A/N: I'm back at work for the year now, so unsure how much time I'll have to be spending on my little Fleurmione habit... But for now, here's another chapter :)
EDIT: Sorry, I accidentally cut the last part of the chapter off, added now.
After their coffees and breakfast, Hermione settled into the couch with a stack of books and Fleur set about redecorating the apartment. She wanted to make sure the décor remained stylish. As she stood on her tiptoes to wave away some cobwebs above a cabinet she got the impression that Hermione was watching her. But when she turned around, Hermione was buried in a book with her legs tucked up underneath her and a throw wrapped around her. Fleur felt a tingle through her body as she remembered Hermione's teasing from the previous night. She wanted desperately to bring it up, to see if she could detect a hint of desire on Hermione's face in the sobriety of day, but she couldn't quite bring herself to do it. Hermione just looked so painfully cute reading and Fleur couldn't bear another affirmation of Hermione's strict straightness.
Fleur had just finished transfiguring the curtains to a different style and adding a rug to the living area when Hermione stretched and put her book down.
"Well, I'd better head off to meet Ron," Hermione said, not looking at Fleur.
"Will you be home for dinner?" Fleur said hopefully.
Hermione turned away from her, busying herself with gathering up her books, "No… I don't think so… I think I'll be out quite late…"
Fleur felt her heart sink as she fastened a big fake smile on her face, "Okay then, Hermione. Have fun!"
Hermione took her books to her room and grabbed a coat before heading to the door. She called out goodbye and disappeared.
Fleur sighed and went straight to her room and lay down on the bed, opting to skip dinner. Her stomach was twisting uncomfortably anyway. She couldn't stop thinking about Hermione kissing down her and whispering in her ear. She had looked so sweet and perfect curled up on Fleur's couch reading. Fleur thought about Hermione going to meet that oaf Ron, who used to get to hold her hand and share her bed. Her chest ached more.
Before she knew it, she had drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
Fleur awoke the next morning, surprised she had slept through the whole night. She stretched and went for a shower, thinking about Hermione kissing down her body. When she got out and got changed, she went to the kitchen and made a coffee and some toast. She went to knock on Hermione's door to offer her some breakfast but saw the door was already open and Hermione's bed made. Fleur furrowed her brows, but remembered Hermione mentioning she had a morning therapy session.
It was about midday when Hermione came home. Fleur was sitting at the table eating her lunch and looked up. Hermione looked tired and was wearing the same clothes she had been wearing the day before. Fleur was suspicious.
"How was therapy?" Fleur asked carefully.
Hermione ran a hand through her hair raggedly and sat down on the couch.
"Oh… yeah… well, Ron and I decided it would be more fun to go get brunch," Hermione said. Fleur felt her stomach drop painfully.
"So you are back with Ron?" Fleur asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"No," Hermione said, not looking at Fleur, "We're just hanging out."
Fleur finished eating her lunch in silence before getting up and walking into her room, shutting the door firmly behind her. She sat on her bed and put her head in her hands. Her heart was aching. She felt hurt and lonely all over again. Except it was worse than when she had left Bill. She had let herself get her hopes up over Hermione. She had let Hermione move into her place. But Hermione was only interested in Ron.
There was a gentle knock at her door.
"Fleur?"
"Oui?"
The door opened and Hermione gingerly walked in. She came and sat beside Fleur on the bed.
"Are… you okay?" Hermione asked gently.
"I know we can joke about it now," Fleur said, her head still in her hands, "But I really do like you… And its hard."
Hermione pulled Fleur up to face her.
"Fleur…" Hermione said softly, "About last night…"
"Its okay, Hermione," Fleur said sadly, "We were drunk… You're straight… You still have feelings for Ron…"
"Fleur…" Hermione murmured, looking in her eyes.
"I'm just crazy about you, Hermione…" Fleur said quietly.
Hermione suddenly lurched forward and kissed Fleur. She pulled back suddenly, looking just as surprised as Fleur.
"Shit, I'm sorry, Fleur," Hermione stammered, "I just… you make me really confused… I don't know how I feel…"
Fleur's mouth fell open in disbelief.
"I guess…" Hermione muttered, blushing and looking away from Fleur, "I guess I'm attracted to you… But I don't want to lead you on or hurt your feelings…"
"So you did mean what happened the other night…" Fleur said slowly.
"It was really hot…" Hermione said, blushing harder, "…But I know you have feelings for me, I don't want to hurt you over an attraction."
Fleur swallowed hard, trying to wrap her head around Hermione confirming that she didn't feel the same way, but admitting an attraction to her.
"I hate seeing you upset," Hermione said frowning, "So what happened the other night can't happen again. I'm just going to focus on being a good friend."
Fleur sighed and nodded, frustrated, but appreciative that at least Hermione was thinking about her feelings. They sat in silence as the situation sank in.
"So… Have you ever seen a muggle television?" Hermione said finally.
"No, what's that?" Fleur asked with a confused look on her face.
Hermione smiled, "I'll set it up and show you."
The rest of the evening was spent in the living room with Hermione showing Fleur her favourite muggle movies from when she grew up. They sat carefully at opposite sides of the couch, Fleur's mind still repeating the memory of Hermione admitting her attraction.
Over the next week, Fleur threw herself into her work to distract herself from the rollercoaster of a weekend that had just been. The upside of it being so confusing was that Hermione felt bad for what happened. So every night when Fleur came home late from work, Hermione made sure that dinner was cooked and on the table and that all the dishes were done.
As for Hermione, she was back at therapy but still hanging out with Ron, meeting him each day for lunch. She was still confused and found it comforting to be around her ex boyfriend for the familiarity. Ron was a dick, sure, but he was reliable and talked enough about nothing to distract Hermione from all the confusing thoughts running through her head.
By Friday, Hermione and Fleur had just about returned to normal. Fleur arrived home late from work again, her heels killing her. She thankfully sank into her chair at the table and started eating the pasta Hermione had made. Hermione poured them a glass of wine each.
"So, Fleur," Hermione said smiling, "I was thinking about how I've been keeping up my end of the deal with therapy, but you still haven't gone on a date with a nice girl yet!"
"Ha… I guess not…" Fleur said weakly, "Its been a big week though…"
"Nonsense, Fleur!" Hermione exclaimed, "We should go out tonight! We can go back to that bar we went to."
Fleur reluctantly agreed and they got ready after dinner and headed out. Fleur was nervous so Hermione shouted them several rounds of drinks. Hermione was on her sixth drink when she started noticing the girls in the bar eying up Fleur. Fleur was looking painfully attractive in her figure hugging dress. She was smiling radiantly as the alcohol kicked in. Hermione felt a pang of desire.
A dark haired woman in a revealing dress approached their table and said something softly to Fleur. Fleur smiled and stood up to join the girl on the dance floor. Hermione sipped on her drink morosely as she watched the girl wrap her arms around Fleur's waist.
'Fleur won't fall for that shit,' Hermione thought, rolling her eyes at how obvious this girl was being.
But sure enough, soon they were kissing, the woman's hands running through Fleur's long silver-blonde hair and down her back. Hermione watched Fleur's hands run over the woman's body and felt a dull burn of jealousy. She put down her drink and marched over to the couple, tapping Fleur on the shoulder hard. Fleur pulled away from the kiss and turned to face Hermione, confused.
"Fleur," Hermione said with urgency, "I don't feel well, I need to go home…"
The dark haired woman was now kissing Fleur's neck and Fleur looked distracted.
"Erm, I might stay here, Hermione," Fleur said, blushing slightly.
Hermione felt the burn of jealousy intensify.
"Come with me, Fleur," Hermione asked, knowing that Fleur's veela instincts would push her into coming with her. She had tried to refrain from taking advantage of Fleur's submission but she just couldn't stand seeing Fleur with this girl. Fleur frowned and pulled herself away from the girl. As they started to walk away Fleur sulked.
"What the hell, Hermione?" she muttered.
All of a sudden the dark haired girl bounced in front of them.
"Hi, I'm sorry but you are just the most beautiful girl I have ever seen," she gushed breathlessly, "I know you have to go home now, but could we meet for a coffee tomorrow at Donny's Coffee House at 11?"
Fleur smiled and nodded and the girl kissed her cheek and bounded away again.
"Don't go on that date, Fleur," Hermione said firmly as they walked out the door and into the street.
"What the fuck, Hermione!" Fleur exclaimed, "I thought you said you were going to stop messing with me. I thought you said you were going to help me move on!"
"Yeah," Hermione said, looking at her feet, "Just not with her"
"So, I can't be with you," Fleur said bitterly, "But I can't be with anyone else, either?"
They grabbed hands extremely reluctantly and apparated back home. Fleur wrenched her hand away immediately and turned back to Hermione with a look of hurt and anger.
"Do you just want me to be unhappy? To just be around to give you what you want but never be happy myself?" Fleur cried.
"Of course not, Fleur," Hermione replied hastily, "I'm just… just… jealous…"
Fleur's face softened from rage to confusion before settling on an icy look, "I don't understand, Hermione,"
Hermione took a deep breath, "I guess… Seeing you with that girl… And her asking you out… Made me realise I want to be the one to take you on dates…"
Fleur still looked like she didn't quite trust the situation.
Hermione stepped towards her slowly, "I don't want to hurt you… but I don't think I can be happy without being with you… I've been trying every single way to avoid that fact, but I want you, Fleur."
Hermione closed the gap and put her arms around Fleur, kissing her softly. Fleur returned the kiss, deepening it and leaning against Hermione. Hermione started backing towards her room, pulling Fleur with her. Their hands were frantically exploring every part of each other. They stumbled into Hermione's room until Hermione's legs hit the end of her bed. She released Fleur and sat down on the end of her bed. Fleur was standing in front of her.
"Strip for me, Fleur…" Hermione said, eying Fleur hungrily.
Fleur took her heels off carefully, before she slowly slipped her dress off and let it fall to the floor. Hermione leapt up, impatient, and began taking off her own clothes. Fleur's eyes took in each new revealed part of Hermione eagerly. Soon Hermione was naked, and frantically pulling Fleur's underwear off. She couldn't wait any longer.
She pulled Fleur onto the bed, kissing her neck and sucking on her earlobe. As Fleur clambered on top of her, she could feel the warmth and wetness signalling Fleur was getting excited. Hermione felt a sharp pang of arousal at this and started grinding up against her. Fleur let out a soft moan, moving to kiss and bite lightly on Hermione's collarbone. She lowered her kisses and soon was licking and sucking on Hermione's nipples. Hermione felt the arousal in her intensify as Fleur kissed down her stomach eagerly. Her hips bucked as Fleur made her way lower, a hand making its way to tangle itself in Fleur's hair. Hermione shivered with anticipation as Fleur made a light moan, finally reaching Hermione's pussy. She was licking vigorously and Hermione felt her head rush as pleasure raced through her body. Her back arched as she let out a loud involuntary moan. The pleasure was mounting. It was nothing like she had felt before, it was building and building. Hermione looked down at the blonde beauty ravishing her and felt a final, absolute wave of ecstasy wave over her as she shuddered.
Fleur rose back up, kissing Hermione sweetly on the cheek before lying on her back beside Hermione on the bed. Hermione moved over and started kissing Fleur's neck, her hand running slowly, deliberately down Fleur's body. Fleur's breathing was ragged and Hermione nipped her gently. Hermione's careful fingers made it to Fleur's clit, rubbing rhythmically as she kissed her way down Fleur. Fleur's hips started rolling and she began to moan as Hermione kept going. Hermione was kissing down Fleur slowly, loving the reaction she was eliciting from Fleur. As she made it down to Fleur's pussy she moved her fingers to make room for her to start licking her clit. She shifted her fingers down before sliding two of them inside Fleur. Fleur writhed with pleasure, letting out another moan. Hermione thrust her fingers slowly, before gaining momentum, licking the whole time. Fleur's hands were clenching the sheets on the bed tightly as she writhed and arched. Soon, she shuddered and climaxed.
She rose up and flung herself heavily back on the bed, throwing an arm across Fleur's bare stomach. Fleur was still breathing heavily.
"I've been thinking about that for a while…" Hermione admitted, kissing Fleur on the cheek, "It was even better than I thought it would be."
"It was pretty great for me too…" Fleur sighed happily, still feeling the endorphin rush.
The two lay entwined for some time, happy and relaxed before Fleur broke the silence.
"So what now?" she asked Hermione. Hermione bit her lip nervously.
"I mean… according to the research, you shouldn't be feeling a drive to submit to me anymore now we've, erm, mated," Hermione said, blushing heavily.
"And what about you?" Fleur asked, looking deeply into Hermione's eyes.
"Well, I mean, obviously I'm still attracted to you," Hermione replied, "Maybe even more now I know how good that feels with you,"
Fleur smiled widely.
"But," Hermione said, drawing in a breath, "I still don't want to hurt you. I think its best if we stay friends for now. I don't want to use you, especially after the incidents in the past."
Fleur sighed heavily, obviously disappointed.
"Fleur, I really think it will for the best… I mean you are my best friend…" Hermione said awkwardly.
"You're my best friend, too…" Fleur sighed, partially agreeing that she would hate to lose the friendship.
"But, I mean, friends still… get close…" Hermione said softly, moving on top of Fleur.
Fleur woke up the next morning alone in Hermione's bed. Her head was a mess. On the one hand the night had been filled with breathtaking sex with the woman she had been pining over for so long. On the other hand, "just friends" was ringing heavily in her ears.
While her inner veela instinct seemed to have subsided now she had finally slept with Hermione, her heart still ached at the thought of Hermione not having feelings for her past attraction and friendship. She sat up in bed, realising that Hermione was probably at a morning therapy session and looked around the room. Her stomach twisted as she looked at the stacks of parchment and books littered around Hermione's room. The little nerd. It was cute. Her chest throbbed painfully again, at the thought of the closeness she wanted with Hermione but would never get.
Fleur climbed out of Hermione's bed and started picking up her clothes from around Hermione's cluttered room. She gathered the last of them and was rising to her feet, running a hand through her long hair when she caught a glance of herself in Hermione's dresser mirror. Her hair was uncharacteristically unkempt and her chest and stomach were littered with small red hickeys from Hermione. Her eyes moved down the mirror and to the dresser, where she saw a framed photo of Harry, Hermione and Ron. Her eyes narrowed.
Ron was Hermione's best friend. All through school and the war. Hadn't Hermione risked their friendship to be with him? Hadn't she looked past a terrible break up to make an effort to rebuild their friendship later? Fleur's stomach twisted painfully. Her eyes returned to her reflection in the mirror. Hermione was using her.
Fleur stormed out of the room and into her bedroom. She threw her clothes on the bed as hard as she could, tears prickling at her eyes. As she wiped her eyes quickly, she looked up at the clock on the wall. 10am. Plenty of time to go and meet a girl that was actually interested in going on a date with her.