Hermione pulled on a denim shirt over her black jeans.
It was the morning after the party and she had woken up snugly cuddling Fleur as usual. But it was nicer than usual, knowing that Fleur was just as content with her.
Now they were getting changed for the day. Fleur wanted to go and look at baby clothes. Hermione was excited at the prospect. It just made the whole situation seem even more real.
Fleur was dressed in a loose dress and was tying up her hair in a loose bun.
"Can we have breakfast before we go?" Hermione asked.
Fleur nodded and they headed out the door. Hermione found her hand drifting to rest in the small of Fleur's back. It was as if each day went on, she grew more protective of the blonde.
They stepped down the stairs and into the living room. Fleur stopped to look curiously at a bundle of blankets on one of the couches.
"Oh, Ginny stays here all the time," Hermione said dismissively, "She usually just crashes on the couch after a party."
"Sophie?" Fleur asked, raising her eyebrows.
Hermione's eyes widened as she looked closer. Rugged up together under a fluffy blanket was Ginny and Fleur's friend Sophie, both in stages of undress.
Ginny looked mortified at being caught, her face turning beet red. Sophie, on the other hand, looked like the cat that had got the cream. Hermione noticed several lovebites on Ginny's neck.
There was creaking on the staircase behind them and Hermione barely restrained a laugh at Ginny's expense as Ron clapped eyes on his sister cosied up with the part-Veela on the couch.
"What the bloody hell?!" Ron exclaimed, his mouth hanging open, "What—Fleur's friend—Huh?! I thought you were into me?! You even made that comment about redheads last night!"
"About redheads being more passionate?" Sophie drawled, running a finger down Ginny's shoulder, "Mm, that was directed at your sister here… And I was correct in my assumptions."
If it was possible for Ginny to get redder, it happened.
Hermione smirked. It appeared that Sophie had succeeded in seducing the youngest Weasley the previous evening. Hermione had no idea that Ginny was even interested in women. But then, Hermione supposed, she herself hadn't considered herself that way inclined until she had a part-Veela in her arms either.
"Eurgh!" Ron groaned, pushing past Hermione in disgust and storming through to the kitchen. Hermione chuckled, pulling a surprised Fleur along with her to give Ginny some much needed privacy to pull herself together.
Hermione took a seat across the table from Fleur. She loved admiring the beauty of the part-Veela in the morning light.
Ron sat down next to Fleur putting a plate of toast down on the table with a range of spreads.
"I cannot bloody believe this," Ron grumbled, "I was convinced I was in there!"
"Better luck next time, Ron," Hermione said with slight sympathy. She couldn't feel too bad for the boy after all the teasing she had endured after her own drunken tryst.
Sophie entered the kitchen, wearing her form fitting dress from the evening before. She flipped her hair over her shoulder, looking preened to perfection. Ginny skulked in behind her, looking extremely sheepish. Sophie took a seat beside Fleur and Ginny took a seat beside Hermione.
"Nice hickeys, Gin," Hermione teased, "Hope you used protection."
"Oh, I bet you're enjoying this," Ginny muttered darkly, blushing.
"You bet I am," Hermione smirked, beginning to butter her toast.
Ron was scowling again, buttering his toast with a jealous viciousness.
The door opened again and Harry entered with Luna. Both of them had thoroughly tousled hair.
"Well, well," Hermione commented gleefully, "Where did you two come from?"
Harry and Luna blushed. Hermione was loving this morning even more. Finally, everyone else was in the same situation she had been at the start of all this.
"Luna?!" Ginny exclaimed, "You and… Harry?!"
Luna looked as sheepish as Ginny had mere moments earlier.
"Luna and Harry what?" Ron asked, narrowing his eyes in confusion.
"Gin, you and Harry haven't dated in years," Luna said cautiously. Ron's jaw dropped open as he realized what had happened.
"Harry, you slept with Luna last night?!" Ron bellowed, dropping his toast.
"Oi, keep it down, mate," Harry groaned massaging his temples as he sat down at the table, "I'm a little hungover."
"Bloody hell, did everyone hook up last night except for me?" Ron cursed.
The table began to squabble with each other as Hermione once again turned her attentions to Fleur. The blonde was diplomatically staying out of the heated discussion, instead talking in French with Sophie.
Hermione couldn't quite believe she was the blonde's mate. Fleur had always been the definition of unattainable. A distant ice queen. But she had always been beautiful. She looked even more beautiful now she was with child. She was practically glowing. Hermione admired her bright complexion and shimmering sapphire eyes. She seemed quite content this morning. Hermione's eyes drifted to Fleur's plump pink lips. They felt so good on Hermione's… Hermione could remember how good they felt in other places too, and felt a pang deep in her stomach. Her eyes then travelled down Fleur's slender neck and delicate collarbones to her chest. Hermione's eyes widened slightly. Pregnancy was really making Fleur's breasts increase in size. Hermione couldn't quite take her eyes off the cleavage across the table from her. She felt herself throb uncomfortably.
"Hermione?" Ron asked.
"Ron, she's too busy staring at Fleur's tits," Ginny commented loudly.
Hermione blushed, wrenching her gaze from Fleur's chest.
Fleur was looking at her now, quirking an eyebrow.
"I… I was not…" Hermione mumbled, feeling her face burn, "I was just… Noticing pregnancy changes!"
She shot Ginny a withering look.
"Ginny is a breast woman too," Sophie told Hermione across the table with a wink.
"Sophie!" Ginny gasped, blushing. Hermione snickered.
"Really?" Fleur raised her eyebrows, "Hermione is more—"
"Fleur! We should get going if we want to hit the shops," Hermione interrupted, pushing her chair out as she stood up suddenly.
Fleur smirked, amused. The blonde really knew how to push her buttons. Hermione shot her a thoroughly unimpressed look as they excused themselves from the table and exited the kitchen. They could hear lively discussion break out at the table again.
"So you like the changes my body is undergoing with pregnancy?" Fleur asked playfully, taking Hermione's arm.
"Er," Hermione swallowed heavily, blushing.
"I didn't know that Ginny was interested in women," Fleur commented, taking pity on Hermione and changing the subject.
Hermione shrugged as they walked outside and began to walk to a nearby bus stop.
"I didn't know I was either," Hermione commented.
"What?" Fleur was surprised, "But you flirted with me that night!"
"Well… I mean… I'd always noticed how attractive you were," Hermione said sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck, "You've always had a real grace and elegance about you too. Plus, the cold arrogance was always kind of hot."
"Cold arrogance?!" Fleur spluttered.
Hermione took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"Well… That was my impression of you," Hermione said with a small smile, "Now I know you're secretly quite sweet."
Fleur frowned as the bus drew up.
Hermione didn't really like the large purple Knight Bus. But with Fleur in her second trimester, it really wasn't appropriate for her to be apparating anywhere. They had only just managed to clamber into the back seat of the bus when it lurched off at breakneck speed. Hermione had to grab the seat in front of her to steady herself.
"I hope you are prepared to shop all day," Fleur said with a coy smile, "I absolutely love shopping."
"Ohh… What have I got myself into?" Hermione began to complain as the bus jolted around a corner suddenly. Fleur and Hermione tumbled across the back seat, suddenly wishing they had opted to stand and cling to a handrail instead.
Hermione felt Fleur beneath her and raised herself up on her hands, afraid of hurting the pregnant woman. The bus lurched again and Hermione stumbled, finding her face buried in Fleur's cleavage.
She blushed as Fleur made a noise of surprise.
Hermione pulled herself off the blonde, helping Fleur up too.
"Err, sorry about that," Hermione mumbled, still red. She was embarrassed at how turned on she had got from just a short incident.
"My, you do like them," Fleur commented smugly, teasing Hermione.
The bus jerked again, wrenching onto Diagon Alley. Fleur tumbled forward, caught off-guard as she had been busy teasing the brunette. She stumbled face first into Hermione's crotch.
"Well… If you could keep yourself from drifting to my nether regions, I think we've arrived," Hermione smirked.
"Oh, shut up," Fleur grumbled, straightening up and getting off the bus. Hermione followed her, chuckling. Despite her mirth at Fleur's instant karma, it hadn't escaped her notice how good it had felt to have the blonde's face down between her thighs.
"So, where do you want to go?" Hermione asked, changing the subject.
Fleur's eyes had lit up already, eying up all the shops.
"Well, Diagon Alley is an okay start," Fleur mused, tapping her chin, "But the real baby clothes district is over on Pringle Terrace."
"Sure, we can head there after here," Hermione nodded, following Fleur into the first clothes shop on Diagon.
As soon as they walked in, Hermione's eye was caught by some baby clothes themed like Hogwarts classes.
"Ohhhh that is so adorable!" Hermione grinned, picking up a scarlet and gold onesie. The front read mum's little lion.
She put it down, then seeing another one with an all over print of a cartoon Gryffindor lion.
"Fleur, this one is so cute! It even has little feet on it!" Hermione exclaimed, turning around. Her jaw dropped immediately at the humungous pile of clothes in Fleur's arms.
"Can we get them all?" Fleur asked, her face obscured by the sheer bulk of clothing in her arms.
"How did… How did you even find so many clothes so fast?" Hermione asked in shock.
"I have an eye for a good item," Fleur drawled proudly from behind the mountain of clothes.
"Fleur, this is the first shop, for Pete's sake!" Hermione groaned, "There is no way you're getting more than two of those."
Fleur dropped the mountain of clothes on the floor sulkily.
"Hermione!" Fleur pouted, "Don't you love our baby?"
Hermione stepped towards Fleur, climbing carefully over the pile of clothes. She took Fleur's hand and pulled her close.
"Of course I love our baby, my melodramatic Veela," Hermione smiled, amused, "Look, I'll let you get three if you stop sulking."
Fleur beamed, instantly picking through the mountain of clothing to sift out her favourite three outfits.
"Wow, I don't think I've ever seen anyone tame Fleur's temper that fast," a familiar voice rang out.
Fleur and Hermione looked up to see Bill Weasley striding towards them, a couple of ties in his hands.
"Bill!" Fleur exclaimed happily, running to hug her best friend.
Hermione held back, a little wary of Bill's influence on Fleur.
"So this is what you've been doing with all your spare time instead of hanging out with me," Bill commented, eying Hermione and the baby clothes in her hands.
Fleur bit her lip, looking a little guilty.
"I'm sorry," Fleur smiled at Bill apologetically, "You can tag along with us if you like?"
Hermione restrained herself from vocally vetoing the option. He was Fleur's best friend after all. But he could be toxic sometimes, and Hermione didn't like how that rubbed off on Fleur. It didn't help the blonde's hang ups on being part-creature. It especially didn't help any self consciousness around Fleur giving things a go with Hermione.
"Sure," Bill beamed.
Hermione rolled her eyes, trying not to groan.
They finished up at the Diagon Alley shop, purchasing the two Gryffindor themed outfits and three of Fleur's stylish options from the mountain of clothes she had liked.
Hermione carried the shopping bag as she walked alongside Fleur and Bill to Pringle Terrace.
Bill and Fleur looked like they could be a couple from a magazine. Bill was handsome, long red hair tied up into a bun and an attractive short beard of bristles. He was dressed casually, unlike how Hermione had seen him around Gringotts, with a leather jacket, jeans and a fang earring in one ear. The long scars down the side of his face somehow made him even more attractive, adding an edginess to him that had not previously been there.
"So, love, been up to anything interesting this weekend?" Bill asked, looping his arm through Fleur's.
"Oh, oui! The Beauxbatons girls were in town last night and came to a party at Grimmauld Place," Fleur gushed, "It was amazing getting to catch up with them. Do you remember me telling you about Sophie? You'll never guess who she slept with last night!"
"Oh, the other—" Bill lowered his voice and looked around uncomfortably, "part-Veela one? Who did she get with?"
Fleur seemed unfazed by Bill's hushed tones when referencing Sophie's Veela blood. Hermione found herself narrowing her eyes at Bill.
"She slept with your sister!" Fleur exclaimed, "I never would have picked Ginny for being interested in women!"
"No kidding," Bill chuckled, "If I had to put money on a Weasley other than me being gay, Ginny definitely would have been my pick."
"So why didn't you come, mon ami?" Fleur asked curiously, "I did invite you. You could have met my old school friends."
"I figured you would be too busy playing house with her," Bill said, nodding his head in Hermione's direction, "Which sounded like a bit of a snoozefest if I'm going to be completely honest with you, darling."
Hermione rolled her eyes again. Bill really could be a bitch when he wanted to. Still, he was Fleur's friend. Hermione had to let it go.
Hermione exhaled heavily, continuing to walk alongside the best friends in dutiful silence.
Bill fumbled with his leather jacket, taking out a cigarette and lighter and sparking up.
"Bill! Fleur's pregnant!" Hermione screeched, swatting the cigarette out of Bill's hands, "You shouldn't smoke around a pregnant woman!"
"Oi! Fleur, call your little nerd off, will ya?" Bill growled.
"Don't call her that, Bill," Fleur frowned, "Hermione is correct anyway. Cigarette smoke isn't good for a growing baby."
They stopped walking and Bill went bright red. Hermione recognized the look a mile away. She had seen it many, many times on Ron. Plus a few times on Ginny. The infamous Weasley temper was about to blow.
"So now you're taking her side?" Bill snapped, "You used to take my side without question! We used to spend all our time out of work having wine and gossiping!"
"Bill, I can hardly go for after work wines when I'm pregnant," Fleur sighed. She was growing impatient with her temperamental friend. Hermione felt herself becoming more protective.
"Yeah, and whose fault was that?" Bill muttered darkly, "Brightest witch of her age doesn't know to use contraception with a Veela? I'm almost starting to suspect she did it on purpose to lock you down."
Hermione narrowed her eyes, biting the inside of her cheek to stop herself from snapping back at Bill.
"Bill," Fleur said slowly, "I know you're frustrated I have a little less time for you now I'm pregnant. But I need you to be supportive."
"I know," Bill said, shrugging, "It must be hard for you. I mean being part-Veela in this society and being knocked up by a woman? I can only imagine how self-conscious you must be feeling."
Hermione took Fleur's hand, squeezing tightly.
"Bill, I think it would be best if you stuck to more positive conversation topics," Hermione said, struggling to keep her voice even.
Bill glared at Hermione, before his eyes flicked down to see Hermione holding hands with Fleur. He snorted contemptuously.
"Really, Fleur?" Bill said, a bite to his voice, "You could do sooo much better, darling. It was bad enough you shagged her."
Fleur's eyes narrowed. It seemed Bill had finally hit the limit of Fleur's patience for him. She opened her mouth to retort, but Hermione snapped first.
"God, Bill, you can be such a fucking bitch!" Hermione snarled, "You're supposed to be her best friend. Try acting like it!"
Bill looked affronted, turning to Fleur.
"Babe, are you really going to let her talk to me like that?" Bill asked Fleur, outraged.
Fleur glared at Bill.
"You are being quite unfair, Bill," Fleur said crossly, "I really wish you could just be supportive."
"Really?" Bill shot back, "I am. I'm considering your image, babe!"
"Stop it!" Hermione barked, stepping between Bill and Fleur, "Stop getting in her head with your own goddamn insecurities!"
Bill raised his eyebrows, looking at Fleur. Fleur kept holding Hermione's hand and nodded her agreement.
"Fine!" Bill exploded, before storming off.
Hermione and Fleur were left holding hands, watching the handsome redhead stomp off down the street.
"The Weasleys can have such terrible tempers, can't they?" Hermione sighed, turning to Fleur.
Fleur didn't respond, hooking a hand behind Hermione's head and pulled her in for a passionate kiss. Hermione gave a little 'eep' of surprise before melting into the kiss. She ran her hands down Fleur's back before tightly holding the blonde around her waist.
Fleur's tongue had slipped into Hermione's mouth and the brunette felt her stomach flip pleasantly.
'Wow, if only Cassandra had told me to be bolder earlier…' Hermione thought to herself.
Hermione broke the kiss eventually, a glazed smile on her face.
"Er, what was that for?" Hermione asked. Not that she was complaining. Having Fleur held tightly in her arms kissing the life out of her was sublime.
"I like it when you get all protective of me and the baby," Fleur said quietly, a slight blush creeping across her face.
Hermione rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly.
"I can't quite help it," Hermione replied.
Fleur and Hermione resumed their walk down the street. Hermione noticed that Fleur was still holding her hand and smiled wider, quite content.
It was late when Hermione finally got home with Fleur. Even with bag expanding charms, her arms were stuffed full off shopping bags.
Fleur, for her part, was only holding one small bag. She flipped her platinum hair and walked in ahead of the brunette, her heels clicking on the hardwood floors of Grimmauld Place. Hermione wasn't complaining though.
It warmed her heart to see how much the blonde had cheered up. That and Hermione really didn't mind the view when walking behind Fleur.
Fleur turned around, noting Hermione's eyes looking at her ass again. She gave the brunette a sultry wink.
Hermione blushed, feeling a pleasant warmth rush through her at Fleur's flirty nature.
"Er, I'll take the shopping upstairs," Hermione said bashfully. She took Fleur's bag off her and then leapt up the stairs and back.
When she came back downstairs, Fleur was frowning and taking her heels off.
"Feet sore?" Hermione asked, arching an eyebrow, "You're probably getting a little far along to be wearing such high heels."
"Are you calling me heavy?" Fleur asked dangerously, her eyes narrowing.
"Er—of course not!" Hermione hastily backtracked, "Here, let me give you a massage."
Hermione sat at the other end of the couch Fleur was on, gesturing for the blonde to put her feet in her lap. Fleur looked a little reluctant at first but relented.
Hermione didn't waste anymore time, firmly massaging the arch of Fleur's first foot. Fleur looked like she was about to say something but suddenly let out an involuntary moan, her eyes flickering shut contentedly.
Hermione felt a heat rush through her as her mind turned to far more inventive ways to make Fleur moan.
"You two are quite cosy, non?"
Hermione looked up and Fleur's eyes opened, both noticing they were no longer alone. Sophie was sitting across from them on the other couch, her legs crossed primly.
"Oh! You're still here!" Hermione exclaimed. She went back to massaging Fleur's sore feet.
"Oui, I have been spending some time with your friends Harry and Ron," Sophie beamed, cocking her head to one side, "Ginny said she had to pop out to run a couple of errands but would be right back… Although that was some time ago…"
Sophie frowned a little as she realized the time. Fleur looked like she felt a little bad for her friend.
"Did she say anything- Ohhh Merde, don't stop Hermione!" Fleur's train of thought was cut off as Hermione hit a particularly sensitive spot while massaging. Hermione blushed to the roots of her hair at the sound of pure pleasure she had elicited from the blonde.
Sophie noticed Hermione's blush and chuckled.
"Should I be giving you two some alone time?" Sophie teased.
Fleur, having regained her senses, frowned at her friend's teasing.
"Don't be so—God! Harder, Hermione!" Fleur whimpered, her eyes shutting.
The kitchen door flung open and Ron bowled in, eyes wide. His eyes caught sight of the girls on the couches and his shoulders slumped slightly.
"Oh, you're just giving her a massage," Ron groaned, disappointed, "Say, Sophie, if Ginny never comes back, I could always take you out to dinner?"
"Or you could have dinner with us all," Hermione offered, still massaging Fleur. She'd finished massaging Fleur's feet now and her hands had drifted to massaging Fleur's ankles and slender calves.
She had to remind herself that she was in front of others, and stilled her hands. When she looked up at Fleur's face, the blonde's eyes were glazed. Hermione felt her heart beat hard in her chest. It really did seem like she was winning the blonde over more and more.
"Erm, thanks," Fleur withdrew her legs from Hermione's lap a little self-consciously, "I might go upstairs and take a shower before dinner."
Hermione nodded dumbly, not trusting herself to say anything intelligible after the way Fleur had looked at her.
As Fleur left the room, Ron hoisted himself over the back of the couch, landing beside Hermione.
"I haven't decided what to cook us all for dinner tonight," Ron said, before wiggling his eyebrows at Sophie, "I am quite good at cooking, you see."
Hermione groaned.
"Well, as insufferable as he is being, he actually is quite a good cook," Hermione admitted to Sophie.
"I could cook us up some French cuisine," Ron offered, propping his hands up behind his head.
"Maybe," Sophie said, a little uncertain, "So how did the conversation with Fleur go last night?"
"Fantastic, thanks, Sophie," Hermione grinned, "I think for once we're finally on the same page."
"Oh that is so good to hear," Sophie smiled good-naturedly, "And today went well?"
"Yeah… Well, mostly," Hermione shrugged, "We went shopping for baby stuff but Fleur had a bit of a tiff with her best friend. Ron, you wouldn't mind having a word to Bill about being more supportive, would you?"
Ron looked like he was about to whine before he looked at Sophie again. He smoothed back his hair and grinned with exaggerated graciousness.
"Well, of course, Hermione," Ron said theatrically, "You know I do anything for my loved ones."
Hermione rolled her eyes.
She was saved from further Ron antics by her phone ringing. She looked at the screen. Alexandre.
"Hello?" Hermione answered, getting up and walking to another room.
"Salut, Hermione," Alexandre greeted cheerfully, "We were just wondering how you and our Fleur are going after our last conversation. Has Fleur talked to you about what Cassandra alluded to?"
"Yes, she explained that I am most likely her mate," Hermione replied, "As well as the fact that it does not mean I cannot love anyone else, but it does mean I am her one shot at love. She seemed quite stressed about it."
Hermione heard Alexandre laugh on the other end of the line.
"She has always been very cautious with her heart," Alexandre said gently, "I just hope you will treat her carefully. I do worry about my Fleur."
"Of course I will, sir," Hermione assured, "I care a great deal about keeping Fleur and the baby safe and happy."
"I trust you, Hermione," Alexandre said. Hermione could hear a smile in his voice, "You are a good woman. Now, to the reason for my phone-call. Apolline and I were thinking it might make a nice birthday surprise if we were to come to visit Fleur. We would even bring Gabrielle and Cassandra with us. Do you think that Fleur would like that for her birthday? I have tried to get a read from her over the phone… But you know how veiled Fleur can be."
"Do I ever," Hermione chuckled, "Wait! It's Fleur's birthday soon?!"
Alexandre laughed.
"Oh, I should have known. How very like her to keep that to herself," Alexandre replied, "Yes, her birthday is on Thursday next week. Now, if I can just get all the paperwork for Cassandra, Apolline and Gabrielle in order for the Department of Magical Creatures there… We should be able to arrive Thursday afternoon. That would make good timing for a surprise, non?"
"Absolutely," Hermione responded, her mind already whirring.
"Magnifique! Well, I will not keep you any longer," Alexandre replied jovially, "I will message you with any details. Au revoir, Hermione!"
"Bye!" Hermione hung up, staring blankly at the screen of her phone.
A birthday.
Fleur's birthday.
What on Earth is an appropriate gift for 'someone you like, who likes you back, who is carrying your child and you also kiss sometimes'?
Hermione groaned. She had a horrible feeling her brains wouldn't be much use with this challenge.