A/N: Thanks to those who commented and messaged saying they were happy this story was being continued! Also, sorry for making Ron a prick in yet another one of my stories... Hahah, sometimes it is too easy to write him into being a dick. Still undecided on what direction Ginny should go in with her pigheadedness... Open to suggestions on this story :)
It was late afternoon when Gabrielle finally rose from Fleur's bedroom with a grumble. But her face soon broke into a smile as she saw Fleur and Hermione sitting on the couch together, watching a muggle film. Hermione's arm was slung around Fleur's shoulders casually, and Fleur was leaning into Hermione a little.
"So you two sorted zings out zen?" Gabrielle asked, running a hand through her tousled hair. She frowned. She smelt like she had just sweated out all the cocktails of the previous night and her hair was greasy.
"Something like that," Fleur smiled, nestling more into Hermione. Taking it slow was doing wonders for beginning to build trust back with Hermione.
"So I will 'ave your bed to myself tonight?" Gabrielle asked with a grin, settling into an armchair near the couch.
"I don't think you understand the concept of taking it slow," Fleur laughed. Gabrielle grimaced.
"'Oo would want to?" Gabrielle joked. She watched as Hermione played with the strands of Fleur's loose silky blonde hair. She genuinely couldn't think of a time where she had seen Fleur so at ease around another person before, even Bill.
"Do you want to join us when we meet our friends for drinks tomorrow night?" Fleur asked, "Assuming you're feeling better by then."
Gabrielle bit her lip.
"Um, actually, I was planning on 'eading back to France tomorrow," Gabrielle said sheepishly, "I mean… unless you need me to stay longer? Its just I 'ave almost used up all my leave at work."
"Non, non," Fleur said with a smile, waving her hand, "I am fine. Its just been so lovely having you here that it will be hard to say goodbye."
After a while, Gabrielle got up and went to Fleur's room to pack her things for the following day. Hermione squeezed Fleur's shoulder.
"I know its been tough on you not having your family or the Weasleys anymore," Hermione said gently, "Why didn't you ask Gabrielle to stay longer until you were feeling better?"
"I'm already feeling much better these days," Fleur said softly, leaning further into Hermione.
The next day, Gabrielle prepared to leave after lunch. Fleur felt a little teary at having her sister leave, but the Veela within her practically purred at Hermione holding her hand soothingly.
"I will talk to Maman and Papa about ze awful way zey 'ave treated you," Gabrielle said to Fleur, after saying her farewell, "And I will visit again as soon as I can."
The sisters hugged fiercely, Fleur trying to keep her composure. When Gabrielle finally released Fleur, she turned to Hermione, cupping her face in both her hands.
"And you, 'Ermione," Gabrielle said seriously, "Do not 'urt my sister again, you understand? I 'ope you make each ozzer very 'appy."
With that, Gabrielle was gone, almost as abruptly as she had arrived back in Fleur's life. Hermione put an arm around Fleur's shoulders comfortingly.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked quietly.
"Yes, but I think I need that drink about now," Fleur joked, trying to smile. Hermione fully embraced her then, holding her tightly in her arms.
"You heard Gabrielle, she will visit again as soon as she can," Hermione murmured in Fleur's ear, "And in the meantime, I will do everything in my power to keep you happy and safe."
Fleur shivered at the last part of Hermione's statement. It was overwhelming being in Hermione's arms while she promised these things. They drew apart slowly, until they were facing each other, almost touching. Fleur looked into Hermione's eyes. They were warm again, while still holding all of the strength that Fleur knew Hermione possessed. Possibly one of the only people to survive prolonged torture from Bellatrix Lestrange, possibly the brightest witch to ever grace the halls of Hogwarts, possibly the only reason Harry was able to defeat the Dark Lord… Fleur couldn't feel safer in her arms. But there was more. There was an invisible pull that felt like it was coming from every fibre of her being, drawing her to the younger witch.
Fleur leaned forward, cautiously at first. Hermione watched her carefully, as if assessing whether or not she would follow through with it. Finally, Fleur closed the gap, capturing Hermione's lips with her own, finally giving in to what she wanted so badly.
Hermione's hands ran up her back, her fingers dancing across the toned muscles of Fleur's back. One hand roamed up to hold Fleur behind the neck as she probed her lips gently with her tongue. Fleur acquiesced with a light moan, and allowed Hermione's tongue to enter her mouth. It felt like lightning was coursing through Fleur's body and she loved it. Too soon, they pulled apart, both grinning.
"I knew waiting for the right moment would make it that much better," Hermione said with a smile.
"I can feel it… I can feel the bonding," Fleur said breathlessly.
"I can too," Hermione said, smiling widely.
After much more kissing, Fleur and Hermione finally headed off to the pub where they had arranged to meet Harry, Neville, Luna and a few of their other friends.
Harry brightened up when he saw them and waved them over to join the table they were at.
"You guys were late, so I already ordered your drinks," Harry said with a smile, "Pint for Hermione and red wine for Fleur, right?"
"Bon," Fleur said with a smile, sitting down next to Harry. Hermione sat on her other side and began talking to Luna. Fleur settled in to talking to Harry, catching him up on how it had been having Gabrielle visit and how nice it was to see family again. Harry in turn began to catch Fleur up on how he had been. He was going through a rather rough patch with Ginny. As he was talking, Hermione placed her hand possessively on Fleur's knee. The second it happened, Fleur knew that Harry would notice. He was highly observant, the man could spot a small glimmering snitch a mile away.
"Hey, Fleur, Hermione, you two want to help me collect the next round?" Harry asked suddenly. Hermione looked over and nodded, and the three of them walked over to the bar.
"So the sexual tension between you two has finally resulted in something, huh?" Harry grinned, quirking an eyebrow once they were out of earshot of the table.
"There's no getting anything past you," Hermione smirked, folding her arms across her chest.
"I'm a fan of this pairing," Harry said with a grin, "Hermione, you've finally started to get yourself out of your post-war depression since living with Fleur. Fleur, you've become far more social and happy. You two seem really good for each other."
"Thanks, Harry," Fleur said with a smile, "Although, I would be grateful if you held off telling people until I have a chance to tell Bill. I owe it to him to let him know that I have tentatively begun seeing the woman his younger brother was seeing."
"Yeah… I would strongly advise against letting Ron or Ginny know for that very reason. I can imagine them hitting the roof over this," Harry said sheepishly. Hermione groaned.
"God, I wish those two hadn't inherited Molly's temper," Hermione said, exhaling heavily to calm herself, "Its none of their business. I don't bloody belong to them."
And that's when Fleur told Hermione and Harry about her run in with Ron after meeting Bill for coffee. Harry was horrified. Hermione was seething.
"This is so bloody typical," Hermione growled, "You know he ran out on us in the middle of hunting the horcruxes because he got paranoid that me and Harry had something going on? He's got worse since the war ended and his mental health has gone downhill. It's a nightmare."
"He'll get over it," Harry said, running a hand through his hair. But his face betrayed his lack of confidence in his mate getting over anything these days. Truth be told, Harry was at a loss as to how to help Ron these days. He just seemed to be getting angrier and angrier. He had been pushing Harry and Hermione away since the war. The overly nasty breakup with Hermione had been evidence enough of that.
The three of them made their way back down to the table. This time Hermione sat beside Harry, muttering quietly to him about Ron. Fleur turned to talk to Luna politely.
"Hermione is a good person," Luna said, unprompted. Fleur smiled and laughed awkwardly.
"Did she put you up to saying that?" Fleur asked.
"Harry had been trying to coax her out of her darkness for so long before you came along," Luna said in her strange dreamy voice, "But now you have brought her back into the light."
"Erm, I like to think I am a good influence…" Fleur said uncomfortably, still unsure of the dreamy girl.
"Hermione seems more whole than I have seen her since the war," Luna said, before suddenly changing the subject to the mystical qualities of dragon egg yolks. At this, Neville tuned in, chiming in with some information on the properties of some of the plants that dragons were known to be immune to.
The rest of the night went off without a hitch, sharing jokes and stories across the table amongst their friends. This time neither Ron nor Ginny crashed the night and there were no arguments.
Fleur walked home contented, looping her arm through Hermione's. She had felt unbelievably upset at Gabrielle's departure, but the evening had definitely brightened her up again.
"I'm glad we're finally doing things properly," Hermione said softly as they arrived back in the apartment.
"I'm glad we're taking a chance on us," Fleur replied. It was quite late in the night and Hermione yawned and stretched, making to head off towards her bedroom.
"Erm, actually, I was wondering if you could stay in my bed tonight," Fleur blurted. Hermione looked surprised.
"What happened to taking it slow?" Hermione asked, raising her eyebrows. Fleur blushed deeply.
"Oh, not like that, I mean… literally sleeping together," Fleur explained, her cheeks still a bright pink, "I get lonely at night."
"Mn, I would love to fall asleep with you in my arms," Hermione said with a grin.
The two got ready for bed and Fleur climbed under the covers, rather shyly for someone who had already slept with Hermione before. Hermione confidently slid in behind her, wrapping an arm around Fleur's small waist and pressing her body against her back. Fleur shivered at Hermione's breath on her neck.
Fleur thought lazily about when they had first met at Hogwarts during the Triwizard Tournament. She wondered what her seventeen-year-old self would think if she knew that she would end up being a puddle in the hands of the quiet younger bookworm that hung around Harry Potter. She probably never would have anticipated that Hermione would become as bold, fearless and strong as she had over the years, to be fair.
Hermione sighed contentedly behind her, snuggling up closer. Hermione looked so different to how she had before the war. Before the war she had spent most of her time reading indoors. She had been pale and had the softness of youth about her. Now, she was tanned and toned, like an outdoor athlete. She no longer looked as feral as she had when she was living on the run with Harry and Ron, but she still had an unmistakeable hardness about her. The white lines of battle scars tattooed her skin here and there.
Fleur felt Hermione tighten her arms around her protectively and she relaxed more than she had in a long time, letting sleep wash over her.
The next morning, Fleur awoke on her stomach, her hair tousled over her face. She brushed it back sleepily before looking up to see Hermione sitting up in bed, watching her with a smile on her face.
"Shall I take this as a cute or creepy moment?" Fleur joked. Hermione smiled wider.
"I would prefer cute," Hermione replied with a laugh, "I'll make us some coffee."
Hermione pushed all the covers off the bed and Fleur moaned lightly at the loss of warmth.
"Would you make me some toast too?" Fleur asked hopefully. Hermione smirked.
"You're lucky you're cute," Hermione said, slapping Fleur's ass lightly before springing out of bed and wandering to the kitchen.
Fleur rolled onto her back and stretched, yawning widely. She felt incredibly well rested. Perhaps it was a result of sleeping next to Hermione while she was going through the process of bonding with her? Whatever it was, Fleur could certainly go for more of it.
Hermione appeared in the doorway again, looking apologetic.
"I have bad news," Hermione said, "We're out of coffee and toast. Bloody Gabrielle must have wolfed down the last of it before she left yesterday."
"We could go out for breakfast?" Fleur asked, sitting up in bed. She felt a rush of warmth through her body as Hermione's eyes raked her form.
"Sure," Hermione said with a smile, "I'll just get changed."
Fleur herself got changed into a tight skirt and a blouse. She put on some heels, doing her hair quickly, before walking out to the living room. Her jaw almost literally dropped as she saw Hermione looking sexy in a pair of tight leather jeans, a white tee and a leather jacket. She had tamed her curls a little so she no longer looked like she had just got out of bed.
"You look…" Fleur trailed off, breathless. Hermione smirked.
"You don't look so bad yourself," Hermione said with a grin, taking her hand and leading her out of the apartment.
Fleur loved the way Hermione was taking charge and leading her to a breakfast place boldly. It was sexy and reminded her of her prior sexual encounters with Hermione and this dominant side.
"What about this place?" Hermione asked, as they stood outside a small brunch place. It had a menu displayed outside the store and Fleur began to read it curiously. Hermione patiently waited, running a hand through Fleur's hair and down her back. Fleur tried to ignore the blush rising in her cheeks at the way Hermione was touching her. Hermione's hand made its way coyly down to her ass, grabbing it possessively.
"Hermione?" a voice called out, startled. Fleur and Hermione turned to see Ginny, hands on hips, staring at them suspiciously.
"Hi, Gin," Hermione sighed.
"What exactly is going on here?" Ginny asked challengingly.