"Fleur can I speak to you" the blonde haired Veela looked up at the closed door that Bill's voice had travelled through. Releasing Hermione, Fleur sluggishly got off the bed and walked to the door. Opening it she greeted Bill with a tired look.

"Can zis not wait until morning Bill?" asked Fleur. The red head observed Fleur with concern; it was obvious the French woman hadn't been getting enough sleep.

"Fleur you need to get some sleep, you look exhausted" stated Bill. Fleur rolled her eyes as he stated the obvious. Her expression must've been a clear indicator that she was in no mood to discuss her sleeping patterns for Bill quickly changed the topic.

"How is she?" he asked while looking over Fleur's shoulder. Fleur turned her head so she could see Hermione over her shoulder.

"She was 'urt Bill...'urt badly enough zat for a moment I zought zat...zat I was going to lose 'er. Her wounds are deep, I am worried she may 'ave aggravated zem when Dolo'ov..." a cold shiver travelled down her spine at the thought of what that vile man had planned on doing to her.

"But now she is safe and resting" Bill nodded in acceptance.

"Has she said anything about Ron?" he asked quietly. Fleur shook her head and he sighed in frustration.

"I knew it was a stupid question but I...just needed to ask" his explanation made sense to the French Veela. Like any brother should be Bill was worried about Ron and seeing what had happened to Hermione he was justified in his concern. Silence followed his question for a few moments.

"I've contacted Nymphadora Tonks, she and Remus will be here soon so they can interrogate Dolohov..." Fleur nodded in understanding.

"'Ermione cast a memory charm on 'im before you arrived so anyzing recent 'as probably been forgotten" Bill rose his eyebrows at the information but said nothing. He hated the awkwardness that existed between them now. He never should've confessed his feelings towards her. He had done it out of desperation as he watched Fleur prepare to leave the safety of the Order's Headquarters to search for Hermione. A lot of good it did seeing as she still left.

Things had been strained ever since. Bill just wanted to be her friend if nothing else now that he was aware of her and Hermione's relationship but the gorgeous Veela continued to keep him at an arm's length which saddened him. But now was not the time for him to address their relationship, emotions were running high and energy level were low so for now he would keep his distance.

"I just thought I should let you know that they're coming" he explained before smiling weakly at her and turning to leave.

"Zank you" whispered Fleur appreciatively before she stepped back and closed the door. She didn't mean to be cruel to Bill; in all honesty she missed his friendship. But she didn't want to give him any false hope that he had a chance with her. Nor did she want Hermione to get the wrong impression.

Resting her forehead against the closed door Fleur allowed a few tears to escape as she closed her eyes, she was sad for the loss of her friendship with Bill, distraught that Hermione had been hurt and stressed about the entire war in general. People were dying out there, how long would it be until it was someone she loved or cared for?

She missed her family more than anything, they were her support network but they were in a foreign country and in all honesty it made the war easier to bear knowing that at least her family were safe. Something soft brushed against her cheek, wiping away her tears. Startled, she jumped at the contact and turned around.

A sad expression was fixed on Hermione's face as she observed Fleur. She hated seeing the young woman cry; Hermione brushed her thumb along Fleur's cheek to wipe away the tears but more came to replace. Fleur suddenly wrapped her arms around Hermione's waist and buried her head into the crook of her neck. Instead of questioning the blonde like a certain red head she knew, Hermione simply enveloped the blonde in her arms and held her as she cried silently.

She waited patiently for Fleur to calm down. The young Veela had been under so much stress it was only natural for her to cave in and let her emotions out. Hermione had understood why Fleur refused to show her distress to anyone else but her, Fleur was a proud creature and hated to be vulnerable. The only problem was that she kept everything close to her heart and refused to let any of it out until it overwhelmed her.

As Fleur's tears soaked her neck Hermione frowned as guilt clutched at her heart. If she hadn't been so stupid, if only she had listened to her more logical side then she would've stayed away from the house, but because she hadn't she had put Fleur in danger which made her feel physically sick with the guilt. What kind of person put someone they loved in danger?

"I'm sorry..." whispered Hermione softly into Fleur's hair as her own tears started to form.

"...I'm so sorry Fleur for putting you in danger. I shouldn't have come here tonight...I'm sorry" Fleur pulled away from Hermione and looked up at her with puffy red eyes. Hermione detected a small amount of disbelief in those beautiful blue eyes.

"And what would you 'ave done 'Ermione if you 'adn't come 'ere? You could 'ave died tonight and I...I wouldn't 'ave known until it was too late" her words were laced with a sorrow that pulled at Hermione's heart strings.

"You don't understand 'ow it felt to see you...to see you so badly 'urt...I zought zat you were going to die 'Ermione. Ze idea of losing you breaks my 'eart..." the tears were falling faster from her eyes as Fleur spoke while Hermione listened silently.

"I don't know why you 'ad to disappear or what you 'ave been doing zeez last few months...I didn't know whezer you were okay or if you lying somewhere 'hurt...It 'as been driving me mad wiz worry" Hermione listened with a few tears trickling down from her eyes.

"What was so damn important zat you 'ad to leave me behind 'Ermione to face all of zis alone?" the question that Fleur had been dying to ask since she had first saw Hermione that night was finally out in the open. Hermione was struck by a brief bout of indecisiveness but with a steely resolve she didn't care if Harry cursed her into oblivion...Fleur needed to know the truth.

Hermione caressed Fleur's face softly before leaning forward and kissing her just as softly. Pulling back so she could look into Fleur's eyes Hermione was awed by how beautiful Fleur's eyes were. Hermione smiled weakly at her.

"I never should've left you Fleur and for that I can't tell you how sorry I am but I promise I'm going to make it up to you if you'll let me. I love you Fleur Delacour and I never should've hurt you. I'll tell you everything."