A/N: Woahhhhhh very hungover from New Years but a day moping around the house feeling sorry for myself has led to me pumping out another Fleurmione chapter. Thank you everyone who has faved or followed this. Its great getting wee reviews to read! Hope you enjoy this chapter.
"RON!" Hermione shouted, "Get back here!"
Ron shuffled in slowly, eyes firmly fixed on the floor, face still purple.
"You guys too?!" Ron said weakly, not looking up.
Fleur laughed and pulled a nearby tee over herself, "Don't be so silly, Ronald, it was not like that!"
With that, she hopped off the bed and breezed past Ron to head for the shower. Hermione felt her stomach sink.
Ron let out a deep breath of relief and finally looked up again, his face gradually returning to its natural colour.
"Thank god! So, 'Mione, can I have your breakfast?"
Hermione frowned and threw a pillow at Ron, "Can you ever just KNOCK, RON?!"
"Hey!" He giggled, dodging the pillow and coming to hop on the end of the bed, "what's your deal, Hermione?"
"You can have the fucking breakfast." Hermione said irritably.
"Jesus, 'Mione, I'll knock okay!" Ron exclaimed sulkily before standing up and striding out of the room.
Hermione leaned back on the bed sighing heavily and putting her hands over her eyes. She was angry at being stuck in Shell Cottage and not knowing when they could next get back out on the hunt for the horcruxes. She was angry at Ron thinking he could just barge in and demand her breakfast. She was angry at the war raging on outside of this quiet seaside area. She was especially angry that she had a moment with one of the most unattainable witches—who liked her, Hermione Granger, of all people—and that the war had stolen that from her.
While they had been camping out in the tent she had often imagined what it would be like to be reunited with Fleur. But as the months dragged on and on, she had been less convinced that that reunion would be a romantic one.
"'Ermione?"
Hermione sat up and saw Fleur in a loose white tee and underwear, drying her silver-blonde hair with a towel. She stared, transfixed, feeling the weight of that missed opportunity.
"Fucking Death Eaters…" Hermione muttered, shaking her head.
"'Ermione, are you ok?" Fleur asked again, concern in her voice, "Do you need some more pain-killing potion?"
Fleur crossed the room and came to kneel beside the bed, looking up into Hermione's face with worry.
"Do you ever wonder what life would be like if the Death Eaters had never shown up at the Burrow?" Hermione said suddenly, "Or if the war had never broke out at all?"
Fleur stared into Hermione's eyes, an unreadable expression on her face. She reached to the bedside table and picked up a vial of turquoise painkiller potion before handing it to Hermione. Hermione took it solemnly before rolling over and facing away from Fleur, facing the wall.
Fleur silently finished getting changed and quietly left the room.
Hermione lay in bed for the rest of the day, feeling angry at the world.
Near the end of the day, there was a quiet knock on the door and Ginny came in.
"All right, are you done feeling angsty?" Ginny chirped loudly, pulling the blankets off Hermione. Hermione grumbled.
"Well, you can't stay here all day," Ginny said cheerily, "Dinner's ready and you must be starving by now."
Hermione was hungry. She dragged herself out of bed and reluctantly got dressed for the day, Ginny smiling at her. They walked out of the room and into the living area.
It was fantastically decorated, bouquets and streamers fixed to the room. The room had been magically expanded and to one side was a table groaning with elaborate food and an ice sculpture of a duck.
Hermione's mouth opened with surprise.
"Fleur was thinking everyone was feeling depressed being cooped up in here and that it would be a good idea to cheer everyone up by throwing Remus and Bill another engagement party," Ginny smiled, "one without Death Eaters anyway."
Hermione was silent, her mouth still hanging open. Ginny wheeled her around to face the bedrooms again.
"Well, we'd better get ready!" she chirped to Hermione.
/
Ginny and Hermione arrived back at the room a little later. Harry and Ron were already there in their dress robes and Fleur was wearing a shimmery dress of emerald green. Hermione felt her cheeks burn a little hot at the sight of Fleur in a revealing dress. Harry and Ron were smiling at Ginny and Hermione.
"This was a great idea, Fleur," Harry said, smiling, pulling Ginny over to stand beside him.
Fleur flicked her wand and a record player in the corner started playing music as Remus and Bill walked down the stairs together, holding hands. They walked into the living room and stood in front of everyone, beaming.
Remus muttered something with his wand and some champagne glasses came flying in from the kitchen and into everyone's hands.
Remus cleared his throat, "things aren't great right now, but in hard times it really makes you appreciate those close to you." He smiled and took Bill's hand again, giving it a squeeze.
"To loved ones! That make even the worst times liveable."
The room raised their glasses, drinking deeply and Bill kissed Remus. They put down their glasses and began to dance.
Harry extended an arm to Ginny, who raised an eyebrow at him being formal, before smiling and allowing herself to be pulled into a dance too.
Hermione stood still for a moment, thoughtful, before feeling a bravery surge inside her. She started walking towards Fleur.
"Hey, 'Mione," Ron suddenly said, ambling into sight, "Dance?"
Hermione sighed. She did feel a bit bad for snapping at him this morning. She begrudgingly took his hand and they started to dance. Ron put his hands on Hermione's hips and she put her hands on his shoulders as they began to sway to the music.
"I'm sorry 'bout this morning, 'Mione," Ron said, blushing a little, "I know its been a bit depressing and frustrating being cooped up here,"
"Its fine, Ron, I shouldn't have snapped that much."
They swayed together for another few minutes in silence, looking at each other's faces, smiling as things were resolved.
"You know, Remus is right," Ron said, and Hermione nodded.
"It just really makes you think about what's important to you…" he continued.
Hermione nodded again, surprised by Ron's sudden sensitivity. Suddenly Ron leaned in, diving for a kiss.
"Woah!" Hermione said, dodging the kiss. The two of them pulled apart from dancing. Ron purpled and spluttered something about getting some fresh air, before racing out the door. Hermione stood, stunned. Ginny and Harry, who had been nearby, walked over to Hermione.
"Just leave him to cool off," Harry said, looking a little pained at the awkwardness he had just witnessed between his two friends. Ginny nodded. They all stood there uncomfortably before Ginny took Harry's hand and they resumed dancing.
Hermione turned around, thinking of getting some food, when she came face to face with Fleur.
"F-Fleur!" Hermione stuttered in surprise, "This was such a great idea,"
Fleur smiled and extended a hand, offering Hermione a dance. Hermione took her hand and they began to dance.
"So, you and Ronald?" Fleur asked, and Hermione wondered if she had imagined the hint of jealousy in Fleur's voice.
"Well, he seems to have convinced himself that something is there," Hermione replied.
They continued to dance and Hermione couldn't stop gazing into Fleur's ice-blue eyes, mesmerised.
"Do you remember the last time we danced, 'Ermione?" Fleur asked quietly. Hermione broke into a blush. They continued dancing.
"You 'ave never been far from my mind since then," Fleur said. Hermione felt her stomach flip uncomfortably. Fleur was making her melt, it felt like she was dreaming.
"I can't believe this…" Hermione said, murmuring, "You can't still like me…"
Fleur looked relieved at Hermione's response. She gave a small chuckle before pulling Hermione closer, "I'm surprised you didn't figure it out… you're supposed to be the smartest witch in your year…"
"Hey!" Hermione said, laughing and swatting Fleur.
At this, Ginny approached them.
"Time for food! What're you guys chatting about?" Ginny chirped.
Hermione looked embarrassed and pulled away from Fleur. "Uh, about a new book I'm reading!" she blurted.
"Should've guessed," Ginny said, rolling her eyes, as they walked towards the table of food.
Hermione avoided Fleur's gaze and stared intently at the floor as they walked. She hoped Fleur wouldn't be upset. Hermione had just never talked to any of her friends about her interest in women, and wasn't ready to start.
As they sat down and ate, Hermione avoided looking at Fleur and Ron avoided looking at Hermione. Despite that awkwardness, the dinner went well and the night ended with some good stories from Bill and Remus about how they met and first started dating.
After the party, Hermione went and took a long shower, thinking about how she had avoided telling Ginny. She arrived back to her and Fleur's room and Fleur was already settling into bed.
Hermione started getting changed silently, feeling Fleur's eyes on her and blushing.
"You 'aven't told anyone you are attracted to women," Fleur said quietly from the bed.
Hermione sighed heavily, keeping her back to Fleur.
"I just don't know how to tell them…" Hermione started. She furrowed her brow.
"I just have this annoying thing where I really want everyone to think I'm perfect" she added, "I just don't want to disappoint anyone…"
Fleur got out of bed and walked over to Hermione, turning her around to face her. She cupped Hermione's face in one of her hands.
"'Ermione, zere is nothing wrong with you," Fleur said, staring into her eyes, "You are perfect."
Hermione swooned, was this really happening? Fleur leaned in and kissed her softly. She pulled back again and looked cautiously at Hermione's face.
"I really like you, Fleur," Hermione whispered breathlessly.
Fleur looked relieved, and pulled Hermione back in to kiss. Hermione's stomach flipped and her hands made their way to Fleur's hips. Fleur's tongue pushed against her lips and Hermione parted them, feeling a thrill as Fleur's tongue entered her mouth. Fleur's hands ran up Hermione's back, one making its way to behind Hermione's neck and pulling her closer.
They stumbled across the room, Fleur falling on her back on the bed. Hermione clambered on top of her, breathing raggedly. She leaned down and started kissing Fleur's neck, her hands moving up her stomach and up to her breasts. Fleur's hips rose up against Hermione as she started to writhe with frustration, letting out a small whimper. Finally she couldn't take it anymore and with a smooth roll, flipped so she was on top of Hermione.
Hermione suddenly let out a yelp and clutched at the wounds on her arm and ribs.
"Merde! I am so sorry 'ermione!" Fleur said, pulling back so she was sitting up straddling Hermione, "let me get you some more potion…"
Hermione kept clutching her arm and ribs but a smile grew on her face.
"You really do make a sexy nurse, Fleur"
Fleur smirked, "Now now, take it easy, painkillers zen early night for you now."
Hermione looked a little frustrated but nodded, "Fine."
Fleur picked up a couple of vials of potions from the bedside table and carefully held them for Hermione to sip. She blushed as Hermione grabbed her ass while she was putting the vials back on the bedside table.
"Easy, 'Ermione. You probably should sleep in your own bed so I don't accidentally 'urt you again"
Hermione looked sly, "but what if I have another nightmare? Or need my nurse?"
Fleur smirked and rolled off Hermione, to lie on her back in bed, "Okay, but you 'ave to be good…"
Hermione snuggled up to Fleur, putting an arm over her waist and resting her head on Fleur's chest, enjoying how it felt to cuddle like this guilt-free. Fleur muttered something in French and the lights went out.
Fleur cuddled Hermione tightly as the brunette felt the sleepiness of the potions kicking in.
"I won't tell anyone about you liking women, 'Ermione. You can tell your friends when you are ready."