Run Baby Run
Disclaimer: I own nothing. No profit made.
AN: I am so so sorry for taking so long to update this story, but I've been dealing with some rather personal things. Today I'm having a good day and as such I thought I'd surprise you guys with this. Hope you like it. I'm skipping forward to the night of the Ball, fair warning from here things move at a faster pace. Be sure to keep up. Read & Review.
Enjoy.
The entrance hall buzzed with excited students and the professors who were desperately trying to corral them into some semblance of organization. From her hidden place atop the Grand Staircase, Hermione could see it all. Professor McGonagall was running around ushering students into the Great Hall while trying to get the Champions, and their dates, into order for their grand entrance.
She could see a blushing Cedric trying not to squirm as a grinning Cho took it upon herself to fix the flustered boy's crooked bowtie. The whole scene was very heartwarming. In front of him stood the vile scum, Viktor Krum, and it didn't surprise Hermione to see Pansy on his arm. Krum looked completely disinterested in whatever the Slytherin girl was babbling on about as he was too busy glaring holes into the back of the last Champions' head.
Hermione could only roll her eyes and shake her head at his antics, some boys will never grow up, she assumes. Then there's Fleur…Hermione twists her hands in front of her as she takes in her friend. She really should have expected that the proud French girl would go all out, even if this was just a date with a friend. From what Hermione has witnessed, Fleur never does things in halves.
The Veela's dress was a beautiful, shimmering silver and the more Hermione watched the more she found herself comparing it to the way Fleur's eyes shifted color with her mood. Fleur's blonde hair was swept into an elegant bun with what looked like a butterfly keeping it in place. Simply put, Fleur looked breathtaking.
Nervous, she looks down at her own periwinkle blue dress, fingers in the skirt as she twists from side to side making it swish gently. She draws her bottom lip between her teeth to tease the flesh as her eyes track Fleur down below. "You look beautiful." Hand over heart, Hermione jumps at Harry's whispered words, and as they register she blushes.
"You shouldn't sneak up like that, Harry!" She chides, though her smile disregards any sternness in her words. "You're looking quite dashing yourself. Where's Luna?" She looks around quickly as her friend recollects himself, tugging at his waistcoat betraying his own nervousness.
"Waiting for me down there." He mumbles, he too now looking over the banister to find his date. Hermione grins slyly and nudges her shoulder against his.
"Hope you're not making her wait on purpose." She teases. "That'd be a bit rude, you think?"
Harry shakes his head and offers a smirk of his own as he side eyed her. "Isn't that what you're doing with Fleur?" He throws back, biting back a laugh as her faces falls into a frown.
For a while neither speak, then Hermione heaves a heavy sigh. "Don't suppose we should join them? The Champions will be going in any minute now…" She states more than questions, her throat bobbing as she swallows back any lingering nerves. Instead of answering, Harry just gives a firm nod and removes himself from the alcove.
He takes the time to straighten out his dress robes and gives Hermione the best crooked grin he can manage. "See you down there, 'Mione...don't keep her waiting too long." Then he's gone, looking far more confident than Hermione suspects he really is...and then Luna finds him at the last step. Easy.
Well, Hermione would never let it be said that Harry Potter could do something she couldn't...that sounded a bit prideful, but it gave her that extra push she needed to step out onto the landing and bring herself to view. And there's Fleur, like she could hear Hermione's furious heart hammering against her ribcage. Fleur was there waiting at the bottom of the stairs and she was smiling at Hermione like she'd been lost amongst sea and Hermione was her first view of home.
The thought that Hermione could cause such an emotion to appear on Fleur's face, all Hermione can feel are butterflies and furious heartbeats pounding in sync. She can feel her hand drifting along the banister, vaguely, and she knows she must be taking steps, but she can't say how, because the only thing she is very much aware of, sure of, is Fleur's sapphire eyes on her. It takes her an eternity to reach the last step and as she stops she can't help but to think that she's gotten there too soon.
"Nervous?" Fleur's eyes twinkle in that special way and she grins that silly smile that's impossible for Hermione to resist, so Hermione doesn't.
"Tremendously." She confesses like it's not a secret, though if Hermione had to guess by the way Fleur's smile twitches in the corners, Fleur knows just how much Hermione hates to admit this. She rolls her eyes, her lips purse, but she's still smiling and so it doesn't deter Fleur's enthusiasm.
When Hermione's eyes find her again, Fleur offers a patient hand and turns her grin into what she hopes is a comforting smile. "Trust me?" She asks with a teasing lit in that airy voice of hers, but Hermione can see the challenge in her eyes.
With narrowed eyes and grinning lips, Hermione takes the offered hand and steps off that final stair, tilting back her head as she now looks up to meet Fleur's gaze. "Let's do this." They grin madly for a moment as Fleur leads her to the front of the line just in time as Professor McGonagall rounds the corner. Hermione's eyes widen as her favorite Professor halts at the sight of her on the Champion's arm, but then she's ushering them into place and through the massive doors before Hermione can blink and take it back.
"Breathe." Fleur grins down at her even though Hermione is far too occupied with the whispers and looks being thrown her way as they make their way to the middle of the dance floor. Fleur turns to offer her hand to the distracted girl. "Hermione, breathe."
The Gryffindor blinks up at Fleur, and does as instructed as she takes the offered hand. "Right." She whispers. "Everyone is looking at us." Hermione frowns, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth.
Fleur sighs as her grin softens and she lets loose a breathy laugh. "Of course they are, Hermione...I have the most beautiful date in the room. They are jealous." She wags her eyebrows, quite obviously trying to dispel some of the girl's nerves.
It works. Hermione rolls her eyes and gives a laugh that sounds more like a scoff, but Fleur will take it. "You're unbelievable." she shakes her head.
"Oui, I am but that is why you love me so, I think." The Veela's smile resembles the cat who's caught the canary and it makes Hermione quiver under its intensity, leaving her with a feeling of being prey to Fleur's predatory instincts. "Dance with me, ma cheri." Hermione doesn't answer as the music starts and Fleur quite literally sweeps her off her feet as she twirls the smaller girl around on the dance floor.
There's a certain way that Fleur's eyes light up and sparkle when she's speaking of her home or her school, and especially her family. Hermione was not so surprised to find herself enraptured by the sight of her date. In fact, Hermione being completely taken with Fleur had become something of a habit. As wrapped in conversation she is, she still notices Harry and Ginny at a table by themselves, so when Fleur offers to get them a drink Hermione tells her she'll be with her friends.
"Don't tell me you've both been dumped already?" Hermione smirks as she takes up in the empty seat. "I wouldn't be surprised really, after the two of you so carelessly dumped me, it's be the universe dishing out just desserts, don't you think?"
The two in question roll their eyes. "Right, because you're just so torn up over it, right?" Ginny smirks back evilly, causing Hermione to stick out her tongue in a rather childish gesture instead of offering a rebuttal.
Harry laughs and shakes his head. "They are over by the punch bowl, with your date." He fires, laughing even more when Hermione's cheeks bloom with red.
"Aren't you supposed to get the drinks, Harry?" Hermione tried, ignoring her embarrassment.
At this Ginny bursts into laughter as Harry blushes madly. "Oh he tried!" Ginny cries. "Luna wouldn't have it, told him to sit and keep looking pretty!" Hermione joins in the celebrating of Harry's embarrassment as she too laughs.
"You are looking quite pretty tonight, Harry." She teases.
Rolling his eyes, Harry finally lets loose a small laugh and preens himself. "Naturally." He says with a false arrogant tone that sets all three of them off. The hairs at the back of Hermione's neck stand on end as she feels a presence behind her, and she grins as a cup is placed in front of her, Fleur's dress brushing against her back as she moves around to take the seat at Hermione's side.
"Sorry it took so long, but I was waiting on a few others." Fleur excuses, causing Hermione to frown in confusion before Neville and Luna join the table. She smiles and laughs, lightly and quite possible without thought, leaning into Fleur until their arms brush.
"Luna. Neville. Having fun?" She asks kindly before sipping her punch, aware of the slight electricity being passed from Fleur's arm to her own. "I daresay you have two of the prettiest dates of the ball...besides my own of course." She teases, watching gleefully as both her friends blush and glare at her. She sends Fleur a smile though, as the blonde chuckles next to her.
The group slips into lighthearted conversation easily, and Hermione basks in the happiness surrounding her, grateful for the change of pace. From a few tables over, Draco waves almost bashfully with his date on his arm. Hermione raises an eyebrow at seeing the dashing pair, who knew Draco and Blaise were a thing? Draco blushes, but smiles gratefully when Hermione nods to the two empty seats left at their table.
"Draco, Blaise, you make a dashing pair." She grins and stands at they reach the table, taking the other occupants by surprise. She leans in for a slightly awkward, but warm hug with Draco. "Congratulations, Cousin." She whispers before releasing him.
Draco blushed and rubs at his neck. "I could say the same to you, Cousin." He grins at her eye roll. "Blaise, this is my second Cousin, Hermione and her date, Fleur." He introduces. Thankfully the rest of the group welcomes the duo without batting an eye, and it helps that Blaise is quite charming and adept at making Draco blush.
"The bloody hell is this shit!" the screech cause the group to cringe and turn to see a rather wasted Ronald Weasley heaving and red with anger, and in rather ghastly dress robes. "So you're really with this filthy creature? And taking up with the likes of these slimy gits!" He gestures wobbly to Draco and Blaise.
"I think that's enough mate." Harry voices firmly, as he stands and puts a strong hand upon Ron's shoulder.
Ron just shrugs him off. "Oh no, I'm not nearly done with her! The harlot! Look how she wallers in the mud with the animal, Harry!" He laughs cruelly. Hermione looks about in search of a Professor, her Godfather, anyone who can stop this from going any further, but before she can find anyone her line of view is blocked by Fleur's dress.
"That is enough!" Fleur hisses in warning as she stands toe to toe with the inebriated boy. "I suggest you go sleep this off before I do something you'll regret." Afraid for the consequences Fleur's actions might cause, because surely Fleur would gravely injure this fool, Hermione stands and fists the back of Fleur's dress.
"Come on, Fleur. He's not worth it." Hermione reasons softly, pleadingly whispering into Fleur's ear. At first Fleur stiffens under the contact, then slowly she starts to relax. "Just go, Ronald." She urges, not really caring if the idiot got himself into a situation but not wanting Fleur to be caught in his mess.
As Fleur turns to Hermione she doesn't see the fist flying toward her face until Ron makes contact with her lip, splitting it instantly regardless of the sloppy aim. Fleur cries out, stumbling back into Hermione's arms. Hermione watches then how a blur comes between Ron and Fleur, stopping the boy's next attack and then Ron is on the floor, blood gushing from his nose. "I believe that's enough, Mr. Weasley. You'd do well to leave my dear cousin to her date now." Draco sneers, straightening his robes as Snape appears from nowhere and heft the bloody git up from the floo.
"That will be all, Draco." Snape nods. "I'll take it from here. Hermione do see that you take care of Fleur's lip." Hermione nods at her Godfather and watches as he drags Ron from the room. Slowly the room regains its energy and Hermione gasps, frantically turning Fleur around to look at the damage.
"That was bloody brilliant, Draco!" Harry cheers while patting him on the back. Hermione rolls her eyes at their antics, as grateful as she is to them both, and cups Fleur's face in her hands.
"You're hurt." She whispers painfully as the guilt sets in.
Fleur shrugs and grins charmingly before cringing at her cut lip. "Better me than you." She simply says. It makes Hermione's heart pound and thrash against her ribcage. Fleur stood proud even as she winced from Hermione holding the napkin to her lip and Hermione, well Hermione gives up. On her tiptoes she reaches up while pulling down on Fleur's neck and presses her lips against Fleur's injured ones.
The kiss is chaste and imperfect. Fleur winces from the pressure on her battered lip and Hermione can taste a hint of iron, but it's perfect to the two witches, even if it stops nearly as soon as it starts. Both girls are flushed, and Hermione feels as though the breath has been stolen from her lungs but Fleur feels as if she's breathing after being underwater for far too long.
And as Fleur grins beautifully down at her, Hermione notices the flash and reality sets in about what she's just done. Horror feels her and tears fill her eyes. "Oh gods!" She whispers, backing away from a now frowning Fleur. "I am so sorry, Fleur. What have I done?" Just like that, she runs from the room.