Veela Love

Once Hermione was back at 12 Grimmauld Place, she breathed a heavy sigh. Harry was in the parlor waiting for her. She knew he would want to know what Malfoy had said to her but she needed to think first. She shook her head briefly when he asked if she needed to talk about it. She then made her way to the library at the top of the townhome. It had been a shock to see Draco transform into a beautiful creature. But even more of a shock had come when Narcissa found her in the witness room. Everything Narcissa and Draco had told her played in a loop.

Once she got to the library she settled in her favorite chair by the fireplace.

Hermione decided she needed to think about it all one at a time so as to not get overwhelmed. Deciding to start with the mark seemed like the easiest. She knew that Draco had not wanted the mark. She did not need to be told. Anyone with eyes could have seen his deteriorating form in 6th year. His face looked sunken in and his frame was sickly. She had on occasion watched him when he even showed up to a meal. He usually was nowhere to be seen. Once in a while one of his friends would drag him in. He would push his food around and never actually take a bite. He would however always make a cup of tea. This always caught her attention because it was the same way she made hers: two sugars and a spoonful of honey. So after a year of watching him wither away she was not surprised to know he did not want the mark.

The next thing she wanted to dissect was him admitting to not believe in pure blood ideology. This was a hard pill to swallow. She had believed for so long that he thought she was scum. To hear him say that he had never thought that was surprising to say the least. She thought back on the times he had called her mudblood. Every time he had, they had been around some of his peers. She had never heard him call her that when he was alone. Sometimes when she was in the library late at night he would be there too. They would be alone in the silence and he never called her any names. She had run into him in the ancient ruins section once, causing them both to fall. He had helped her up and steadied her and then without saying a word, turned and walked away. She guessed if she looked at every degrading interaction with him, he was always around others. That still wasn’t an excuse for his behavior though. He had still hurt her feelings. He had made her cry more than once.

She decided that was as far as she would get in that line of thinking without delving into what he said his reasoning was for her treatment. Next, she thought about the fact that he was a Veela, or at least partially Veela, she wasn’t sure how that worked. Either way, he was Veela. When he had transformed he had never taken his eyes off of her. She had watched as his wings sprung from his back. They looked to be in pain as he was in the cage but he never faltered. He stared fixedly at her eyes. Even after she had sat in her seat she knew he was looking at her. It felt intimate in a way she could not explain.

Narcissa had told her that both she and Lucius were part Veela. She had also told Hermione that they had known she was his mate since first year. Did that mean Lucius didn’t care about her blood status either? He had saved her in the Department of Mysteries by blocking one of Bellatrix’s curses after she had been hit by Dolohov. She could not reconcile the sneering man with someone who may welcome the thought of her with his son. Narcissa seemed genuine enough when she had talked to her in the room.

And then there was Draco telling her that he would do anything she asked of him. It was just hard to see past the Draco of their youth. She knew that she needed to talk to Fleur. With her mind made up she exited the library and headed back down to the floo.

“Harry,” she called as she descended the stairs, “I am heading to shell cottage. I think I should talk to Fleur about all of - oh.” She stopped at the sight of Harry and Ron sitting on the couch, clearly discussing her as they had quieted immediately. “I didn't mean to interrupt. I will just be going.” She tried to make it to the floo without getting stuck talking to them.

Just as she was turning the corner Ron said, “Mione, hold on a minute would ya.” She rolled her eyes and turned back to face them. Harry looked sheepish and Ron looked on edge.

“Look, I just want to say that I think you should talk to Fleur but also Bill. I mean,” he rubbed the back of his head nervously, “he is in the same boat you are in. He might have a better understanding of how things are for you or will be or I guess could be. I just thought I would tell you that a magical bond like this is nothing to take lightly and you should talk to people who understand.”

Hermione was somewhat surprised by what Ron had just said. “Well then. I will just be off.” She turned again, this time making it to the floo and calling out for shell cottage.

-

Hermione brushed the soot of her clothes. The cottage was a quaint little home on the seaside. She called out to see if Fleur and Bill were home.

When Fleur came into the living area Hermione started, “I am sorry to come so unexpectedly but I was hoping to talk to you and Bill. If this is a bad time I could just -”

“No that eez quite alright. Pleaze ave a seat. Bill will be home in a bit. I ave to tell you that I may know why you are ere.” Fleur told her with a pointed look.

“Yes. Well you see, today was Draco Malfoy’s trial. I was meant to testify but when I entered the courtroom he sort of transformed. He sprouted wings and I think I saw fangs, all the while he was staring into my eyes. It was very beautiful. The Wizengamot went into a recess and they had me go out and wait in the witness room. Narcissa, Draco’s mother, came and found me. She told me all about how he didn't have a choice in following Voldemort. She said he was terrible to me to protect me and that, well, I was his Veela mate. And Fleur I don’t know what any of this means for me. She told me that if I do not want it to affect me then it won't. She said that he would never be with anyone else and would only want me.” At this Hermione flushed. “It’s all just so much. I don’t know enough about Veela to understand what any of this means. I thought that maybe you could help me to understand. You and Bill.” She finished quickly.

“I thought that eez what you come ere for. Do you ave certain questions for me?“ At Hermione’s head shake, Fleur continued, “Well I shall start with what I think you need to know. Veela are magical beings that mate for life. Once bonded it will never be broken. When I turned 18 my call to Bill was solidified. I knew before that he would be my mate. I always felt drawn to him. To be a Veela’s mate is considered a great honor. Zhe fact you believe his transformation beautiful shows you are his mate. To anyone else it would be intimidating. You will never be loved like you will if you choose to be with him. I know that eez not what you wanted to know. Bill can tell you more about how it feelz to be zhe mate of a Veela. I will tell you how it feels to be zhe Veela, oui?” At Hermione’s nod she continued.

”It is an overwhelming pull to be near. You feel you must ensure their appiness above all else. You must protect at any cost. You love zem with your ole heart. For female Veela, you want to pleaze your mate. You feel that you want to do everything with zem. All of zhe little things and the big. You can not urt your mate once you are sure zey are your mate. Now do you ave any specific questions for me before Bill gets ome?”

”When you say bonded, what does that mean?” Hermione asked tentatively. She thought she already knew but wanted to make sure.

“Well, if you decide you want to of course, you will seal your bond by aving sex with him and he will bite you, marking you as his forever.” Fleur answered wistfully.

Hermione blushing and asked, “What happens if I don’t want to be bonded to him?”

Fleur huffed, “It eez not my place to say but to turn down a Veela bond eez très stupide. You will never know a love like it. And it eez the most honored thing in zhe wizarding world. It of course eez your choice. But -“ at that moment Bill came out of the floo.

”Hello, love, I see we have company. Hermione, how have you been?” Bill asked politely as he kissed her on the cheek.

”I have been alright. I am actually here to talk to you and Fleur.” She responded to his inquiry. Bill raised an eyebrow at her.

“Ermione is a Veela’s mate and would like to know about what it eez like to be a mate.” Fleur told her husband.

Bill opened his mouth a few times, finally he asked, “Who is the lucky fellow?”

”Draco Malfoy.” She responded dully.

Bill was again stunned silent.

”I shall leave to talk.” With that Fleur left them standing and staring at each other. One dumbstruck the other terrified.

”Well sit down then and tell me what happened.”

After taking a seat, Hermione began to tell Bill everything that had happened at the ministry. She had not been made to take a wizard's oath due to her being Draco’s mate. After she was done, Bill let out a low whistle.

“Alright, it sounds like you might have questions for me.” He said looking at her.

Hermione took a deep breath and asked, “Could you just tell me what it’s like? You know if I were to give him a chance…”

Bill sat in contemplation for a while. “I guess,” he started, “it’s magical. I don’t really have another word for it. Veela are so attuned to what their mates need. Even before we sealed our bond, Fleur was always there when I needed her with whatever it was that I needed. I don't know how she knew but she did. You feel so loved and cared for. Obviously it is different with every pair but it is amazing. Once you are bonded you are able to know how the other is feeling. It is like a tether that binds you to each other. It is such a comfortable feeling. Like a hug constantly. It is never ending reassurance. It is passionate. We argue but not really. It is mostly about things that make me think harder and for her to see a different perspective. It is like any other relationship really but with the added bonus of knowing that person more intimately than anyone else could. It is more intense than a soul bond and more sacred as well. Might I ask what is holding you back from giving this bloke a chance? He seemed to lay it all out on the line and is more than willing to answer your questions as well.”

”I guess it is just hard to reconcile the boy of my past with the man he is telling me he is. I don't know what to do or think. It is all sudden. I didn't think I would marry until at least 25 let alone be bonded to someone. I guess I am just scared.” Hermione admitted quietly.

”So was I.” Bill told her. “I was terrified, I mean I had so many thoughts about what a relationship was supposed to look like, but with a Veela it is so encompassing that all of that goes out of the window. You have to stop worrying about what might happen. You need to trust the magic. You would not have been chosen as his mate if you were not meant for each other. You are made for him but he is also made for you. You already know that he can’t hurt you without seriously hurting himself. So I say you should talk to him. Start with being his friend and just see what happens. Trust the magic.” He gave her shoulder a playful nudge.

”Thanks Bill. You gave me a lot to think about. I am going to get out of your hair now. Tell Fleur I said thank you as well.” Hermione said as she stood to make her way over to the floo.

“Anytime kiddo. That’s what family is for.”

Before she could tear up in front of him she called out for Grimmauld Place and vanished into flames.

-

Back at Grimmauld her mind was racing with thoughts.

Trust the magic. Easy for someone who had always known about it to say. She thought as she walked into the kitchen.

Ron must have left while she was gone because it was just Harry sitting at the table with a cup of tea.

“So,” he started, “do you want to talk about it?”

Harry had always been there for her. He was not just a friend but a brother to her. She knew that she could trust his judgement. So she told him about her conversation with Narcissa. She told him what Draco had said in the ministry and what Bill and Fleur had told her.

“I mean ‘trust the magic,’ what does that even mean!!” She huffed as she finished her rant slumping down in a kitchen chair.

Harry sat silently with a pensive look on his face for a few minutes. Finally he said, “It makes sense.”

“What? What are you talking about?” she asked him with a huff.

“He always did stare at you. He would watch you in potions and in the great hall. I mean he was absolutely a prat but if everything his mother and he said was true… All I am saying is that I think you should take Bill's advice. He has had magic his whole life, right? We didn’t grow up with it everyday. We don’t trust it like someone who has always had it would. I don’t want you to think that I am taking Malfoys side in any of this. He needs to work for your forgiveness but honestly Hermione we both know you will forgive him. I think that this year we, as in all of us, should make an effort to get to know him. If he is truly who he says he is he will make the effort too. It is up to you obviously and we will support you no matter what.” Harry finished.

Hermione stared at him mouth agape. Had he really just said that he wanted to try and get to know Malfoy. She closed her mouth and said slowly, “Where is my best friend and what have you done with him?”

Harry huffed a laugh. “Ron and I talked about it and we are going to support your decision.”

Hermione jumped up from where she had been sitting and flung her arms around him. “Thank you.”

“You know we love you.” He responded easily.

-

After her talk with Harry, Hermione decided to write Draco. She knew that she needed to ask him some questions.

Draco,

I thought I would let you know that I went to see Fleur and Bill today. I asked them about what all of this means for me and you. I still have a few questions for you though if you are willing to answer them.

I was hoping you could tell me about what the calling feels like to you. Fleur described it as a pull to be near.

You may not want to answer these questions, you don’t have to, I just need to ask it.

Did you ever believe in pureblood ideology? Do your parents believe in it? Were you disappointed in knowing I was your mate? Were they? Are any feelings you may have towards me real or just because you have to feel them? What do we do now?

I guess that is all I am wondering as of now. I am sure I will have more questions. Again I understand if you choose not to answer them.

HJG

Before she could talk herself out of sending it she found Harry’s owl and sent the letter off. Now all she had to do was wait.