AN: Still a slow burning fic. Don't kill me just yet. We're getting there. :D
The smell of freshly roasted coffee wafted to Fleur's nose as soon as she stepped foot in the kitchen. She scanned the area to see if Hermione was up, with a smile, her eyes landed onto Hermione, nose buried in a book about the Human anatomy and acupressure. She walked lightly, hoping to not disturb the brunette from her studies and head towards the smell that captivated her the minute she stepped foot in her kitchen. She grab a cup from her variety of colorful mugs and poured herself a cup of coffee. She inhaled the aroma, glad that it helped subside her headache.
Fleur promised to herself that moment that she would not at all attempt to out drink her colleagues in a party. Having that promotion party was a big surprise to her. It baffled her that her workmates, usually grumpy and bored individuals, could party like that. It was thanks to that office tradition that she had a chance to see a different side of her office. Though, after the fun, everything was a bit of a blur to her. The only thing she remembered after that was waking up when Hermione screamed and that she had lulled the girl back to sleep. Now that she had remembered it, she took the opportunity to glance at the diligent Hermione.
She slowly painted Hermione with her eyes, starting with the messy brown hair tied to a messy bun, she noted that the brunette's lose hair flowed beautifully sculpting her face. Her eyes dark with hunger for knowledge, she would also note how the girl would scrunch up her nose when she found a new yet difficult word. She would grab the dictionary beside her and look at the meaning before proceeding on the page she had her finger as a bookmark. Fleur also noted how she would bite her thumb finger when she finds something troublesome in her books. It was really fun watching Hermione, Fleur would witness for that.
Clearly, observing the brunette barista had her forget about the time and her coffee as her phone chimed loudly causing her to jump and spill little coffee on her hand. She grab the nearby cloth on the table and dabbed it on her scalded skin. She quickly placed the cup down and ran for her phone.
"Hello" she said to the receiver.
Hermione watched Fleur from the couch where she comfortably sat. She released a breath when she heard Fleur answer the phone. She could not take another minute of Fleur staring at her without making an embarrassment for herself. Though she was also guilty admiring her hostess with her peripheral vision. She had in detail admired Fleur's morning get up. A blush quickly spread on her cheeks as she walked into that thought. Fleur really had a nice body, and by nice it would be in her colleague's term 'the bomb'. It was in layman's term sexy and well proportioned for a woman of her late twenties. Her eyes had examined her from head to toe countless of times but this morning was just more different and magical. This was the first time she had really looked at Fleur in great detail. Notably taking important notes of Fleur's best assets. She describes Fleur's arms and legs a godly divine with it being milky white and flawless. Oh and how her blonde hair glittered as the morning rays touch them had Hermione momentarily awestruck. She had felt that time stopped as she admired this beautiful masterpiece before her. It wasn't even helping her that the book she held was a demonstration on acupressure– which was required for her subject– and had in detail described the points, like running the fingers down the hind legs and so forth. Her imagination had gone wild in that moment. It also wasn't a good thing that Fleur's nightgown was sort of short and revealing, accentuating her full breast as the blonde leaned into the counter. It also did not help that every time Fleur would inhale the aroma of the roasted coffee she would unconsciously moan in delight.
Hermione could only hold off small amounts of teasing early in the morning. She knew that it won't ever be possible after last night and that this Fleur she was seeing now was a long gone dream. Hermione, bitterly, closed the book as soon as she heard Fleur said goodbye to the other person on the line. She stood up and grabbed her knapsack and headed straight for the door without a word.
The door closed with a loud bang and Fleur could only look, with heavy feeling, and sighed. That was odd for Hermione. Hermione, would surely not forget her morning kiss, a habit they have started as Fleur's french traditions. She smiled at the thought as she reminisced that faithful and awkward day. It was the day Hermione had asked Fleur why she constantly does the pecking on the cheeks though she was in England. Curiosity had killed Hermione and she asked for one, yet shyly, after seeing her host and Bellatrix do it a lot of .The look on Hermione's face was priceless when she approved and the girl quickly withdrew her request and that made her laugh heartily. It was then she gave Hermione an unexpected kiss on the cheek as she was about to leave for school. So, Hermione forgetting would mean something else entirely, but she had to make sure first.
Fleur stretched and shrugged off the thought as the brunette having a bad morning and proceeded to start her own day.
That afternoon, Fleur felt awfully tired and it had only been two hours after lunch. The paper works are endless. Added to that her office looked like a hurricane had gone by. The paper stack towering on her desk and some on the floor. It didn't help that the other areas in her office were decorated by flowers of different shape, colors and sizes. After last night, it seemed that her admirers had grown a couple more. She rubbed her temples as she turned another page of the booklet she was signing.
A faint knock startled her from her concentration. She rolled her eyes because she knew what's going to come next. Great. Fleur grumbled but she fixed herself, undoing her work bun and letting her hair flow down to her shoulders. She applied a touch of powder just in case it was someone else important. She fixed the stack of papers hoping it would be enough to at least make her office nice to hold small business talk. She cleared her throat and bid 'come in'. As expected it was another delivery. She sighed and directed the man to place it behind all the others she had.
"Will this ever end?" she muttered as she closed the door behind the flower delivery man.
Another one knocked on her door, she rolled her eyes and breathed an exasperated sigh. Really? I haven't been able to walk back yet. With dejection she opened the door.
"Fleur my darling!" without any warning she felt soft lips on the corner of her mouth. Her eyes widened, shocked by the gesture, as she was then enveloped in an embrace. The person moved to her ear and breathed one favor. "Just go with it and pretend we're together" Fleur was screaming in her head now. What in the bloody hell was happening and what is this pretend thing the other person was spouting about?
"Grandfather, you've met Fleur before, she's the one I've been seeing" the woman said as her arms snaked lovingly onto Fleur's shaped waist.
"Hello sir, Bellatrix have told me so much about you, thank you for taking the time to visit" she lied as she tries to hide her displease.
Fleur smiled albeit awkward to the older gentleman before her. She, by practice, extended her hand waiting for the other party to shake hands but after a few silly seconds it did not come, her hand left unnoticed. The old man who looked like in his seventies, dressed in luxurious business attire gave her a sharp look. Fleur knew that look and that look was disgust. What in the world is Bellatrix thinking? Is this what it means that all will fall into place? Oh. Why did she even open her mouth and agreed without actually asking what this crazy woman had in mind. Sure, it was no secret to Bellatrix's family of her preferences and this did not hinder their relationship for she is solely the granddaughter of this man. And by the stories Bellatrix told her, she was adored by this man, immensely and spoiled to no end.
But then again, Fleur wondered, how did they get into an argument on marriage in the first place?
"Oh Ms. Fleur. I'm sorry you had to be surprised like that. I had asked my granddaughter if she was willing to show me the progress of our agreement today" the man said, voice low and lacked the oldness in it. He fixed his cuffs then gave a small smile behind his mustache. Fleur smiled back. At least her grandfather have manners. She then briefly eyed Bellatrix dangerously. Bellatrix only shrugged and turned back to her grandfather.
"It's nothing to worry about monsieur, it's quite rude of me actually that we are taking greetings at my door. Please, do come in" she opened the door wider and stepped a side, she signaled the assistant waiting just outside to make beverages for her 'clients'. Fleur sighed. This will be a long afternoon. Bella should have a good explanation for this.
Hermione sat in the corner of the last booth in Charles. Her face yet again buried behind books on medical situations and practice. A note pad or two opened before her and a pen clipped between her lips as she contemplated on the problem she had to solve.
Charles was quiet during this time of hour, this was between two and five in the afternoon. Customers rarely come at this hour since it was between lunch and snack time. For the brunette student, this was the perfect study place at this time. With the smell of coffee rejuvenating her mind once in awhile and some snacks in between she was more than prepared to study straight hours.
Ginny was manning the cashier at the moment and what better way would she have it? She looked at her watch momentarily and had taken note that her break was about over. She sighed and closed her books, gathering them up on her arm and then placing them neatly in her knapsack. The day was almost good, she had calmed herself down after that morning show Fleur did. She could still faintly hear Fleur's hums and moans that somehow managed to cause her to blush and make her heart race. She shook her head hoping that the thoughts would subside.
"Don't make them naughty thoughts Granger" she told herself.
She picked up her plate and proceeded back to the kitchen. Upon arriving at the counter, she felt rage rumble in her chest. This could not be happening. She thought. Her lips dropped onto a frown almost instantly as she saw Ginny animatedly talking to her boyfriend who was sitting on the bar stool near the counter door. He smiled his usual goofy-charming smile as he rubbed the scar on his forehead. Ginny would soon brush the hair away and make a comment on how he looked good with the new hair set up. Among the couple was a third wheeler. He had the same screaming red hair that Ginny has. Though unlike Ginny, this one was not on Hermione's good graces. He looked up as soon as he felt Hermione stand a few feet before them, their conversation abruptly stopping as the smiled nervously and greet the brunette. Harry was the first to approach and gave Hermione a kiss on the cheek and a small hug which the brunette unhappily accepted. Hermione frowned further when the young boy with red hair gobbled up the pancake in one scoop and smiled with food still full on his mouth.
"What in the bloody hell are you doing here?!" she said an octave higher than her normal voice. Ginny went over to Hermione as soon as the scene began unwrapping itself before her. Harry quickly moved to the side, hoping to not be caught in the crossfire he predicted that would happen.
"Calm down Hermione. My brother just needed to… uh. See me?" Ginny said, nervously, obviously Hermione knew it was a lie but she couldn't blame Ginny for covering her brother's bloody arse. Her gaze watched Ronald, expectantly, waiting for an answer.
Ron replied with a step back and gulping down his building saliva at the sound of Hermione's enraged voice. He quickly went behind the counter with Harry and hid behind him. Cowering and bumbling idiotically.
"I told you this wouldn't work! Look at her she's like a ravaging wolf!" he cried.
Harry rolled his eyes at his best friend's antics.
"It is your fault in the first place Ronald and you should've known Mione would be mad" Harry replied as he tugged his arms away from Ronald Weasley's sweaty hands.
"How would I know her parents would visit randomly?! And she agreed to' living-in' together" replied the Weasley boy. Hermione was taken aback, offended that Ron was making this her fault. She wanted to go at him and punch the guy in the face but Ginny held her firmly in place. Luckily, it was Harry who gave him a rather hard nudge on the stomach causing the redhead to groan in pain and yield.
"So. What are you doing here when I clearly told you to stay out of might damn sight? Huh?" she eyed Ron sharply. The three loomed over Ron arms crossed, waiting for him to give a good explanation. "Well?" Hermione said rather harshly than intended.
Ron sighed. "I… I want to apologize and I know I was the jerk… the arse" he chuckled nervously, he stole a glance at Hermione looking for a hint that Hermione wouldn't just punch him in the face. But to no avail, the expression was still the same, impatient and mad. "I… I'm really sorry Mione, baby, and everything's alright now, I already apologize to your parents as well. I still love you and I want us to be still together, you and I" he moved in closer as he tried to hug Hermione by the waist. Hermione only looked at him with disgust. Then her mind processed the words Ron Weasley spilled from his mouth. She held up her hand causing the redhead to stop his advances.
"You what?!" she repeated slowly yet deadly. Ron rubbed his arm nervously. Ginny quickly shushed Hermione and dragged the group to the back as soon as she saw the customers look at them and started to murmur.
At the back lounge the four stood before each other. Harry and Ron on one end and Ginny who was failing to restrain Hermione on the other. Hermione huffed and dropped her bag on the nearby chair. She paced around the room rubbing her sore temples.
"What in the bloody hell are you thinking? You" she pointed an accusing finger to Ron "in all the bloody people in this world, talked to my parents? And What did you tell them?" she stopped tapping her foot on the floor, impatiently waiting for Ronald Weasley, ex-boyfriend, to give her a goddamn viable answer. Hermione is pissed and she wasn't putting any filter on that. She wanted Ron to feel her rage.
"I- that we just wanted to feel more comfortable when we get uhm… you know… married" Ron squeaked the last words and hid behind Harry again as he saw Hermione's eyes turned darker with anger.
"Oh shite" Harry palmed his forhead. It came to a surprise to him that Ronald did that arse move. He went to face Ronald as he also felt Hermione's anger.
"You told my parents what!?" the brunette held her mouth, biting her lips in pure disbelief. Her parents are people who take marriage in complete seriousness. And it seemed like Ronald had asked her parents for her hand in marriage. The bloody nerve! She screamed in her head.
"What in the world were you thinking in that pea brain of yours Ron?" Harry said, his face also in disbelief.
Ginny frowned. "And I still call you brother" she murmured under her breath.
Ronald gulped and tried to calm Hermione down by putting an arm around her but failed as Hermione slapped him hard, the sound echoing in the small room.
Tears streamed down the barista's face. She angrily wiped them and spat at Ron. "Are you happy now? You've just officially made my problem worse you stupid git" Hermione turned around and grab her bag, "Don't ever show your bloody face again!" she said and bolted right out the room.
It was cold but that did not bother a lonely and aching soul.
The swings were empty beside one that sat on the farthest corner. If one doesn't have sharp eyes, they wouldn't even notice the person sitting there with their head bowed low, deep into their knapsack.
"Stupid Ronald. Stupid Parents" she muttered angrily into her bag. Her fingers and knuckles white from clutching her bag too tight. "Stupid Fleur"
Her parents had indeed called her that afternoon but she ignored their calls, pretending she was busy.
Her relationship with Ron was legal though their breakup wasn't so clear. He may have thought that this is just a phase and was just distance. He, even though she hate to admit it, was the sweet young boy that Hermione grew up with and he was a true romantic when he asked her to be his girlfriend. Hermione chuckled bitterly as she recounted their sweet moments. She wondered where or when did everything fall out of place between them. She also felt, though before, that their relationship was heading to forever, to marriage and having kids. If this was before then she would understand but after all his mistakes and all of her forgiveness gone to dust she wasn't so sure anymore. She realized as she grew older that marriage was a really big thing and that she couldn't picture it with Ron anymore.
She sighed. Hermione dropped her bag on the floor and began to swing, slowly lifting her feet above the short play swing. She looked up the sky and watched it as it turned to a dark blue and then to pitch black with an accent of orange and white hues. It overlooked some parts of the busy English streets as this was a park just near Shell Cottage. She looked at her wrist watched and noticed that it was almost time for dinner, Fleur might be on her way back and she had not prepared any dinner yet. She stood up and grab her bag but before she went on her way, she pulled out her phone only to see it had about a dozen messages and a few missed calls. Dejectedly, she opened her phone with her memorized lock pattern and swiped the messages away, one by one. She scrolled through Ginny and Harry's messages and passed Ron's and her parents as well. Hermione's eyes sparked as she saw a lone message from the blonde French. She hesitantly hovered her fingers above it and wondered if she should read it, if it is important.
The brunette sucked a breath and placed the phone back into her pocket and grabbed her bag, she would just order take out since there wasn't really time to prepare anything. As she turned around she saw the familiar sedan by the sidewalk and there leaning someone she knew.
"I was wondering who that brat was" she said, as she puffed a smoke out of her lips. She raised a brow, then threw her cigar but on the sidewalk. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Littering is strict here you know" she said. "What brings you here?"
Bellatrix stood up straight from her lean and walked up to the brunette "Well, I was just passing by and I saw you,isn't it such an unusual coincidence?" a chuckle escaped from her lips.
Hermione frowned, she doesn't want to deal with any more drama or even if they were jokes especially from this one person she had mixed feelings with. She was pissed at Bellatrix because she knew something was going on between Fleur at the same time she kinda like the woman for her usual spunk. But, she also knew in herself that getting pissed off by Bellatrix wouldn't do such good because, maybe the relationship Fleur and this raven head had was just all in her head. She sighed. Right? Why would she get mad at someone who had done nothing bad to her. Maybe, this was still all because of Ronald Mishaps.
"Don't look so glum love" she said, then there was a moment of pause, she snapped her fingers and grabbed the brunette teenager by the wrist. "You dear, need to have fun. And I just have the right thing in mind" she smiled. Hermione felt a tug, not only in her hands but in her chest. She had no time to protest as Bellatrix Lestrange swept her off into the night.
