FALLING INTO SIN
FD/HG
SUMMARY: Sometimes all you need is to just let it all go. "Is this our fate? Where do we go from here? It's hard to fall apart, but I'll take my chances and try to make it happen. I'll let you keep my heart..."
A/N: Thanks goes to all those who took their time to read and review. ^_^
Read it. Praise it. Flame it. Burn it.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything because if I did, Fleur and Hermione will end up with a happily ever after. Lolz. ^_^
Two
Stupid, stupid, stupid! Hermione thought fiercely. She was pacing back and forth inside the common room, much to Ginny's amusement whom she knew was watching her with interest, wondering what has gotten into the brunette. Hermione froze when she heard the faint boom of thunder in the far distance, but not loud enough to make her react the way she had reacted earlier. A scene which she so wishes she could forget. If only she had the time-turner again, then maybe she could have warned her past self to get out of the library before things happened. But then again, it's too late to think about such things.
"'Mione what has gotten into you? You're acting more insane than usual," Ginny said, half-joking taking note of Hermione's bushy hair which was all over the place than usual, like the brunette had been tearing her hair out for the last half hour when she was pacing the common room.
Hermione turned to face Ginny with a wild look in her eyes. She made a small huffing sound then went over to where Ginny was sitting and plopped herself on the chair opposite her only female bestfriend. She sat down as if defeated.
"Oh! I did something stupid Gin!" Hermione wailed smacking her forehead as if to reiterate a point.
"Ok," Ginny said still with an amused look on her face. "Well, if this helps, the Hermione I know doesn't make stupid decisions and doesn't do stupid things."
"As much as I would like to take comfort in your words, Gin, I am only fourteen years old and I do stupid things."
"Right, but how am I suppose to know what you're on about exactly? You made my head spin with all that pacing. It was a bit funny though."
Hermione just looked at Ginny with an incredulous look. "Oh! So Harry hadn't let it slip then." Hermione said with a sort of relieved sigh.
Ginny just smirked. "Which bit 'Mione? The bit about what he saw shortly after after the second task or the bit about you liking a certain blonde—"
"Shhhh!" Hermione interrupted quickly scanning the room if someone had overheard, (thankfully there was no one in the common room except for a few older students who were busy with their studies as most of the students was down in the Great Hall for dinner,) her short lived relief quickly turning into a horrified expression. "I can't believe Harry told you that!"
"He didn't tell me anything," Ginny said, defending her sort of boyfriend, (sort of because their status is still quite unknown for the youngest Weasley.) "He let it slip more like, and I do have my ways to wheedle out information." Ginny finished with a mischievous smirk on her face very much like her two older twin brothers.
Hermione slumped down on her chair. "You would hate me if you knew what happened between me and Ron just this afternoon."
"Was my brother being a git again?"
"He was! He was still going on and on about Viktor and I have had it with him!"
"He was being a git then, but why would you say that I would hate y—"
"Wait, let me finish," Hermione interrupted. "He sort of admitted that he likes me (or rather loves Hermione,) and I just can't, I don't know if I can like him back."
Ginny just looked at Hermione with a dumbfounded expression. "Well, about time!"
"But Gin, don't you see? I can't."
"Because you like this certain someone and for all we know this someone is just playing you for a fool. And don't forget didn't you just say that she makes your blood boil whenever she's in near proximity."
"I know, but Gin she saw me."
"Saw you?"
Hermione nodded. "She—in the library. Just before the storm, there was lightning and thunder but she didn't laugh at me, the way you lot did when you found out about that small quirk of mine, she held me and I felt safe. And for all I know, she's looking through my book now." Another horrified expression.
"Book? You're book?"
Yes, Gin, my book."
"Bloody hell, that is stupid. Why would you give her your book?"
"I did not give her my book. I had to leave my stuff. It was already mortifying as it is."
Ginny just smirked. "Just for the record, I don't hate you 'Mione."
"Why?"
"This is an exciting time in our lives!" Ginny stood up and sat down on the armrest of Hermione's chair. Hermione just look up at youngest Weasley with a dubious look on her face.
"Exciting? How?"
"Look at it this way, this is the time in our lives where we get to experiment."
"She is not an experiment, Gin!"
"Well maybe experiment is not the right word, but this is the time where we should try new things. And if this ends up badly, you know that there are a lot of us who has your back."
"Are you telling me to go for it?"
"Yes, Ron will always be Ron. And I won't think it weird that you get together with another girl."
"Thank you, but this is insane. I just want my book back."
"For all we know, maybe she left your stuff with Madame Pince at the lost and found section of the library." Ginny then stood up taking Hermione's arm and pulling her up.
"Why do I highly doubt that? And where are we going?"
"Dinner, silly! Aren't you hungry, because I am."
Hermione was in a right state of mind early that Monday morning when she left the library. Yes, most of her stuff was indeed in the Lost and Found section (Ginny was partly right) but the one thing that mattered most wasn't there. There is only one conclusion that she could arrived to, Fleur had taken it. Her book. Now this was personal and this was taking this too far, luckily she had a free period this morning just before charms class and whether she wanted a confrontation or not she just had to get her book back.
Hermione then headed off towards Hagrid's hut where she knew the Beauxbaton's carriage is parked just a few yards away. It was a beautiful crisp morning, a little cold since it was just after a storm. The birds chirping merrily and when she reached the Beauxbaton's carriage she wasn't particularly sure if she should just knock and ask to see Fleur. Her Gryffindor courage faltering a bit. Now this was her dilemma, she had no idea where the Beauxbaton students were taking their classes. Sure she saw them during mealtimes at the Great Hall, but where exactly are they conducting their lessons? Well, the only way to know is to just go over there and ask. Steeling herself, she was about to strode over at the carriage when the doors burst open.
"Eek!" Hermione blurted out in surprise (sounding more like a scared mouse), she abruptly turned around losing all her nerve and headed towards Hagrid's hut where she knew she could recollect her wits and plan this out more thoroughly.
She was walking briskly now, not caring if the Beauxbaton students saw her or whatever. She almost froze when she heard somebody called out her name. But her annoyance won out so she just kept walking as if she didn't hear anything.
"'Ermione? 'Ermione!"
She knew that Fleur was after her. Just go away! Hermione thought fiercely. I will confront you on my own terms!
"Stop before I stun you!" Fleur shouted after her.
This time Hermione froze for real. She wouldn't dare, would she? Oh that's it! Her annoyance finally winning out she spun around and gave Fleur the most angry glare she could muster. She plunged her hand inside her robe pockets gripping her wand just in case and stomped back towards the french witch. Hermione relaxed her grip on her wand when she saw that the veela had her arms cross across her chest wand free. But it still did nothing to abate her anger.
"Where's my book?" Hermione demanded.
"I 'ave every intention of returning zat to you after you answer a few of my questions."
"You are in no position to even ask me questions! Just give me my book!" Hermione said her temper was really rising now. But Fleur just kept her cool, choosing to ignore Hermione's growing temper.
Fleur uncrossed her arms and then leaned down just so only Hermione could hear.
"As much as I find you really beautiful when you're angry, I think, you would rather have our conversation private."
It was then that Hermione notice Fleur's Beauxbaton's classmates still standing there. She did not know if they stopped to wait for Fleur or if they heard her shout about Fleur stunning Hermione. Apparently this was an interesting scene to watch for a few of the girls were tittering as if they find this scene romantic. Hermione's expression turned from angry to mortified then back to angry again.
"Fine," Hermione said through gritted teeth. "A little privacy then."
Fleur straightened up then turned to her classmates and said something in french which Hermione understood through her rudimentary grasp of the language as, "You go ahead, I'll catch up with you."
Hermione watched the group leave and some them Hermione could swear was giving Fleur a thumbs up or an encouraging smile and this infuriated Hermione even more.
"Just what the bloody hell was that about?" She asked.
"I 'ave no idea myself, but I am taking zat as something positive. Zey like you 'Ermione as much as I do."
"What?"
"Did you not 'ear me?"
"I heard you fine. What I don't now is what kind of game are you playing, and I don't even want to know. Now, where's my book?"
"Eet ees a beautiful book."
"You did not answer my question, where is my book?"
Fleur just laugh, her beautiful tinkling laugh like wind chimes. "You really are beautiful when you're angry. But you agreed to answer my questions first."
The flattery wasn't lost on Hermione but she just dismissed that thinking that this was just another ploy for Fleur to catch her off guard the way she did last time. "I never agreed to that."
"Yes, you did."
Hermione was getting tired of this so giving in even though she knew (she was never wrong, mind you) she did not said yes, she just finally gave a scoff.
"Fine."
Fleur smiled. It was beautiful, Hermione thought. But oh, how she loved and hate it at the same time. Love Fleur's smile? Wait a minute. Stop right there 'Mione, you came here to get your book back.
"You 'ave been avoiding me," it wasn't a question yet, so Hermione just stayed silent. "Why wouldn't you just say zat you don't like me we could 'ave both avoided zis whole confrontation altogezzer?"
"I never said I liked you," Hermione said. Was she that obvious to the french witch? She shuddered inwardly.
"Oui, but you do not need ze words to say zat you do."
"Alright, fine. I don't like you, now will you give me my book back?"
"No."
"That is stealing!" Hermione flustered.
"I will only give you ze book eef you give me a truthful answer."
"Now that is too many conditions and I'm also considering blackmail."
Fleur laughed again.
Now, Hermione just have had enough. She'd rather be embarrassed now with this one person rather than be embarrassed to the whole school if said book got into the wrong hands, mainly Slytherin hands, she would never be able to sleep well knowing that her book is not with her. (Of course, Hermione didn't know that Fleur would never let anything happen to it now that the French witch has seen it.)
"Ok, fine! I like you, now will you give me my book back?" Hermione said all this now going very red in the face.
"No, I think I'll hang on to it for just a little while." Fleur said in a teasing manner.
"What? That is so unfair, Fleur!" It was then that thankfully the clock bell had started chiming signifying the hour for the next period. "This is not over," Hermione hissed. And she stalked off back towards the castle leaving Fleur, with a satisfied smile on the french veela witch's beautiful face.