Chapter 19.
Hermione finished zipping up the backpack she had borrowed from Bill. She had packed a couple pairs of jeans and tees, plus a jumper for the draughty halls of Grimmauld Place.
It was well after dinner and dark outside. She was ready to get to Harry's inherited property already. It still wasn't home, but it felt closer to it.
Slinging her backpack on, Hermione headed out to the living area. Harry and Ron were there with their bags… And so was Fleur. Ron was looking entirely baffled.
Hermione felt her spirits lift at the realisation that she and Fleur would be sticking together for a while longer.
Bill entered the room, not looking surprised at Fleur being ready to go.
"Bill, what's going on?" Ron asked, "Why is Fleur coming with us but not you?"
Hermione could have slapped her forehead. Ron had never been known for his subtlety.
"Fleur and I have decided to break up," Bill replied. Hermione felt her stomach flip at the news, although Fleur was avoiding eye contact with everyone.
"Why?!" Ron exclaimed, "What happened?"
Hermione could honestly throttle Ron at this point, obliviously needling at things that Hermione didn't want said aloud.
Bill looked at Fleur before looking at Hermione. Hermione felt awkward under his pained gaze. Finally he spoke.
"We drifted apart," Bill said stiffly.
Ron moved forward, throwing his arms around his older brother. Bill hugged him back appreciatively while the others stood by awkwardly.
Eventually Harry cleared his throat.
"Well… That's… That's okay then…" Harry bumbled, "Shall we head off?"
Hermione nodded eagerly.
After some awkward goodbyes with Bill, they apparated to Grimmauld Place.
In her eagerness to get out of the awkwardness of Shell Cottage, she had forgotten just how dark and cold Grimmauld Place was. Thankfully, Harry had long ago found a way to get rid of the vocal and bigoted portrait in the hallway. Kreacher, however, was a still-present feature.
He bowed at Harry before eying Hermione and Fleur with dissatisfaction.
Ron was oblivious, already leaping up the stairs as fast as he could to try and claim the best room. Harry, chuckling, followed behind. Hermione was left walking slowly up the stairs with Fleur.
The blonde was quiet beside her, but Hermione supposed it was better than her actively avoiding her.
Hermione felt her hand brushing against the back of Fleur's hand and tried not to smile. She wasn't sure what the right etiquette was in this situation, but she supposed openly celebrating Fleur's newly single status would be a bit inappropriate.
Harry and Ron were out of sight now, gone to the depths of the Grimmauld Place mansion. Hermione got to the first obvious bedroom, fine with whatever room at this point—as long as it had a bed instead of a prison cot.
She pushed the door open, noticing that Fleur was at her side, looking into the room curiously.
The rooms at Grimmauld Place were very old fashioned and rundown. The summer they had spent spring cleaning the mansion had helped, as well as the time Sirius had spent keeping the house in order while he hid out there. But it was still very dusty and depressing looking.
The four-poster Queen bed was cloaked in a canopy that was very thickly coated in dust and spiderwebs.
"I know a good spell for that," Fleur said softly.
She stepped forward, doing a small but complicated movement with her wand. The room lit up with a white bright light.
Hermione rubbed her eyes.
"Thanks for blinding me," Hermione commented as her vision slowly faded back to normal.
"Sorry, I should have warned you about that part," Fleur said apologetically.
But Hermione's mild annoyance was soon forgotten as she took in how utterly clean the room was. The materials and wallpaper in the room were still faded with age, but apart from that were so clean they could be brand new.
"Woah," Hermione gaped, "I wish someone had known that spell the summer we had to clean this place."
"My mother is a clean freak," Fleur shrugged, "She spent a lot of her spare time researching obscure cleaning spells. It comes in handy on occasion."
Fleur turned around towards the doorway, but Hermione reached out and took her arm to halt her.
"Stay," Hermione asked, her voice low and gentle.
Fleur's eyes locked with Hermione's, for the first time properly since they had gone to Shell Cottage. The chemistry between them was going haywire again. Hermione wasn't sure if she could bear it if Fleur wanted to retreat to another room.
"Okay," Fleur replied finally.
Hermione pulled Fleur towards her until she could take her in her arms.
Fleur still looked like she was restraining herself.
Hermione had to take a deep breath and remind herself that Fleur's marriage had just ended that same day. It was hard to keep her mind on what was appropriate now she had actually slept with Fleur. It made it even harder to keep herself in check. When she knew how soft that skin felt under her lips, how good it felt to make those hips buck…
Hermione released Fleur and took a step back, exhaling.
"We can just sleep," Hermione said to her, "No funny business. I know it has been a big day for you."
Fleur's face softened and she smiled freely for the first time all day.
"I would like that," Fleur replied.
Hermione grinned. She was proud of herself for reading the moment right and treating Fleur right for the situation.
As Fleur set her things down and changed into a silk nightdress, Hermione had to bite her lip and remind herself of how well she was doing. She wanted so badly to have her hands all over Fleur's body. It was like a drug. Now she had a hit of making love with Fleur, all she wanted to do was shag her silly.
But Fleur was in a vulnerable state. The shagging would have to wait.
'Merlin, I hope there's more shagging,' Hermione thought to herself, getting into her wifebeater and boxers.
She climbed into the bed beside Fleur. The blonde must have been exhausted from sitting up all night the previous night. The second she lay her head down, she seemed to fall into a deep sleep.
Hermione felt bad, she must have been tired the whole day they were going back and forth organising their exit from Shell Cottage.
Feeling the familiar protectiveness of Fleur, Hermione drew herself close up behind Fleur. She wrapped her arms around her and buried her face in the silky white-blonde mane.
Fleur smelt like lilies.
Hermione smiled to herself as she fell asleep, Fleur tight in her arms.
Hermione stretched as her eyes opened. Sun was filtering into the room and Hermione smiled. She was lying on her back and Fleur was wrapped around her tightly, her head resting on Hermione's chest.
One of her hands was firmly down Hermione's boxers, cupping her mound. Hermione felt her arousal spiking, but dared not move. Fleur had been so exhausted and run down the previous day she probably really needed a sleep.
Fleur murmured in her sleep and Hermione threw her head back, begging herself not to get turned on.
Fleur shifted, burying her face into Hermione's neck and pressing her body closer to Hermione.
Hermione let out a whimper, suffering badly now.
"Hermione?" Fleur murmured, waking up.
"Y-yeah?" Hermione stammered. She was a mess right now, barely holding it together.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Fleur realised their positions and the tortured look Hermione had on her face. The brunette was breathing shallowly now.
"It's okay," Hermione managed.
Fleur smiled into Hermione's neck, kissing it.
Hermione was in pure torture now.
"Or maybe I'm not sorry," Fleur purred into Hermione's neck, rubbing her hand against Hermione.
Hermione let out a moan. She was putty in Fleur's hands.
Fleur began to use her fingers now, careful and purposeful in her movements. She ran her fingers through Hermione's wetness, before making her way up to toy with Hermione's clit. Hermione gasped, throwing her head back.
Hermione had been waiting for this, hungering for this ever since the night they had made love. It was even better than she had remembered.
Hermione glanced down, the view of Fleur's hand firmly within her boxers driving her wild. She moaned loudly. Fleur kissed her neck before bringing her lips to brush Hermione's ear.
"You have been so good to me," Fleur murmured, "I thought you deserved a little treat."
"Oh my God," Hermione gasped. Fleur's teasing words and her French accent were just sending her over the edge.
Fleur's careful fingers took Hermione to climax. Hermione shuddered, her legs shaking as she finished.
Satisfied with her work, Fleur kissed Hermione and withdrew her hand, immediately swinging herself out of bed.
"Wait—you don't want…?" Hermione cursed her slow brain as she forced herself to sit up. She was surprised Fleur was getting up so soon.
Fleur glanced back at Hermione as she gathered her things in her hands.
"You think it's a good idea for Ron to catch me leaving your room?" Fleur asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Good point," Hermione reluctantly nodded.
"We have to be careful," Fleur replied, "This is still an inappropriate pairing… And I don't want to hurt Bill's feelings any further."
"Yeah… Yeah…" Hermione agreed, gathering her senses, "We have to be careful about how we go about telling anyone about… This… And now would be a bad time."
Hermione got up out of bed, getting dressed for the day. Fleur smiled at her before carefully opening the door and heading out. She was still in her night dress and had her bag and clothes bundled in her arms.
Hermione sighed, watching the blonde leave. She couldn't wait until she could have the blonde freely and without restraint.
She ran her hands through her brunette curls, heading out the door herself. After such an amazing start to her morning, she was ready for a good breakfast.
Hermione halted as soon as she got out the door. Harry was standing in the hallway, leaning against the door. He had a knowing look about him.
"What's going on, 'Mione?" Harry asked, crossing his arms across his chest.
"I… Erm…" Hermione wasn't sure what to say.
"I saw her sneaking out of here," Harry commented, "Is this the reason—"
"Hi Ron!" Hermione greeted frantically, looking further down the hall.
Harry glanced at the redhead approaching them, reluctantly dropping the subject. But Hermione knew she couldn't escape Harry's questions forever.