A/N: Hey guys, the laptop has been holding up a little better, thank goodness! As always, living for your reviews. One of you commented that they'd noticed I never show Hermione or Fleur showering so, just for you, there is a shower scene in this chapter ;)
Let me know if I'm doing well, badly or just meh- I'm trying to improve my writing over time :)
Hermione stood on the steps of Gringotts, despondent.
It had been some time and Fleur had successfully dodged every attempt for Hermione to explain herself about the Amelie situation. Of course, she remained furious, as evidenced by the fact Hermione had to pick her clothes out of the rose bushes underneath their window that morning.
Pregnancy hormones and a part-Veela definitely were not something to trifle with.
Hermione could throttle Bill.
The worst thing was that now her final exams were over and she was waiting to hear back about her job, there was absolutely nothing to distract her from the frustration of things being terrible with Fleur.
Hermione kicked at the marble steps, irritated.
She was waiting for Fleur to finish work so they could go to another pregnancy check up with Dr Fantail. Fleur hadn't invited her, of course, still livid with the brunette. But Hermione was not about to miss a check up to make sure Fleur and the baby were okay.
"Trouble in paradise?" the familiar voice of Ginny rang out.
Hermione glanced up and saw the athletic redhead bounding over to her.
"Hey, Gin," Hermione greeted glumly.
She hadn't caught up with Ginny for a while, but wasn't thrilled about seeing her while she was awaiting the latest tense showdown with Angry Fleur.
"Ron told me that Fleur has been a bit temperamental with you lately," Ginny said, cocking her head to one side sympathetically.
"'Temperamental' is an understatement," Hermione replied darkly, "Try 'extremely hormonal and out for blood.' I can't wait 'til this pregnancy is over."
"Oh, well I suppose that's what you get for shacking up with a pregnant Veela," Ginny shrugged, "Speaking of Veela… I haven't really caught up with you since the Sophie thing."
"Oh, yeah," Hermione replied in interest, finally distracted from her own relationship woes, "Fleur said she had gone back to France so I assumed nothing more had happened."
Hermione had been meaning to talk to Ginny about it all. She'd worried that Ginny wouldn't be dealing with the sudden epiphany.
"Well… Nothing more happened with her…" Ginny said shyly, rubbing the back of her neck, "But I have started seeing a woman… One we both know…"
"Luna?!" Hermione asked excitedly. She had long suspected there was some kind of sexual tension between the two friends.
"No!" Ginny yelped, "Why does everyone always guess Luna?! Anyway, promise me you won't be upset?"
"Honestly, unless it was Fleur, it won't make me upset," Hermione said genuinely.
"Oh, well, good," Ginny said nervously, "Because I asked her to come and meet me here."
"Right, well, Fleur's coming this way, and we have to go to a Healer's appointment," Hermione replied, nodding up the steps at the blonde just exiting the bank as she spoke.
"It's Amelie," Ginny said breathlessly, "We ran into each other, got to talking and just hit it off!"
"And she's coming here?!" Hermione panicked, stressing as Fleur drew closer to them.
"Yeah, are you mad that I'm dating her?" Ginny asked, frowning, "I thought that you two decided you were better off as friends?"
"We are," Hermione tried to explain rapidly, "It's just—Hello, Fleur!"
Hermione wrenched a smile onto her face as Fleur reached them. Fleur frowned icily at Hermione.
"You really think I want you to come with me to the appointment?" Fleur asked coldly.
Ginny frowned, before looking over Hermione's shoulder and lighting up.
'Oh, Merlin, no…' Hermione inwardly begged. She turned around in time to see Amelie approaching them. She tried to mouth to the raven-haired girl to stay away, but it was too late.
Amelie bounded forward, hugging Hermione tightly.
"Hey, Golden Girl!" Amelie greeted fondly, "Guessing Ginny told you the news?"
"Unbelievable!" Fleur snapped.
Hermione all but shoved Amelie off herself, turning to Fleur with desperation.
"Fleur! Nothing is going on with me and Amelie!" Hermione insisted.
"Sure! And that is why she is running up to embrace you in the streets?!" Fleur hissed, "Just admit it! You would rather be with her than a giant pregnant blimp like me!"
"Uh oh," Ginny muttered under her breath, realizing the situation she had unwittingly dropped Hermione into.
"Hermione and I are just friends," Amelie tried to explain.
"Friends that slept together," Fleur snapped, turning to glide away. Hermione reached out, frantic to top the blonde from brushing her off again. She grabbed Fleur by the arm, causing the angry Veela to turn around and fix her with a furious glare.
The silver was even more prominent in her eyes than ever, sending a shiver down Hermione's spine. She tried to rally her brain to remember the carefully crafted explanation she had practiced.
"Fleur… It was just one time…" Hermione began, her brain turning to slush at the anger and intensity in Fleur's eyes.
'Come on, Granger,' Hermione urged herself, 'Just say something to make it better… Anything is better than saying nothing!'
"I was already worked up after you came onto me that night! And it wasn't like the sex was even that good!" Hermione blurted.
Fleur snapped, wrenching her arm out of Hermione's grasp. Her eyes turned even more silvery and she swore in French, slapping Hermione across the face.
Shocked, Hermione drew a hand up to her face.
Just as Hermione thought the situation couldn't get worse, she noticed Bill quickly approaching them, a broad smile on his face.
"Fleur, is Hermione bothering you?" Bill asked graciously, stepping up to put an arm around the aggravated pregnant Veela.
"Yes," Fleur seethed.
"Look, I'll walk you to your appointment," Bill offered, "Best not to get worked up."
"But—" Hermione was cut off by a withering look from Fleur. Fleur looped her arm through Bill's and glided off.
Hermione's shoulders slumped in defeat as Bill and Fleur swept off, looking very much like a perfect couple.
'Why can't I keep her happy like that?' Hermione thought sadly.
She let her gaze finally leave Fleur, returning to Ginny and Amelie. The latter had her hands firmly planted on her hips and did not look impressed.
"Wasn't even that good?" Amelie echoed, raising an eyebrow, "You didn't have to be a jerk."
"I'm so sorry," Hermione apologized, looking stricken, "Fleur has been in this intense jealous rage ever since Bill told her that we slept together. Whenever I try to explain myself or calm her down, I just seem to panic and make it worse!"
Amelie's expression softened and she dropped her arms.
"Oh, Golden Girl," Amelie sighed sympathetically, "You should have given us a heads-up."
Hermione made a frustrated growl, throwing her hands up in dismay.
"I was hardly going to owl you that my girlfriend was in a jealous rage over finding out we had slept together!" Hermione huffed, "Honestly, this wouldn't be so bad if Bill hadn't just thrown me in it. I was going to tell her eventually… When it was the right time."
"You mean when she wasn't a hormonal time-bomb?" Ginny smirked.
"Well… Yes," Hermione admitted, "It has been truly dreadful. She's been mad at me ever since she found out. It's been like sharing a bed with a block of ice. I swear if we didn't need to be near at night for the whole Veela pregnancy, I would be sleeping on the couch by now."
"Oh man, Hermione," Amelie sympathized, shaking her head, "Any idea how to fix things?"
"I just need enough time and space to talk to her properly," Hermione sighed, "I just keep messing it up, and never have the time to explain. Then it seems like whenever she goes to work with Bill, she just comes back even angrier. I swear if he wasn't gay I would suspect he had a thing for her."
Ginny laughed.
Hermione frowned.
"You need to stop letting him get under your skin," Ginny replied, "I know my brothers are gifted at winding people up, but you just have to resist the urge to throttle them."
Hermione exhaled, frustrated.
"I just think he is far too possessive of Fleur," Hermione replied, "He's been absolutely awful, Gin."
Ginny looked thoughtful, scratching her chin.
"Well, they were pretty inseparable before all this…" Ginny mused, "And I suppose he has been acting a bit crazy ever since you slept with Fleur and got her pregnant. He's bitchy, but he's not usually quite as bad as he has been with you."
"Well, whatever his reasons are doesn't matter," Hermione growled, "I need him to back off and stop being so possessive of my girlfriend."
"Wow, possessive Hermione is kind of hot," Amelie commented, her mouth falling open. Ginny swatted her.
"Babe! Unless you want to be the next woman in the doghouse with her girlfriend, I suggest you stop drooling over my friend," Ginny said warningly.
Amelie looked (wisely) scared of the Weasley temper and flashed an apologetic smile at the redhead.
"Okay, well, I'll have to catch up with you guys soon," Hermione interrupted, "I have an appointment to make."
She took off in the direction that Fleur and Bill had headed in, more determined than ever to make things right.
Hermione burst into the Healer's office, irritated as she found Bill Weasley sitting in the waiting room reading a magazine. He was leaning back, looking relaxed and sure of himself. It did nothing to quell the temper rising within Hermione.
She walked over and grabbed the magazine, yanking it out of his hands and tossing it on the floor.
"Oh, if it isn't the Golden Girl?" Bill replied with a cocky grin, "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," Hermione retorted.
"I'm the closest to her," Bill sniffed, "I'm supporting her because clearly her girlfriend isn't up to the task."
"What is your problem with me?!" Hermione snapped, "Are you jealous?"
"Jealous? Why would I be jealous of a frizzy-haired know-it-all?" Bill replied snidely.
"I think you're jealous because Fleur isn't giving you as much attention anymore," Hermione replied harshly, "I think you're trying anything to keep her attention and keep her upset enough at everyone else that you're the only one she can turn to."
"Interesting theory," Bill replied, acting as if he wasn't bothered in the slightest.
Hermione wished she could just take him by his strong shoulders and shake him until he could see sense.
"I want you gone when I come out," Hermione replied instead, undeterred.
Bill rolled his eyes as Hermione spun on her heel, walking out of the waiting room and down to Dr Fantail's door. She didn't even knock, bursting in. She wasn't going to give Fleur a chance to keep her at bay.
"Blimey!" Fantail jumped, before registering who it was and relaxing, "Oh, it's just you Hermione. I was wondering whether you were coming."
"She wasn't supposed to come," Fleur replied icily, sitting patiently by Fantail.
Fleur was so small in frame that anyone would assume she was vulnerable. She was shorter than Hermione without her heels and her face looked too pretty to be dangerous. But Hermione knew better that Fleur was both dangerously powerful and scarily temperamental. But Hermione was determined not to be scared off.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Hermione said firmly, locking eyes with Fleur, "Is everything okay?"
"Fleur seems a little distressed is all," Fantail replied, "She needs to keep her stress down."
'More like needs Bill to stop being a jealous jerk. Him trying to keep me away from Fleur is just causing her undue stress.' Hermione thought to herself darkly.
"I'll do my best to help," Hermione replied to Fantail, frowning as Fleur rolled her eyes.
The appointment soon wrapped up, Hermione at least appeased that the baby was in good health. Fleur and her stress levels were another matter all together. First Bill's insecurities about creature status, and now his bloody jealousy. He needed to stop projecting on Fleur.
Hermione was annoyed when they exited to the waiting room and Bill was still there, smoothing his hair down before waving at Fleur.
"I thought I told you to be gone when we got out," Hermione growled.
"Hey, I didn't force you to shag some other girl," Bill retorted, grinning as he saw how incensed Fleur immediately became at the mention of Amelie.
Hermione stepped forward, shoving Bill.
"Cut it out!" Hermione barked, "Can't you see how much you're stressing out Fleur?! Ruin my relationship with her, fine—but don't you dare jeopardize the health of her or the baby."
"Hermione," Fleur cut in.
Hermione could tell the people in the waiting room were beginning to stare at the spectacle unfolding, but she was struggling to keep her temper in check.
"Oh, so bloody noble!" Bill retorted, "You're just like all Ron's friends—obsessed with being the savior!"
"Bill!" Fleur chided, trying to step between the two of them.
"Just admit it, Bill," Hermione replied savagely, "You're just jealous because you can't have her to yourself anymore!"
"Shut up!" Bill snapped, blushing. He lunged forward at Hermione, drawing his wand.
Fleur, in a blinding blur of silver, pushed Bill out of the way with seemingly superhuman strength. Hermione gasped as she saw that Fleur had talons in place of her usual manicured nails. Her eyes were entirely silver and her hair was even more silvery than usual. Her high cheekbones were even more angular than usual, giving her a decidedly avian look.
"Don't lay a hand on my mate," Fleur hissed in a harsh and scratchy voice.
Bill's eyes were wide, terrified by the sudden and unexpected partial transformation of his best friend.
"I-I'm sorry," Bill gulped.
"Fleur, I'm fine," Hermione soothed, stepping forward and placing a placating hand on Fleur's shoulder.
Fleur seemed to relax almost immediately, her talons receding and her hair slowly regaining its white-blonde colouring. Hermione was relieved her partial transformation had faded so quickly.
Fleur blinked and stepped away, unsteady on her feet. Hermione put her arms around her, holding her up.
"Take it easy, Fleur," Hermione murmured, before turning to Bill, "You need to leave."
In all the commotion, people in the waiting room had begun to gape and mutter amongst themselves. The kindly woman behind the desk had evidently gone to fetch a Healer, judging by her swift return accompanied by Dr Fantail.
"What on Earth is going on?" Fantail asked.
"Sh-she transformed," a woman in the waiting room shrieked, "Should I go and fetch Magical Creature Control?"
"Not necessary," Fantail replied crisply, "Fleur, will you come back into my office for a moment?"
Fleur, looking exhausted, nodded. Hermione, with her arms carefully around her, helped her back into Fantail's room.
The anxious little Healer flitted about, casting various diagnostic spells.
"I wish you had told me that you underwent partial Veela transformations," Fantail muttered, wringing his hands.
"I… Have never transformed before…" Fleur murmured, still entirely exhausted.
"It takes a toll on you physically," Fantail replied, gesturing at Fleur, "As we can already see. I want you to limit physical activity for the rest of the pregnancy and avoid any stressors that could trigger another transformation."
"But I'm a curse breaker," Fleur protested weakly.
"Who is already looking to move to desk work," Hermione added, "We will follow your orders."
"Hermione…" Fleur whined tiredly.
"Fleur," Hermione drew close to the blonde as Fantail finished up his notes, "I know you've been angry at me lately, but I need you to let me look after you."
Fleur's deep blue eyes met Hermione's begrudgingly. She frowned.
"Fine," Fleur sighed, looking down. Hermione felt her heart wrench at how utterly defeated and drained the usually-fiery woman seemed.
Fantail updated his notes and gave Fleur one last once-over before approving that she could leave.
Hermione, to Fleur's dismay, swept the part Veela into her arms to carry out.
"Non, non! I am too heavy!" Fleur protested.
"Nonsense," Hermione replied, carrying her pretty quarry out the door. She was still feeling the extra strength in her body and magic since sleeping next to Fleur at night after all. She ignored the stares of the gossiping people in the waiting room. Acknowledging them would only bring distress to the already overwhelmed and exhausted blonde in her arms.
Hermione carried Fleur down to the street, relieved to see that finally Bill had actually listened to her and disappeared. She held Fleur tightly, alarmed to feel warm salty tears against her neck.
Fleur rarely lost her composure. It was especially rare to see her showing weakness instead of anger.
"Are… Are you okay, Fleur?" Hermione asked gently.
"Did you see the way they were looking at me?" Fleur sniffled, "That woman even asked to call Magical Creature Control on me like I was an animal."
"People always act over the top when they come across things they have never seen before," Hermione soothed, "Forget about them."
To Hermione's relief, a carriage drawn by thestrals was trotting past and she managed to flag it down. She got Fleur safely inside and instructed the driver to take them to Grimmauld Place before climbing into the carriage with Fleur.
The blonde still seemed terribly exhausted, her head drooping and resting on Hermione's shoulder helplessly.
Hermione decided she would call Fleur's family as soon as she got the blonde home and into bed. She was worried about how tired she was. Cassandra hadn't seemed so tired after the couple of times Hermione had seen her do a partial transformation.
"Why are you looking after me?" Fleur asked dejectedly, "I've been so angry with you. You'd probably rather Amelie by now."
"I only ever wanted you," Hermione said, wrapping an arm around Fleur, "The brief thing with Amelie only ever validated my feelings for you even more."
"Why didn't you tell me though?" Fleur asked. Her voice was so miserable and tired that it broke Hermione's heart.
"I wanted to… But I was afraid of this happening," Hermione replied, "I just… I didn't want you to get upset or question my feelings for you."
Fleur didn't reply, letting her eyes shut as she continued to lean against Hermione. But Hermione was just grateful that at least she'd had a chance to say her piece without getting frazzled by Fleur's hormonal temper. She tightened her grip on the part-Veela, holding her close.
It didn't take long before the carriage arrived at Grimmauld Place. Hermione paid the driver and carried Fleur inside and up the stairs. She helped the blonde undress to her underwear, then scooped her into bed and tucked her in. Fleur fell asleep almost immediately.
Biting her lip with worry, Hermione pulled out her phone and headed downstairs. She dialed Alexandre's number straight away.
"Hello, Hermione, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Alexandre greeted warmly.
"Alexandre, did Apolline ever partially transform into her Veela form during her pregnancy?" Hermione asked, trying to keep the concern out of her voice. She didn't want to worry the man more than necessary.
"Oh," Alexandre replied neutrally. Hermione briefly cursed the man's ability to hide his reactions like Fleur often did.
"Hold on, Hermione, Cassandra is just outside on the lawn, I will put her on," Alexandre said briskly.
Hermione shuffled between her feet nervously in the moments that followed as Alexandre went in search of Cassandra.
"Salut," came the sweet voice of Cassandra, "What can I help you with Hermione?"
"Cassandra, Fleur's stupid best friend got her all upset about some past history between me and someone else," Hermione said, her teeth on edge even retelling the details, "I got in a fight with him and while trying to break it up, Fleur partially transformed. Now she's really exhausted! She could barely keep awake on the way home."
"Ohh…" Cassandra said mysteriously.
Hermione waited impatiently for Cassandra to continue.
"What does it mean?" Hermione impatiently urged, "Is she going to be okay?"
"It is certainly unusual," Cassandra replied, "It is very rare even for Apolline to undertake a partial transformation, and she is half blooded."
"Yes, but what does that mean?" Hermione pressed, anxious.
"It means you're getting close to having to make that decision about whether you will commit to Fleur or not," Cassandra said evenly, "Her feelings seem to have grown for you. The level of distress she has shown indicates that. You need to minimize her stress for the rest of her pregnancy. At this stage her Veela blood will be making her more unstable than ever. She should be taking it easy, focusing on resting up and nesting."
"Nesting?!" Hermione asked, confused. Cassandra laughed; a light melodic laugh.
"You'll know it when you see it, cherie," Cassandra said, "Just focus on Fleur's stress levels for now, non?"
"Right, eliminate stressors," Hermione said thoughtfully.
"Eliminate Bill?" Cassandra asked playfully. Hermione made an awkward choking noise.
"I wasn't thinking of anything as extreme as that!" Hermione yelped. Cassandra chuckled.
"Sure, Hermione," Cassandra teased, "You know, sometimes you are not unlike the Veela yourself."
"All right, well… Thanks Cassandra," Hermione replied, "I'll take care of Fleur."
Hermione hung up, her head buzzing with thoughts.
Hermione scarcely talked to the boys at dinner, still deep in thought after the events of the day. Harry and Ron queried where Fleur was, but all Hermione said was that Fleur was unwell and resting in their room.
She didn't want to breach Fleur's confidence by telling them about the transformation incident before she was ready.
After dinner, Hermione took a long shower.
As the water beat down on her skin, Hermione shut her eyes and ran her fingers through her tangled curls.
She felt so bad for Fleur.
She'd never chosen any of this. Never chosen to be a Veela, never chosen to have pregnancy hormones like crazy, never chosen to end up with Hermione as her only option forever.
Hermione lathered up her hair and rinsed it slowly. It was therapeutic in a way, turning her mind to more positive thoughts.
She could protect Fleur. She could look after her. She could keep her happy.
Her mind turned to all the ways she could keep Fleur happy.
She soaped up her body, sighing.
The night she had surprised Fleur with dinner, the night of Fleur's birthday…
Hermione's mind drifted further, to Fleur's silky expanse of pale skin, her body underneath Hermione's own olive-skinned and scarred one. The way Fleur's eyes clouded with a storminess as she was charged with emotion. The taste of Fleur's lips on her own, sweeter than any honey or nectar. The way her body trembled as she came apart for Hermione.
Hermione found her hand had drifted southward and she had begun to pleasure herself at the thought of some of the filthier ways she could keep Fleur happy.
Her hand moved with a rapid rhythm, her eyes flickering shut as she bit down on her lip to stop a rogue moan from escaping.
Images of Fleur flashed through her mind as her pleasure built higher and higher. Thoughts drifted from dirty sexual scenarios to Hermione's appreciation of Fleur in general.
Fleur's long platinum-blonde hair and how it felt like silk when entwined in Hermione's fingers.
Fleur biting down on her lump bottom lip.
Fleur's back arching as she let out a breathy gasp.
The way her face finally, truly relaxed from it's default aloofness when she felt at ease around Hermione.
The big smile on her face when she saw where Hermione had taken her for her birthday dinner.
Fleur's sleeping face in the morning light when Hermione awoke before her. Delicate cheekbones and long eyelashes seeming so painfully beautiful as the sun and shadows played over her features.
The feeling when Fleur would take her hand so naturally it felt like all barriers between them were finally down for good.
Hermione gasped and shuddered, coming undone at her own ministrations.
Panting, Hermione leaned bonelessly against the wall of the shower, her eyes opening again. In the afterglow of her orgasm, she had a moment of clarity.
Hermione stood in the darkness outside a heavy wooden door. The wind whipped harshly around her damp curls.
She really should have paused long enough after her shower to dry her hair properly, it would have only taken a simple spell. But Hermione's mind was nothing but goal-driven, and right now she had a single goal in mind.
She raised her hand, knocking firmly at the door.
It opened slowly.
"Hermione? What are you doing here? And so late!" Bill Weasley was far from impressed.
He was not his usual impeccable self. He was in faded trackpants and one of Molly Weasley's lumpy sweaters. His hair was tangled and greasy looking and he had none of his usual overconfident veneer.
Good, she had caught him off-guard. That would make the conversation go easier.
"I believe we are overdue for a talk," Hermione said, pushing the door open and walking past Bill, not waiting for an invitation inside.