A/N: Hi all! Thanks very much for your lovely reviews and please keep them coming! I've already started on the next chapter - let me know if there is anything you would like to see in there.
Hermione stepped into Bill's place, glancing around the walls.
Bill must have been preparing for bed, as the room was only lit by a fireplace and a lone lamp in the corner of the room.
Hermione was immediately struck by how the apartment was entirely unlike what she had expected of Bill. She had expected something sleek and fashionable.
The apartment was more of a farmhouse style, that reminded Hermione greatly of The Burrow. It was small and decorated in a homely style. The walls, ceiling and floor were all made of a cheap wood. There was a simple threadbare couch and a small two-person table covered in a gingham tablecloth.
A vase of sunflowers sat on top of the table beside a basket of apples.
Bill seemed embarrassed.
"Do we have to do this right now?" Bill asked irritably.
Hermione noticed a large photo of the entire Weasley clan on a rickety bookshelf, beside a photo of Bill and Fleur. The smiling Bill and Fleur looped their arms over each other's shoulders and waved out at Hermione.
"Yes, we do have to do this right now," Hermione replied, turning from the humble decorations of Bill's apartment to face him.
His red hair was loose and tumbling down to his shoulders, frizzy and wavy. He looked tired.
"Shouldn't you be with Fleur?" Bill asked gruffly, crossing his arms tightly across his chest.
"I will be, soon," Hermione replied, "She's in quite a state after her partial transformation. Absolutely exhausted. I've never seen her quite like it."
"Not that you've known her long enough to know whether or not she has been that exhausted before," Bill muttered acidly, before looking up in earnest, "I didn't mean to make her transform like that. I didn't even know she could."
"After you got over making Fleur feel bad for being a Veela and getting pregnant by a woman, I wondered what your issue was with me," Hermione said, "You always seemed to have something nasty to say about me. But then I realized you were jealous and thought I was taking up all Fleur's time."
"Well, you are," Bill replied, "I barely ever see her outside of work now. Then when I invited her for dinner, she insisted on bringing you."
"She probably just wants her best friend and girlfriend to get along," Hermione pointed out waspishly.
"Ever the know-it-all," Bill shot back snidely, rolling his eyes, "I don't know what she sees in you."
"Well, you don't have to know what she sees in me," Hermione replied, her voice raising with her temper, "All you need to know is that your best friend does see something in me. I'm in this for the long haul and you need to get over yourself and find a way to deal with that."
"It was always supposed to be me and Fleur," Bill replied sulkily, "We always had the same terrible luck in our dating lives. We had a pact that we would grow old together like miserable spinsters."
"Touching, but don't you think you should be happy she has found someone?" Hermione replied, putting her hands on her hips, "Someone who is going to look after her forever?"
"How do I know you'll do that?" Bill scoffed, "How do I know you aren't just infatuated with her looks like everyone else? That you won't just leave her in the lurch with a baby?"
"I would never do that!" Hermione scowled, "Has she not told you about the Veela mating? How we connect?"
Bill shook his head.
"She… She doesn't really talk much about her Veela blood with me, and I don't talk about my werewolf stuff with her either." Bill said, rubbing the back of his neck, "I mean, she mentioned something about you guys being mates when she was telling me to lay off... But she didn't go into any huge detail."
"I have a choice to walk away," Hermione replied, "Fleur wouldn't be able to be in a relationship with anyone else ever again, but we would both be healthy. But I can choose to commit to her, meaning that we will be bound together for the rest of our lives. We couldn't leave each other without both of us becoming really sick. I'm going to tell her when she is well enough that I'm ready to take that step when it comes."
"You would really do that?" Bill asked, appearing a little unconvinced.
"I really would," Hermione replied.
"You care about Fleur that much?" Bill asked.
"Let's put it another way," Hermione said with a too-wide smile, "I would have loved nothing more than to come here and hex you five different ways into next week week. But because you're her best friend, and she cares about you even if you're a jerk, I'm here to make myself understood. I'm committed to Fleur and nothing you say or do is going to stop that."
"How generous of you," Bill replied sardonically.
"If you're not going to quit being a jerk for me, quit being one for Fleur's sake," Hermione replied, "The stress is absolutely awful for her and the baby. When you try to turn her against me, you just cause her more stress."
This seemed to hit Bill hard. He sat down, the bitterness fading off his face for a moment. He ran his hands through his hair.
"I did feel quite bad when she transformed…" Bill murmured.
"So, you're going to lay off?" Hermione asked.
"I'm going to make sure Fleur isn't stressed out," Bill corrected with a contemptuous sniff, "I still don't like you."
"You don't have to like me," Hermione shot back, walking to the door. She was satisfied that at least Bill would stop interfering enough that Fleur wouldn't be provoked into stress. She turned back to the redhead, sitting unhappily on the threadbare couch in his small apartment.
"But if you do cause Fleur any more stress, I will be back to hex you into next week," Hermione threatened, leaving the apartment and shutting the door sharply behind her.
It was late when Hermione finally arrived back home. The boys both appeared to have retired for the night and all the lights were off. Hermione was glad that Ron hadn't stayed up to press her about why she needed to know where Bill lived.
Tired, and feeling at least a little victorious, Hermione climbed the stairs and entered her room. Her eyes fell on the blonde lying in her bed and she felt her heart flutter.
Fleur looked so innocent and vulnerable while she slept. She was sleeping on her back and looking very much like a pregnant sleeping beauty. She was breathing deeply and her platinum-blonde hair fanned out around her head like a halo.
Hermione walked over to her slumbering girlfriend and placed a hand on top of her pregnant belly, smiling as she felt the gentlest of kicks from their son within. Hermione leant down and pressed her lips to Fleur's forehead.
It was awful that Fleur had exhausted herself so much and that her hormonal temper had been raging lately, but the upside of the entire debacle was that at least Hermione had got to explain herself in the Thestral carriage.
Hermione walked to the wardrobe, stretching her stiff neck and shoulders. She stripped off her clothes tiredly, before pulling on some boxers and her favourite faded Weird Sisters tee. She padded back across the room and climbed into bed, nestling into Fleur as sleep finally greeted her.
Hermione's opened her eyes to deep pools of sapphire blue.
A lazy smile stretched across her face as she realized that Fleur was watching her contentedly, no sign of a flared temper in sight.
"How are you feeling?" Hermione asked softly, her voice a little hoarse from sleep.
"Far more rested," Fleur replied gently, "Thank you for looking after me yesterday."
"Of course," Hermione replied with a smile, sitting up in bed. She found her hand drifted to rest protectively on Fleur's stomach.
"You were there for me even though I was furious and snapping at you," Fleur commented, getting a little teary and blushing, "Urgh, stupid hormones."
Hermione felt her stomach flutter a little at the emotional Veela in front of her.
"They aren't stupid," Hermione smiled, "Yes, it wasn't very nice having you angry with me, but it is all part and parcel of being a supportive partner to my pregnant girlfriend."
"And you really do want to be with me?" Fleur asked, biting her lip. A stray tear rolled down her cheek, "Even though someone like Amelie might be easier?"
Hermione wiped Fleur's tear away with her thumb before cupping her face.
"Nothing good comes easy," Hermione chuckled, "And I would choose to go through a thousand trials to be with you over anything easy with anyone else."
Fleur leaned forward, kissing Hermione gently. Hermione welcomed the kiss eagerly after the bout of frostiness she had been receiving of late. Fleur soon slipped her tongue into her mouth and Hermione was in heaven, allowing her hands to travel freely across the body she had sorely missed.
Fleur's stomach was pressed against her and she felt a strong kick. The two women broke the kiss, looking at each other with wide eyes and wider smiles.
"He sure is getting strong," Hermione commented proudly.
"Oui," Fleur smiled, "Just like his English mum."
Hermione placed her hand back on Fleur's belly. They were getting so close to the end now.
"I hope you are going to rest up," Hermione said seriously, looking up at Fleur with concern.
Fleur smiled at her disarmingly.
"While you were sleeping the morning away, I already went in to the office and discussed with my boss. I will be working from home on research projects until our baby boy comes." Fleur informed her, "I've been up, breakfasted, been into work, and come back to bed all before you have even opened your eyes."
"Sleeping the morning away?!" Hermione yelped, sitting up in bed. She checked her watch. It was indeed eleven thirty in the morning.
Fleur giggled.
"Aw, my cherie," Fleur replied, "Are you getting tired from looking after a pregnant girlfriend?"
Hermione inwardly thought to herself that the hormonal mood swings were indeed tiring, but wisely kept that to herself.
"I was a bit busy after I put you to bed," Hermione half-explained. Further elaboration was halted as there was a sharp rapping at the window.
Hermione got up and let in a great horned owl, followed by a regal looking barn owl. Fleur fetched the pouch of owl treats and came to feed the little creatures while Hermione worked at the letters.
She tore open the thick package from the great horned owl first, noticing it had a Ministry seal on it.
"What is it?" Fleur asked, feeding the owls.
"I got the job," Hermione said, grinning widely, "It is a letter of offer and a contract for employment!"
"Oh I knew you would!" Fleur kissed her cheek briefly, before being interrupted by the horned owl nipping at her finger, "Merde!"
She shooed the horned owl out the window while Hermione turned her attentions to the pretty barn owl. Elegant looping writing adorned the envelope.
Hermione opened it carefully. It was from Cassandra.
"My dearest Hermione,
Thank you for calling and consulting with me on Fleur. We can never be too careful when it comes to our darling Fleur.
I have enclosed some herbs that you can brew into a tea for Fleur, it should help keep her calm and aid her with recharging. For a fully blooded Veela, transformation is nothing. For those with human blood, it can be incredibly taxing. You should make sure she avoids any further transformations while she is carrying the baby.
I can tell you and Fleur are progressing rapidly with your bond. Soon I trust you will understand creatures even more, as it comes close to the time to confirm the bond (should that be what you choose, of course! Do not let me push you in one direction or another—the choice is yours).
Do let us know immediately if any other difficulties arise with the pregnancy or with Fleur. We are all on hand to assist in any way we can.
Fondly,
Cassandra"
Fleur was looking over Hermione's shoulder curiously.
"You talked to my grandmere yesterday?" Fleur asked, surprised.
"Well, yeah," Hermione responded, folding the letter up, "I was really worried about you! Even though you're feeling better today, I think we should brew you up some tea with these herbs just to be sure."
Fleur kissed Hermione gently.
"You really do look after me," Fleur said, smiling fondly.
Hermione felt on top of the world. She had looked after her woman, she had quashed Bill's meddling ways, and she had eased Fleur's hormonal temper for now.
The day was spent in domestic calm, Fleur setting up Hermione's desk space for her researching from home and Hermione reading through her contract. She made sure to brew a couple of teas for Fleur. By the early evening, Fleur was quite sleepy and lay down for a nap while Hermione signed her contract and owled it back to the Ministry.
When she closed the window on the owl, she turned around to look at the slumbering Fleur. She was curled up on top of the covers, a small knit throw covering her. The sight made Hermione's chest ache.
She came and sat on the bed beside Fleur's sleeping form, leaning against the pillows. She ran her hand through Fleur's silky blonde hair.
Fleur made a sulky murmuring noise, shuffling in her sleep to wrap her arms around Hermione's legs. She snuggled into her, resting her head on Hermione's thighs. Hermione smiled at how adorable Fleur was in sleep.
She wondered what life would be like when the baby arrived. Less sleep, no doubt. Hermione wondered what Fleur would be like with a baby. She couldn't even imagine it. Fleur was so prim and reserved most of the time. But the more time Hermione spent around Fleur with her guard down, the more sides of her Hermione saw.
Hermione smoothed down her shirt nervously as she headed into the Ministry. It was the first day of her new job.
She had left Fleur sitting at the desk in their room starting some research, a hot mug of tea in one hand and a knitted throw around her shoulders. Hermione still had a smile on her face at the image of her pregnant girlfriend settling in to her new work from home reality.
Ideally, Fleur wouldn't be working at all for the rest of her pregnancy, in Hermione's opinion. But if anyone understood the frustration of an inactive mind, it was Hermione.
"Miss Granger! Welcome!" a portly man from Hermione's job interview ambled over to her.
Hermione remembered him as Harald Lemnos, the Head of the Department. He took her hand and shook it firmly.
"Oh, hello Mr Lemnos," Hermione greeted politely, "I'm not too early, am I?"
"Not at all!" Lemnos replied jovially, "Just in time to meet the rest of the team in fact!"
Lemnos introduced Hermione to the rest of the team. There was a Mrs Shrewsberry, a homely middle aged woman with a beige perm; a thin man in his mid-30s called Ralph Buckle; and a middle aged balding man called Mr Lanolin, who reminded Hermione terribly of Arthur Weasley.
As Lemnos introduced each of them, they gave Hermione a polite introduction of themselves, their careers to date and their families.
"How about you, Granger?" Ralph Buckle asked, "Got a family of your own yet?"
Hermione smiled shyly.
"I do have a girlfriend at home and a baby on the way," Hermione said, feeling happiness bubble within her at getting to proudly tell her new team about Fleur and the baby.
"Oh, how unconventional!" Mrs Shrewsberry croaked, earning a suspicious look from the Golden Girl. Hermione hoped it didn't signal any bigoted views amongst her team.
Lemnos, oblivious to Mrs Shrewsberry's comment, ushered Hermione to a modest looking desk in the corner of the room.
"When you get a little more senior, you'll get your own office like Lanolin and I do!" Lemnos said encouragingly.
Hermione smiled politely, sitting down at her desk.
"So… How should I get started?" Hermione asked.
Lemnos smiled appraisingly, producing a hefty stack of papers, books and folders.
"As we discussed in your interview… We're well overdue for some fresh blood in this department," Lemnos said, "But before we can get your thinking on new directions, we need you to get up to speed! I hope you don't mind vast amounts of reading!"
Hermione smirked; her loving reading was perhaps the biggest understatement of all time.
Lemnos set the stack of reading down in front of Hermione, creating a small mountain on Hermione's desk.
Hermione leaned back, clicking her neck and shoulders. Time for the ole Hermione Granger deep dive…
Hermione ran her hand through her wayward curls, finally looking around the office. She was surprised to find it totally empty. Looking at her watch, she found why – it was already 7pm! Hermione had forgotten how easy she found it to get entirely engrossed in her work.
She stood up, stretching her stiff muscles before selecting a couple of the readings to take home with her for further reading.
Hermione's shoes echoed on the floors of the empty Ministry as she headed off towards the Floo fireplaces with her leather satchel firmly on her shoulder.
She stepped through the atrium, the scene of so much chaos years earlier. They had rebuilt the Fountain of Magical Brethren that stood there, to Hermione's perpetual distaste. It was of a wizard and witch with various magical creatures fawning over them and subjugating themselves to the humans. It made Hermione seriously wonder if wizard-kind had learnt anything from the war at all.
Hermione yawned. She hoped Ron, Harry and Fleur hadn't had dinner yet. Or had at least left her something to eat.
She tossed from Floo powder in the nearest fireplace, relieved there wasn't a line to head home.
Hermione got out in the dining room of Grimmauld Place, glad to see that the boys and Fleur were still at the dining table and only just starting their dinner.
"Cherie, there you are," Fleur smiled at her, "I was beginning to worry."
"Lord, I'm relieved you've learnt to stay on your missus' good side now," Ron said to Hermione, tucking into his large bowl of risotto, "It's nice to have a relaxed meal with Fleur instead of Harry and I having to calm her down."
"What—That wasn't—None of that was my fault!" Hermione stuttered, irritated at Ron, before deciding to let it go, "You know what, you can't ruin my day."
"How was your first day at the new job?" Fleur asked, as Hermione slid into the seat beside her.
"Pretty good!" Hermione said, "The team is quite small, and most of them are quite a bit older than me. But there is a lot of work to be done and a lot to get across! I'm actually really looking forward to the challenge. Once I get through the stacks of reading, that is."
"Stacks of reading? Sounds like the perfect job for you!" Harry smirked.
"You laugh, but it really does seem like it," Hermione grinned, "Not to get ahead of myself, but I really think I'll fit in well."
Fleur flashed her a pleased smile and Hermione felt her stomach flip a little. Not even teasing from the boys about being a nerd or a know-it-all could ruin her mood.
"Ron and I have interviews at the Auror Department," Harry chimed in, "If things go well, we could all be working at the Ministry! Imagine that!"
"That would be wonderful!" Hermione replied, "We would be able to have lunches together."
"Plus Harry and I would be able to kick some serious Death Eater ass!" Ron said, punching the air so vigorously he splattered some of his risotto onto the table.
"How was hitting the research side of Curse Breaking?" Hermione asked Fleur, "Have you recovered enough that you could concentrate okay? No naps needed?"
"It wasn't so bad," Fleur shrugged, "It isn't quite the adrenaline rush that practical Curse work is. And oui, I was fine today! No naps required! All thanks to you looking after me so well."
Hermione rubbed the back of her neck shyly.
"Well, I have to look after my girlfriend," Hermione replied.
Fleur leaned in and pecked her on the cheek.
"Mmn, and maybe I will make sure to look after you tonight," Fleur purred quietly. But apparently not so quietly that the boys didn't hear, judging by the way Ron suddenly began to choke on his risotto.
Hermione felt her internal temperature rise at Fleur's suggestive words. Everything about the Frenchwoman drove her wild.
Hermione placed a hand on Fleur's thigh, smiling widely. Ron rolled his eyes and Hermione couldn't help but smirk at how jealous he was that she had got the girl in the end.
Hermione sped up the pace at which she was eating her dinner, one hand still on Fleur's thigh. She was finding she was becoming more and more possessive and protective of Fleur. She wasn't sure if it was to do with Fleur's pregnancy, the bond of being mates, or just her general feelings for Fleur.
Fleur seemed to like it, judging by the satisfied smile she had on her face.
Hermione was glad that things had settled right down again. It made her feel like she was doing a good job of keeping Fleur happy and safe.
"So, since I cooked…" Ron began, as they finished their meals.
"… You and Harry won't mind doing the dishes while I head upstairs with Fleur?" Hermione suggested quickly.
"Oh hold on just a minute!" Ron protested, "Just because you have a girlfriend doesn't mean I have to do all the housework around here! I've had just about enough of you living the good life while I slave away…"
Hermione, sensing an incoming jealous Weasley tantrum, decided to take the bullet on this issue. She would rather do some dishes than wrangle another wayward Weasley temper. Besides, the last thing she wanted was Fleur getting upset and hormonal again. Not with sex on the table, anyway…
Hermione smiled good naturedly.
"Okay, fine, I'll do the dishes," Hermione conceded, getting up and collecting the plates.
"I can help," Fleur offered, joining Hermione in collecting empty plates and goblets as the boys scarpered off.
Hermione plugged the sink and ran some hot water with dish soap. Fleur came up beside her, stacking the cookware Ron had used neatly beside the dirty plates.
"I hope you don't mind," Hermione said, swirling the hot water with one hand as it began to foam, "I like doing dishes the Muggle way. It reminds me of home."
Fleur nodded, grabbing a nearby dish towel and moving to Hermione's other side. She was quieter this evening, making her seem serene in her beauty.
"Do you miss your home?" Fleur asked.
"Sometimes," Hermione said slipping the plates and goblets into the soapy water, "I grew up in a sleepy little village. I didn't have that many friends at school, so I don't really have any Muggle friends I left behind."
"Why didn't you have many friends at school?" Fleur asked, as Hermione began to scrub at the dishes.
Hermione smiled humorlessly.
"Bushy haired, buck-toothed, bookworm know-it-all?" Hermione said, repeating all the schoolyard taunts she had grown up hearing, "I was hardly popular."
Fleur took the first dishes from her, beginning to dry them with the dish towel. She cast a sidelong glance at Hermione.
"I don't know, you sound like you were very cute," Fleur said with a small smile.
Hermione laughed.
"I'll have to show you a photograph sometime," Hermione said, "I grew up in a pretty ordinary house. I never really had that sentimental connection that some people have to their childhood homes."
"Mmn, I never really had that either," Fleur commented, drying some goblets, "So there is nothing that you really miss?"
"I miss my parents," Hermione said, fixing her gaze intently on the pots and pans she was now scrubbing, "I really wish the Memory Charm on them hadn't been permanent. But I suppose, at least they are happy- wherever they are."
Hermione could feel the look Fleur was giving her. The pregnancy hormones made the blonde very sentimental at times.
"So… Uh, have you given any thoughts to the name for our baby?" Hermione asked, changing the subject. They hadn't discussed names since Fleur had created an impossibly long scroll of options earlier in her pregnancy.
"Hmmm, I would not mind something strong and masculine like Jacques," Fleur smiled, "I have always liked that name. Do you have any names you are drawn towards?"
Hermione smiled sadly.
"I wouldn't mind Hugo… It was—is—my father's name," Hermione said, correcting herself. Sometimes it was easier to think of her parents as dead and she slipped in conversation.
"Hugo Jacques," Fleur said with a smile, "It has a ring to it, non?"
"It does," Hermione said, smiling. She felt significantly cheered up at the thought of her son being named after her father.
"It just leaves the question of last name," Fleur said, drying the last of the pots and pans.
"I suppose you want him to keep the Delacour name," Hermione said, arching an eyebrow. She knew how proud Fleur and her family were.
"I could be swayed," Fleur said slowly.
Hermione drained the sink, turning to Fleur. She could see a glint in the blonde's eye that drew her in. She snatched the dishtowel from Fleur's hands, tossing it carelessly to one side.
Fleur's pupils dilated as Hermione placed a hand on the countertop either side of Fleur, penning her in.
Hermione leaned in, letting her lips brush the smooth skin of Fleur's neck. She inhaled the sweet smell of vanilla and lilies that seemed to naturally emanate from the Frenchwoman's skin. Something about it made her teeth ache.
Ignoring the strange ache, Hermione brought her lips up to Fleur's ear teasingly.
"You think I could convince you to make our child a Granger?" Hermione murmured.
Fleur shivered in her arms.
"Perhaps," Fleur said, her voice a little unsteady.
"Maybe with enough convincing, someday I could get you to take the name too," Hermione added, before dropping a kiss to Fleur's neck.
The blonde let out a small, breathy sigh.
"Can we go upstairs now?" Fleur asked.
Hermione nodded, taking Fleur's hand and leading her out of the kitchen and upstairs to their room.
It took a lot to distract Hermione from either study or sex, but she was stopped right in her tracks as she entered the room.
"Er… Fleur… What happened?" Hermione asked, her jaw dropping.
The room had been completely and utterly transformed.
It had been repainted a baby blue, with small wiggling images of pastel yellow ducks. A bassinet was in one corner of the room with a mobile over the top of it.
Their bed had changed from an elegant and fashionable style to something decidedly cosier. It was all fluffy blankets and cushions. Hermione could hardly see where they would actually sleep.
Suddenly Cassandra's heads up about 'nesting' made sense.
Fleur shrugged.
"Little Hugo will be along soon enough," Fleur said.
Hermione wasn't about to object to that. Their room being totally revamped in a frantic nesting process was the probably the least inconvenient Veela pregnancy reaction thus far.
"It looks lovely, darling," Hermione said, leaning in to kiss Fleur's cheek, "Now where were we…?"