JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.
Thanks for being patient with me, I've been studying for an exam and recovering from a failed attempt at water skiing. By the way, Ron won't be coming back until after Malfoy Manner. Thank you for all the people who reviewed, alerted and favorite this story. This chapter is more of a plot move along. It contains the events of malfoy manner. I hope you all enjoy the chapter-Lark
It wasn't clear who broke away first, all Hermione knew was that she hadn't felt so happy and light since before leaving Hogwarts. She began to laugh as she brushed water off Fleur's shoulder; they were half submerged in the stream, cool water lapping against their legs. "We appear to be a little wet," Hermione chuckled. Fleur leaned in again so her lips were against Hermione ear, "Well," She laughed huskily, "I know I am."
Hermione blinked in surprise and shoved the Veela's shoulder lightly; in her time away from the French witch she had forgotten just how forward Fleur could be. "I have missed your blush, ma chaton," Fleur smiled, placing a gentle kiss on Hermione's forehead. "You always could make me blush," Hermione smiled, leaning her head against Fleur's neck. "Should you get back to the tent?" Fleur asked, though she made no indication of moving. "There is no 'you' if I go back, you have to come with me," Hermione frowned, standing slowly, up to her ankles in the stream. "I thought you did not want me with you, ma chaton," Fleur smiled ruefully. "I'm selfish," Hermione murmured, "But I miss you too much to send you away."
"Do not fret for me, ma chaton, I wasn't going to leave anyway," Fleur smiled, burying her nose contentedly in Hermione's soft golden hair and re-familiarizing herself with her young love's unique scent. "Well, Ron did," Hermione sighed.
"Merde," Fleur hissed.
"It's complicated," Hermione murmured, "Come on, we need to talk to Harry." She placed her hand in Fleur's; irrationally she hoped she'd never have to let go again.
Harry was less surprised than Hermione had expected, if anything he looked a little smug. "I knew you would find us," He smiled, "I didn't know how, but I knew you would."
"I gave 'ermione a ring, so I would not loose her," Fleur informed him.
"A ring, eh?" Harry smirked.
"Not like that, Harry," Hermione blushed.
"Does anyone else know you're here, or how to find us?" Harry frowned, changing the topic to a more serious tone. "Of course not," Hermione responded, glancing at Fleur who was still silent. "Fleur?"
"There are a troupe of Veela Elise sent to retrieve 'ermione," Fleur admitted.
"What?" Hermione gasped.
"Elise believes that in order to win the war Harry must survive," Fleur frowned, "She feels that in order for you to succeed you will need both 'ermione and Ronald."
"Who's after us?" Harry scowled.
"Don't say Melody," Hermione interjected hurriedly.
"I'm sorry, ma chaton," Fleur frowned.
"Will she be able to find us?" Harry frowned, tone calm.
"Most likely, she has 'ermione's scent," Fleur ground her teeth.
"Than we keep moving," Harry decided, "Should she find us?"
"Than you would be taken back to the city and kept safe until such a time that Elise feels it is optimum for you to leave."
"She doesn't know about the Horcruxes," Hermione murmured.
"Horcruxes?" Fleur frowned.
"A soul split and hidden inside objects," Harry explained.
"You need to destroy them?" Fleur guessed.
"Yes, which is why we can't afford delays," Harry nodded, pacing slowly around the entrance to the tent. "Than we shall need to keep moving," Fleur sighed.
"Elise must have offered Melody something," Hermione scowled, ignoring Harry's reasoning.
"Ma chaton," Fleur's expression softened. Harry placed a warm hand on her shoulder and surveyed her with liquid green eyes, "Just another person to the list we're running from 'mione," He smiled.
"When there's trouble why are we always involved?" Hermione sighed, a small smile lifting her lips. "I've been asking myself the same thing for years," Harry laughed. "I'll go get some tea, Harry, can you explain how far we've gotten on the hunt so far?"
"Sure, it shouldn't take long," He sighed, Hermione felt bad. She may have been back in the arms of the woman she loved, but Harry was still miles away from the girl he loved.
With Fleur
Fleur watched Hermione vanish inside the tent, torn between smiling and frowning. "You really love her," Harry smiled.
"Of course," Fleur chuckled quietly, "Did you ever doubt it?"
"Honestly, yes," Harry admitted, "After you and Bill broke up and you came to Hogwarts Hermione was…tormented for a fair time. You were the tormentor, were you not?" He guessed.
"I-" Fleur hesitated; she wasn't sure what to say.
"How did you end up in love?" Harry frowned, he was being careful, though he was clearly curious. Fleur resisted her instinct to smirk. "I don't know," Fleur admitted, "Veela are often attracted to people who don't submit to our will, as is the case with Melody."
"Oh," Harry's eyes widened with understanding.
"I couldn't tell you the point where it switched, it just happened," Fleur admitted, smiling slightly as she remembered the first time Hermione had kissed her back.
"I know what you mean," Harry smiled wistfully, rolling his wand between his hands. "I'll look after her," Fleur promised him after a minute of silence.
"I know, not that she really needs protecting," Harry laughed.
"Sometimes she does, she just doesn't know it," Fleur laughed. Fleur gazed out at the trees; they were silent, almost unnaturally so after being in the deep forest near her city. "Ronald, he is in love with her, no?" Fleur guessed, her voice was calm but it contained a deadly undercurrent. "I suspect so," Harry allowed.
"Does she love him? At all?" Fleur asked softly.
"As a brother, certainly, but even when he left when she was upset, she was always thinking about you," Harry half smiled.
"That shouldn't make me happy," Fleur chuckled.
"I know why it does," Harry laughed as Hermione re-appeared with mugs. A look of concentration was painted on her face but she broke into a smile when she spotted Fleur's gaze on her. Fleur winked languidly at her, her heart was singing happily. She didn't know how she had survived without Hermione.
With Hermione
Fleur winked as she approached as she blushed before breaking into a smile. She passed Harry his tea and settled beside Fleur who wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Hermione breathed in Fleur's sweet scent as she leant against the Veela who felt more like home than even Hogwarts had managed. "How many Horcruxes are there?" Fleur sighed, taking a mug of tea from Hermione.
"Seven," Harry sighed.
"You've found?"
"Three, a diary, a ring and a locket," Hermione summarized.
"He split his soul seven times?" Fleur shuddered.
"Yes, two would be bad enough," Hermione shuddered.
"Your soul is in two, ma chaton," Fleur smiled.
"How so?" Hermione frowned.
"Veela's are unique in the sense that they have half souls, they find their mates because they possess the other half of the soul that makes them whole," Fleur explained. "You think Hermione is the other half of your soul?" Harry smiled.
"I am only a quarter Veela, it is more likely our souls are just attuned," Fleur laughed as Hermione blushed again. "Well you still have more soul than Voldemort," Harry joked.
"No!" Fleur cried, bolting to her feet as a crack was heard outside, "There's a taboo."
"Come out, we know you're in there," Coarse voices called from outside the tent.
"There's a curse on the name that can be traced, it breaks wards," Fleur hissed, gripping Hermione's arm tightly and pulling her away from the entrance. It was clear that her priority was Hermione; Harry would be left to his own devices.
Hermione shoved her expanded bag down her boot as the first snatcher entered the tent. Fleur pushed the younger witch behind her, her eyes glinting a fierce yellow. Hermione stepped around Fleur and pointed her wand at Harry, "Fodio," she cried as a jinx flew at her face, but Fleur blocked the shot. Harry crashed against a wooden bench as a jinx hit him. Hermione rushed over, blocking a purple streak of light as she moved. She was aware Fleur was close behind her as she could practically feel the Veela breathing on her neck.
Hermione reached Harry, his face was unrecognizable, puffed up and distorted, when she heard Fleur fall behind her. She spun to help the Veela was met by a jinx that hit her full in the chest. A pain radiated up her legs as she gasped for breath, Fleur's blue eyes met her golden eyes with a look of great concern. Rough hands gripped Hermione's upper arms as her hands were lashed to Fleur's. Harry was added to the bundle and they were, shove, kicked and pulled out of the relative safety provided by the tent. They were lashed to another group of people tried together like animals for the slaughter.
"Who do we have here?" A man leered, a toothpick clenched between yellowed teeth. "Blood status and name," He demanded.
"Vernon Dudley," Harry replied, "Half blood."
"Half blood eh? You look Hogwarts age, house?"
"Slytherin," Harry replied.
"Funny how they all think we want to hear that," Another snatcher chuckled.
"It's under the lake so the lights are all green," Harry replied.
"Well, what do you know, we might have a real Slytherin," He chuckled, "All right, you," Hermione received a kick to the side.
"Penelope Clearwater, half blood," She stammered.
"What about you, darling," He leered at Fleur and Hermione kicked his shin. She blinked; she wasn't usually the jealous type. "Wait on, wait on," One of the lesser snatchers interrupted, "Ain't that the mudblood said to be travelling with Harry Potter?" He asked, gazing at Hermione.
"That would make ugly here Potter?" The leader scoffed, "Well then, come on lads, let's bypass the ministry. He has a reward on his head that would let us live comfortably."
The men cried out excitedly and they were yanked roughly to their feet. It was then Hermione realized that there was a goblin in the group. Her only comfort was that Fleur's smooth skin was rubbing against her arm. The apparition came unexpectedly and Hermione was left gasping for air, her eyes streaming. "Are you all right, ma chaton?" Fleur asked, her voice slightly raspy, like the first words spoken after a hang over. "Shut up!" A snatcher snarled as they were hauled towards a dark gate. They were dragged up a curving driveway, Hermione stumbled and skin was taken off her ankle. Fleur hissed as if she too could feel the pain.
The manner before them held a kind of cold, aloof grace; the marble intricately carved in the shape of snakes. Hermione thought it almost could have been a comment on original sin. Maybe that was just her muggle upbringing. It was far more likely that this was the home of a pretentious, prideful Slytherin. The snatcher knocking on the front door created an ominous boom. "What is this?" A cold voice demanded. The voice managed to be both carrying and feminine and vaguely familiar.
"We've got Potter!" The lead snatcher crowed.
"What do you mean, 'got Potter'?" She demanded; Hermione craned her neck to catch a glimpse of a reserved woman with startling blonde hair. Hermione recognized Narcissa Malfoy with a sense of doom. The group was rotated so Harry could be shown to Narcissa. "Bring them in," Narcissa decided, opening the door for them. They were shoved through the gap and Hermione tripped, sprawling on top of Fleur. "Cissy, what is going on here?" A cold, high voice demanded.
Hermione shivered and Fleur kissed the skin exposed on Hermione's shoulder. "You'll be all right, I won't let you be hurt," She promised.
"I wish you could guarantee that," Hermione whispered back. Heels clacked against marble and Hermione gazed past Fleur's corn silk hair to see the manifestation of a nightmare; Bellatrix Lestrange. "No, surely not," The dark witch gasped, eyes fixed on Harry.
"That's right ma'am, we got 'im," The snatcher crooned gleefully, "We want the reward."
"What do I care for rewards?" She demanded, "I care only for his approval."
"We just want it to be known that we found 'im," The snatcher shrugged.
"Fine, you will got your reward, I will call the Dark Lord," She beamed.
"No," A deeper male voice intervened, "This is my house, I will call him."
Silence reined, Hermione couldn't see what was going on but her fear intensified when she heard Bellatrix's sharp gasp. "Where did you get that?" She growled, a savage sounds, like an animal coiling for attack. Hermione turned her head to spot Bellatrix holding the Gryffindor sword. "I found it, I reckon it's mine," He shrugged. "Lucius, do not call him!" She hissed, "More than you know will be at stake if you do."
"The money-"
"Out!" Bellatrix screeched, cutting off the snatcher. They fled, fearing the insane witch's future actions.
Bellatrix stormed over, Hermione could sense her presence above them and she shivered. "This is Granger is it not?" She asked, her voice husky, dangerous.
"We believe so," Narcissa replied.
"Good. Put the other's in the cellar, I'm going to have a chat to the mudblood, girl to girl," Bellatrix sneered. The bond around her wrist was slashed and she was pulled upwards, nails digging into her skin. "No!" Fleur cried, her voice pained and horrible. Bellatrix chuckled darkly, "What do we have here?"
Bellatrix knelt down; dark nails digging into the smooth skin of Fleur's cheek. "Could it be possible that the half breed has feelings," Bellatrix forcefully turned Fleur's head so she could see Hermione's tormented expression, "For the mudblood?" Hermione and Fleur remained silent, their eyes fixed to the others.
"Well this is perfect!" Bellatrix cried. Hermione desperation grew as the others were pulled away from her; only Fleur remained, at the hands of a sadist.
"Well what do we say, shall we torture the mudblood or the half breed?" Bellatrix sneered. "Don't you touch her!" Fleur snarled, her usual calm slipping as her eyes flashed a dangerous yellow, a sign of her protective Veela side was taking over. "That decides it then," Bellatrix clapped her hands like a delighted child, "Tie up the Veela, she can watch."
Hermione remained silent, though Fleur's eyes were imploring her to do anything to prevent what was coming. Hermione remained silent, if Bellatrix didn't torture her she would move on to Fleur and Hermione knew she couldn't watch that. Bellatrix's claw like grip pulled her back against a wall. Her head smacked back against the marble and her head throbbed dully. "Now, tell me, how did you get into my vault?" Bellatrix hissed, her rancid breath washing over Hermione's lips.
"Vault, we didn't go into any vault," Hermione stuttered, trying to squirm away from the vile woman. "Now that is a pity," Bellatrix grinned, "Crucio."
Hermione screamed, her back arching as she slid to the floor. "No!" Fleur screamed. Bellatrix followed Hermione to the floor, digging a knee into the young witch's ribs. "How did you get into my vault!" She snarled.
"We didn't!" Hermione repeated, bracing herself for pain. A knife dug into the skin along her collarbone. It seemed Bellatrix was also fond of muggle torture techniques. "How did you get the sword!"
"We found it," Hermione wheezed, her eyes searching desperately for Fleur's. The Veela was straining against her restraints, her eyes wild and burning yellow.
"Found it? What do you take me for?" Bellatrix hissed, her knife digging deep into Hermione's arm. Hermione screamed, tears leaking out of her eyes. "Please, no, it's a copy," Hermione sobbed.
"A likely story," Bellatrix sneered, digging the tip of the blade against the bond of Hermione's collar. "It is easily disproved," Lucius intervened, "Bring the goblin."
"Until then, why don't we see how pretty your Veela looks covered in blood?"
"Don't touch her," Hermione demanded, her voice raspy from screaming.
"Is that reserved only for you?" Bellatrix sneered.
"Don't hurt her," Hermione begged.
"I'm already hurting her," Bellatrix leered. Heavy steps sounded on the footsteps and Bellatrix spun to see the goblin being brought up the stairs. Hermione was dropped onto the ground as Bellatrix left to torture the goblin.
Hermione wanted to get up, go to Fleur, but she couldn't move, couldn't even lift a finger. She could see blood dripping down her forearm; mudblood was just discernable beneath the smearing of blood. Fleur's eyes had faded back to blue, they were brimming with tears and it looked as if her soul was trying to jump from her body to help Hermione. "So it is a fake?" Bellatrix crowed, "Call the Dark Lord!" Lucius pulled back his sleeve and pressed his dark mark, a look of concerning joy in his dull grey eyes. "Which means," Bellatrix panted, "Our mudblood is useless."
"No, I'll take her place!" Fleur yelled.
"You will have your time," Bellatrix smirked as she leant back down to Hermione. A rough nail dragged across her skin, "I'm going to have fun with this."
Hermione was ready to accept that it would end here. She wouldn't see the end of the war, or graduate, or live out her days with Fleur. She kept her gaze matched with Fleur's; trying to convey everything they wanted to say in their eyes alone. A blade dug into her shoulder and she bit back another scream. She closed her eyes, squeezing them tighter when the pain was removed, expecting a new form of torture. A scent drifted to her, familiar, but not all together comforting; chocolate and coffee.
"Not that I'm not overjoyed to see you," A smooth husky voice chuckled, "But I do prefer my partners to be conscious and you barely qualify."
"Melody," Hermione gasped, unsure how to react to the Veela's appearance, "Fleur."
"Will also be rescued, don't fret sugar, you're in good hands," She smirked. Even in her weakened state Hermione could spot the double meaning. "Harry-"
"Has already been rescued, despite my argument he is priority," Melody sighed.
"I-"
"We don't really have time, cupcake. Though I promise," She murmured in Hermione's ear, "I will have plenty of time later." Hermione felt the air condense around her as Melody whisked her away from the mansion. She wasn't entirely sure which was worse.
This chapter was hard. It's more about moving along the story and trying to show how strong the connection between Hermione and Fleur is. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and please review-Lark
