AN: This one has adult themes from the beginning
Chapter 27 – Scars
Hermione stood looking over her shoulder at the mirror. She could hear Fleur calling her name but for the moment she was ignoring her. Her eyes traced the welts on her back that now seemed like scars of old, but yesterday had been open and bleeding. Hermione bit her lip as she properly examined her body for the first time since Fleur had forced her too at the cabin. It was a mess of angry red raised skin, her shoulder still portraying bruising. Hermione traced her finger along one of the scars no doubt from a lashing, though she couldn't quite remember, but at the end of it were teeth marks, and Hermione remembered good and well how they came to be on her hip.
The creak of the door caused Hermione to whip her head around, a flush spreading across her cheeks as though she had been caught doing something other than a clinical examination of her scars.
"Zey are looking better," Fleur told her, smiling as she wandered over to Hermione and ran her own hand across her back. "Much better," she proclaimed.
"They are hideous," Hermione mumbled as she self consciously tired to pull the towel around her to cover them up. She did not want Fleur to see them; she did not want her to look upon how ugly she truly was.
"Zey are not hideous," Fleur admonished, seeing Hermione's reaction and wanting to nip it in the bud immediately. "Zey are a representation of what you 'ave been zrough, not who you are or how beautiful you are." She explained, "I 'ave cared for each one of zese scars wen zey were wounds, some of zem I can imagine ze cause, ozers I cannot. But what I do know, ze story zat zese scars 'ave told me, is 'ow brave you are, 'ow strong, 'ow stubborn you are and zat makes me admire you. Ze very fact zat you 'ave zese scars and are not a short tempered, angry witch, tells me zat you are remarkable in every way." As Fleur told Hermione this the pads of her fingers lightly skimmed the familiar scars that she had cared for, she caressed them as though they were tender places that needed much love.
"I...um, I never thought..." Hermione stumbled over the sentence as emotion and sensation crashed into her like waves on a beach.
Fleur smiled as she stood behind Hermione, placing one hand lightly on her hip under the towel and another on Hermione's shoulder, she leaned forward and very softly placed a kiss on Hermione's shoulder blade at the beginning of one of the long lash marks. A shudder went through Hermione and Fleur smiled, clearly her lover was feeling better about herself.
"Hmmm?" Fleur asked as she followed the trail of the scar lightly with her lips.
"I mean," Hermione stuttered again and swallowed as her head fell back and she enjoyed the sensation, "I think you should get your...scars out, so that I can have some...perspective." Hermione said with just a hint of playfulness in her voice.
Fleur tried and failed to stifle a giggle as she continued her path of kisses to the centre of Hermione's back, then she gently spun Hermione around, pulling the towel away. Fleur leaned in and kissed the brunette, hands still lightly skipping over the scars on her back as she did so. Hermione's hands were also busy, unbuttoning Fleur's blouse and trying to pull it off. Fleur finally relented and let the blouse slip from her arms, then turned to the side so that Hermione could admire the scars on her shoulder and arm. Hermione licked her lips in anticipation as she looked at the profile of the blonde. She wanted to touch her skin, to kiss it and lick it giving Fleur the same attention that she had just received. Hermione leaned forward and kissed the scars on Fleur's shoulder, wrapping her arm around her and holding on, as though one or both of them might fall.
Fleur let a moan escape from her lips as Hermione unclasped her bra and slipped it off of Fleur, her free hand now gently massaging a breast as her tongue flicked over the mound of scar tissue.
"Ma Petite Loutre, I came up 'ere to tell you zat Luna made bacon." Fleur said in a moment of weakness, she wanted this too badly.
Hermione stepped around in front of Fleur and lowered her lips capturing Fleur's nipple in her mouth, gently rolling it and suckling. She let the nipple slip from her mouth and looked up at Fleur whose eyes were shut and an expression of contentment was spread across her face. Hermione reached up and wrapped her arms around Fleur's neck, grinning she said, "Well I do like bacon."
Fleur's eyes shot open but then she caught the mischievous grin on Hermione's face, she leaned forward and kissed her lover then pulled away, "Oui, if you did not, I would not find you 'alf as attractive as you are," she said nonchalantly and stepped away from Hermione, stooping to pick up her shirt and bra.
Hermione stepped behind Fleur and pulled her towards her, caressing her neck with her lips as she reached her arms around and deftly unbuttoned the top button of Fleur's jeans. "But I like you more," Hermione whispered into Fleur's ear as she slid her hand inside the now open jeans, under her panties and sighed as her fingers found what they were looking for.
Hermione's fingers worked gently but relentlessly as Fleur leaned back against her, one hand reaching back and holding Hermione's head as she moaned at Hermione's ministrations. "I am glad you like me more zan bacon," Fleur said somewhat breathily as she twisted her head around and Hermione kissed her lips, plunging her tongue into her mouth and moaning.
"Merlin's balls I'm gonna go blind!" Ginny shrieked from the doorway as she raised one hand to shield her eyes and used the other to pull the door closed, "Luna says you are to get downstairs and eat!" Ginny yelled through the door.
"We are coming," Hermione yelled as Fleur let out a groan that indicated she was close to doing just that.
"Sweet Circe I think she is!" Ginny said and with a chuckle went back down to the kitchen.
Fleur let out a throaty growl as she completely lost herself to Hermione's touches, her knees went a little weak as she came but Hermione held her while she recovered, gently kissing and nibbling on Fleur's neck.
Fleur turned in Hermione's arms, her eyes ablaze with wanton lust, she kissed her lovers lips hard, taking what she wanted as she pushed Hermione back towards the dresser. There was a desperation in Fleur's kiss the made parts of Hermione tingle, Fleur wanted her. Without breaking the kiss Fleur lifted Hermione onto the dresser, pushing her thighs apart then lightly dragging her fingers tips across Hermione's entrance.
The brunette moaned deliciously as she rolled her hips forward encouraging Fleur to fulfil both their desires. Fleur needed no encouragement and thrust two fingers into Hermione, who closed her eyes and threw her head back, "Oh Merlin Fleur," Hermione's throaty rasps served only to encourage Fleur as she kissed her lover with her lips and her fingers, over and over.
Suddenly Hermione's body stiffened and Fleur felt it like a shockwave travelling through her, she froze and lifted her eyes to examine Hermione's face. The brunette's eyes were wide with fear. Fleur lifted her free hand and gently stroked Hermione's face cupping her cheek and making Hermione look at her, "Ma Petite, you are 'ere wiz me and you are safe," she whispered to her as she pulled her forward so that Hermione's head was resting against her shoulder. While Fleur had not removed the hand which was ensconced within Hermione, she had kept it very still as she comforted her, this entire event was another nail in Bellatrix's coffin Fleur thought.
"You are 'ere wiz me and you are safe and beautiful and I love you." Fleur whispered tenderly as she held Hermione. The brunette relaxed a little and turned her face into the crook of Fleur's neck nervously kissing it. "Mon amant, tell me to stop and I will, you are in control 'ere," Fleur whispered to her and she waited for a response.
"Mon ami, mon bel amant, s'il vous plaît ne vous arrêtez pas, allez lentement," Hermione whispered as she took a deep breath.
If Fleur was surprised that the response had come from Hermione in French she did not let it distract her, she knew that the French was Hermione's way of getting back into the right frame of mind and telling Fleur that she wanted this and so, as requested Fleur moved her hand slowly, loving Hermione tenderly and gently.
After only a moment, Hermione's hips danced in time with Fleur's hand and the blonde looked down at the brunette to find that Hermione was staring up at her. Hermione lifted her head so that she was now just centimetres from Fleur, she smiled reassuringly at Fleur and then leaned in and kissed her, slowly, but lustfully. Fleur fell into the kiss as she built up a steady pace with Hermione, who was holding onto Fleur with hands, lips and the legs that were wrapped around her. Hermione's inner walls tightened as Fleur thrust into her. Her body shook and she released a yell of delight as she came falling forward to rest her head on Fleur's shoulder.
Fleur pulled her hand free, making Hermione shudder a little and then she put her arms around her and held her for a moment. Hermione was almost ashamed to look up at Fleur, but a part of her could not resist it and so she lifted her head from its resting place and looked into Fleur's eyes. Her gaze was met with love, adoration and still some desire. Hermione smiled at her and Fleur leant down and kissed her lips softly.
"I'm sorry," Hermione whispered
"Zat too iz a scar, and I am proud of you." Fleur told her in a whisper.
Hermione whispered back, "Thank you for not freaking out."
Fleur smiled and kissed Hermione again, "You are welcome, but now I am 'ungry for bacon." Fleur said. Hermione laughed at this as she slid off the dresser and grabbed some clothes, pulling them on.
It wasn't until Fleur and Hermione entered the kitchen that they remembered about Ginny. The red head was grinning at them from her seat in front of 4 or 5 bacon sandwiches.
"Oh here they are Luna, look they both came." Ginny said in a sing song voice.
Fleur went red but Hermione went scarlet at the innuendo and they both seemed to freeze in place. Luna looked over at them and winked at Fleur before setting some bacon sandwiches down at their places, "Not to worry Hermione, the thought of bacon gets me going as well." Luna said and Ginny spat out orange juice as she failed to stifle her laughter. At that, the four witches laughed and giggled all the way through breakfast.
"Ginny," Hermione said once all the bacon had been cleared from the table, "I have a mission for you."
Ginny stared at Hermione, wondering what it could be that she could want, "ok."
"I want you to take Harry's invisibility cloak and fly over Hogwarts, it'll need to be high so you don't come in contact with their wards, but I need as many pictures as you can take with a wizard camera." Hermione paused as Ginny absorbed the information she had been given, "It's quite dangerous so I can understand,"
Ginny threw her hand up to interrupt, "I can do it Hermione, I was just thinking that I could attach the cloak to the broom so that only the camera shows up, anyone who sees it will think it's an owl or bird." Then she got to her feet and ran upstairs, leaving three witches at the table.
"Luna, I am going to need your help in the basement I think," Hermione told Luna next and Luna agreed, leaving only Fleur with no solid plan on what to do next. Hermione turned to Fleur but before she said anything Ginny came back into the room in some quidditch practice gear with the invisibility cloak swung over her shoulder giving her the odd effect of making it look like she was missing an arm.
Fleur got to her feet, "I need to make a floo call Ma Petite," she said and the glint in her eye told Hermione that she had a plan.
"Ok darling," Ginny piped up with a huge grin on her face and Hermione inwardly groaned, clearly she had been mistaken when she thought that breakfast was going to be the last she had heard about this.
"Oh I'm sorry Fleur, were you not talking to me? I thought you were, I am getting so confused, perhaps you meant Luna," Ginny said teasingly
"Yes dear," Luna said playing along with Ginny's teasing as she eyed a very embarrassed Hermione.
Fleur rolled her eyes got up from her seat and went over to Hermione, straddled her and then she leant over and kissed her deeply, then pulled away, "We 'ave a problem 'ere Mon amant, I zink your friends want to have sex wiz me," she said playfully.
"Well," Hermione said in a strict tone, "I blame the bacon. Gets a girl going I hear. I think we should put a stop to it. Only one thing for it; ban the bacon!" she proclaimed.
Ginny, Luna and Hermione gasped, "Mon amant such a drastic action!" Fleur said
"You can't ban bacon, I love bacon!" Ginny protested.
Hermione was not sure how at this point she kept a straight face, "Well Ginny I love bacon too, but I love Fleur more, and if this is what bacon does to a girl there is nothing else for it." Hermione said with conviction.
"Mon Dieu,I like et wen you take charge, I could take you right 'ere," Fleur said a little breathily as she stared into Hermione's eyes.
"Quick, clear the table ladies!" Hermione said, the response she got was towels thrown at her and Fleur from Ginny and Luna.
"Does that mean you are going to stop with the teasing?" Hermione asked
"Are you banning bacon?" Ginny retorted.
Hermione raised her hands in surrender, "Ok I get it we could have been more discreet earlier, we just sort of got caught up in the moment." Hermione looked at Fleur who was smiling as she sat on her knee.
"I will stop zis witch from banning ze bacon, if you stop teasing us about earlier," Fleur said.
Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Oh you will stop me?" she said teasingly.
Fleur smiled at Hermione, "Yes, I will," she announced sounding very certain, "I will show you 'ow later."
Ginny and Luna rolled their eyes, "Fine if we can still have bacon then we won't tease you anymore," Ginny relented.
"And next time I will make sure that we are a little more discreet, by say closing the bedroom door and perhaps a silencing charm?" Hermione offered.
They all agreed and that was the matter settled.
"Now, I'm going to go fly over Hogwarts, back soon." Ginny said and she turned and left.
"And I am going to go floo call Victor Krum and speak to 'im about Grindewald." Fleur said and got up and went out to use the unregistered floo.
"And I'm going to sit here and try to decide which is going to kill me, the embarrassment at having sex in front of Ginny or the happiness of being with Fleur." Hermione said in a low voice, almost to herself.
"Dinglehops cause embarrassment you know," Luna said dreamily and she walked over towards the basement door, "and what you have with Fleur is a beautiful thing, nothing to be embarrassed about." She finished with a smile.
Hermione pushed herself to her feet and returned Luna's smile as they both went down to the basement.
It was dark when Ginny returned, dinner had been made and a plate was saved for her as she had missed it. Fleur and Luna had been worried, but not Hermione. She had faith in her friend, and she knew that when she sent Ginny off to take these pictures that the job would be completed right down to the finer details.
While they had waited Luna was set the task of making the potions that would develop the wizarding photographs that Ginny brought back with her, in addition the three witches had set about replenishing their supplies of more practical potions such as blood replenishing potions, calming draughts and some of the more rudimentary 'first aid' potions.
Hermione was gathering up supplies for all manner of things. She had used the goblin made blade to chop up one of the basilisk fangs and had been relieved to see that when she did the blade took the poison from the fang with the first few cuts. Hermione had then made a list of things she would need, including rope, Peruvian instant darkness powder, a potion nicknamed 'pitch' which, alarmingly, Luna had said she had made before and that she could make again easily enough, and a few other bits and pieces as well.
Fleur smiled, she knew that Hermione had a plan and a purpose; she liked to see her lover happy. She had looked over the list and had not seen anything that had worried her, there were a number of weapons and offensive potions, but that was to be expected. Hermione had also enlisted Fleur and Luna's help in transforming the back portion of the basement into two separate rooms. One of which they had fireproofed so that she could practice with 'fiendfyre' and the other contained two cells, two very comfortable cells, but they were cells none the less. Even with magic, it had taken them half the day to make the changes to the rooms, the other half of the day Hermione alternated between coming up with a plan and alternating between offensive and defensive duelling practice, both with a wand and with the dagger.
When Ginny walked in the back door Hermione was shocked at the sight of her. She had frost on her eyebrows, her whole body was shivering and her face had the worst case of windburn Hermione had ever seen but that had not deterred Ginny who had a triumphant grin on her face as she slung her pack down on the table and sank to her knees.
Luna stepped forward to help Ginny but Hermione stopped her, "I will take care of her but I need those photo's developed," she implored. Luna nodded and retrieved Ginny's pack from the table and took it away to the laundry room which had been converted into a dark room.
Fleur and Hermione stepped forward to help Ginny to her feet, "C-c-cold," Ginny stammered.
"Gin! You should have come back sooner you bloody idiot!" Hermione scolded, but Ginny didn't respond.
"Kreacher, a warm bath please?" Fleur asked the house elf who had appeared and was trying to help Ginny as well, with a pop he was gone.
"We need to get 'er upstairs, warm water is ze safest way to warm 'er up." Fleur told Hermione then she cast a featherweight spell on Ginny so that Hermione could lift her.
Once up in the bathroom Hermione was trying to peel off Ginny's clothes, "Non, mon amant, zere is no time," Fleur said and she pick Ginny up from the floor and gently placed her in the tub that was filled with warm but not hot water.
Ginny was making some bizarre gesture with her hands and Hermione raced over to the side of the tub, "Use your words Ginny tell me what you need," she implored her friend.
"B-b-best k-k-keepers gloves," Ginny spoke through her chattering teeth. Hermione rolled her eyes as she carefully peeled Ginny's favourite gloves off. Fleur was trying to peel Ginny's jeans off at the other end of the tub, "You're girlfriend w-w-wants me n-n-naked," Ginny stuttered but when Hermione made eye contact with her to tell her off, she could tell the smile from her little joke didn't reach her eyes and she bit her tongue. "Hermione, w-w-warm me up p-p-please, are you a w-w-witch or n-n-not?" Ginny begged.
Hermione looked to Fleur questioningly, Fleur shook her head and Hermione turned back to Ginny, "Tell you what, Gin, I will defrost your eyebrows for you and as soon as you get a bit of colour back to your skin then we will get you dressed, wrap you in a thick blanket and sit you by the fire with a nice mug of hot chocolate ok," Hermione said with a smile as she shielded Ginny's eyes and poured water over her frosty eyebrows.
"Kreacher," Fleur called as she smiled at Ginny and Hermione, she had given up trying to wrestle Ginnny's clothes off. With a pop Kreacher appeared in the room glancing concernedly at Ginny. "Kreacher I need the salve for burns, a fire in ze living room and some 'ot chocolate, in zat order please." Fleur told the elf.
"Kreacher understands, Kreacher thinks a calming draught as well," Kreacher said knowledgeably, Fleur nodded her agreement and turned back to the two witches, Ginny was crying and whispering to Hermione, who was trying to comfort her, Fleur left to retrieve a blanket and the fluffiest towels she could find.
Moments later she returned with the blanket and some warm clothes, she noticed that Kreacher had left the salve on top of the towels outside the bathroom door; she smiled at him and knocked gently before entering.
Fleur was relieved to see that Ginny had calmed herself and she even had a pinkish colour returning to her. She walked over and stood by Hermione, reaching down and feeling Ginny's temperature with her hand on her forehead, "Well Ginny, you were right about one zing, I do want you naked," Fleur said to Ginny with a smile, "I zink 'Ermione should divesto your clothes zen in a few minutes you should come out of ze bath, and dry off 'Ermione will 'elp you get dressed, ok?" Fleur asked.
Hermione nodded, Ginny smiled, though she was still shivering her teeth has stopped chattering so loudly, "You sure you trust me in here naked with your girlfriend?" Ginny asked jokingly.
"She will just 'ave to try to resist you," Fleur replied, letting the teasing go as she knew it was Ginny's way of coping and it didn't seem to be bothering Hermione. Fleur left the room and went down to the kitchen, 'silly witch!' she thought to herself at Ginny's stupidity for flying for so long, but then if it were Hermione rather than Harry trapped there she supposed she might have done the same. Fleur entered the kitchen and grabbed some marshmallows to drop into the hot chocolate, then went around the house checking the doors and wards.
When Hermione and Ginny entered the living room, the latter wearing two pair of socks, jogging bottoms, a vest, a t-shirt, a sweatshirt and wrapped in a heavy blanket, there were four mugs of steaming hot chocolate sitting on the coffee table and a nice warm fire going. Fleur had left the seat nearest the fire for Ginny, but she had moved it away a little so that she would not get burned. Just as they got sat down, Luna entered the room with a stack of photo's that were pristinely developed and handed them to Hermione who spread them on the coffee table and began to examine them.
Five minutes of silence later and Fleur finally said, "Did you find wat you were looking for Mon amant?"
Hermione smiled and looked up at Fleur, "Yes, you see this here, this corridor, the transfiguration corridor has collapsed and is deserted but there is space for us to get through look, that's our way in just across from the Whomping Willow, and the divination tower here, see anything missing?" she asked excitedly
Fleur looked at the picture Hermione indicated and then shifted her gaze to the other pictures, "Zis tower does not 'ave any signs of being damaged yet ze windows 'ave been boarded up!" Fleur exclaimed.
"Yes! That's where Harry is I am certain of it!" Hermione said firmly. She smiled quite satisfied with herself and told Fleur softly, "Hogwarts is telling me her own story with her scars."