Hermione was late for class, frantically looking about the room.
"Fleur, where is my satchel?" Hermione asked, pulling on a jean jacket over her white tee. She had already pulled on some black jeans and her converse and was otherwise ready to go.
"You haven't even looked at me this morning," Fleur grumbled, buttoning up a dress.
"Fleur—I'm serious, I'm never late! Where is it?" Hermione asked, falling to her hands and knees to peek under the bed. It was immaculate under there. No satchel to be seen.
"Is it because I am repulsive?" Fleur asked, frowning at her reflection and grabbing her stomach with both hands, "I am so enormous."
"Don't be ridiculous, Fleur," Hermione said, getting back to her feet and checking around her desk for the third time, "You look breathtaking. Merlin, if I can't find my satchel…"
"It's in your side of the wardrobe," Fleur replied, her frown fading as she began to brush her hair.
Hermione ran to the wardrobe, pulling the door open. She noticed that 'her side' was in fact half taken up by an overflow of Fleur's clothing. Her annoyance was paused as she saw her satchel on the floor of the wardrobe.
Hermione beamed with relief, yanking it out and pulling it on her shoulder. If she absolutely sprinted, she might be able to get to class on time.
She hurried across the room.
Fleur was near the door, still brushing her hair in front of the mirror.
"Okay-gotta-go-have-a-good-day" Hermione rushed, leaning forward without even thinking and pecking Fleur on the lips before hurrying out the door. Fleur paused, mild surprise on her face.
As Hermione shut the door behind her, she froze in the hallway realizing what she had just done.
"Oh… Merlin…" Hermione groaned. She leaned against the hallway wall, banging her head against it lightly.
It had been some weird force of habit. They had already fallen into such a domestic dynamic it had felt natural to kiss Fleur goodbye.
Hermione scrunched her eyes shut, cringing at what the blonde must be thinking. At least she hadn't snapped at Hermione. Not that she had given her time to.
Remembering how horrifically late for class she was, Hermione buried the awkwardness for now, sprinting down the hallway and stairs.
Hermione sat in her last class of the day, scratching away her notes.
It wasn't long until her final exams and she was getting a little anxious about how she was going to balance studying and looking after Fleur and the baby.
The class wrapped up and Hermione sighed, packing her parchment, quill and ink into her satchel.
"Hermione Granger, would you mind waiting around for a quick chat?" Professor Helios, the lecturer for the class, asked.
Hermione nodded, waiting as the other students filed out for the day. Hermione's mind was already on home. She wondered if Fleur was going to do more redecorating of their room.
"Hermione, I was wondering if you had given any thought to where you want to focus your career after your final exams," Helios asked.
"Isn't that getting a little ahead of myself?" Hermione asked, quirking a brow, "I'm sure many jobs are dependent on what type of marks you get in the final exams."
Helios chuckled.
"I think we both know you aren't going to struggle with getting exemplary marks," Helios said with a smile, "I have some colleagues from the Ministry who are already interested in taking you on when you are done with your studies. What kind of area would you like to work in?"
"Magical Creature policy," Hermione replied confidently, "It has always been an area of interest for me, but just recently I realized how much further we have to go in terms of protecting creatures and those with creature blood."
"You'd be a real asset there, Hermione," Helios said with a genuine smile, "One of my interested colleagues does work in that area. I'll be sure to reach out and let him know it is an area of interest for you."
"Thanks, Professor," Hermione smiled, nodding farewell.
She headed out the door and was on her way out of the campus when she was accosted by a familiar blonde and redhead.
"Hey, 'Mione," Luna greeted dreamily. Ginny and Luna fell into step with Hermione.
"Heard a certain blonde bombshell moved in with you," Ginny commented with a grin, "Things getting serious then?"
"God, Ron really needs to stop gossiping," Hermione groaned. Ginny elbowed her.
"Or you just need to get more into gossiping yourself," Ginny smiled, "So seriously… What is going on with Fleur?"
"What makes you think anything could be going on with Fleur?" Hermione asked defensively.
"The fact she is carrying your child is a good start," Luna replied, "There was obviously chemistry there at some point. Now you're living together… Well… It would only be a matter of time, right?"
"Oh… Hush…" Hermione bumbled, grimacing.
Ginny exchanged an amused look with Luna.
"I detect a 'Hermione freakout'…" Ginny grinned widely, "Something happened already, didn't it?"
"Barely anything," Hermione mumbled, blushing.
"That means something," Luna nodded at Ginny.
"I kissed her, okay?!" Hermione yelped, "I was in a rush, running out the door, and I did it without even thinking."
"Aww, Hermione," Luna said, "You are so sweet!"
Hermione frowned.
"Stop it!" Hermione whined, embarrassed and blushing.
Luna and Ginny giggled at the expense of their embarrassed friend.
"You're quite cute when you're all embarrassed over a girl," Ginny commented, "I've never seen this side of you before Fleur and Amelie!"
"Yeah, well, at least Amelie never made me feel terrified," Hermione said, rubbing the back of her neck, "Have you ever seen a pissed off Veela before?"
"Was she quite angry when you kissed her?" Luna asked, cocking her head to one side.
"I… er… I don't know…" Hermione admitted, "It all happened so fast… I realized once I was already out the door."
"Ohhh… Hermione!" both Hermione's friends groaned in unison.
"What?!" Hermione exclaimed defensively, "I was late for class!"
"Typical," Ginny scoffed, "Well… As long as you bring it up and don't just do that Hermione thing of avoiding talking about feelings."
"Whatever," Hermione said brusquely, "I need to get home."
"To talk?" Luna suggested.
Hermione sighed heavily.
"One day one of you will get tangled up with someone and then I can repay the favour for all this needling me," Hermione said, rolling her eyes at her friends, "See you around."
She apparated on the spot, waving goodbye to her tiresome friends. They were great, but Merlin they knew how to get under her skin.
She landed on the doorstep of Grimmauld Place, cringing a little as she opened the door. She wondered if Fleur would be mad at her.
"Hermione!" Ron greeted, coming over to see her at the door.
"Er, hello?" Hermione greeted, confused that he would meet her at the door as she arrived.
"Look at this place!" Ron exclaimed, gesturing around wildly.
Hermione stepped in, her jaw slackening at the huge makeover that Grimmauld Place had undertaken.
Wooden floors were exposed and polished. Furniture had either been reupholstered or replaced. Rugs had been cleaned impeccably and curtains replaced. Grimmauld Place had gone from looking like a derelict grand house to… Well, just a grand house. It was fashionable and clean… There was even natural light! There were many tasteful vases full of flowers. Plants littered the room, brightening up the once dark interior.
"I think it looks quite good," Harry said. He was standing in the middle of the living room, scratching his head as he looked around, "If a bit girly."
"Quite good?!" Ron exclaimed, looking around in shock, "What happened to the muddy patch in the rug from the night I scored our prizewinning goal at Quidditch?! Memories! Totally erased!"
"Well, more of the Black family memories erased too, which is a good thing," Harry shrugged, "Now I feel like I can just remember Sirius for who he was, not his messed up family."
"Mate, are you serious?" Ron intoned in disbelief, "Aren't you even concerned about where our Quidditch gear is? It's always leaning against the wall by the door."
"It is in the hallway closet," Fleur announced silkily, gliding into the room, "Where it should be. You should also consider cleaning your things. They are caked in mud."
"O-OH," Ron stammered, surprised by the intimidating blonde, "Er, thanks, Fleur. Looks lovely in here."
"I thought I agreed to let you redecorate my room," Hermione commented, smiling at Fleur, "Not the entire house?"
"I got home from work early," Fleur shrugged, "Hermione, my parents wanted to catch up with us. Could we call them from our room?"
"Sure," Hermione replied, following the blonde as she swept off again.
"Bloody cozy, aren't they?" Ron muttered as they left.
Hermione followed Fleur up the stairs and to their room, trying not to stare at Fleur's long, toned legs in front of her.
When they got in the room, Hermione noticed that the once-bare walls now had some tasteful art hanging from the walls. Fleur had evidently been quite busy with her interior design.
Fleur sat on the edge of the bed.
Hermione bit her lip, surmising that Fleur wasn't going to bring up the kissing faux pas at all. She came and sat beside the blonde, pulling out her phone and quickly video calling Alexandre. Fleur looked fascinated, but quickly set her face to neutral.
"Hello Hermione! Hello my darling Fleur!" Alexandre greeted regally as his face appeared on the screen of the phone. Hermione was holding the phone out so he could see them both, but Fleur still shuffled closer to her to be in the picture.
"Alexandre?" Apolline's voice sounded in the background, asking a question in French.
Alexandre laughed jovially.
"No, no, dear, this is not a photo I am talking to," Alexandre said, wiggling the phone a little, "I am video chatting on the phone like I told you about."
"Ooh!" Apolline's face appeared on screen, practically shunting Alexandre out of the way, "Hello, girls!"
"Hello Maman," Fleur greeted.
"How are you girls?" Apolline greeted, "I was glad to hear the scan went so well! It just goes to show sleeping with your woman does you the world of good!"
Fleur scoffed and rolled her eyes. Hermione smiled politely.
"I am well," Fleur replied, "I have moved in with Hermione so I have been busy making her place look presentable."
It was Hermione's turn to scoff and roll her eyes. Fleur's parents looked amused.
"How are you, Hermione?" Alexandre asked, "Well, I hope!"
"Well, yes," Hermione replied, "I'm heading towards my final course exams, which is stressful but exciting. There is something weird happening with my magic though. Spells I cast are far too strong."
"Maman!" Apolline shouted suddenly, startling Hermione and Fleur.
Cassandra's face appeared, wedging herself between Alexandre and Apolline.
"Salut, girls," Cassandra greeted with her usual hypnotic smile, "What is going on?"
"Hermione's magic is suddenly too strong," Apolline explained, exchanging meaningful glances with Alexandre.
"Oh!" Cassandra grinned proudly, as if Hermione had announced some exciting news to the group.
"Erm… Is there something I am missing here?" Hermione asked, confused. Fleur had stiffened beside her and was incredibly quiet.
Cassandra smiled reassuringly.
"It is not for us to say, child," Cassandra cooed, "It is for Fleur to tell you in her own time. Ah, Fleur, I am so proud of you. I always knew the blood bloomed strongly within you! A quarter-Veela having this happen, can you believe it Apolline?"
Apolline clapped her hands together, looking positively gleeful.
"Just tell her, Fleur!" Apolline encouraged.
"I'm only a quarter-Veela," Fleur snapped, "None of this Veela drama applies to me!"
"It isn't drama," Cassandra hissed, her facial features growing distinctly more avian and her eyes silvery, "You cannot run from your blood, Fleur."
Fleur paled, looking very much afraid of further angering her grandmother.
"Erm, I think the connection here is bad…" Fleur blurted, before swiping the phone out of Hermione's hands and pressing the large red hang-up button.
"Fleur!" Hermione admonished, "They were just trying to get you to be less self-conscious about your Veela blood! And what is it Cassandra said you will be telling me?"
Fleur looked caught, her azure eyes roaming everywhere around the room except for Hermione.
"I'm more self-conscious about my pot belly," Fleur said suddenly, semi-changing the subject. Hermione put her hand on Fleur's protruding stomach.
"Fleur, it isn't a pot belly, it is a pregnancy belly," Hermione assured, "And either way you still look stunning."
"You still think I am attractive?" Fleur asked neutrally.
Hermione felt the tips of her ears burn.
"Er, yeah, very," Hermione admitted. If Cassandra could see her and her Gryffindor bravery now, there was no way the Veela could accuse her of not being bold.
Fleur was still sitting very close to her and it was taking all of Hermione's inner nerve not to be thrown by the close proximity. Fleur was frowning and Hermione could tell the blonde's temper was about to flare again. Hermione had half a mind to call Fleur's family back and make them suffer the hormonal Veela they had upset.
"I don't know why everyone is always focusing on me and my pitfalls," Fleur grumbled, "I'm not the only one with problems."
"I know, Fleur," Hermione said dutifully, hoping to placate the blonde.
"You're self-conscious too!" Fleur shot back, "You still can't even get changed if I'm looking!"
"I…" Hermione was flustered by the sudden attention on her flaws, "Thi-this isn't about me."
"Why must I be the one constantly poked and prodded and under the microscope?" Fleur complained, "Why are you never the one that has to work on themselves and undergo constant assessments?"
"Uh…" Hermione didn't know what to say, "I'm sorry you feel like that."
"Why don't you trust me to see the scars?" Fleur continued her rage, "I've seen them before, the night we made love. I've seen them fresh, when I nursed you back to health at Shell Cottage? Must you treat me like some dangerous creature that might tear you to shreds at any moment?!"
Hermione's jaw fell open. She had no idea that Fleur had felt that way.
"I… I don't think like that…" Hermione said slowly, "I don't think you will hurt me! My scars are my hang up. I don't know why I feel so self-conscious about them. Enough people have seen the Mudblood one on my arm, I should be fine with people seeing the entirety of them."
Fleur seemed to have got her venting out of her system, her eyes still stormy but her face more relaxed.
"I just want you to trust me," Fleur said softly, "It is hard for me to have to work on trusting you, when I don't see you reciprocating that."
Hermione bit her lip. She stood up from the bed and took her denim jacket off.
"What are you doing?" Fleur asked, watching Hermione.
"Getting changed before we head down for dinner," Hermione replied, "I just happen to feel like getting into something more comfortable."
She bit her lip and took a deep breath.
"Hermione, you don't have to—"
"I want to," Hermione silenced the blonde.
Summoning all of her Gryffindor courage, Hermione pulled her tee up and over her head. Before she could chicken out, she tossed her tee down on the floor. She undid her jeans and shoes and took them off.
She had scrunched her eyes shut with anxiety, but opened them to see Fleur's reaction. Fleur's eyes had widened slightly, but she didn't look disgusted or horrified as Hermione had feared.
Hermione looked down at her body. White scars tattooed her body. Bellatrix had really gone crazy with her cursed blade at Malfoy Manor.
Hermione hated it, but there was nothing she could do about it.
"You look… magnifique," Fleur said softly. Her eyes were roaming Hermione's underwear clad body. Hermione wondered if she was imagining a kind of hunger in Fleur's eyes. Surely…
"You don't… You don't have anything else to say?" Hermione couldn't believe that after all her anxiety, Fleur wasn't even shocked to see the scars.
"Well," Fleur looked awkward, like she didn't quite want to say what she was thinking.
Hermione's stomach dropped.
"Yeah?"
"Well… I did just clean the room," Fleur said slowly, "So if you could clean up those clothes you tossed on the floor…"
Hermione snorted, pleasantly surprised at the blonde's comment. It felt like a weight she had been carrying for years had fallen off her shoulders.
Hermione picked up her clothes, putting them away in her wardrobe. She wondered if it was too soon after Fleur's temper flare to bring up how much wardrobe space the blonde was taking up. Deciding not to tempt fate, Hermione just took out a long-sleeved tee and sweatpants, putting them on.
She turned back to Fleur, who was now standing by the door.
"Are you going to tell me what Cassandra was talking about?" Hermione asked.
Fleur bit her lip.
"We're late for dinner," Fleur said quickly, "We don't want to keep Harry and Ron waiting."
Without another word, she swept out the door.
Hermione sighed. At least Fleur hadn't brought up the kiss from the morning.