A/N: Here's the last chapter. Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for reading.
GOING AFTER EDEN
Chapter 4: Fleur and Hermione - Pasión
La pasión, es como un viento inquieto
Que se convierte en libertad
Es saber que hay alguien más que vive
Deseando poderte encontrar
Es viajar sin miedo entre las estrellas y la inmensidad
Es atravesar el fuego, caminar sobre las aguas
Convertir un sueño en realidad
La pasión es ésa fuerza inmensa
Que mueve a toda la creación
Es saber que alguien te está esperando
Mas allá dónde se oculta el sol
Es borrar por siempre de tí la palabra soledad
Son dos almas que se unen llegando así a la eternidad
(Translation)
Passion, is like an anxious wind
That becomes freedom
It is knowledge that someone else lives
Wishing to find you
It is to travel without fear between stars and immensity
Is to cross the fire, to walk on water
To turn a dream into reality
Passion is that one immense force
That moves all of creation
It is knowledge that somebody is waiting for you
Beyond where the sun is hidden
It's to erase forever from you the word solitude
Its two souls that are united thus arriving at eternity
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It's been such a bad week for me, you have no idea. Ever since Ron and Harry came to see me I've been a bundle of tight nerves. I keep expecting Fleur to show up any minute, but I know she might not. For all I know, she won't want to divorce Bill. I mean, she's been married all this time and I'm sure she must have known about the infidelities all along and never mentioned anything. I've even wondered if she started the affair with me just to get back at him. It's entirely possible and it breaks my heart just to think that is the reason.
I know I shouldn't think like that, but I can't help it. Why hasn't she called at least? Or even a letter would be nice. I love her so much I would wait as long as I needed to in order to spend the rest of my life at her side. I haven't cried anymore, but not knowing is killing me. I didn't even go to work this morning, a first for me. I can't concentrate at all. I decided to go to Central Park and work off my anxiety walking around. My magic is out of control and I'm afraid of tearing my place apart if I don't find some inner peace.
There are kids playing close by and I can only think of what it would be like to raise a family with the woman I love. I don't know what will become of me if she chooses to stay with him. I know people don't really die of broken hearts, but there is just so much suffering a person can take and I'm close to snapping.
Passion and love like ours is hard to come by, and when you're lucky enough to find it, you have to do everything in your power to make sure it stays that way. I'm going to give her a few more days and then I might go see her. Or at least write her. I can't go on like this. I can't go on loving her not knowing if she loves me back. I have to know either way. I have to know if she wants me to wait for her or if I have to move on with my life.
Oh, Fleur, I miss you so much, my darling.
Damn stupid tears, here they come again.
Sigh.
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"Madame Delacour, Mr. Arthur Weasley is here to see you."
"Please, send 'im in right away."
"Yes, Madame."
"Zank you, Ellisin. Make sure no one interrupts us and clear ze rest of my week. I might be leaving for a few days if 'e 'as good news for me."
"I will do as you ask, Madame."
A moment later, Arthur walked into the office and Fleur greeted him warmly.
"I have all of the papers you need right here, dear. You are a free woman as of this morning."
"Oh, Arthur, zank you so much! You 'ave no idea what zis means to me."
"I think I do, actually. Bill has shamed my family and as much as it saddens me to lose you as a daughter-in-law, I know you deserve to be happy."
"I don't want to break my family ties to any of you because of what 'appened with Bill."
"We don't expect that, either, my dear. Molly and I talked about it and you're welcome in our home any time you want."
"Even if I 'ave someone else in my life?"
"Especially then. Hermione is like a daughter to us, so in reality, we wouldn't lose you as a daughter-in-law after all." At Fleur's look of astonishment, Arthur smiled and patted her cheek lovingly. "I've known about that for a long time, my dear, and I know how much you've both suffered since she left. I might not say much, but I'm a very observant man and I know more than people give me credit for."
"You knew about everything, including Bill's affairs?"
"Unfortunately, yes. I talked to him several times about that, but he ignored me. When you started your relationship with Hermione, I knew you were at the end of your rope. You hid his infidelities well for several years, so when you did the same back, I didn't say anything. I'm not saying I approve of cheating, but in this case, I could see why it happened. Hermione makes you happiest, and that is why I made sure this divorce was granted quickly. He is my son, and I love him, but he is wrong. I wish you and Hermione happiness and success."
"Zank you so much, Arthur. It means a lot to me to 'ear zat. I'm sorry if I caused you or your family any pain. I never meant to."
"We know, Fleur, and its okay. Go and bring our girl back to us, you hear? She's been away far too long and she needs to come back home."
"Believe me, Arthur, no one knows zat more zan me. I'll leave as soon as I can get a portkey to ze States. I 'ave my bags packed and ready to go."
"Hmm, I guess it's a good thing I thought of that already." He handed Fleur a red rose he pulled from his robes. "It leaves in one hour."
Fleur threw herself at him, tears falling down her cheeks in gratefulness, and hugged him tightly. "I'll never forget zis, Arthur. From ze bottom of my 'eart, merci!"
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Hermione walked into her apartment later that evening. Walking had done her good, but she was still sad. She walked over to her desk and sat down warily. After, she pulled out some fresh parchment and her ink bottle. Taking a deep breath, she dipped the tip of her quill in the bottle and started writing and reading along.
Dearest Fleur,
I know it's been a long time since you've heard from me. How are you?
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"Now zat I'm near you, I can finally say I'm fine."
Hermione twirled around so fast she almost fell off her chair. There, standing in the middle of her living room, red rose in hand, was the love of her life.
"Fleur?" she managed to whisper.
"Yes, mon amour, it's me."
"What are you doing here?"
Fleur looked at her strangely. "I came to get you back, of course."
Hermione's eyes filled with tears. "Don't joke about that, love. I don't think I could stand it if it wasn't true. Have you any idea how much I have missed you all this time?"
Fleur walked over to her and ran the tip of the flower over Hermione's trembling lips. "I would never be so cruel as to do zat. Je t'aime, 'Ermione Jane Granger, and if you'll 'ave me back, I want to spend ze rest of my life showing you just 'ow much you mean to me."
"Oh, Fleur," Hermione managed to say before her tears fell and she slumped back down on the chair.
Fleur kneeled in front of her and ran her fingers softly under the brunette's eyes. "No more tears! From 'ere on out we will be 'appy again. We are going to spend ze rest of our lives together. Tell me you feel ze same way, please. I don't know 'ow I can go on without you in my life. A year was bad enough. I've never endured such torture."
Hermione stretched her trembling hand and grabbed the locket around Fleur's neck. "You kept this," she whispered.
"I've never taken it off, mon tresor, it was all I 'ad left of you."
Hermione cupped Fleur's face and leaned down to kiss her. A sob broke free from her chest as their lips touched and she leaned her forehead against Fleur's.
"I've missed your lips so bloody much, you have no idea. I love you with all my heart and soul, sweetheart, and now that I have you back in my life, I'll never let you go again. I'll never walk away."
"You 'ave no idea 'ow 'appy zat makes me," Fleur said with a relieved chuckle. "Now, zat I'm finally a free woman, I want to marry you."
Hermione leaned back, eyes widened in surprise. "You do? Love, you just got out of a marriage."
"I should 'ave broken my marriage to Bill ze minute I found out 'e was cheating on me, but I didn't zink it was possible. You're ze love of my life, 'Ermione, my other 'alf. I cannot live another single day without you. Say you'll marry me and be mine forever," Fleur pleaded.
"God, yes! I want nothing more than to be at your side, loving you, for the rest of time."
"Will you come back to England with me?"
"Of course, my love. I just need about a week to get everything settled here and then I can join you."
"I'll be 'ere. I took a week off so I could come and convince you to take me back. I'm not leaving unless you come with me."
Hermione cupped Fleur's face tenderly again. "Did you not know I would take you back in an instant?"
"I didn't want to get my 'opes up."
"Hmm, silly girl," Hermione said before she closed the distance between their lips and kissed her with all the pent up passion inside of her soul.
She didn't stop kissing or touching Fleur for the rest of the evening and long into the night. Fleur, of course, had no complaints about that. Their passion was once again unleashed and nothing or no one would be able to contain it ever again.
0-0
That was five years ago today. We've been married for four and have the most beautiful and mischievous little girl. Her name is Nathalie and she has her mother's beautiful blonde hair and my eyes. She's our angel, what we live for, the light of our eyes. Our love is stronger than ever, we have the most amazing extended family, and the greatest friends anyone could ask for.
Bill finally found the balls to apologize to Fleur last year. She just slapped the hell out of him and walked away. She did it so royally, so brilliantly, that just about every guest gathered there had to laugh or cheer her on. Even Mrs. Weasley had to cough to cover her chuckle. Me, I was so turned on I showed her when we got back to our place that night!
We were there for Ginny and Luna's wedding. Yeah, they had apparently been together since school and no one suspected a thing. Harry and Ron are still single but we're all betting that one of these days they'll come out of the closet as well and accept they love each other madly.
Who would have thought Hogwarts had such a big closet, eh?
Anyways, I have to get back to my girls, the loves of my life. I can't seem to function well without one of them near me at all times. What you should take away from our story? Love and passion, the forever kind, do exist. Our little family is proof of that. Love can be capricious and sometimes it takes longer to find you, but it will, and when it does, you better embrace it like we did.
Au revoir!
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