A/N: 2000+ Views this time! (Go me! hehe) Once again, thanks for all of the luv! And I promise you all, things start to get interesting in this chapter.
Oh and perhaps you've noticed that the rating has now been bumped to M, mostly for what is to come, and at the suggestion of some of you (thanks!)
Enjoy!
It was the shrill voice of Ginny Weasley.
Hermione's blood turned to ice and immediately her face contorted into a deep scowl. Fleur looked back at the brunette in total fear, mouth held slightly agape. The blonde's arms instinctively went to cover her up her barely clad body, Hermione reached over for the nearby towel, wrapping it gently around Fleur and placed a quick kiss on her temple. Fleur could only wince at the contact.
Unbeknownst to the two women, all of their friends had exited the cottage and were making their way down to the water, towels and blankets clutched in their hands. Ginny was at the front of the group, standing a mere five feet from the blanket, visibly furious at the sight of her brother's wife straddling her other brother's ex-girlfriend. "What in the bloody hell is going on here?" She repeated. "Why is she on top of you Hermione? You're both practically naked!"
Ron, who had now approached was wearing an even more furious scowl, fists clenched at his side. Seamus and Dean looked completely dumbstruck, and Neville was just confused.
Harry and Luna stood a few feet behind, Luna looking like her normal airy self, and Harry a bit uncomfortable by the whole scene.
Ron drew closer, practically hovering over the two witches. "Hermione! What is this? Snogging my brother's wife! Is this your delusional idea for revenge for our relationship? Why would you do this to Bill?" Ron bellowed, his face turned red with anger.
"Honestly Hermione? With Phlegm?" An incensed Ginny snarled.
"Don't. Call. Her. That." Seethed Hermione through gritted teeth.
Ron drew closer glowering at his fellow Gryffindor. "To think I once considered you my friend. My brother...my married brother shows us hospitality during these terrible times and you go ahead and fuck his wife!" Everyone winced at the harsh word. He moved his attention toward Fleur. "And as for you Phlegm, mum was right. That bloody thrall of yours seems to have claimed yet another victim."
Fleur was dumbstruck, her tongue felt as if it were made of lead as she couldn't form the words to defend herself. Hermione however stood up, muscles tensed. "I said don't call her that!" She walked closer to the red haired boy, getting dangerously close to his face. In his true fashion he nervously began to stumble back a few steps. "Don't presume to understand the entire situation Ronald. Say what you wish about me, as you seem to have no qualms over letting the entire world know how you feel about me…but insult Fleuragain…and there will be consequences. I can promise you that."
Ginny suddenly ran to her brother's side, shoving Hermione back hard with her hands. "You're a...a…home-wrecker Hermione! What will Bill think when he finds out about this? And you…" She pointed at Fleur, words dripping with acid. "…putting my brother under your veela spell…poisoning him with your glamour and air-headedness. You disgust me, I never knew why my brother would be so daft to fall for someone like you."
Ron cut off his sister addressing Hermione once more. "And since when do you fancy other women? Phlegm does not surprise me. You? I always knew you were mad, but now it's clear to me that you're completely barking." Ron spat. "It's almost as sick as two men snogging!"
Fleur instantly broke down in tears, crying audibly, her head buried in her hands. Hermione, however didn't flinch at all despite the tempest of rage brewing in her gut. The veins of her arms were rapidly becoming more pronounced as she clenched her fists painfully tight.
"Stay away from me, and my family, you disgusting freak. Take your Veela with you. Hope things go well for you both." Ron spat and thrust a finger at the brunette.
Hermione crossed her arms across her chest, appearing unaffected by Ron's threatening words. "That won't be a problem seeing as you've already made your feelings toward me known…truth be told I'll be glad to have a Burrow-free term this year. I've grown quite weary of that dilapidated place." She snapped back with vitriol.
That was enough. "Why you…" He reached for his wand, aiming its tip at Hermione's chest. She blanched for a moment, coming to the awful realization that she had left her wand inside the cottage. Her thoughts raced a mile a minute as something completely inexplicable began to happen.
Out of nowhere time itself seemed to have suddenly slowed to a crawl. Ron's lips contorted as they began to form the word 'Stupefy', and in those moments Hermione could feel something swell within her gut. Her senses honed, her eyesight became acute, heart beating strongly and steadily in her chest, muscles completely tensed, every ounce of her being utterly focused upon the spark beginning to form from the wand's tip. In her mind one word echoed over and over…at first a soft whisper, soon a dull roar, until finally the incantation hurdled itself through her neurons. Her mind was abruptly clear, and the undeniable urge to cast protego the only thought.
Crashing back to reality Ron's attack nearly reached her, only to be repelled by an immensely powerful protection spell. The stupefy had ricocheted violently upon contact, Ron having to throw his body out of the way of the wayward spell. Sprawled on the ground he gaped at the brown haired witch, as did the other onlookers. In their eyes Hermione had simply stared down the wand in complete silence, not once did she flinch or move a muscle…in fact she didn't even blink. The protection spell had simply emanated from her body.
No wand.
No movement.
No words.
"Bloody hell…" Ron stood up suddenly looking very, very afraid. Ginny slowly backed away, as did the rest of the group. Harry didn't budge; he was completely stunned.
For once, Hermione felt…powerful. And power, she was beginning to find, felt good. Her stony gaze did nothing to betray the utter surprise she felt at having successfully performed a spell with only the power of her mind; the sensation itself was nearly orgasmic, and it left her feeling physically tired. Try it again. She thought acerbically as her heart hammered in her chest. I dare you. She was breathing heavily.
"RON! HERMIONE! Enough!" Fed up with their bickering, Harry had run to their sides, arms held wide to keep the two feuding people apart. "We can talk this out. Hermione there's something you're not telling us…I know you wouldn't try to break up a marriage…"
"Yes Harry….there is indeed more to this story, but it seems I've wasted my breath enough already. And I shan't waste any more of it on this, this…troglodyte!" She turned to look at the shaking blonde still curled up in fetal position upon the blanket behind her. "Fleur…I am leaving tonight. Clearly I have done enough damage here…you are welcome to come with me."
"Hermione where will you go? Please stay…I know we can work this out!" Harry pleaded.
Ron frowned. "There's nothing left to say Harry. Her true colors finally come out. Look at her, casting spells like some kinda bloody demon. Let her go I say, we don't need her. Let them both go. Get out of my brother's house Phlegm." Ginny nodded crossly in agreement.
Harry opened his mouth to speak again, only to be interrupted by Hermione, who had placed a reassuring hand upon his shoulder. "Harry it's alright…clearly there's no convincing them of anything." She walked over to Fleur and carefully helped the sobbing witch to her feet. "Harry," She began again quietly. "I shall see you at school, and I promise that I'll explain everything…since you have been kind enough to offer me an ear."
She looked back at her other classmates standing behind them, each rendered dumb by the entire fight that had ensued. "Nothing to say have you all?" They parted silently as Hermione guided Fleur back into the cottage, opening the front door for her. The brown haired witch turned back to face the two scowling Weasleys. "We'll be gone in ten minutes, don't worry, I'll be sure to no longer poison the otherwise friendly atmosphere you all have been so diligently building since we arrived here." With that she entered and slammed the door behind her.
Facing the back of the door, she could hear her friends beginning to shout stridently at one another, with Ron's angry voice being the most pronounced. Tears threatened to pour from her eyes and she choked back the sobs that were brewing in her chest.
She wanted to tell them. She wanted to tell them everything so that they wouldn't abandon her…but the sight of the wounded Fleur upon the sand was enough to assure her where she belonged. Fleur needed her. And she needed Fleur. 'Friends' be damned.
Turning around she saw that Fleur had likely retreated to her room.
And indeed Fleur was in her and Bill's bedroom, rapidly using spells to move her clothes and belongings into two waiting suitcases on the bed. Hermione entered the room quietly, dodging the tornado of flying clothes and objects.
She looked up at the frenzied French woman. "Fleur…I…"
"Non!" Fleur growled angrily, whipping her head around, her eyes still red and moist with tears. The sight startled the young witch. "Don't you dare apologize for what just happened out 'zere…I am leaving wiz you. Get your 'zings. 'Zee longer I stand in 'ere 'zee more I feel like a stranger 'een my own home." In her haste a tiny object fell and rolled across the floor toward Hermione's feet. Bending down, the brunette retrieved the entity and looked at it closely. It was a small pointed crystal beset in a silver base tied to a thin leather strap. A red light thrummed softly inside the crystal. Fleur, who appeared to be frenetically searching for something turned around to see Hermione staring curiously at the stone.
"My phylactery! Give 'eet 'ere 'Ermione! I cannot lose 'zat!"
"Your what? Fleur…what is this thing?" The blonde witch took Hermione by surprise as she hastily snatched the crystal out of Hermione's hand. Fleur anxiously tied it around her neck and the crystal came to rest over her heaving chest.
"'Zere 'eez not enough time to explain 'zat now. Please just go and get ready…NOW 'Ermione!" Fleur snapped.
Hermione nodded and dashed off toward the study.
They had arrived via floo at the Leaky Cauldron, quickly blending in with the bustling clientele, despite still being slightly damp from their earlier swim. Hermione wore a pair of blue running shorts and a black tank top and Fleur was wrapped in a powder blue sarong. They looked like two travelers returning from a Caribbean holiday. Their appearance garnered them a few strange looks from the other patrons, but neither woman seemed to care. Fleur strode over to the front desk and flagged the innkeeper Tom. He smiled broadly at the sight of such an elegant blonde witch in his pub and hobbled over as fast as he could manage.
"Can I help you dear?" He asked kindly.
Fleur nodded. "Oui, my companion and I would like a room for 'zee night…and per'aps a meal…"
"Why yes, you're in luck, I've got one suite left for the evening! Just give me a moment to have it cleaned." He snapped his fingers, alerting a small house elf that waddled over to his side. "Please prepare room 13 for this lovely lady won't you?" The elf nodded and promptly disapparated. Tom turned his attention toward Fleur once more. "Now would you like to eat down here or have your food delivered to your room my dear?"
"To our room. We 'ave 'ad a rather difficult day and would like a moment of respite…" Fleur paused a beat and looked over her shoulder at Hermione, who was absently looking at the dusty picture frames that dotted the dingy pub's walls. "And un bottle of your top shelf firewhiskey."
"Done and done."
A gentle pop to Fleur's left signified the return of the house elf, his task complete. Tom held a rusty key in one of his mangled hands out for Fleur to take. "Up the stairs, the last room on the left. Have a pleasant stay and thank you for choosing the Leaky Cauldron."
The run down décor of the shanty pub belied the sophistication of the Inn's suites. An elegant room with a polished oak four-post bed, a small table with two chairs, and a comfortably roaring fire in the fireplace greeted Hermione and Fleur as they opened the heavy suite door. Fleur walked over to the lone window on the far wall and leaned against its sill. Silently Hermione followed suit, wrapping her arms around the French witch from behind, softly resting her head on Fleur's shoulder.
"Are you all right baby?" said Hermione, closing her eyes and inhaling the salty scent of Fleur's still damp hair.
"'Eets incredible…never 'ave I experienced such pain and 'urt like I did at Ronald and Ginny's words…but now 'zat I am alone wiz you 'ere, ma belle, 'eets as 'eef 'eet 'ees but a distant memory…or should I say, nightmare."
"You know I'll be here for you…the rest of the world can go to hell."
"'Ermione!"
"Sorry sweetheart…I…I'm just…bewildered by everything." Hermione swallowed hard. In the pit of her stomach she knew that the months to follow were not going to be easy. Who knew what was going on back at Shell Cottage. Ron and Ginny were likely still completely livid, as no one would dare to come between a Weasley and their family. And what made matters worse was the realization that people would likely not take kindly to her new relationship. Fleur visibly choked back tears and suddenly Hermione was filled with renewed vigor. She had meant what she said. What she began with Fleur had the potential for beauty and the rest of the world…well they could rot for all she cared. Anger coursed through her veins and she felt much like a wolf, protecting its injured mate; ready to fight to the death so long as Fleur was unharmed. The Weasleys, they had hurt Fleur, attacked her with their harsh words and assumptions. If they had the gall to come near her goddess again…
"May we lay down mon ange? I am feeling a bit woozy…" Fleur's softly spoken words shook Hermione from her thoughts.
Hermione nodded and lightly put her left arm under Fleur's knees and her right arm across the French woman's back, effortlessly lifting her off the ground. Hermione gasped at how fragile Fleur felt in her arms, and cradled her close as she carefully walked from the window to the bed. She placed Fleur down gently on top of the plush comforter and reached over to put a pillow behind Fleur's back.
"'Zank you…"
Fleur pouted as Hermione had returned to the windowsill, making the brunette chuckle. "Don't worry sweetheart I'll be there in a moment I promise…I just needed a little air." She pushed the ancient window open a slight crack and took a deep breath as the cool London breeze rushed in. "Are you certain this is what you want…you still have a chance to go you know…we can find Bill…he can explain everything. Maybe make things as they were before…"
"Non! Are you not 'zee brightest witch of your year? 'Zat 'ees a preposterous idea…'eef 'zings went back to what 'zey were before…which 'zey will not…I wouldn't 'ave you ma belle!" Fleur ran a svelte hand angrily through her long golden hair. "Believe me…I want to talk to Bill…about 'zis situation…and our 'marriage' of course…perhaps I shall after you 'ead to 'Ogwarts…"
Hermione noticeably tensed at the words.
"Oh not like that 'Ermione! 'Zough I do 'zink 'e deserves an explanation for why 'is family will suddenly be so hostile to me...I want to still 'elp 'im keep 'is illness a secret…I will ask 'im not to defend me…as you say 'eets a lost cause. I am sure a divorce will be 'een my future as well…" She paused a moment. "'Zee Weasleys are so protective of 'zere family…'eet almost makes me jealous…"
Hermione nodded. "I-I know what you mean…I haven't spoken to my own in ages…they've grown so distant over these past few years…always working…always at some conference…" The brown haired witch said the final word with sudden vitriol. "…always going on holiday without me, never batting an eye at sending me off to the Burrow to be babysat on the holidays. Even now they're completely unaware of what I have been doing this entire summer…there are times that I wonder if I'm even related to them." Hermione sighed.
"Please come over 'ere…let me 'old you…" Hermione obliged, allowing herself to rest her head on Fleur's chest, and be cradled by the French woman's arms now gently wrapped around her. Fleur placed small kisses on the top of Hermione's head. "Perhaps we will get a chance to talk to your parents 'zis year…tell 'zem what you feel…"
Hermione lifted her head off of Fleur and looked her straight in the eyes. "For what purpose? I just know they'll just throw some money at me and tell me to move out…" Hermione swallowed hard and allowed herself to be lowered back down by Fleur's gentle hands. "When I was little…more appropriately before I found out I was a witch…they treated me like their little princess. Holidays were wonderful, birthdays always a lavish event, and the holidays to the shore were plentiful. My father and I would swim for hours! Then I discovered I could do magic…and I received my acceptance letter in the mail. Understandably, as muggles, my parents were flabbergasted, completely unsure of what to do with my newfound identity. To them magic was only an illusion…a slight of hand…I for one couldn't be happier. I planned on being the best witch of my age…even before I had gotten there! My best friend that first summer was Hogwarts: A History. And I went through my first two years without a hitch…coming home to a warm Christmas meal for holiday, my room exactly as I had left it."
She sighed wistfully before continuing. "However they came to realize in the months that I was away at Hogwarts, mum and dad now had much more time on their hands to focus on their careers. Their dental practice became a huge success…earning them handsome salaries after they established themselves as the best practice in two districts. People would have to wait months for an appointment. Then came the private vacations to the islands, dental conferences and meetings with pharmaceutical companies. The Christmas of my third year I had to spend it with my aunt when they had been invited to a gala in New York City. And I practically had my own room at the Burrow." Hermione stifled a tear. "They were always busy…hardly ever writing…as if they had forgotten I'd even existed."
"Je suis désolé…"
"It's alright…I am done dwelling upon those who have hurt me. I am just…eternally grateful that I found you. You make me feel…wanted…and well, not so…alone." The brunette sighed. It was the truth…she had endured many hardships over the past few years and tonight in the arms of this goddess she finally felt at peace.
"And I feel 'zee same way…but not to cut short 'zis conversation I am le famished! Why don't you go take a warm shower and I will go downstairs and get our meal…'zey should 'ave delivered by now." Hermione nodded in response and slid out of Fleur's embrace, suddenly missing the blonde's arms. Fleur crossed the room and gave Hermione a quick peck on the lips. "Go now…you still smell like 'zee ocean mon ange!"
Hermione smirked. "Oh but you stink too."
Fleur playfully swatted her arm. "A girl like me does not 'stink' as you so vulgarly put 'eet! My body 'as a most wonderful natural aroma! 'Zee Delacour women, we pride ourselves on smelling pleasant."
"I don't know…perhaps this is a new scent you are trying? Au de Fleur, with the delightful odor of sweat and salt water?" Hermione laughed as Fleur jokingly furrowed her brow.
"Get 'eento 'zee shower before I 'ex you!"
"You wouldn't dare."
Fleur smiled wickedly and produced her wand, and Hermione's hands went up in defeat. "All right I won't tempt fate…I shall see you soon." With that Fleur nodded and exited the suite.
Entering the modest sized bathroom Hermione started to strip out of her clothes making her way to the shower. Her reflection in the wall mirror grabbed her attention as she stopped to look at her naked torso. She smiled at what she saw. No longer did her curves appear soft as she now had the beginnings of muscle definition. Her stomach had become taut, a gentle ridge beginning to form at the apex of her rib cage. Her arms were also becoming more toned, the slope of her biceps becoming more pronounced as she turned from side to side. Her breasts still retained their fullness, and her smooth round rump was firm. Her thoughts returned to the French woman, and a sudden pang of fear gripped at her, would she be good enough? Her sexual endeavors were few and not very exciting. Ron was a clumsy lover, finishing himself and often falling asleep before moving his attention to Hermione; who was left to her own devices. Viktor, though what she considered to be a short 'fling' was a bit more experienced, but once again he too left her feeling unfulfilled. Hermione felt herself instantly dampen at the thought of becoming intimate with Fleur, and her face went red.
Kicking herself mentally she muttered aloud, "Calm down Hermione…there's no need to rush something so wonderful. It will happen when it's ready to." And she entered the shower, letting out a loud sigh of relief under the soothing stream of hot water.
Their meal was mostly spent in silence, both savoring the fleeting moments of the other's company. They occasionally made small conversation, mostly a means of getting to know each other better. After a while, the blonde finally decided to disclose why she had angrily snatched the crystal necklace from Hermione back at Shell Cottage.
She produced the crystal from the collar of her shirt and held it aloft for Hermione to see. "'Zis 'eez my Phylactery…'zink of 'eet as my…dog collar…'zis crystal 'as a sister sitting 'een a chamber 'een 'zee ministry building. As long as 'zey are 'een possession of 'zee sister crystal, 'zey can keep close watch on me…wherever I may be…'Zis 'eez 'ow 'zey can enforce 'zee surveillance on 'zee 'part-'uman' population."
"Oh how dreadful!"
Fleur could only muster a glum shrug. "'Eet 'eez a powerful way to control uzzers non? I am at 'zee complete mercy of 'zee Ministry as long as the 'ave my phylactery."
"Why not dump the one you have…be free!"
"Non, 'zey will know. 'Zee crystals speak to one anuzzer, as 'zey both contain my blood. 'Eef 'zis crystal 'eez not on my body for long, 'zee uzzer will alert 'zee ministry 'zat somezing 'eez wrong. Per'aps I am dead, or am trying to escape. 'Zey will send 'zee aurors right away. Failure to wear 'zis 'eez a one-way trip to Azkaban…" Fleur heaved a sad sigh.
Hermione reached over the table and gathered the blonde's soft hands into her own. "I promise you, here and now, that somehow I will make this ghastly method of control come to an end. It's wrong. It's unethical. And above all else it's demeaning. Sacrificing the liberty of innocents for security is loathsome. You are not a second-class citizen! We are all equal…Merlin…the Ministry needs to have its collective head checked!"
"Hush 'Ermione…let us not dwell on 'zee political right now…let's 'ave a drink shall we?" Fleur produced the bottle of firewhiskey and two shot glasses. Pulling out the cork, Fleur adroitly filled the glasses in one graceful pour. Hermione spied them with a smirk upon her face. Before this summer's events, before meeting Fleur, she never would've imagined drinking alcohol. She had despised it, and its effects on people; often she discouraged Ron and Harry from drinking it. Though tonight, she decided, a stiff drink was a much-needed remedy. Practically salivating at it's smell, she brought the glass to her lips and glanced at the blonde who gave a knowing wink, "To a good 7th year at 'Ogwarts for my darling 'Ermione!" she cried before tossing back the drink. The burn of the liquor as it traveled down Hermione's throat offered her an odd sense of comfort and she smiled. Warmth swiftly radiated across her body and she felt herself relax at once.
"Another…" Requested Hermione, holding the shot glass aloft to be refilled. "…and this next one is to us."
And so it went. One shot had lead to another. And another. And another. And another until the bottle had been completely emptied. They happily toasted to nearly everything from Fleur, to cheese and to designer handbags. It wasn't long before both witches were completely inebriated off of the firewhiskey…and off each other. The stumbled onto the large bed, lips pressed firmly together. Hands roamed like a pack of ravenous hunters all over each other's body. Hermione could even feel Fleur's thrall hungrily raking over her skin, and probing her in her most intimate of places. A gasp escaped her throat before Fleur's mouth and tongue muffled the sound. Fleur kissed her with such a voracious craving she drew blood from the younger witches lower lip; the sweet salty taste invading both of their mouths. The ebb and flow of the younger witch's intoxication made it feel as if the entire room had been submerged in water and at a moments notice they could be swept away in the current. Her head throbbed painfully and she pulled away from Fleur's wanton grasp and flopped onto her back beside the veela. Fleur stared at her incredulously before her own eyelids grew heavy and she fell asleep.
"Mmmmph…good night…baby…" Hermione gurgled before passing out cold.
And they spent Hermione's final night of the summer in a carousing tangle of limbs, contentedly snoozing in a delightfully drunk slumber. Both blissfully unaware of tomorrow's inevitable good byes.
A/N 2: And so ends Part I. I know that I've been pretty quick with these updates, and hope to keep up with that for Part II. I anticipate having the next chapter up by the end of this coming week. I'm in the middle of training for a huge race in November, and my running/lifting schedule gets a little more hectic as race day gets closer. Oh yeah and there also is those pesky things called real life, being an adult and work! :P
A/N 3: To anyone that's an Xbox 360 junkie like I am...kinda borrowed the Phylactery idea from the amazing game Dragon Age: Origins. :P Sorry!
Hope you all enjoyed! Send some luv if you want!
til next time, ttfn, tata for now!