and worn thin.
"Of course. Fleur will you be joining us?" Luna asked and Hermione reached out for Fleur's hand. Hermione looked at Fleur, deep into her eyes.
"I need your help," Hermione whispered, and Fleur nodded.
When they made the short trip back to their shared quarters Luna looked around.
"You two live together?" Luna asked and Hermione nodded, then Luna looked at her and then Fleur. Hermione froze at the look, "No not as lovers. But something very very close," Luna said and then smiled, "I am so happy you have each other," Luna said. Fleur smiled as she came back with a tray of chamomile tea. Hermione sat back with her head on the couch. Fleur sat in the armchair watching the two women. Luna sat next to Hermione, and then the elfish girl simply leaned to the side and fell into Hermione's lap laying her head down in Hermione's lap. It was instantaneous. Hermione's smile lit up the room as Hermione began to stroke her fingers through the girls long platinum hair. Fleur on more than one occasion wondered if the girl was part veela, but she shoved it aside. She knew there was something magical about her, but veela was not it. They can usually sense each other.
"So Little Love, what are you here?" Hermione asked softly as she looked down into Luna's face.
"Knowing Bellatrix is in fact alive, and what she did to you, I want to be here for you. I was there in the cottage after…" Luna's voice tapered off. Hermione looked down and smiled.
"Thank you little Imp," Hermione said. Luna reached up and stroked under Hermione's eyes.
"So dark, so worn, you already knew didn't you?" Luna asked and Hermione swallowed, looked at Fleur and then down to Luna.
"Yes," she whispered and then closed her eyes as Fleur took a deep breath.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Fleur said. Hermione shook her head and then it hit Fleur like a bombarda maxima.
"The letters," Fleur let her hand slip to her lips and then she leapt from her chair and ran to her room.
"Shit," Hermione whispered.
"Did I ruin something?" Luna asked and Hermione shook her head.
"No, Little Imp, you sped something up is all," Hermione said and then her eyes shot up as Fleur came back into the room with the letters. She sat down in her chair and re-read the letters.
"Hermione, how can you sit there and not tell me that you knew my pen pal was Narcissa Malfoy?" Fleur asked, gritting her teeth and clenching the notes in her fist.
"Fleur, calm down love," Hermione said as she tried to soothe the woman.
"DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN!" Fleur growled at her friend.
"Alright, I won't but can I ask you a question?" Hermione toed the line. Fleur nodded as she tried to get her breathing under control.
"How does writing to Narcissa make you feel?" Hermione asked softly slowly as if she were trying to soothe a cornered animal.
Fleur stood and paced before her and Luna and thought long and hard.
"She…. How could you be alright with this? You were tortured in her home!" Fleur argued before answering Hermione's question.
"How can one of my good friends be the boy that teased and bullied me, and watched me be tortured?"Hermione asked . Fleur sighed and dropped into her chair.
"She watched it too, 'Ermione. She stood there and did nothing as a child was torn apart on her floor," Fleur said then looked into Hermione's eyes, "She did nothing to help you my love," Fleur said weakly.
"She did nothing because she could do nothing," Hermione lifted a hand as Fleur went to interrupt, "Draco's family were basically held hostage in their own home. They could not do anything for fear of losing each other. I understand this, I accept this," Hermione said.
"She is right. Narcissa tried to take care of us the best she could. She fed us, and even tried to heal us from time to time. She was caught once and I could hear her screams throughout the manor reaching us in the dungeons," Luna shuddered, closed her eyes, and buried her nose into Hermione's belly.
"I sometimes forget you were there too Luna. I am sorry," Fleur said, and Luna nodded.
"I was there for a long time, but I never went through what Hermione went through. Her screams…" Luna shook her head as she looked up into Hermione's eyes.
Fleur watched the two women. How in the hell are they not together and how in the hell did she not see it under her own roof?
"You both seem comfortable with each other," Fleur said with a smirk trying to take the attention off of her and her Narcissa issue.
Hermione narrowed her eyes but nodded.
"We spent a lot of time together when you were helping others," Hermione said as she looked down, "She came up and kept me company, read to me, and told me about magical creatures only she seems to be able to see, " Hermione smiled warmly. Luna closed her eyes as Hermione's fingers stroked her temple.
"Yes, and we like the same things, if I can get Hermione not to over analyze everything she reads," Luna chuckled.
"You two are perfect for each other," Fleur murmured.
"In due time," Luna said with a cheeky smile. Hermione's eyes flew wide open at the remark and she blinked rapidly. Fleur chuckled at her friends look. Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"You have a question to answer, Love," Hermione threw at Fleur. Fleur narrowed her eyes but sighed defeated.
"I felt like I understood someone for the first time since Bill, and well you of course," Fleur said and Hermione nodded her head, "Something about her made me want to reach out and trust some one, include someone in my life, even if I didn't know her name, she was becoming a trusted confidant," Fleur said.
"She was becoming your friend," Hermione said and Fleur nodded, "You said she was not happy Bellatrix was back. Maybe she never wanted to see Bellatrix again. Maybe her feelings for Bellatrix are complicated. But what I do know is she needs someone, just like you do," Hermione said and Fleur swallowed.
"I have you," Fleur said softly.
"You will always have me, but there is nothing wrong with wanting this woman in your life as well," Hermione said.
"If she hurts you I know a hive of flesh eating Cornish Pixies that would love to have Pureblood for dinner," Luna said easily with her eyes closed with her head still in Hermione's lap. Fleur looked at the innocent looking blonde in her best friend's lap.
"Or I can shift into my animagus and eat her," Luna said easily once more, "I am also joking with you my friends," she said with a wide smile, "But not about the pixies. No… that was serious," Luna opened her eyes and looked into Hermione's eyes.
"I want to help you if you will allow me," Luna said as she reached up to run her fingertip once more under Hermione's dark ringed eyes. Hermione reached up and clasped Luna's hand.
"I will…," Hermione looked to Fleur, "I will accept both of your help, if the offer is still on the table," Hermione asked uneasily.
"Oh course Cheri," Fleur spoke softly.
"Excellent, I assume we will share Hermione's bed?" Luna said as she sat up and walked to the door that felt like Hermione's, "Good sized bed for our threesome," Luna said and looked over to the women. Hermione's jaw hung open, and Fleur blinked and then grinned lecherously.
"Oui, a threesome sounds fun. Doesn't it 'Ermione?" Fleur asked.
"I… wh… n-no," Hermione sputtered and the two blonds began laughing at her expense. Hermione crossed her arms over her chest.
"Bunch of arses the lot of you," Hermione grumbled. Luna practically skipped over to the sofa and leaned over the back, kissed Hermione's cheek and flopped back down onto the cushions her head right back into Hermione's lap.
"You are so cute," Luna said and Fleur stood bent down, kissed her lips, and smiled as Hermione seemed to relax.
"I agree with 'er," Fleur said and went back to the kitchen and brought back ice cream. The three women ate ice cream content for the moment in time.
"Luna," Hermione began and the girl smiled toward her, "How do you know about Bella?" Gone was their content moment.