A/N: Okay so this is my first attempt at fanfiction. I love this pairing and decided to finally try my hand at writing. As it's my first time any constructive criticism is appreciated, I know I'm not perfect! I've put the translations for the French at the bottom after a suggestion from a guest reviewer. So thank you whoever you are. Anything in italics is Hermione's thoughts. This will be rated M due to shenanigans later on ;) Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K Rowling I'm merely playing around with them. UPDATE: I'VE CHANGED THE FORMAT AND WHERE THE TRANSLATIONS ARE.
A light, summer breeze drifted through the open window as a young girl lounged on the bed, a book laying out before her. Hermione loved nothing better than to read, whether it was getting lost in a world of fiction, or increasing her wealth of knowledge. She was currently on her summer break from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Her parents had surprised her when she returned home for the summer, with a family trip to France, just the three of them. They were now at the end of their holiday and Hermione was beginning to think about her return to school for her third year.
Currently Hermione was just content lying on her stomach, reading her book. Her parents had gone for a drive around the nearby countryside, Hermione had decided to remain at the hotel, perfectly content to spend some time by herself, stemming probably from her being an only child. The cool breeze tickled her skin causing her to give a sigh of contentment. She had just finished her chapter when her stomach gave a rumble. Deciding that her hunger needed to be satisfied, Hermione rolled sideways off her bed, grabbed her purse and the spare room key and exited out into the French sunshine.
Enjoying the sunshine, Hermione casually strolled along the street towards the local cafe, smiling to herself. She had tried several places in her time here, but this one was by far her favourite. As she entered the little old lady behind the counter gave her a smile.
"Bonjour, Comment puis-je vous aider aujourd'hui?" said the old woman. (Hello, how can I help you today ?)
"Bonjour, pourrais-je avoir un de vos jambon et fromage délicieux croissants et une bouteillee d'eau, s'il vous plait?" Hermione replied. (Hello, can I have one of your ham and chesse croissants and a bottle of water please ?)
Although Hermione had only been in the country a short while, she had grasped the language pretty quickly. She paid for her lunch and left, deciding that the weather was perfect to sit and enjoy her meal in the local park. Sitting down on the warm grass, Hermione munched on her croissant watching the various families taking advantage of the glorious summer's day. Suddenly, a ball hit Hermione and she turned as a little girl with silvery blonde hair ran after it.
"Je suis désolé que tu vas bien?" asked the girl, panting for breath as she drew near. (I'm sorry are you alright?) She was only young, perhaps 9.
Hermione smiled at her and shook her head "Tout vabien, je vais bien, pas de mal. Vous avez un coup de pied puissant sur vous." (It's alright, I'm fine, no harm done. You have a powerful kick.)
Hermione and the girl both looked up when they heard shouting. Hermione's breath caught in her throat as she looked at the newcomer. It was an older version of the young girl Hermione was speaking to, an older sister she assumed.
"Gabrielle, que faites-vous? Je vous ai dit de ne pas jouer à proximité de personnes et maintenant vous ai frappé ce pauvre fille avec votre balle stupide." shouted the older girl, running up to them. (Gabrielle, what did you do ? I told you not to play near people and now you've kicked this poor girl with your stupid ball.)
She shooed her sister away and then turned to Hermione, "Je présente mes excuses pour ma sœur, elle peut parfois se laisser emporter." (I apologise for my sister, she can get carried away sometimes)
It took Hermione a few seconds to realise that the girl had spoken to her.
She shook her head to clear it, "Non, il est bien honnêtement un peu coup est tout." (No I'm fine honestly, she has a good shot)
They both stared at one another. Hermione was struck by how blue the other girl's eyes where, an icy blue that captivated her. She had long silvery blonde hair, just like her sister and pale skin that made her eyes stand out even more. Hermione found herself just staring open mouthed. They don't make girls like her at Hogwarts. The other girl was staring at her just as much, her mouth slightly open. As if she realised she was staring the girl blinked and quickly looked away before turning back.
"Sorry, I was distracted for a moment, I didn't mean to stare" said the girl.
Hearing her voice, Hermione came back to her senses, quickly replying, stumbling over her words. "That's okay, I, err, got, err, caught up… for a moment, I…"
Hermione suddenly stopped realising that the girl was now speaking English. She must have looked confused because the girl suddenly laughed, Hermione felt goosebumps and a warm feeling in her stomach.
"Yes I am speaking English, you are from there, no?" the French girl asked.
"I, err, yes. How…how did you know?" Hermione replied, struck by how even the girl's voice sounded beautiful to her ears. I need to get out more if I think even her voice sounds beautiful.
"It's your accent, the English tend to be a bit heavy with the pronouncing of some words," replied the girl.
She was smiling and Hermione found it difficult not to blush.
"Oh, sorry I've only been here a little while and I'm still picking up the language. My name's Hermione." She stuck out her hand.
"Bonjour Hermione, je m'appelle Fleur."
She reached out and shook the offered hand. Hermione immediately felt warmth in her hand and a wave washed over her, making her feel light-headed. When Fleur let go, Hermione missed the warmth of her hand and felt the urge to grasp her hand again. She still felt the wave washing over her, it felt like it was a friend getting acquainted, she knew that sounded crazy. Hermione realised she was staring again and blinked rapidly to clear the fuzziness from her head.
"Err, so do you…come here often?" That didn't sound idiotic at all Hermione, jeez you're making a fool out of yourself.
Fleur just kept on smiling, but there was a glint in her eye, one that made Hermione swoon. Good grief I'm acting like a teenage boy. Get it together Granger.
"Oui, my family lives nearby so yes you could say I am from around here" she teased. Hermione merely continued to blush. "How about I show you around the area, Hermione there is a lot for you to see?"
Hermione didn't reply merely nodded, too afraid that she would make a fool of herself if she spoke. That wave was still slipping and sliding over her skin and she found she couldn't think straight. Fleur grabbed Hermione's arm and led her away from the park, shouting something in French at her sister as they left the park and headed back to the town.
Hermione felt her skin warm up where Fleur was touching her. Thank god she decided to forgo a long-sleeved shirt this morning. She came back to her senses when they suddenly stopped in the middle of the square. Hermione looked into Fleur's eyes and felt the wave give one last slide over her chest and then recede. She found it easier to breathe all of sudden, unaware that it had been having that impact on her. She shook her head slightly and the fuzziness seemed to leave as well. She blinked. Fleur was still staring at her with that beautiful smile of hers. After her moment she blinked rapidly, as if she was awaking from sleep and looked across the square. She began to explain to Hermione the history and memories she had of the square and Hermione found herself captivated, hanging on to every word that was being said.
That afternoon Fleur took Hermione all over the little town, showing her favourite places and all the while they talked about everything from family to favourite hobbies and everything in between. Hermione found herself lying about her school and hated how her lies made her feel: incredibly guilty. She found Fleur very interesting and thoroughly enjoyed talking to her. She found out pretty quickly that Fleur was incredibly intelligent. It shone through in her eyes when they began talking about history and views on society. Hermione was enthralled.
By the time evening fell the two girls could be found laughing, sat outside a café hidden away down a quaint side road. Fleur had insisted on buying ice cream and had then regaled Hermione with a prank her and her sister had played on their mother when they were younger. Hermione found herself laughing harder than she had ever done before. Tears were pouring down her face as she listened to Fleur tell her story. They both held their stomachs after the laughter had subsided, but one look at each other and they burst into fits of laughter again.
"I'm surprised your Mother didn't kill you after all that." Hermione commented, still holding her stomach and taking another bite of her ice cream.
"True, but she saw the funny side in the end. It helped that my Papa also was laughing, otherwise I'm sure she may have sent us to our rooms."
Fleur was staring at Hermione again and she felt herself blush. "Come here, ma belle," Fleur whispered and she reached across the table. "You have some ice cream on your cheek."
Hermione gave a small gasp as Fleur reached across the table and wiped her thumb across Hermione's cheek. The spot where Fleur had touched tingled and the wave was back spreading through her body. This time it stroked over her and then left, withdrawing once more. Hermione gave a sigh of contentment.
Fleur just gave a small smile and looked down, almost as if she was embarrassed about something, but there was still that twinkle in her eye when she looked back up.
"So ma belle, what are your plans for tomorrow?"
Hermione felt her heart sink. She remembered with a horrible jolt that she was going home tomorrow, back to England and far away from Fleur. It made her feel sick. She didn't want to leave her new friend behind, not when she had just met her. It amazed Hermione how close she felt to the older girl, despite only knowing her for less than a day. Hermione avoided Fleur's eyes and swallowed the lump in her throat. Alright Granger calm down you've only just met the girl why the emotion? Hermione had to stop herself from rolling her eyes at the thoughts racing around her head. She looked up and saw Fleur looking at her with a concerned expression.
"Ma belle? Are you alright?"
Hermione swallowed again and finally found her voice, "Erm, well I'm...I'm going back...back home that is...to England."
There was a stunned silence, as Hermione avoided looking at Fleur. Why do I feel like this? It confused greatly Hermione how upset she felt at the prospect of leaving Fleur.
"I see," Fleur whispered, as if she hoped by saying it quietly it wouldn't be true.
Fleur fiddled with something on her wrist and took off a charm bracelet that was hanging there. Confused Hermione just watched as Fleur offered it to her.
"I want you to have this, to remember me by." Fleur's voice was breaking up, her French accent becoming more pronounced.
Hermione was shocked by the gesture and quickly stammered out, "I couldn't possibly, no Fleur it's too precious, I can't take it."
Fleur, however, had a determined look in her eye and gestured more forcefully with the bracelet. "No, ma belle, I insist. One day, you never know, you may get the chance to give it back to me."
Fleur grabbed a hold of Hermione's wrist and attached the bracelet, rubbing the younger girl's wrist with her thumb. Hermione only half-heartedly resisted. They stayed like that after, Fleur just holding Hermione's wrist, stroking, neither girl wanting her to let go. Hermione didn't know what came over her, but she felt the need to be closer to the girl. She leant forward and rested her head against Fleur. She disliked the table being a barrier between the two of them, wanting, needing to be closer. Fleur suddenly stood up, still holding Hermione's hand and merely gave a slight pull.
"Come ma belle, I have one more place to show you."
Hermione, not wanting to leave just yet and yearning to stay with Fleur for as long as she could, let Fleur lead her back down the little street and through the maze of streets. Hermione couldn't take her eyes off the beautiful French girl, deciding that she would let Fleur lead her to wherever she wanted. Fleur stopped, still not letting go of Hermione's hand.
Hermione tore her eyes away from the French girl's eyes and her mouth dropped, a gasp escaping her lips. Fleur had brought her to a stunning fountain. The water cascaded out of a hole in the wall and danced down through the intricate engravings of cherubs and nymphs. Fleur drew Hermione closer and sat them down on the edge. Hermione just watched the water crashing into the pool, the light from a faint lamp glinting on the water's surface. Hermione looked up and saw the blue of Fleur's eyes brimming with tears. Fleur glanced away and then looked back, composing herself before speaking.
"This, ma belle, is the fontaine des rêves." Hermione stared at Fleur, as she continued her explanation. "It's cliché, I know, but the old women in the town believe that if you throw a coin in and make a wish then it comes true. It sounds stupid, but ever since I was a little girl and my Grandmere told me the story, it became a special place to me." Fleur looked away, staring into the water.
"It's beautiful Fleur. Thank you for bringing me, especially your special place." Hermione whispered the words, staring intently at Fleur and the way the light danced across her face.
After a few moments of Fleur staring at the water she looked up, gazing intently into Hermione's eyes.
"Would you like to throw a coin in ma belle?"
Hermione flashed a smile and nodded her head. Fleur stood up smiling, holding out her hand for Hermione to take and rummaging in her pocket for a coin.
"Now turn your back ma belle, make your wish and throw the coin in."
Fleur grabbed a hold of Hermione's waist and turned her around; she didn't miss Hermione tensing at the feel of her hands on the younger girl. Hermione took the offered coin, slowly letting her fingers pause briefly in Fleur's hand. She shivered as the warm wave floated over her again. She closed her eyes and made her wish, wishing more than she had ever done before. She threw the coin over her shoulder and heard a faint plop as it fell into the glimmering pool. She opened her eyes and saw Fleur smiling at her and found herself smiling back, unable to stop the blush from creeping up her cheeks.
Fleur leaned closer. Hermione could see the lamp reflected in her eyes. Those eyes which shined so brightly, with that curious twinkle that never failed to captivate Hermione. She closed the distance between them, once again resting her head against the blonde's, this time sighing at the lack of a barrier between them. She closed her eyes, savouring the moment, never wanting it to end. She realised for the first time that she didn't want to go back to school, she wanted to stay with this girl, this stranger she met in a park, who had suddenly become someone she had felt she had known a lifetime. She opened her eyes and saw a mixture of emotions flash through Fleur's eyes.
"Ma belle," she heard Fleur whisper, before the blonde closed the space between them and brushed her lips against Hermione's. Hermione reciprocated at once, melting at the feel of Fleur's lips against her own. They were soft, like silk and Hermione knew she wanted more. Damn, I'm going to miss her.