Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. The story will take a bit for me to update since I have a lot going on right now but know that I will do it as soon as I can.

Wake Me Up

Chapter 5

The day was cold and rainy and the blonde woman tightened her hold one the dark umbrella as a strong wind rushed through the streets. Still she didn't pick up the pace. There was nowhere she had to be and she still was trying to decide what to invest her time on. She had thought being here would be the perfect time to arrange business meetings and discuss some of the projects the International Bureau of Magical Relations had been planning on executing. But Basil, her coworker and friend had contacted her from France earlier in the day letting her know that everything was under control. So now she found herself walking aimlessly around London with an amount of free time she didn't know how to deal with.

A building on the corner caught her eye. It was old Victorian style construction of small proportions; books of all kinds were displayed neatly on the windows which also framed a cozy and warm interior. It seemed to go unnoticed by the passing pedestrians and she supposed it was magically enchanted. She directed her steps in that direction noticing as she got to the door that the city sounds had been muted and replace by a calm atmosphere.

"Good evening, Miss" A gentle voice came as she entered.

Her cerulean eyes moved over the room finally making their way to the old man behind the wooden counter and she smiled softly in greeting. "Good evening."

The man retuned her smile. "Feel free to ask if you need any help."

She watched the man turn to his paperwork, living her free to look around undisturbed. She took in the room once more and smiled to herself. It was wonderful. Books, both new and old, covered every wall; two armchairs stood on one corner, under the soft glow of a lamp; and in the middle of the room stood a small table holding parchment and ink and surrounded by four well used, wooden chairs. Her fingertips brushed over the tomes as she read the titles, stopping once in a while to take one out and study it in detail; finally she settled on one and made herself comfortable on one of the armchairs.

She didn't know how long had passed when the sound of the door penetrated her concentration but she didn't bother to look up until she heard her.

"Good evening Mr. Parker. How are you doing?" said the gentle voice of Hermione as she greeted warmly.

"Oh! Miss Granger. It's a pleasure to see you, we have missed you around here the last few months." He moved from behind the counter to welcome her in. "And how many times have I told you to call me Norman?"

"As many as I've told you to call me Hermione." The brunette answered making the old man grumble stubbornly. "Do you have anything for me? I'm still interested in those titles we talked about a few-"

The brunette's words were cut off as her eyes met those of the blonde woman sitting in the corner. Both remained mute and still for a second as they stared into each other's eyes before finally, Fleur pulled out of the trance and stood up. Even then Hermione remained there, as if she was glued to the floor as she watched the blonde get near.

"Hello, Miss Granger." The smooth voice broke the silence.

Regaining her composure, the chocolate haired woman finally found her voice. "What are you doing here?" the words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself and a little more forcefully that she had intended.

"Well it's a free country, a free world, no?" Fleur said her tone filled with amusement.

Hermione face turned crimson and she looked away from piercing blue eyes. "I… Sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I was just… I didn't expect anyone to know this place."

"I was just passing by, found it by accident."

"I thought you had some business meetings to attend to."

The blonde brushed her hair behind her ear. "It was canceled." She stated simply.

The old man cleared his throat, announcing his presence, making Hermione turn to him apologetically. "Oh I'm sorry Mr. Parker-"

"Do you girl know each other?" he asked looking between both.

"Yes, she's a… Fleur's an acquaintance." she managed to say.

Norman looked between the women once more before deciding he wasn't needed. "Well, I'll be at my desk if you need something. Feel free to look around. It's a pleasure to see you again Miss Granger."

There was a tense silence, neither knowing what to say, or if they should say anything else. The leather bound book the French woman was holding caught Hermione's attention. It was one of her favorites but she chose not to comment. She didn't want to waste her time with small conversation. She had come here with a purpose and that was to find a good book or two and spend the afternoon on the cozy shop reading. Alone. Undisturbed.

The older woman broke the silence once more. "Didn't you have to work today?"

"Well…I was kinda banished from the hospital." Hermione's thoughts went to her boss and a smile came to her lips. She always tried to take care of her.

"My boss thinks I'm overworking and order me to go home and rest for a week. I just love my job and I don't like leaving my patients. I like to be there if anything happens-" the brunette took a breath and looked up. "Sorry, I'm blabbering. I tend to do that sometimes."

A blonde eyebrow shot up as Fleur considered the brunette. She's cute… Get your mind out of the gutter Fleur! Considering the woman more carefully, she noticed once more the dark circles under her eyes probably from lack of sleep and felt a little guilty for waking her on those two occasions. Well it had not been completely her fault. If Harry and Ginny hadn't set her up, going to the brunette's apartment wouldn't have crossed her mind.

"Anyway, I'm going to find something, if you'll excuse me." She remained there one more second as if waiting for a response that didn't come, before moving over to the nearest bookcase.

Fleur watch her walk away before lowering herself to sit once more on the comfortable armchair. She opened the book and started to reed where she had left off. However she couldn't stop herself from glancing up. The brunette was considering every book carefully and you could see the love she felt for the objects. She caressed the spines gently and took some of them out, studying them much like Fleur had done a while before. This brought a smile to her lips. She didn't remember Hermione all that well from Hogwarts, but this was not that girl anymore. She was pure woman. Her hair had a slight wave to it and her skin was fair, her body had developed fully and her stance was confident yet relaxed. She's gorgeous.

The brunette finally looked up, her eyes finding the intense blue gaze of Fleur Delacour, framed by elegant spectacles, which was now considering her body with a serious expression. Her breath caught on her chest and she quickly moved away taking one of the books with her and sitting at the table, so she could make use of the parchment and ink resting there and avoid the other woman's gaze.

Harry sat in his living room brushing his hand over the red locks belonging to the head resting on his lap. Ginny sighted in pleasure before turning around and to look up at his boyfriend. She couldn't believe they were getting married in a month and she felt happier than she had ever been. A frown crossed her mind as Hermione entered her thoughts.

"What are you thinking, love?" his hands continued to caress her soft locks.

"Hermione." She declared thoughtfully.

It had been two years since her friend had ended her relationship with his brother. After this, Hermione had concentrated purely on work, declining most of Ginny's invitations and secluding herself in her apartment. The red head had tried to drag her out of her self-imposed isolation and had managed to do so on few occasions. At first she had concluded that Hermione missed his brother and she had set her up on a few blind dates with some of her male friends and acquaintances. But seeing no progress whatsoever she had finally sat the other woman down a few months ago and asked what was wrong. She had been a little surprised at hearing of Hermione's interest in women but it had given her a new focus.

"Do you think we're doing the right thing by pushing her and Fleur together?" inquired the red head as he looked into his eyes.

He gave Ginny an affectionate look for worrying so much about their friend. "Look love, I think Hermione needs to accept herself. I don't know if Fleur is the right person for her but I do know both need someone in their lives. Let's not push the issue anymore and see how it all works out."

"I just want her to have what we have." She sighted, raising her hand to brush back his dark hair.

There was a soft sound and they both turned to the door as Fleur started to take off her coat. She finally managed to do so before a smile resting on her lips the whole time. She hadn't expected to see Hermione today but it had come as a nice surprise. She hadn't been thrilled at first, their previous meeting not being the most enjoyable but they had spent the evening there, on that little shop. She would look up to find the brunette staring her way and the same could be said for her. Hermione would blush and look down, letting Fleur see another side of the woman, a gentle and vulnerable side.

"Hello" Fleur walked to past them without looking their way, a smile still gracing her lip.

Before Harry or Ginny could say anything she had reached the guestroom and disappeared from view, leaving the pair a little startled. The redhead glanced at Harry before staring at the guestroom door that was now closed, they stayed silent for a second before Ginny's eyes returned to her boyfriend, who was now smiling.

"Maybe that answers your question." His tone had a hint of amusement.

Hermione lay in bed, her mind not being able to shut down as she recalled the events of the afternoon. She smiled at the memory Fleur presented, with her spectacles on. It had been a surprise finding the blonde woman that afternoon and more surprising even finding her on that very shop. Very few people knew of the small library and it had been a revelation to find that the woman was interested in a place like that. It had both surprised her and intrigued her. She had thought Fleur wouldn't be the kind of person interested in that sort of thing, but she had been clearly mistaken. Not only hadn't she imagine they could have something in common but the blonde woman had even been interested in some of her favorite books.

A soft wind blew through the window and she shivered, pulling the sheets tighter.

Her cheeks turned crimson as she remembered the few glances she had directed at the blonde during the evening. She was a stunning woman with deep blue eyes and beautiful golden hair, her body was lean and with soft gentle curves and her lips… her lips were a light pink, soft and so very kissable. Don't go there, Hermione! Her heart raced in her chest as she instructed her mind to shut up. A part of her was scared, the part that had never been with a woman, the part that prevented her from acknowledging what she already knew about herself. But another part of her wanted to pursue this, to find what could happen if she let herself acknowledge the truth.

"That's not going to happen." she whispered t herself. Even if she pursue this, even if it was mutual… Fleur was leaving in a few days.

However, her mind and body had other ideas. Her dreams plagued by images of the blonde, of her piercing blue eyes and her soft lips.