L'amour Toujour
C27: Special Kind of Christmas
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own any of the recognizable characters
When Fleur and Hermione woke up on Christmas morning, they were very surprised not to find their sisters in bed with them, although one look at the time told them plenty. "Baby, we have to hurry if we don't want aunt Cissa to come and drag us down the stairs in our birthday suits." Hermione said softly.
Fleur groaned a little at that as she tried to turn around. "Fleur Isabelle Delacour we don't have time for you to be difficult this morning. We have one hour to shower and get ready." Hermione said sternly.
Fleur smiled at her. "That was an excellent impression of your aunt, mon amour. Come let's take a shower so we can wake up a little bit more.
Hermione stuck her tongue out at the blonde as she rolled out of bed and made her way to the bathroom, putting just enough swing in her hips to know that the blonde would be right behind her.
True to form Fleur scrambled to get out of bed and into the shower with her mate, trading one form of warmth for another. "You my love, do not play fair sometimes." She said grumpily as she joined her lover in the shower.
"Only when it is really necessary baby, we don't want to upset aunt Cissa today, or tomorrow for that matter." Hermione said sweetly.
Fleur smiled and kissed the brunette softly. "I know love, I was mostly teasing you, but you know I just don't like the cold and I like being away from you even less."
"And from now on I will be right here beside you, Fleur, and we will definitely take some time to properly reconnect after the holidays." Hermione said softly.
"I know mon amour. It's just that my Veela is acting up because we've been denied our closeness for so long." Fleur said softly.
Hermione smiled and pulled the blonde into her arms before pressing a long kiss to her neck. "We won't be separated again, and I think that after the holidays my mothers will also feel a lot more stable in their emotions, as will I. I'm so sorry that I've let our bond fall to the background, because it wasn't my intention to do so. Like you are now, it was mostly an instinctual reaction to reconnect with Mama."
Fleur nodded and smiled at her mate. "I know, and as we both know instincts are rarely rational. We'll be okay in the coming days."
Hermione nodded and kissed the blonde softly as she wordlessly started to wash the blonde's back, silently enjoying the feel of her mate's silky skin under her touch.
"The things you do to me, mon amour. They are truly out of this world." Fleur said softly as she turned around to face the brunette.
Hermione smiled at that. "You've mentioned this once or twice before and it never fails to warm my heart."
Fleur smiled at her. "I merely speak the truth, mon amour." She said as she turned the brunette around to return the favor, so that they at least would be on time for breakfast this morning.
When they came downstairs forty minutes later, Narcissa was waiting for them with her hands on her hips and looking a bit annoyed. "You two sure took your sweet time this morning. I really thought you two would know better than to cut it so close today."
"To be honest aunt Cissa, we could have been here earlier if our dear sisters had woken us up this morning. You know we would never intentionally be late for Christmas morning." Hermione said softly and as innocently as she possibly could.
Narcissa sighed softly at them. "I wondered why Luna and Gabrielle were up so early, but I suppose it can't be helped. You're both relatively on time and immaculately dressed. I am also sorry for being a bit annoyed. Bella has been teasing me for most of the morning."
Hermione smiled and gave her aunt a hug as they walked into the dining room, where the entire family had gathered around the table that was filled with every sort of breakfast food they could ever have imagined, and judging by the spots that were reserved for them, Bellatrix was clearly intending to monopolize their time while they ate.
Once everyone was seated, Narcissa stood and addressed the family. "Before we all eat, I would like to take a moment to say how happy I am that we are finally all here again. It has been far too long since we had the entire family here for Christmas and to commemorate this day, I have commissioned an artist to paint a couple of portraits today. I believe we are well overdue for some new paintings in the house."
Bellatrix groaned softly at that, because she hated having to sit for paintings, and it was only the prospect of finally being able to have a proper portrait of her daughters done that made her hold her tongue, although the pointed glare from her sister might also have something to do with it.
"As I said, after breakfast we'll sit for the family portrait, afterwards you are all free to ask for any other portraits, because I know that most of us would want a portrait to commemorate today, and I was hoping that we could have one of the three of us as well?" Narcissa asked as she looked to Bellatrix and Andromeda.
Andromeda smiled at her sister. "Of course Cissa. I would love to, and while we know how Bella feels about having to sit for a portrait, I think she will agree with me that today is special."
The raven-haired witch smiled and nodded. "I'm glad you still know me so well Andi. I indeed hate having to sit for a portrait, but you are also right in saying that this is a special occasion, so I too would love to sit with you and Andi for a portrait, on the condition that I get to sit in the middle."
The two witches smiled at that. "Of course, you are the oldest, so it is only right that you are in the center." Narcissa said with a soft smile.
Bellatrix nodded and smiled as Narcissa retook her seat, which everyone took as a sign that they could start piling food onto their plates.
…
After breakfast Narcissa led them all into the living room, since that had the best light for the painter and all the room they needed to situate themselves, which appeared to be a bigger issue than the blonde had originally thought. "Alright, how about this. Bella and Pandora on the couch, with Hermione and Luna on either side of them and next to them Fleur and Gabrielle. Then Andromeda and Nymphadora on the right side a bit in front of them and then myself and Draco on the left. That way everyone will be in the picture and no one will fall to the background."
It took a bit of arranging, but eventually everyone was seated in the suggested position, except for Narcissa herself, who took a moment to check if everything was to her liking, taking her seat next to Draco once she was satisfied.
It took a little over two hours for the painter to finish his final sketch, and as she looked over the family one last time to ensure she had every detail, she let them do as they wished and that she would be ready for the next one in about twenty minutes.
Of course the first thing Narcissa did was to have some snacks brought in by the House Elves, mostly consisting of scones and other finger foods that would help stave off everyone's hunger until dinner. "Now that wasn't so bad right Bella. I don't think we've ever had an easier time getting everyone to sit for a family portrait."
The raven-haired witch smiled at her sister. "It wasn't as bad because mother wasn't here to admonish us for poor posture every five minutes, and having my girls and wife close helped a lot as well."
"Since you two will probably want at least three portraits of your family done, I'm sure having them close will help you get through those too." Narcissa said with a soft smile.
Bellatrix smiled at that. "You would probably right in that. It's been far too long overdue that we have a portrait with both of our daughters. The last one we did Luna wasn't even born yet and Hermione was still a baby."
Hermione smiled at that. "I would love to see that some day. Do you still have it Mama?"
"Of course we do sweetie. It's proudly displayed in our home, although I think that we're going to replace it with our new ones very soon, and now that you're both not returning to Hogwarts, we can definitely take a day or two at our home, although that might be done better when temperatures are a bit higher." Bellatrix said with a sweet smile.
Hermione smiled and pressed herself close to her mother as they both took a scone from one of the trays at the same time, which got a chuckle from both Luna and Pandora. "I would like that, because like my Mama and my mate, I really don't like the cold."
Luna smiled at her sister as they saw the painter take her place behind her easel again. "Oh I know sister. In winters it is near impossible to get you out of bed, although I'll admit that especially on weekends I have little incentive to get you out of bed since you always want to cuddle."
Hermione smiled at her sister as they took a seat, both of them sandwiched between their mothers. "Can you blame me when my sister is always so delightfully warm?"
Luna merely shook her head as they tried to sit still as well as they could, although that did not dissuade them from talking to each other softly.
Because it was only the four of them now it only took half an hour for the painter to finish their sketch, setting her brushes to work to paint the rest of the picture while Luna and Pandora stood and excused themselves for a moment.
By the time everyone had sat for their portraits it was approaching dinner time, and despite the numerous snacks that had been served everyone was ravenous, which was just as well because Narcissa had prepared nothing less than a feast for this evening.
When everyone had once again taken their seats and had filled their plates for the first course, Bellatrix took a private moment to appreciate the sight that was now again before her. Her family was complete and very content, if everyone's smiles were any indication and she knew that everything they had gone through over the last fifteen years had been worth it because this was what they were fighting for, so that everyone could live their lives the way they wanted to.
Hermione of course noticed her mother's silent contemplation and gave her hand a soft squeeze to get her attention. "Are you okay Mama?" She asked softly.
Bellatrix nodded at her eldest. "Yes sweetie, Mama has never been better. I was just thinking of how happy I am to finally be able to share this with you and that we're all together again. It were thoughts of times like this that kept me going in Azkaban."
Hermione smiled sweetly at her mother. "Never again Mama. After the War we are going to tear that place down brick by brick if we have to. No one, not even Dumbledore deserves to be in there for any length of time."
Bellatrix nodded and smiled at her. "You are not the only one who thinks that sweetie, and it is one of the things we want and need to change, and we will when a new Minister will be elected after the War."
Hermione smiled at her as they continued their meal in relative silence, all of them more than glad to be able to spend this time with each other now that they still had the chance, since they all knew that it was only a matter of time before everything would change and the War would properly start, throwing them all right in the thick of it.
…
After dinner the entire family made their way to the den where the tree had been set up, surrounded by what only be called a mountain of gifts. "Now before we start handing out everyone's gifts, I think we've all earned a little rest. I know that Christmas is always a crazy time and that I am mostly to blame for that, so I think for once we can allow some less strict post dinner time, so if you all want to change into something more comfortable that is okay with me." Narcissa said once everyone had taken a seat.
Everyone was a bit surprised to hear that, but took generous advantage of the offer, as everyone, Narcissa included made their way to their rooms to change into some more comfortable clothes, and within minutes everyone was back in their evening wear. "I must say Cissy, this is definitely the most surprising part of the day." Bellatrix said with a soft smile as she relaxed into the couch.
The blonde smiled at her sister. "I thought everyone might appreciate this. Dinner was a longer affair than usual and I'm sure everyone ate more than their fill so that help with that I thought you all would appreciate this, plus it'll give us all the opportunity to relax a bit."
"And relax we shall Cissa, although there is one thing that could make this evening better, and that would be a glass of wine." Bellatrix said with a hopeful smile, knowing her sister's stance on alcohol on Christmas.
Narcissa smiled at that, having expected that request at some point today. "I think in light of everything we've earned one, and for this once I think we can allow our children one too, if you want to of course."
"Can we mother?" Draco asked hopefully.
Narcissa nodded and smiled at her son, floating a couple of bottles of wine and the appropriate number of glasses. "Just this once. This is not going to become a habit for holidays."
Draco and Hermione grinned at that, both of them wanting to try some. "Don't get too excited sweetie. Chances are that your first taste of wine will not be to your liking. Wine like most alcohol is an acquired taste."
Hermione smiled at her mother. "I won't know until I try it Mama." She said with a soft smile as she cuddled into her mother's side, while Fleur was cuddled into hers.
Bellatrix just smiled at her as Narcissa floated over three glasses. "I just wanted to have warned you sweetie."
Hermione smiled as she took two glasses and handed one to her girlfriend, who took it with a smile. "I know I won't have to ask if you ever had wine."
"You would be right in that mon amour. We French love our wine, and I happen to know that your aunt has an excellent taste in wine." Fleur said as she took a sip.
Hermione just smiled as she followed both her mother's and mate's example and took a sip of her wine, finding it far more pleasant than she would've expected it to be, and she couldn't help but giggle from the tingle in her throat.
Both Fleur and Bellatrix smiled at that. "Am I to guess that you like this particular wine, sweetie?" Bellatrix asked with a smile.
She nodded at her mother. "It has a nice tingle in my throat and I honestly like the fruity flavor of it."
Bellatrix smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of her head as Narcissa called them all to attention again. "While we are enjoying our wine, I would just like to thank you all for once again making this a memorable Christmas, and while it is not over yet I just want to say that tomorrow breakfast will be a bit later than usual. We've all earned a bit of time to sleep in for once."
Everyone smiled at that as Narcissa started to distribute everyone's gifts, something she as always took great pleasure and satisfaction in, but this year it had something extra to it, which is why she had gotten everyone something extra special. "I think everyone went a bit overboard this year with gifts, so how about we let our two youngest start things off?" The blonde asked with a soft smile.
Luna and Gabrielle nodded and smiled at her as they each took a gift and opened it with great care, Luna smiling brightly when she saw the rare book of ancient constellations that Hermione had given her. "You know me so well sister." The blonde said with a dreamy smile.
Hermione smiled at her. "I would hope so, Lu. Otherwise our nightly arrangements are a bit weird." She said teasingly.
Luna just smiled at her sister as she watched with rapt attention as her mate open up the gift she had given her, and as Gabrielle opened up the box and saw the bracelet, she wrapped her arms around her mate. "Merci, mon amour. It's beautiful." Gabrielle said softly.
Luna smiled and kissed her softly. "The moment I saw it I thought of you. Did you happen to see the symbol on it?"
Gabrielle nodded and smiled as she ran her fingers over the two snakes that ate each other's tail. "The Ouroboros. It is a symbol for infinity is it not?"
Luna nodded at her. "It is, it represents my love for you. Which is also eternal."
Gabrielle blushed a little at that as she cuddled closer to her lover, the two opening up the rest of their gifts lost in their own world.
Fleur and Hermione were the last to open their gifts this time and like their sisters they were more than just a little bit curious about what they had gotten this year, with Hermione more so than Fleur because she had a feeling that her mothers had chosen something special.
Most of her gifts were ones that she expected, like the dress Narcissa had given her and the cache of rare potion ingredients from Draco, but her Mama had surprised her by giving them a book on soulmate magic that they would both love to devour as soon as they got the chance.
Fleur was also very pleasantly surprised by the small bag from Pandora, revealed to be seeds of her Pleasure's Snare, which both she and Pandora hoped would find a use in a future potion.
…
A few hours later Hermione and Fleur were finally in bed, having been ready to conk out halfway through opening their gifts, and because of the emotional day everyone had and the assurance that they wouldn't have to appear so early tomorrow, Luna and Gabrielle had opted to spend the night in their own room instead of sharing a bed with their sisters, which left the blonde and brunette more than a little bit inspired. "I know we are both tired, mon amour, but I can feel you are just as horny as I am. Shall we take the edge off our hormones a little before bed?" Fleur asked huskily.
Hermione grinned and kissed the blonde. "While I would love to. I am dead of my feet. I wouldn't say no to making out and relaxing a bit. I'm honestly too tired for anything else."
Fleur smiled and pulled the brunette closer. "It has been a long but amazing day. I honestly had not expected Narcissa to commission a portrait today. It has been one of the best Christmases I've ever had."
"I can say the same, for a multitude of reasons. Ever since I found out the truth about my family I've wondered what it would be like to spend Christmas with my mothers, and I can honestly say that reality can't compare to my dreams or even my expectations." Hermione said with a soft smile.
Fleur smiled at her mate. "I can imagine that mon amour. Your mothers have brought out a side of you I hadn't seen before. You've become quite the Mama's girl over the last few weeks, which is both completely understandable and incredibly adorable."
Hermione blushed a little at that. "I can't be blamed for clinging to Mama after learning everything about how I came to be. It's an instinctual thing that honestly goes deeper than a regular mother-daughter bond, and I know it is the same for Luna. Perhaps it'll settle in a few months."
"And if it doesn't, that's okay too mon amour. I, and more importantly my Veela has come to accept that bond you share with your mothers. I'll also admit that I was a bit jealous at first, but now that I've had time to compartmentalize those feelings, I can feel the soul you two share." Fleur said softly.
Hermione smiled and kissed her softly. "Sometimes I wish I could feel the things you do, because it sounds amazing and also a bit intimidating to feel everything like that."
Fleur smiled at that, having expected this at some point. "When we get married and perform the Veela marriage ritual, you will start to feel those things to some degree, because it'll bind our souls together much like yours is linked to your Mama's."
"I honestly can't wait for that. I would love nothing more then to call you my wife and eventually have a family with you." Hermione said honestly.
The blonde's smile brightened almost impossibly at that. "I can already see it, children of our genes. Beauty, brains and attitude all rolled into a tiny blonde package." Fleur said with a dreamy smile.
Hermione nodded in agreeance. "And let's not forget very magically powerful. It is only natural with a child of our genes, and I will admit I'm already getting giddy thinking about raising a daughter with you."
"I see someone has been paying attention to her Veela literature." Fleur said with a teasing wink.
"Of course, the moment I figured out my feelings for you I knew what I wanted with you, and I knew that Veela can only have daughters because of their heritage." Hermione said with a loving smile.
Fleur smiled and kissed her mate softly. "I think this is the first time we've actually talked about children, and I have to admit that I warms my heart that you are so open to the possibility."
Hermione smiled at the blonde as she cuddled into her side. "How could I not be when it is clear that you are the only one for me. From the moment I realized exactly how much I loved you I knew that some day we would have a family together. You know better than almost anyone I am not fickle with my feelings, and have been very clear in my wants and needs in recent years. What I want more than anything now is be able to call myself yours in every way and live our lives the way we want to."
"The things you do to me with just your words, Hermione Black, they are truly indescribable. You're everything I want too, and I can't wait until everything settles down and we can get married in a beautiful over the top wedding befitting your family, because I doubt my mother will have come around by then." Fleur said softly.
Hermione smiled and kissed the blonde softly. "We'll go and talk to her after everything settles, because no mother should be robbed of the opportunity to see their daughter get married. She's a Veela too so she too will feel how we feel for each other, and it will be the same with Luna and Gabrielle."
Fleur smiled at that. "We'll see mon amour. I don't know if I'm ready to forgive her just yet. Despite everything she always drilled into my head about a Veela finding her mate, she said vile things about you and the reason I wanted to move here."
"We've got time, baby. First we have a war to win and a society to overhaul. After that we can fully focus on us." Hermione said with a loving smile.
Fleur nodded and kissed the brunette softly, unable to restrain her hands from wandering over her mate's body, although it was far from sexual and just a need to feel that her mate was here with her.
Hermione moaned into the kiss as they made out for a little while longer, but it also didn't take long before she broke the kiss and tucked her head in the crook of the blonde's neck, inhaling her unique scent deeply as they fell asleep.
…
The following morning the two witches woke up still entangled with each other, but did find their bed a bit more occupied then it was then when they went to sleep last night, because at some point their sisters had decided to join them again, both girls talking softly as they waited for their sister to rejoin the conscious world.
"It's good to see you two finally talking quietly in the early mornings." Fleur said as she turned to face the two blondes and Hermione rested her head on Fleur's shoulder.
Luna and Gabrielle smiled at them. "We know that you two were as tired as we were last night, so we figured it would be best to be considerate of your beauty sleep." Gabrielle said with a cheeky grin.
Fleur gave her a glare. "Careful now Gabi. There are plenty of things I can still share with your mate. Your weak spots for example."
"I was teasing Fleur. You really don't have a sense of humor in the morning. There is no need for you to share what my mate already knows." Gabrielle said with a soft smile.
The older blonde huffed as Hermione wrapped her arms around her lover. "Don't be mad at your sister love. It's nothing that I haven't done countless times when we woke up."
Fleur pouted at her. "I'm not mad, just a tad annoyed that my sister is implying that I don't have a sense of humor, while she knows that I do."
Gabrielle smiled and pressed a kiss to her sister's cheek. "I know you do. It's just that you're a bit grumpy in the morning, especially when you've been able to sleep in."
Fleur smiled at her sister. "I know, but I'm just so comfortable. It's warm and I can feel my mate pressed into my back. Life couldn't be better at the moment."
"That I can fully agree with, there is something otherworldly about being able to share such peaceful days with our mates, even though we know that they won't last much longer." Gabrielle said as she pulled Luna into her arms again.
Luna smiled and pressed a soft kiss to her mate's hands. "Perhaps, but I am sure that our family will do everything in their power to try and keep us out of it as much as possible, but I know that all of us want to do our parts in this fight, and I don't think our mothers would refuse us that."
Hermione nodded at that. "They won't, and neither will the Dark Lord. Our assignments before we made the decision to stay home was evident of that, and I am sure that Mama has some ideas of how we can help. She wants me by her side when she kills Dumbledore, and honestly it would be a good form of closure."
Fleur inhaled deeply as she tried to keep her emotions in check. "As much as I don't want you in the front lines, I know I can't keep you from it and that your mother will keep you safe. Just promise me that you won't be reckless in getting your revenge."
"I can only promise to try, baby. You know that when emotions come into play sound judgment is rarely a part of the thought process, but I promise to try my very best in trying to stay calm and I have a feeling Mama will keep an eye out, as well as doing some extra training beforehand." Hermione said honestly.
Fleur smiled at her. "I suppose it's all I can ask for. I just want you to be safe." She said softly.
Hermione smiled and pressed a long kiss to her lover's neck. "And I will be, with everyone watching each other's backs, we'll be sure that everyone we care about will be safe and make it through this war alive, and most importantly, that the old man will not."
Luna smiled at her sister. "And he won't. Mama will take care of that, because I doubt she'll let you cast the Killing Curse on him."
"I wouldn't want that, nor do I have a desire to learn it. I know Mama had little choice at the time, but she's told me that she would also wouldn't have wanted to learn it. The Cruciatus Curse however is a different story." Hermione said with a soft smile.
"I'm not surprised to hear you say that to be honest. It's Mama's signature Curse and given that you are a Mama's girl, it only makes sense that you want to learn it, if only to use it on Ronald Weasley." Luna said with a soft smile.
Hermione smiled at that. "If I'm a Mama's girl, then you are a Mummy's girl, but you are also right. I want to learn it to finally put Ron Weasley in his place."
Luna smiled at her sister. "I would pay to see that, but fortunately we're getting front row seats for free. We also have to get dressed, because I doubt aunt Cissa will appreciate us staying in bed for much longer."
"You're right, it's already an hour after our usual breakfast time, so we shouldn't push our luck much more." Hermione said softly.
The two blondes smiled at that. "Then we'll go and change in my room and see you two downstairs in a bit. Don't get too carried away. I know you two have little willpower with each other." Luna said teasingly.
"Yes Mom, we'll keep our hands to ourselves. Mostly." Hermione said with a wink as Luna and Gabrielle rolled out of bed to get dressed.
Fleur and Hermione took just a few minutes longer in bed to finally kiss each other good morning before they too got out of bed and got dressed in something that was both fashionable enough for Christmas, but also comfortable enough that they wouldn't have to change after breakfast, which they honestly did not want to do since it would take away from their family time and that was something that they did not want to give up now that they still had the chance to relax with their family.
