Chapter 1
Hermione’s footsteps moved frantically down the hall the laughter of her pursuer made her grin as she tried to round the corner into the bedroom. Shutting the door just in time to create a barrier.
“That is unfair ‘Hermione!”
“you’re just mad I’m faster than you!”
“You had a head start! You cheated!” the door handles jiggled and Hermione couldn’t help the laughter that escaped her. Fleur had just assumed. it was locked. Hermione could imagine her face behind the door and couldn’t help the grin that crossed her face. Hermione had just seconds to hide and dived into the closet hoping to cover herself quickly. She suppressed the giggle as the French girl huffed searching for her. she could see the blue eyes catch her. Hermione hadn’t expected to feel the full weight of the girl on her but grunted slightly as the clothes were pushed away. Her breathing was heavy with two legs on either side of her. the glint in blue eyes as Fleur whispered, ‘got you.”
Hermione closed the distance between their lips catching the end of the whispered words.
Hermione lay in her bed just as the sun rose. Her mind having drifted to her former love. the early sunrise had reminded her of her time on the French coast. Wasting days with her ex-lover. Enjoying the sound of waves and the way they could spend days just in each other’s company. It hadn’t felt like so long ago, but it had been. Hermione had always been interested in the past; her own history no different it would seem. She still had a box of things from that time. It was tucked in a corner of her attic but wasn’t something she dwelled on. They had grown; grown apart and lived lives. It was a fond time for Hermione. Peace before chaos. Despite the hurt of love lost it was still some of the most beautiful moments of her life. Her mind drifted though these thoughts while she pours herself a cup of coffee. It was partially the reason she had come to the coast. The waves just as much a Band-Aid as her work had become. She felt so far from the young college girl she had been with on her time abroad. Life and all it could throw at her having carved her path.
Her leather satchel was slung across her shoulders as she made her short walk from her beach home to the museum she ran. Passing the bakery along the way and catching sight of paintings being moved into the gallery attached next door. Hermione checked her watch and bit her lip resolving to stop by and talk to the gallery director at lunch. The town was starting to gear up for summer and hopefully the museum could have a good year with the ideas Hermione had implemented for the upcoming season. The morning passed by quickly, meetings and phone calls eating away at her time. She walked to the bakery to get a quick lunch and stop in on the gallery, curiosity chewing at her lips.
When she entered the gallery, she saw the small eccentric blonde standing with her hand on her hips, staring at an open room. her concentration evident in the furrowed brow. It was a different look for the blonde girl whose features were almost always serene and calm. Hermione cleared her throat.
“Hermione!” Luna turned towards her, “just who I need I cannot figure out how I want this display to look.”
“Is it just paintings?” Hermione couldn’t see many of the pieces but what she had seen looked like paintings.
“a bit of photos, and some 3d found pieces. The artist hasn’t arrived yet, but I assumed I could start putting things together, or moving things where they should go.” Luna gestured at boxes and cases covering most of the floor. She puffed her cheeks before throwing her hands up.
“Well just wait then?”
“didn’t think of that.” Luna rolled her eyes, “thanks for your incredible insight, Hermione.”
“Are you fucking kidding me Hermione?” her tone was quiet but hurt. “Thanks for your incredible insight. You don’t think I know that this is hard for you? have you even imagined it’s hard for me?”
Hermione bit her lip and felt the tears start to cover her eyelashes, she hadn’t meant for this to get out of hand. She had thought it could all be smoothed over. of course, fleur would be angry, but she would understand. “I wasn’t thinking.”
“for someone so smart, you are so stupid” fleur’s chest puffed as it did when she was thoroughly angry.
The sarcasm caught Hermione off guard, typically luna was sweet and very airy in her words. Hermione couldn’t speak for a second trying to gauge the reaction. Trying to compose her triggered memories. The grin that met her gaze made her shake her head.
“Did I get you?” luna laughed lightly at the look on Hermione’s face. “I should stop stressing; do you want to grab a coffee?”
“I actually should head back but would you like to have dinner tonight?” luna had grown up in the area her whole life and Hermione’s parents had always chosen this beach for their summer trips. It was why she had been so eager to get the job here.
“yes, I’ll bring the wine, I might be here a little late but I will let you know when I’m on the way.” Hermione waved as she left the gallery. A small black car was parked outside the gallery windows tinted and the engine was still running.
She eyed the license plates with just a bit of interest, but felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. The call caught her attention as she walked the short distance into the museum. She was waiting for a few more pieces and hopefully a few keynote speakers to reach back out to her. She had so many ideas to grow the small towns reach. Despite wanting to keep it as a tucked away corner for herself. She rushed into her office while chatting with a speaker for the annual gathering of readers.
Hermione had her phone set on her desk as she had her laptop to her right, fleur was on the screen as soon as it rang once. Her face grinning wildly as she looked at the brunette typing away. She cleared her throat pulling the attention of the girl from her paper. Hermione had decided to come home during the term break. Something she had regretted when she realized how much she missed her favorite blonde. The way her eyes stared at her as she finished the line she was working on.
“What are you writing?” her accent was peppering her speech which just made Hermione ache for the French girl.
“Just adding to this story. Though I’m sure it will go unfinished like the rest.” Hermione turned towards her completely devoting her attention. “How was your day.”
They chatted just their faces being seen; fleur had gotten up to grab her water. Hermione bit her lip watching the girl walk towards her nightstand. Hermione’s oversized hoodie landed just below the hips of the French girl. Her legs were bare and tanned. Hermione couldn’t clear her thoughts and it didn’t go unnoticed when fleur turned around.
“I do like this sweater, I am happy you left it,” Fleur settled back into her seat. Her hands running over the front of the sweater, a soft smirk as she watched Hermione’s eyes follow her fingertips. She loved the way she could pull the mind of the brunette from the usual intellectual matter of fact thinking. In the same way Hermione had watched Fleur, fleur had done the same. The very analytical girl overtaken by the creative and carefree nature of the blonde.
Hermione met fleurs eyes and smiled shyly. Her throat cleared and her lip pulled between her teeth. “It looks best on you, but I like when its abandoned on your floor.”
If she hadn’t forced herself to stay looking at the blonde, she would have missed the way her eyes dilatated.
Hermione tried to pull herself back into her work but couldn’t seem to shake her thoughts of the past. She could go days without thinking of her time in France, forget the blonde and all the memories between meeting and their ending. But early spring and the smell of salt from the sea and tree lined coves overtook her. and today…
It was her birthday. The first time ‘I love you’ stumbled out of her lips. Hermione wasn’t one too dwell. Her thoughts and feelings never overshadowed what was required of her. though that relationship had changed so much for her. had made her someone else. Someone for the better. Someone she was thankful to be. Even if she hadn’t seen it then. She finished her workday with that soft feeling just under her ribcage. An almost prodding, like a finger pushing into a yellow tinged bruise, just there; faded.
Hermione had tidied her home waiting to hear from luna. She couldn’t shake this feeling it had been something she had become accustomed to. Some people called it twin flames Hermione wasn’t sure what she believed in anymore. but she couldn’t deny the feeling, had tested it many times. She still felt the French women. Despite not being around her in years. Her voice no longer a solid memory. She was sort of hazy now, all love yet simple sadness in relationship lost. Hermione had wondered about the possibility of friendship. She could not form an apology and had no way of even sending one even if she did find the words for it. her phone chimed on the island, luna just around the corner. The pasta pulled from the oven just as the gallery owner entered through the front door.
“Mi!” Hermione hadn’t known when the nickname had started, but she hadn’t fought it like she had whenever someone tried to call her herm or mione. Both are just odd and unsuitable in mind. Though they met up often, most time was spent just in each other’s company. Occasionally they complained about work, but Hermione knew as soon as Lunas glass of wine was filled just how exasperated the girl was.
“I did not think this exhibit was going to be so popular.” Luna sipped the glass. “All of my slot times have been bought already. The opening has some of the highest projected attendance.”
“That good though but I’m sure it’s more than you’ve handled before.” Hermione was sure it would be stressful to have to organize something that was beyond your knowledge.
Hermione loved almost every artist that luna curated her space for. The thoughts and details of the establishment was an experience and luna knew how to deliver on that front. It was unspoken that Hermione liked to be surprised by the art. The awe was her favorite, beautiful art that luna moved and spaced in a way that felt like a journey. If artist let luna help she could make whatever story they were telling come alive. Immersive elements that just added a nice touch. Luna had gotten her name out there by word of mouth, but one little video of her winter showcase was prized as art itself. The town had a slight boom and when luna was putting together her summer showcase she had been approached by an artist who wanted luna to give their art direction.
“they’re reporters and bloggers. Critics like this its huge Mi, and I just did not know it was going to be insane.” Hermione wasn’t trying to think of the good it would do for the town she wanted to be there for her stressed-out friend.
“well, what if we plan on lunch or dinner every day so you have some time slotted for you. even if I’m not here you can come here and leave your work at your place just for an hour or two.” Luna nodded.
“that’s a good plan, if I don’t schedule myself, I’d be spending all night at the gallery. And also, this artist. She’s something. Just on another level.” Hermione wasn’t sure what she was implying so she waited for more. “she’s just brilliant, talented, I cannot wait for you to meet her.”
“Are you doing that thing you do every time there is an artist you think I’d get along with.”
“You need to date Hermione you’re going to die alone in your loft surrounded by history books.”
“there’s more than history books in there.” It was her only argument.
She had dated, but hadn’t had much luck, she had a short -term thing with some girl from the city but it didn’t last longer than the summer. Hermione wasn’t sure what she wanted out of life, content to just keep growing this town and writing in her spare time. She travelled as much as she could four months out of the year. She was doing exactly as she had always wanted but it was growing lonely as the last few years had passed. She had left France near the end of her time at university, although sooner than she had intended due to her mother getting ill. She hadn’t had intentions of staying in the states had thought she’d make it back to France but after her and fleur called it off it only hurt to imagine herself in France without the blonde. Hermione shook her thoughts again.
“Did you go somewhere?” luna prodded.
“Yea, but it doesn’t matter. So, this artist what makes you think she’d be into me anyhow?”
“well, I don’t know for sure, but I mean it wouldn’t hurt to just meet her.”
“I’m sure I will. I usually meet your artist.” Hermione stood with a smile to get the bottle from the kitchen, “refill?”
“Please.” Luna and Hermione sat and chatted through the rest of the bottle before Hermione laid down for the night.
Time had passed for Hermione days spent making sure things were getting in on time. I had more zoom meetings and having the museum rearranged as new pieces came in. Hermione was deep into her computer when she heard luna greet Mel at the front desk. She checked her watch and sighed. She had promised to have lunch with Luna, she tried not to feel regret that this would be put off, but she had learned that deadlines didn’t mean she had to finish it the day she got the new task. Somethings were better with time and a second look.
Hermione walked into Fleurs apartment, the line of living space and art studio blurred. Despite Fleurs needing to be always presentable she worked in a chaotic way. Hermione hadn’t always enjoyed the chaos, at first it had been too much for her. had always offered her dorm as the place they hung out but the need for privacy had made fleur’s a more suitable place. The morning Hermione had woken to find the bed empty she caught fleur with her back turned toward the large windows and a canvas hit just by the glow of the sunrise. Hermione watched for a while, concentration on the blonde’s features. Hermione hadn’t ever seen her paint or create anything, had only seen the end product which were beautiful always. Seeing her like this left Hermione’s heart hammering.
“Everything grows slowly, and if you are able to take your eyes off them, they will grow even more.” Fleur quoted, but continued, “I sometimes have to wait for the right light to finish a piece, sometimes its months or like this, this has been a year. I want it to be seen just like this, just like I see it in this moment. I want people to feel the moment.”
Hermione hadn’t ever been patient enough to see something come to fruition after years. If the outcome was unknown, it couldn’t hold her attention. She needed facts and results. She Needed clear concise direction; it eased her anxieties. Fleur saw life in a way Hermione only hoped to know in even small ways. She couldn’t control her body from finding contact with the French women, she needed to feel the hum of her energy. Just the way she could see the light in Fleurs eyes she wanted to know that warmth. Wanted to partner with it.
“you’re beautiful.” Hermione spoke just below Fleurs ear, “I have never known anyone who sees life and art the way you do. Thank you…”
The thank you was genuine, Hermione was so grateful their lives had intersected, she knew each day was altering her, pulling her further from her mind and deeper into her heart. Hermione wanted to see this through just like Fleur saw her art. She wanted years of moments all precious and warm.
“Come in!” luna walked into the office with a grin.
“Busy?”
“I’m not sure I’ll ever be busy this summer. But I think our plan is going to work. Next weekend is supposed to be a high traffic weekend. Probably the opening to our season that we need to help carry us. Social media should work out perfectly. Hopefully by next year we can—”
“it’s not work time. I have something for you!” luna couldn’t hold her excitement. “buuuut, we have to go to the gallery.”
“Is it set up?”
“yes well almost but I want you to be the first one to walk through it, there’s a couple smaller pieces the artist is actually trying to get done to add at some point. Doesn’t matter come on.”
“Okay, okay.” Hermione stood up pulling her hair into a low messy bun. The summer heat had started to roll in during the afternoons. Though it still held a chill in the early mornings and late evenings. She had abandoned her blazer as she made way to follow alongside luna.
The sun hit her bare shoulders as they walked outside of the museum. Luna stood at the front door of the gallery. The sun was just behind the buildings yet still high overhead. The air from the ocean cooled the heat of the sun as Hermione looked at the windows of the gallery. Somehow they were no longer something you could see through, which puzzled Hermione. layers of color seemed to reflect back at her.
“Just wait until you see inside.” Luna unlocked the gallery door to allow them in.
Hermione stopped just as she passed the threshold, the light illuminated the room in soft blues different objects casting the different shades over the wooden floor. Her body felt a familiar feeling. As the lights were exactly as they had been the mornings she had grown to be accustomed too. Her breathing felt shallow. She felt luna tug on her hand pulling her from thoughts. The next step she took also altered her thoughts on the room as if it opened up picture frames and mirrors hanging some holding overlaying pictures just unrecognizable enough to make you put yourself as one of the shadows figures. She leaned closer to the pictures searching for something recognizable.
“What is this?” Hermione hadn’t been so in awe of anything in quite some time.
“The artist likes to use light as a way to evoke different shapes and colors. The way it plays against her canvas’ and sculptures.” Luna looked around her, “isn’t that beautiful?”
Hermione was reaching for a piece at the end of the makeshift walk way. “It looks like its fresh still, like the paint hasn’t dried.”
“It hasn’t, she finished that this morning.” Luna kept walking through, leading Hermione to another room. reading her thoughts luna answered, “yes she changed the door frames.”
“you let her change your studio?” The idea alone completely threw Hermione off, as care free as luna was this gallery was her everything.
“You would also allow this women to do whatever she asked. But honestly it all makes sense for her vision.” Luna grinned almost mischievously.
As they walked through to the next room Hermione was hit with a warm metallic aroma that reminded her of rain on bronze. Her inhalation was sharp as she looked to the silhouettes illuminated by their white backgrounds. Neon wrapped through objects casting lights on lamp post and from the light post another shadow, casting on the ground. The figures are clearer than the pictures from before, but still very clearly the same couple. She bit her lip as she moved towards the walls to see the textures and to see that if the lights were shifting more shapes would be noticeable. That’s when luna just to Hermione’s right pulled a lantern string that illuminated the lights to Hermione’s back. Hermione looked at the words scrawled over and over each other. Almost unreadable which made her focus harder but still come up short.
Just to her left past the lamp string luna pulled was another display separated from this one. The way the room was divided and made to feel like you were stepping into different rooms was something Hermione hadn’t really experienced before in a gallery display. There were a few paintings on display on a fake hall that led to another room.
“This is the last room but it’s still unfinished, she had to run to lunch. But it should be all ready by the end of the day.” Luna smiled as Hermione was looking at paintings that she was puzzled at.