Author: Lash_Larue
Title: "Tested"
Pairing: Ginny/Hermione, Fleur, Pansy, Apolline
Rating: Adult
Summary: Apolline displays a mother's concern
Warnings: Teeny bit of bloodplay, more ceremonial than sexual
Word Count: 2700
Disclaimer: These characters belong to JK Rowling
A/N: Traffic stats and notifications seem to be broken, I am continuing the usual posting schedule in case anyone is still out there.
The Hunters Part 25
"Tested"
"Mere wants to go to the club with us," Fleur announced as she folded the letter she had just finished reading.
"Oh dear," Hermione breathed.
"You can't be serious," Ginny said flatly, "does she have any idea what goes on?"
"Of course she does," Fleur replied, "she has been through it herself, with me. And it failed. And Gwen and Grandmother have told her that all is going very well, but she wants to see for herself."
"I'm not sure I can deal with this," Hermione said slowly, "your Mum, watch you and Pansy dance? And Ginny and I, well, if we're there together, and you and Pansy are dancing, and the thrall…"
"Mere knows of love, and she understands the effects of the thrall," Fleur assured her, "and she knows that you and Ginny are my lovers. I admit that this seems strange, 'unconventional' as you said, but the whole thing is unconventional, is it not? All of our lives have been drastically changed, our perceptions of ourselves altered. I know that I love Bill, I remember our time together, and yet he is seldom in my mind now, I feel bad about that, and I feel bad because I do not feel worse. There is no emptiness in my heart, for you fill it." Fleur paused for a moment, and then said carefully, "this is harder than I had expected, for all of us, and yet I cannot regret it. It is too wonderful."
"The thrall won't affect her, will it?" Ginny asked.
"Not very much, it will resonate within her of course. It would with any Veela, but since she is my mother she will feel it more strongly," Fleur explained.
"Fleur," Ginny said, and she drew a deep breath, "what the hell is going to happen if one of us makes a move on your Mum? I mean, I've seen her, she looks a lot like you, and I'm guessing that when the thrall is on that she'll feel like you, her presence, maybe the rest of her, I don't know. But Merlin's skivvies, really…" Fleur burst into laughter.
"I am sorry, I am sorry," Fleur gasped, flapping her hands, "it just sounds so funny! But of course it is not. I shall ask her, just to be sure that she understands the risks," Fleur promised with a definite twinkle in her eyes.
"You might not think it's so blasted funny if you look over and see me with your Mum's knees over my shoulders," muttered Hermione.
"If that were to happen, I am sure Mere would be quite well taken care of," Fleur said sincerely.
"Fleur…" began Ginny.
"I am sorry, I shall quit teasing you. My mother is quite capable of handling things so as to avoid embarrassing either of you," Fleur told them seriously. "I cannot refuse her request to attend; however, she cannot compel the two of you to be there."
"We should be, though," Hermione admitted, "we're all a part of this."
"Cheer up, 'Mione, only a couple months to go," Ginny encouraged.
"C'est vrai," Fleur agreed, "and not so long as that, for the dancing. I shall soon be too big. If not for the thrall, none of you would want me now."
Fleur of course knew better, but there was no denying that her waist had thickened noticeably.
"So, no limbo, I'm guessing," Ginny said.
"No, it shall be ballroom dancing now, but it is the intensity, the struggle, that matters. Pansy has grown stronger since her broken arm," Fleur told them, "I shall be sorely tested, and that is good."
Ginny felt a surge of pride at that, and she wondered if she should feel guilty about it.
"I owe you so much, you and Pansy," Fleur said softly.
"It's not a chore, love," Ginny told her, and Hermione kissed her hand.
"I received the monthly letter from Bill," Fleur informed them, "the usual 'things are fine', the ridiculous security at this site makes real communication impossible. It is most vexing."
"Well they certainly can't take the chance of being discovered," Hermione said, "quite apart from the risk from wizards, the muggles in that area are terribly violent and unstable now."
Smithers sent off the amended contract to Bill Weasley with a deep sense of satisfaction. Of course Weasley thought that he would profit by forgoing his bonus for an additional percentage point of the find. Smithers didn't give a damn. The one hundred thousand galleon bonus came from his operating budget, the percentage did not. He really hoped that the find proved vast, because Bill had in effect just given him one hundred thousand galleons.
Smithers wished that he could examine the treasure himself, but the security was absolutely rigid. Until the expedition was complete, everything was beyond reach, and Smithers would go through it all with Bill when he returned. Smithers was happy about that as well, because he had a few points of the find himself, and Weasley's actions were most encouraging. In fact, despite all the security, rumors of the magnitude of the find were circulating throughout Gringots.
"Your Mum is coming to the club Thursday?" Pansy questioned, numbly.
Pansy now regularly spent Sundays at Shell Cottage; the four women had become fast friends, although Pansy always fought the Veela fiercely, often to a draw now.
"Oui, she is looking forward to it," Fleur told her.
"You know she's gonna get hit on, right?" Pansy asked, because she had met Apolline.
"It has happened before," Fleur said serenely.
"We know, Pansy, it freaks us out too," Hermione assured her.
"I'll just tell Millie to double the booze order," Pansy said thoughtfully, "'cause Fleur, love, your Mum is fuckin' hot, especially for a mature type. She's gonna kill them."
"You're not wrong," Ginny agreed.
"My life has certainly gotten more interesting since you two dropped into my joint," Pansy admitted. "I hear the princess, I'll go and get her." Pansy left the sitting room to get Victoire.
"You know," Hermione said thoughtfully, "I never thought that I would count Pansy among my friends, but I really love and respect her. In fact, I can't think of much of anyone that I hold in higher regard. Life can always surprise you."
xxxx
"That's it for this time, Arthur," Pye said as he lowered his wand.
"I'm not gaining on it, am I, Frederick?" Arthur asked him.
"No, Arthur, I'm afraid not," Pye admitted. "We're just about holding our own. These beastly tumors just keep popping up. In fact, I think you'd better come in every fortnight now. And let's just go to twice daily on the strengthening solution, shall we?"
"Oh! Right then," said Arthur cheerfully, "It's an ill wind as blows nobody good!"
xxxx
"Hello darling, did you sleep well?" Fleur greeted Victoire when she walked into the room with Pansy trailing protectively behind.
"Yes. Hi Hermonkey, hi Ginny," answered Victoire. The little girl had by now become used to the presence of all of them. "Papa come home?"
"Not just yet, Victoire," Fleur answered, "Papa is working very hard for us, and he loves you very much."
"Oh. Okay. I want ice cream."
"Not until after your dinner, which is not for some time," Fleur replied. "You may have an apple or a banana if you like, and some juice."
"Banama and grape juice."
"Oh, just hurl," Ginny said in horror. Pansy stuck her tongue out at Ginny, and led Victoire to the kitchen.
"Come, my sweet, we shall get you banana and grape juice," Pansy promised her.
"Well really, can you think of a worse combination?" Ginny asked as she shivered.
"Grape juice and chocolate cake," Hermione answered without hesitation.
"She's right," Fleur asserted.
Apolline arrived late Thursday morning, and she and Fleur, along with Victoire, Ginny, and Hermione, spent an enjoyable day together before Apolline took temporary leave of them to deliver Victoire into the care of Grandpere Delacour, who had insisted that it was his turn.
"I just can't picture your father changing a pair of messy training pants," Hermione confessed to Fleur.
"Nor can he," Fleur assured her, "you may be sure that arrangements have been made for help with such matters."
"Why don't we do that?" Ginny suggested. "I'd pay my share."
Both Fleur and Hermione turned baleful looks on her at that.
"I was just kidding," Ginny told them, almost meaning it. Ginny did in fact like taking care of Victoire. Mostly, and since the Harpies were now out of the playoffs she had much more time to do so. The loss to Ireland had not stung nearly as much as she had imagined.
Fleur's mother returned, and it was time to dress for the club.
Ginny and Hermione were sorting through their closet when a soft knock sounded on their door.
"Come in," called Ginny, and Appoline Delacour entered the room.
"I have been so looking forward to this evening, and I am also very grateful for what you have done for Fleur, and all of us. Please do not worry about my being there with you, tonight I am just one of the girls, n'est ce pas? I know that things are going splendidly with the baby, but, just between us, I simply want to see this, can you understand?"
"Of course we can, Madame Delacour," Hermione assured her.
"Call me Apolline please, at least for tonight. I shall see you soon," and she took her leave.
"I'm wearing slacks and a jumper," Ginny announced "just in case there are hospitals involved tonight. Fleur is likely to pull out all the stops with her Mum there."
"Good idea, " Hermione agreed.
xxxx
"Do not dare to take it easy on me tonight, Pansy," Fleur had written her. "Mere is there to satisfy herself that I am being sufficiently tested, she has trouble understanding how a friend can oppose me with the required vigor. I have of course not told her your reasons. Do your best, as you always have, and 'we shall make such a queen as has never lived,' " Fleur
"As if I'd do any less, mother or no," Pansy had said to the note, but she appreciated it nonetheless.
xxxx
"Oh my word!" exclaimed Hermione, and Ginny let out a low whistle.
"I was expecting it, but I have to say that the two of you together are absolutely lethal," Ginny admitted.
They really were, Fleur and her mother each wore black gowns that were especially made for dancing, although Apolline's did have a bit more material up top. They did not look like sisters, however, they looked like an extraordinarily beautiful mother and daughter happy to be in each other's company.
"I do hope that you will each do me the honor of dancing with me tonight, girls. Since my girls have grown I do not get to very many parties, people my age tend to be rather stuffy."
"Love to," Ginny accepted, "shall we go, ladies?"
Pansy was waiting for them just inside the entrance, and not for the first time Hermione suspected that she and Fleur coordinated their outfits so as to cause maximum mayhem. Pansy's gown was the red of a good wine, and she looked positively regal.
"I thank you for coming tonight, Madame Delacour," Pansy greeted her formally, "and I trust that the evening will not disappoint you."
"As do I, Ms. Parkinson," Apolline said in a tone that while perfectly polite, nevertheless managed to convey her reservations. Pansy smiled a crooked sort of smile, and beckoned for Apolline and her party to proceed.
"Fleur and her friends will show you to your table, Madame. If you will excuse me I shall attend to the wine," Pansy said.
Ginny, who had seen that smile before, felt a flutter of anticipation inside her.
The room had grown tense when Fleur and the others had entered, but when it became apparent that nothing was going to happen for a while as far as Pansy and Fleur were concerned; things went back to normal, more or less. The tension in the air made for brisk sales at the bar.
"This is a nice club," Apolline conceded, "not at all vulgar."
"Thank you," Pansy replied as she returned with the wine, "I hope this meets your approval as well."
Pansy displayed the label to Fleur's mother, and Pansy smiled again at the slight raising of her eyebrows. Pansy was not the daughter of a queen, but she did know wine.
"You do me great honor," Apolline told Pansy, relaxing a bit, "one seldom sees this vintage outside of dusty cellars."
"The grandmother of a queen will not drink a lesser wine in my establishment," Pansy assured her, "not if I am involved."
And so was the promise made. But the steady gaze that held her eyes let Apolline know that this was a woman of pride and character, and so a small smile graced her lips as well.
"My thanks, and may your gracious words prove out."
"Count on it, Madame," Pansy said as she expertly opened the wine. "This should breathe for bit, but I took the liberty of opening another earlier." Pansy gestured and a server brought an identical bottle, which Pansy briefly displayed before she poured and handed the glass to Fleur's mother.
"Exquisite," Apolline declared.
"I have consulted with Fleur on the menu," Pansy told them as she poured for them all. "The first course will be out momentarily. I look forward to dancing with you, Fleur, as always." She inclined her head slightly and left them.
"Mere, you were a bit cold, don't you think?" Fleur asked her.
"We all have our part to play here darling, and I believe that Ms. Parkinson understands that."
The server arrived with the appetizer and Pansy's reputation as a discerning hostess was not diminished by either that or the rest of the meal.
"Superb, now girls, who shall dance with me first?" Ginny rose and took Apolline's hand, and at a signal from Pansy, Christopher started the appropriate music.
By now the patrons of the club were used to special things happening when the music changed, and the dancing they saw now did not disappoint. As predicted, Apolline caused quite a stir in a segment of the patrons, and Hermione had all she could do to claim a dance for herself.
"You mother is a wonderful dancer," Pansy told Fleur, appearing at her side, "but don't you think it's time we showed them all how it's done?" The mist spread rapidly from Fleur as the lights flashed briefly, and Ginny and Hermione escorted Apolline back to the table.
"Her thrall…" breathed Apolline, "so powerful! I never imagined, I've never…"
And then the spot fell on Fleur and Pansy, and the music began.
Apolline watched as raptly as everyone else, and she knew that the struggles that she had been through with her own more traditional Other had been as nothing beside this. And while the overwhelmed and increasingly aroused audience watched the dancing, Apolline watched the battle. She clearly saw what everyone else only fancied that they saw, the blue fire from Fleur's eyes, the golden mist that poured from her like the smoke from a freezing sea, and she saw the answering power from Pansy as the mist divided around her while she sought to assert her dominion over the mythical creature in her arms.
Apolline's proximity did help Ginny and Hermione to stay a bit more clear-headed than usual, and they saw that their worries of a bunch of thralled women mauling Apolline were needless. Nobody was going anywhere this night, and several people appeared to have forgotten how to breathe.
On and on they danced, and when the plaintive cry of the last violin faded away, Fleur was on her knees shivering, her arms wrapped tightly around Pansy's legs while the blood trickled from the scratches on Pansy's cheek.
In all of that room the only person moving was Apolline Delacour, and before the thrall faded she took Pansy in her arms, and kissed her bleeding cheek.
"I will love you forever, Ms. Parkinson," she whispered.
"Call me Pansy."