AN: So, I did mention, this would get dark. Honestly, the idea that I'm going with here is a manip of another that I'd read on AO3 by AmorahLeigh (I think, I can't access it at work.) called Hourglass Sins (SwanQueen) it kinda works. Basically Hermione is going to train Fleur and break her down til she loses herself and/or a decision is made, so yes, very dark and in a way BDSM will kinda be toyed with, but this is the first ive done and I won't be going super horribly into it because well, this is FFN and there doesnt seem to be much of that on here (I wonder why...). So for ratings sake, this is also the warning that there will definitely be dubious consent type themes because Fleur can't consent. Oh and please don't hate Ron, he's actually innocent in this and a good guy.

Fleur could feel her heart stop as the words registered in her mind. She placed a needy kiss upon Hermione's lips, whispering "I love you too." The brunette stood and pulled her to her feet, a warm and caring embrace encircled her. She felt like she was home.

They continued on like this for the next week, without much change, Hermione ignoring her existence, save for a few small commands, 'get this', 'clean that', 'make dinner' or the likes, things she wouldn't have minded doing for Hermione even if she wasn't bound to follow her commands without question. Fleur began to become comfortable with her newfound existence, knowing that every night Hermione had come home to her and they'd fallen into bed together.

She hadn't yet questioned their future, savoring what she was able to finally have, though she did want more, and eventually it would grow to be a problem, but she would deal with that when the time came, and not a moment sooner.

She knew at some point, something was bound to change, but as long as the brunette slept next to her, it was a small victory she felt over Ron's relationship. Though, the wedding was coming closer, it was now only a couple months away and Hermione would be with another, and what that would mean for their relationship, Fleur did not know. She couldn't very well come along with them could she?

That night the gang was all meeting up for dinner and something was going to change. It was the first time they would all be together since 'that night' as Fleur had began to refer to it. Hermione had insisted she wear a casual suit, which wasn't completely unusual as the French woman tended to over dress (her work at the bank had a more formal dress code) and this would be after work. However, the brunette had decided to match her clothing, less formal of course- she wore a casual dress, with the blonde. It was subtle, but Fleur felt it was a little too close to the truth of the matter. They were meeting at the Leaky Cauldron like old times, and while it had a casual vibe, Hermione secretly liked to draw attention to herself, a guilty pleasure she would deny to her death.

And Fleur was secretly very tense as she walked in with the younger witch on her arm, drawing curious looks from the rest of the group. They made their way towards the back corner where Ron, Harry, Ginny and Bill were waiting for them. Hermione let go of her grip on Fleur's arm, whispering "Sit next to me" in Fleur's ear before she turned and smiled widely at the others. Fleur hid her blush and dutifully pulled up a seat between Hermione and Bill, who had no choice but to move his chair over to the right to make room for the blonde. She quickly shot an apologizing glance at the oldest Weasley who smiled knowingly at her.

The group was catching up on the past week when Fleur turned to Hermione, a glance passing quickly between the two. Hermione had slid her hand under the table onto Fleur's thigh, but she only smiled innocently at the blonde who had to hide her blush.

Ron still had not forgotten the cruel prank played on him last weekend when they were celebrating and had decided to bring it up, with the full group present, recounting the tale to Ginny who had managed to miss it. "And so then, these two," he's pointing at Bill and Harry who are looking around the bar innocently enough. "decide to try and tell me they're seeing each other! I nearly lost it at that! I mean, no offense Gin, but it was bad enough when Harry said he was seein' you."

"God, you're telling me! Not that he's a bad guy, he's just a guy," Ginny said laughing at Ron's words.

"Hey!" Harry playfully pushed Ginny, "I was the best fake boyfriend you ever had and you know it!"

"Yes you were, snookums," she teased him, leaning into his side, "But now I have the best girlfriend ever."

Fleur had barely been able to follow the conversation at hand, Hermione's hand tracing invisible patterns on her leg, distracting her, sending her senses into overdrive. The two might as well have been in their own world. Fleur had decided to try and focus all her attention on the meal in front of her, looking down at her plate, staring holes into it with as hard as she was looking at it. Hermione was attentive to the conversation, even if her attention was divided. She swirled the glass of wine in front of her in its glass before taking a sip. Ron had wrapped an oversized arm around her shoulders as he continued to banter with the rest of the group. Only Bill sat there watching their actions out of the corner of his eye.

Fleur was the only one out of the group to not have any alcohol, a glass of water sitting in front of her. She had been told not to drink anymore by Hermione, and as much as she wished she could join in the reverie, she was unable to. Bill paused his thoughts, turning full to Fleur, "You sure you don't want a butterbeer? I know how much you love those."

He didn't miss the look of regret flashing across her face and a glance towards Hermione. She opened her mouth to say no as Hermione nodded her head, a silent go ahead, it was subtle enough, but it was all she needed in order to say "Yes. I think I will have one after all."

Bill stood, excusing himself momentarily to go get a round of butterbeers for the table, missing the glance Fleur shot at Hermione, a look of relief still on her face. She mouthed a 'thank you', however, luck was not on her side, as Ron had looked over at them.

"Hey, 'Mione, you've been quiet tonight."

"Hm?" She looked up from her drink, "I suppose I have. It's just been a stressful week at work."

"Wanna talk about it?" he asked, nuzzling into her neck, placing a light kiss. Fleur felt Hermione get pulled further away from her, the light touch on her leg getting lighter and she felt a surge of jealousy as Bill returned with the drinks. He placed a mug in front of each of them and Fleur grabbed hers greedily, quickly downing it in a poor attempt to cover her rage.

Ron came home with them that night, and for the first time that week she had slept in her bed, alone, trying to block out the thoughts clouding her mind, images of what they were doing, sounds, echoes filling her ears, despite the dead silence that filled her room, she wrapped a pillow around her head, trying to cover her ears and cried herself to sleep that night.

He was still there in the morning when she left her room, wearing a pair of sweats, her hair laying messily around her shoulders. He was at the kitchen table, a shit eating grin plastered upon his face, he made no attempt to hide it. Hermione walked past them, taking the seat between the two of them, a tense silence between them. Her fingers had trailed across Fleur's shoulders as she passed and she pressed a quick kiss to his cheek as she sat down. Fleur grabbed a piece of toast and roughly spread some butter across it, willing the toast to also experience her pain.

"Jesus Fleur! Did tha' toast murder your family?" Ron asked, a concerned look across his face.

It was then that Fleur looked down at her actions, that piece now pressed into crumbs, torn into many smaller pieces. She shrugged before picking up one of the larger crumbs and attempting to eat it before it fell apart.

Hermione feigned surprise, "Oh look at the time! We've got to go or we'll be late for work."

"Shit, you're right," Ron stood from the table, shoving a piece of toast into his mouth and making for the door. With his back turned, Hermione quickly kissed Fleur before running out after him.