Wake Me Up

Chapter 3

The banging on the door interrupted her wonderful sleep. Hermione rubbed her eyes, noticing the clock read eight-fourteen. Now who in the hell had to come at this time of the morning on a Sunday. It was the first Sunday she hadn't waked up at seven to go to St. Mungo's to check on her patients and she considered not answering the door. Then she heard her name called and figured she better got up before someone blew up her door.

"Gods, hold on!" she yanked the door open, then shut it again realizing who was on the other side.

Fleur blinked and her eyebrow rose at the unexpected picture Hermione had presented. Harry had said the woman was up early and she cursed him under her breath. Well she was here already and had awoken the other woman so she raised a hand to knock more softly when the door opened again.

Hermione groaned inwardly, cursing her mother for teaching her good manners. She couldn't leave the blonde just standing there. Moving aside she gestured the other to come in as she tried to make her hair look even a little bit…less like a nest.

"Sorry, I…" Feur muttered, a little unsure. It was evident that Hermione had been sleeping and that she hadn't been expecting a guest.

Various sounds came from the kitchen and after a few second Hermione came out with a cup of coffee.

"Want a cup?" she asked the blue eyed woman who was looking curiously around the spotless apartment.

"Thank you." She said, a cup filled with the dark liquid already floating her way.

"Sorry I closed the door on you." Hermione said as a blush rushed to her cheeks and she looked down at her feet.

Fleur pretended to look around the space trying to hide the smile that wanted to creep onto her face at the image Hermione made. "Ginny told me to come get you; she said you were going to come with me pick up some food for the engagement thing. Harry was supposed to warn you I was coming."

Hermione brushed a hand through her hair, making it messier than it already was before blowing out a breath. "Well I didn't know I was supposed to do that. Besides I'm not going to the party…or whatever that is. This is the first Sunday I've had free in a long time, and I got a lot to do."

"Well can you tell her that yourself so she doesn't kill me when I come back without you?"

The brunette looked into perfect blue eyes and asked with a groan. "Are you serious?"

Fleur nodded. "I bet you have been at the end of her temper more than I have when things don't go her way."

Chocolate eyes widened. "You really are serious."

"Of course I am. So if you could just contact her send an owl or a patronus or something, I'll let you get back to bed… or whatever else you were going to do."

They had probably had more conversation between them in ten minutes than they'd managed in the four hours they'd been together the previous evening.

Hermione chuckled. "You mean to tell me that the French witch is afraid of her friend's girlfriend?"

Fleur moved towards the brunette, fire blazing from her eyes. "Don't even go there?"

Hermione took a step backwards unconsciously looking for her wand. Her knees hit the sofa and she sat down while Fleur still tried to close the distance between them until she towered over the brunette.

"Well, I didn't…"

"I am French, do you have something against that?" she said forcefully.

Now Hermione stood up and poked a finger into the other woman. "Of course I don't! I didn't mean it that way. I was just trying to tease you a little."

Their eyes locked and Fleur noticed the most wonderful chocolate eyes she had ever seen before removing Hermione's finger from her chest and stepping back.

"I'll tell Ginevra you can't make it. Sorry for the inconvenience." And with that the blonde disappeared on the spot.

"What just happened?"

"I told you - she was exhausted. I woke her up!" Fleur said trying to explain to the red headed woman. "SOMEONE," glaring in Harry's direction, "didn't let her know I was coming."

Harry shrugged. "I tried. It's not my fault if Pig can't deliver a proper letter."

Fleur snorted. "I'm beginning to have my doubts as to whether or not that wasn't your intention from the beginning."

Ginny and Harry exchanged glances and Harry chuckled nervously. "I um… I think I heard someone at the door. Got to go."

"He's really something" said Ginny, shaking her head with a fond look on her face.

Fleur frowned but after a few seconds a smile came to her lips and she nodded in agreement.

It was around 4 o'clock when everyone had finally arrived. The Weasley brothers helped moving tables outside while Fleur chatted with Luna and Neville under the shade of a tree. Mrs. Weasley called them all to dinner and a cheer went up from the entire clan as a multitude of dishes floated to the table. It wasn't until they were seated around the long table that Fleur noticed the brunette and almost choked in surprise. What was she doing here?

Ginny spoke as if Fleur had asked her question aloud. "Hermione apologized earlier for sending you away like she did and for her lack of manners and asked if she was still welcomed. She apparated a bit ago and was helping me with the last preparations."

Fleur's brow furrowed.

"She's such a good girl" intervened Mrs. Weasley "but lately she always seems…hmm… I'm not sure. Lonely maybe. I tell you, that child is missing something in her life."

Fleur chose not to comment, concentrating instead on eating the delicious food that had been provided. But her eyes became thoughtful, and Ginny noticed more than once that the blue eyes strayed towards the far end of the table where Hermione sat, and smiled to herself.

As the evenging moved on, the energy level waned and everyone found themselves in scattered little groups talking about whatever came to mind. Mrs. Weasley stood up and when all eyes tracked to her silence fell.

"I'd never thought I'd have to wait this long for one of my children to marry." She said giving a light glare to all the boys. "and I want to say to Harry and Ginny that I'm happy for you both and that even though now it'll be official I have always considered Harry a part of our family"

Harry kissed Ginny on the cheek as she tried to hide the tears that were already forming in her eyes.

Fleur looked away from Molly noting that Hermione had moved a little apart from the festivities with one of the redheads. She assumed it was Ronald, having heard from Ginny his brother had been previously involved with the brunette. He was talking to her while the young witch tried to look anywhere but him. Chocolate eyes found hers for a second and she noticed an odd look come across the brunette's face but shrugged it off.

A while later Harry pulled the blond aside talking softly, but gesturing wildly. Fleur tired to argue, shaking her blond head emphatically, but it was clear that she wouldn't refuse the man's request. Slowly making her way around the yard, she stopped and spoke to everyone until she reached Hermione.

"Um… Harry asked me to accompany you home when you're ready, so just let me know."

"It's ok, I can just apparate home." Hermione offered, feeling as uncomfortable as Fleur felt.

Fleur shook her head. "Nope. It's not safe for you to do so since you've been drinking a little." She gave a small smile.

Hermione returned the expression, appreciating the effort the blond was making. "That's ok, then."

It didn't take long to reach Hermione's place since she lived close to Harry and Ginny anyway.

"Um…Thanks for walking me home." Hermione said softly, finally breaking the silence.

"You're welcome" Fleur replied.

"I um… I'm sorry for this morning," the brunette started. "I don't know what it is but I know this is a sore subject for you…"

"No, it wasn't your fault. Is just that… Look, let's just forget about it, all right?"

Hermione nodded. "Thanks"