A/N: Thanks for the great reviews new friends o' mine! I'm in an extremely good mood as I did really well in my road race this weekend (I'm an avid runner!), and felt motivated to publish the next chapter of this story.

And an FYI, I won't pretend to be an accomplished English major…(I actually work in a pharmaceutical lab full-time) and I know that my writing style might follow vaguely like an essay. So, I'm sorry if it's bothersome. I was conflicted for a bit wondering if I needed to throw in another detail here…a clarification there, but soon came to realize I should just stick with my gut.

Yes…this will eventually become a dark-fic, and the rating will likely change to M, but remember, you can't have the dark without the light. )

OK. Enough rambling. Enjoy!

Disclaimer:Neither Harry Potter or Moby Dick are mine.

Hermione's eyes fluttered open, tickled by the sunlight now seeping in through the windows. The room was bathed in luminous sunshine which warmed the two bodies resting against the bed. She felt a slight weight as her eyes focused upon Fleur's slumbering form, sprawled across her lap. Hermione's hands acted on their own accord as she gently held a silken lock of golden blonde hair in her fingers. They had made it through the first few chapters of the novel, each taking a turn to read aloud. The once believed to be haughty Frenchwoman sat with rapt attention to every detail and they found themselves having a deep discussion or two over some nuances they came across while reading. Fleur also often asked Hermione to stop and explain a word or phrase. This was not uncommon for Hermione back at Hogwarts, with her classmates coming to her in droves for help with essays and it often exacerbated her. However this time she found it not only endearing…but oddly flattering.

A light tapping at a windowpane broke her reverie. From behind the glass Bill smiled and waved as Hermione turned to look at him. Her eyes darted back down to Fleur, who was sleepily repositioning, and back to the elder Weasley in the window. Bill didn't seem to notice or care, in fact he gave her a warm smile.

"We're cooking breakfast outside on the beach 'Mione. Come and join!"

Hermione gave a warm smile and lightly nudged Fleur. "Wake up sunshine…" She cooed.

Fleur's eyes slowly fluttered to life and she absently stretched her long lithe body like a cat. Her dreaming face suddenly burned up in utter embarrassment at their current sleeping arrangements. "Oh my…'Ermione! Désolé!" She quickly scrambled off of Hermione.

The brunette stifled a laugh. "Honestly Fleur it's alright, we both fell asleep. It had been a long day for both of us…really." She stood and extended a hand to the French witch. "Come now, Bill has cooked breakfast outside!" Fleur gently placed her soft hand in Hermione's and their fingers intertwined. The brunette suddenly stiffened at the contact, as if lightning coursed up her spine. Carefully, she pulled the blonde to her feet and gazed back into Fleur's deep blue eyes.

Fleur blushed and gave a sheepish smile. "Do you 'zink…we can do 'zis again tonight?"

Hermione suddenly smiled broadly. "Of course!"

They decided to go barefoot across the sand, relishing in the silty softness between their toes. Their companions were sitting around a roaring fire, each with a full plate of eggs and sausage. Luna passed around a large bowl brimming with fruit, while Seamus helped pour everyone cups of piping hot tea.

Bill looked toward the two approaching women and beamed. "Accio beach chairs!" And as if from nothing, two chairs appeared in the sand next to the group. Fleur and Hermione each took a seat and helped themselves to some food.

"Morning to you both!" Bill shot a knowing look to Fleur...and what Hermione could've sworn was a wink. "Sleep well did you?"

Fleur shyly nodded.

Aware of the newcomers, Ron looked up from his seat at the two women and scoffed. "Did 'Mione put you to sleep with one of her novels Fleur?" He earned a few chuckles here and there in response.

Hermione, taken aback by his inimical outburst, frowned and rolled her eyes, suppressing the urge to snap back at Ron. Fleur however was unfazed by the obvious derisive nature of Ron's question. "Non, quite 'zee contrary. 'Ermione fell asleep first."

Ron huffed and returned his attention to Lavender, who was seated next to him upon a blanket, absently eating a strawberry.

"So," started Bill with a mouthful of eggs. "What's the plan for today?"

Seamus jumped up, "I dunno about you mates, but I'm thinking a beach-side Qudditch match! Losers have to make tonight's supper!"

Harry stifled a laugh. "Alright, but only if I get Neville on my team." This comment caught Neville off-guard who had a mouthful of food and wore an extremely confused look upon his face. Everyone started laughing.

Bill turned to Ron, "And what about you? Who do you claim?"

Ron gave a huge smile. "Seamus m'boy."

"I take Ginny!" Shouted Harry, followed by a wolf whistle from Bill. Ginny leapt to her feet and threw her arms around Harry lovingly.

"Right then…I pick…Dean!"

Harry pointed at the elder Weasley. "Bill!"

"Lavender!"

"Luna!"

That left only Hermione and Fleur; each looking to each other and back to the group. No one said anything. After an awkward eternity Ron finally pointed toward the French Witch, "We need a score keeper, would you do it Fleur?"

Fleur looked to Hermione who wore an unreadable expression on her face. "Don't worry about me Fleur, I'm used to this. Go have fun." She deadpanned as she began to stand up.

Fleur's nimble fingers quickly grasped Hermione's wrist and pulled the younger girl's ear close to her lips. "'Zee town 'eez called Tidewater. Use 'zee Floo to get 'zere." Hermione nodded and mouthed a thanks.

With that the brunette rose fully to her feet and began to walk back toward the cottage. Unbeknownst to Hermione, Fleur felt her heart lurch within her chest for the young witch.

"Ron, you git, how could you not include Hermione?" said Harry, furrowing his brow in anger.

"Harry she's useless in Quidditch, and besides, you know she hates it. Just let her be mate. She'll come back, I'm sure of it. Probably went off to read or something." He turned toward the dunes, using his wand to summon equipment for their game, but everyone else remained glued to where they were standing. He looked at them with a frown. "C'mon mates, let it be!"

The small village of Tidewater was a quaint seaside community. Hermione serenely strolled down the sunbathed cobblestone streets, relishing in the warm sunlight that broke through the myriad of trees lining the shantytown's streets. Nearly everyone she passed was on foot, a bicycle, or a skateboard...all smiling and waving to one another; striking up conversations about various goings-on. Hermione smiled at the idyllic lives around her, seemingly untouched by the gathering storm that was Lord Voldemort. It warmed her deep inside. Passing by the many shop windows, she stopped in a few to take a closer look at their wares.

She soon rounded a corner to arrive at a small surf shop. Feeling curious, she entered and was greeted by the clerk; a young man with sandy blonde hair who appeared to be no older that 25.

"Welcome to Tidewater Sun Sports. How may I help you today Miss?" He said in a hearty voice.

"Oh, just perusing."

"Right, well if you need anything be sure to give a shout!"

The tiny store was filled to the brim with various Surfboards, wakeboards, wetsuits and bathing suits. Running her fingertips along the curve of one of the many boards Hermione's mind wandered back to the times when she would accompany her parents to the shore on holiday. Her father had once given her a small board to float in the waves with, and she recalled the sheer joy she felt while being gently rocked and swayed by the ebb and flow of the sea. She loved to swim, and not many knew it. However the trips to the coasts became fewer and fewer as Hermione began her schooling at Hogwarts. After a while her parents would just go without her, always following each apology with 'perhaps next time'. A pang of sadness in her heart brought her back to reality as she spied a cherry red long board on the clearance rack.

"Sir, how much for this red one?" She gestured toward the longboard.

"Ahh good choice! Nice finish, should give you a stable ride...that one over there will run you…oh 200 gall..I mean to say, 125 pounds." He gulped.

Hermione raised and eyebrow and smiled. "Galleons did you say? I think I can certainly manage 200 for the board."

The frazzled clerk ran a hand through his sandy blonde hair. "Not a muggle then are ye? Never can be too careful, guess I just got lucky this time." He produced a wand from his pocket and nimbly summoned the board toward the counter. "I've never seen you around here before, are you visiting?"

"Yes, just spending a few weeks by the shore before the start of next term."

"Do ya go to Hogwarts per chance?" He asked.

Hermione nodded. "Getting ready to start my 7th year. To be honest, I can't wait to be done."

The clerk smiled while shrinking the nearly 10 foot long board to the size of a pencil, placing it neatly inside of a paper bag. "I graduated from there nearly five years ago. Was a Ravenclaw meself!" He beamed proudly, while turning to motion at a small Ravenclaw plaque on the wall behind him.

"Gryffindor."

The clerk gave another broad smile. "Good for you lass! Now will this be all for you today?"

Hermione turned and took one last look across the cluttered shop, and pulled out her wand when she spied a book resting on the far wall. Summoning it to her hands she read its cover, 'Water Riding: The Curious Muggle Sport of Surfing'.

"This too please."

"Ahh good book! Probably the only book of it's kind in our world. Guess they don't really teach much about surfing at Hogwarts nowadays do they?"

Hermione shrugged but soon grinned broadly. "I suppose not, but if they did, I'd totally take it."

"Wicked!"

In the evening Hermione and Fleur huddled close together reading through the next few chapters of Moby Dick by candlelight. The brunette silently sipped from a cup of ice water while Fleur's dulcet voice read the words aloud.

"Truly to enjoy bodily warmth, some small part of you must be cold, for 'zere 'eez no quality in 'zees world 'zat 'eez not what 'eet 'eez merely by contrast." Fleur paused for a moment before continuing. "Nothing exists 'een 'eetself. 'Eef you flatter yourself 'zat you are all over comfortable, and 'ave been so for a long time, 'zen you cannot be said to be comfortable any more." Fleur paused a second time, processing the words.

"Are you alright Fleur?"

Fleur absently rapped her fingers on the page, deep in thought. "Oui. I am sorry…just a bit sleepy I suppose. 'Zee Quidditch match today was exhausting."

Hermione placed a hand between Fleur's shoulder blades softly nudging her to stand up. "Let's pick up where we left off tomorrow night then?"

Fleur would not budge, and after a minute or two her head snapped to face the younger witch. "'Ermione, I 'zink 'eets terrible 'zee way Ronald treated you earlier today! I wanted to…to smack 'im upside 'zee 'ead for 'ow 'e was talking about you!"

Hermione chuckled at the blonde's apparent anger. "Honestly Fleur I take it all with a grain of salt. Things are a little stressed between us, but it's all right really, time heals all wounds does it not? Your concern doesn't go without my appreciation." She brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Though I am glad to know someone out there cares for my feelings."

Fleur was aghast at the younger witch's words. She fell to her knees in front of Hermione, easing the brunette's chin upwards to look her directly in the eyes. "Why say such a terrible 'zing 'Ermione!"

The brunette swallowed hard. "I suppose it's hard being the third wheel of the so-called 'Golden Trio'." Her eyes flitted to anywhere but the blonde witch's unconvinced blue ones.

"But a trio means three…equally non? You three 'ave accomplished great feats 'zat an ordinary person could only dream of doing!"

Their gazes locked before Hermione brought her head down. "Yes I know that, but look outside, they all gather like moths to flame around Harry, and Ron is his best friend right at his side. Me? I don't even know where I fit in to that equation. The bookish one. The bossy one. Books this, library that. Merlin Fleur, I can't tell you how much I yearn for all of this to finally end. Have the war end and just move on with my life…have everything just be normal." Hermione bit her lip as the tears started to well in her eyes. "The last time we were normal was the train ride in our first year, when we all met for the first time. Just three misfits we were…and still are."

"'Ermione what 'appened between you and Ron?" Probed the French witch in a sober voice with a single raised well-manicured eyebrow.

The words were difficult to form, and Hermione forced them out. "I-I thought…that I loved him…which I still do…but not in the way that I believed at the time." She paused a beat. "We began dating at the end of sixth year, and through most of this summer. I think I craved the attention more than Ron himself…which reflecting back on that time, I can't help but feel as if I owe him some sort of apology…I cannot blame his anger with me."

Fleur inched closer, wrapping comforting arms around the younger witch, pulling her into a close hug on her lap. Hermione turned into Fleur's blonde locks suppressing the impending tears.

"'Eetz OK 'Ermione, we don't 'ave to talk about 'zis 'eef you are not comfortable. Perhaps anuzzer day 'zen. Get some rest tonight ma puce. 'Zings will get better, I promise."

Underneath the rays morning sun, Hermione sat cross-legged atop a beach blanket by the water, wearing a blue two-piece bathing suit. "Water Riding" was open on her lap, currently in one of its early chapters. She was surprised that the book was even magical as its first few chapters explaining how to surf did not mention wands or incantations at all. In fact she soon came to realize it was more of a history book detailing the lives of water-adept Wizards who had mastered the art of riding the waves.

"Engorgio" Mumbled Hermione, standing as the tiny toy surfboard grew to its normal size. Placing her wand as a bookmark between the pages of the book, she tied her long auburn mane back into a neat bun, and bent down to secure the board's leash to her right ankle. With the board tucked under her left arm she waded slowly into the water. Reaching a sufficient depth, she laid herself atop of it and her arms dipped into the water and she began to paddle further away from shore. After a few minutes of fighting against the surf she sat upright massaging her now aching forearms. She could hear Ron's nagging voice in her head and furiously paddled once more at the sound. Sitting upright, rocking gently in the water, she stretched her arms and gazed back at the picturesque cottage nestled comfortably among the dunes.

A large wave began to pull at the board and quickly she laid flat on her belly. As if the ocean had hands with which to push her, Hermione could feel the board begin to move forward with the current. Leaping up to her feet she was carried for a short distance before being knocked off balance and her body slammed painfully headfirst into the board. The pain exploded like a rocket in her left eye and finally she was thrown into the water. Hermione sputtered and scrambled back atop the board gasping for breath. Her left eye socket throbbed for a few moments…she knew that it'd only be a matter of minutes before her face would erupt into a pallet of black and blue. But this notion, as well as the pain, was quickly shrugged off. A few more attempts yielded the same exact result; Hermione was tossed about like a child's toy by the waves.

"Alright…let's try this again...one last time." She was nearly exhausted.

Hermione drug her hands through the water once more, clawing her way further from the shore, the board being rocked wildly by the incoming waves. Her arms began to groan in protest when she finally decided to stop and wait once more. The sun felt glorious on her skin, warming her throughout.

Immediately the waves began to pick up once more as a much larger crest was approaching rapidly from behind her. Steadying herself, Hermione began to pull at the water furiously picking up as much speed as her muscles could muster. The board steadied itself and locked into the trajectory of the wave. With great concentration the young witch balanced herself on her haunches and stood tall, her left foot ahead of the right.

And for the first time that morning, she didn't fall.

The resulting adrenaline rush was nothing short of exhilarating as the young witch guided the surfboard effortlessly across the waves. Uproarious laughter erupted from her throat as she continued her spirited glide across the water. She attempted a sharp jump turn as the wave began to crash and ended up being flung unceremoniously from the board. The surfboard came to rest upon the sand and Hermione swam back ashore. She ran to the blanket and without delay she flopped down upon it, utterly exhausted, but laughing all throughout.

She rolled over grabbing the book and her wand aiming it at the board, "Reducio." And she deftly placed the now diminutive board in the left cup of her bikini top. Voices could be heard emerging from the cottage, growing ever louder as she could now see Harry and Seamus sprinting through the sand as a football flew down the porch of the cottage toward them. Harry got to the ball first and began to dribble across the beach toward Hermione. A broad smile grew on his face as he spied the young witch sitting on her blanket. "Think fast Hermione!" And the ball was launched by a strong kick and it sliced through the air, hurtling directly toward her head. For a split second she considered using her wand, clutched tightly in her right hand, to stun the ball. Instead she tossed the wand aside and caught the ball in her arms as it finally collided painfully into her chest. Nearly having the wind knocked out of her, she was thrown back onto the sand, still clutching on to the ball tightly. Harry sprinted to her side, reaching over to brace the back of her head with his hand. "H-Hermione…you alright? That was quite a catch you made!"

"Nice one 'Mione!" Yelled Dean from a distance.

Hermione groaned with discomfort. "No harm done Harry. Really. Just took me by surprise." She slowly got to her unsteady feet, bracing herself on Harry's shoulder. At that moment Ginny had closed the short distance to them but skidded to a halt as she spied Hermione's bruised face.

"Wow 'Mione…that's quite a shiner you've got there!" Laughed Ginny.

Fleur, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, was the next to arrive tensing instantly at the sight of Hermione's rapidly forming black eye. "Mon Dieu!" Her spindly hands flew up to cup Hermione's face. "What did you do to your face 'Ermione!"

Harry and Ginny looked on with close attention; often times it was Harry or Ron who'd end up bruised or scraped with no apparent reason.

"Slipped on the porch this morning." Hermione lied. "Smarted a little but it's nothing I can't handle."

Fleur wasn't satisfied with her answer.

"Non. Come wiz me, I shall get you some ice" The brunette shrugged in defeat and allowed herself to be dragged by the blonde witch back toward the house.

Fleur was furiously digging through the icebox while Hermione stretched out across the small daybed in the living room. Fleur returned moments later holding a bundle of ice with a small towel. She sat on the soft cushions up by Hermione's torso and gently pressed the ice to the swollen eye on the brunette's face.

"Now 'zat were are alone, 'Ermione, tell me 'zee truth. 'Ow did you do 'zis to your pretty face?"

"I told you. I slipped on the front porch."

"And managed to give yourself a black eye? 'Zee 'Ermione I know is not so uncoordinated 'zat she would lose control of 'er own two feet!"

Hermione winced as Fleur applied slightly more pressure to her aching eye socket. That was enough to get her to come out with the truth. "Ouch! All right, all right, all right…I was out surfing, and hit my head on the board."

"You were what?" Fleur had cocked her head to the side, much like an inquisitive puppy. The display made the younger witch chuckle lightly.

"Surfing, Fleur, surely you've heard of surfing."

Fleur furrowed her brow. "Non. What 'eez 'zis zurfing you speak of?"

"It's a muggle activity. You ride on top of the ocean waves by standing on a surfboard."

"Couldn't you just use a spell for 'zat?"

"I could but where is the challenge in that? This was only my first day, I plan on going back out in the surf tomorrow morning." She gently took the compress from Fleur's eager hands and sat up.

"Please ma puce…promise me you'll be more careful…'eet may just be your eye today…but next time 'eet could be your arm or leg!" Her other hand came to rest upon Hermione's opposite cheek, her thumb tenderly grazing the soft skin.

Hermione tensed for a moment at the touch and gave the blonde witch a curious look. "You know…you've…you've been awful nice to me since we arrived here two days ago. From what I recall we weren't always on such good terms."

Fleur turned away and blushed deeply.

Hermione sat up and leaned closer to the blonde witch in an attempt to penetrate her line of sight. She spoke in a light-teasing manner. "In fact I distinctly remember getting quite irate over some bouillabaisse."

"Oui…'zee bouillabaisse…" Fleur murmured.

"And how just about every male at Hogwarts would nearly faint in your presence?"

Fleur suddenly became defensive. "'Zat 'eezn't my fault…my 'zrall…"

"And how brilliant you were in the tournament."

Fleur gaped at the brown haired witch in amazement, and Hermione simply smiled. The blonde's jaw went slack as the words would not come to her lips.

After a brief eternity the blonde audibly cleared her throat and began. "I…I suppose I like you 'Ermione. I 'ave always wanted to get to know you better. I know 'ow I must appear on 'zee outside to everyone but I promise you I am deeper 'zan 'zat. When I first saw you at 'Ogwarts, I admit I was a bit put off by your temper…but after awhile, when I saw 'ow you selflessly came to 'Arry's aid time and again…I began to grow…jealous of you. Beauxbatons and my culture as a whole, places so much emphasis on ones outward appearance to uzzers. And mind you I know 'Ogwarts was not wizout 'zat pressure eizzer, but despite all of 'zat you carry yourself 'een your own unique way, regardless of what anyone says or 'zinks." Fleur swallowed hard. "'Zat takes courage and confidence…and sadly I lack both at 'zee moment. I admire you for 'eet, and 'ave wanted to call you my friend since...'Aving you 'ere 'as given me a chance to finally get to know you…"

"And?"

"And...I regret none of it…as I find you to be fascinating 'Ermione Granger!"

"So your kindness is truly not the byproduct of my so-called friends abandoning me since we arrived?" Hermione smirked.

"Merde! Non 'Ermione! Quite 'zee opposite! You see, 'zee Weasley's…'zey despise moi…or so I suspect. I suppose in 'zat instance I felt we 'ad somezing 'een common 'ere." She shrugged.

"The Weasleys have apparently adopted Harry and I as their surrogate children…and well, Harry is most certainly the favorite."

"Molly 'zinks I am a bad 'eenfluence on Bill. And she certainly does not approve of our marriage."

Hermione's face contorted in confusion. "I don't understand why Molly ever think such a preposterous thing. You both have built a lovely home life together! Bill seems perfectly normal and very happy!"

"Oui…'zat 'e 'ees, but 'zere 'eez a bit more to 'zis story. And I promise to tell you soon, but for now you need your rest ma belle." Fleur stood up and made her way toward the front door. "Join us for lunch outside soon will you?"

Hermione, snuggling deeper into the cushions of the daybed gave a contented sigh and nodded. It was a matter of minutes before she had fallen into a contented slumber.

til next time...ttfn tata for now!