Hey all, I'm very sorry for the long delay. Work finally gave up a little and I found time to write this. I have now deliberately messed up my sleeping rhythm again. Just for you guys. :D
Be very thankful. Dammit :D
Nah, I just feel more productive at night. And I enjoy the silence.
Hopefully you'll enjoy this chapter, read and review if you kindly will. Thank you. :)
Two days later at Grimmauld's Place, Hermione was getting agitated by Ron's constant blabbering about the secrecy that had been going on in the house. When the Order's meetings took place, Ron was out of control; complaining how he should be allowed to know what was going on. Hermione knew how things were; she was curious herself too but knew better she shouldn't be involved. She, however, felt more stuck than she had ever been. Knowing she couldn't pull that many excuses to go to the Diagon Alley again (She had asked Mrs Weasley once; "It's a bit risky to wander around alone these days, your parents have trusted you with us, besides, you'll see your friend when you get back to school, dear.") so she was pacing around her room upstairs weighing her options.
A meeting had just ended downstairs and there was a hushed ruckus going on. Apparently someone, unmistakeably Tonks, had tripped over and woken up Sirius' mother. Ginny slipped into the room, gave Hermione a look that said "You don't want to know." and went straight to bed. Hermione had a plan worked out. She'd wait until Ginny was asleep and sneak out. After what felt like hours she finally heard the familiar muffled snores from the other side of their bedroom. Trying to be as quiet as possible, Hermione changed her clothes and opened the door, hoping its creaks wouldn't wake anyone up and left. She managed to get outside, when a thought struck her; what if the Knight Bus didn't move at night. Thought was soon replaced by a memory of Harry once riding the Bus quite late so she lifted her wand hand and got on the bus.
Standing outside Fleur's doorstep she hesitated to knock. Noticing a faint light coming from the gap under the door she decided it was safe to knock without waking her up. She heard Fleur walking towards the door after she had knocked and her spirits lifted.
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Fleur had had a rather uninteresting day at work. Her thoughts were set on one particular girl who had paid her visit couple days ago. She didn't really regret moving to Diagon Alley but couldn't help feeling a bit lonely. Lots of people recognized her and greeted her when she walked around but nobody ever stopped for a longer conversation. She had noticed Bill Weasley at work who had given her a flirting smile but she didn't pay that much attention to it, he wasn't the first or the last guy who had flirted with her.
Later at night she was unpacking the last one of her cardboard boxes; she preferred to do it the slower way. She found a photo album and flipped through the pages of smiling family members and friends. Her eyes started to burn. She couldn't hold back the tears much longer so soon they were streaming down her cheeks. She had always dreamt of moving out of home but never imagined it would feel so lonely. The place where all her things were now didn't feel like home at all. It was cosy; she had to admit but still didn't have what it takes. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Fleur hurriedly wiped the tears off her face and hoped her eyes wouldn't look too puffy.
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Hermione's wide smile soon disappeared when she saw the girl who had opened the door. She knew something was wrong with her; she had obviously been crying.
"Fleur, are you ok?"
"I… I just…" she managed to say before the tears broke out again. Hermione embraced her tightly. While sobbing against the neck of her only real friend around, she added through her sobs, "I feel so… sob… so lonely."
"Shh… I'm here now," Hermione whispered and stroked the blond hair. She slowly guided the sobbing girl away from the doorstep to the couch and sat down. While staring at Fleur, Hermione wished she could stay with her longer than just for the night. She knew she didn't have that much time left as it was a bit past midnight already. She'd have to get back before everyone back at Grimmauld's Place would wake up. Feeling sorry about having to leave Fleur behind she felt a tinge of guilt; Fleur probably came there because she wanted to be closer to her. She hadn't asked her to but somehow she felt responsible. She decided not to bring this subject up right now and make Fleur feel even worse. So she stayed quiet and continued caressing the girl who had calmed down a bit.
"Would you like to 'ave some tea, 'ermione?" Fleur asked after a while.
"Yeah, but I can make it; you just stay here," she said and stood up. Hermione picked up a blanket resting on the bed and covered the puffy eyed Fleur.
"Merci."
Hermione put the kettle on and returned to the couch. She tried to think of a careful phrase to express her earlier thoughts.
"So, er… You haven't made any new friends at work yet?" She asked cautiously.
"Non, but ze Weasley boy was flirting with me today," Fleur smirked.
"You were flirting with Bill?!" Hermione nearly shouted, unintentionally; she didn't mean to sound so judging.
"Oh, non non non, 'ow do you say; 'e was flirting but I wasn't."
"Oh, I see. Well, that's nothing new. I mean, the guys flirt all the time and especially around you, so," Hermione said trying not to sound jealous.
"I wouldn't like to play with 'is feelings nor yours, 'ermione," Fleur said seriously.
"Play with my feelings?"
"'Ermione, please. Don't misunderstand everything I say. Why do you always assume it's ze worst possible option when I say something?" Fleur felt frustrated, "I mean if I flirted with Bill you would feel 'urt. I'm right or non?"
"Well, yeah, that's probably how I'd feel. Though I couldn't say anything about it since we're not together anymore and you're free to flirt with anyone you want to. I've got nothing to say to the things you do," she responded feeling a bit offended. This just added to her guilt.
"I'm still very stuck with you, 'ermione. And I can't say I 'ave a problem with zat." Fleur grabbed Hermione's chin between her thumb and forefinger, turned her head and placed a light kiss on her lips. "Ze tea is ready, I think."
Hermione gave Fleur a smile and got up to pour some tea for the both of them. They then sat in silence blowing in their tea to cool it down a bit and enjoying each other's company. Hermione loved the fact that these kind of silent moments weren't awkward at all.
After finishing her cup of tea Fleur placed the cup on the floor. She waited for Hermione to finish hers and took it from her and placed it next to her own, "You know what I would like to do now, mademoiselle Granger," she purred as she pressed her body against Hermione's. She shrugged the blanket off and ran her fingers through the curly locks of brown hair, "It's getting rather warm inside zis blanket."
"Is it now?" Hermione asked teasingly, "I think I may have too many layers of unnecessary clothing on."
Fleur got up and pulled Hermione up and started undressing her. The heat was building up and soon they were both naked wrapped around each other on Fleur's bed.
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After a few hours of reminiscing each other's curves and weak spots, they laid cuddled and silent, letting the breathing settle down. Hermione took a quick look at the time and jumped up. She started putting her clothes back on.
"I need to get back."
"I was 'oping you would stay a bit longer," Fleur mourned; pouting.
"Sorry, but that really doesn't work now, I have lots of explaining to do if I get caught," she said with a saddened tone.
"But… I will feel lonely again. It's so empty 'ere without you."
"Fleur, please, don't blame this on me. I'm very pleased that you came all the way here, but I can't be with you every second. I'm sorry but I don't know what you expected of me. I just… If you're not happy here I understand if you go back," Hermione poured her heart out.
"Zat's not what I…"
"Are you happy?"
"Zat's not ze point. I am 'appy but…" Fleur felt perplexed at this sudden change of subject.
"If you want to stay here you need to make new friends and not sit around here doing nothing. My school starts soon, I can only visit during holidays, if even then it's possible."
"I understand zat, I just meant it'd be nice if you could stay; I know you can't."
Hermione didn't respond. There was a moment of silence, Hermione could feel Fleur's eyes burning against her back but she didn't turn to look at her.
"I need to go, see you later," Hermione said quietly. She walked straight out of the door and didn't stay to hear Fleur's response. She walked fast and didn't stop before she got outside The Leaky Cauldron to the streets of London.
The rain was starting to fall down and she noticed tears burning in her eyes. She regretted being so straightforward with Fleur but also felt a bit relieved that she got everything out of her chest.
Hermione kept walking the silent streets barely noticing the rain falling down on her. She had some sort of an idea which way she should be heading to get to the Grimmauld Place. By the time she finally found the right street corner, all her clothes were soaking wet. The rain had stopped and the glow of the morning sun was visible behind the houses at the other end of the street. Hermione sneaked in as quietly as she could and managed to reach the bedroom she was sharing with Ginny.
When she opened the door she met a sight she wasn't expecting.
Ginny sat awake staring at the soaked girl with a concerned look on her face.
Mwaaah, so yeah. As expected, again, I might not update so fast.
Give me some time, please T-T
I'll update eventually, patience my friends, patience. -.-
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(There's no such thing as review-receiving-OD…)
Thank you. :)
