A/N: Hi all, I think I've finally worked out in my mind how this story will end up. But I have at least 2 more chapters to go before that happens. Thanks to everyone for sending through requests or suggestions- I do love incorporating some of them in, heh... I knocked off a few requests in this chapter!
Let me know if there are any errors- I've been working extra hours lately. I'm extremely grateful I still have a job given the way things are at the moment, but lawwwwd it has been taking it out of me!
Hermione's head nodded before snapping back up again. She'd almost dozed off that time.
Her head was resting heavily on one of her hands.
Life with a newborn was taking its toll on her since she had got back to work. Little Hugo was already the apple of Hermione's eye, but Merlin, Hermione would give anything to get the little fella to sleep through just one night.
As much as she loathed to admit it, Hermione was incredibly competitive. She'd noticed immediately that Fleur seemed to be coping with the lack of sleep much better than her. Fleur was still working from home, taking well to research-based work. She had Hugo all day as well as at night and yet Hermione hadn't caught her dozing off once. She was half convinced that Fleur was just as competitive as her and merely hiding her doziness from her.
Hermione rubbed her eyes tiredly before crossing out the sentence she had just written.
She was working on a proposal. Something to well and truly kick off her new career. It would mean that humanoid magical creatures could not be barred from public spaces. The memory of what had happened to Cassandra at St Mungo's still sat uncomfortably with her. It made her burn with anger at the injustice of it all.
The problem was it was taking her twice as long to draft it with the exhaustion weighing her down.
She had to get some good progress done today though. She'd already arranged to leave early so that she and Fleur could look at rentals to move into. As vigilant as they were with silencing charms, they were not infinite. There was no way that they could keep casting silencing charms enough to cover Hugo's frequent crying.
Harry and Ron were beginning to feel the toll of living with a new baby… Something making it even more difficult for them with their desperate job hunts.
It would make life a lot easier for all involved once Fleur and Hermione could move into their own little home with Hugo.
It felt quite fast to be moving in with someone. Hermione had never lived with a partner before. But the fact it was Fleur—plus the fact they were mates—made it feel right. That and Hermione already longed to give little Hugo the most precious home she could manage.
Hermione yawned, blinking hard to try and wake up.
"Baby keeping you up?" Mrs Shrewsberry asked.
"Ah… A bit," Hermione replied, self conscious at being caught dozing off.
"I was the same when my kids were born," Ralph Buckle chimed in, "Don't worry about it, Hermione. You get used to it."
"So your wife stays at home?" Mrs Shrewsberry asked. Hermione frowned as she detected a hint of judgment in her voice.
"Er, she's not my wife," Hermione replied. She wasn't sure how to refer to Fleur exactly. Before it had been simple—the woman she had got pregnant; then her girlfriend. But now they'd bonded, it was hard to explain. There was no formality of marriage, but somehow the connection between them felt even stronger than that.
"Oh," Mrs Shrewsberry replied. Hermione wondered if she was homophobic. It would explain the edge to some of her comments.
"Fleur works from home these days," Hermione elaborated, "She's in the Curse Breaking department at Gringotts. Right now she's focusing more on research."
"That sounds really interesting!" Ralph said genuinely, "Research huh? So a woman after your own heart, Granger?"
Hermione quirked a smile. She hadn't really thought about that. She supposed Fleur's studious side was quite similar to her own.
"Yeah, I suppose she is," Hermione smiled.
Suddenly she was even more excited to go find a place for them to live together.
Fleur met Hermione in the atrium, little Hugo in a pram.
Ever the fashionable one, Fleur was wearing high heels and a stunning dress. Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders. Hermione was stunned for a moment.
"Mon amour," Fleur smiled coyly.
"You look… Wow," Hermione sighed, allowing her eyes to roam down Fleur's form and up again.
Fleur lit up, pleased with the reaction she had elicited from her mate. Hermione approached her, kissing her cheek chastely, before her attention immediately moved to their son.
"How's mum's favourite little boy?" Hermione greeted. A large grin had already sprawled across her face.
Hugo gurgled and kicked his little legs happily.
Hermione played with one of his feet idly. Hugo was beginning to show his heritage already. Big brown eyes from Hermione, platinum blonde hair from Fleur. Hermione could already tell his hair was going to end up in unruly curls like her own.
"He has been so naughty for his Maman today," Fleur said with a playful pout, "Sleeping when I am on my breaks, then crying just when I am getting to the most difficult parts of my work."
"Ohhh Hugo," Hermione teasingly lectured, "You are proving quite troublesome for your Maman- You're going to give her wrinkles!"
Fleur gasped dramatically, causing Hermione to giggle.
"Don't speak of such things!" Fleur said to Hermione.
"Never again, my sweet," Hermione grinned, kissing Fleur.
She fell into step with Fleur as they headed out of the Ministry. She noticed eyes flicking to them. They always seemed to. At first it had bothered Hermione a little. She'd always been a little self-conscious of stares. But now she rather liked showing off Fleur and Hugo.
Hermione's hand snaked around Fleur's waist possessively. She had thought that once they had bonded, she might have felt some cooling off in her feelings for Fleur. But if anything, she was still just as intoxicated with Fleur as ever. She felt so protective of Fleur and little Hugo.
It was a short walk to the first place. It was in a very large apartment building, which Hermione didn't like. But it was very modern, which Fleur liked. Hugo began to wail as soon as they got in the door for the viewing.
"I'm not sure he likes it, babe," Hermione smiled, picking him up from the pram. She jiggled him in her arms as he fussed.
Fleur frowned at them petulantly, looking around the apartment's fashionable décor.
Hugo began to calm, pulling at Hermione's curls.
"Ow, ow, no sweetie…" Hermione tried to remove his pudgy fists from her locks, looking around the apartment herself, "Fleur, do you think it is a little small?"
Fleur grumbled.
"Family sized places are always so tacky, Hermione," Fleur groaned, "Besides, Hugo is so small! He hardly needs any room."
"Fleur," Hermione grinned, "I know you're not going to skimp on practicality for Hugo."
Fleur groaned, leaning against a sleek wall.
"Of course," Fleur admitted, "Only the best for my little lion cub."
Hermione smiled. Fleur had dressed Hugo in the onesie that was patterned with lions.
It was far too early to be planning such things, according to Fleur, but Hermione secretly hoped Hugo would go to Hogwarts and become a Gryffindor like she had. It seemed like Fleur had at least decided to indulge Hermione's dreams a little. Even if only to put a smile on Hermione's face.
Hugo gurgled happily in Hermione's arms.
Fleur sighed, her high heels clipping at the hardwood floor as she walked back over to Hermione and Hugo. She kissed Hugo on the forehead and Hermione on the lips before frowning.
"It really is too small," Fleur sighed, "On to the next place?"
Hermione nodded, holding back the 'I told you so' on the tip of her tongue. Being in a relationship with a temperamental Veela had made her have to tone down on some of her more 'know-it-all' tendencies.
The next place was closer to what Hermione liked. It was a little rickety, but in an old style that really had charisma to it. It was further out of town, but not difficult for commuting.
Fleur frowned as soon as they walked up to it, stepping distastefully over a missing board on the deck.
"It's huge, Fleur," Hermione beamed, "Big enough if we decided to have more kids someday…"
"Hermione!" Fleur chided, making sure the property manager wasn't in earshot, "I've only just got my figure back and you're already trying to get me pregnant again!"
Hermione snorted.
"One, Cassandra got your figure back right away with that bloody brilliant fix-all Veela remedy," Hermione scoffed, "And two, I said someday."
Fleur rolled her eyes.
"Well, still… I wouldn't want to raise children here," Fleur sniffed haughtily.
"What! Why not? It's big and full of character!" Hermione exclaimed. She was still bouncing Hugo in her arms, who gurgled as if he agreed with his British mum.
"Drafty," Fleur said, eying a cracked window, "Run down. It is far too high maintenance."
"Some might say that I like high maintenance," Hermione said, winking at Fleur. Fleur pouted, unimpressed.
"I don't like it, Hermione," Fleur whined, "It looks far too rickety, cold and damp."
Hermione sighed, annoyed at Fleur's high standards.
But once they got inside, she did—begrudgingly—see what Fleur meant. It seemed incredibly rundown. More than a fixer-upper. The landlord may as well just knock it to the ground.
Fleur, to her credit, tried not to look too smug as Hermione conceded.
The next two places were write offs too, much to Hermione's distress. She was beginning to lose hope that they would be able to find a decent place to rent. Hugo was getting restless. It was dinnertime. Hermione was all set to call it a day when they finally came across a place one suburb over from Grimmauld Place.
Hermione immediately lit up at the sight of it. It was a small cottage with a sprawling lawn and a nice little tree in the backyard.
She looked over and was pleased to see that Fleur was looking similarly thrilled.
"Plenty of room to play with Hugo outside," Hermione suggested, looking hopefully at Fleur.
"Plenty of room to plant flowers," Fleur smiled back.
There was an adorable little master bedroom that looked out on the back garden and apple tree. It had a double wardrobe (although Hermione rather suspected she would have to charm it to fit all of Fleur's clothes in, anyway).
There was a small bedroom that would be perfect for Hugo and another small room that Fleur could use as a home office (or, Hermione thought, for a future child). The rest of the cottage was open plan; living, dining and kitchen all in the same room.
As the property manager shuffled papers on the kitchen countertop, Fleur stepped closely to Hermione.
"Hermione, I know it's a little rushed since we only just saw it… But could we just sign for it now? It is perfect!" Fleur asked. She batted her eyelashes a little, her slender fingers playing at Hermione's wrist.
As weak as Hermione was for a forward and flirty Fleur, she didn't need any convincing. She was already in love with the small cottage.
"What do you think, Hugo?" Hermione smiled, jiggling Hugo in her arms. The little curly-haired blonde gurgled, fisting his puffy hands and kicking his chubby legs. Hermione felt her heart melt as the little brown eyes looked up at her own.
"I think that is a yes?" Fleur asked, arching an eyebrow.
"It's a yes," Hermione confirmed.
Fleur beamed, practically jumping up and down. Hermione smiled widely. Sometimes it was almost as if she had two children. But she loved it whenever she could make the reserved blonde act carefree.
The day that Hermione and Fleur moved into their cottage, Hermione wondered what it would mean. Surely Fleur would want to do something to celebrate their new place. That meant inviting their friends around.
Hermione had said nothing to Fleur about her threats to Bill to fall in line. Bill had been keeping a respectable distance since then, only coming to see Hugo twice—and only when accompanied by a bunch of other Weasleys. It was only a matter of time until Fleur would want to hang out with Bill one on one. Hermione wondered if Bill would pull his head in, or if he would continue keeping a wary distance.
Sure enough, as Hermione unpacked the last of their boxes, Fleur came to talk to her.
The blonde had been decorating their room happily. It was quite adorable how excited Fleur had been about an entire cottage to style.
"Hugo is down for a nap," Fleur informed Hermione, brushing strands of platinum blonde off her face. She looked so sweet in the afternoon light shining through the windows.
"Poor little champ," Hermione smiled, "So much excitement in one day!"
"He is cuddling his stuffed lion," Fleur said, an amused smile on her face, "It is quickly becoming his favourite toy. We will have to thank Ron and Harry for that gift."
"Our little lion," Hermione smiled, her heart swelling.
"I was thinking…" Fleur said, looking down with a slight smile, "We should do something to celebrate moving in."
This is what Hermione had been expecting. A housewarming party or dinner. She sighed heavily. She would just have to deal with Bill.
"Yes? What's on your mind?" Hermione asked.
She looked at her mate, looking so happy with their new surrounds.
Fleur was dressed for moving day, wearing some short torn jean shorts, a white tee tucked in, and some sneakers. She had a little bit of dust on her clothes from tidying.
Hermione, ever the chivalrous one, had insisted on moving all the boxes inside and unpacking them. She'd got so overheated she'd stripped down to a sports bra and her briefs. She wiped her forehead as Fleur bit her lip, taking her time with what she was going to say.
"I was thinking we could, ah, christen the cottage," Fleur said, a light blush rising in her cheeks, "Since Hugo is asleep…"
Hermione's eyebrows raised and her stomach flipped pleasantly.
She didn't need further invitation. She'd been thinking all day that Fleur had been looking rather delectable in her shorts, showing her long expanse of toned legs.
Hermione pounced, grabbing Fleur roughly and pushing her up against the kitchen counter. Fleur gasped, leaning in to kiss Hermione's neck.
"Mmn, you are quite the lioness yourself, mon amour," Fleur purred. Hermione ran her hands over Fleur's thighs and up her toned stomach. She let her hands wander freely, appreciating the goddess before her. She pulled up Fleur's tee, tossing it across the kitchen.
Fleur smiled coyly, flipping their positions so Hermione was the one pinned against the counter. Hermione usually took the dominant role between them sexually, but she appreciated the change in pace. Besides, she was sure it would only be a matter of time before she would be topping Fleur once more.
Hermione's eyes drifted down to Fleur's chest. She was wearing a bra with so little fabric, and such transparent fabric, it almost couldn't be classed as clothing. Hermione wondered if she was wearing matching panties. She reached eagerly for the fly of Fleur's shorts, only to have her hands swatted away by manicured hands.
Her eyes locked with deep blue, flecked with silver. Fleur smirked, shaking her head. Hermione made a little noise of outrage, unused to Fleur withholding from her.
"Lose the sports bra and I'll consider it," Fleur said with a playful smile.
Hermione made a little huff, frustrated. She needed to see more of Fleur, immediately.
Frowning, Hermione pulled her sports bra off and tossed it aside, reaching eagerly for Fleur's shorts. This time Fleur didn't swat away her hands, allowing her to undo them and pull them off her. Once the shorts were taken care of, Hermione let her hands wander once more. She was delighted to find there was no more to the panties than there was to the bra, grabbing Fleur's ass.
Fleur smirked, moving to kiss at Hermione's neck, nipping lightly.
"Gods, Fleur," Hermione groaned.
Fleur ran her hands down Hermione's chest, squeezing her breasts appreciatively. Hermione lost it, loving the way that Fleur worshipped her body. Plump lips moved along Hermione's collarbone, making the brunette's knees weak with each nip and kiss. Silky blonde hair brushed against Hermione's skin as the Frenchwoman pressed herself harder against the Gryffindor.
Hermione kept her hands firmly on Fleur's backside as the blonde's hips began to work, grinding up against the brunette. A groan escaped Hermione's neck as she struggled with her spiking arousal.
It was a sweet kind of torture having Fleur caress her and press up against her in such a way. Especially when the blonde was wearing so little. Hermione needed relief soon.
Apparently sensing her mate's pressing needs, Fleur slipped a hand down the front of Hermione's briefs.
Hermione quivered as Fleur's fingers slid through her slick folds, beginning to work. This was sublime. Everything Hermione had ever wanted, but never realized until she had it. Her son sleeping soundly in the next room. Fleur, mated to her, looking at her with adoration.
Hermione's knees gave way and she planted her hands behind her on the counter, holding herself up.
She was a sucker for Fleur Delacour. She always would be. The woman brought her to her knees with a single smile. Her touch was unlike anything Hermione had ever experienced.
Hermione reached forward, hooking Fleur behind the next and pulling her into a passionate kiss. Fleur's fingers sped up with their caresses.
Their kiss broke as Hermione's pleasure mounted. She whimpered and buried her face into Fleur's soft neck.
Fleur began murmuring to her softly in French. Hermione couldn't understand much of what she said, but with the musical quality of her voice, and her slender hand down the front of her briefs, Hermione found herself pushed over the edge. She came with a shudder, crying Fleur's name into the blonde's neck.
Panting, Hermione leaned back again, locking eyes with Fleur.
Her deep sapphire eyes were stormy with passion, her pupils dilated. She was biting her plump bottom lip, looking at Hermione with wildness.
Her hand was still nestled down the front of Hermione's pants.
"Was that okay?" Fleur asked, a hint of self-consciousness evident in her voice.
"Amazing," Hermione sighed, "I rather think your hand belongs down there."
Fleur smirked, removing her hand.
"Bon," Fleur said airily, flipping her hair as she turned around. Hermione gazed at the shimmering blonde mane cascading down Fleur's back. Fleur walked away from her, heading back towards the master room.
Hermione followed her slowly, enthralled.
Fleur glided into the room, sitting down on the edge of the bed and crossing her legs. Fleur was so regal as she sat there. Hermione ached for her mate. She stepped slowly towards Fleur, hunger for her increasing with each step.
"You're still awfully clothed, Fleur," Hermione said, stepping ever closer to the blonde.
Fleur smiled serenely, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
"I could say the same about you, mon petit lionne," Fleur said, her voice sultry.
Hermione felt her knees growing weak again. The way Fleur was looking at her and the tone in her voice was driving her crazy. She had to take Fleur. Now.
Hermione slowly took her briefs off, making sure to take her time. She knew the anticipation would just work Fleur up further. She was impatient to a fault—something Hermione thoroughly enjoyed using to her advantage in the bedroom.
She looked up and, sure enough, Fleur was sitting naked on the end of the bed. She pouted.
"Hermione, you are taking so long," Fleur grumbled, crossing her legs tightly.
Hermione smirked. She turned and walked to the wardrobe, intentionally walking slowly.
"Wrong direction, Hermione," Fleur said, testiness creeping into her voice.
"Not necessarily," Hermione said evenly, opening the wardrobe and taking out a small box, "I packed something extra for the new place."
"Something… What is it?" Fleur asked, standing up and walking towards Hermione. Hermione tried not to giggle. Fleur was such a painfully curious creature.
"Non, non, non, mon amour," Hermione teased Fleur in French. She turned around, hiding the box behind her back momentarily, "I thought I was clear about you needing to behave."
"But… Hermione!" Fleur exclaimed, outraged. She seemed beyond frustrated, the pink capped nipples of her breasts hard and pupils blown.
"Fleur…" Hermione chided lightly, "Back on the bed, baby."
Fleur, looking for a moment like she might explode with frustration, stomped back to the bed and sat down.
Hermione turned around to hide her smirk. She opened the box slowly. She'd picked it up on a particularly daring day of shopping.
She'd gone out with Amelie and Ginny, who were very much in the honeymoon period of their relationship. They'd dragged her along to an adult store, looking for some new toys for their incredibly active sex-life. While Hermione had been bored out of her mind waiting for the lovebirds to select the numerous items she wanted, she had found something that had caught her eye.
Hermione opened the box, taking out the purple strap-on inside. She'd heard of them from Muggle media, of course. But in the wizarding world, they were apparently even more fun. According to the instructions that had come with the toy, when she wore it, she would be able to feel every sensation as if it were an extension of herself.
Hermione was looking forward to trying it out with Fleur.
She slipped the straps over herself, fastening the toy carefully.
"Hermione, if you don't come here soon, I'm going to take matters into my own hands," Fleur whined impatiently.
Hermione turned around slowly, a little cautious of what Fleur's reaction would be. The blonde's eyes widened as she took in the toy. For a horrible moment, Hermione wondered if it had been a gamble that hadn't paid off. But then a slow smile grew on Fleur's face.
Hermione slowly walked back towards Fleur, watching the blonde stare at her, almost as if hypnotized. As Hermione finally got to the edge of the bed, Fleur couldn't take it anymore, standing up and pulling Hermione into a passionate kiss.
Hermione loved the feeling of Fleur pushing her tongue desperately into her mouth, but still, broke the kiss. She grabbed Fleur by the hips and threw her onto the bed. Fleur landed on her back with a gasp, propping herself up on her elbows to look at Hermione with interest.
Hermione crawled up the bed slowly. As she slowly moved up Fleur's body, she dropped stray kisses. One to a smooth thigh, one to a hip, one to the tight abs that trembled with anticipation. Hermione finally moved to kiss Fleur's neck as her body covered the blonde's. She kissed the small scar where she had bonded with Fleur, right at the juncture of Fleur's neck and shoulder. Fleur's hips jerked beneath her.
Hermione could already feel the magic working in the toy. It was brushing the inside of Fleur's thighs and Hermione could feel it like her clit was being brushed by Fleur's soft skin.
"Hermione, don't tease," Fleur groaned restlessly.
Hermione, for once, decided not to drag out her teasing of Fleur. She was interested in trying out the new toy further. She used her knee to part Fleur's smooth thighs. She reached down and carefully guided the toy to her goal. Hermione let out a groan as she felt the sensation of pressing against Fleur's wetness. The magic worked. Fleur's back arched as Hermione pushed the head of the toy phallus inside her. Hermione's eyes almost rolled back in her head at the sensation. She made a mental note to look up whatever blessed charm they used on adult toys.
"Gods, Fleur," Hermione uttered in a strained voice, slowly slipping the rest of the strap-on inside Fleur.
Her jaw fell open, muscles quivering. The sensation of Fleur's tight, warm, wetness around the toy was transferring to Hermione impeccably. It really felt like it was an extension of Hermione. She let out a choked moan.
Hermione's eyes locked with Fleur's as she slowly edged it out again. Fleur's hands made their way up Hermione's toned and scarred back. They came to a rest at Hermione's shoulder blades just as Hermione thrusted back in. Hermione felt Fleur's perfect manicure dig into her skin.
"H-H-Hermione," Fleur panted.
Hermione kissed at the mating scar again, beginning to move her hips with rhythm. Fleur let out a cry of pleasure, parting her legs even wider to allow Hermione better access. Hermione pumped her hips with vigour, getting a headrush from the sensation.
Fleur's legs wrapped around her as Hermione continued to thrust. She had thought the few different ways she had shagged Fleur already had been exquisite, but this was something else. Her abs ached as she continued to pump into Fleur, the pleasure willing her on.
Fleur dragged her nails down Hermione's shoulders, whimpering.
"Gods, you're so amazing," Hermione growled into her ear.
She felt Fleur's walls begin to tighten around the toy.
"N-no… Too soon…" Hermione grunted, humping the blonde in earnest.
"I can't help it," Fleur groaned, "It feels so good… Oh, Hermione!"
Fleur shuddered, coming undone under Hermione. Hermione panted, riding Fleur through every last moment of her orgasm. When Fleur finally relaxed, Hermione withdrew from her, sitting back on her haunches.
She gazed at Fleur, lying splayed in front of her and basking in the glow of her climax. Hermione was throbbing with desire now, aching to take the blonde again. She needed relief again.
"Are you okay?" Fleur panted, sitting up.
"Y-yeah," Hermione managed, "Just… Very interested in a second round."
"I'm sorry I came so soon," Fleur smiled, "If it makes you feel better… We can do whatever you want to finish you off."
Hermione growled needily, flipping Fleur onto her stomach on the bed. Fleur let out a small murmur of surprise, then pleasure as Hermione grabbed her by the hips and pulled her onto her hands and knees. Hermione raised herself up, pressing her pelvis against Fleur's backside. It felt amazing. The toy was pressing against Fleur's cheeks and Hermione was holding her firmly in place.
"I… I want you, Fleur," Hermione said hoarsely, "I want you really badly."
"Then take me, my lion," Fleur replied, "Take me like I'm yours."
"Fuck," Hermione groaned, her arousal clouding everything.
She took the toy in her hand, still well lubricated from the first round with Fleur. Hermione considered a brief conversation she had had with Fleur late one night about things they would be interested in trying in bed. Letting her own reservations go, Hermione guided the toy above her usual goal, and pressed it against Fleur's tight asshole.
"Hermione," Fleur gasped, a mix of surprise and arousal in her voice.
"Is… Is it okay if I…?" Hermione asked, a little worried she was crossing a line.
"Oui," Fleur replied.
Hermione grinned, pushing the toy against Fleur's entrance. She let out a groan as she slowly worked it inside Fleur. This time her eyes really did roll back in her head at the tightness.
"Does that feel… Okay?" Hermione asked between gasps. She really didn't want to stop, but had to check if it was still okay for Fleur.
"Oui," Fleur gasped, "I feel so full,"
Appeased, Hermione began to thrust, letting out a cry of pleasure. It felt amazing. She planted a palm on Fleur's back, the other one holding her tightly by the hip. Hermione was rallied on by the slap of her pelvis against Fleur, feeling like she was dangerously close to losing her mind.
"Hermione!" Fleur moaned, pushing back into Hermione.
"Fuck, you feel so good," Hermione groaned, spanking Fleur.
She was thrusting desperately fast now, the muscles across her body twitching as she got closer and closer.
She hadn't been going for long, but she couldn't hold it any longer, uttering Fleur's name as she shuddered. She slumped against Fleur's back as she finished, her breasts flush against Fleur's shoulder blades.
She withdrew from Fleur slowly, twitching at the sensation as she slipped the toy out.
"Merlin, I need to find out what the spell is they use on these," Hermione sighed, undoing the straps and letting the toy fall to the bed.
Fleur rolled onto her back, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. Hermione threw herself back on the bed beside the blonde, staring up at the ceiling.
"I've never let anyone do me like that before," Fleur confessed, "But it felt good."
"That felt incredible," Hermione sighed, "I'm aching in muscles I don't usually ache in, but it was definitely worth it."
A loud wail rang out from Hugo's room and Hermione groaned. It was her turn.
She reluctantly got up from the bed, leaving her naked mate on the bed. Fleur shot her a grateful smile.
Hermione quickly pulled on some underwear and a singlet, padding out the door and into Hugo's room.
The little blonde was kicking his legs and waving his fists, his face scrunched up with the effort of screeching.
"What's wrong, darling?" Hermione asked, leaning over and scooping the baby up. She cuddled and jiggled Hugo but he kept wailing. She supposed he must be due for a feeding.
Hermione carried the loud little baby to the kitchen area, fishing out and warming a bottle for Hugo.
Settling into an armchair, Hermione began to feed Hugo. He latched on straight away, drinking hungrily.
"Oh, you are a hungry little boy!" Hermione cooed, smiling down at Hugo.
"He's going to grow up big and strong with an appetite like that," Fleur said, gliding into the room. She had put her lingerie back on and carelessly thrown a silk robe over herself, not bothering to tie it up.
Fleur sat down on the sofa, picking up a large book from the floor and setting in to read it. Hermione was unsure she had ever seen a more alluring sight.
"Are you already doing more work?" Hermione asked, "You took the day off!"
"I have a little side project I'm working on in my spare time," Fleur said dismissively. She crossed her legs, flipping through the pages.
Hermione was curious, opening her mouth to ask. But then Fleur looked up from her book.
"Hermione, I was thinking we could have a low-key housewarming and invite some of our friends," Fleur said, smiling sweetly.
Hermione sighed. She had seen this coming.
"Sure…" Hermione replied reluctantly, "Who were you thinking of inviting?"
"Well… Our friends," Fleur replied, looking like she was very much stating the obvious.
"Right," Hermione nodded, "Well… Okay then,"
"Oh, don't sound so unenthused," Fleur chided, shutting her book, "We will have a good time! We can show off how great our place looks!"
"I'm not unenthused…" Hermione lied.
Fleur snorted.
"Hermione! We will invite Harry, Ron and Ginny! You will end up enjoying yourself, I'm sure," Fleur insisted.
"Okay, okay," Hermione backed down.
"Magnifique!" Fleur replied, "Now… I have some more work to do on this little project, but then I'll get to planning the house-warming."
Hermione narrowed her eyes suspiciously, opening her mouth to ask about the project again.
"And non, I will not tell you what it is," Fleur said, getting up and walking out of the room, book in hand.
Hermione sighed, looking down at Hugo. He was gurgling happily now.
"She's a mysterious one, your Maman," Hermione told Hugo, reaching down and tapping his little nose softly.
Hugo wiggled his legs in response.