Author's Note and Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters. This is an AU AH story. I know it's been so long before I had an update for this story but alas, inspiration came back. I hope you find this chapter interesting.
Hermione looked at the mirror. Her groggy brown eyes boring into her own. The night felt so long that her own body woke up way before her usual waking hours. It wasn't usually bad. But waking up at 4 am, with only three hours of sleep, got her a nasty headache. Her headache was just one thing, but combined with the echoes of her and Fleur's conversation made her feel tired like she didn't even get a wink of sleep. She ran both her hands in running water, stares at it for a few moments before splashing her face with it. The grogginess barely left her.
She looked at the small window, wondering how long she stood in Fleur's bathroom. She could see pink peeking through the dark blue sky. Signifying that the day was about to begin. Morning came too soon for her liking. Without warning, the warmth of the sun penetrated the cold walls of the bathroom. She soaked in it for a few moments, running her hands through the dusted particles the light illuminated. Pausing, contemplating on what to do next.
"We will talk tomorrow" a shiver ran down Hermione's back, giving her goosebumps as she heard Fleur's voice echo in her head. She quickly grabbed the nearby towel and wiped the water that trickled down to her chin. She prepared for the day. After her routine, she decided to go down stairs but first took a few moment to look at the closed wooden door adjacent to her own room.
She heard the soft click from the door of her bathroom a few minutes after she had been actively awake. She ran a hand through her golden locks as she stared at her closed door. She sighed. What had she been thinking? Agreeing to let Hermione stay with her. It was not a problem for her, in fact, she's bubbling with excitement with the arrangement. With only one thought in mind: She wanted familiarity in her home. And she found Hermione a familiar thing in her everyday life ever since she moved in England.
Fleur found herself reminiscing some mornings in Charles' as the thought pass her.
The first time she went looking through the scenic windows of the shop. Gazing through the window barely seeing enough of the things inside due to the huge lettering of Charles' painted on it. She almost just passed by the shop, not one interest sparked in her, it was just a common shop, she thought that day. But as she moved forward, finding herself in the middle of the letters 'R' and 'L', she momentarily paused. What caught her attention that day was a brunette animatedly talking to an old man in his fifties. They looked like they were enjoying themselves, looking so detached from the world.
It looked homey.
Maybe it was the fog making things up in her mind, but one thing was sure that day, that It was one of the days she felt home-sick, that watching the interaction between the barista and the customer was calling her. She wanted to at least feel something like that.
After that day, albeit running late for her second week to work, she frequented the shop. She would wake up an hour early than her usual so that she could just sit down the shop, drink coffee in the serene environment while listening to hushed conversations of the barista and her customers.
Surely, people would find it annoying to not enjoy coffee in a really quite place, but, it was different for the people who frequent Charles'. They loved to be involved.
As the days passed, she noticed how engrossed she had been- not to the environment and the friendly people of Charles' but to one specific person. The brunette. Hermione.
How? It was what perplexed her.
She shuffled around the bed, letting the covers slide down her slim figure. It was a Monday, and that means no work for her. She hoped her guest didn't have any plans.
Coffee in hand, both of them sat across each other in her small dining bar. Hermione, silently sipping her joe. While Fleur enjoyed her special blend, care of Hermione of course.
"Glad I got to taste the coffee you promised me the other day" Fleur started. Taking another sip on her cup, humming in delight as the bittersweet taste molded into her tongue. Hermione slightly looked up, still avoiding eye contact with Fleur.
"Um. Of course" she politely replied. It was awkward. Both of them silently agreed on that. Even if Fleur was trying to relive the tension, it wasn't enough. She contemplated on starting to ask Hermione what her problem was that she had been kicked out of her college apartment or if she would wait until the brunette speaks up. But being Fleur, a bit demanding she admits to herself, chose the first option: Confrontation.
"I heard you got punished by your parents?" she said, she could see Hermione's uneasiness and her shaking hands under the table. "What of?"
Silence. Hermione tried to open her mouth to answer but pulled back and thought about what to say more intensely. Fleur watched as the woman before her sighed defeated.
"It's silly really..." Hermione slowly said. She started to tell Fleur, although embarrassed, about the things that transpired over the weekend. She knew that it was such a petty thing and was deeply ashamed of what she had done. Though, she had to admit, the thing with Ron was apparently just bad timing. As in really, really bad timing.
So when she paused to took a sip of her now cold coffee, she was waiting for Fleur's reaction. Her eyes were dipped low behind her mug. She was afraid of looking into Fleur's brilliant blue ones. "Well, that is interesting" was Fleur's reply.
Hermione set down her mug and looked at her like she was crazy for saying just a really short comment on her stupidity but at the same time, she was glad. Glad that Fleur was understanding.
"But, I'm sure I'm going to look for a place to crash today" Hermione started. "I really don't want to intrude" she slowly said as if testing the waters. Fleur's eyes slightly widened at Hermione's words. She bit her lip as her brows came into contact at the middle.
"None of that" she firmly said. "Things happen. And sometimes you don't have control over it" Fleur explains. "maybe… well… don't you think this is a pretty nice arrangement? hm?" she said her eyes somewhat avoiding direct contact while her hands played on her cup's rim.
"How is this a nice arrangement? I'm crashing in one of my regulars home without a cent to pay. That is totally embarrassing on my part!" Hermione huffed. Taken aback by Hermione's sudden out burst. Fleur accidentally tipped her mug.
"Merde!" the chair skidded from the table and landed with a loud thump as Fleur jumped out of her seat feeling the scalding hot water through her thin clothes.
"Oh shit!" Hermione jumped out of her seat and quickly grabbed towels from the nearby sink. She hurriedly dabbed the cloth on Fleur's now wet shirt and pants. "I'm sorry! It wasn't supposed to come out harsh" she explained. Fleur watched her guest for a moment, before bending down and holding her down from her frantic movements of helping her. She tipped the brunette's face up slightly. Her blue eyes meeting chocolate ones. Fleur was reading them, Hermione's emotions from her eyes. She softly caressed Hermione's shoulders in a calming manner and sighed.
"It's nothing" Fleur blew out.
"Which are you pertaining to?" the brunette innocently asked.
Fleur chuckled. "Both" this made Hermione show a crooked shy smile that melted Fleur's heart. "Let's clean this up" was the only thing Fleur said before taking the cloth from the brunette's hand.
"As for staying. Let's… not get into any argument about that. Hermione…" she paused looking directly at the young barista's eyes. "My home is your home from now on. Okay?"
To say that the day went awful was not the truth. In fact Hermione enjoyed her time with Fleur. They cooked, cleaned and talk all throughout the day. It seemed that they had grown to know each other much better than the small notes they passed around Charles'.
They were in the living room watching a movie and eating dinner when the door opened. The dogs barked a playful woof as soon as they saw who entered. The raven head looked down at the 'mutts'— it's what Bellatrix often call them— before she bent down and picked up one. Her face though, not hiding the disgust towards the dog.
"Alaina" she cooed to the malamute. In return Alaina licked her cheeks. Bellatrix frowned and proceeded to put the dog down. "I only liked you for a moment you hear that" she told the dog as it scurried off towards her real owner. Fleur was now lounging by the door frame as soon as she heard Bellatrix's voice.
"You are late" she said, but with a smirk. The raven head only had time to roll her eyes before she was enveloped in a hug with a blonde french. She faked choked at the gesture in hopes that Fleur might actually want to let go, but her hopes died as the woman tightened her hug. Bellatrix could never get this woman and all this french-y-affections— so she quoted— but who was she to deny such affection. With a defeated sigh, she gave into the gesture and hugged the damnable blonde.
"You ought'ta lessen the hugging you know" Bellatrix quietly mused as she pulled away. Fleur chuckled a hand covering her lips. She picked up the nearest hand towel she could get and scrubbed the dog saliva from Bellatrix's cheeks. The raven head frowned deeper, what the hell is wrong with this woman? She thought but she did not put any resistance in the action.
She looked at her, a twinkle in her eyes "A thank you would've suffice" Bellatrix only shrugged. Her best friend slash neighbor was one of a kind— a kind where she would hug and be kind to anybody she just met — and she would testify that to anyone. She studied Fleur for a moment, taking in the comfy outfit the blonde accountant was in. Just a sweater and shorts,— Bellatrix gasped inwardly, was she seeing things? — and she was even barefooted. Fleur absolutely hated the feeling.
"You're barefooted." Bellatrix stated.
Fleur gave her a puzzled look then she looked at her feet."Oh" she let out silently. She went over the couch and grabbed her house slippers, giving a short smile to Hermione before she went back to Bellatrix. "Must've forgotten when I heard you come in. We just cleaned and the floor felt so nice too" she explained with a smile dancing on her lips. Bellatrix only hummed in agreement.
"So, what's on tonight?" Bellatrix walked in and shred her jacket.
"Avengers"
Bellatrix shuddered, and gave Fleur an impassive look. "Works for me"
She took a glance at Hermione who was looking from the couch. The raven head in turn gave a sheepish smile. "Oh hey there love" she winked. Hermione blushed but managed to give a wave as a response.
It perplexed Hermione how Bellatrix moved about the house so comfortably. She watched as the raven haired individual head toward the kitchen and open the refrigerator just to grab some booze. So that's what the beers are for. The brunette mused. As per talking with Fleur the accountant had admitted that she didn't like the taste of malt beer and had often strayed away from it when she had parties. She had told Hermione that she was a wine type kinda girl and she loved wine especially the old ones because it remind her of France— and France and it's cuisine often combined wine with their food. So, what boggled Hermione to no end now is the relationship between this black haired woman named Bellatrix and her current hostess Fleur. She sighed and settled down on the couch and continued on munching the potato chips that rested on her lap.
The brunette barista watched from the corner of her eyes. Bellatrix sat down beside Fleur and placed her feet on the coffee table just across the couch, she grabbed the pillow from her behind and placed it on her lap. Hermione continued to watch closely. Fleur on the other hand, absentmindedly went to rest her head on Bellatrix's shoulder. The neighbor only looked at Fleur momentarily before shrugging and paid no mind. Hermione felt oddly unwelcome now that these two displayed such features. But, as a guest she dismissed the thought and continued on watching the movie with the two. Besides, they're just displaying what normal best friend do right? She does those things with Ginny all the time… right? Then she should think no malice of it. Hermione quietly concluded.
Though, after a few minutes, it proved difficult to stay within their premises and Hermione did know her place when she felt it. So, she stood up and pretended to yawn. Fleur looked up and adjusted to sit up properly. She looked at Hermione, giving the girl a lingering questioning look. Hermione smiled tiredly.
"What's wrong?" Fleur asked.
"N-nothing." the brunette gave a stiff smile. "I'm going to turn in now" she said and walked straight to the stairs. Fleur sighed, she sat down opposite Bellatrix to where Hermione once where. She inhaled the scent that lingered in the area and cuddled in the still warm pillow.
Bellatrix smirked as soon as she knew Hermione was out of earshot. She popped a pop-corn in her mouth and gave an all knowing eye to Fleur who was curled up in Hermione's place ."Looks like someone's jealous" she murmured. Fleur only looked at her and rolled her eyes and ignored her friend's silent comment.
"Well that ended well" continued Bellatrix as she popped another pop-corn in her mouth, she quietly chewed the puffy piece and closed the television before them.
Fleur sharply eyed the raven head "What do you mean?"
"I mean you could've jumped each other like horny rabbits" Bella smiled innocently and ate another fist full of puffed corn. Fleur turned red in an instant and threw the pillow she was holding straight to Bellatrix's face.
"What was that for you bloody blonde!?" she picked up the discarded pillow and threw it back at Fleur with the same force. Fleur moved away and managed to dodge the flying object.
"You— Lestrange! You don't even have the decency in you to not say any topic about s-s— " stuttered the blonde accountant. She held her face and felt heat steam from her cheeks. She knew in herself that sometimes their banters about this thing go to an awkward direction. It was generally alright to talk about it but with Hermione in the house it seemed really inappropriate. And, added to this fact, they we're talking about Hermione. More specifically— her jumping on her guest. She feared that the young brunette might have heard and this had caused her to act violently towards her neighbor, Bellatrix Lestrange.
Amused but irked at Fleur's demure demanour "Just say sex already!" Saying that out loud earned her a harsh hand covering her mouth. The pop corn flying onto the floor and couch.
"Shit!" Bellatrix Lestrange mumbled from behind Fleur's hands. Fleur looked at her intently eye to eye.
"I will remove this hand if you promise to keep it down" she bargained. "Please"
The raven head shook her shoulders and sighed. "Fine" she mumbled. Fleur slowly removed her hands and began to pick up the pop corn before her dogs manages to snag some. Bellatrix sighed again and began helping her friend. "You are hopeless, do you know that you git?" she picked up a puffed treat and threw it into Fleur's direction. Fleur glared at her but paid no mind to the act of offense.
"You're really not planning anything while she's here?" said Bellatrix after a moment of picking up the mess they made. "It's a great opportunity you know, I'd certainly take advantage of it" she smirked.
Fleur huffed. "I'm not like you, you and your impulsive behavior. And there's really a big problem here"
Bellatrix rolled her eyes, how could she have a friend this prude? She didn't know what's going on Fleur Delacour's mind. She meant, the prey was already in her house and she have been rambling about this for a month now. And by month, she meant that Fleur had told her almost every intricate detail of their boring note passing in Charles' Coffee Place. What's wrong in taking a little advantage of the situation? She thought. If she was the predator in this situation she would have Hermione pinned on a wall right now and was fucking her senseless. That was 'if' she was in the situation but she's not. This was Fleur's house and she respected that.
"And what might that be?" she challenged. After a few moments, the answer also dawned on her.
"Rowena's niece" the both said. Bellatrix had manage to recover from the truth and laughed her arse out. Surely, that was just pure bad luck on her friends behalf. This was going to be interesting, really interesting— Bellatrix betted on it.
"You're such a loony" the accounted huffed as she stood up from the couch to pick up the rest on the floor. "Mind picking up that?" Bella followed and proceeded to help Fleur.
"I'm your loony, though" Bellatrix cackled.
"You're the hopeless one"
She stopped her snickering and stood up from the floor as the last piece was placed back in the bowl."Not so hopeless as you. I told you Narcissa's free and you wouldn't have to hassle yourself with this Hermione issue" she said. "Even Rowena would put you off that you're much better not involving yourself with young-ins" she chuckled again. The accountant could only sigh.
"You're putting it like I love her already. I'm not in love with her you know. I'm just... interested." Bella hummed an amused tone. "Let's say you've come to like her more than before while she's in your house… what would you do then?"
Fleur bit her lip as Bellatrix's question struck her. It was an unlikely thing but, maybe she was pointing out something. Just maybe, Bellatrix was right. She sighed. It was too late in the evening to think about these things and maybe it's the wine talking and the beer that Bellatrix and her took. They were intoxicated and these things were just the result. She moved to stand up as well as she saw Bella put on her coat and headed towards the front door.
"You remember what I said, Fleur. I'm watching out for you, as your friend" she smiled and gave Fleur a peck on the cheek, a french gesture she had picked up over the years. Fleur nodded tiredly and waved Bellatrix with a soft goodbye.
