Tell Me Your Secrets
Author: Ladyfun
Rating: M. Why? Because.
Summary: Hermione and Fleur, in the post-war world, find themselves in the unsettling role of colleagues with more than a bit of lingering and forbidden attraction towards one another, despite their obligations to others. One fateful evening, courtesy of the firewhiskey, they admit their repressed secrets and darkest desires, to one another. Problem is, one can't unring a bell, once rung...nor the actions that follow. Angsty Fleurmione!
Disclaimers: I don't own Harry Potter or any of its merchandising- all of this is in wholesome, non-profit fun. Ownership belongs to JK Rowling as everyone in the free world is aware. Will have some kinks in later chapters, disclaimers forthcoming as needed...
A/N: Holy Rated PG batman! Kinda a non smut chapter with references to lactation/Veela beastiality kinks
Chapter13. The Truth About Love.
It was a perfect day for flying.
Hermione had come in from breakfast bright eyed, and excited. "It's like spring, Fleur- it's gorgeous outside!"
The blonde French witch, exhausted from their previous nights activities, seemed hardly thrilled about the prospect of spring.
"Merde! It's very loud in here, all of a sudden," she grumbled, digging her face back into the pillow.
Hermione would have none of it. "Fleur, wake up! I want Bob and I to go out, early, today! Bob will love it!"
"I'm so 'appy for you and Bob!" The groggy woman grumbled.
"Bob" was their secret code name for Fleur's transformed Veela, a derivation of the British idiom, "Bob's your Uncle." It had taken a life of its own, with Fleur often joking about Hermione's boyfriend, Bob. The Gryffindor occasionally wondered if there was a hint of real jealousy for her "boyfriend," but that would be idiotic, she decided.
Fleur felt her Veela within starting to get antsy, excited to go with Hermione early.
"Zut...don't you get started, too, wiz zis idiocrasy!" Fleur warned the Veela.
"See? Bob wants to go too!" Hermione said, pouncing on the blonde. She grinned. "The sky is awake...so we are awake! We want to play!" She said giddy.
"I hate you both!" Grumbled the sleepy witch.
XOXOXO
It was an absolutely majestic day.
Fleur-the-Veela and Hermione sat, content. They had discovered a patch of clover on the shores of Scotland's cliffs. Hermione had to admit, the flying the two did allowed her to see part of her native land she wouldn't have seen, any other way, without the Veela. It had given her a real appreciation of how beautiful it really was, in its private nooks and crannies.
The Veela was at present devouring clover by the mouthful, stopping only to sheepishly look up at Hermione. She laughed.
"Really...don't mind me," she said, amused. "I'm glad you're enjoying it!" She tore out a handful of clover herself, examining it. "Why is it you like this stuff so much?" She sniffed it, and put it in her mouth- much to the Veela's delight, and started chewing. "Hmmm," she commented, musing over the taste. "it's not bad... Although I don't know that I would've flown 54 Kilometers just to have it, however."
Then, with their special telepathy, she turned to the Veela, expression serious. I need to talk to you about something important.
Okay...you have my undivided attention, little one. The Veela had stopped eating.
This is something that cannot be shared with human Fleur-is that even possible?
The large Veela paused, shifting uncomfortably. Yes, Little Mia. We can put up occulmancy Shields, and block our minds from our human forms on rare occasions...it is difficult, but it's possible. Why?
Hermione looked around the field of clover grimly. Her expression was obviously pained, the memory of whatever it was she had to tell the Veela incredibly difficult for her. The topic was a direct juxtaposition to the bright sunny day. The Veela nuzzled her, with its beak.
It's because I have taken the unbreakable vow, to never to tell another human what I'm about to tell you.
Oh, Merde, okay...let me prepare my mind.
Fleur-the-Veela took a deep breath, and with a sigh, cleared her thoughts, and put up the necessary shields. Her red eyes opened, looking directly at Hermione, and the Veela nodded, once.
So...thank you. You look like that took a bit out of you...and I appreciate you doing that for me, sight unseen. Okay... Hermione bit her lip, willing herself not to cry. Fleur, when I worked for the Ministry, as an Auror...I was involved in a case that was absolutely horrifying. Have you heard about the Romanveski case?
Oh my God I don't think there's a Veela alive that has not...wait you worked on that?
I did. My partner, a Veela, and I were the ones who made the arrests on that case. That was the Sentinel case that changed my life. After my partner and I broke open the prostitution and enslavement ring, and finally had the perpetrators arrested...well, the punishment they received was far different that what we thought they were going to get. As you know, instead of execution they were given aggravated assaults and not prosecuted to the full extent of the wizarding laws...
Hermione's expression was grim and angry, simultaneously. She continued.
I left the field work, after that case, in order to sponsor a bill to prosecute creature abuse to the fullest extent of the law. To make creature abuse no different than wizard abuse; however there are too many people that are interested in keeping things exactly the way they are. It led to my general disgust with politics in general... and I left the ministry after that. Shortly thereafter I came to Hogwarts and, well, you know the rest. Hermione offered a sad grin to the Veela, who was resting its snout on her lap. She petted the Veela's crown.
After a long silence, the Veela raised its head, and asked, Mia that is terrible... and tragic. Certainally, I think my people owe a sincere debt of gratitude. That being said...why are you telling me this?
Hermione took a deep breath, collecting herself. Her hand stilled, resting on Fleur-The-Veela. Yes, well, there are two things to mention...the first, is that my partner on the case, was your mother.
The Veela startled. Arrêter le baiser! Apollene? What?
Yes, I knew that would be shocking. She's wonderful, Fleur, really. I consider her the only real mentor that I had, as an unspeakable.
She let that marinate for a moment before launching into the next bombshell.
The second thing is, and I still feel unsettled about this, somewhat...I think they had someone on the inside. We couldn't ever prove it, but I know it to be true.
The Veela snorted. I don't believe it! Veela would never betray-
Hermione interrupted. Really? Even the Mendoncias?
Fleur-The-Veela took pause.
Look, Hermione explained, The Romanveski brothers knew too much. They knew your travel patterns, your habitats, and they had to figure out how to track Veela by their thrall. Someone gave them those insights, Fleur.
They used the Thrall to track them?
Yes. It sends out something similar to muggle "radio waves" when emitted. It is not that hard to develop sensors to detect it, once you know what you're looking for.
The Veela slumped on the ground, taking it all in. The large head with its white feathered plume rested on its front claws, the Veela clearly deep in thought on the ground. It looked at its mate, exchanging a look of understanding.
I can't let them win, Fleur. I can't...not again. It eats at me, still, to this very day...
They watched the countryside, the warm breeze and promise of summer in the wind at odds with the ugly topic they were discussing. The Veela snapped its large head up, gazing at Hermione.
Wait a minute...if they were tracking Veela, by their thrall...how did Apollene not tip them off during your surveillance?
Hermione smiled, a small mysterious smile. With a grin, she looked sideways at the Veela. Again...good pick-up, Fleur. You're very much like your mother, you know.
The Veela shuddered.
She's wonderful, you know. I adore her... anyway, you picked up on my greatest achievement that will never see the light of day. I developed a shield, to block the Veela thrall. Apollene let me beta test it on her, and, well...
The Veela cocked its head, making the connection. Your shield worked.
Yes.
Impressive, Little One, Impressive. Is that how you hid the girls?
What? She asked, startled.
The prostitutes...the girls who were forced into prostitution. They were never heard from again. We just assumed they were dead...are they?
Hermione shrugged. Don't know. Changing the subject, she communicated with a stern look. You know what that case taught me, though? It taught me a lot about Veela, Fleur. A lot. The one thing I didn't expect from a class of beings that are themselves discriminated against, was the elitist attitude.
What?
You Veela don't think much of humans, do you?
What? Quelle est votre crazy bouche dit , Hermione?
I'm not crazy, thank you very much. You really don't think much of humans...hence the distinguishing of 'this person is 1/2 Veela' or '1/2 Veela' or 'full Veela'. It's to identify how diluted the blood is, really...that's why you guys do it.
How did we go from what we were talking about, to this? You know how much I think of you, my Mate!
Hermione gave a gentle smile. I know that, Fleur. I know you respect me, and love me...cherish me, really. Right?
If a Veela creature could master an indignant look, Fleur-The-Veela did, in that very moment. Of course I do! How could you think otherwise?
Hermione stroked Fleur's feathers, that were literally ruffling. She laughed at the irony. Calming the Veela, Hermione responded in a gentle manner. Of course I know that - I know the human loves me, and I know YOU love me. I know it, as sure as I know my name is Hermione.
Ca suffit!
Calm down, Fleur! I'm not implying you don't! I'm rather surprised, however, that you allow your kind to insinuate...otherwise.
What? Now what?
Hermione turned, fixing her full attention on the confused Veela. Think about it, Fleur. These supposed "maiming of the human mate" incidents...have you ever actually known of one, first hand?
The avian creature thought about it. Well, no...I mean, it's been forbidden, really, as long as I've been alive.
Exactly! Hermione snapped her fingers, pointing. And if you try to read any actual documented reporting of such a mauling, it doesn't exist. She held up her hand, intercepting the Veela's next comment. And before you say how secretive your kind is, stop. I'll tell you right now, I was given access to La Miradors.
The Veela gasped. La Miradors, or "The Watchtower," was the secret headquarters of the Veela where the only recordings of births and deaths were kept-most Veela were not allowed in, much less humans. Hermione looked at her mate, as if to say, 'what about it?'
Look, when you're trying to stave off the profligation and abuse of a Veela slavery ring, the elders give you a wide berth. But something I noticed? As an incidental observation, you people are really, really into reproduction. Every pregnancy, that doesn't go to term. Every mating. Everything! I'm sure you and I are in La Miradors' recordings, now.
The Veela waited, expectantly.
Fleur...I saw not ONE case of a Veela mauling a human mate, at least in the last century.
The Veela's red eyes widened, in realization.
Fleur, that's done to keep things...how did I say it...that myth is fostered, I think, to keep things exactly the way they are.
No...
Yes, Fleur. THINK about it. Think! The way you feel about me...do you really think you would ever hurt me? You've only been protective, loving, and kind. What's going to change, fundamentally? Nothing!
Impossible...
Not impossible. It's just...the way things are. It protects what... I imagine, some Veela felt would be ... dilution.
The Veela was up, pacing. Everything I've ever been taught...everything I held sacred...her red eyes flashed with anger. All this time, I believed...I believed, Hermione, that I couldn't have you, the way I wanted to, because of my base instincts...
Hermione raised her eyebrows.
Fleur...I'm willing, if you are, Fleur. Hermione pulled out a small vial from her robes, from her recent outing to Diagon Alley. I...I'm taking the advice of an old friend, Fleur. I'm willing to test out those so-called "base instincts" of yours.
She set the vial down on the ground, gently. Looking up, her brown eyes meeting startled red ones, she smiled. Just, be gentle, okay?
I...I don't know what to say...
Hermione was unfastening her robe at the top. She looked at her mate, smiling again.
Say "Okay, Hermione" and come over here! That's what you say.
The Veela looked at the human witch, in disbelief.
And hopefully, Fleur, you'll say that...today, Hermione suggested. As she continued to undress, finishing when she was completely naked with a stack of neatly folded robes on the ground, next to the vial, she blushed at how the Veela stared at her, breathless at her beauty. She smiled and sat down, patiently.
Because if you don't, soon, Fleur...you know, this will become really embarrassing, really quickly.
Hermione patted the ground, next to her.
"Come." She said, out loud.
TBC.
Don'tja Love those cliffys!