AN: I am officially working on the final final draft. It's just slow going with the holidays and my mom, my grandma, and I are moving into a house together within the next few months, so I've got packing and unpacking and whatnot.

The next week went by in a flash. More people showed up. Mostly friends of Fleur and Bill. The main family would be arriving Christmas Day. There was quite the buzz when Esperanza and Viktor showed up, but that was to be expected. No matter where they went they were famous. According to Ron, Gabby acted towards Esperanza very much like Ginny had when she first met Harry. Fleur thought Gabby was being silly, especially considering she met Esperanza before her target audience expanded outside of opera-lovers.

Neither Gabby nor Ginny were allowed to attend the bachelorette party, even though they wouldn't be going clubbing until after dinner which would give both girls a chance to take the train home. Or maybe the reasoning was that the adults would be tarted up all day. They got up early to do just that. Cássia and Quripuma wore brightly colored clothes, but kept most of themselves covered. Though for Quripuma it wasn't so much for modesty as it was that it was winter and if she got too cold she would fall asleep and they wouldn't be able to wake her up until she was warmed. They would need to maintain the warming charms regardless.

"Erm… is it too late to join Bill's party?" Ron asked, stepping out in his borrowed attire.

"It isn't even that slutty," said Esperanza. "Now Viktor? Woof!"

"Just for today," said Viktor, caressing her cheek. "And only because you asked."

He was in tight purple shorts that showed off his toned legs and a loose fitting shirt.

Esperanza wasn't even trying to be subtle. She had a huge coat made of caution tape and the stuff from cheerleader pompoms that swished when she walked and was sure to call for attention. As if her hot pink hair didn't already do that.

Fleur was dressed up in cropped white dungarees with stars on the knees (borrowed from Hermione), a bright pink crop-top, and a holographic jacket, and Esperanza made her a cloth mask which had been bedazzled by Hermione. Alejandro was dressed similar to Viktor. Harry, Ron, Fred, and George felt like they were pushing it with the 70s style pastel trousers, loose shirts, and heavy but flamboyant coats that were definitely from Esperanza's dancers.

Hermione finished applying her makeup and secured her wig. She wore a red leather jacket decorated with gold studs and blue rhinestones on the collar and sleeves, with matching biker gloves also bedazzled and studded to cover up her splints. It looked amazing with her high-waisted, skinny satin trousers and the bustier Draco caught her bedazzling. To finish it off, she wore a pair of glittery platform pumps and a gold, bedazzled military hat.

She stood up and turned around, holding out her hands to silently ask for comments.

"Ooh! You look hot!" Esperanza praised. "Hm… bedazzled jackets. Can I steal that?"

"All yours. I just like my B-E-D-A-Z-Z gun."

"You look like Selena," said Harry.

That was the point.

"I think we look gay," said Fred, cringing at his reflection.

"Got a problem with that?" George challenged.

Fred realized what he said and flushed.

"Er… no. Sorry."

"Well, as my swan says," said Viktor. "You can make anything look good if you aren't a bitch about it."

Esperanza beamed and kissed him.

"Lots to do," said Hermione.

"Let's roll," said Fleur.

The thirteen of them trotted downstairs, Fleur in the lead with her Bride-to-Be sash. Hermione wore Maid of Honor, the others just read "Bridal Party." It was quite the posse: Fleur, Hermione, Viktor, Esperanza, Harry, Ron, Fred, George, Blaise, Alejandro, Cássia, and Quripuma were all tagging along. And, sadly, Draco was coming too; he couldn't miss an opportunity to save Hermione's life if they were attacked. He fought against the dress code and Hermione didn't want to hear his bitching.

Bill's party was all ready to go, too. They were going paintballing, which Ginny and Gabby were happily tagging along for.

"Have fun today, darling," said Bill, drawing Fleur in for a kiss.

"You as well, mon chou," she replied.

Bill did a double-take at his brothers.

"Say nothing," said Ron.

"Wasn't going to. Don't let Mum see you."

Hermione went outside and set up Bug. She got into the driver's seat and waited for everyone to load up. She set up her video camera with a fresh crystal and had her polaroid camera ready. Viktor and Alejandro each had cameras of their own so that this fun day was well documented. Alejandro put on his human mask so he wouldn't be noticed.

"What do we do if we're too drunk to drive home?" asked George.

"Take the train," said Viktor.

"Or let me drive," Cássia teased.

Hermione snorted and honked Bug's horn.

"The party train is ready to roll!" Fleur cheered and turned the party mixtape Hermione made up loud enough to disturb the street.

Hermione hit the gas and apparated most of the way to Paris. From there, she tapped her compass to take them to the middle of the city. She gave Fleur the map to guide them. Fleur mostly wanted to be around her friends and have the experiences she didn't get due to her veela allure isolating her from her peers as either an object or a threat.

"I always lived so close, but I never really got to see the city," said Fleur.

Hermione turned down the music and pulled into a car park.

"So," said Fleur glowing with excitement. "What shall we do first?"

"I have always wanted to go to a real French Patisserie," said Cássia.

"I want to see the catacombs," said Blaise.

"Do we have time for the Louvre?" asked Alejandro.

Hermione made a face at that one. "Long lines."

"I think we would have had to come on a week day to fit that in," said Fleur, marking down the sites they wanted to see in red marker. "But maybe someday we can do this again and see it all."

"That would be fun," said Quripuma.

Hermione put Bug in her purse. They would do day passes for the metro or just walk. The day was a bit cloudy, but there wasn't any rain. Her shoes were enchanted to be comfortable, but she had her loafers in her purse if she wanted them.

They mapped out where to go and decided to start at the catacombs. They got plenty of looks on their way and quite a few compliments from teens and young adults. Plus some catcalls, but that was to be expected and tolerated simply because they would waste too much time responding.

"What are catacombs?" Harry asked.

"Well, the cemeteries got too full," said Blaise. "So they moved the bodies to underground tunnels."

"We are seeing skulls," said Fleur.

"Er…" Harry looked a little anxious, as did Ron. "Do I have to go in?"

"Non, you can wait outside."

"It sounds dark and old," said Cássia. "I'll wait with Harry. I'm happy listening to the city."

Quripuma wanted to go, Ron would stay with Harry and Cássia. Upon arrival they found a McDonald's and agreed to wait on the outside seating there for the others. It wasn't a very long tour and the line wasn't too bad either.

"Oh! Oh!" a young girl in line shouted out. She pointed at them and started singing one of Esperanza's songs off-key.

Esperanza beamed and approached the girl who was shaking her father for his camera. She really was Miss Congeniality. Several people ran over for autographs and pictures of their own while the bridal party clustered around to wait for her to be done.

"They love her," said Viktor, smiling as he watched her.

"It's hard not to," said Hermione, though he didn't see her say it. His eyes were only for Esperanza.

"Next group, please," said the attendant, ushering Fleur and Hermione inside.

Not about to own up to cutting in line, they went in. It wasn't any warmer there, but their warming charms were working just fine. The attendant warned them to stay on the path, follow the signs, and to not steal any bones, then asked Esperanza for an autograph.

"Stairs!" Quripuma huffed, her prosthetics clunking against the stone.

They wove nearly single file around and around the long flight of stairs until they finally reached the bottom. Quripuma, being the history buff, got very excited to read all of the plaques detailing the catacombs.

"Maybe we'll catch a ghost on tape," Alejandro teased.

"Not likely, it's hallowed ground," said Esperanza.

As she said that, a ghost of an old woman walked through a wall and muttered something unkind about tourists and the ones raising a stink in the tunnels.

"I stand corrected."

"She said there is someone lost," said Fleur.

The No-Maj tourists had already moved ahead, so they weren't worried about being overheard.

"We'll notify the attendants," said George. "I bet they've got search parties. I mean, she said stay clear of the tunnels and now all I want to do is explore them!"

"Is it everything you ever dreamed of Blaise?" asked Alejandro, putting an arm around them.

"I'm enjoying myself," they said.

"Of course you are," Draco muttered.

"If you're going to be a party pooper, you can always go back home," Blaise retorted.

'No fighting. Pick up the mood.' Hermione scrawled out in her notebook.

"You don't like seeing skulltures?"

He scowled at her. "I beg your pardon?"

"I bet if we look really hard we can find Napoleon Bone-apart," said Fred, cracking a grin.

"Please stop."

"I'm feeling snacky," said Esperanza. "Think they might have some spare ribs lying around?"

"This is all humerus," said Viktor. "But I think we should move along so the other tour doesn't catch up."

"I hate all of you."

In the end, they had their bags checked for bones and they collected the others before going along to the next leg of their adventure.

It shouldn't have been so easy to get through the tour groups, even in winter, but as soon as Esperanza was recognized, their whole group was pushed to the front of the line and allowed to enter. They weren't about to argue, but had agreed that if a manager attempted to clear the place out for them, then they would go to the back of the line out of spite or just leave. They were line cutters, they weren't about to make it so nobody could enjoy it.

Cássia was really excited about the patisserie and everyone got something. Fleur, as the bride-to-be, got a free dessert, which was really nice of them, but had likely also been offered due to how much they spent to begin with.

After lunch, they went to the Pantheon, then circled back around to Saint-Chapelle, Notre Dame, and a walk along the Seine. They talked, laughed, and cracked jokes, and Hermione filmed it all. She felt a little on the outside, but her happiness didn't matter. Fleur's did. And everyone else's. It was Fleur's day and Fleur's party.

"You know, it's too bad we didn't get tickets to the Moulin Rouge," said Hermione as they took a break at Place de la Concorde. "It's a great show."

"Ah, yes, I heard of it," said Fleur. "Though, I don't know about seeing those topless women."

"It's just breasts. If it was dirty, they wouldn't let children in."

"Good point."

Mum and Dad took her and Cedric to see the show. Cedric blushed so badly at first and tried not to watch it, but it was easy to get used to after a while and forget how much people sexualized something that was normal and not even thought twice about in some countries.

"This fountain looks familiar," said Esperanza, looking up at it.

"My mother took a photo of it," Hermione signed. "I was in it. It's in a M-U-S-E-U-M."

"Ah, that must be it."

Draco looked at her curiously.

"Was your mum famous or something?"

"Nearly," said Esperanza. "We should get a group photo."

A kind passerby took their picture and they were on their way to their next activity. They checked out the hours for the Petit Palais and were disappointed to find it had closed early that day, so they moved on to the Champs Elysées and Arc de Triomphe. The sun was starting to set, so they agreed to go to the Eiffel Tower then decide what to do for dinner before they went clubbing.

The sun was making one last appearance through an otherwise cloudy day. The Champs de Mars was lovely and Hermione's heart ached. There were buskers around trying to earn money. Some playing instruments, others performing acts.

"Let's split up," said Fleur. "Meet back at the base of the tower in… thirty minutes? Use the toilet, take a break, get a souvenir, think about dinner. Bon?"

"I'm going to give money to the performers," said Hermione.

"Here, give them some from me," said Esperanza, pressing cash into her hand. "If I do it, it's a P.R. stunt."

"Blaise and I are going to the top of the tower," said Alejandro. "Anyone want to join us?"

"I will go!" said Fleur. "If I will not be a third wheel."

"Duckie, go with them," said Hermione. "I need a moment to myself."

"Er… yeah, sure."

"Sure you don't want some company?" asked Fred. "A pretty lady walking around by herself…"

"Come on, Romeo," said George, dragging him off.

The others scattered and Hermione took a deep breath, watching it dissipate in the air. It was hard being back here. If it were summer, she wasn't sure she'd be able to stand it. All these memories. She missed him. A lot. She thought she might give anything to see him again. At least to know if he was okay. She was glad they didn't go to the Louvre. If she saw that painting he loved so much again, she might lose it. Though she felt so numb these days she wasn't sure she could actually cry.

She was grateful for the happy moments with her friends today. She wasn't likely to get them again for a long time.

Hermione took her time walking along and giving money to the performers. She gave money to a man painted gold, a violinist, and some to a homeless person clutching a sign and his dog.

"Only you, when the sun and moon and stars are gone, what's left is only you," a man sang. "Will you answer me? Answer me."

She knew that song. She approached the last busker. He was the most sorry looking out of everyone trying to make money.

He was skeletal with hair the texture and color of straw poking out of a moth-eaten cap. Whatever wasn't blond was a faded purple. He wore baggy clothes, through his trousers were shredded up and patched with mismatched old fabric and his studded and spiked jacket had one sleeve held to the shoulder by safety pins. She thought she caught magic on him, but if she tried to move her contact, she would only end up with pain. It didn't matter. He wore thick glasses held together with tape and his piercings were red with infection. His guitar had certainly seen better days, splattered with paint, the neck held by duct tape. It wasn't like he could use magic if he had it.

Poor guy.

"It's been a long time coming down this road," he sang. "And now I know what I've been searching for. Life is a lonely highway and now I see. Oh, love's been a long time coming."

Despite his frail appearance, his voice was strong and clear. It made her feel good. He finished the song and opened his eyes, his cheeks flushing red. He had such kind eyes. What color was that? Black? Dark brown?

Hermione smiled and tipped her head.

"You remind me of someone," he said. His accent was indiscernible. American maybe? He cleared his throat and readied his guitar. "A song just for you."

Her and any other girl that wandered by, no doubt.

"First things first, we start the scene in reverse."

When he reached the chorus, Hermione inhaled like she was breathing for the first time. He must have lost someone close to him to pour out his heart like this. And they were the words she had wanted to say, but couldn't. If you could only know, I'd never let you go.

She swallowed back the tears that threatened to rise up.

"Unsaid by me." He finished the song on his guitar and the last few notes drifted into the air.

Hermione took a deep breath.

"I like that song," she said aloud, surprising herself. Her voice was deep, raspy. Almost didn't sound like her. That was okay. "Did you write it?"

"No," he said. "I wish."

That was okay. Hermione took out a couple large bills and tossed them into the guitar case that only held a few coins and a bottle cap. The busker's eyes widened.

"All for me?!"

"Yes. Play me another?"

He smiled and her stomach lurched. It was so much like Cedric's. Though this boy's teeth showed signs of malnourishment. No duh. He was in desperate need of a good meal.

"It's two o'clock on the edge of the morning," he sang. "She's running magical circles around my head, I hitch a ride on the dream she's driving…"

Hermione swallowed back the tears that threatened to spill. After that song, she asked for just one more and he obliged.

"Oh, my love," he sang. "My darling, I hunger for your touch. A long, long time. Time goes by so slowly…"

When he finished, she collected herself and threw in another large bill and some coins. Time was up. She couldn't spend anymore time with this kindred spirit.

"Thanks. Have a nice day."

"You too," he said.

She glanced back as she walked away to see him snatch the money out of the case and throw his guitar in before running off. No doubt to buy that much needed meal.

Hermione stood underneath the Eiffel Tower and looked around for her friends. She would separate him from the tape. Maybe find a way to put his songs on a cassette. She wanted to hear them again and again.

"There you are," said Harry, jogging over. "Fleur and Esperanza found a carousel. We're going to line up for a turn before getting dinner."

"That sounds great."

He nodded and started walking along, then stopped dead. "You're speaking again!"

"Don't get used to it," she said. "I could still stop tomorrow."

"Yeah, right." He smiled. "What made you start again?"

"Don't know," she said, though she had a feeling.

They found the others in line.

"Were the performances any good?" asked Esperanza.

"Yeah, I'll show you later," said Hermione, wiggling her camera.

She could see on their faces. They were relieved she was speaking again. They didn't make a big deal out of it, not even Ron. Probably because they worried if they did, she would stop.

"We picked a place to eat," said Fleur. "Esperanza got us a reservation."

"It pays to be famous," she said, tossing her hair.

"You take to it better than I ever could," said Viktor, kissing her hand.

"Cássia and I will go home after dinner," said Quripuma. "We're tired."

"So tired," Cássia agreed.

"That's alright. Anyone else want to skip out on clubbing?"

"I don't want to go," said Ron. "Harry?"

"I'm staying," he said. "Nia told me I could get into the club, they'll just stamp my hand so I won't be sold hard liquor."

Hermione nodded.

"My love, do you want to stay or go?" asked Viktor, wrapping his arms around Esperanza.

"I'm going to stay," she said. "You?"

Ï think I will go home," he said, kissing the crook of her neck. "I am reaching my limit."

"I understand."

Fleur leaned on Hermione. "I am having so much fun. Thank you everyone."

"Of course," said Hermione, draping an arm across her shoulders. "We're happy to be here with you."

After dinner, those who didn't feel up to clubbing headed home and the rest of them moved on.

"Hey, Nia," said Fred. "Save a dance for me?"

"I was going to use Duckie," she said. "But if you want, you can be the fake boyfriend if a bloke gets too fresh with me."

He leaned close and waggled his eyebrows. "Or I could be your real boyfriend."

Was he seriously covering up his feelings by turning them into a joke? She liked him as a friend, but any chance of her developing feelings for him had sailed by.

"No," she said. "Fake boyfriend. Tonight only."

"Blokes just fall at your feet, Nia," said Harry. "What's up with that?"

"If I had to take a guess? Probably my right hook."

They found a club that looked like fun and were recognized by the bouncer. Or rather, Esperanza was and their party was allowed in.

"Let's dance," said Hermione.

The club was alright. After an hour, they hopped to a different one which seemed to want Esperanza to perform for free. Either way, she had a huge fear of performing without prep in case she was completely off-key. Then, Hermione found a wixen club beneath a grate and they decided to dance there until they dropped.

The music was good and drum heavy, they had laser lights and a wide array of drinks.

Hermione barely strayed from the middle of the dance floor.

"Where do you get this energy?" Fred puffed, clutching a stitch in his side.

"You should've seen her at the Hearthstone Festival," said Alejandro. Since it was a wixen club, he was out and proud. There were actually a few that approached him to dance, but he only had eyes for Blaise.

"Hello there," said a stranger, approaching Hermione. He was pale and dressed in black leather and satin. "Care to dance?"

"Yeah, alright," she said. Fred was getting on with a girl, so she had released him from fake boyfriend status.

The stranger wasn't the best dancer in the world. In fact, he was pretty terrible. His moves were about twenty years out of date, but she appreciated his confidence.

"Nia!" Fleur shouted over the music. "Want another drink?"

"Sure. I'll go with you," she said and followed her over to the bar.

They ordered another round of fruity drinks. Esperanza stuck with non-alcoholic giggle water. She didn't drink on principle.

Hermione leaned against the counter and flexed her knees. Her feet were going to hate her in the morning. She sensed someone lean over her, a cold breath against her neck.

"NO!" She pinned the assailant down onto the counter, twisting their arm behind them.

"Ow! OW!"

It was the guy she was dancing with.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Hermione demanded, releasing him and shoving him away.

Then, she saw his fangs.

"Wow," she scoffed. "You're trying to turn me? We danced for, what, four minutes?"

"Five actually," he said. "You're so lovely, you deserve eternity."

"You know, you should really ask for consent before turning people," said Hermione. "Go on. Ask me."

He blinked in surprise. "Alright, do you want to be a vampire?"

"No. I like garlic too much," she said and reached into her purse. "Here. Have a pamphlet."

"S.A.M.B.," he read, opening it up. "I've heard of this. It's bullshit, you seriously believe this crap?"

"Sure." Hermione sipped her drink.

"This is all some cover up to secretly oppress us," he spat. "Make us think we're achieving equality, get us to sign our names, and then they have a kill list for contact monster hunters."

"Actually, it is about justice, equity, and equal rights," said Hermione. "Building a better future."

"Pftt, and what idiot told you that?"

"Well, me, considering I'm the founder," she said. "Come on, Fleur, let's keep dancing."

"He doesn't know what he's talking about," said Fleur.

"No, I knew some would react like this," she said. "You can't win them all. Just have to keep going. And once I take care of Our Good Friend, I can focus on the cause."

"That is true." Fleur looked at her watch. "I think fifteen minutes more and I will be ready to take a walk to sober up."

"Alright. I'll go collect the others."

"Oh, Nia?"

"Yes?"

Fleur hugged her. "This was the best day ever."

"So far," said Hermione, smiling and hugging her back. "You still have your wedding day."

"Ugh. It's the marriage I'm more excited about," said Fleur, making a face. "When it is just me and William. Family is always complicated and I know William's doesn't like me all that much and some of my cousins… they are… Well, they use their allure for personal gain. Society never expected anything else from them, so they do what is expected."

"Mm, no family is perfect," said Hermione. "Not even mine."

Fleur smiled. They walked around, sipping their drinks and gathering up their friends.

"Let's go for a walk," said Fleur.

"Yeah, I could use a walk," said George.

Clustered together, they exited out into the cold night air to cool down and sober up before heading home.

"Oh, it's snowing!" said Esperanza. "I hate snow."

"Ah, that is why you went on tour," Fleur teased. "To not be home in Bulgaria."

Esperanza scoffed and rolled her eyes.

Hermione breathed the air in deeply and exhaled through her mouth to watch her breath freeze.