An: New chapter! It would be really nice to hear what you think!
Toffee Luck
To say that the day was not tiring was a lie for Fleur. It wasn't because of work for she had those handled quite perfectly well. It wasn't because of her dear boss William, though maybe partly it was his fault. But in truth, it was because of her fellow office mates that made her this tired and stressed out just before lunch.
Fleur quickly closed her laptop and pushed it inside her bag. She gathered her papers as quickly as she could, she stood up and went to her door, slowly opening the knob. Through the small opening, she looked left and right as she tried to spot her 'annoying' colleagues. She gave a relieved sigh when she spotted no one loitering in the hall and quickly as she could she locked her office and ran straight to the elevators.
Once she was inside the closed space mechanism, she released the tensed breath she didn't know she was holding. How could have she forgotten the date today? Or more so their office tradition. This wasn't what she expected when it was her turn. Her office mates were too much for her to handle and it wasn't even time for that. "By gods, William you and your office traditions" she muttered under her breath.
The elevator dinged and she stepped out into the lobby. There was no way she was going to spend her lunch hour in her office.
"Taking lunch I presume?" Fleur's head snapped to the direction of a familiar voice. Her heart sped up as panic caught up to her. She slowly turned to the voice.
"B-Bella?" Fleur gave a relieved sigh when she saw her neighbor and best friend walk up to her. Fleur took note of the not so casual attire of her friend. It was oddly refreshing to see Bellatrix Lestrange wearing anything but black leather and and Gothic motif clothes. It also surprised Fleur that dress shirts made her friend look good and seemingly cleaner from her usual disheveled hairstyle.
"You seemed surprised? Don't tell me you forgot?" Bellatrix feigned shock. Fleur could only shake her head and chuckle nervously. "Don't give me that look"
"Forgot what?" the accountant nervously replied. Bellatrix let out an exasperated breath while giving a 'seriously-what-the-bloody-hell' look which Fleur Delacour knew so well. The blonde continued her nervous chuckle and gave her shoulders a slight shudder.
What would she do without me? Bellatrix gave up and told the blonde their purpose for today. "We are to go over and through my accounts" the statement lit a memory in Fleur's mind.
"Oh, right, how could I have forgotten! I hold your account since William decided that I'd be promoted to a regular now"
"Well congratulations darling, we can go over it while having lunch at my shop" she replied deadpan.
Fleur raised a brow. "Which one?" she questioned. She knew, when she went over Bellatrix's accounts, that her friend had multiple establishments. There were about five shops that this raven haired owned. Four of them food establishments and are really well known. Two of which are high class restaurants located in the high society district in England and two of which were local cafe in the area. The last establishment was a clothing line outside the British territory, well... it was in France. The Lestrange family is well known and by well known it meant filthy rich. Sometimes Fleur wonders how she had gotten the opportunity to be this obnoxious raven head's best friend. But that is another story for another time. Bellatrix mostly inherited the Lestrange fortune since her parents died. Being an only child does have its perks, Fleur thought. She glanced over her friend as she waited for a reply.
Bellatrix only smiled.
The bell chimed again just a few seconds after the last. Charles' was a bit crowded today since it was lunch time. The serene environment was kept barely quiet through the clatter of plates and small talks. It was a good sight because it meant business is doing well. Though a certain brunette still prefers the crowd that materialized in wee hours of the morning.
"'Ermione! Table seven!" their chef, Rubeus called from the kitchen counter. The big man with long black beard, almost a giant to Hermione, placed the omelette orders in a tray then turned back into the depths of the kitchen. The sizzling sound of oil was heard once again. Hermione, on the other hand was making waffles at that time but went over as quickly as she finished the last sweet pastry for display. She grabbed the tray with a familiar ease and went over to the aforementioned table.
"Two omelettes, one black joe and a special house blend" Hermione stated lowering the contents of the tray to the table before her.
"My, my, love I didn't know you're working here"
Hermione stopped momentarily as she recognized the person sitting in the booth. She gave an awkward smile to her customer as she placed the utensils to their respective plates.
"Hello Hermione" a soft and gentle voice reached the brunette's ears. Hermione gave another shy smile. She took a moment to study the two and she noted their clothes. Bellatrix wore a good black dress shirt, almost different from what she would normally see the raven head wear. In their time together, well mostly when the woman would visit Fleur's house, she was always wearing too much leather. Her hair though was still the same array of enigmatic couture. Now Fleur, was wearing a normal blue dress shirt complimented by a simple white dress pants. She had her hair tied in a ponytail unlike her usual free flowing style. From those deductions, the barista conclude that apparently they were still on the clock, their business attires were dead give away.
"Bellatrix… Fleur…" she replied to the older women. Both women looked up at her giving their respective smiles.
Hermione took notice of the French's eyes. She took the opportunity to bathe in Fleur's kind blue eyes, unconsciously. Now, come to think of it, she had been wondering when the blonde would show up since she hadn't seen her that morning. Hermione was up and running way before Fleur woke up since her finals was just a few days away. Hermione took her studies quite seriously at the same time she still manages to make time for her part-time job here at Charles. She knew though that even if they didn't see each other that morning Fleur would eventually show up here. But that wasn't what happened. Fleur did not show up that morning. Hermione could only sigh as she continued on having a trance with the accountant's soulful eyes.
Bellatrix watched this exchange and gagged. It was funny at the same time weird to actually see these kind of moments with her friend involved. It looked like they were acting like teenagers. Well aside from one being an actual teenager. She couldn't take any more of this so she feigned a cough. Luckily, Fleur was the first to snap off it and turned her eyes away.
"So aside from googly eyeing my friend here" the woman pointed out.
"I wasn't." quickly defended Hermione though the blush on her cheeks said otherwise. Bellatrix took this opportunity to make their lunch more interesting.
"Would you like to have lunch with us for a while?" she offered.
"I can't, if you don't see how many people are in here, I still have a lot of orders to take" replied Hermione.
"That's a shame. It would be nice to have lunch, the three of us" Fleur added. Hermione contemplated for a moment. It is a good opportunity and she needed the break.
With a sigh,"My break is in about ten minutes" she said then took off back to the counter. As soon as the brunette was gone, Bellatrix burst out laughing.
"You." She pointed an accusing finger "My dear, have her wrapped around your finger" she wiped a stray tear from her eyes. "Mind if you tell me how you've done it?"
The blonde gawked at her friend's comments, Bellatrix sure has no reserve for a woman so high class. Fleur shook her head disapprovingly and dismissed Bellatrix Lestrange with a stern look.
"Oh don't give me that look!"
"Don't bully the poor girl, Bella" she said. Fleur started looking over the papers she had brought with them as well as the ones in her laptop. "So what are we looking for here?" she eyed her.
Bellatrix only waved a hand. "I just need to check if everything is in order"
"Really, Bellatrix, if I know you… in which I do, you have some important business you needed to discuss with me" Fleur said without looking up.
Bellatrix sighed. "It's this old hag I call grandfather" she started. She took a sip of her black coffee and hummed. She then looked out the into the busy streets of London. Impassively looking at them, seemingly uninterested by how they move about. After a moment she looked back at Fleur again.
"Go on" encouraged the blonde accountant.
"He wants me to marry some bastard named Tom from who knows where" the raven head grumbled.
Fleur blinked. She did not get why or how it connected to her and the woman's accounts. Getting married wouldn't harm these establishment would it? She was flabbergasted. "What does that have to do with your accounts?"
Her friend could only sigh more. "Sometimes I wish you were with me when these things come up before it blows up in my face. I just had to open my big arse of a mouth and placed my accounts at stake"
If that was the case… "You don't mean..."
Bellatrix Lestrange only nodded. "He is still in control with regards business, darling. And if he wants something he gets it done whatever means necessary. He threatened to shut every little thing I had going if I don't marry the fucking bastard!" She unconsciously slammed her hand down the mahogany table. Fleur was startled.
The other customers paused to look at Bellatrix and Fleur wondering what the commotion is. The blonde dropped her head low then sighed while rubbing her now sore temples.
Well, that was new. Fleur had only ever seen Bellatrix, her ill mannered friend, to break out in rage. Sure, she was a witty pervert and a smart arse when it comes to people but most of the time she would only shrug the problem off and never swore it this mercilessly. But who is she to blame Bellatrix. It was her future on the line and if anything, Fleur Delacour knows her, and being chained down isn't one of them.
"But it still doesn't make sense"
"It will eventually, but I need you on my boat Fleur"
It was ever so rare that Bellatrix would address her normally rather than calling her git, doll, or arse and some other more pet names. This would only mean that Bellatrix was in an extreme pinch and she needed her best friend. Fleur nodded.
"Alright. I'll help you anyway I can" she placed her hand on Bellatrix's, soothing her friend's trembling hands. After a few minutes the raven head relaxed. Fleur took it as a good sign that the tensed conversation was over. Fleur's eyes soon caught a glimpse of Hermione standing by the counter watching them though she momentarily feigned ignorance by looking away. Fleur chuckled, How considerate of her. She thought. Fleur smiled and waved to the barista. Hermione took it a sign that things were alright now.
Now, Hermione knew that eavesdropping wasn't a good skill so she waited till Fleur and Bellatrix was over talking. From anyone's view it seemed intense like they were arguing.
"That seemed pretty intense" Ginny walked up to her. Hermione looked at her friend and shushed her. Yet, the redhead paid no mind and continued to narrate her observation to her friend.
"But it seemed like they were a couple arguing. Look at how they reconciled it's sweet…" Hermione Granger knew where this conversation was heading. She knew how the two interact, heck she saw them like this everyday. It wasn't new and she knows that she should not put any malice in their friendly gestures, but she can't help feeling something else. It prickled her heart and it sure damn hurts. "Hey isn't that-"
"It's not our business Ginny"
There was no doubt that Hermione wanted to know what is up but she wanted to trust Fleur, that she would tell her eventually. Hermione mentally slapped herself. She should just let the event slip. She should forget what Ginny said. She shook her head sideways. Right. No malice. Just good friends.
She walked over them a tray of freshly baked cookies and a sandwich on one hand and another pot of coffee for Bellatrix in the other. She gave both her customers a smile before she sat down beside Fleur and let the lunch hour unravel before her eyes.
Yet the words Ginny told her still scratched her consciousness.
Hermione paced back and forth the living area. Their lunch had ended briefly when Fleur got a call from her boss saying that she was needed back at their office. Bellatrix agreed to depart and took Fleur back. But that had been ages ago. It was way past Fleur's usual arrival on a Thursday. Usually the blonde would be here before her and was starting dinner.
It was their routine on a weekly basis. This was the only day that Hermione makes it home after Fleur. For the past month that they've been living on the same roof, this was the first time Fleur hadn't called that she was going to be late and that worried the brunette. Hermione bit her lip as she looked at her phone once again.
"No messages or calls" the brunette student sighed. She glanced at the door and then to the stairs contemplating on whether or not she should just turn in, surely Fleur would be alright and would return safely. She took one last look at the clock.
"2am…" Well that decided it. Hermione stifled a yawn then stretched. She headed towards the stairs feeling more tired than before. She hadn't noticed that she had waited more than four hours already for Fleur besides, she argued, she had exams tomorrow. She had to get her head in the game if she wanted to graduate.
"Fleur is a grown woman for Pete's sake Hermione!" she told herself. As she started up the stairs. The doorknob jiggled and she heard keys. The door opened with a bang as it collided ungracefully with the wall. Hermione, alarmed, was just about to go down and take a look if Fleur was alright when she caught a glimpse of someone else. And that someone was snogging Fleur, for lack of better term. Hermione stopped in her tracks as she suddenly felt her stomach churn up as the scene unravels before her. She quickly ran up her room and banged the door shut.
She slid down pathetically till her knees touched the cold hardwood floor. Her breath ragged as she tried to get more air in her lungs. She closed her eyes in hopes that she would just forget everything she saw but it did not do anything, it was engraved already.
The barista slapped her face. "It's not your business" Hermione told herself.
Another bang at the door and the shuffle of footsteps caused her to jump and scramble up to her own bed. She feigned sleeping, covering her face with her blanket. Her door opened, and the light from the hallway lit her room momentarily.
"It seems you're alright. I was worried about you I thought you haven't gone home yet because you weren't texting me back. Funny though when I checked my phone the signal was nowhere visible, the reception in the area wasn't top notch" the figure from the door said with a slight chuckle. "I'm glad you're here, sleeping soundly. I guess I'll apologize tomorrow, I must've worried you" Hermione heard the woman sigh before closing the door behind her with a soft click. Then the door opposite her room closed quietly as well. Hermione sat up her bed, "Fleur..."
Hermione contemplated whether or not to approach the woman, her host, and tell her that it was alright, that everything was fine. But the images she saw downstairs had her trembling and sick that she decided not to. She laid back down her bed and watched the light dance through her curtains.
"I guess, there was really something more between them" she said to the air and slowly drifted into sleep. The thoughts of Fleur and the black haired woman replaying again and again in her dreams; a looping nightmare.
A screeching scream pierced through Fleur's ears. She was just twenty minutes into her sleep when she heard it. She jumped up from her bed and hurried to the source. She opened the door without a care and ran beside Hermione. The brunette was thrashing in her sleep, clutching the sheets until her hands were white.
"Hermione" Fleur called a few times but the barista won't open her eyes and continued to thrash about the bed. Fleur only had one choice and that was to follow what her instincts told her. She grabbed the woman and enveloped her in a tight embrace. Shushing the crying girl until the sobs subsided and her face was clear of running tears. Fleur hushed her, caressing Hermione's forehead and whispering just sweet nonsense. "Must've been the exams tormenting the girl" she said as she spotted several books lying hazardously on the floor and table. She smiled. Hermione was really a hard worker, and she could see that on how the girl brought herself about.
When the shaking stopped, she knew that Hermione was now sleeping soundly, the night terrors had subsided. She lowered the girl to her own pillow and kissed the girl's forehead. A gesture she had always done when Gabrielle, her younger sister, had nightmares such as this. She caressed Hermione's forehead once more and whispered one last word "Sleep well, I am here... cherie"
Slowly and quietly she stood up from the edge of the bed. Opening the forgotten lamp in the corner, in hopes that it would at least light the nightmares away, before closing the door.
Fleur, stopped momentarily behind the closed door, her hand still resting at the door knob. She felt her heart, it was still hammering wildly against her chest. She closed her eyes, lulling her heart to stop beating madly that everything was fine.
Fleur, for the second time since she was in England, felt scared.
