A/N: Heya- yes! A FOURTH update in the space of a day, haha. This one has incorporated a couple of requests that came through in reviews. Hope you enjoy... And keep the reviews coming :)
"Caught up with Bill after classes yesterday," Ron commented, devouring an ice cream.
Ron, Harry and Hermione were once again killing time having ice cream at Florean's before Hermione had to meet Fleur.
"Yeah?" Hermione had a feeling she wouldn't like what Ron would say.
She had been laying low since her catch up with Fleur. While she had felt a hell of a lot better after taking her frustrations out on Fleur, she was feeling quite awful about it now.
"Fleur is noooot happy with you, my friend," Ron chuckled, leaning back dangerously in his chair.
"Yeah, I kind of lost it at her," Hermione said guiltily, rubbing the back of her neck, "I've just been so exhausted and she was being so rude…"
Harry clucked his tongue in disapproval.
"Hermione, not a very good baby-daddy move," Harry lectured, half-joking, half-serious.
Ron leaned back further in his chair, giggling. He was balancing on the back legs of the chair, a leg against the table holding him in place.
"Hey, Harry, d'you think Fleur calls 'Mione daddy?" Ron joked, giggling further.
Hermione kicked his leg out from the table, causing Ron to tumble backwards in his chair onto the ground. His ice cream capsized over him, splattering the front of his top.
"Jeez, 'Mione, I was just kidding!" Ron groaned.
"Yeah, well, get a better sense of humour," Hermione retorted, getting up from her seat, "I'll see you guys later."
She headed off, mildly amused that Harry was laughing at Ron's predicament instead of helping the redhead.
She walked down Diagon Alley, turning off and walking several more blocks. She guessed Fleur must live quite centrally if her Healer was so close.
She was feeling even more dread than usual at meeting Fleur. She wondered just how cold the part-Veela would be this time.
She had her answer as she arrived outside the Healer's offices. Fleur was leaning against a wall, arms folded tightly across her chest. She was dressed casually, in a loose-knit sweater and tight blue jeans. White sneakers were on her feet.
Hermione realised with embarrassment that she was wearing the exact same outfit she had been wearing the last time she saw Fleur, the black jeans and tee plus her leather jacket and Converse. She wondered if the fashionable Veela was silently judging her for this.
"You're late," Fleur said, as Hermione got within earshot of her.
"I'm five minutes early for the appointment," Hermione scoffed.
"Which is five minutes late for meeting me before the appointment," Fleur retorted, "Come on."
She went to walk ahead of Hermione, limping badly.
"Woah, woah, what happened?!" Hermione asked, grabbing Fleur by the arm.
Fleur was irritable.
"Just a stupid Quidditch injury. Probably a pulled muscle or something," Fleur muttered, trying to push Hermione away.
"Quidditch?!" Hermione shrieked, "What on Earth are you doing playing Quidditch when you're pregnant?!"
"Barely pregnant," Fleur retorted, trying to limp forward and wincing. She hissed at the pain.
"Gods, Fleur," Hermione was concerned, "I don't know how you made it here in one piece! Good thing we're seeing a Healer."
Hermione snaked her arm around Fleur's petite waist, pulling one of Fleur's arms around her neck. Fleur made small noises of protest, but Hermione insisted on helping her in.
Fleur was lighter than she thought she would be. Hermione tried not to dwell too much on how closely Fleur's body was pressed against her as she helped her in. Hermione helped Fleur into a waiting room chair before checking them in at reception. She came back to sit beside Fleur, not even noticing that her arm draped across the back of the blonde's chair protectively.
"I should really learn some Healing charms myself," Fleur muttered, leaning back in her chair.
"All the good ones require years of training," Hermione replied, "Otherwise anyone could be a Healer."
"Still, it is handy even knowing how to clear up cuts or bruises," Fleur replied, "I learned a few things during the war but it would be nice to know more."
"I found a good one when I was getting rid of…" Hermione trailed off, blushing as she realised where she was going.
"Getting rid of what?" Fleur asked, turning to look directly at Hermione.
The blonde's gaze was so intense that Hermione shrunk under it. She felt compelled to answer, despite her embarrassment.
"For getting rid of the lovebites you left over me after that night at Grimmauld Place," Hermione finished, ducking her head with embarrassment. She peeked up long enough to see that a light pink blush had painted its way across Fleur's delicate cheekbones.
"Delacour?"
Hermione and Fleur looked up to see a Healer standing in scrubs, clipboard in hand. He was twirling his wand impatiently.
"Oui," Fleur answered, getting up with a wince.
"Exam room four, please," the Healer intoned, before turning and heading off.
Hermione got up, watching as Fleur struggled to step forward. A surge of protectiveness kicked in and she leaned in, scooping Fleur into her arms.
"Hermione!" Fleur protested, slapping at Hermione's collarbone. Hermione ignored the blonde, carrying her bridal style down to the exam room.
Entering the room, Hermione lay her down on the bed in the exam room. She ignored the glare Fleur was shooting at her, sitting down on a spare chair in the room.
"Hello, I'm Doctor Fantail," the Healer greeted, scribbling on his clipboard, "So Ms Delacour, you're here for a pregnancy checkup?"
"And she needs her leg checked," Hermione interjected, "She had a Quidditch accident and can barely walk."
The Healer nodded, looking up from his clipboard to glance at Fleur and then Hermione.
"Is this your friend?" the Healer asked, pointing his quill at Hermione.
"The other parent of the child," Fleur explained, "I'm part-Veela."
"Ah," the Healer replied, scribbling some more on his clipboard.
He put the clipboard down, putting on some latex gloves. He stepped forward, massaging Fleur's leg around the knee.
Fleur winced.
"That hurts," Fleur whimpered, "A lot."
"Ahuh," Fantail commented, "And here?"
He moved his massage slightly above Fleur's knee and she yelped.
"Even more," Fleur hissed from between gritted teeth.
"Hit by a Bludger?" Fantail asked. Fleur nodded.
Dr Fantail stopped his exploratory massage, picking up his clipboard and making several notes. He put it down again and picked up his wand.
"Okey doke, now time to check on the pregnancy," Fantail commented, murmuring a spell and doing a complicated wand movement, "Lift up your top a little, please."
Fleur lifted up her sweater and tee, revealing her toned stomach.
Hermione found her eyes drawn to the sight. She could see the outline of Fleur's abs and the dip of her hips disappearing into the waist of her jeans.
Her stomach began to glow with a golden light, swirls of silver tangling in shapes above it. Dr Fantail cocked his head to one side, observing the swirls carefully.
"Approximately four weeks along," Dr Fantail commented, "Looking healthy. Everything is coming along nicely."
"Good," Hermione sighed with relief.
Dr Fantail wrote some more on his clipboard before taking off his latex gloves.
Fleur sat up on the table, pulling her top down again.
"So," Fantail turned to face them, "You need to start taking your vitamins and supplements for the pregnancy, are you familiar with what to take?"
"We know which ones," Hermione smiled, proud that her research was paying off.
"Great," Dr Fantail smiled, before looking at Fleur, "It's great when the other parent is engaged like this. Makes the pregnancy a heck of a lot easier. Anyway, the real problem we have is your leg. Usually, we would just give you an easy muscle-repair ointment or tonic that would fix that right up. However, it can produce some nasty side effects on an unborn child."
"So what do we do?" Fleur asked, a little disconcerted at the news.
Dr Fantail cleared his throat, referring to his clipboard.
"Well, in these cases, we usually defer to Muggle medicine," Dr Fantail said, raising his bushy eyebrows, "You can get an anti-inflammatory ointment to rub in to the injury, which should help with the pain. Then I can prescribe some stretches to do after the first week or so to build back up your mobility and strength."
"Stretches?!" Fleur echoed, looking shocked.
"I'm sorry, it's the safest option for your baby, ma'am," Fantail smiled apologetically.
"It's fine, I'm familiar with Muggle practices," Hermione explained, "I'm Muggleborn. I can help her."
"Great," Fantail smiled, before turning back to Fleur, "What a supportive partner you have."
"She's not my partner," Fleur sniffed, looking away.
"I'll see you again in a few weeks for another check up," Fantail commented, "Hopefully your leg will be better by then."
"A few weeks?!" Fleur groaned, "Why must Muggle medicine be so slow?!"
"Do you have a Floo Network here?" Hermione asked Fantail, "I don't like the idea of her walking home like this."
"Yes, yes," Fantail confirmed, "The fireplace is at the rear of the waiting room. Plenty of Floo Powder in a wooden trinket box on top of the mantle."
"Hermione—" Fleur began, but was interrupted by Hermione stepping forward and hoisting the blonde over her shoulder. Fleur made an even more outraged noise than the first time Hermione had picked her up. Granted, this was a far less graceful way to be carried. She was slapping her hands on Hermione's back, her long hair trailing behind Hermione as she stepped forward to Dr Fantail. Her toned legs were draped down Hermione's front, held securely by one of Hermione's arms. She was bent over Hermione's shoulder, her ass unceremoniously in the air. Hermione reached forward and took a note from the Healer with her free hand, thanking him.
"Take good care of her," Dr Fantail advised.
Hermione smiled.
"Don't worry, I will," Hermione promised, patting Fleur's butt without thinking. Fleur let out another noise of indignation.
"Let me down, Hermione," Fleur growled.
"Once I get you home and know you're safe and healthy," Hermione promised. She took her job as a parent seriously, and she was not about to let the mother of her child limp home on an injury that needed treatment.
Hermione left the exam room, carrying Fleur as she went to reception and paid before making their next appointment. A few curious eyes in the waiting room were looking at Hermione carrying the blonde, which only served to aggravate Fleur further.
"Hermione, you'll be sorry," Fleur hissed, slapping her palms against Hermione's back.
"No, I would be sorry if you made your injury worse," Hermione replied, "Relax, you'll be home in a moment."
She walked to the end of the waiting room, opening the trinket box on the mantelpiece like the Healer had instructed. Grabbing a handful of Floo Powder, she tossed it in the fireplace.
"I'm not telling you my address," Fleur said through gritted teeth.
"That's fine," Hermione replied bossily, "I can always carry you through the streets like this. I'm sure it would make a fantastic workout."
Fleur let out an angry noise of frustration.
"Fine! Apartment 101 Spickle Building, Gillyweed Place," Fleur replied.
Hermione repeated the address for the Floo, before stepping in carefully. She knew Fleur would be somehow even more furious with her after this, but she had made a vow to do the right thing by Fleur and the baby.
Hermione arrived in a small studio apartment. There was a small kitchenette and table on one side of the room and a bed on the other side of the room. She was surprised Fleur had not gone for something more opulent.
The room was minimally decorated, but very tastefully done.
Hermione stepped in, finally hoisting Fleur off her shoulder and onto the bed on the side of the room.
*Thwack*
Fleur slapped Hermione across the cheek. Hermione flinched, taking a step back from the extremely angry Veela.
"Hey, I'm just doing the best thing for you and the baby!" Hermione exclaimed defensively.
"What part of that necessitated humiliating me at my Healer's offices?" Fleur fumed, "I like to maintain a certain amount of dignity, Hermione!"
"It was the easiest way to get you out!" Hermione defended, "I'm just helping. You heard Dr Fantail! Besides, you must have been in a lot of pain on your walk there."
Fleur glared at Hermione for a while, before her temper seemed to lower slightly.
"Fine," Fleur said finally, "But if you touch my ass again, you lose a hand."
Hermione blushed, apologising profusely.
"I may have got a little carried away in the moment," Hermione conceded, rubbing the back of her neck, "Anyway, I'll pop out and collect the things you need. I'll be back soon."
"You don't need to come back," Fleur said icily, "You can just leave them at the door."
"I'm helping!" Hermione shot back, heading for the door.
Fleur's worst habit might be her rudeness, but it was no match for Hermione's worst habit: her bossiness and need to take charge. Hermione's determination had only been spurred on by the appointment with the Healer. She was going to take good care of Fleur and the baby.
Hermione returned to Fleur's flat as soon as she had finished collecting all the items she needed. She was pleased to see that Fleur had left the front door unlocked for her.
"You know, it isn't safe for you and the baby to leave the door unlocked like that," Hermione lectured, despite being pleased.
"I'm barely pregnant and I survived a war with Death Eaters," Fleur scoffed disdainfully, "I think I can look after myself."
"Right, well," Hermione said matter-of-factly. She came in and put her shopping bags down on the table, "I got you all the vitamins and supplements you need, some good anti-inflammatory gel, and I also picked you up some dinner."
"Dinner?!" Fleur objected loudly, sitting up on her bed so suddenly that she winced.
"Do you want it now or later?" Hermione asked, checking her watch, "It's six thirty, I don't know what time you prefer to eat."
"What dinner did you get?" Fleur asked, her voice dripping with annoyance. She clearly did not expect great things from Hermione's offering.
"I got you something healthy," Hermione explained, "Poached chicken, spinach, plenty of vegetables. Food high in protein and high in iron."
The annoyance on Fleur's face faded. Hermione could tell she was pleasantly surprised. Hermione felt inwardly proud of herself. Pushing on in the face of Fleur's intimidating demeanour was working out fine so far.
"Okay, I'll eat that," Fleur conceded out loud. Hermione hid her smile, turning to rummage in Fleur's cupboard for plates and cutlery. Dishing the food up for Fleur, she brought it to Fleur on her bed. She retreated to Fleur's dining room table on the other side of the studio apartment, dishing herself up some food.
She watched the proud blonde across the room. A ghost of a smile was playing at Fleur's lips as she ate, briefly shutting her eyes to savour the taste. Hermione had made sure she didn't sacrifice health for taste, selecting food with a healthy sauce on it.
'Good work, Granger,' Hermione thought to herself, 'You're nailing this baby-daddy thing.'
She momentarily cringed at using Ron's words, even just in her own thoughts.
She finished up her dinner, crossing the room and collecting Fleur's dishes before cleaning up in the kitchen.
"Merci," Fleur said quietly from the other side of the room.
It was quiet, but Hermione still caught the thanks, bringing a slight smile to her face.
Hermione poured a large glass of water for Fleur, now bringing her a mix of supplements and vitamins. The blonde nodded silently, taking them and washing them down with the water.
Hermione nodded, pleased.
"Okay, now just the anti-inflammatory for your leg," Hermione said, as Fleur put the glass down on her bedside table.
"Oh, I think I can do that myself," Fleur sniffed, looking away.
"Have you used it before?" Hermione asked, cocking an eyebrow, "Muggles use it all the time. I'm familiar. Plus, it's easier to have someone else rub it in."
"Fine," Fleur said with a slight frown, "But then you are leaving."
"Fine by me," Hermione shrugged, turning away to fish out the anti-inflammatory.
She glanced around the studio apartment some more. If Fleur came from money, why did she have such a small apartment? It was curious. The small dining table and chairs appeared modern and expensive. Her bed was covered in expensive looking white cotton sheets and a bedspread.
"I keep a small apartment because I travel so much for work," Fleur replied, as if reading Hermione's mind, "For many parts of the year I am living out of a suitcase."
"Oh," Hermione commented, turning back around to Fleur now she had the tube of gel in her hands.
Her breath caught in her throat.
Fleur was leaning back on her pillows expectantly. Her arms were folded tightly across her chest. She had disrobed to her underwear, although Hermione could not see much of her lacy bra from behind her arms.
The underwear, however, was sinfully skimpy. Hermione's eyes ran down Fleur's taut stomach, the lacy panties and her long toned thighs.
"Hermione," Fleur growled warningly.
"R-Right," Hermione said, recovering.
She twisted the lid off the tube in her hands and put some of the gel on her hands. She spread it over the knee and lower thigh of Fleur's injured leg.
"Get on with it," Fleur hurried her, looking thoroughly unimpressed. Whatever small win Hermione had achieved with dinner had disappeared as Fleur's mood soured once more.
"Yep," Hermione agreed, setting her expression to be as professional as possible. After all, she was just doing another task to look after Fleur and the baby, "Bear in mind that this is a type of heat gel."
She shuffled to sit on her knees on the bed, between Fleur's legs. Fleur raised her injured leg, allowing Hermione to grasp it. Hermione began to work at the muscles around Fleur's knee, apologising as the blonde winced.
After a while, Fleur sighed.
"Actually, that is feeling quite good now," Fleur sighed, shutting her eyes.
"It should," Hermione agreed, moving up to Fleur's thigh. She massaged carefully, watching Fleur's delicate facial features. She winced a little more before Hermione had worked the muscles well.
Hermione felt her cheeks burn as an involuntary moan escaped Fleur's mouth. She was suddenly taken back to the night of Grimmauld Place.
That night:
Hermione stumbled out to a balcony, desperate for some fresh air. Ginny and Luna had got carried away with the shots. They clearly had a much higher tolerance for alcohol than Hermione. They had disappeared to play beer pong while Hermione was left feeling like the room was tilting.
She walked over to the rails of the balcony, leaning over and gulping in cold air greedily.
"You okay, Hermione?" a male voice rumbled.
Hermione swung round clumsily, leaning her back on the railing.
Bill Weasley was standing in front of her, Fleur Delacour beside him. The two were joined at the hip, best friends since they had met at Gringotts.
Bill was looking exceedingly handsome. His hair was a little long, but stylishly fell around his face. He had a dusting of stubble across his chiselled jawline. He was wearing a white linen button-up shirt tucked into some tan chinos.
"You look beautiful, Bill," Hermione slurred. Bill chuckled loudly.
Fleur giggled. She was standing beside Bill, looking about as drunk as Hermione felt. Her long hair was loose and she was wearing a form fitting dress that came down to her mid thigh.
"You look beautiful, Fleur," Hermione grinned widely, her eyes moving to the Frenchwoman now.
Fleur smiled goofily, looking at the handsome redhead beside her.
"She said I look beautiful, Bill," Fleur said, nudging him.
Bill laughed.
"She said I look beautiful too, love!" Bill protested lightly. Fleur pouted, making puppy eyes at Bill before he sighed. "Fine, you're the one she thinks is beautiful, Fleur."
Fleur smiled widely.
Hermione wasn't sure she had noticed just how adorable Fleur Delacour could be. Hot, yes. Intimidating, yes. But Hermione had never seen her being cute before. It was a look that suited the blonde.
Bill turned around, his attentions drawn to a tall brunette man who had just walked past the doorway.
"Fleur, I love you babe, but I just saw that cute guy Eli walk past," Bill said, patting Fleur on the shoulder, "I'll track you down later."
Fleur just nodded, still looking at Hermione.
Neither said a thing as the redhead dashed off back into the house.
Hermione stepped forward, walking up to Fleur as the smile on her face grew.
"I've never seen you looking as cute as this," Hermione commented, stepping too close to Fleur. She stumbled and almost fell over. Fleur caught her in her arms, giggling.
"Haven't you?" Fleur smirked, cocking an eyebrow.
"There's that ego," Hermione slurred, grinning her head off.
"I don' have an ego," Fleur pouted playfully. Hermione placed a finger against Fleur's lips.
"Shh," Hermione silenced her, "You really do… But it's hot."
Fleur's eyes flashed with a look Hermione couldn't quite place. Before she could work it out, Fleur's lips were on hers, her hands pulling her closer by the waist. Hermione's hands tangled into Fleur's silky blonde hair as they stumbled through the doorway and into the hallway.
They crashed against a wall, Hermione pushing Fleur against it. The blonde made a moan of pleasure and Hermione took the opportunity to slip her tongue into Fleur's mouth. It felt divine. A type of intoxication far exceeding the alcohol running through Hermione's veins.
"Woah, Hermione!" Luna commented, as her and Ginny walked past them in the hallway.
Hermione momentarily broke the kiss, dazed. This gave Ginny and Luna an opportunity to see exactly who it was she had pinned to the wall. Ginny cracked up laughing.
"Who would've thought, huh?" Ginny giggled, "Didn't know you had it in you, Hermione!"
Hermione ignored her friends, taking Fleur's hand and leading the Veela down the hallway to her bedroom. Fleur's eyes didn't leave the brunette the entire time they slipped down the hallway, an excited smile on her face.
Present day:
Hermione's eyes snapped open. She had totally zoned out thinking about the drunken night at Grimmauld Place. Her hands were still massaging the blonde beauty's thigh and the blonde was biting back a pleasured whimper.
"Erm, sorry," Hermione said, drawing back her hands.
Fleur's eyes flickered open and a pretty blush bloomed in her cheeks. She averted her eyes and sat up straighter on the bed, pulling herself further away from Hermione. A look of embarrassment flitted across her features and Hermione wondered if her mind had been on similar topics.
"Goodnight," Fleur said abruptly.
"Uh…" Hermione stood up, not wanting to make the situation more awkward, "Okay."
She moved across the room and packed her things back into her satchel. Slinging it on her shoulder, she turned back to the blonde, who was still looking away.
"I'll stop by tomorrow night to help you with all this again," Hermione said.
"I don't need you to," Fleur replied icily.
"Who will do the anti-inflam—"
"I'll get Bill to," Fleur interrupted.
"Well, we should still catch up soon," Hermione pressed, hovering by the door, "I told you I want to be involved with all this."
"Fine," Fleur sighed, waving a hand dismissively at Hermione, "Come and see me in a few days."
Hermione nodded, bidding the blonde goodbye before stepping out of the apartment. She leaned her back against the closed door, sighing heavily. If anything, she had even more on her mind now.