A/N: A short chapter this time, sorry! Bold means speaking in French.
Almost a week had passed since Hermione had asked out Fleur, and Fleur had to admit, her attitude had changed. She seemed more positive and driven, more like the Hermione she had met briefly in the past before the war.
Small piles of books and parchment were a frequent discovery around the apartment, with Hermione excitedly circling paragraphs, her thirst for knowledge thoroughly renewed. She had also taken a keen interest in cooking. While she had cooked for Fleur previously when Fleur worked late, it had always been relatively plain meals. But now she was experimenting with different flavour combinations and spices, creating an exciting new dish each evening and creating small morsels for her and Fleur to take to their offices.
She was still attending counselling, and seemed less pained each time she returned, growing used to opening up and working through her issues instead of flinching at them.
Fleur was still guarded about the changes in Hermione. After all, Hermione had promised she would stop being so confusing and unhealthy before. But despite herself, she was still drawn to Hermione. The veela within her had been satiated by sleeping with Hermione, but it still felt drawn to her. This instinct felt less urgent, more warm and calm.
Today she had received an owl from Hermione, asking her to try to leave work as early as she could. She had a lot she could delve into, but decided to trust Hermione, ducking in on Mallarick to let him know she would be leaving about 4.30pm for the week. He raised his eyebrows with surprise, but nodded his assent.
When Fleur left the marbled building of Gringotts at 4.30pm, she was met by Hermione, holding a handful of flowers.
"Baby's breath," Hermione said with a smile, "A weird choice, but your favourite,"
Fleur smiled slightly, "How did you know?"
Hermione raised her eyebrows, "Oh you can't beat Hermione Granger when it comes to research," she joked. She offered her hand to Fleur, who reluctantly took it. With a pop they apparated into a small alleyway.
Hermione led them down the alleyway and across a small street to a café. Fleur smiled.
"You know I just got taken on a date to a coffee shop, right?" she said breezily. Hermione nodded with a smile.
They opened the door with a jingle and a waitress approached them.
"Salut comment allez-vous," the waitress said sweetly. Fleur turned and looked at Hermione with a wide smile before turning back to the waitress and happily conversing in French. While Fleur was happily chattering, Hermione moved to the cabinet and pointed at a few of Fleur's favourite delicacies. Another waitress moved and set them up at a table.
Fleur and Hermione sat down as the waitress came and brought them coffee. Fleur looked from the treats at the table to Hermione, a smile playing at her lips.
"How did you know what to select for me?" she exclaimed. Hermione smiled back.
"I told you, I am thorough with my research!" she laughed. She rested her hand lightly on top of Fleur's looking up with uncertainty at Fleur. Fleur smiled and didn't move her hand.
"Fleur," Hermione said softly, "I know I can't change overnight, but I really am trying to get my shit together. For myself. But also for you. I want to make you happy."
Fleur looked down shyly at her coffee. She had been unhappy for so long before she had run into Harry earlier that year. Before being introduced to his friends. To Hermione.
Hermione continued, "I want to take it slow with you." Fleur smiled. She hadn't met many people in her life who were willing to take it slow with her, particularly after sleeping with her.
They stayed in the café until it closed for the evening, talking about everything and nothing. Eventually, Hermione looked at her watch and stood up. "Its time for your last surprise," she said, holding her hand out to Fleur.
Fleur took her hand and they walked out of the café, back across the street and to the alleyway. Hermione apparated them back to the apartment. Fleur was confused, there was nothing particularly different about the apartment.
Hermione led her to the door of Fleur's bedroom. Fleur froze.
"Hermione… Was all this just for?" she said, a look of sadness crossing her face. Hermione realised she thought she was just trying to get in her pants again and backed away hastily.
"No, no, its not like that, Fleur," she said, holding both hands up, "Just open the door."
Fleur gave her a curious look and opened the door to her bedroom. There was someone standing in the room, their back to Fleur. Fleur widened her eyes. She would recognise that mane of curled silver-blonde hair anywhere.
"Gabrielle!" Fleur shouted, and her younger sister turned to face her, running to throw herself into her arms. Both girls started sobbing.
"I thought you didn't want to see me anymore, after what I told our parents," Fleur said, wiping tears from her face.
"They told me you had run away, that you didn't want anything to do with our family anymore," Gabrielle sobbed, "I'm sorry, I should have realised sooner it was a lie."
"But how did you find out? How did you find me?" Fleur asked, stepping back to look at her sister with a teary smile.
"Hermione," Gabrielle replied, flicking her hair over her shoulder, "I really don't mind that you like women, Fleur. And she really seems to like you, its sweet. She was grilling me all week for details about your favourite things."
Fleur turned to look through the doorway where Hermione had been standing. But she was gone and her bedroom door was shut. As she turned back to face Gabrielle she noticed that the flowers Hermione had got her were now in a vase beside her bed.
Gabrielle grabbed both Fleur's wrists, "So, shall we catch up over a glass of wine? Tell me all about what happened with Bill, and everything I have missed since."
Fleur smiled, breezing out of her room and into the kitchen to pour her and her sister glasses of wine. They certainly did have a lot to catch up on.