Disclaimer: I disclaim!

Chapter 5

"Madame Delacour, how lovely to see you!" Cornelius Fudge stopped in the aisle on his walk up the stadium steps.

"Minister, it's a pleasure." Apolline Delacour smiled formally, and extended her hand for Fudge to kiss.

"And your husband, of course," Fudge smiled and shook Gerard's hand.

"The skill of your task force is remarkable," Gerard complimented easily. "Turkey will be certainly looking to your example when they host the next World Cup."

"Thank you, thank you," Fudge puffed up happily. "I'm sure you're right. Have you met Lucius Malfoy? Mr. Malfoy and his family are my guests up in the Top Box."

Apolline smiled coolly at the blond man and gave him her hand.

Hiding a scowl, Lucius smirked and kissed her hand.

"A pleasure, Madame. Is the French Minister here today?"

"Unfortunately, she had some urgent matters to attend to," Apolline said diplomatically. "But we look forward to the match."

"And the festivities afterwards, I hope!" Fudge chuckled. "This is your family?"

"Yes, my eldest daughter, Fleur."

Fleur smiled enigmatically.

"My youngest daughter, Gabrielle…"

"Fleur's friend, Hermione Granger."

"Ah - yes - a pleasure. Ms. Granger and I have met before," Fudge said, smiling widely at Hermione, as if their last meeting had been pleasant… Despite the fact that Fudge had treated her like a liar and a little child.

Hermione nodded, meeting the eyes of Lucius Malfoy, who was sneering at her. He looked away first, and Hermione smirked to herself.

Fudge and Apolline said their goodbyes, and Hermione sat down beside Fleur again.

"He is that awful man you've told me about," Fleur said quietly.

"Yes. I wanted to just spit in his face," Hermione scowled.

"But you didn't. Because you are better than him," Fleur said softly, and squeezed Hermione's hand.

"That was amazing," Hermione laughed, shaking her head at the game's ending.

"Krum is a very good flyer," Fleur commented. "But the Irish deserved to win - they are a stronger team."

"Ireland beat France in the semi-finals last month," Gabrielle explained to Hermione. "France could have easily beat Bulgaria… But Ireland has the most coordinated Chasers in the world," she finished with a shrug.

"I've only seen school games before," Hermione said, as she stroked Fleur's hand with her own. "Harry's a very good flyer, and a few of the others are too… But I'm glad they're not at the professional level yet! Those tricks - especially that wronski feint - just looked so dangerous! I can't imagine being able to sit through a game if Harry were doing things like that…"

"You are very protective of him," Gabrielle giggled.

"He gets into so much trouble, he needs it!" Hermione retorted. Fleur just smiled. She'd heard enough of Hermione's stories to know that her girlfriend spoke the truth.

Hours later, Hermione lay trembling and sated on Fleur's bed.

"Oh. my. god." She tried to catch her breath. Making love with Fleur was always intense - but tonight had topped everything they'd done before. "What - was that?"

"I want to make the most of our time together…" Fleur said, her voice loving but serious. "I won't be coming to Hogwarts until October 30th."

"What about floo?" Hermione asked hopefully. "Aren't we…"

"On the weekends - I shall floo to Hogsmeade," Fleur promised. "Every Saturday morning - your homework permitting - we can meet in the village."

"Of course I'll make time for you!" Hermione sounded scandalized. "You're much more important than classes."

Hermione stopped as she realized what she just said. Last year, she wouldn't have believed she would ever say something like that…

"You are so sweet," Fleur whispered, kissing Hermione's neck softly, lingeringly. "But I want you to do well, mon ange - I know you do too. Never give up your ambition - it is a defining part of you."

"I wasn't saying I'd give it up!" Hermione said immediately. "Just that - I'll work hard to get it done on the weekdays - and Friday night - so I can spend my weekends with you, and not have to worry about assignments."

"I will not object to that," Fleur laughed.

Hermione sighed and wrapped her arms around her girlfriend, loving the press of soft skin against skin.

Fleur practically purred as she pulled the covers over them.

"I'll miss this so much," Hermione said, her voice desperate. "Falling asleep with you… Waking up with you."

"If there was a way for me to come to your bed every night, I would do it," Fleur told her sincerely. "No more thoughts of sadness - sleep now, love."

"Yes, love," Hermione sighed, tucking her head under Fleur's chin.

The witches drifted off to sleep.

Their dreams were of each other - tender, enjoyable - but bittersweet.

Fleur was a light sleeper. When the French witch heard screams, her eyes flickered open.

Apolline was in her daughter's room moments later.

"Fleur - Hermione!" She called, firm but unwavering. "We have to get up."

Fleur rose swiftly, unashamed of her nudity, but grabbed a nightgown, nightrobe, and sandals, before casting tying spells to keep her clothes in place. Her wand she tucked into her pocket, and then reached down to help Hermione stand.

"Something's happening, love," Fleur explained to Hermione, who was still sleepily blinking.

Hermione shook her head quickly and got dressed as fast as she could.

They stepped into the main area, where Apolline, Gabrielle, and Gerard were gathering.

"There are Death Eaters marching," Gerard said grimly. "I will apparate to find a safe spot."

"I will take Gabrielle," Apolline declared. "Fleur, you will -"

"Yes," Fleur nodded.

The family hurried out of the tent, whereupon Gerard promptly apparated away. Apolline calmly cast a few charms to quickly shrink the tent into the size of a handbag, and gathered it under one arm.

Hermione looked around nervously. In the distance she could hear the screams - and see tents on fire.

"Mere…" Gabrielle whimpered, clutching at her mother's arm and pointing at the sky with the other.

"Fils de salope," Apolline hissed.

Hermione stared.

Four bodies were floating through the sky - a man, woman, and… two children.

"The campsite manager," Fleur choked. "And his family."

"Oh," Hermione shivered, unable to look away.

With a tiny pop, Gerard was back.

"I found a spot," he said breathlessly. Taking a firm hold of Gabrielle and Apolline's arms - Gerard disapparated.

"He'll be back," Fleur said quickly, and Hermione nodded.

Then they were staggering back - as a tent beside them exploded.

Coughing at the ash that had sprayed into their face, Fleur and Hermione grabbed for their wands, hoping that they would somehow survive this until Gerard returned.