Hey guys, this I am back! This chapters was already half written when I posted the last chapter, hence why it is so soon. This is in Fleur's point of view, and the next one will be as well. I hope you like it, and off course, please review. All mistakes are mine. And I hope you are as excited for chapter 16 as I am. Now,

Please, enjoy ~ JoyfulTrouble

Hermione had been acting weird all day. During breakfast she was distant, not talking as much as she usually does. When I tried to bring her into the conversation, she gave a quick sentence, and continued to eat her food. I didn't say anything though, because I thought it was about tonight. It was a big night. So I just let it slide and went on with the day. It wasn't until later that I really started to question it.

It was after charms, the last class of the day (since all evening classes were cancelled due to it being the Yule Ball). I was waiting outside of the classroom like I always did. I would wait in the corner of the hallway, and when Hermione finished class, we would walk together to lunch. When the class was over, lots of people frantically burst through the door and rushed to get ready for the ball. Out of the crowd, I couldn't find Hermione, from her being so flustered and full of energy, I thought she be in the midst of it. But no, she was the last one out of the classroom, holding her books close to her chest and… shaking? Panic started to seep through my whole body as I tried to explain why Hermione was like this. Is she feeling okay? Is she nervous about tonight? Oh, mon dieu, was she having second thoughts?

I stood in my spot, waiting for her to come to me, so I could pepper her with the questions that were running through my head. But I knew something was really wrong when she started walking in the other direction. What was going on?

"'Ermione!" I shout, while speed walking towards her. She doesn't even look back, but at least she stops her slow movement.

"'Ermione, are you okay?" At first she didn't answer, she just stood there, shaking slightly, and she looked like she was sweating. "'Ermion-"

"I am fine Fleur, nothing to worry about." Her voice sounded shaky and weak, almost as if it was a large effort to talk.

"'Ermoione, something iz wrong. I always meet you at ze end of Charms, and today you just walk right by me."

"Oh, sorry, I must just be stuck in my head."

"No, somezing iz wrong, and we are not going anywhere until you tell me what iz bozering you." I watch Hermione carefully, as she looks anywhere but me; taking deep, long breaths. Finally, she looks up at me, and just as quickly she hugs me. I hug her back, with as much strength I can muster (without harming) and wait for an explanation. I didn't have to wait long because Hermione started to ramble about everything, and I knew she would keep going unless I stopped her, and reassured her.

"Ma Cherie, stop." I rearrange our position slightly, so I can get good look at her face. So full of question and conusion, but also a growing hope. And I hope myself that it was hope of everything being okay. Because it was, everything was going to be okay.

"'Ermione, it iz okay to feel zis way. Zis iz a big step in our relationship. You just came out of ze closet what? A month ago now, iz it? Not long ago. And now, in a few hours, you tell zose same people, zat you have a girlfriend. I understand you feeling nervous, I mean, it does feel like everyzing iz going super-fast. But zat doesn't matter, because your girlfriend, might I add, iz none ozer, zan me." I winked at her and she laughed. Mon dieu, it was amazing to her hear laugh, and right now I think she needs it more than ever, so I try my best to make her laugh again.

"Now," I start, "How about you go to your dorm, I'll go to mine, and we'll get ready for our date, non? Because you said you had your eyes on someone, and I want to know who zat iz, can't have any competition." She laughs once again, and I'm glad. She then rests her head on my shoulder, and we just stand like that or a while.

After a long time, but was probably only minutes, she raised her head, and gives a light kiss to my ear.

"I only have eyes for you, Fleur." She whispers seductively, and I freeze in the spot. My eyes are open wide, my mouth hung open, and my brain malfunctioning. I couldn't do anything but watch as Hermione retreats, heading to her dorm. Before she leaves though, she bends over to grab her books the she dropped… I don't even know when. All I know, is the she is giving me a beautiful view.

I don't know why Hermione is suddenly so flirty, maybe she is now just excited about tonight. Yeah, that's it, just excited. Nothing suspicious. It's just me over thinking things.

I head back to the carriage, and entre my room, where my sister was waiting for me on my bed.

The rooms were smaller than the dorms of Hogwarts. Probably because there was one room for each student. The twin sized bed sat in the right corner, along with a small dresser at the end. On the other side a mirror, as well as my work desk beside it.

"Bonjour." My sister greats me. Lately she has been coming in to my room to talk about things. Anything and everything, so her presence wasn't really a surprise.

"Bonjour."

"Okay, zo I zought we could get ready together, zince we are both going to ze dance."

"Okay, but why are you speaking in English?"

"I want to practice it for my date."

"Okay, and why do you even 'ave a date? You're 12!"

"And you are 18 dating a 15 year old. We are not judging 'ere." At that I couldn't help but smile, because that 15 year old was none other than Hermione. I walk over to the bed, where I had laid out my dress and make-up earlier for tonight, and started to get ready.

"Zo, who is 'e?"

"Who?"

"Your date, who are you going with."

"Oh, you don't know 'er?"

"'Er? You are going with a girl?"

"Is it really that surprizing? You are going with a girl as well."

"Touché." I reply, as I comb my hair into my usual ponytail. I always knew Gabrielle was into both men and women, but never has she talked about it. I was rather curious.

"Zo, tell me all about 'er."

"Nothing much to tell. She iz bi-curious, and was curious about me."

"Really?" I look at her from my position in front of the mirror.

"She iz very very beautiful, okay? What 'appened to no judging?"

"Okay, okay, continue." I walk back over to the bed, and shimmy into my dress.

"Well, we talked, and zen she asked me to ze ball. I was not going to say no."

"Just like zat? Okay, zo you 'ave a date, no can you zip me up?" Gabrielle takes the tiny zipper of my dress and zips it up to the top. Now that, that is done, all I need is my shoes… where did I put the shoes?

"Gaby, where iz my shoes?"

"She is really hot though Fleur, she is… wow." Gabrielle continues, ignoring my question as she mindlessly gets ready herself.

"I wouldn't expect any less from you, but right now, my shoes?"

"I mean Fleur, absolutely… gorgeous."

"Gabrielle!" I shout, which seems to stop her moments and rambling. "My. Shoes."

"Oh, under your bed." I sigh as I walk over and crouched to check under my bed, and sure enough, my white heels are there.

Ha! Zank you, now, I must get going, I-"

"Non! Wait for me, I will only be a second." I slip on the heels, and wait as Gabrielle rushes around the room, and in no time, we head towards the castle together.

Gabrielle had found her date a few minutes ago, and so I stood alone near the stairs, where I knew Hermione would be coming down anytime.

The girl Gabrielle was with was taller than her sister, maybe by two or three inches. She had dark, medium length hair, which was up in a ponytail. Her eyes were a light green, which matches the colour of her dress. I have yet to learn her name, but from the looks on their faces, I'll probably be introduced to her in time.

I turn my head back towards the stairs just in time to see Hermione ascending the last few steps. I silently gasp, mouth hanging open, as I stare into her eyes, which are string right back into mine.

Hermione was wearing the most beautiful dress. It is blue, layered with waves all the way to her high heel clad feet. Each layer, the blue got darker and darker, until the bottom, where the most beautiful shade, like the sky at midnight, rested. Her hair was put up in a loosely fitted bun, allowing a few stands to fall and rest beside her face. And her face, was most beautiful. It was filled with so much radiant joy, it could be mistaken for a veela's thrall.

It was only when I heard giggling, did I notice that Hermione was now standing in front of me, still looking at me, and giggling.

"What's zo funny?" I ask, a shy smile appearing on my face.

"You, you look like you have just seen something impossible." I say the first thing that came to my mind, and without hesitation, reply,

"I 'ave."

She tilts her head slightly, "How so?" I smile, and give her the best explanation that I could. She looks up at me, and I can't help but smile even more as she takes a step closer to me. I wrap my arms around her, loving the feeling. It all seems so natural, and to think that we were hiding for more than a month.

"Who knew you could be such a romantic… and cheesy, defiantly cheesy."

"Did you ever doubt me?" We both giggled lightly, and before she could reply, I hear Harry happily cheering in front of me, and I look to see Ron handing over some of his money. Right, I almost forgot about the bet.

There was a conversation about the bet going on, but I couldn't help but think about the bet I made with Harry. He for some reason thought that Ron wouldn't have the guts to ask Charlie out. Personally, with how much the red head talks about the guy, I was surprised he hasn't jumped his bones already.

"Ron?" A deep voice comes from behind. We turn to see Charlie looking at what I presume is Ron. "Sorry to interrupt, but-"

"Oh, don't worry about it. Come here, let me introduce you to my friends." Charlie walks up to Ron, and Ron puts his arm around his waist. Knew it.

"Charlie, this is Harry, Fleur, and Hermione." He introduced in order, "Guys, this is my date, Charlie." I smiled, nodding at Charlie, and giving him my hand to shake.

"It iz a pleasure, Charlie. I 'ave 'eard much about you. But 'Arry, now you owe me four sickles." Harry and I exchange money, and I laugh at Hermione's constant disbelief of it all. Harry leaves shortly after, and we soon follow suit, heading towards that dance floor.

Dancing with Hermione was special. It was more than just the two of us dancing; holding on to the other and following step by step. No, it meant more than that. It was us being together, in unison; a relationship. It was the simple joyous smiles and giggles. It was the way people accepted us, how a few people made eye contact, and simply nodded in acceptance. It was reassurance, if I had any left, that she was the one, she was my mate.

And I love her.

I know it might too early, too quick to be certain, but I am certain. My Maman would always talk about mates, and how it was the best sort of love anyone could ever have. Where you devote yourself to that person, knowing that you would never be complete without them. How your heart soars just by thinking about them. How you feel something missing when you are apart. I knew that as soon as I saw Hermione, she was the one. She was all those things Maman described and so much more. She was the one I thought about at night when I couldn't sleep. She is the one that no matter what, brings a smile to my face. She is the one that accepts me in every way, even my veela heritage. She is the one that makes me happy. She is the one. I knew it then, I know it now.

I will always know.

Just like now, when Hermione whispers seductively in my ear, I couldn't help but react. I mean, this is Hermione Granger! Sure, I might have been over exaggerating, but in that moment, I didn't care. And I defiantly didn't have a problem when Hermione growled. I nearly melted, until she started apologizing.

"I- I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

"Don't worry about it, what you should know is zat everyone 'as stopped dancing." I found it cute how Hermione's surprised expression whipped amazingly fast around the dance floor to that, indeed, we were the only ones dancing.

"Oh." Was the only thing that escaped her lips.

"Yeah, zo would you like to find a place to sit? Or would you like to continue to dance?"

"Oh, ah, a place to sit sounds good." She replied. I smiled, taking her hand as we left the dance floor to find an empty table. I found one quickly that was close to the wall. By the looks of it, it seemed to be the closest table to being 'private'. There were two tables to either side of us, but not close enough to clearly hear their conversations. They were simple sounds in the large orchestra of background noises.

We sat, (and I help Hermione with her chair. I wouldn't admit it to anyone, but I never done it before, and really wanted to do it. But hey - chivalry!) and began to have a conversation that we usually tend to have. A funny, non-serious conversation with whatever topic pops up, just too simply fill in the silent air. Or to talk about things simply, without a big commotion. Like now, for example, when Gabrielle's date came up. We do have serious conversations, but that is usually in the privacy of us. Just the two of us.

But as the conversation went on, I noticed something different. To be honest, I don't even think Hermione noticed. It was almost invisible; the change. Like a slight shift in the air. Instead of going left it went right. Instead of cold it was hot. Instead of being right; correct, it was

Wrong.

But I push aside my uneasy feelings, simply concluding that I was overthinking things. First-date jitters making things more than they were. So we continued to talk, and as always, I had a great time. Anytime I spend being with Hermione, is the best of times. But it was one part of the conversation, or should I call it the end of the conversation, that everything seemed to crumble. The boat on uneasy waters finally seemed to have tipped over, and everything came spilling out.

"Do you treat all your dates like this?" Hermione gasps out, in-between burst of laughter.

"Only on a good date." I smile, still giggling softly.

"So you would classify this as a good date?"

"Well, of course, why wouldn't I?" And that seemed to be the trigger, the flip of the switch. It happened in seconds, and I had so many things going through my head at once. I watched Hermione the whole time, right until she ran down the hall, leaving me with that tortuously painful look on her face.

It started with her eye's going wide.

Then a gasp. Air being sucked in quickly, from what seemed to be clear shock and pain. She doubled over, arms wrapping around her stomach in a flash. It was like a protective barrier, her arms around her stomach, as if the pain was coming from the outside, and she was trying so terribly to make it go away. Her mouth stayed open, hanging on the hind that held it there, as if it lost all ability in the muscles. She shot upwards then, quickly like a bolt. Too quickly it seemed, because she swayed, and that was when I shot up as well.

Her hands gripped the table, her knuckles turning white as she stared at the wall; stared at nothing. I was panicking more and more as I continued to watch. What do I do? How do I help? What the hell is going on?!

I could tell instantly that we were making a scene. But as I looked at the horrid look I never want to see on Hermione's face again, I ignore them. I ignore everything around us, and I strictly focus on her. On fixing this, on helping in any way. In some way. I do the only thing I could think of in that moment, and if I am honest with myself, it was more on instinct than actual thought. I began to yell her name. Repeatedly. Hoping that maybe if she told me what was wrong, or gave me a clue, or something. I could help her, this could be over and done with.

"Hermione!" I yell once more, after severally attempts. But his one makes it. This one brakes the invisible barrier around Hermione, and she looks up at me. She looks at me with that face, now burned into my memory. The pain, more painful than any curse. The fear, darker and scarier than any phobia. The worry, the saddest and most desperate look in her eyes, that makes my heart break more than I thought possible. What is happening to you Hermione?

Are you going to be okay?

I didn't have any thought process after Hermione ran right past me, towards the exit. To be honest, I don't any part of this moment I had a proper thought. But what I knew, whether or not it was instinct. Whether or not it made sense. Whether or not I was doing the right thing.

I didn't care. All I know,all I understood, was that I ran after her.

What did ya think? Any good?