Chapter 10.
Hermione awoke, groggy, to sun streaming through a gap in the curtains. She couldn't remember the last time she had slept through the night without being woken by night terrors. She supposed she must have been truly exhausted.
But now, Hermione was very much awake—uncomfortably so. Hermione was lying on her back in bed. Fleur was nestled against her, a leg flung over Hermione's leg and her face nuzzled into her neck. That was unbearable enough, but her hand was also half under Hermione's waistband.
Hermione blushed as a heat ran through her. She could feel Fleur's breath hot against her neck, causing her to break out in goosebumps. She willed herself not to get turned on, horrified at the thought of Fleur's obliviousness. But Fleur sighed and shifted in her sleep, her hand moving across Hermione, but further under her waistband, coming to a rest on her hip bone. The warmth of Fleur's skin on her skin was driving Hermione crazy.
"Fuuuuuck…" Hermione breathed out shakily.
The room was starting to feel too warm and Hermione's heartbeat was beginning to race. The brunette wasn't sure what to do. She could hardly fling the sleeping woman off her without startling her.
"Erm… Wake up…?" Hermione tried quietly.
Fleur didn't stir, continuing to sleep soundly.
Hermione coughed pointedly. Fleur murmured unintelligibly, but still didn't wake.
The situation quickly becoming entirely unbearable to Hermione, she stage coughed, loudly.
At this, Fleur finally stirred, lifting her head drowsily.
"Hermione?" Fleur sleepily asked.
"Erm… Morning Fleur," Hermione choked out. Fleur looked confused at Hermione's tone before looking down and registering that her hand was placed firmly within Hermione's pyjama pants.
"Merde," Fleur cursed, pulling her hand back as quickly as if she had been burned. She uncharacteristically blushed heavily, looking down as she shuffled backwards from Hermione to give her space in the bed.
Hermione cleared her throat again, finally free to sit up in bed. She sat up and rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.
"I am… So sorry," Fleur finally managed to get out.
"Ahh… Its all right," Hermione mumbled, before chuckling nervously.
"I didn't mean… I didn't mean to…" Fleur awkwardly tried to get out. Hermione's own embarrassment subsided as she watched the usually composed ice queen stammer awkwardly. Hermione felt herself inwardly smirk at this turn of events.
"Its okay… I feel like your hand quite belongs down my pants," Hermione smiled impishly, enjoying tormenting the blonde for once. Fleur's blush darkened and she ducked her head.
Hermione chuckled, feeling far more relaxed, launching herself out of bed with a spring in her step. She padded out of the room and to the bathroom.
Hermione took her time showering. In the privacy of the shower, she allowed her mind to play over the sweet torture that the morning snuggle with Fleur had been.
'Keep your head in the game, Granger,' Hermione told herself, shaking her head, 'You don't want to end up in Azkaban because you spent all your trial preparation time fawning over your legal representation.'
Feeling considerably fresher and like everything was safely back in perspective, Hermione changed in the bathroom before heading out to the living area.
Fleur was already changed and back at the table, appearing as aloof and unbothered as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
"I made you a coffee," Fleur commented without looking up, gesturing at the opposite side of the table to herself. Hermione walked over to join her.
"You remembered how I like it," Hermione smiled, watching Fleur's face turn lightly pink before remembering the task at hand, "Have you found any way we can get my wand excluded as evidence?"
"How did you know that was what I had started working on?" Fleur asked, looking up curiously. She still had the hint of a blush on her cheeks and Hermione liked how authentic it made her appear.
"I like knowing things," Hermione shrugged, "I also like coming out on top. We're going to win this."
Fleur grinned at this, seeming to regain her infamous ego.
"Excellent, as do I."
Tensions eased, the two women set into their studies for the day. One thing kept getting Hermione. The wand seemed to be the key thing tying Hermione to the killing. If they could get it thrown out as evidence, the Wizengamot would be forced to dismiss the case. Hermione just couldn't work out how someone had even got her wand to plant it at the scene. Since wartime, Hermione had always kept her wand close. It was either in her hand or holstered close to her skin at all times.
Hermione's empty hands fiddled as she pondered this, as if they were missing the wand themselves.
"Something bothering you?" Fleur asked, watching her.
Hermione looked up, her hands coming to a halt.
"I… I just don't know how they got my wand…" Hermione said with a frown, thinking deeply.
"Was there any way anyone could have got close enough to you to take your wand?" Fleur asked, leaning her head on one hand.
"I mean… No, it was always holstered close to me," Hermione replied, "Strapped to my thigh if I was wearing a dress, or inside my sleeve if I was wearing pants and a long-sleeved shirt."
Fleur looked a little uncomfortable, shifting in her seat.
"And…" Fleur swallowed awkwardly, "Was there anyone… Were you seeing anyone that may have had access to… That would have been close enough to…"
Hermione laughed.
"No… Nothing like that, Fleur," Hermione said, smiling warmly. Fleur nodded primly, scribbling some notes on the parchment in front of her.
Hermione watched the blonde. She still looked so proud, so arrogant, but her beauty had taken on a new look to Hermione. Since witnessing her vulnerable side and how flustered she could get, Hermione was finding her quite cute. Cute was a word Hermione never thought she would associate with Fleur Delacour-Weasley.
Hermione sighed, stretching and standing up. She moved over to a clear area of the living room and began doing push ups. She had got quite into her fitness. It was amazing what a fear of being beaten up in prison could do for motivation. She completed all her sets before doing some core work, feeling her abs burn at the effort.
When she was done, Hermione wiped her brow and stood up again, wondering what to do next.
She ambled across the room to the doorway, where she had installed a metal bar. Hoisting herself up, she began doing pull ups. Partway through, she became aware of Fleur's eyes on her. The blonde had got up and had begun walking towards her, almost as if she was unaware of her own actions.
Hermione continued doing her pull ups, but felt an warm twang deep in her stomach at the way Fleur's eyes were running down her.
'God the last thing I need is to get turned on before having to pull an all-nighter researching with her,' Hermione thought with a grimace.
"I… uh…" Fleur was close enough to touch her now. Hermione wasn't sure if she had noticed how blue Fleur's eyes were before. Her white blonde hair was loose and tumbling down her shoulders. It was shimmering with the curious silver quality it had.
Hermione stopped mid pull up, panting lightly. She was entirely transfixed by the blonde.
"Can I help you?" Hermione asked breathlessly. She knew it was wrong but part of her was dying for Fleur to ask her for something physical. For Fleur to ask her to give in to her passions.
"I… I need to get past you," Fleur replied, her voice a little unsteady, "I'm cold and my jumper is in the bedroom."
"Oh… Right…" Hermione dropped down, releasing the bar. She leaned against the doorway to allow Fleur through.
Fleur went to move past her, their bodies pressing against each other momentarily. They both paused, eyes locking. Hermione's eyes drifted down to Fleur's lips and she began to move her hand slowly, but before she could touch the blonde, Fleur had brushed past her and into the bedroom.
Hermione let out a shuddering breath, running a hand through her hair. She wanted Fleur. She knew Fleur wanted her.
"Truly unbearable," Hermione muttered, walking back into the living room.
"What was that?" Fleur asked, pulling a jumper over her head and following Hermione into the living room.
"Nothing," Hermione replied cheerfully. There was nothing she could say to the blonde to make things better, after all.
A rapping at the window interrupted any further conversation. A small owl was frantically knocking at the window to get in. Fleur rushed over, letting the bird in and deftly untying a parchment from its leg. She motioned to a shelf where Hermione saw a pouch of owl treats.
Hermione silently took the small pouch and began feeding the small over-excited owl as Fleur read the parchment, her eyebrows raising. Hermione left the owl to peck at the open pouch of treats, her attentions now turned to Fleur.
"What is it?"
"Harry and Ron have been found," Fleur replied, narrowing her eyes at the parchment.
"That's fantastic!" Hermione cheered, "Truly fantastic! Fleur? Why aren't you looking more pleased about this?"
"They're in Azkaban," Fleur replied solemnly, "They've been arrested for armed robbery at Gringotts."
"What the actual fuck?!" Hermione exploded, "First me for murder and now them for robbery?!"
"I know, its clearly a set up," Fleur replied, "But I just don't understand why… If they had already succeeded in kidnapping Harry and Ron… Why not just kill them?"
"They obviously want us all in Azkaban… But why?" Hermione wondered.
"All the prominent Death Eaters are in there…" Fleur mused, "But again… Why not just get someone on the outside to do their bidding?"
"We need to go see them," Hermione replied, "Whatever is going on, they're in danger."
"We don't need to see them," Fleur replied in a clipped tone, "You are only out of Azkaban because you're on bail. Bail with strict conditions not to see anyone connected to Hogwarts."
"Fleur, you have to be kidding," Hermione shot back, "If anyone can help them through this and give them advice, its me. I'm their best friend. I know exactly what they're going through."
Fleur put up a hand dismissively.
"Non," Fleur replied firmly, "They are not in the block for those who have killed. It will not be as bad for them. I will go and see them straight away, see if I can organise some representation for them."
"Fleur," Hermione grabbed Fleur's arm as the blonde moved to leave. Blue eyes locked with deep brown.
"Hermione, this is for your own good," Fleur replied, "You aren't thinking clearly. Its not worth breaching your bail conditions."
"They're my best friends," Hermione tried, "I care about them."
"I care about you," Fleur confessed, "I don't want you to go back there. Trust me when I say I am doing what is best for you."
"Fleur," Hermione interjected, grabbing Fleur's other arm too, forcing the blonde to look at her.
"Hermione," Fleur replied firmly, "Do you trust me?"
Hermione held Fleur's gaze. She could feel the palpable sexual tension, strong enough it almost seemed like a physical presence. But she also felt something else towards the blonde.
"Yes… Yes, I trust you," Hermione replied, releasing Fleur.
A hint of a smile quirked at Fleur's lips before she carefully set her face to neutral again.
"Very well, I will be back as soon as I can," Fleur replied, "I will do my best and pass on your best."
Fleur glided across the room, plucking a cloak from a nearby coatrack and picking up her handbag.
"Fleur?"
"Oui?" Fleur turned to glance over her shoulder, looking so confident and beautiful it almost took Hermione's breath away.
"Erm… Thanks for everything," Hermione mumbled.
Fleur nodded before disappearing out the door.