The wind howled and raged in those stormy blue eyes. A storm that promised devastation and death in its wake. Fleur's skin and hair gleamed silvery white, a radiance that rivaled the moon. It would have been a beautiful incandescence if not for the livid vengeance etched on Fleur's features.

For the first time the younger witch fully understood how Fleur has carefully kept her Veela heritage concealed, that it was always there just underneath the tenuous surface. The blonde's raw emotion made her magical ancestry take command.

Hermione felt a shudder in her heart. Not out of fear of Fleur, but fear for Fleur. How can someone so fierce be so fragile?

'Fleur…' Hermione struggled for words. What do you say to someone who had experienced a devastating loss? 'Fleur, I'm sorry about Gabrielle. I.. cannot imagine the pain you must feel-'

'Non, 'Ermione. I do not need sympathy.' Fleur cut in before the brunette could utter another consoling word. 'What I need is justice. I will find this siren and end 'er. Zis creature does not deserve to breathe when my Gabrielle does not breathe, does not laugh… does not exist in zis world.'

'Fleur, you can't….' Hermione wrung her hands with desperation. 'You will split your soul. If you kill her, you will be ripped apart. Believe me, when Voldemort-'

"Ow dare you compare me to ze Dark Wizard!' Fleur spat. She stood and towered over Hermione. Magic sizzled and cracked like miniature lightning from her hands. Flecks of silver flashed in her eyes. 'He killed to be immortal. He killed because of power. I will only kill in honour of Gabrielle. You wouldn't understand 'Ermione. Zis is Veela justice. We protect our loved ones… and if we fail, we avenge them.'

It was a mark of a true Gryffindor that Hermione faced the tempest that was Fleur without flinching. 'I may not understand. And I may not know the ways of the Veela…but I do know killing changes people. It will change you, Fleur.'

'My dear, 'Ermione. What makes you think I am still the same?' The blonde said so quietly, so desolately, the words were felt more than heard. And Hermione felt the hollowness that cleaved and drained all warmth and life away from Fleur.

And there it was. The weariness in those shoulders. The dimness in those eyes. The absence of light. Now it was plain to see what made this Fleur different from the one Hermione remembered. The blonde was encased in thick grief, hardened into loathing. A stone cold armour that will not yield until it fulfills its quest for blood.

The silence stretched taut. Tense and still as a violin string.

Hermione knew that any utterance of the wrong word will make the part Veela snap, or worse, break down. But she needs to get through her, let her see the logic, or the lack of it, in her plan.

Imploring brown eyes reached into those icy blue depths that have descended into an abyss. The part Veela avoided her gaze. She only stared at her hands that were still emitting tiny volts of magic. She focused her eyes, took a deep breath and her Veela magic was contained and hidden once again.

'So, what will it be, 'Ermione?' The calm in that voice took the younger witch by surprise. Fleur regarded her with her normal, steady blues. 'Shall we help each uzzer in capturing zis creature. Or are you going to stop me and report me to Chief Edra?'

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Hermione always relied on her compass of right and wrong. She fine-tuned this, adjusting its cogs and wheels with every insight gained from fighting the good fight alongside Harry. Back then she thought it was wrong to disrespect a teacher. But after getting acquainted with one Dolores Umbridge she has refined it to, it is wrong to disrespect a teacher who really knew how to teach. Her compass made her stay with Harry, even though she was frustrated, constantly hungry, hunted and, back then, terribly missing Ron. But she promised to help Harry and her trusty compass said to keep her word. And she did and the world became a safer place.

And now this. The dilemma of Fleur.

Somehow her compass didn't work properly with the blonde. On one hand, she wants to enfold Fleur in her arms, squeeze her or shake her, find a way inside her icy armour. Help her find a path to healing even if it means committing subterfuge and disregarding the oath she took as a Guild Agent. But on another hand she knew that the mission of The Guild is larger than one murder case, even if it's Gabrielle. That The Guild's systems and code of conduct were all agreed upon by the different wizarding countries of the world. To break it not only means breaking the trust of one person, but the trust of everyone who relied on the credibility of The Guild agents.

Hermione was at a loss.

'Fleur…' Her voice trailed as her feet brought her closer to the blonde. 'Can you give me some time to think of this? I want to help you, I really do. I want to capture this murderer. But doing this behind The Guild is something that needs careful thought.'

Fleur took a breath. She expected as much. The younger witch was always cautious. Too cautious. And she needed concrete action, not hesitation, right now.

''Ermione, what are you so afraid of? You can continue working on your case, report to ze Guild. You'll just skip ze part zat we'll be 'elping each uzzer.'

'And the part where you plan to kill the suspect?'

'Look, zats nothing to be worried about. You can capture 'er. Let ze Guild save ze day. But zen, before zat creature reaches Azkaban or Wizengamot an…unfortunate accident 'appens. And ze Guild will never even know your involvement.'

The fact that Fleur already had thought this through was no comfort. Hermione was all the more certain that the blonde will stop at nothing, with or without her help, to slay the siren. She needs to maneuver around this scheme, think of a way of helping Fleur while not doing anything illegal behind The Guild's back. And how the bloody hell am I going to do that? I better devise a counter plan soon. Tonight.

The younger witch's jaw was set with determination as she nodded once. 'Okay, you have my word. I won't report you to Chief Edra or The Guild. And we can help each other in apprehending the siren.'

'And do you promise zat you will not interfere with Veela justice?'

As if they were playing Trade again, Hermione felt the pull to speak the truth. Fleur studied her intently. Those cerulean eyes darkened, probing into her, searching for any sign of hesitation.

Hermione's heart raced. Her mind overturned every angle, every possibility where she could appease the French witch and yet prevent her from committing any crime. She'll form a solution, she has to. This is easier than searching for unknown Horcruxes, right?

The younger witch cleared her mind from any other thought as she locked her eyes into Fleur's.

'I promise, Fleur.'

Fleur smiled a sad smile. The upturned corners of her lips not quite touching her downcast eyes.

'Remember your promise, ma belle.' The part Veela whispered.

And before Hermione could gather her thoughts, Fleur dipped her head and drew their faces closer. She was so near, Hermione could see the fine pores on the blonde's cheeks, the long curls of dark ochre lashes and eyes of the ocean, vast, mysterious, beckoning. Hermione is submerged in sensations, of feather-soft lips that grazed and seared the sensitive spot at the tiniest corner of her mouth.

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TBC

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A/N: Sorry for another cliffhanger! (Tee hee, not too sorry, really).

First, I will answer some of the points/questions raised by Reviewers of Chapter 5.

Guest (Jan13): I'm happy you felt the intimacy of sharing secrets between our two heroines. Isn't intrusion grand? Glad you found Trade ingenious. Really thought hard about that one it almost induced me into constipation.

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Tux: Yes, you did mention Gabrielle was involved but not as the victim of the crime. But I thought it was quite keen of you to guess correctly that if ever Fleur will commit any sort of dishonesty (stealing the vial from Hermione), it would be because of her beloved sister. About the usual 'Fleurmione' goodness, unfortunately I plan to make them go through, ah, shall we say, turbulent and trying times before they can be really certain about what they mean to each other. But yes, as you correctly put, after the dust settles, our heroines will find that well deserved romance. Again, thank you for taking time to ponder and compose your review. It really makes me re-look at my direction.

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Bridgette Irish: Wow, I did not detect the hints of Film Noir flavour in this, but I am quite happy that you enjoy it so. And I am all a-flutter that you appreciated Trade. It was one of the most difficult scenes to paint. I didn't want to bore my readers with a mere exchange of information and long monologues, so I am quite satisfied it worked for you. Hey, about your Fleur story involving a wicked Siren, I doubt that you will be accused of plagiarism. As ancestors of Veelas, sirens are bound to come up in this lore of fanfic. And I am quite certain that your unique writing voice will lend new dimensions to it that your readers will enjoy. (Consider me one of your readers once you're done, if it's a Fleurmione pairing I am definitely in.)

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GF: I owe you? I thought you were supportive of my writing? =) About the reason of Fleur breaking up with Bill, well I wanted you guys to form your own hypothesis as to 'who' this pertains to. It is fun to be mysterious, yes? Now you are getting to the heart of the puzzle. Why was Gabrielle killed by the Siren? Smart question. It is one of the central questions that will unfold something about Fleur's character (or her Veela heritage). I quite enjoy reading your hypothesis of Gabrielle being a high profile escort… very intriguing indeed.

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M: Tension you say? Yes, I enjoy it too.

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Thank you for all the reviews and pleas for an update. I know Chapter 6 is quite short. It was supposed to be part of Chapter 5, but that would've been torturously long. Ch6 is really a preamble to Chapter 7, and yes don't get your whips out as I am on it. Pronto.

Reviews are Love!