Chapter 11
Hermione was feeling anxious as she waited in the entrance hall. It was the first Saturday of December, eleven days since the first task, and she still hadn't admitted her initial obliviousness about the courtship to Fleur.
Her fear of ruining what they had kept interfering with her resolve. At one point, that fear had her cling to the idea that finishing the scarf before she told her would be a way to prove the seriousness of her feelings for Fleur. Logic dispensed with that foolishness when she realized it was going to take her another week at least to finish given the very little free time she had outside of class nowadays, and the weight of keeping this to herself was becoming unbearable.
The pestering from Ginny, Harry, and Ron about how she and Fleur got together hadn't helped. Thankfully they had the good form not to ask her girlfriend about it. Somehow they knew there was something Hermione wasn't saying and wanted to hear it from her. Telling them before telling Fleur didn't seem right, though, so she'd stuck to her story of it being a blur, that it happened before the task, and the rest was none of their business.
Because it was too cold and windy to go for a walk outside, Hermione's plan was to get some work done in the library for part of the afternoon before she surprised her girlfriend and took her to the common room. Fleur had expressed curiosity about seeing it the other day, and the bookworm decided sharing that space with her would outweigh any teasing from her fellow Gryffindors. And somewhere in between all that, she would finally get everything off her chest.
The large doors opened and Fleur stepped inside, the cold air blowing in behind her. Only a few Beauxbatons students along with Fleur had come in for breakfast this morning, and they'd all stayed in the carriage for lunch. Hermione felt guilty the witch had to brave the weather in order to come back to the castle this afternoon, but those feelings disappeared as soon as Fleur surrounded her with those strong arms.
After the blonde removed her coat, gloves, and hat, she shrunk them down and tucked them into her bag. Hermione liked seeing her in muggle clothes. Today it was the same cream-colored turtleneck and jeans combination she'd worn that day in the library when she gave the brunette the foil ball, and she looked beautiful as always.
They took a meandering path to the library, using side routes as they caught each other up on their day so far, their clasped hands swinging between them. Hermione was beginning to think maybe they should skip the library altogether. Already weeks ahead on her homework and readings, she could afford to take a day off from schoolwork. And she really wanted to show Fleur the common room and cuddle with her in front of the fire. They were girlfriends, they could cuddle now, right?
Before they did that, however, Fleur had to know the truth.
She squeezed her girlfriend's hand, about to pull her up short, when Fleur said, "Un moment, Hermione."
There were no students in the hallway, but Fleur still glanced about sharply as if to make sure they wouldn't be disturbed.
"Is everything okay?" Hermione asked.
"Oui, of course. I just wanted to give you something," the blonde replied, nervously opening her bag.
Hermione smiled, curious about the nervousness. Yesterday it had been another piece of sea glass. What would it be today? It had been a while since she'd gotten a seashell.
But what Fleur pulled out was most definitely not a seashell.
"Fleur," she gasped. "Is that one of your feathers? As a quill?"
"It is," the older girl smiled, apparently pleased Hermione had recognized it.
How could she not? She might have only seen Fleur's wings up close a couple of times but she would recognize those white feathers with hints of blue anywhere.
"I cut and fashioned the end of the shaft to accommodate replaceable nibs. And I got you a few of those as well," Fleur said, holding out a small blue velvet pouch in her other hand.
"Fleur, this is– Are you sure? Quills break. They get tossed about in book bags. What if someone steals it?"
"Veela feathers retain no magical properties once they've molted or been plucked. It's only hair from a full Veela that has magical value. And while our feathers are used ceremonially and decoratively, we are free to do with them as we wish. I admit to some depth of feeling on my part in giving it to you…" Fleur blushed before continuing, "but I won't be offended if the quill gets damaged in the course of your use of it. As for theft or it becoming lost, I can show you a charm that will allow you to destroy it if it ever leaves your possession and you can't recover it."
"Oh."
The referenced 'depth of feeling' sent Hermione's heart racing, this further proof that Fleur was as serious about this relationship as she was, and she shakily took the quill and the pouch.
"It's beautiful, thank you" she said, running one finger along the edge of the feather before tucking the items in her bag, promising herself she would only use it in her room and not take it to classes. No matter Fleur's assurances, she would feel terrible if something happened to it. Maybe she would bring it to the library, though. Fleur would probably like to see her use it.
Then she thought of another possible motive for the gift and smirked. "I'm still not throwing away the quill Ron gave me."
"You should, it's atrocious," Fleur exclaimed with a pout.
Hermione chuckled, and the blonde rolled her eyes good-naturedly. The lighthearted moment tempted her to keep her mouth shut about the courtship for the rest of the day. However, Fleur's trust with such a personal gift deserved the same level of trust from her. Doing otherwise would tarnish what had grown between them, and she couldn't let their relationship continue without being truthful about its beginnings.
"I– I didn't know you were courting me at first," blurted Hermione.
Fleur blinked. She huffed a laugh, probably thinking it was a joke, but when Hermione kept wringing her hands together, trepidation took over her features.
"Explain, s'il te plaît," Fleur requested softly.
Hermione's top teeth scraped over her bottom lip as she nodded and took a deep breath.
"Okay, so erm, that day in the tent, when you wore the badge and said we were girlfriends, that's when I learned you'd been courting me the whole time." Fleur paled and took a step back but Hermione stepped forward. "Not knowing about it doesn't mean I didn't want it, though. What I felt for you, it's all real. I just didn't know how to admit it and I was too blind to see you felt the same way. All I knew was that I wanted to be with you. And then we suddenly were and I was so happy… I was so happy, Fleur, I was afraid to tell you about my misunderstanding."
Fleur stood in stunned silence, and it reminded Hermione of her own shock in the champions' tent. A minute went by without a response, and when the brunette caught sight of a student rounding the corner into the hallway, she realized they needed to be somewhere alone in case of a blow-up. Fortunately, Fleur let herself be pulled into a nearby empty classroom, and Hermione locked the door.
Except Fleur didn't blow up. There was confusion and some frustration, but no anger that she could see. The blonde simply squeezed her hand, said 'I believe you' in a strained voice, then dropped her bag and started pacing.
Five minutes later, Hermione's teeth gnawed on her lower lip as she adjusted her position. She was trying to be patient as her eyes followed the still pacing girl in front of her, an endeavor made difficult by the uncomfortable edge of the teacher's desk she was leaning against. On the other hand, the discomfort helped her to concentrate since she was also doing her utmost, her willpower stretched to the limit, to not laugh at how adorable Fleur looked.
Her wings were out as she walked, her thrall moving out of her in waves and sending those familiar vibrations into Hermione's chest. Having not seen the wings since the first task, she observed how more of Fleur's feathers had developed hints of blue, and others were starting to take on a light purple hue. In between long strides were short little hops accompanied by mutterings in French, and every now and then she paused to smile at Hermione and say that things were going to be okay, she just needed a moment longer.
Having no other choice, Hermione waited. Holding her tongue was difficult given what she was hearing, however. By no means fluent, she was still able to understand certain phrases. Like Fleur calling herself stupid.
Hermione wanted to protest these self-criticisms, but she knew the girl needed this time to think. To go over all of their interactions in her mind, just as she had done the night after the first task.
Fleur suddenly stopped mid-step and turned to her. "I stated it clearly, oui? I offered you my gift as the start of my suit."
"But I talked over you, remember?" Hermione said with an apologetic cringe. "I talked over you because you mentioned your people and I was excited to learn more about them. I was so focused on that, and distracted by you talking to me in the first place, I just– I missed it."
The French witch scoffed, her wings flapping behind her, and she began pacing again, this time talking out loud in English. "Even when I'm clear with my intentions I'm misunderstood."
"I'm sorry," offered Hermione.
An exasperated smile broke across Fleur's face as she stopped pacing again and put her hands on her hips. A moment later, she retracted her wings, which disappeared into her back without one thread of fabric in her turtleneck out of place. The smile didn't leave her face as shook her head at the brunette before letting out a burst of laughter.
Hermione laughed, too, feeling the weight that had been pushing down on her for eleven days lift at last. They really were going to be okay.
"I'm sorry, too," Fleur said after their laughter died down. "I made silly assumptions. Everyone I spoke to said you were quite inquisitive and to be prepared for a flurry of questions, but it didn't happen. And since they also said you were very knowledgeable, I thought perhaps you knew more about Veela than you were saying. You did all the right things. Your challenge at my first approach, praising my gifts, the ribbon."
Hermione chuckled ruefully. "I was being sarcastic and didn't expect you to interpret it as a challenge, and when you did find me in the library, I didn't want to scare you off with all my questions. I've been told it can be off-putting to new friends. Admitting I don't know things is also hard for me. I thought I could find books about Veela and read up on my own. But as we became friends, I didn't want you to think your heritage was the only thing I found interesting about you. It was important to me that you felt safe and comfortable to express yourself however you wanted."
Fleur nodded and took a few steps towards her.
"And my gifts?"
The brunette sighed, "Tokens of friendship."
Fleur giggled and said incredulously, "Hermione."
Burying her face in her hands, Hermione groaned, "I know, all right?"
When she looked back up, the blonde's gaze was fond, and she smiled.
"Then we got to know each other's quirks and personalities and my feelings started to grow," Hermione said, standing up and approaching the blonde. Her eyes flicked down to Fleur's hands and back up again. At the witch's nod, Hermione held them and stared into blue eyes. "I was working up the nerve to tell you and ask if you felt the same way when all the tournament stuff started getting in the way."
Fleur's hands gripped hers even tighter, her throat bobbing.
"Also, I may not have known what wearing that ribbon would mean to you according to a Veela courtship, but I really did put it on my hat to show how special your gift was to me. How special you are to me."
"You like me," Fleur said tremulously. It was a statement as well as a question. The blonde still needed reassurance, and Hermione was happy to give it.
"Very much."
"And you want to be my girlfriend."
"Yes, and I want you to be mine."
A smile broke out on the girl's face, broad and free, and Hermione answered by taking her girlfriend into her arms, a litany of 'I'm sorry's' and 'It's okay's' murmured and accepted between them.
After a while, Fleur chuckled and said into her hair, "So what you're saying is that even though you didn't understand my intentions, you accepted me anyway. My instinctive nature and everything I did still won your affections."
"Yes," replied the brunette, tightening the hug. "It was the best Veela courtship ritual ever."
"And it's ongoing," said Fleur, pulling back to press her forehead against Hermione's, the two of them closing their eyes. "But please, if there's something you don't understand, just ask me."
"I will," promised Hermione. "But you don't know what you're getting yourself into."
"I won't be offended by your curiosity, Hermione. Your questions reveal your interests, and how your mind works, and I want to know all of you."
"I want to know all of you, too," Hermione whispered.
They stayed like that for several moments, relishing this closeness. Their foreheads touching, their arms around each other. If Fleur had her way they'd probably stay like this for the rest of the afternoon, and Hermione wanted it too, but she knew they would be more comfortable somewhere else. So, she pulled out of their hug.
At the Veela's small whine of protest, Hermione said, "Come on, we're wasting time."
"The library can wait, chérie, I don't want to let go of you right now," Fleur argued, trying to pull Hermione in for another hug.
"I don't want to let go of you either which is why I'm not taking you to the library." Hermione smiled coyly. "Today I want cuddles with you in front of a warm fire."
Fleur blinked as she took in the brunette's words. Nodding slowly and then more rapidly as she put two and two together, the girl rushed to pick up her bag as well as Hermione's, and put the straps over her shoulder.
"Show me this fire where I can hold you until dinnertime," the blonde said as she strode to the door, waving her wand to unlock it as she went, and pulled it open, with Hermione laughing as she followed her.
Later in the common room, and after Fleur glared at anyone who dared to interrupt their time together, Hermione snuggled into her girlfriend's arms wrapped around her from behind as they sprawled on the couch in front of the roaring fire. The soft cooing sounds the Veela made as she nuzzled into her hair told Hermione her girlfriend was as happy and content as she was. And her heart swelled within her, knowing their relationship was stronger than ever.
A/N: Told you it was going to be fine! Hope you liked this chapter as much as I did. I admit to tearing up a bit while writing it. They're so cute!
In case you missed the note in the last chapter, this fic will end at 13 chapters, and the note from ch 5 about ending it all at the Yule Ball is still true. So two more chapters to go.
Thanks so much for reading!