Little Mouse

CH 4

Hermione was in the library fully immersed in her research when a familiar sensation pulled her attention away. She immediately jumped up and turned around, finding herself face to face with the source.

“Fleur!”

The older girl peered over Hermione’s shoulder towards the reading material she was clearly trying to block.

“You are reading about Veela?” she raised an eyebrow.

“Well, I… yes,” Hermione admitted, moving aside to reveal her research. “I was curious.”

“You could ‘ave asked me.”

“I didn’t want to be rude. Plus, you – I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“Hm.” Fleur gave her a pensive stare. She looked like she wanted to ask more. Instead, she pulled out a copy of the Daily Prophet and dropped it on the table. “I only came to bring you zis.”

“What is it?”

“Regarder,” she instructed. “See for yourself.”

“Love Triangle!?” Hermione read out loud. “Hogwarts student seen warming up to Durmstrang Champion, Quidditch star Victor Krum!? Only to later be found in a heated argument with Beauxbaton Champion, and suspected Veela, Fleur Delacour!” She looked up at Fleur. “What the hell?”

“Oh, you must continue.”

“The unlikely – Oh please –!” she rolled her eyes. “The unlikely focus of attention, a fourth-year muggle born, Hermione Granger, known throughout the school as an arrogant know-it-all had been seen just moments earlier embracing the boy who lived, Harry Potter!?”

“Who wrote this rubbish!?” She scanned the rest of the page, answering her own question. “Who is Rita Skeeter?”

“So. You did not come down to ze Champions tent to see only me?” Fleur asked with a smirk.

“THAT is what you got from this!?” Hermione looked up at her in astonishment. “This says I’m a clout chaser!”

Fleur sighed and gave her a reassuring look. “You know you are not.”

“Well apparently, I’m trying to cozy up to all the male Champions!”

“If zat is the case, I ‘ope Cedric does not feel left out.”

“What!?”

“Unless you also ‘ave some secret relationship wiz him I do not know about.”

“Again, not the point here!” Hermione’s disbelief at how Fleur was taking this continued. “And why are you not more upset? This says we were ‘cat-fighting’ over Krum after you discovered us ‘canoodling’!”

“I know zis is rubbish,” Fleur shrugged. “You are much too young for Victor.”

“What are you even –?” Hermione scoffed. “That’s not the –!”

“Not ze point?” Fleur teased. “I suppose it is better zan broadcasting ze truth, non?”

Hermione lowered the newspaper and eyed her carefully. “The truth? And what would that horrible truth about us be?”

“I did not say ‘orrible…” Fleur stammered, looking away suddenly. “Je ne sais pas… ze things we were arguing about… I would not want… it is nobody’s bizness…”

“Why did you even come here?” Hermione asked.

Fleur looked at her tentatively. It was strange. She had never seen Fleur anything less than confident in her demeanor.

“I only thought you would want to know before ze rumors begin to spread. I will go now.”

“Hold on.” Hermione grabbed her arm. “Can we talk? Please?”

“I must go to class,” Fleur stated quickly, withdrawing from her grasp.

“You still have well over an hour until your next class.”

“I ‘ave studying to do.”

“No. You don’t.”

The younger girl’s firm tone and glare caught Fleur off guard, making her halt.

“You’re still upset with me.” Hermione asserted. “For making a move on you.”

“Non.” Fleur crossed her arms.

“Then what?”

Hermione didn’t understand. That had been the catalyst for all of this, or so she thought.

“YOU are the one who told me to leave you alone!” Fleur hissed, trying to keep her voice down.

“I…” Hermione had forgotten about that. “Yes, I supposed I did, but –”

“And I did as you instructed! And you are ze one who came to me!”

“I was worried you had been seared by a dragon!” Hermione justified herself. “And I thought you weren’t upset with me about that anymore.”

“I am not!” Fleur whispered loudly.

“Then tell me –”

“You really do not know?” Fleur cut her off, a hurt and confused expression on her face.

“I’m asking you, aren’t I?”

“I am upset wiz you because you broke your promise!”

“What?”

“You made assumptions about me!” Fleur continued. “Ze worst kind. Accusing me of…” She looked around and lowered her voice even further. “Of doing somezing to you. Of seducing you!”

“Oh…”

The realization hit Hermione suddenly. She couldn’t deny it. She had in fact freaked out and blamed the Veela before running off.

She still wasn’t quite sure what was happening between them. What was happening to her. Hence, the research.

“I… I was confused,” she tried to explain. “I felt embarrassed and rejected. I didn’t know what to think! And I couldn’t explain what had happened at that moment. I didn’t mean to accuse you, I just thought maybe it was –”

“It was what?”

“The allure…?”

“Ze Veela allure?” Fleur asked. “So zat is what you are seeking information about?”

“Yes,” Hermione admitted. “Amongst other things.”

“I see.”

“You have to understand,” the younger witch continued. “I don’t have that much experience in this department, so I didn’t have anything to compare with! I was feeling – Let’s just say a lot of interesting feelings I had never felt before. It was confusing!”

“You felt confused and ashamed, and so you automatically blamed me. Ze Veela. Ze temptress.”

“No! Well… yes,” Hermione nodded guiltily. “The allure actually. But technically, yes.”

Fleur shook her head and took a breath before she sat next to her.

“And I am only a quarter Veela,” she explained, somewhat more calmly. “My allure is minimal. And it does not even work ze way you are thinking.”

“Oh.” That gave Hermione something to ponder. “So… how does it work?”

“What ‘ave you found so far in your reading?”

“Well, there’s not a ton.”

“Non, zaire would not be,” Fleur agreed. “Veela are very private, not much is known outside of our communities.”

“I did notice that. And the bits I could find are rather –”

“Offensive.”

“Ignorant?” Hermione tried to give them the benefit of the doubt. “Written by confused wizards it seems.”

“Zey are not confused,” Fleur sneered. “Zey are filled with self-righteous indignation.”

“What do you mean?”

“It is a common occurrence,” Fleur explained. “I ‘ave seen it play out wiz women in my own family. Men be’aving badly, and zen saying zat ze Veela hypnotized them! Ze thrall made zem do it! Zey blame the Veela instead of zemselves. It is a pathetic attempt to –”

“I’m sorry!” Hermione cried out suddenly and wrapped her arms around her waist. “I didn’t mean to be like those pathetic men. I don’t want to be like them!”

“Oh!” Fleur was caught off guard once more. She hesitantly patted the smaller girl’s back, allowing the hold around her. “Zat is not what I mean. You are not like zese men, ‘Ermione.”

“I’m not?”

“Non.” Fleur brought her head back up gently. “But you did ‘urt me.”

“I’m sorry.” Hermione repeated. “I should have just talked to you from the start, but I was too embarrassed.”

“I accept your apology,” Fleur sighed. She seemed just as relieved as Hermione.

“I want to continue learning and reflecting,” Hermione sat up and brushed the tears out of her eyes. “If you’re open to it, perhaps I can ask you some questions as well?”

“D’accord,” Fleur agreed. “Tell me, what else ‘ave you found?”

“Well,” she shuffled through the books, grabbing the small leather-bound one she was looking for. “There’s also this.”

“What is it?”

“It’s not about Veela directly, but it does reference some things that I found familiar.”

“It is a book of poems?” Fleur took the book and flipped through the pages.

“Yes. There are a few selections which seem to be about a Veela. At least, I think. Perhaps you would have a better idea.”

“It is written by a witch.” Fleur observed as she scanned the cover.

“Yes,” Hermione watched her skim the pages. “Is that uncommon? The few other sources are all male authors, wizards. This one felt different.”

“Hm…” Fleur studied the book before passing back to her. “Will you read it to me? Ze passage you found?”

“Err… Okay.” Hermione looked around the library. There weren’t very many students around anymore now that it was around lunch time.

“Above, below, beyond your glow…”

Hermione read the passage out loud. It felt a bit strange, as she had only ever read the lines in her head and to herself.

It was obviously a love poem. One that she felt very connected with. She found herself taking in the words and reciting them slowly and sincerely to Fleur.

“… a thrall that lures, a hold so tight…”

Fleur was listening quietly. She seemed stunned as Hermione reached the end.

“… and in my heart, your song remains, guiding me, through night and day.”

“Well?” Hermione asked as she released a deep exhale.

"It..."

“You didn’t like it?”

“It is not what I expected.”

“It immediately called out to me,” Hermione explained as she flipped through the book. “There’s also this other one that – Fleur? Are you okay?”

“Zis is ‘ow you feel?” she asked, a serious expression on her face. “When you are with me?”

“I…” Hermione started. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say.

“Désolé,” Fleur shook her head. “I must go.”

“Wait!” Hermione called out. She was confused and embarrassed all over again.

“I must go, ‘Ermione! Please.”

Hermione didn’t try to stop her. She just sat there with the small book open in her hands.

The next time they saw each other was fortunately in a group setting. The Champions, plus Hermione and Ron, met up to discuss the terms of the wager regarding the next task. Hermione had received a note in the form of a soaring origami cat for the meetup.

“Oi! Why does Harry get to bring all his friends?” Cedric asked. He was more present than he was when they had met after the first task.

“Herminny is in Fleur’s party,” Krum stated, eyeing them mirthfully.

Fleur rolled her eyes.

“Technically, I am a neutral party.” Hermione stated.

 “She is ze bookkeeper,” Fleur added. “We all agreed she would be ze most trustworthy.”

“And Ron knows all the best secret locations in the castle for our meetings,” Harry stated, elbowing his friend. “Isn’t that right, Ron?”

“Uh, yeah! Right.” he said proudly.

Hermione knew this was far from the truth. It was Fred and George who knew all the castle secrets. They tended to share these with Harry more than they did their younger brother.

“By all means,” Fleur addressed Cedric. “Is there someone you would like to bring?”

“Not really,” he grinned. “I just don’t remember much from our first meeting. Wanted to feel like I had a say in something.”

“Ve are glad you are feeling better, my friend,” Victor laughed and patted him on the back.  

Ron and Harry led them to the hidden passageway behind the tapestry near the trophy room. Hermione noticed a look of surprise on Fleur’s face as they arrived at the secret location. Perhaps she was starting to find Hogwarts more thrilling than expected.

As soon as they got sorted, they discussed and a decision was made about the wager. As soon as one of the Champions uncovered the secret of the egg, they would send Hermione a note that only she could see. She would keep the information a secret and confirm both that that Egg had been solved and the order in which the Champions made the discovery.

This way nobody would know if they were still in the running to be the first. Hermione would be sworn to secrecy, her own idea, so that nobody would think she was playing favorites. She would note the order in which the champions solved the egg on a magical parchment that would seal and conceal the results until all four Champions reported back to her.

They were still working on the terms related to winning, all agreeing that it should not be anything causing negative consequences for their futures. They would brainstorm and discuss more next time.

Hermione bid farewell to Ron and Harry, opting to stay behind to write herself some notes. She noticed Fleur was slowly making her way in the opposite direction from everyone else.

“Not that way,” Hermione called from her position seated against a bronze statue. “That will lead you into the Charms classroom, which is miles away from where we started. Unless of course that was your intention. In which case, do carry on.”

“It was not,” Fleur smiled gratefully. “Merci.”

Hermione smiled politely and went back to her notes.

“This castle is much more…” Fleur began.

“Remarkable?” Hermione smiled up at her knowingly. “Magnificent?”

“I was going to say much more curious zan I realized.”

“Well, that’s progress,” Hermione nodded, returning to her notepad. She wanted to be diligent with her bookie role. And she didn’t want to be persistent with Fleur. Not anymore.

“’Ermione.”

Fleur seemed to want to continue talking though.

“What is it, Fleur?”

“It is my fault.”

“What is?”

Fleur was fidgeting with her hands, taking her time. It made Hermione uneasy.

“Fleur. What is?” She repeated.

“I like ‘aving you around!” She said finally, a look of shame on her face. “I did not realize ‘ow you were feeling about me. The Veela allure… it does not control people. Zat IS a myth, but it does heighten what may already be there. I did not realize…”

Hermione waited for more. What did she mean? What could this mean about her?

“I don’t know if I understand…”

“I did not realize you had real feelings,” she said as she paced around her. “I assumed you just thought I was attractive and zat it confused you. Zat is not out of ze ordinary.”

Hermione was taken aback. Was that what was happening?

“But if I ‘ad just opened my eyes, I would ‘ave seen ‘ow selfish I was being.” She sat down next to her suddenly, grabbing her hands. “I can see why you felt confused. I was leading you on without knowing. I swear it. I am sorry!”

“Thank you for saying that.”

Hermione wasn’t sure how she was feeling. She had surely felt let on though, so it was nice to hear she wasn’t going mad. But how did Fleur feel? She said she liked having her around. Did that mean she also…

“But ‘Ermione, ze truth is, I see you as a leetle sister. Do you understand?”

Rubbish, Hermione immediately thought to herself. We’re only two years apart! And who acts this way with their little sister, anyway!?

 She thought these things but all she could do was nod her head silently, holding back her tears. Her initial fears were true. She had made a fool of herself. Believing Fleur could have romantic feelings for her. This whole time it was all perfectly platonic. Sororal in fact.

“’Ermione,” Fleur pulled her gaze up. “We are still friends, yes?”

Hermione nodded her head quietly, eyes welling up.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Hermione spoke up. She needed to keep it together and hold onto her dignity.

“Good. Zat is what I would like for us to be.”

“Of course,” Hermione agreed, annoyed at the reconfirmation of the platonic nature of their relationship. It hurt, but she understood and knew she had to respect it.

“Bon.”

Fleur’s smile immediately lightened Hermione’s mood. She had missed that affectionate expression directed at her. It had mostly been scowls and neutral stares as of late.

“Oh! I brought you somezing else!” Fleur pulled her out of the moment.

“Your Beauxbatons book?” Hermione questioned as it was placed into her hands. “I couldn’t!”

“It was supposed to be for you to ‘old onto for a while,” Fleur pressed it towards her. “You can only use the enchantment wiz me, but you can still read and admire on your own.”

“Thank you,” Hermione smiled back genuinely. “I love it.”

The first to solve the mystery of the egg was Cedric, who had been patiently waiting for Hermione by the Gryffindor common room after their secret meeting.

“Took you long enough,” he chuckled before going right into recitation:

“Come seek us where our voices sound,
We cannot sing above the ground,
And while you're searching ponder this;
We've taken what you'll sorely miss,
An hour long you'll have to look,
And to recover what we took,
But past an hour, the prospect's black,
Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.”

“And what is that?”

“It is the song I discovered inside the egg.”

“And how did you uncover this?”

 Cedric shrugged smugly, unwilling to let anything slip despite Hermione being sworn to secrecy.

“And how did you figure it out so quickly?”

“I don’t think these questions are part of the wager,” he smiled.

“Well, do you know what it means?”

“Is that a requirement?

“I’m not sure…” Hermione considered. “Perhaps we can discuss it further. I’d suggest letting me know if you have an idea, in case it becomes another layer for the wager.”

“Fair enough,” he gave an exaggerated bow and walked away.

Hermione wondered how Cedric was so quick. The first task had only ended a week ago. There was still the issue of figuring out what the clue meant. She resisted the urge to solve it herself. A battle that proved that much more difficult as she tried to find something to distract herself from thoughts of Fleur and their most recent puzzling conversation.

The next Champion to figure it out was Fleur.

Although Hermione had been anxious about what their relationship would look like, the two seemed to have fallen back into an easy friendship. With the air cleared and no impending task, they were back to spending their free time together as if nothing had occurred. It might have been confusing if Hermione let herself dwell on it. So, she didn’t.

Rita Skeeter continued putting out ridiculous articles, but Hermione didn’t pay it much mind, opting to mockingly play along with the accusations with Fleur. The other students quickly caught onto the sarcasm, clapping and laughing along when the two initiated exaggerated scenes in the halls, bowing after each dramatic performance.

Fleur had also gotten into the habit of carrying her egg around with her. Just in case any ideas occurred to her. This day was no different. Hermione, Fleur, and the Golden Egg.

“Viens!” Fleur grabbed Hermione’s hand and pulled her outside after an especially brutal Charms class which had put the young Gryffindor in a particularly excitable mood from the academic adrenaline.

“What is it?”

“I ‘ave something to show you!”

Hermione followed her out, wondering where they were going as they delved into a part of the grounds Hermione was unfamiliar with.  

“I found zis ze other day!” Fleur said, looking back at her excitedly. “You are right. Hogwarts is a marvel. Do not worry we are not going too deep into the forest.”

Hermione followed blindly, more amused than alarmed that they were going into unknown territory. And that Fleur was leading! She had been in the forest more times than she cared to admit, so she knew how to take care of herself. She was confident Fleur did too.

“One of ze centaurs revealed zis location to me during one of my walks around ze lake.” Fleur stopped them suddenly before pointing towards a clearing. “It is a natural spring.”

“So, it is!”

Hermione couldn’t hold back her delight as the pair ran towards the body of water. She would never cease to be amazed with every new discovery at Hogwarts. Who would have thought such a beautiful place would exist within the same forest notoriously known as one of the most dangerous, not to mention forbidden, places on the grounds.

“Come in ze water with me,” Fleur directed as she began to pull off her clothes, keeping only her undergarments on.

“I… I don’t know about that,” Hermione suddenly became very self-conscious.

“I will not look!” Fleur teased. “Just undress and get in so I can show you!”

“Oh, fine!” Hermione’s curiosity outweighed her insecurities. It wasn’t like Fleur saw her as anything more than a friend anyway, a little sister even! She removed her outerwear and quickly slid into the water. It was surprisingly nice. Somehow refreshing and warm all at once. She heard a splash and looked up to see Fleur had dropped the egg in after them.

Of course! Hermione suddenly realized what this was all about. The Egg! She had no time to be disappointed in Fleur’s intentions, as she was incredibly curious to learn more about this tournament mystery. Cedric had shared what he had discovered but not the How.

“Ready?” Fleur asked, taking Hermione’s hand. “’Old your breath and submerge.”

Hermine did as she was told.

Amazement took hold of her as soon as she opened her eyes below the surface. Amazement at how beautiful Fleur looked. How her hair flowed elegantly behind her. How her skin gleamed below the surface, tiny bubbles of air encircling her face.

The older girl smiled as she noticed the staring, causing both to look away. She brought their attention back to the egg. As soon as she opened it, the most beautiful voice emanated around them, singing the same verses Cedric had recounted a couple of weeks ago, though much more beautiful.

They exchanged a wordless expression of joy before coming up for air. Fleur seemed proud of herself as she waited for her friend’s reaction.

“That was lovely,” Hermione said quietly, noticing how close together they had emerged.

“It was.” Fleur agreed. She gently brushed a strand of hair out of Hermione’s face, before immediately pulling back. “I am sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Hermione stepped back as well, tucking her own hair behind her ear. “We’re friends, right?”

“Oui.” Fleur nodded gratefully. “Merci, petite souris.”

Hermione smiled at the return of the nickname and quickly shifted the conversation back to the egg.

“Thank you for sharing that with me.”

“No one ‘as shown you yet?”

“The terms didn’t require proof.”

“So, others ‘ave already come to you?”

“You know I can’t tell you,” Hermione scolded, recognizing Fleur’s attempt to pry.

“You do not ‘ave to,” she groaned. “I saw Victor speaking with you already. I imagine ‘e ‘as already figured it out. Karkaroff ‘elped I am sure.”

“Oh…” Hermione realized the confusion. “Do you mean out in the courtyard yesterday?”

“Yes. I saw you. You do not ‘ave to confirm or deny. It is fine. I should ‘ave been quicker.”

“No, what I mean is…” Hermione was uncertain about what to say or how. “What you saw yesterday was Krum – err, Victor asking me to the ball.”

“Oh!” Fleur responded, her face shifting from confused to amused. “Well, that is funny.”

“Why is that funny?” Hermione’s expression also changed.

“Victor Krum?” Fleur scoffed. “’E is not your type.”

“What do you know about my type?”

“I should think I know something…”

“Victor is kind. And thoughtful.” Hermione stated.

“He is much older than you.”

“He is not that much older.”

“And a jock.”

“As are you.”

“And… a boy,” Fleur added hesitantly. “I thought…”

“Sexuality is fluid, Fleur.” Hermione stated. “And I never said I was only attracted to girls. Frankly, I never even said I was attracted to you. I’m still figuring things out for myself.”

“You said yes?” Fleur asked, stiffly.

“I did,” Hermione responded. “Are you angry?”

“Non.” Fleur began to move further away.

“Good. Because I figured, since we’re friends and all, it could be fun to all go together.”

“On your date?”

“A double date! It’s a ball that you’re also attending, are you not?!”

“If that is what you want,” Fleur shrugged. “I will ‘ave to find a date zen.”

“You don’t you have a date?”

“Non.”

“I assumed loads of people would have asked you.”

“Oui, of course they ‘ave!”

“So then, why…?”

“I did not want to go with any of zem.” She responded matter of factly before sighing. “I suppose I will ‘ave to settle, so I can go on zis double date with you and ze old man.”

And with that, she stepped out of the spring and gathered her things, not even bothering to dry herself off. Hermione watched as the water dripped down her arms and legs before she snatched the egg and headed out of the forest without another word.

“Where are you going!?” she called out after her.

“To acquire a date!”

As soon as she was out of view, Fleur magically dried herself off and dressed. She felt bad leaving in such a hurry, but she was fuming and did not want Hermione to see her that way.

She made her way across the castle grounds until she found who she was looking for and immediately cornered him.

“You asked ‘Ermione to ze ball?” she seethed.

“Hello, Fleur,” Victor nodded pleasantly. “I did. And she said yes! Are you here to congratulate me?”

“Non! Mais t'es complètement con ou quoi!?” she insulted him without reservation.

“Vat is your problem?” he snapped back, stepping away from her. “You have repeatedly stated that you are only friends.”

“It is not about me! She is too young for you!”

“It is not like she is a first year, Fleur!” Victor rolled his eyes. “Ve are both in school still, vhich makes us classmates. And anyvay, if age is so important to you, she is actually older for her grade. Older than Harry Potter!”

“She is still too young!” She persisted.

“She is very mature and intelligent,” he countered. “I do not see the problem.”

“You are in an influential position. There is a power dynamic.”

 “My parents are 8 years apart and my mother is the one who tells my father vhat to do.” He laughed. “And she is the younger one!”

“It is not ze same.”

“If you are jealous, then I suggest –”

“I am not!” she shouted as she turned to leave with a huff. “I am protective!”

“Relax, Fleur!” Victor called after her with a laugh. “Vat vill the tabloids have to say about this?”

“Je m'en fous!”