Hi everyone,

I am back from London just in time to give you your newest Monday chapter.

There is a lot of Bill in it because it was necessary and it will also show that he is not the arse some of you thought he is in your reviews a couple of chapters back. A bit dense, maybe, but not an arse. :)

Anyway, let me know what you think in the reviews...and enjoy your read.

Chapter Six

Almost a month later, Hermione went to find Fleur in the kitchen, preparing dinner.

'Fleur, it is almost time to put in the Lacewing flies. I was gonna do it before going to sleep. Could you help me? I don't know how the substituting works,' she asked after checking for curious ears.

Ever since their 'moment' that afternoon in Fleur's bedroom, Hermione and Fleur had taken care not to spend time alone in closed rooms. But any clever observer - which means, Luna - could see the look on Hermione's face, when she thought noone was watching, the restraint she showed when Fleur asked for help in order to not immediately jump up and volunteer, and how her hands seemed to have developed a life of their own, never missing a chance to touch Fleur's arm or shoulder.

Fleur was the same way. She lightened up when Hermione entered the room, she laughed more and was a lot more relaxed with the young witch around. She, too, had a serious disobedience issue with her hands and did not always manage to catch herself staring before anyone noticed. Yet still, Hermione kept telling herself how very married and very straight Fleur was and that she was just infatuated because she had taken care of her. And Fleur, still having trouble making her body listen to reason, was fighting herself every time Bill made careful advances in the bedroom. Every time she ignored her body's signs, she would feel the consequences, hard. Once, when she thought she could outsmart her body by foregoing her own pleasure for Bill's, she lost not only what she had just swallowed but also her dinner, her stomach convulsing violently, rioting within her. She concluded that it wasn't so much about her being denied pleasure, but more about being involved in anything that gave anyone pleasure. As he was growing more concerned about Fleur's health, she promised him that she would have it checked out as soon as the Trio had left. She knew what the problem was well enough, but she couldn't make herself face the truth. She couldn't do that to her husband. She would fight for this marriage. She would fight and the problems would go away.

'Yes, sure. I'll come up when I've cleaned up the kitchen after dinner,' she offered pleasantly, hiding how nervous she really was. It would be another closed door situation with Hermione and she didn't need reminding to know what had almost happened the last time.

'Great. Thank you,' Hermione answered and put her hand on Fleur's forearm to completely unnecessarily underline her gratitude.

After dinner, the men of the house insisted on cleaning up and Luna went looking for Blimpbumps as it was apparently easier right after having had dinner. That left Hermione and Fleur with nothing to do except going to Hermione's room to tend to the Polyjuice Potion.

'Soooo,' Hermione said and rocked back and forth on her heels.

Fleur closed the door behind her and watched Hermione sit down on her bed. Fleur contemplated sitting down next to her but then decided against it and went for the armchair in the corner.

'Oh come on, Fleur, I won't bite. Sit here, I don't want to shout across the room to talk,' Hermione laughed when she realised how ridiculous they were behaving, 'or at least pull that chair closer.' Hermione gestured towards the empty space right next to the bed.

Fleur sighed and did as she was told, pulling up the chair.

'It is not your bite that I fear,' she stated simply.

Hermione had no answer for her and enough trouble not thinking about what it was Fleur did fear.

'Do you think the potion is ready for the next step?' Hermione said way too cheerful as she hopped off the bed.

Fleur was eager to end the pregnant pauses so she complied and they had a look at the concealed cauldron in the corner. They sat down on the floor and Fleur began to explain how this particular substitute worked on this particular potion. Hermione sat and listened in fascination until she spaced out looking at Fleur's lips move. Fleur didn't notice it, since she was busy studying Hermione's hands as they steadily stirred the potion.

Hermione watched closely as Fleur demonstrated her knowledge. They had agreed that Fleur should do it, since it took so long to brew the potion and Hermione didn't want to risk anything going wrong.

'So that's that and we're done,' Fleur said a short while later and jumped up. Hermione quickly followed her example. When none of them said anything, Fleur decided that she better leave now, but Hermione held her back. She knew it was inappropriate and hopeless and a thousand other things that should keep her from doing what she was about to do. Unfortunately, some force inside her was much stronger than the logic of her mind and that said something.

Hermione put one hand on Fleur's arm and slowly lifted the other to put it behind the French witch's neck. She had to know. She couldn't leave here not knowing when or if she would ever get to see Fleur again without ever having tried. She wasn't prepared to walk into certain death in ignorance.

Hermione smiled warmly and came closer. They were completely lost looking at each other.

Fleur's mouth went dry when she understood that Hermione was serious this time. At first she thought about ways to stop her, but feeling Hermione's fingers press gently against her neck, was enough to convince her otherwise.

She wanted to feel these lips on hers, she wanted to savour this precious, fragile moment without feeling guilty. With surprising ease, she pushed everything else aside and focused only on the woman in front of her. It was so easy to just give in to her feelings.

A second later, Hermione's lips had reached Fleur's to put a very shy and tender kiss on them. Hermione was overwhelmed by how soft it felt. But she knew she had what she had come for and received more than she thought she would ever get, and pulled back.

Fleur, though, had other plans. If this was her one chance of stealing a kiss from Hermione Granger, she would take it. She put both her hands behind Hermione's neck and pulled her in. This kiss was equally tender and careful, but much longer and it was a lot more intense and passionate. There was so much to say and only one kiss to say it with.

Hermione thought she'd never be able to get enough of this, never be able to stop and Fleur didn't seem like she had any intention of ever stopping either. They grew more courageous and demanding and soon enough Fleur's tongue was in Hermione's mouth and Hermione's hands were travelling all across Fleur's back and running through her silky hair. Quiet, little moans were escaping from Hermione's mouth and Fleur instinctively redoubled her efforts to hear more of them. Both were breathing heavily and that got them even more riled up.

Hermione came to her senses first and pulled away, breathlessly ending their kiss. She immediately began to apologise, rambling on about how she never should have taken advantage of the situation like that and Fleur being married and Bill being downstairs, and her inexperience and inadequacy as a kisser and her lack of self control. The reprimands seemed to be endless.

Fleur took Hermione by the shoulders to stop her wild gestures.

''ermione, calm down, please. Last time I checked it needed two people for a kiss. I don't want you apologising for what was probably the most wonderful kiss I've ever shared with anyone. Please, Hermione, sit down and let's talk,' Fleur said and led her over to the bed. They both sat down with their legs crossed, facing each other.

'Fleur, there is no need to talk. You don't have to say anything. I know this can never happen again and it was wrong of me to put you in this situation. I know that you're married and this won't lead anywhere. I'm not the naive little girl you probably think I am. But I hope you understand that I just had to do it. We'll be leaving on Monday, less than week from now. You know where we're going and what could happen,' Hermione began to ramble again.

Fleur took Hermione's hands in her own and rubbed them each with her thumbs.

'You are right, I am married and I won't cheat on Bill. I will not agree to 'ave an affair. This will 'ave no repeat performance as long as I'm with 'im. I couldn't do that to 'im,' Fleur said and saw tears pooling in Hermione's eyes. She knew her words were hard to take. She knew, because they were just as hard for her. But she needed to get this off her chest.

'I will 'ave to let you go on Monday, knowing that very likely my 'eart will be forever broken by nightfall. I 'ave 'ad a couple of samples of 'ow that will feel and I do not know 'ow to deal with that. But thanks to you, I 'ave at least this kiss,' Fleur had to stop speaking. Her throat had closed at the thought of losing Hermione and tears were running down her cheeks freely until Hermione wiped them away. There it was, Fleur had admitted to having lost her heart and there was no possibility for Hermione to not have heard that. Fleur could barely hold it together, 'Je suis désolé.'

'I will come back,' Hermione said defiantly. She had heard perfectly well what Fleur had said and hear heart soared for a moment but she also remembered Fleur's words about this not ever happening again due to her marriage to Bill. Even if they could never be together, she didn't want Fleur's heart to be broken. She had sworn to never hurt her like that. She would survive, whatever it may cost.

Fleur didn't trust herself to speak. She put a strand of hair behind Hermione's ear and leaned forward. She gave Hermione the same innocent kiss that she had been given before and then got off the bed and left the room before she would lose her resolve. There were so many unspoken promises, but neither of them could bring themselves to hope for what may never come.

The Polyjuice Potion turned out just right and was done by Sunday afternoon. Harry, Ron and Hermione were in her room packing their things, going over their plans again. Fleur was tending to her garden with Luna helping. She had decided that Hermione had the boys to distract her but Fleur was alone in this and probably needed the company.

Fleur and Hermione hadn't spoken a word to one another since their kiss. All their previous, flirtatious behaviour had ceased. It was a silent agreement to save both their hearts.

'It will be hard to see them go tomorrow,' Luna said. Fleur just nodded. She appreciated the effort but didn't feel like talking.

'Do you think it's very dangerous, what they're doing?' Luna asked.

Fleur lifted her head and nodded, 'I know so.'

'Harry is very brave and Ron fiercely protective of his friends and I know very few people who are as skilled as Hermione. She will keep them safe. She will come back to you,' Luna tried to console Fleur.

'I hope you're right, Luna. I can't tell you how much I hope you're right.' There was no need to tell Luna, though. She had observed enough to know what was going on and Fleur knew enough about Luna to know that she was an extraordinary observer. She also knew that Luna could keep a secret.

'Oh Fleur, you must have a little faith in her. If anyone can do it, it's her.'

'Thank you, I really appreciate your kind words but she told me what they are planning and I…' Fleur trailed off. She couldn't, no, she wouldn't think about it.

'You are right, I don't know what they will do next. But, you see, I have thought about it a lot. Before we all came here, things were bleak. And in this bleak and hopeless time, Hermione saves us all by surviving Bellatrix' torture, simply by believing in a cause. I am so much more hopeful now than I was before. Can you guess why that is?' Luna asked. Fleur shook her head, she had no idea where Luna was going with this.

'Hermione has proven time and time again how determined and stubborn she can be. When she wants something, the only thing that will ever hold her back are her own morals. You gave Hermione the best reason to survive. You gave her something she wants to have and she won't get it by dying. We are all better off because you gave Hermione the motivation she needs to finish this war.'

Fleur was surprised by Luna's insight into the workings of Hermione Granger and she even allowed herself to hope a little.

'Thank you, Luna,' Fleur said and hugged the young witch before they both went back to tending the garden in companionable silence.

The next morning came and the Golden Trio plus Griphook said their goodbyes to everyone, but Fleur. Bill said that she hated goodbyes and probably hid on purpose. In truth, Fleur was quickly packing some more food for them to take. Who knew how long they'd be gone this time. They were halfway up a little hill beside the house, when Fleur caught up with them.

She explained that she had smoked some meat and it almost hadn't been ready but it was now. She hugged Ron, then Harry, leaving Hermione for last.

'Go ahead, I'll catch up with you in a minute,' Hermione said and turned back around to Fleur when the others were out of earshot.

'I don't know what to say, Fleur. There is so much,' Hermione began.

'Would you drink the potion now? Here?' Fleur asked.

'You want me to change into Bellatrix in front of you?' Hermione said in disbelief.

'Yes. I don't think I'll be able to let you go otherwise,' Fleur explained, swallowing tears.

Hermione took a good look over Fleur's shoulder at the house. Bill was nowhere to be seen. She gathered all her courage and gave Fleur one last kiss. It was much shorter than the last one but she hoped it conveyed everything Hermione meant to say. She broke the kiss and immediately drank down the potion that tasted fouler than anything she had ever had in her mouth. She felt her body change and judging from the look on Fleur's face, everything went according to plan so far.

'Be safe,' Fleur said heavily and turned around before Hermione could answer.

'You kissed Fleur!' Ron said, when Hermione caught up with them.

'No, I didn't. You can't even see properly from here,' Hermione tried an evasive manoeuvre.

'I can see just fine and I saw you kiss Fleur!' Ron insisted.

'Girls kiss sometimes, Ron,' Hermione tried to play down what had happened. She had known that it was a real possibility that the boys would be able to see her, but she also knew that they wouldn't run back to the cottage to tell Bill about it and she could always explain if they actually survived breaking into Gringotts.

'Not like this, they don't' Ron maintained.

'Ron, shut up and put your hand on mine,' Hermione barked at him. That, or the fact that Bellatrix Black's face was cross with him, worked. He put his hand on theirs and in a moment they were gone.

Fleur went back to the cottage and found Bill in the kitchen nursing a mug of tea. Better sooner than later, she thought. She was done pretending everything would be just fine. She had thought about this for a long time last night. She had barely slept because of it, turning every detail upside down and back again. There was no other solution that was fair and right.

She went to get some tea for herself and sat down next to him, announcing, 'We need to talk.'
Then, Fleur proceeded to explain to her husband that even though she was only one quarter Veela, she still had some traits typical for her kind.

'I can't change my form and my thrall is thankfully much less aggressive than that of a full blooded Veela. I will also not die if you pluck out one of my 'airs. There is one thing, though, that's a bit more complicated. You remember 'ow Maman told you that Veela 'ave only one true mate?' Fleur explained.

Bill nodded. He didn't know where this was leading but he didn't like the serious look on Fleur's face. This face always meant trouble.

'See, I don't 'ave to live with the burden of that. Going through life, not knowing if I'll ever know love. Although, Maman says that even for me there is a diluted version of this. She says there will be one person I can't 'elp falling in love with. One person only, provoking stronger feelings than any other will ever be able to. I always told her that this might be the case for her, but not for me anymore. I insisted, that I can fall in love as many times as I please and or stay with one person all my life, that it was my own choice. I'm not so sure about it now. But that's not what I wanted to say. There is a catch. Just like humans, I have no control over who I fall in love with, but where humans have full control over their bodies, I don't. My creature blood makes my body reject any and all sexual advances of anyone other than the person I love the most. I can try and force my body, I'll even find pleasure in it, but my body will find a way to punish me for it later,' Fleur went on.

'When you puked your guts out after…' Bill muttered. His mind was slowly processing what he was hearing. He had already guessed that it wouldn't be good news but he hadn't expected it to be so devastating.

'Merlin, I am so sorry. I was an arse. I should have known. I have pressured you into sleeping with me just because I was frustrated. That was selfish and not ok at all. I apologise, Fleur. I thought it was something else, something unrelated. I should have connected the dots. I'm so very sorry,' Bill was crestfallen and gently took her hands to underline his remorse. He felt like an idiot for not making the connection between their bedroom antics and Fleur's health. It was so obvious to him now.

'Bill, please, I was an active party in our activities. Yes, I admit I felt the pressure and that was part of it but for the most part I thought I could get away with it. I 'ave needs too, you know. I wanted back the control over my own body. I wanted to choose with who I am. I couldn't accept that my body was effectively ending my marriage. I thought I could save it if I just tried 'ard enough. 'owever, I can't change it. It is a fact: I found the person my mother was talking about and couldn't help falling in love. You know now 'ow 'ard I tried.' Fleur said, rubbing his arm, to show him that it really wasn't his fault alone that Fleur had gone through all of this.

Bills eyes looked watery and he swallowed heavily. This was a tough situation. He thought Fleur and he would grow old together, have children and grandchildren. All of a sudden, this future was gone, like a burst soap-bubble.

He looked at Fleur, studying her face. She too, was fighting tears. He could see that this was not something she did lightly. Even though it would make things easier, how could he fault her for something she couldn't control.

'Why?' he asked quietly, 'Was I not a good husband?'

'William, you are the best husband anyone could wish for. I love you very, very much. Please believe me when I say that, because it is the truth. I care about you and I do love you...' Fleur tried to reassure him.

'Then why? Why are you doing this to me? If you love me so much, why tell me all of this now?' Bill pleaded.

'Because I 'ad to learn the 'ard way, that my mother was right, after all. I'm sorry about this. I'm not sorry that we got married, because it 'as made me incredibly 'appy to be with you. For all this time, I truly, 'onestly thought that you would be the love of my life. But now...I just can't go on like this. It wouldn't be fair to you or anyone,' Fleur continued, very proud of Bill for not flying off the handle as she had expected a typical Weasley would.

'But this is fair? You are my life, Fleur! Please don't do this to us,' he pleaded.

'No, it is not fair. But it would be even less so, if I 'ad made us both un'appy in a passionless marriage, dreaming of another love,' Fleur tried to reason with him.

'I'll fight for you. Maybe this is just a fling and now it's new and exciting and maybe it goes away and you realise that I'm the one for you after all?' Bill was getting desperate.

'No, Bill. I can feel that this is the person that my mother spoke of. This is it.' It was harsh but there was no point in giving him false hope.

'I can't…,' Bill said very quietly. 'I can't just give up this marriage, not in times like these.'

'I don't like to see you 'urt and like it even less because I am the one 'urting you. Still, it doesn't change anything. I'm sorry, Bill. I'm so sorry,' Fleur kept trying to make him understand. He could see that she was telling the truth. She hadn't wanted to hurt him like that.

Bill let his head hang, his long hair covering his face. Fleur gently put his hair back behind his ears and kept stroking his head.

'Who is it?' Bill finally asked.

'Does it really matter?' Fleur asked.

'It does to me. I want to know who will replace me. I want to know if he loves you back the way you love him and I want to tell him that if he ever hurts you, I'll make him pay.'

'It's a tricky situation. If I am hurt, there will be nobody you can make pay. I know now that we both feel the same but that doesn't mean we'll actually be together,' Fleur said cryptically and he could see that these prospects were making Fleur incredibly sad. He watched her wipe a tear off her cheek.

'Who, Fleur?' Bill insisted.

Fleur took a deep breath and found her husbands eyes to let him see she was serious.

'Hermione.'

'Hermione…' Bill repeated mechanically, obviously trying to process the information.

'Hermione? Granger? The girl that just left to…' Bill trailed off when he saw Fleur nodding, unable to speak and keeping back sobs. It all made a lot more sense now. Fleur obviously knew what the Trio's next mission was and judging by the desperation on Fleur's face it was very dangerous.

'Oh no, Ron!' he said without thinking. Fleur didn't blame him for thinking of his brother first.

'I'm sorry, Bill. I know they 'ave beaten the odds a thousand times but what they are doing today is just…it's…it's a suicide mission, essentially,' Fleur sobbed. She told herself to stop crying. She thought of Luna's words this very morning. It helped her calm down enough to have this conversation with Bill. She didn't want to derail it by being too distraught to talk. She looked at Bill and found his grim face staring back at her.

'What are they doing, Fleur?' he asked and his voice made it clear that there would be no weaseling out of an answer this time.

'They are breaking into Gringotts, more specifically Bellatrix Lestrange's vault,' Fleur answered and hung her head. She felt defeated and tired and all she wanted to do was curl up on Hermione's bed and cry herself to sleep surrounded by things that still smelled of her.

Bill stared at her for a few seconds in disbelief over what he had just heard. Then, in true Weasley fashion, he exploded. He got up from his chair and started pacing around the kitchen, crying out how much of an idiot his brother was for doing this to their mother, and how foolish they all were and did they not know that they were attempting the impossible.

Fleur watched him blow off steam. She had reacted very similarly, so she just sat and waited for him to calm down again.

'What a day!' Bill said as he dropped back down on his chair. 'First, you tell me that you're breaking up with me. Then you say sleeping with me makes you sick because you're in love with another woman and then you tell me that she and my idiot brother, not to mention our only hope at defeating You-Know-Who, are getting themselves killed as we speak. That has to be a record of bad news.'

'I'm so sorry,' Fleur cried again.

Then there was silence. They both just sat, sipping their cold tea and waiting to be calm enough to continue their conversation.

'Did you two…I mean, were you…I remember you and Hermione locked up in our bedroom for half a day. Was there...' Bill stammered.

'William! I would never! Do you really think so little of me?' Fleur was exasperated.

'No, I apologise. You wouldn't have put yourself through this whole ordeal with our sex life if you had a better option somewhere else. I wasn't thinking,' Bill concluded.

'We kissed. Once,' Fleur said honestly. 'Last week. I 'adn't planned on doing it but it 'appened none the less.'

Bill just stared at her. If he was honest, it didn't really make a difference to him anymore. Fleur seemed to take his silence as anger, though and felt compelled to explain herself.

'It would never 'ave 'appened if she 'adn't left today. She said, she didn't want to die without knowing what it was like. I didn't want 'er to go without at least 'aving one kiss to remember 'er by,' Fleur said, barely holding it together. Desperation was clawing at her, a taster of what it might feel like when she got the news.

What was the worst part for Bill was that he could understand Fleur. He saw where she was coming from and couldn't fault her for anything. She had fallen in love with someone else but she had fought it and she had not cheated on him. She was about to lose the love of her life without ever having had more than just one kiss. He had never wanted to see her hurt and here she was crying her heart out.

'I understand you. I'm not happy with the situation and it will take me some time to get over this, over you, but I understand it. I don't want this to be overly dramatic. Maybe one day, we can even be friends but it will probably be a while until I'm there. I will pack a few of my things and move back home to the Burrow. Mum will not be happy when she hears this and it's probably wise not to come round the next couple of weeks but I want you to stay here. You shouldn't have to go back to France just because we are getting a divorce,' Bill said. He had his composure back and had decided to focus on the easy things, the practical things. He would deal with his emotions bit by bit.

Fleur smiled through her tears. He could see that she truly loved him, just not as much as Hermione. It almost made him cry again at the tragedy but he forced himself to breathe calmly. He was no fool. Being a prat about it wouldn't help anyone.

'I guess you could've done a lot worse than Hermione Granger, eh? I mean, not a lot of people can compete with her,' he said and smiled bravely. Fleur laughed and hugged her husband, 'Thank you for being such a wonderful, wonderful man. You might not feel like it now, but I know you will find a woman that will make you just as happy as you make her.'

Only a few moments later Luna and Dean returned from their walk, bringing a basket full of herbs with them that they deemed useful to replenish Fleur's depleted supply cupboard.

Fleur realised that it was getting dark outside and wondered what had happened at Gringotts today. She pushed the thought away for fear of starting to cry again and thanked Luna and Dean for being so thoughtful.

'How about some dinn…' she started but was interrupted by the wireless springing to life.

A familiar voice shouted ecstatically, "Lightning has struck, I repeat, lightning has struck!"

Everyone suddenly jumped to their feet, checking if they had their wands. All of them knew what that meant. Harry had returned to Hogwarts.

French translation:

I am sorry.