"We need to hurry up.Aart is going to be very upset if we are late."Fleur perked up when she heard Hermione's voice coming from behind her as she was making her way to the Great Hall to meet with her family.She hadn't gotten the chance to see Hermione the day before for more than training and was excited to have the opportunity to stay hello before they were surrounded by others.Looking behind her Fleur noticed that Hermione was walking with an older blond haired woman while being surrounded by guards.
"She is always upset about something."The woman replied.
Slowing her steps Fleur spoke when Hermione was in hearing distance."Hello Hermione."
"Hello Fleur."Hermione greeted.
"So this is the infamous Fleur."The blond woman said.
Fleur was very uncomfortable with the way the woman was looking at her like she was the most interesting thing she had ever seen.Holding out her hand she introduced herself."Hello I'm Fleur Delacour it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Pandora Lovegood and I assure you the pleasure is all mine."Pandora said taking the hand in her own to shake it.
"We need to get going.We are already late."Hermione knew if they didn't get to the Great Hall soon that Aart would send some of her own guards to find her.
"You worry too much."Pandora said.
"That's because you don't worry at all."Hermione looked at her watch again and quickened her steps.
Pandora rolled her eyes as she turned her attention to Fleur."Hermione has a thing about being late.It's of her opinion that not being at least fifteen minutes early for something is extremely bad manners."
"I see."Fleur held back a wince thinking of the fact that she was so late to meet to go to the hospital.It seemed she screwed up more than she had initially thought.Luckily Hermione was nice enough not to hold it against her.
"There you are."The voice of a Aart Laasko shouted as soon as the group stepped into the Great Hall.
"Hello mother."Hermione allowed herself to be engulfed into a hug.Usually she hated hugs but that was only from people she didn't know or like.
"Let me see you."Aart pulled away from Hermione and gave her a once over before spinning her around to check her entire body."You are too thin.Have they not been feeding you?"
"Leave the girl alone Aart."Phyllis Debolt said as she made her way over to the group and gave Hermione a hug as well.
"Everyone I would like to introduce you to Fleur Delacour."Pandora pushed a reluctant Fleur in front of her.
"Um hello."Fleur wanted to smack herself in the face for how stupid she just sounded. She had planned how she was going to introduce herself and she had failed miserably at acting composed and put together.
Phyllis hid a smile at how cute the girl was.She was going to make a fine match for Hermione no matter what Aart said."Hello Fleur, it's lovely to meet you.Hermione has told us all about you."
"She has?"Fleur was beyond surprised to hear that.
"Of course.We make it a priority to know everyone who is involved in our daughter's life."Aart told her.
"Well um that's good."Fleur sighed in relief when she saw her family coming to join them.
"Fleur darling."Apolline rushed to take her daughter in her arms.
Fleur happily snuggled into her mother's arms."Hello mother.I have missed you."
"We have all missed you as well."Celeste said as she laid her hand on Fleur's back.
"Introduce us to your friends Fleur."Fleur's grandmother Eloise told her.
Fleur held back a flinch hearing her grandmother's voice.This was not how she wanted this day to go."Grandmother, mothers this is Hermione Granger and her family Aart Laasko, Phyllis Debolt and Pandora Lovegood.Everyone this is my grandmother and clan elder Eloise and my mothers Celeste and Apolline."
"It's nice to meet you."Eloise said as she held out her hand to Aart.
Aart looked at the hand in disgust.She didn't trust these Veela especially after the guards reported back that Fleur had a romantic interest in Hermione.As was custom Aart shook the other clan elder's hand."You as well."
"Hermione there are others here to see you."Phyllis told her breaking the tension. She motioned to the group standing across the room."Why don't you join us."
Fleur looked to where Phyllis was pointing and held back a gasp at what she saw.Not only were Andromeda and Nymphadora there but four centaur, three goblins and five others that she didn't know who they were. She wasn't sure why she was surprised as she and her friends figured that some magical creatures were going to show up but she was.Maybe it was the fact that the entire group including the goblins seemed to be getting along with no fighting.
"We would love to."Eloise easily accepted the offer.
"Hermione."Nymphadora got around her mother to give Hermione a hug.
"Hello Dora."Hermione had decided that she didn't mind Nymphadora's hugs. The girl had worn her down to the point that she was honored that she cared enough about Hermione that she showed it.
"Wotcher Fleur."Nymphadora said.
"Good to see you again Dora."Fleur was happy that she had someone she knew in the group.
"Hello Hermione, hello Fleur."Andromeda took Hermione's hand and gave it a squeeze."I hope you don't mind but Narcissa wanted to come as well."
"I don't mind at all.Narcissa is always welcome."Hermione would never leave any of her family out.
"Thank you Hermione."Narcissa had been a little worried about how she would be received but so far the rest of Hermione's family had been very welcoming and had taken her in the fold right away.Even the goblins were nice to her.
"This is Fleur Delacour and her family.Fleur you know Andromeda and Dora and this Andromeda's sister Narcissa."Hermione told them.
"Hello."Narcissa didn't know much about magical creatures but from what she had discussed with Andromeda knew the Delacours were trying to work out some kind of alliance with her house. She had actually been helping Andromeda with the research on the clan.
"Are you part of the new house as well?"Eloise asked.
"I am.As a matter of fact I am taking the Malfoy seat in Wiznagotts."Narcissa was proud that she had such a respectable position to claim.It was a lot better than telling others that she was just a house wife.
"I see."Eloise said.
"Hermione come say hello to the others."Pandora told her.
"Of course."Hermione made her way over to the goblins.She leaned down to hug all three of them individually."Hello grandfather, grandmother, uncle."
"Hello little one."The chieftain of Hermione's tribe said."We are very happy to hear about the werewolf cure."
"Yes those human's and their inferior intellect never stood a chance against you."The goblin matriarch proudly proclaimed.
"We already have many orders for the from all over the world.Even as far as America."Griphook told her.
"I think we should look into our own processing plant.I can make the potion myself but I'm limited with the amount I can make due to not having space."Hermione said.
"That would be a good idea.We could also get discounts on buying supplies in bulk instead of the small amounts you buy now."The chieftain mused.
"The initial investment will be a lot of gold but I think we can make the money back within the first year if you start producing some of your other products and put them on the market."The Matriarch predicted.
"That's enough shop talk."Phyllis interrupted."We are here to celebrate Hermione's place in the tournament."
"Sorry."Hermione apologized."Grandfather, grandmother, uncle let me introduce you to the Delacour.My grandfather is the chieftain of my goblin tribe and with the help from my grandmother they oversee over 500 goblins.My uncle Griphook is in charge of running Gringotts."
Fleur tried to hide her surprise at not only the conversation she heard Hermione have with the goblins but by the prestige of the tribe they came from.It made her wonder how Hermione became involved with them."I'm Fleur,this is my clan elder Eloise and my mothers Apolline and Celeste."
"How is it you became involved with Hermione?"Eloise asked.
"Hermione had been coming to the bank since she was a young child and we built up a friendship with her.It was a few years after that she found out about a genetic illness that was passed on through generations.Although we never asked her for her help she studied it on her own and was able to develop a cure for the disease. She saved many tribe member's lives and in return for that we offered her a place in our tribe as a way to repay the debt and show our allegiance."The chieftain explained.
"That's amazing."Andromeda had never heard of any witches or wizards taking a medical interest in goblins.
"That's nothing in the grand scheme of what our girl has accomplished."The woman in black clothing said as she and three others dressed in black and armed with swords stepped towards their group.
"Mauve you made it."Hermione rushed into Mauve's arms and gave her a big hug.
Aart sighed."I didn't get that kind of greeting."
"That's because she likes me better than you."Mauve bragged.
"You're Mauve Reinhold the queen of the Reinhold coven."Eloise stated in awe.
"Who are the Reinhold coven?"Fleur asked.
"We are the coven that rules over all vampires that reside in Europe."Mauve explained.
"If you are a vampire how are you out during the day?"Fleur knew vampires couldn't go out during the day without burning to death so for one to be standing with them was confusing.
Mauve winked at her."If I told you it would ruin the trick."
"Sebastian how did you convince her to let you come?"Hermione asked one of the men.
"I had to promise to go to a month's worth of meetings."Sebastian told her as he held out his arms for Hermione.
Hermione gave him a hug."Everyone this is Sebastian.Mauve's first turned and heir to the throne."
"Nice to meet you."Fleur held out her hand for the man only to be surprised by the hug he gave her instead.
"No need for such formalities we are all family here."Sebastian said as he released her.
"Do you have time for practice today?"Hermione asked.
"I do but I doubt your mother will let you."Sebastian told her.
Aart narrowed her eyes at the pair."What kind of practice?"
"Sword practice."Hermione had been training with Sebastian since she was a young child and wanted a chance to show him her progress.
"Absolutely not."Aart quickly denied them.There was no way she was going to let Hermione duel a vampire with swords.
"Oh lighten up Aart.I think sword practice is a wonderful idea."Phyllis would love to see Hermione show off in front of her mate and her mate's family."Why I think we should invite Fleur and her family to watch."
"I would love that."Fleur easily agreed. She was more than willing to watch Hermione fight a vampire.
"Then it's settled."Mauve said.
"If you are going to practice with a sword then you need to make some time to practice with a bow.You haven't trained in some time."A centaur with leather armor on his torso said.
"I was busy with the werewolf cure."Hermione told him.
"We are thankful for that.They are menaces that ruin the peace in our forests."Firenze said.
"As our natural enemies we couldn't be prouder that a member of our own coven found a way to neutralize them."Mauve's voice was laced with obvious pride.
"Everyone this is Firenze and his guards.He is the leader of the centaurs that live in the Forbidden Forest."Hermione explained.
"It's an honor to meet you Firenze."Eloise held out her hand for him to shake but dropped it when he made no attempt to shake it.
Firenze glared at Fleur."You are the one who wishes to court Hermione."
"What?"Fleur was taken aback by not only the statement but the many hostile looks she was getting.
"I think that is something that should be spoken about between clan elders."Eloise interjected.
Mauve exposed her fangs."Are you saying that you as a Veela have more rights to Hermione than the rest of us?"
"No, no that's not what I'm saying."Eloise quickly denied.
"Alright everyone calm down."Pandora knew that if she let this continue that it would result in violence."I think because this is such a unique situation that we should forgive Eloise for her ignorance. She doesn't know the customs of each of you."
The goblin chieftain sneered at the Veela elder."Ignorance is no excuse."
"Let's take a step back.Regardless of tradition the fact remains that it is Hermione who has the final decision on if she wishes to date Fleur or not."Phyllis knew this was the tipping point of two very distinct futures playing out.Hermione deciding to date Fleur would send them on one path and if she didn't it would cause the future to go slower until they would eventually get to the point that many lives would be changed.
"Me date Fleur?"Hermione was surprised to hear Fleur had an interest in her. She tried to think about how she felt about Fleur.She liked the Veela and did enjoy spending time with her.Hermione found she missed her when they weren't together and that she wanted to tell Fleur all about her life.Did that mean she had a romantic interest in Fleur or was that just how friends felt about each other?Hermione didn't feel like she did towards Fleur towards Luna.Maybe that was proof that she did want to date Fleur.
Fleur smiled shyly at Hermione."Yes you were willing I would like to take you on a date."
"There is no pressure sweetheart.You can say no if you want."Aart would prefer Hermione say no but had a feeling that the girl Fleur was Hermione's mate.It was quite obvious in the way Fleur acted and the looks she gave Hermione.Aart may not be pleased but she wouldn't stand in the way of mates.That didn't mean there wouldn't be many stipulations on how the courtship would go.
"I wouldn't mind going on a date with Fleur."Hermione figured it would be alright to go and see how she felt.If she decided she didn't like Fleur then she could just decline to go on another date.
"Great!"Fleur was now very excited.She didn't think she would get a chance to take Hermione on a date so soon. She was expecting to have to go through a lot of obstacles to get a chance to speak to the Laasko elder.
"Before you go on this date you will have to speak to us about what is expected of you if you wish to start an official courtship."Aart warned.
Fleur gulped at the threat."Of course."
"While you do that let's go practice.Do you have your sword?"Sebastian asked.
"One of my guards can get it."Hermione had already dismissed the conversation about courtships.She would leave the details to her family and Fleur.
"Actually we need to get going.Wizngnotts is going into session soon and we don't want to be late for Narcissa's first day."Andromeda wanted to be a part of the courtship discussion as there was certain customs that needed to be followed as Hermione was a pureblood but they weren't important until an engagement happened.If Hermione and Fleur got to that point then it would mean that Hermione had told Fleur about the head of household and Andromeda would be able to explain everything without giving away the secret.
"Thank you for coming and good luck Narcissa.Don't let those old men get away with anything."Hermione told her.
"Not only will she not, she will have the two of us with her to put them in their places if they try anything."Pandora promised.
"I'll be fine."Narcissa may have been nervous but the fact was that she was a Black. She was born and raised in a respectable family and would have no problem using her name to make people listen.
Pandora gave Hermione a hug."I hate that I'm going to miss the family meeting but alas I'm needed elsewhere."
"I'm sure if you ask nicely mother will share the memory with you."Hermione told her.
"Pfft."Pandora scoffed a the very idea."It wouldn't be worth the payment she would demand for it."
"Probably."Hermione agreed.
"Would you be willing to tell me how it goes with the Longbottoms?"Andromeda asked.
"I will send you a letter tomorrow with my initial findings."Hermione would like to have someone to bounce ideas off of and Andromeda being a healer was the perfect person.Plus Hermione liked Andromeda and they got on well together.
"Then I look forward to hearing from you."Andromeda gave Hermione's hand a squeeze."Good luck with Fleur."
"I'll let you know how it goes."Nymphadora was excited to witness exactly what was going to happen with Fleur and Hermione's family.
"You be good."Andromeda told her daughter.They didn't need the girl to cause problems for Hermione.
"I'm always good."Seeing her mother's raised eyebrow Nymphadora quickly changed the subject."I will see you at home."
"Thank you for coming."Hermione called out to the group as they made their way out of the Great Hall.Turning her attention to her guards she asked."Would one of you be so kind to get my sword from my quarters and meet us on the training grounds?"
"Of course Hermione."The guards easily agreed.
"Let's go before the group decides to change their mind about letting you train."Sebastian said as he wrapped his arm around Hermione and led her out of the room.
"We will be coming with you."They may have needed to have a conversation with Fleur but that didn't mean Aart was going to let Hermione out of her sight while she was dueling a vampire.
"Don't worry I won't let her interfere."Phyllis said.Receiving a smile from Hermione in reply she winked at the girl and walked with the group towards the training grounds. She knew that things were going to get very tense and just hoped that Fleur's grandmother would keep her mouth shut.Phyllis wasn't a fan of the woman as it was obvious she wasn't interested in Hermione but in Hermione's contacts.The way her eyes scanned over each new person she met and the calculated look she gave each of them raised Phyllis' hackles.Phyllis also knew that the elder may cause problems with one of the conditions of Fleur pursuing Hermione. The fact of the matter was that Hermione had a very prestigious pedigree and losing her identity to the Delacour flock wasn't an option.Hopefully the Delacours would understand that.