Ma Cherie Gabrielle,
How are you doing? How is my nephew? Are you and Armand enjoying parenthood? Thank you for the wine, it was delicious, made me want to come back to France and spend time with the family. How are maman and papa? I bet they're doting on their first grandchild and hopefully helping out so you and Armand can catch up on the sleep that I'm sure you're losing at night! But I know you are loving being a mother, when I saw you holding Émile in your arms after he was born, and my dear brother in law by your side, I have never seen you so content. And I was so happy for you, and, I must admit, very envious! But I know that one day I will have my own family. Talking about having my own family I have something that I have not told you about, I did not want you to have the additional worry on top of being a new mother, because I know you will worry about me even if I tell you not to!
I'm sure you remember Hermione Granger, well, we work together now. We are both teachers at Hogwarts, both new to teaching this year. And it is making life very difficult for me! Before you ask, no, we are not back together again, we have not slept together (I'm well aware of how that mind of yours works, despite that innocent face of yours!) although we did kiss briefly...well...rather I forced a kiss when we were arguing, but that was the only one. My feelings for her had not diminished since I last saw her; I hadn't realised it, but it was it was the opposite! When I saw her when the first day I arrived here in the castle, she literally took my breath away when I saw her! I'm well aware that I sound like some horrific romance novel, but this is what she's somehow turned me into, driving me to behave almost like a teenager. A teenager that I never was, it was always other people who behaved like that towards me! I suppose that's life's way of making things even.
The reason I'm writing this letter to you is because I don't know what to do. There is something about Hermione that makes my brain unable to function rationally. She pushes me away, she feels guilty for breaking up with Ronald Weasley on the night his brother died and she feels responsible for my divorcel. She feels guilt because we both know that we loved each other then, and no matter how you think about it, we both ended our relationships because of the way we felt about each other. And still feel, I think. I don't think that we did anything wrong, yes the time timing was dreadful, but I still believe it was the right thing to do. But unfortunately she doesn't think like that. I think she loves me, actually I know she still loves me, but she lets me in close then runs away, and I just don't know what to do. To make things worse, I think that she may be back together with Ronald Weasley, I saw them together in Hogsmeade, but sometimes I see glimpses of her that make me believe that she wants to be with me. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't understand why she won't be with me if she loves me, could it really be due to her feelings of guilt or is there another reason? I don't know, maybe I'm too French, too much of a veela to understand, all I know is that if love is reciprocated then wild dragons should not stop you from being together.
That is the worse part I think, that she knows that I love her. I can't hide it from her, I'm unable to hide it from her so she knows that it is all up to her. I hate not being in control of the situation, it's not something that I'm used to. I realise that it sounds arrogant, but you know it as well as I do, neither of us have ever had trouble getting the people who have interested us. Until now. After my divorce I tried to forget her you know? But it was impossible, it didn't matter where I went, nothing I did could make me stop thinking about her. When I was in Hong Kong, I remember looking over the city at night, all lit up by the muggle lighting and looking over this stunning cityscape, surrounded by all those people, thinking that I had never ever felt so lonely, all I wished was that I could share it with Hermione. I decided to go to somewhere a bit quieter, decided that I needed somewhere with less people so I went to a remote fishing village in Portugal. There was one day I was on a speedboat (a boat travels very fast using muggle machinery) just skimming over the sea, the sun high in the sky, wind on my face, so far out that the land was just a line in the horizon, surrounded by only water and seabirds, it was absolutely glorious and I felt like I wanted to cry. It didn't matter where I went, I wanted to share it all with Hermione, there was always something that reminded me of her.
If things continue the way they are, I don't think I'll renew my contract next year, I enjoy the teaching, but doing it so closely to her makes it too painful. Maybe I will see if I can come teach back in France, and get to spend more time with the rest of you. Recently I even told myself that as long as she was happy, no matter who it was, that it would be enough for me. And I do believe that, but if she is happy with someone else, I don't need to be here to watch it; people may believe I have a cold demeanour, but my heart is not of ice.
So dear sister, what do you think? What should I do?
All my love,
Your sister Fleur
Fleur,
Look in the mirror and take a careful look at yourself. What do you see? Because from your letter I don't hear my sister, I don't hear the Fleur Delacour that looked out for me and took care of me as we grew up. Do you remember what you always used to tell me? 'If you want something, there's always a way', that's what you said. Are you doing that? It doesn't sound like it, you sound like one of those women in those books, the ones who always wait for their lovers to come to them whilst they act all pathetic and useless. You're part veela, you're a Delacour, but most of all you're Fleur. When have you ever let something or someone get in the way of what you want before? I don't intend to sound too harsh, but if it wasn't for you and your encouragement, I would have never have dared pursued Armand and if I hadn't, we wouldn't be married today and I wouldn't have my son. And so if you love her and she loves you, it's ridiculous that you're almost willing to stand aside.
However, I must admit that part of me is fascinated to see if you like this, maybe it is good for you to feel how others have felt, it almost makes you more human. But you're my sister, I want you to be happy. Next time I see you, which hopefully will be very soon, I want to see you hand in hand with Hermione. I won't accept any excuses.
Love,
Gabrielle
P.S. I hope you like the photos I've enclosed of Émile and the family. However, we are missing photos of you and him together, we can't wait until you come home.
Hermione Granger Confronted By Wrathful Wife
Hermione Granger was confronted with outrage and anger from Ginny Potter in response to news about the affair her husband is having with Miss Granger. The photograph above shows the quidditch player storming out of Hogwarts after her confrontation with Miss Granger. We have been informed that despite many letters of concern sent by worried parents, the school has not taken any action against Miss Granger. One parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, has said that lack of action has been due to the influence of another newly appointed member of Hogwart's staff, Professor Fleur Delacour, who has a long history with Miss Granger.
Miss Delacour, who is quarter veela, is the eldest daughter of the prominent French aristocratic Delacour family. Miss Delacour attended the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic in France where she excelled in her studies, and combined with a natural beauty and grace, was selected to participate in the Triwizard Tournament, where she first became friends with Miss Granger. After graduating Miss Delacour worked in Gringotts Wizarding Bank where she started dating William Weasley, brother of Ginny Potter; the young couple were soon married, but it was a short lived marriage and amidst accusations of infidelity, they soon divorced. Little is known about the activities of Miss Delacour in the years between the divorce and being appointed the Professor of Potions, with many believing she fled back to a lover in France where she was sheltered from the public's eye by her family's wealth and influence. Since being appointed a teacher in Hogwart's, she has become one of the most popular members of staff, her veela thrall making her many a schoolboy's crush.
Public opinion is divided on why she is standing by Miss Granger throughout this tasteless matter. If rumours are to be believed and Miss Delacour's marriage failed due to indescretions on her behalf, it is likely that she supports Miss Granger's actions as she obviously does not value the sanctity of marriage. Others argue that William Weasley developed needs that his wife could not fulfil after he was bitten by a werewolf, and her public support of Miss Granger's actions are in a way an act of revenge against his family. (Story continued on page 2)
Fleur read the newspaper disdainfully, laughing at the audacity of the article in the Daily Prophet. No longer content on just smearing Hermione's name, they seemed intent on trying to ruin her own reputation. She had particularly enjoyed the paragraph which implied that she the failure of her marriage had left her with an ulterior motive for standing by Hermione.
"Fleur," she heard a voice behind her.
"Bonjour 'ermione. 'ave you read the latest article this morning? If not, you may want to avoid it, there are unflattering photographs of us both in it," she grimaced, throwing the newspaper contemptuously onto the table.
Hermione had already read the article, but her eyes were still drawn to the photographs on the front page. The largest was of an obviously angry Ginny Weasley leaving Hogwart's property; Hermione recognised the outfit from what she had been wearing the time she had last seen her. Another photograph showed a younger Fleur, hollow cheeked, eyes blazing fiercely in a hardened face as she saw the photographer before whipping around and striding away; however there was no denying the beauty of the blonde who was even able to exude a powerful intensity and passion in a photograph. There was a less flattering photograph of herself scowling at something, she had no idea when or where it had been taken although she suspected it was at least a couple of years old.
"Fleur, I'm really sorry, I didn't mean-"
"Don't apologise for something you did not do 'ermione. It is not the first time my name has been in the newspapers and I frankly do not care what they say about me. You will always have my support, publically and privately, I will never change that," she said quietly, looking unwaveringly into Hermione's eyes.
Fleur saw Hermione trying not to tear up and she fought the urge take the young woman in her arms. She knew that the past few days had been difficult for Hermione, they had not spoken since the incident with Ginny, but she had spotted the brunette walking around the castle, a harassed look etched on her face. Gossip amongst the students would again be focused on Hermione, and herself, but whilst she felt confident that the article wasn't going to affect her, she didn't think she could say the same about Hermione.
"Hermione, would you like to have...ummm...dinner with me tomorrow night?"
"What?" Hermione was thrown by the suddenness of the question.
"Just so that you can get some breathing space from the students," she replied quickly, heart sinking as the words left her mouth, thinking of the berating letter she had received back from Gabrielle.
"Ermmm..yeah, I'd love to. Thank you."
"C'est bon. I have some ideas about the whole winter wonderland, mystical wintery theme that we want to do for the Christmas ball. I 'ave spoken to the students who are interested in 'elping out and so if you don't 'ave to rush off to prepare your first lesson, would you mind if I quickly went over it?"
"I have ten minutes."
"Ok, that's great."
Fleur reached for her bag and as she rummaged through it to find her ideas, Hermione found herself smiling. Somehow, all her troubles from the past week and all the gossip that she could see was already circulating around the students eating breakfast didn't bother quite as much as it did before.