Everything Changes

CH 1

Back at Hogwarts 

Hermione dragged her feet up the spiral stairs leading to her dormitory. 

Lavender and Parvati were still at dinner, socializing, or rather, getting ahead of all the summer gossip. Harry and Ron were catching up with the boys. Harry was still a bit peeved, but being back at Hogwarts had lightened him up some.

Hermione wasn't in the mood. For any of it. She just wanted to lay back in her bed and be alone. 

The train ride on The Hogwarts Express had been fine. Neville brought over a new friend, a Ravenclaw girl who Hermione found to be a bit quirky and quite charming. Ron’s little sister sat with them as well. It was an enjoyable enough trip. Even Harry had almost forgotten he was angry. 

Hermione had felt a rush of excitement as she walked up to Hogwarts and made her way to the Great Hall. Her mood turned somber when Dumbledore gave his Start-of-Term speech, reminding them of the grim events of the end of the year and the seriousness of the current climate, only to be interrupted by the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, an obvious Ministry plug. Hermione already couldn’t stand the condescending woman. 

Her mood had completely soured when she decided to visit the Ravenclaw table and a certain name came up.

"Have you heard from Fleur?" Terry had asked.

"Of course she has,” Asther rolled her eyes. “The two of them were practically attached at the hip by the end of last year!” she turned to Hermione with a wink. "What is our girl up to anyway? Were you able to spend some quality time together over the summer?"

"I... we…” she mumbled in response. “We've both been extremely busy actually.”

Hermione hadn't known what to say. She was already feeling hurt and worried about the lack of communication all summer. She had not expected the additional feeling of embarrassment that suddenly consumed her.

“You know with family... and graduating… things…"

She ignored the pitying looks around her and excused herself, blaming the train ride and the unnecessarily heavy meal making her sleepy. 

She was not prepared for the surprise when she opened her door and found herself staring at the blonde Veela herself.

"Fleur?"

“‘Ermione." 

She flashed her perfect, beautiful smile. 

Before she could think too much about it, they were both rushing to close the space between them, landing in a tight embrace. 

As Hermione let herself feel Fleur’s body against hers, she realized that something was off. She felt her physical presence, but that was all she could feel. There was a certain magical energy noticeably missing between them. 

It disoriented her. 

She stepped back and crossed her arms, remembering all the sleepless nights she spent waiting to hear something, anything! from her supposed friend, not knowing if she was okay or if she even wanted to talk to her.

"You are angry?" 

"Yes, I am angry!" Hermione fumed. "Not one letter ALL summer! And I must have sent you hundreds!”

“Hundreds?” Fleur smirked, making Hermione even more incensed.

“You know very well I was being hyperbolic! I sent many, many letters!”

"I am sorry,” Fleur had the decency to at least look apologetic. “I can… No, actually, I cannot explain."

"You’re the one who asked me to write!"

"I know." Fleur looked away guilty, but didn't offer any further explanation.

"What are you even doing here?" Hermione questioned as she looked towards the corner where Fleur had been standing when she walked in. 

One of her trunks was open. It looked like someone had been rummaging through her books.

"What were you looking for?"

"Euh… Umm… Ze Beauxbâtons book I gave to you. Do you... still ‘ave it?"

"Is that why you're here?" Hermione scoffed as she made her way towards her luggage. “To get your book back?” 

Hermione had been under the impression that Fleur was here to see her. A foolish thought after months of radio silence. Months of not returning one single letter. Why would she be here for her now? 

She huffed as she made her way to her pile of stuff. The book was safely stored away in her backpack where she kept her most treasured possessions, books mostly. It was enchanted to be as deep as needed without becoming too heavy or bulky from the outside. She reached her whole arm inside.

“Apprendre.” Fleur pressed a finger against her lips when they heard voices outside. 

"I will be visiting an old friend with a particular affliction for candy corn,” she whispered as she pressed herself against the wall. "Bring ze book."

As the door swung open, Hermione ran through possible stories in her head, ready to come up with a quick explanation for the French witch’s presence, but neither Parvati or Lavender flinched at the sight of Fleur. They didn’t even seem to notice her at all as they casually strode in, engaged in conversation and giggles. 

Hermione looked back in time to see Fleur slipping out of the room, her hand was moving in circles at her side as she silently uttered words under her breath.

“Oh, hullo Hermione,” Lavender smiled, as if just noticing her. “Feeling better?”

Hermione rushed up to the owlery, the requested book clutched to her chest. She had thought of telling Fleur that she had misplaced it, that she would have to come back for it later. But her integrity did not allow it. The book was Fleur's afterall. Even if she had no idea what was going on, even if it was the one thing connecting them. Fleur wanted it back.

As she made her way up the staircase, the familiarity of the moment made her pause. Fleur's back was to her. Her long silvery hair flowing just like it had on that day they spoke in the owlery just about a year ago. They had only had some conversation before then, arguing back and forth. It was childish and superficial. But that night in the Owlery was the beginning of their friendship. The building blocks of their relationship. It all started with that pull. 

The pull that continued to be noticeably absent this time around. Hermione tried not to focus on that. On what it meant about Fleur’s feelings for her.

"Bonsoir, petite souris," Fleur greeted her with that beautiful smile once more. 

Hermione tried to hide her own smile with a scowl. 

"What did you do to them?"

"To whom?" 

"My roommates!"

"Ah!" Fleur pretended to recollect. "I did not do anything to them. I only 'ad to be sure they kept their attention elsewhere."

"And what spell was that?"

"No spell," Fleur smiled proudly.

"Veela magic?" Hermione asked. She didn't want to show how excited and curious she was to know more.

Fleur nodded. 

"I didn't know you could do that."

"It does not work on everyone," she explained. "But on ze feeble minded..."

"I see you’re back to your patronization of Hogwarts students."

Fleur cocked her head in amusement. 

"And I thought you weren't into manipulating people."

"I 'ave found zat sometimes it is necessary,” Fleur replied. “And was it not you who once wiped their very minds with enchanted chocolates?”

"That was different!”

“Ah,” Fleur laughed, “It is different when you do it.”

“I did it for you.”

“And I did this for you.”

"What do you mean?”

Fleur shrugged. The secrecy and vagueness was really getting to Hermione.

"When did you even learn you could do that?”

"I've learned a lot about what I can do recently.”

"Is that why you haven't written back?"

"Ah ouais, ze letters!” Fleur exclaimed, rushing back to a corner of the Owlery where Cornelius was standing on a pile of hay. “I was not been able to receive them while I was away. Aha!"

Hidden in the hay was a stockpile of unopened letters. 

"Wha - Are those my letters?"

"Apparently,” she combed through the letters with interest. "Desolé, I was not at home. I thought my mother would have ze decency at least to write back with some excuse."

"Well, it might not be her fault either," Hermione divulged. "No one but you could have received them. I made sure of that. Cornelius must have assumed you would be back here one day."

"Clever,” Fleur smiled knowingly. Hermione wasn't sure if she was referring to her or the owl. “I am sorry all ze same. I should ‘ave found some way… Everything just happened so quickly." She sat and patted the seat next to her. "I cannot explain much, only that I was not in a position where I could contact you. I should not even be here now."

"Where should you be?"

"Jumping back in ze Floo that Professeur Dumbledore has given me access to..." she eyed Hermione for a moment, pensively. "You have been to Grimmauld Place?”

“Yes.”

“So I assume you understand. There is danger in knowing too much."

Hermione pieced it together. She had already had suspicions of course, though it was still hard to fathom. Fleur was doing work for the Order of the Phoenix. She was probably recruited soon after leaving Hogwarts, before she even got to France. 

"Ze less you know ze better. Ze less you ask as well. I do not want to lie to you."

Hermione thought about how hard it had been to keep things from Harry. Not that she had known much anyway. The adults were very secretive and kept her and the Weasley siblings as ignorant as possible. It was terribly frustrating. 

"I do understand," Hermione sighed. "It just doesn't feel great to be on this end of things.”

Hermione shared a bit about their summer. The time spent at Grimmauld Place. Harry’s trial. “We had to keep a lot from him while he was with his horrible muggle family.”

“How is he?” Fleur asked.

"Hurt. Angry.” Hermione shrugged. “I think he’s glad to be back despite the… dangers." 

"And you?" Fleur placed a hand on her cheek. "How 'ave you been?"

Hermione leaned into the touch. It was both comforting and painful. The whiplash was too much. She stood up and wiped her eyes. 

"It's all in my letters, you can read them if you’d like. Or not."

"'Ermione." Fleur followed after her.

It’s not that Hermione didn’t understand. She knew that if Fleur was part of the Order, she wouldn't be able to say anything, whether she wanted to or not. But she was still hurt. And somehow, despite being right in front of her, she felt even more distanced from Fleur. 

“I really should be asking about you,” Hermione tried to smile. She still had questions. Perhaps she could ask in a different way.

“Are you well? Have you spent time with family? You did just graduate afterall. I imagine they were excited for you.”

"Ah, yes of course." Fleur caught on. "I had a very brief celebration with my family. They surprised me on my way back home, before seeing me off on my… graduation vacation. I ‘ave been traveling ever since.”

“How lovely."

"It has ‘ad its ups and downs. They put together a very busy itinerary."

“A lot to see, I imagine. You’ve been traveling alone?”

“As luck would ‘ave it, I made a friend along ze way. A travel companion with mutual friends.”

“That’s great. Solo travel can be dangerous.”

“Yes, my mother was happy to know I would be accompanied.”

“Me too.”

Hermione felt some relief being able to somewhat fill in the blanks. But she also worried. Fleur had been in danger.

“And now?”

"And now…” Fleur shrugged. “I am not sure. I may take another trip. There are decisions to be made about… my future career.” 

"Of course.” Hermione continued as if this was actually their reality. “Well, a brilliant witch like you with an outstanding academic record. A Beauxbatons graduate no less. Prefect. Triwizard Champion. I’m sure you must have many wonderful opportunities knocking at your door -”

"I will be returning to the UK."

"Oh?"

Fleur winced at her impulsive revelation. “We will see… I should not say, but I may ‘ave secured a job."

“That’s wonderful,” Hermione beamed. She didn't want to get too excited, but the thought of having her closer felt hopeful.

"Am I allowed to ask about... us?” She whispered as if it was also a secret.

"What about us?"

The response nearly broke Hermione’s heart. She had hoped that the absence of the Allure didn’t mean there was no longer anything between them. Not after everything they had been through.

But Fleur was very much on another wavelength. She was living a whole different life now. An adult life as a member of a secret wizard resistance that Hermione wasn’t even allowed to ask questions about. 

If Fleur had reservations about their age gap before, she certainly must have them now. Understandably so. She had much more important things to focus on than a silly boarding school relationship. 

Hermione spoke up despite the doubts.

"We just never truly talked about… We only just… you know…” 

They had kissed and cuddled almost every day during their last month together. Paired with their share of vulnerable conversations, it felt like more than just confirmation of their feelings for each other. It was an assumption of continued growth and deepening of their relationship. At least, that's how it had felt to Hermione.  

Maybe it had all been in her head. 

“You were here with me so completely… And then you were gone. For two months! And now? I don't even know.”

"'Ermione,” Fleur wiped away a tear that escaped down Hermione’s face. She played with a strand of her hair. 

“Last year. ‘Ogwarts. Ze Triwizard Tournament. You. It was ze most meaningful time for me. I treasure it."

“But?”

“Pas de mais…” Fleur shook her head. “There is so much ‘appening right now. I do not even know where I will - ”

“I’m not asking you to make a statement to the Daily Prophet!” Hermione interjected. “I just want to know if this still means anything to you because... I can’t even feel you anymore!”

“Petite souris…”

“Why are you keeping it from me?”

Being kept in the dark about The Order was hard, frustrating even, but holding back the Allure was too much for Hermione. It made her feel empty.

“‘Ermione,” Fleur’s eyes began to water as she spoke. “Ze most important thing to me is your safety. No matter what, you ‘ave to know zat. I care for you so vairy much.”

"That is not an answer, Fleur."

"Please, just..." she stepped closer, holding Hermione's head between her hands. "Listen to your Professors. Focus on your studies. You have your OWLs, which we both know you will obliterate. Focus on this, please. On being a student and on your friends and ‘aving a good year."

Hermione scoffed.

"That's it?"

Fleur brought their faces close and looked into her eyes. She kissed one cheek and then the other. She glanced at her lips before swiftly stepping back. 

“Enjoy your Fifth year.”

Hermione shook her head as she offered Fleur the Beauxbatons book she had been grasping. 

Fleur tried to take it but Hermione kept her hold on it.

"’Ermione…” 

She tried tugging it again but Hermione’s grip was firm.

"C'est tout, Fleur? Vraiment?"

They stared at each other, both still holding on.

"I am only going to borrow it," Fleur said quietly as she stepped close again, adjusting her hand for better leverage as she tried to take her book back. 

Hermione refused to loosen her grip. 

"It's yours isn't it?" Hermione shrugged. “Fais ce que tu veux.”

"I am going to bring it back to you," she replied quietly, a curious look on her face. She took another step, maintaining her hold as she placed her other hand on Hermione’s cheek again. 

“Je te promets.”

Hermione gasped at the sudden burst of energy she felt from the contact on her skin. She released her stubborn hold and stood helplessly as Fleur slipped the book out of her hand and stepped back, waiting for her to turn and walk away from her. 

“Têtue,” Fleur said softly as she dropped the book and stepped forward once more, pulling Hermione into a forceful kiss.

It took a moment for Hermione to register what was happening. To recognize Fleur’s lips around her own. To fully take in the familiar, comforting feeling of the Allure swirling around her, tickling her, holding her. Reminding her of their connection. 

This was the reunion Hermione had hoped for.

It seemed to be what Fleur wanted as well. Her hands remained positioned firmly at the nape of Hermione's neck as she continued alternating between firm and soothing kisses against her lips, purring as they progressed.

Hermione let herself be guided by the feelings, taking in and returning every kiss until Fleur hesitantly pulled back, breathing heavily as she pressed their foreheads together. 

"I must go to catch my Floo..." 

Hermione nodded, also breathless as they separated. 

 "I will bring this back,” Fleur reaffirmed as she collected the book and Hermione’s letters. 

“Quand?” 

Fleur smiled, noticeably affected by the continued French, as intended.

She took Hermione’s hands and kissed her palms. “Bientôt.”

“J'espère que oui.”