AN: Great reviews – they give me giggles and I love to hear suggestions on the direction of the story – it's not always possible to please everyone but I am glad to know that you are enjoying.
AN 2: The chapter title is a Frank Scully quote.
Chapter 16 Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?
Luna and Ginny sat at the kitchen table drinking tea and going over the wards. Ginny's instincts had been right on the money when within 5 minutes she pointed out an improvement to them. Ginny grinned, thanked her and made the adjustment; as soon as she had she could almost feel the magic surrounding the house approve of the change. Ginny marvelled at Luna as the environment seemed to embrace and envelope her. The wards around the townhouse seemed to welcome her like an old friend, responding to her wand flourishes like a cat purring after being scratched behind the ear. The two young witches worked on the wards in silence until they were magically and physically exhausted, Luna and Ginny sat on the couch in the living room for a moment to rest and that is where they fell asleep.
Fleur woke with a start and a gasp. Hermione gently squeezed her letting her know that she was there and Fleur turned to look at her. Reaching a hand up, she tentatively stroked Hermione's face, she was almost surprised that Hermione did not fade at her touch. Fleur relaxed, practically melting into Hermione's arms. Hermione leant forward and gently placed a kiss on Fleur's forehead, smiling at her and gently rocking her. They lay like that for a while, not feeling the need to talk. Exhaustion swept through Fleur and she closed her eyes, content to have her arms around Hermione and feel the brunette's arms encircling her as she drifted off to sleep again.
The next time she woke she was pleased to note that she still felt the warmth of Hermione underneath her. She kept her eyes closed for a moment, savouring the feeling, listening to Hermione's slow deep breaths. Knowing that she was asleep Fleur slowly opened her eyes so that she could stare at Hermione. She examined Hermione's face, for once she looked so peaceful, Fleur was content to note that Hermione was sleeping but not having one of her terrifying nightmares. Fleur smiled as she stroked Hermione's arm, she let her mind wander for a while imagining that they had spent a lifetime together, that here they were in their old age still feeling young and still basking in the glory of their love. Fleur's smile stretched across her face as her eyes drifted shut.
When Hermione woke up the room was dark, they must have slept the entire day away, she looked down, Fleur was asleep though worry seemed to be creasing her brow. Reaching out with her thumb she affectionately rubbed the creases in Fleur's forehead until they disappeared. Satisfied with herself she delicately extricated herself from the bed, working hard so as not to disturb Fleur's rest and silently headed out the door. Hermione silently padded down the stairs, seeing a light under the door, she quietly looked into the living room. Hermione smiled seeing her two friends sound asleep leaning on each other's shoulders. She crept into the room and pulled a throw off of the armchair, delicately placing it over as much of the two forms as she could before leaving the room.
Hermione continued down the stairs and into the kitchen, not really sure what she was doing there. She went over to the floor where Fleur had lain injured just hours ago and crouched down, glancing over at the door where Ron had landed, going over the events again in her head. Hermione closed her eyes, shaking her head as though it would shake the memories right out of her. She stood up and went over to the counter, beginning to prepare coffee because she had discovered that she now took comfort in the smell. Hermione poured the coffee into two cups, placed the cups on a tray then carefully carried them up the stairs, slipping quietly back into the bedroom. She sat the tray with the two cups on the bedside table, leaving the door open so that the soft light from the hallway spilled into the room enough to allow her to see what she was doing.
Fleur stirred on the bed rubbing her eyes and pushing herself up into a sitting position, "Mmm coffee I could kiss you!" she told Hermione. The brunette was grateful for the lack of light as colour flushed her cheeks, she smiled and carefully handed a cup to Fleur. Hermione then took the second cup carefully perching on the edge of the bed she cradled the cup in her hands as she examined Fleur. The blonde raised her cup to her lips and closed her eyes as she savoured the first sip of the drink. She enjoyed the drink, but determined that if she was going to spend any more time with Hermione she would need to teach her how to make a proper cup of coffee. She lowered the cup to the table before lifting her gaze to Hermione, she noticed that her young friend was studying her, trying to calculate what she was thinking most likely. Fleur supposed that Hermione was trying to read her and she supposed that she was doing the same.
"How are you feeling?" Hermione asked finally breaking the silence between the two. She offered Fleur a smile of reassurance as she leaned over and set her cup beside the Veela's.
Fleur returned Hermione's smile but she was suddenly filled with uncertainty, she had been a fool allowing herself to think for a moment that the young witch might actually reciprocate her feelings, surely Hermione was just being nice; the very definition of a good friend when she was hurt and taking care of her. The thoughts seemed to fly through her head like a snitch evading a seeker, and they were echoed by her parent's harsh words about sorting out the mess with Bill. She owed Hermione an explanation, she owed Bill an explanation too. Fleur was having a really difficult time determining which one she should deliver first. As soon as she thought about it though she realised that it would be unfair for her to dump all this on Hermione, it was one thing to confess your feelings when you are laying on a floor with the belief that you are bleeding to death.
"Fleur?" Hermione nudged again, she was starting to panic that the witch had not been healed. Her face told a story of pain and confusion but Hermione could not be sure whether that was down to the fact that she had been stabbed by her brother-in-law or something else. She reached out and took Fleur's hand and waited patiently.
Fleur cleared her throat, "I feel much better, zere is no pain." She told the worried witch and was rewarded with a smile. Hermione was delighted to hear that Fleur was not in any pain and she got up from the bed but Fleur held on to her hand. "Will you stay wiz me for a while?" she asked the brunette. As soon as the words tumbled awkwardly from her mouth she regretted them; she couldn't speak to her and certainly did not want Hermione think that she was weak. It had been really important that Hermione saw Fleur as a strong person who could take care of and protect her, someone that she could trust. Fleur cursed herself for this moment of weakness and prepared herself for rejection from the other witch.
Hermione tried to hide the relief she felt; Fleur wanted comfort from her. Even if it was just as a friend Hermione would be content to give it she thought to herself and she turned to face Fleur. She offered a smile as she climbed onto the bed and sat herself beside Fleur. "I will stay as long as you want me too," she told Fleur and the blonde felt tears spring to her eyes. Hermione saw the tears and pulled Fleur into her arms, making the same soothing sounds that Fleur had offered her at the cabin.
Fleur did not resist Hermione's gentle tugging and laid her head into her friends lap. "I am sorry," she started to say, but Hermione silenced her by placing a finger on her lips. She stroked the blonde's hair out of her face and then rubbed comforting circles on her back. Fleur melted into the soft caresses and wished that she had the courage to tell Hermione how she felt but she didn't and she stuffed those feelings down.
"It's ok Fleur. I imagine that it is quite scary to realise that you were stabbed, but you are safe now and so am I and Ginny and Luna too." Hermione explained. She knew that Fleur was struggling with what to say at the moment so had decided to talk to her until she felt better. This is the same technique that Fleur always used with Hermione and it had worked so she was counting on it working in this situation as well, even if the roles were reversed. "Ginny called Fred and George and they came and took Ron away, I presume they took him to Remus, but I am not really sure. I trust Ginny though so I am sure that it is all being taken care of." She hesitated, "I really thought for a minute that you were going to kill him." She said quietly.
Fleur wiped her face as she listened to Hermione's reassurances. Upon hearing her last statement Fleur whispered, "I really zought I was going to kill 'im too." She let the statement hang there for a moment, she felt she should apologise for trying to kill Hermione's friend but she had no desire too, he had hurt Hermione and for that Fleur wanted to kill him.
Hermione continued her comforting motions with her hand as she rolled Fleur's response over in her mind. Fleur wanted to kill Ron? It did not make sense to her, what could he have possibly done to enrage her so much? She shrugged it off, it was probably none of her business or else she would have told her.
They were interrupted by a timid knock at the door. Hermione turned to the open door and saw the outline of Ginny in the doorway, "Come in Ginny," she responded but did not stop her comforting ministrations with Fleur. She felt Fleur stiffen as Ginny entered the room and leant down and kissed her head reassuringly.
Fleur smiled and slipped off the bed, "excuse moi," she said as she headed into the bathroom closing the door behind her. She sat down on the lid of the toilet, rested her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands. Fleur was a very private person, she hated to have anyone see her crying, strangely she was not so worried about Hermione, but she drew the line at Ginny. She wiped her face and stood, taking deep breaths to calm herself. Fleur flushed the toilet then ran cold water and splashed some onto her face. She stood leaning against the sink for a moment as she stared at her reflection, 'I am strong, I am going to sort this mess out, and I am going to help Hermione' she told herself, she almost believed it as well. Sighing, she grabbed the towel and dabbed her face before folding it neatly and placing it back on the towel rack.
Taking a deep breath she opened the bathroom door and stepped back into the bedroom. Hermione had moved from the bed and was hugging Ginny who was returning the hug. The two stepped apart when Fleur rejoined them but not before Hermione rubbed Ginny's arm reassuringly, Fleur was reminded that Hermione tended to be the strong one in all her other relationships, explaining complex concepts to her friends in a kind way, whether they be academic or emotional. She smiled at the brunette, her heart swelling with pride at the kindness Hermione was displaying.
"Fleur, you must come back to bed, you need a proper rest. It takes a lot of energy out of you being injured to the extent you were, even if you are healed magically, your body still needs time to recover." Hermione lectured her and Fleur bit back a smile.
"Just so," she replied with just a hint of sarcasm. Hermione grimaced at the response, she caught the not-so-subtle hint that Fleur was giving her but folded back the blankets none the less.
"Yes, alright I can see your point Fleur. I will rest if you will." She offered the compromise as she conceded the point that her lecture might have been the slightest bit hypocritical. Fleur sat on the edge of the bed and looked at Ginny, for some reason the red head had found the entire exchange amusing more than anything and she sort of shrugged her shoulders in Fleur's direction.
"You could argue with her, but she will probably win," Ginny told Fleur. The blonde knew that Ginny had the truth of it and she lay down in the bed and let Hermione pull the covers over her.
Fleur turned to Ginny and smiled, "What 'as 'appened wiz Ronald?" she asked the red head.
"Fred and George took him to Remus, when they searched him they found a port key, best we can figure he was trying to get to Hermione to port key her out of here, presumably to the Dark Lord or the Malfoys. He has not said a word, Remus and Tonks are trying to get him to explain why the Death Eaters are trying to get Hermione, they are also trying to get him to tell them why he has betrayed us, but he won't say a word." As Ginny was explaining she was watching Hermione, trying to gauge her reaction. Fleur was sure that Ginny was missing the signs that Hermione was uncomfortable, as they were small and subtle signs; she swept her hair behind her ear, fidgeting with her fingers and was gently chewing on her lip. "They will send an owl if he breaks, Git" Ginny finished.
Hermione smiled at the red head, "Thanks Ginny," she told her and she walked over and gave her friend a quick hug. Ginny smiled at Fleur and then headed out the door. Hermione softly closed the door behind Ginny and then went into the bathroom, turning the light on and partially closing the door. Inwardly she rolled her eyes, it had been years since she had needed a nightlight but she felt that she needed one tonight and thought that Fleur may appreciate one too. Hermione walked back over and got into the bed, placing her wand on the bedside table.
Fleur rolled onto her side and threw a leg haphazardly over Hermione's, resting her head on the brunette's shoulder and an arm across her stomach. Hermione smiled at the action and reached over to gently rub Fleur's arm with her hand as she slipped her other arm around her back. "'Ermione, zank you for staying wiz me today." She whispered and a part of Fleur hoped that the younger witch didn't hear her.
"I love you Fleur, you told me once that you would stay with me as long as I wanted you too. Well the same goes for you. I will be here as long as you want me to be. You are a really good friend to me and I want to be a good friend back. I care deeply about you and I owe you my life several times over." Tears stung Hermione's eyes as she said the words, she meant them from the bottom of her heart and she knew that she would never get anything more than friendship from the French witch, and for the first time she felt that settling for friends might actually kill her from the heart out.
Fleur shed silent tears as she heard Hermione's words; she had been officially friend zoned and she thought that her heart would break. She clung to Hermione as she felt her heart breaking and vowed that she was going to sort this mess with Bill out soon, then they just needed to get Hermione through this Horcrux business, once all that was behind them and Hermione was recovered from her time at the Manor Fleur had decided that she would then confess all her feelings to Hermione and let the chocolate frog cards fall however they will. It was a risk but as her Papa taught her: Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?