"Nice to see you, Gin," Hermione said cautiously. Fleur was surprised that Hermione's hand was playing at the small of her back. She clearly didn't care whether Ginny knew that something was going on or not.
"Are you… Are you two seeing each other?" Ginny asked slowly, looking at them both like she was seeing them for the first time. Fleur wasn't sure what to say. She really didn't want to get into a confrontation with the youngest Weasley.
"Yes," Hermione replied boldly, "And we would appreciate you keeping it to yourself until Fleur has a chance to tell Bill. She wanted him to know first."
Ginny looked like she was processing this new information for a moment, furrowing her brow. Fleur braced herself for the inevitable slew of insults.
"Is this why things didn't work out with Bill? Because you like women?" Ginny asked finally. Fleur nodded.
"Yes. He was very supportive of me. He is a good man." Fleur replied simply. Ginny raised his eyebrows.
"So it was nothing to do with his scars from him being attacked by Greyback?" Ginny asked. Fleur made a choking noise.
"I'm not that vain!" Fleur exclaimed, "It was simply that while I love him dearly as a friend, I couldn't deny my sexuality any longer."
"Wow…" Ginny said slowly, "I've been a little harsh on you…"
"You fucking think?" Hermione said sardonically.
"What about you, 'Mione? Is this why you ended things with Ron?" Ginny asked, looking at Hermione apologetically.
"No, I ended things with Ron because we were in a toxic relationship. We both made each other worse and we were spiralling instead of moving on after the war. It doesn't make it any less okay that you've been horrible to me about it," Hermione said defensively. Ginny frowned.
"Hermione, I always have my family's back," Ginny said, crossing her arms.
"To a fault," Hermione shot back, "Did you ever think that sometimes there are reasons on both sides that something didn't work out?"
"Look, I don't want to get into it," Ginny said defensively, squaring her jaw.
"You're a hot-head, Gin. You and Ron both are," Hermione said, holding Fleur tightly around the waist, "I suggest you think long and hard about why you're so mad. Chances are you'll find Fleur isn't the only person around that you've been giving a raw deal."
"I'm late for Quidditch practice," Ginny said, still looking defensive, "I'll see you guys around."
As Ginny walked off quickly, Fleur turned to Hermione.
"You're not worried about telling her?" Fleur asked, surprised at Hermione's candour. Hermione smirked and grabbed Fleur's ass again possessively.
"Why would I want to hide that I'm dating the hottest and most talented witch around?" Hermione asked. Fleur blushed.
"I'm still not used to you being this bold," Fleur admitted, the blush tinging her cheeks.
"But you like it," Hermione said, and Fleur's blush darkened, "Seriously though, now I'm used to the idea that I'm attracted to women as well, I see no reason to hide it. We'll just have to make sure that you meet Bill soon so that he can hear from you first."
"I'll owl him today," Fleur agreed. Hermione smiled.
"So, finally… Shall we go here for breakfast?" Hermione said, turning back to the café they had stopped in front of.
Fleur and Bill walked along a path in a local public park. Bill had finally trimmed his beard back down and cut his hair shorter. He was sporting another new outfit, Fleur noticed.
"Who is the woman?" Fleur asked eying him carefully. Bill smiled broadly.
"Her name is Ange," Bill smiled, "She's a fan of the shorter beard and hair," he added with a light blush.
"I am so happy for you, Bill," Fleur said genuinely. Bill smiled at her. They walked along for another while, Bill describing his new girlfriend and how he had met her.
"So what else is going on with you?" Fleur asked, and Bill's face darkened.
"My mum wants me to step in and have a word to Ron," Bill said, scratching at his beard, "He's been… troubled since the war. He's just not dealing well with all the things he saw and the things that happened to him."
"I'm sure you can turn him around," Fleur encouraged. Bill frowned.
"I don't know… He's just hurting so bad, Fleur," Bill said, running a hand through his hair. Fleur looked conflicted, wondering how news of her seeing Hermione would affect him.
"What's up, Fleur?" Bill said, halting in their walk. He had noticed the look on her face.
"I… I'm seeing someone," Fleur said finally.
"Wow, that's great, Fleur! Why didn't you say something earlier?" Bill exclaimed. Fleur looked guilty.
"Because… Its Hermione," Fleur said cautiously. Bill paused, a myriad of emotions crossing his face.
"Hermione Granger? I thought she was straight," Bill finally replied.
"Apparently not," Fleur said with a shrug.
"Nothing happened… when we were together, right? When you were nursing her back to health at Shell Cottage?" Bill asked suddenly, looking pained. Fleur put a hand on his arm.
"No, of course not," Fleur said, "When I was with you I was faithful."
Bill sighed, relieved.
"Ron's not gonna like this," Bill said, resuming their walk.
"I know,"
Fleur and Hermione sat across from Harry at lunch. Hermione's arm was slung across the back of Fleur's chair in a relaxed fashion.
"Thought it would be weird getting used to you two dating," Harry commented, "But actually, it already seems as if you always have been seeing each other."
"Its still early days, Harry," Hermione said sensibly, but her broad smile and arm behind Fleur showed that she was quite content.
"So this is the real reason why your parents were awful to you?" Harry asked cautiously, looking at Fleur. Fleur nodded.
"Well, not Hermione specifically, but my sexuality—yes," Fleur replied, "They argued that Veela are made to be with men… From our thrall to our culture."
"I'm sorry, Fleur," Harry said sympathetically, "That's really unfair."
"Maybe they'll soften when Gabrielle talks to them," Hermione suggested, "She did recognise that we are bonding."
"Bonding like getting along?" Harry asked, looking confused. Hermione shook her head.
"No, Harry, Veela naturally form a kind of bond with their partners after they have first mated," Hermione explained impatiently.
"After they have first… Oh," Harry said, blushing heavily and looking at his two friends, the realisation dawning on him.
"Yes, yes, I slept with Fleur… Try not to have an aneurysm, Harry," Hermione said waspishly, before changing the subject, "How are you and Ginny anyway?"
"Working things through," Harry said with a smile, "I dunno what you guys said to her when she ran into you, but she's stopped being a dick about Fleur. For once, she actually encouraged me to meet with you guys for lunch instead of being weird about it."
"That's good to hear," Fleur said with a smile, pleased that at least one of the younger Weasleys had begun to come around. Hermione squeezed her shoulder encouragingly.
"I'm glad to hear that," Hermione said, "No matter what a prat she was, I really did miss being her friend."
"Speaking of friends being prats," Harry said, frowning momentarily, "Have you decided whether you will tell Ron? Or are you going to let him find out from everyone else."
Hermione sighed, exasperated, and looked at Fleur.