Wait, what is going on? Another chapter? Within 24 hours? Is this the apocalypse? No, it's not. I just thought since the last chapter was a bit everywhere, and this one helped it a bit, I would put it up sooner than planned. Also, I have a lot of school projects coming up, so it might be a while after this update for new one. My apologizes, but duty calls.
Please review, I love all your reviews, and can't wait for more. I want to shout out to lestibur, FaberryBRA, Drake Azure Saber, and kilylou, who have been staying with me and reviewing. So thank you and I hope you like this chapter.
Now, please…
Enjoy ~ JoyfulTrouble
The walls in the bathroom are painted an off-white colour. Some of the paint has strted to peel off the walls, leaving behind it a yellow streak. The room was cold, to the point I was shivering; goose bumps on my arms. The only sound, other than my sniffling and sobs, was the echo of water dripping from an unknown source. You would think they'd make bathrooms more decent. I know it was out of order, but still.
It was like that for a while, me basking in the solitude, until there was a knock on the door.
"Ello? 'Ermione, you in 'ere?"
"Yes, go away Fleur." Damn veritserum, I wish I could have not spoken, so Fleur would simply have left. Now with me forced to speak, and the truth, she won't leave.
"Non, I will not." Fleur says, now trying the door handle, finding it locked.
"Please, Fleur." I beg, feeling a new set of tears threatening to fall. I can't deal with Fleur right now. Almost everyone in the school herd I was gay, and if they didn't, it probably has spread to them by now.
"'Ermione, let me in."
"No."
"If you won't let me in, I'll let myself in." A few seconds pass before I hear a muttered 'Aloamora' and the lock clicks. I hear the door open and close, knowing that now Fleur was standing in front of me, and can now see me. See me as the mess that I am.
"'Ermione, please, I only want to 'elp." I look up at her, with my reddened, puffy eyes, and I can't help but burst into tears again. They all probably hate me now. But I guess in a way I should be grateful. At least they didn't get to part where I turn into a beast on every full moon and have heightened abilities. They would have defiantly hated me then, even feared me.
I can hear Fleur sit beside me, close because of the small space inbetween the sinks. I feel Fleur wrap her arms around my shaking frame, one on my shoulder as the other rubbed soothing circles on my back. I instantly move closer to her warmth, loving the way it somehow automatically makes me feel safer. I bury my face into the crook of her neck and just cry. I cry because now everyone knows. I cry because I was forced to tell them, and I was ripped of my chance to do it on my own.
"What 'happened, ma belle?"
"Veritserum."
"What?" Fleur says rather loudly, out of shock, "But that stuff iz illegal. 'ow did they get it?"
"The po…potions teacher is fr… from Slytherin house. I have a… a feeling he gave it to them." I say in-between sobs.
"Zat iz 'orrible, ma belle. The professor should be fired and ze students expelled." I only nod my head in agreement.
"I told ze 'eadmaster about what was 'appening, so we can 'ope zat zey get what zey deserve."
"I hope so too."
"If only 'Arry and Ron were able to get to you in time." It was then that I look at her, with a confused look on my face.
"What do you mean? All they did was sit there and watch." Now it was Fleur's turn to look confused.
"Non, 'Ermione, zat was at ze beginning. But when it got really serious, zey tried. But ze crowd was too large, and zey couldn't do anything. Zat is why I ran to get ze teachers. You must 'ave been so lost in what was 'appening to not 'ave noticed." I felt a wave of relief flood through me. Just the knowledge that someone had tried to stop it made me feel better.
"Thank you." I say, before burrowing myself back into the warmth that was Fleur.
"Zo you can only speek ze thruth?"
"Yes" I mumbled into her neck.
"Zo zat means zat everything you said was true?"
"Yes."
"Zo zee part where you said-"
"Yes, Fleur, I am… I-" I felt my eyes water quickly as cry into her neck once more, causing Fleur's grey shirt to get wet with tears.
I still can't say it, it's just too hurtful. It's still a fresh wound, and I don't feel like digging at it right now.
Fleur holds me closer as I cry, not saying anything, just holding me tightly, and its enough. Just knowing that she is here for me is good enough. Being best of friends is the best thing I could imagine, but again, it is good enough.
Eventually my tears slow once more. From a storming downpour to light drizzle. It's then that Fleur's speaks once more.
"Do you mind if I abuse the fact zat you can only tell the truth?" I let out a small giggle at that, even though the question slightly terrifies me. It was the downright boldness and randomness of the question that was humorous, but she could ask me anything, and I would be forced to speak the truth. I had too many secrets, ones that she of all people can't hear. One, for example, is my major ass crush on her. To the point where I believe she is my mate. And that leads to another secret. The fact that I am a werewolf. One of the top-listed hybrid outcasts out there, and for good reason. Statistics have proven that werewolves have killed the most of all hybrids, except for vampires, but they kill to survive, so it only makes sense.
So the answer to the question, is obviously the truth, and will be the truth until the potion finally wears off.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because there are some things I really do not want you to know." That's an understatement.
"That just makes this opportunity more interesting." She says, holding me tighter. "I zink you will like it in ze end, trust me?" I burrow further into her, and that is the only answer I give her, which she takes as a yes.
"Okay, let's start with ze easy ones, hm? Simple ones zat in ze past you 'ave not told me. 'ow did you meet 'Arry and Ron?" Well at least that one I could answer without giving anything to intense away. I move my head so Fleur could hear me better.
"I got bullied that day, it was actually them that bullied me. Ron to be exact."
"Non." Fleur interjected, surprised.
"Yup. So I ran into a bathroom-"
"Oh, zis isn't ze first time?"
"Oh, shut up," We both laugh, and I am actually starting to feel a bit better," Anyways, I run into a bathroom and start crying. One thing leads to another, and Ron and Harry are there along with the teachers to get me out of there." Well it's mostly the truth, just without the par where it was because a werewolf attacked me.
"That iz an interesting way to make friends, ma belle." I swat at her and we both laugh.
"Okay, next question, which last time you downright refused to answer for some reason, what is your favorite vegetable?" I scrunch my nose at that one.
"I don't like any of them." I reply simply.
"None? Not even fruits?"
"I can only tolerate strawberries, but even them I can't eat a lot of."
"Good to know. Now ze second last question I will ask you. Do you 'ave a crush on anybody?" With that my whole body instantly tenses up, and Fleur must have notice because she held me tighter.
"Yes." I reply in a mere whisper. I had a sinking feeling of what her next question is going to be, and I didn't like it one bit.
"Okay, I can tell you didn't like that question. 'ow about I try to cheer you up with a story, hmm?"
"I am not a child, Fleur." I say, slightly irritated.
"I know, but I think you'll like this one."
Unlikely, I think, but I don't stop her. I just cocoon myself into her body and wait for her to start.
"Okay, so zere iz zis girl, ze same age as me. She iz openly a lesbian, and proud of it. Nothing could make 'er feel bad about it. Zo ziz girl 'as a special gift. Ze gift iz zat she 'as a mate. A mate iz a romantic bond between two people, like a normal relationship, but more permanent, more intense. Just… more. She zought zat she would never find zis mate zat 'er mother would always talk about, so she kept it simple knowledge and never worried about it. It wasn't until she meet zis one girl zat everything changed.
"From ze moment she laid eyes on zat girl, she knew zat she was 'er mate; 'er destined one. Since zat day, she took her time trying to figure out 'ow to talk to ze girl. It took a couple of weeks, but finally ze girl got ze courage to talk to ze girl, who spent a lot of time in ze library. After zat zey stated to talk more, and 'ang out. Eventually zey became friends. Let's just say zat she was over ze moon with joy, 'appy zat she finally got time to spend with 'er mate. Only, it wasn't enough. She wanted ze full package, not a demo. But from what she could tell, ze girl wasn't into women, so I didn't push for more."
"There was one day where she got some 'ope. It was when she was 'anging out with ze girl's friends, and one of zem asked if she liked anybody. She answered, talking about 'ow she liked somebody, who didn't seem interested. And when she looked at ze girl, she zought she saw a slight 'int of jealousy; but wasn't sure."
"So zen it's ze finale, where ze girl gets publicly 'umiliated by five, 'orrible people. But even zough she 'ated seeing 'er zat way, one slightly good zing came out of it: she learned ze girl was gay as well.
"So 'ere she iz, 'olding ze girl in 'er arms, basking in ze feeling of 'er warmth." I listen with my full attention, and as the story went, I started to realize what it was. It wasn't just a story, it was Fleur telling me that I, Hermione Granger, was the one she was crushing on! I was her mate, just as much as she is mine (though she doesn't know the full extent of that yet). I couldn't help but be full of pure excitement. I was the girl she was talking about, she was longing for me! I couldn't believe it.
"Zo zat leaves one question, 'Ermione. Who do you 'ave a crush on?" I look up at her, my eyes wide, she did not just ask that.
"You." I say without my body's permission. But I am starting to not care.
"I was 'oping you would say zat." Time slowed down as Fleur's gaze trailed my lips, and then she dipped forward slowly. Her lips coming closer, inch by inch, towards mine. It was like a dream coming true, only slowed, one frame per second. Seconds felt like minutes and-
"Wait!" I shout, just before her lips meet mine. She retreats in an instant, staring at me in confusion and worry.
"Why?"
"Because," I began, now starting to feel stupid, "I don't want my first kiss to be on the floor in a bathroom." Fleur just continues looking at me, her expression I cannot read. Though it wasn't long until Fleur quickly jumped up onto her feet. For a second I thought she was going to leave me, knowing that if anyone it would be me to ruin a moment. But then I soon find myself being pulled up as well. I stumble slightly, but I don't have time to steady myself because I am being pulled along out of the bathroom, through the door and into the hallway. The door closes with a thud, and I find myself stuck between a wall and Fleur.
I stare into Fleur's eyes, which have seemed to have darkened, and I couldn't help but think that were beautiful. A beautiful colour, and a beautiful passageway to all of Fleur's emotions. Which now showed determination and dare I think it: love. There was no more thought process after that, because Fleur surged forward, and her lips met mine.
It was a hyper-sensitive explosion through all of my nerve endings. My whole body tingled and felt as light as air as Fleur's lips danced against mine. Her lips were as soft as silk, and extremely skilled. Her arms wrapped around my neck, holding me close as I rested my own upon her waist. It was more than I ever could have imagined. My wolf felt at peace in this moment; happier than it has ever been. To be honest, I think this is the happiest I have ever been as well. I was in pure bliss, and I truly believed that I could live in this moment forever. Just having Fleur in my arms, lip-locked in a passionate kiss.
Too soon in my opinion, the need for air became too strong, and we separated. My eyes fluttered open, and I didn't even realize they'd closed. They open to see Fleur with her eyes still closed; still living in the moment we just shared.
"Wow." I finally manage to say, because, wow. Fleur let out a breathily laugh, before she quickly pecked my lips.
"You were ze one who didn't want zeir first kiss to be in a bathroom." And at that we both laughed.