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Hermione looked around the room. This wasn’t her first time at this gathering. A year ago, this is where she made her greatest mistake. Maybe not ‘greatest’ mistake but it was up in the top five. The memory haunted her to this day. One she worked hard on ignoring. She hoped Ginny and her girlfriend, Anna, would arrive on time to keep her from making the same mistake as last year.
“Hermione,” a man called.
As Hermione turned to face the man, her heart stopped in her chest seeing the person next to him. Of all the people, of course it was her.
“Alexander, it’s good to see you again,” Hermione greeted, her professional smile in place. “Delacour.” She did her best not to snarl the name.
“Granger,” Fleur’s lilting voice hit her in the face.
Despite everything, Fleur could reduce her to a puddle with only one word. Unlike Hermione, there wasn’t an edge to Fleur’s voice. She sounded almost fond. Hermione ignored her entirely. There was no way in hell she was going to look at Fleur if she could help it.
“Oh, wonderful, you two know each other,” Alexander clapped his hands together. “It’s fortunate, since you two will be working on the newest project together.”
“Which project?” Hermione asked as dread pooled in her stomach.
“Right, the one in Australia. They are having an issue and need skilled workers. You two were picked. I am sure you’ll get all your information on Monday.”
Hermione nodded, annoyed at the sudden change in her schedule. There was no telling how long the work in Australia would take. Just the idea of spending months with Fleur drove her insane.
“I am sure, between Hermione and myself, we will get this sorted,” Fleur commented. Her flippant attitude enough to set Hermione’s teeth on edge. “We are, after all, professionals.”
The dig hit hard, and Hermione wanted nothing more than to hex the arrogant woman in front of her. Her smile became a touch too strained as she continued watching Alexander in favor of Fleur.
“Yes, Delacour and I shouldn’t have too many issues,” Hermione added.
“I knew you were the right choice to work with her,” Alexander beamed. “Lady Black was unsure you’d be able to maintain professionalism, but I assured her there was no one better suited than you.”
“I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
“Well, I must be off. I need to let Lady Black know that you are happy to take the job.”
He gave a short wave before disappearing into the crowd. Hermione was left with Fleur, the last thing she wanted. Her eyes bounced around the area, hoping for some escape. When it became clear that she wasn’t able to get away without speaking to Fleur, she resigned herself to another heated exchange.
As she turned to take Fleur in, she wished she hadn’t. Fleur, as always, was stunning. Her flawless silvery blonde hair fell around strong shoulders that were on full display with her strapless dress. Her classic blue color, a shade or two darker than normal but just as devastating. The blue made her eyes pop. If Hermione didn’t know any better, she would have thought they were glowing.
This was her worst nightmare. Alone with Fleur. Again. Without Ginny here as a buffer, Hermione would have to be on her guard. She knew alcohol and Fleur were a bad mix.
“It’s good to see you,” Fleur said. The softness of her words was hard to ignore but ignore them she would.
“Is it?” Hermione asked. She couldn’t seem to manage to keep the coldness out of her tone. After all, she still had no good explanation for Fleur ditching her the last time they were together.
The quirked eyebrow told her Fleur wasn’t impressed by her anger.
“I’ve been trying to get ahold of you. I wanted—”
“Hermione,” Anna said as she appeared next to her. Hermione could have cried in sheer relief when Anna rescued her.
She didn’t flinch when Anna’s arms wrapped around her, a kiss placed on the corner of her mouth. Hermione leaned into the hug, a bright smile appearing on her face.
“Anna, I was wondering when you’d get here,” Hermione heard the relief in her own voice.
“I’m sorry, work kept me late, you know how it is,” Anna grinned. She wrapped around Hermione’s side, a teasing smile on her face. “Now that I’m here, I could use that drink you promised.”
“Of course. I’ll see you later,” Hermione remarked to Fleur. While Fleur’s face was devoid of emotion, her eyes burned with anger.
Anna turned her away from Fleur and led her towards the bar.
“Thank you,” Hermione said when they were far enough away.
“Is that her?” Anna asked, tempted to turn back to take in the woman again.
“It is.”
“Damn, I can see why you’re still hung up on her. She’s gorgeous.”
“I’m not hung up on her.”
Anna chuckled, kissing her cheek again.
“Please, you can lie to Ginny all you want but given the chance, you’d end up in bed with her again.”
Hermione grumbled.
“I know.”
The soft smile she got was enough. Anna leaned next to her at the bar as they ordered their drinks.
“Where is Ginny?” Hermione asked.
“Work. She told me to save you from too much alcohol and pretty blondes.”
With a shake of her head, she chuckled.
“She’s not wrong.”
“What even happened? Because from the hole she’s burning into the back of my head, she isn’t happy I’m touching you.”
Hermione sighed, rubbing her face.
“We started working together a year and a half ago. She’s brilliant and beautiful. From the moment we met, she’s been forward and flirtatious. Not even the pushy kind either. If she thought I was uncomfortable, she’d back off. We finished the work we did and about a month later we met again at the yearly party. After a few too many drinks and dances, we wound up in my hotel room. One thing led to another...Anyway, when I woke the next morning, she was gone. Not a note or anything. When I saw her again, I confronted her. She gave some half-hearted excuse and disappeared for another month. Since then, well, I’ve been doing my best to avoid her.”
“So, you hooked up, had a great night, and your pissed about how it ended?”
“Pretty much,” Hermione shrugged. “I just felt like I was nobody. A conquest.”
“Does she seem like the type to have conquests?”
“No.”
“Hermione,” Anna began.
“I know, okay. I’m angry because she never explained why she left. Then when she comes back to work again, she’s been acting like nothing happened. Flirts with me, tries to get me alone. I just...”
Anna nodded, wrapping her arm around her shoulders. She kissed the side of her head just as their drinks arrived.
“Look, maybe you should talk to her. She might have the answers you want.”
“I can’t.” Hermione admitted. “I...ever since that night...I can’t get her out of my head.”
“You're in love with her,” Anna said in a hushed voice.
Hermione nodded, taking a swig of her drink.
“Yes, I very much am. I can’t help it. She’s wonderful. Everything I could ever want in a partner, but I can’t get over what she did to me.”
“Come on, let’s dance. No need to wallow in your unrequited love. Not that I think it is.”
Hermione snorted but let Anna drag her onto the dance floor.
She let herself relax into her friend’s hold. It was true. She was in love with Fleur. The hurt lingered from that night. Hermione still felt the pain in her chest when she remembered waking to an empty bed. Fleur long gone. Those five months they worked together were some of her favorite memories. Fleur was brilliant. Challenged her, pushed her, and they often found themselves going out to dinner and spending time outside of work with each other.
Over those five months, the crush she had developed into something deeper. When their job ended, Hermione still wasn’t sure if Fleur meant any of what she said and had let her go. The yearly party was the first time they saw each other after the job ended. Fleur had been all wide smiles and casual touches. Neither were drunk that night, but the kiss Fleur stole had snowballed into a passionate night.
In the early morning hours, Hermione could swear she would feel Fleur’s lips on her. The gentle caresses that were her undoing. It was insane to think after almost a year she could still feel Fleur but that’s how it was. Her body craved Fleur like a drug, and she had no explanation for why.
After their initial conversation, Hermione became defensive anytime Fleur was around. It led to heated confrontations and left Hermione buzzing with desire. She’d argued with many people over the years and none of them brought out the response an argument with Fleur did. The way she craved any form of contact with Fleur upset her. A part of her just wanted to slap Fleur in the face and hope it would be enough to break the spell over her. The other half of her wanted to drown in those passionate kisses and soft touches until she couldn’t think of anything else.
It left her off-balance and horny. Fleur would be her undoing if she let it. That’s why Hermione worked so hard to avoid her since then. No matter what she did, she couldn’t escape the memories.
The ever-present tingle at the base of her neck let her know that Fleur’s eyes were on her. Which was a normal enough experience, and one Hermione was able to ignore. Even if everything in her wanted the opposite.
“I need some air,” Hermione blurted.
Anna nodded, letting her go.
Hermione made her way out of the room, not looking back. She just wanted to get away from the suffocating feeling that plagued her. As she stepped into the hall, she turned to head towards the balcony she knew was further down. Her feet moved far quicker than she would show most people. An instinct she had from her time during the war. It didn’t matter what shoes she was in, she’d practiced in all of them, just to be sure she could always get away.
A quick push on the door had her outside and in the cool air. Her back pressed against the wall next to the doors, hidden in shadow. Even if someone came out here, they wouldn’t be sure she was there. Which was the point. It kept her from doing anything stupid. She hoped.
The door opened again not five minutes later as Fleur stepped onto the balcony. Hermione remained rooted to her spot, eyes locked on Fleur as she let the doors shut behind her. Fleur moved to the railing, leaning on her elbows.
“Are you ready to listen?” Fleur asked.
“Depends,” Hermione drawled.
“On?”
“If you’re going to tell me the truth.”
“I haven’t lied to you,” Fleur snapped. The first sign of anger she’d gotten from the blonde.
“You haven’t told me the truth either.”
Fleur sighed, turning to look at Hermione’s hiding spot.
“I didn’t lie,” Fleur repeated.
Hermione scoffed, anger waring with the sudden desire to pin Fleur to that railing. The thought sank in deep, and her fingers ached to do exactly that. To feel those curves under her fingers as her lips mapped the smooth skin of Fleur’s neck again.
“Then why?” Hermione’s voice was cold. Indifferent despite the need she felt welling up.
“It’s...complicated.”
With her arms crossed, Hermione continued to watch Fleur. Who shifted in a fit of nerves Hermione had never seen Fleur have. She wasn’t sure what caused it, but she was quickly running out of patience. Despite the opportunity to clear things up, Fleur still hadn’t said anything.
“Fine,” Hermione sighed. As she pushed off the wall to head back to the door.
“Non,” Fleur cried, and Hermione was spun around.
Her hand went for her wand on instinct but was caught by Fleur’s hand. Hermione’s wrist hit the wall above her head as her other hand came up to shove Fleur away. Once more, Fleur grabbed her wrist pinning it next to the other. Hermione found herself looking up at bright blue eyes that swirled with emotion. Fleur gazed at her as if she had waited far too long for this moment and wasn’t about to let Hermione leave.
“Let me go,” Hermione growled.
She didn’t like this. Not one bit. Her time during the war saw to it. If this was anyone else, Hermione would have used wandless magic to knock them out, but it was Fleur. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt her. Even if her own pain simmered under the surface.
“Non,” Fleur shot back. “I’m sorry. I am so sorry, but I tried to write you. To explain what happened. I couldn’t tell you to your face because I was embarrassed and every time, I wrote a letter it came back. Any time I’ve tried to talk to you, you fight me.”
“Why shouldn’t I? You left me. No note. When I saw you again, you gave me some half assed excuse. I’m angry. I’m hurt.”
“I’m sorry,” Fleur stressed. “It wasn’t easy for me. I didn’t know how to handle it, and I messed it up. Hermione, the last thing I wanted was to hurt you. Everything about that night was magical and I was scared.”
“Scared of what?” Hermione demanded.
Fleur sighed, her eyes full of turmoil. Hermione couldn’t understand why this was so hard to talk about. She was almost sure she could get out of Fleur’s grip if she wanted to, but she wanted to know. The wondering never let her go.
“After we slept together, I woke first,” Fleur began, her blue eyes locked over Hermione’s shoulder. “I...well...I transformed, and I couldn’t change back. I was scared because that’s never happened to me. My first instinct was to run, and I did. All the way back home. It took me three days to return to normal.”
“Fleur, I don’t care that you’re a Veela. I’ve told you that.”
“That’s not why I ran.”
“Then why?”
Fleur groaned as she let Hermione’s wrists go and walked away until she leaned back against the railing. Her arms wrapped around her waist like it would help her get through whatever else she had to say.
“Because it wasn’t just that I was transformed. My Veela...wanted to claim you, mate with you and I wouldn’t be able to stop her.”
Hermione let those words settle over her. Her mind a whirlwind of emotions.
Mate? Claim?
The idea should have scared her, and a very tiny part was scared. While the rest of her was relieved. It wasn’t something she did.
“That’s bad?” Hermione asked, seeming to take Fleur by surprise.
“Hermione, we weren’t even dating. I could have gotten you pregnant. Not to mention you’ve never seen me transformed. Just because you say you don’t care that doesn’t make it true. You have never seen me, so you can’t know that.”
Hermione blinked, a bit annoyed that Fleur doubted it.
“Then show me.”
Fleur frowned before her mouth dropped open in surprise. Hermione raised an eyebrow, a silent challenge. With a sigh, Fleur stepped forward, closing her eyes as magic swirled around her.
Hermione watched, in awe, as Fleur began to shift forms. Fleur’s silvery blonde hair shown with a golden gleam and moved as if there was a strong wind. Wings materialized behind her, bright blue and light blue feathers appearing. Long, thin fingers shifted to sharp talons. Feathers appeared across the back of her arms, covering her collarbone before disappearing into the dress. Her face became sharper, and a beak appeared before fading back to normal.
Bright blue eyes looked at her when it was clear Fleur was done. Hermione wasn’t sure what surprised her the most, the feathers or that Fleur could shift from having a beak to not having one. The wings fluttered in a show of nerves.
Without much though, Hermione stepped forward until she wrapped her hand around the back of Fleur’s neck. With a hard pull, she leaned up on her toes to claim those lips that taunted her for a year. Fleur let out a gasp before strong arms wrapped around Hermione, pulling her closer.
The kiss was everything.
Hermione leaned into the kiss, intent on never forgetting the taste or feel of Fleur. Her heart tripped in her chest and her hand fisted into Fleur’s gorgeous hair. She drowned in the heat and passion that Fleur kissed her with. If there was anything better than kissing Fleur, Hermione never wanted to find it. This is where she belonged. A feeling she had been running from since that night.
It was hearing and seeing Fleur’s insecurity about her Veela side that allowed Hermione to forgive Fleur. She would spend the rest of her life kissing Fleur if it meant Fleur wouldn’t worry.
“I don’t care if it’s this or how you look day-to-day,” Hermione whispered against Fleur’s lips when the kiss broke. “I will love you either way.”
Fleur groaned as she leaned in to kiss Hermione again.
“I love you,” Fleur gasped when Hermione’s lips blazed a trail of fire down her neck. “We should really talk first.”
“About what?” Hermione asked as she nipped on Fleur’s neck. It got the older woman to moan which was what Hermione wanted.
“Kids, mating, marriage, dating,” Fleur rambled as Hermione pinned her hips to the railing.
“Sure,” Hermione agreed. “After.”
“Non, it can happen anytime we have sex.”
“And?”
Fleur groaned, her back arching as Hermione sucked on the spot where her neck and shoulder met. It was one of Fleur’s weaknesses that Hermione exploited.
“Should talk,” Fleur tried again.
“Don’t care. Now, later, it’s not going to change my mind. I want you. All of you.”
Fleur swore, her hand pressed into Hermione’s chest. Hermione smirked at the absolute wreck Fleur was. It was delicious sort of pride she felt seeing how undone Fleur was because of her.
“You can’t just say that,” Fleur complained.
“Why not?”
“Because having a child is a big deal. We’ve only argued for the last year. We haven’t dated. None of it.”
“Fleur, I’ve been arguing with you, so I won’t fuck you,” Hermione told her bluntly. “I’ve been in love with you the entire time. I haven’t been with anyone since you.”
“But, that woman?”
“Ginny’s girlfriend.”
Fleur groaned, rubbing her forehead.
“Hermione, it isn’t something someone just does on a whim.”
“I mean, men and women have sex all the time and end up pregnant, kind of part of life.”
“You aren’t taking this seriously. Mating with a Veela isn’t just sex. It’s part magic and part emotion. If we do this, there isn’t any undoing it.”
“And?” Hermione repeated.
Fleur groaned, throwing her hands up.
“Are you honestly telling me you don’t care if we have sex, and you end up pregnant or anything else that is going to happen when my Veela begins the mating process?”
“Is it going to hurt?”
“Non.”
“Am I going to have to take off work for it?”
“Probably.”
“Is it something you want?”
“Oui.” Fleur’s response was soft, a blush on her cheeks.
“Then, I guess there is only one more question to ask.” Hermione said, a slight smile on her face.
“Which is?”
“Your place or mine?”