A/N: So the next chapter will probably jump forward to Shell Cottage. Hope you like it.
The engagement party came around fast, and as the marquee was being erected in the yard, even Mrs Weasley was getting excited. She was sending Remus out to de-gnome the yard and laying out an array of outfits she might wear for the occasion.
Hermione was sitting in Ron's room as Harry nervously picked through what shirt he would wear for it.
"So you guys are really sure you want to come with me to hunt down the horcruxes?" Harry said.
Ron had a large bread roll in his hand that he was starting to bite into, despite the fact the engagement party would be starting soon.
"Of course, Harry," Hermione said, "We're all in this together."
Ron nodded, taking a large bite out of the roll.
Harry looked a little cheered up. "Okay well lets just try and enjoy the last few days of summer," he said, holding up two different shirts to inspect.
"I don't know who you're trying to impress, Harry," Ron said through a mouth half-full of bread, "Great Aunt Muriel?"
Harry ignored him, his ears turning pink.
"I wonder if Hermione's going to try and impress anyone tonight?" Bill said slyly, suddenly appearing in the doorway.
Ron narrowed his eyes suspiciously, looking from Bill to Hermione, then to Harry.
"Oh god, you two had better not get together—A man can only take so many surprises in one summer!" Ron groaned.
Harry and Hermione burst into laughter.
Suddenly their laughter was peppered by cracking noises, as the first guests started to apparate outside. They all hurried to get ready.
/
Mrs Weasley, despite her best efforts, wept through all the speeches. But as Remus took Bill's hand and led him to the dancefloor to kick off the dancing, she found herself tearily smiling at her son. He looked so happy.
Harry waited until Ron had disappeared to the table heaped with food before he turned to Ginny. His lip was quivering as he steadied himself with a quick swig of wine.
"Erm, Gin-uh-Ginny, d'you, d'you maybe wanna, uh, dance?" he managed, furrowing his brows with nerves but smiling when he finally managed to get the words out.
To Hermione's surprise, Ginny blushed and replied "I thought you'd never ask!"
They both jumped up happily and bumbled to the dance floor to try and overcome their nerves. By now, most of the guests had joined in dancing. Except for those, like Ron, who were taking advantage of the buffet. Even Mr and Mrs Weasley were dancing together, smiling.
Hermione realised with slight alarm that she was the only one left at the table with Fleur. She hadn't been avoiding Fleur per se, but when she saw the low cut, figure hugging dress Fleur was wearing to the engagement party, Hermione hadn't wanted to get too close to her for fear she would get flustered and embarrass herself.
"Well," Fleur smiled, "It looks as if we are ze only ones not dancing. Shall we not join in and celebrate Bill and Remus' news, 'Ermione?"
Hermione was nervous, but Fleur was smiling so sweetly that she just could not resist.
She got to her feet and followed Fleur to the dance floor, trying to will herself not to look at the way Fleur's ass looked in her dress.
Hermione found herself in front of Fleur in all her glory, looking radiant. She opened her mouth and closed it again, looking helplessly at Fleur, too shy to do anything. Fleur gave her a warm smile, stepped forward and put her hands on Hermione's hips. Hermione's eyes widened, but thankfully, before the old familiar blush reached her cheeks, Fleur rested her temple against hers as they started to sway.
"Soon ze summer will be over and Bill will have finally faced all 'is fears," Fleur said with a smile in her voice, "and it looks like it 'as paid off for him. I am so proud."
They kept swaying for a while, and Hermione felt herself start to relax. She even found herself relaxed enough to start thinking about where they should start first for the horcruxes. Fleur's hand shifted slightly on her waist and she was brought back to reality.
"Yeah, soon the summer will be over… no more carefree days at The Burrow…" Hermione sighed, half to herself, as she dreamily leaned into Fleur. She let the smell of vanilla and flowers intoxicate her.
Fleur chuckled before suddenly saying, "hm, while I will enjoy 'aving a room to myself again, I think I will miss you cuddling me at night."
Hermione pulled her head away from Fleur, looking her in the eyes, horrified.
"Don't worry, 'Ermione, it was very cute" Fleur said, and leaned in to softly kiss Hermione on the cheek.
Hermione felt herself melting. She was lost in Fleur's eyes, where she was sure she saw a flicker of something…
Fleur was drawing closer again, when suddenly Hermione felt a hand clap onto her shoulder and she was yanked away.
She whirled around to find herself face to face with a reddened Ron.
"Ron, you git, what are you—"
"Harry and Ginny?!" he exclaimed, gripping Hermione by both shoulders.
Hermione looked over his shoulder to see Harry and Ginny entwined, kissing deeply.
"That is it. This is too far. This is beyond the bloody pail, Hermione" Ron fumed. Hermione knew she had to defuse this situation, quick. As she pulled Ron away, she felt a pang of jealousy as she saw Tonks approach Fleur and ask her for a dance.
It took Hermione one and a half hours of deep discussion with Ron before he settled down. Hermione was exhausted, but at least he had finally seen sense and realised he was being just as over protective of Ginny as Ginny had been over Bill with Fleur.
They ambled back to the marquee, where Hermione was sad to see that most of the dancing had wrapped up and people were scattered around tables to chat.
'Great,' she lamented, 'My one legitimate excuse to be close to Fleur gone thanks to Ron being a prat.'
Hermione was bitterly disappointed and stalked off on her own to get some space from Ron. She walked out of the garden and over to the pond nearby.
As she was standing there, looking out over the dark water, she heard someone approach.
'I swear to Godric… if this is Ron again…' Hermione thought, bracing herself.
Instead she smelt vanilla and flowers and turned to meet some icy blue eyes. Fleur. Hermione smiled and looked at her feet, suddenly shy again.
"I was looking for you," Fleur smiled, "You were with Ronald for a very long time." Hermione thought she could detect something in Fleur's expression, but she couldn't quite decipher it.
They stood together for a while, looking out at the pond. "Tell me about your latest book," Fleur said suddenly. Hermione smiled and started explaining what she had read in her latest thick book.
As Hermione rambled, she suddenly became aware of Fleur moving closer to her and slipping her hand into hers. She involuntarily shivered.
"I like you, 'Ermione…" Fleur said softly. Hermione's jaw dropped.
'Surely she means as a friend… I mean, she's an absolute bombshell…' Hermione thought breathlessly.
Fleur turned to face her, raising her other hand to cup Hermione's cheek. The usual blush rose in Hermione's cheeks, and a knowing smile toyed around Fleur's lips.
"I was afraid… am afraid… that you may not like me back… but sometimes I see ze way you look at me…" Fleur looked down, her long dark eyelashes blinking nervously.
Nervously? Hermione couldn't believe it. She opened her mouth to say something, but again she couldn't muster any words. This night, Fleur in this dress, their hands holding and Fleur cupping her face… it was all so flustering.
Hermione panicked, wanting to let Fleur know she was attracted to her, but not knowing how to will herself to say it. It was too much having Fleur staring intensely into her eyes.
Suddenly Fleur moved forward and pressed her lips against Hermione's. Hermione was overcome with bliss. She kissed back, parting her lips, and Fleur's tongue slipped into her mouth softly. Hermione's hand released Fleur's and her hands moved to Fleur's waist, then up her back, and then down to her ass. Fleur moaned softly and Hermione felt a surge of heat in her lower body.
All of a sudden they heard a series of bangs and a blood curdling scream. They pulled apart with a gasp and turned towards the Weasley garden. They could hear more screams and bangs and people were streaming out from the marquee. Fleur gripped Hermione's hand and they ran towards the garden.
As they neared the gate, they could see the unmistakeable glow of the Death Eater masks stalking throughout the crowd.
A red beam of light suddenly came streaming at Hermione.
"Protego," Fleur said fiercly, whipping out her wand. The red beam hit the shield and split.
"Get out of here, 'Ermione, take 'Arry and go!"
Fleur shoved Hermione. Hermione ran, pushing desperately through the crowd, dodging beams of spells as she sought out Harry and Ron in the crowd.
She found them, wrenched a large uncle out of the way with a hasty apology, and sprinted over, gripping both Harry and Ron before apparating.