A/N: I'm back! Hello again lovely readers. I am sorry for the massive delay but I really lost my mojo. I was going to write more of my other story but I have completely got writer's block with that. I wanted to finish that before starting this, but I have nothing for that story that is good enough and all my ideas were about this instead. Therefore I will have to hit the pause button on that and get this written and finished completely, only then do I think I can finish off that one. So anyway we are back with the sequel to 'Always' and 'Secrets and Lies'. If you are just joining then I would advise going and reading the other two because this will not make any sense otherwise. I really hope you enjoy this next instalment. This one will be deviating a bit more from the plot of the books, because I need it to and because I can! Anyway thank you for your support with the last two and I really hope you enjoy. Disclaimer: All characters (except for some of the Delacours) belong to J.K. Rowling.

Something had been broken. Hermione wasn't sure whether the current state of affairs would ever be fixed. The Delacours were at odds with one another. The happiness within the residence that Hermione remembered from the previous summer had evaporated to be replaced with a tense, uncomfortable atmosphere. Where once there would have been laughter and conversation at mealtimes, now no one spoke. The younger generation of Delacours were still furious that their family had created a web of secrets and lies and refused to listen to any apology that was offered.

Hermione didn't know what to say or do. Several times she had opened her mouth wanting desperately to say something, anything to relieve the tension that had built up, but she was unable to find the words. She felt so useless. Many times Fleur had found her crying as she thought about Sabine. Where was she? Was she okay? Was she with Aurelie? Not knowing was the worst. Every time a door opened Hermione always hoped it would be Sabine returning with some sarcastic comment, but it was never her.

Fleur didn't know what to do. She was torn between being furious at her mother and the rest of the older generation of her family and supporting Hermione. She knew that her cousin had become a dear friend to the brunette and she hated seeing her lover like this. Even though she had not always got on with Sabine she found herself wishing for her cousin to return.

XXXXX

A week had passed since Sabine had left and Hermione could tell that things were fast reaching their breaking point. She knew that Fleur had refrained from making any comment to her family, the same as her cousins. None of them seemed to want to acknowledge their family let alone speak to them and the brunette knew this would only last so long before emotion took precedent.

Hermione felt nervous as she sat down to dinner that evening. She shared an anxious look with Gabrielle, both aware that things could have reached their boiling point. The only sound was the clattering of knives and forks. Hermione noticed that Fleur was merely playing with her food and as she glanced around the table she noticed the younger generation all had their eyes on the blonde. With a sudden movement Fleur threw her fork down with a clang.

"You had no right to keep things from us," she growled, glaring daggers at her grandmother and mother. Hermione could feel the anger coming off of Fleur in waves.

Julienne said nothing for a moment, before neatly placing her knife and fork down on her plate. "We did what we thought was best..."

"Best for who?" interrupted Astrid. "Sabine had a right to know who she was, who her mother was."

"You wouldn't understand..." Apolline tried to say, but she was also interrupted.

"Oh don't start with that," snarled Fleur. "It's a poor defence. Sabine is twenty. Twenty! She always said that you all treated her differently and I guess we know why now."

"Now Fleur that is no way to talk to your mother..."Armand tried to diffuse the situation, but everyone was too fired up after days of not saying anything.

"Don't try and defend her. Don't defend any of them," growled Fleur. "There is no excuse for what they did. Fair enough keep Aurelie away, but lying was the wrong thing to do. You all made her feel inadequate, like an outsider and now look. She's left because of how you've treated her."

"You can hardly claim to be innocent there Fleur," shouted back Apolline, standing up. "You also butted heads with Sabine all the time, ever since you were little. You never made an effort with her; it was only because of Hermione that you even were civil to her."

"At least I never lied to her," Fleur shouted, also getting to her feet. Her chair went flying backwards and hit the floor with a crash. "I would give anything, anything to have her back her with us, to try and rectify everything, but thanks to all of you that will never happen. You want someone to blame for all this, don't bother pointing the finger of blame at Aurelie, go find a bloody mirror."

"As if you know the first thing about protecting a family," Apolline shouted. "We did what we thought was right..."

"Well you were wrong." Fleur stormed up to her mother, standing toe to toe.

"Enough!"

All heads turned to face Hermione. The brunette wasn't even aware that she had spoken, but quickly gained her composure as everyone stared.

"This is getting us absolutely no where." When Fleur made to speak, Hermione silenced her with a look. "Shouting and screaming solves nothing, it's just going to make everyone angry. There's no point trying to blame someone, it won't achieve anything and Sabine will still be gone."

Hermione took a deep breath, before continuing.

"Whether you were right or wrong to keep Sabine's parentage from her is, frankly, irrelevant. It's happened and there is nothing anyone can do about it. The mistake you made, you all made was making Sabine feel different, as if she was an outsider. Do you know that she believes none of you are proud of her? She told me once that all she wanted was to make you proud and yet she never knew if she had. Keeping secrets and lying didn't do the damage, your behaviour towards her did. Whilst you are arguing about who's the most responsible all I can think about is how Sabine is feeling at this moment in time and whether she's okay. I'm sick and tired of the tension there is between you all. How about instead of switching between not speaking and arguing you let it go and we try and figure out a way to fix this?"

Without another word, Hermione got up and left the dining room. She was shaking badly. Had she spoken out of turn? It wasn't her place to say anything, that she knew, but somebody had to. She knew that Veela were emotional beings and an argument was always going to happen, but it wasn't going to solve anything. She felt her Veela offer her comfort and sighed. It was a lot easier now she didn't have to fight with it constantly. A few months back she would have torn the dining room apart. She found herself in the library and immediately settled herself in her favourite armchair by the window.

Hermione wasn't sure how much time had passed, but was startled from her thoughts by the sound of someone clearing their throat. She looked up to see Armand standing there with a kind smile and that twinkle in his eye.

"I left them to it," he said. "They took what you said onboard and are attempting to sort things out."

Hermione bit her lip and felt a guilty squirm in her stomach. Armand must have noticed because he came and sat down next to her shaking his head.

"You have no need to feel guilty Hermione. It needed saying and they needed to hear. I wish now that I had had the stomach to do it myself, but as the sole male member of this family I become accustomed to letting them get on with it." He chuckled to himself and Hermione couldn't help but smile.

Armand always had a way of alleviating any tension or unhappiness. He was a kind man and despite being human and male he was the heart of the family.

"I hope I didn't overstep the mark?" Hermione squirmed in her seat.

"Of course not," Armand said reassuringly. "You are family Hermione that gives you the right to give your opinion. You have a remarkable way of saying what needs to be said without causing hurt or anger to anyone. No one was angry at you, rather they felt guilty that they had behaved in such a way. Now what are your thoughts on Elemental Transfiguration?"

Hermione laughed.

XXXXX

The following morning Hermione woke with a groan. Looking around she realised she had fallen asleep in the chair in a rather awkward position and her muscles were letting her know about it. She had talked with Armand for hours and was thankful for the distraction. Without him, she would have been on edge for the whole evening wondering how the conversation in the dining room was going. Instead they had talked for hours about various topics and Hermione was thrilled that she had someone who was as enthusiastic as she was. Her relationship with Fleur was wonderful, but the blonde couldn't spend hours talking about Magical Law. In Armand she had found an unlikely friend, someone to share ideas with, whilst also being introduced to different points of view. He had excused himself around 11 to go and make sure Gabrielle was in bed and the brunette must have fallen asleep shortly after.

She awkwardly untangled herself from the position she had been sleeping in and stretched, groaning as her muscles reminded her what a comfort a bed was. Rubbing her neck to try and ease the stiffness there, she stood up and went in search of Fleur. The blonde was absent from their bedroom and Hermione began to feel anxious when she saw the bed hadn't been slept in. She hurriedly went back downstairs to the dining room and found everyone, minus Armand and Gabrielle, still sat where they had been the previous evening.

They all looked exhausted and there were several faces that were tear-stained. Hermione couldn't fail to notice some smashed plates littering the floor by the walls. At least no one was bleeding. Fleur got up when she noticed her girlfriend had entered the room and quickly swept her up in a hug.

"Are you alright ma belle?" asked Fleur.

Hermione nodded. "I'm fine. Are you all alright?" She couldn't help but glance around again at the smashed china.

Fleur followed her gaze. "Ah yes. Well we are now at least." She looked around at the family. "It took a while, but we have sorted some things out. Now we just have to figure out how to get Sabine back."

"That may prove difficult," said Apolline, standing up slowly. "Aurelie was possessive when she was a child, I dread to think what she will be like with Sabine, especially as we are the ones who kept them apart."

"We aren't even sure where Aurelie is," chipped in Astoria.

"And none of us are going to mention anything to Dumbledore either," said Fleur, sharing a pointed look with her grandmother. Her mother and aunts nodded in agreement. "From now on we are keeping him at a distance."

Hermione nodded in understanding. "What about the escape route?"

"We will maintain that still, but refuse to do anything else for him," replied Julienne. "Armand is going to use his contacts in the French Ministry to ensure that Dumbledore can not a grip here again, just to be safe." Julienne looked around the room and continued. "We are also going to look into what Aurelie told you and Sabine about Dumbledore to see if there is any truth in the matter."

"We have to be careful with how we approach this." said Astoria. "If there is any truth to what Aurelie told you then we have to ensure that Dumbledore doesn't find out we now. We can't have him as an enemy right now, we have enough to be getting on with." All the Veela scowled and nodded.

"Thank you Hermione," said Julienne. "You told us what we needed to hear and we thank you for that. We are sorry that you needed to say it at all."

"I'm sorry if I upset anyone..." Hermione began.

"Nonsense," said Apolline. "You had every right to say what you said."

"Apolline is right," agreed Julienne. "You are a Veela now and part of the family."

Hermione smiled and cuddled closer to Fleur. "Come on you must be exhausted, let's get you to bed."

All of Fleur's cousins shared looks and wolf-whistled. Hermione mock glared at them and tugged the blonde out of the room. Fleur collapsed on the bed and immediately fell asleep. Hermione smiled and slowly began to carefully undress the blonde. Amazingly Fleur didn't wake up once, merely snuggled into the pillows. Hermione wasn't tired, but the thought of cuddling up to her girlfriend was too irresistible. She slipped under the covers and spooned the blonde, soon drifting off to sleep herself.

XXXXX

Whilst things with Aurelie had had a line drawn under them, Hermione was sure that nothing had actually truly been resolved and that the family had merely hit the pause button until a later date. Armand had gone to the French Ministry the following day and begun to put out questions about Dumbledore. The rest of the family began to look into anything to do with Aurelie and trying to figure out where she might be. Considering that she had sided with Voldemort she was probably in Britain.

Unlike last summer, there was not the carefree atmosphere and sense of fun. It felt like something was waiting for the storm to break and when it did hell would break loose. There weren't as many trips to the beach. The focus was on finding Sabine and bringing her home. Fleur and Julienne were going all around Europe on Coven business, ensuring that everything was running normally, whilst the rest of the family focused on Sabine. Despite this the couple still saw a lot of one another. The blonde felt guilty and this was clear in the many romantic meals she planned for them. Hermione told her there was no need but Fleur insisted.

One morning Fleur and Julienne had gone to Spain for a meeting with the branch of the Coven there. Hermione was planning on spending the day catching up in on homework in the library. She was just heading there when Armand came and found her.

"Hermione, I was wondering if you would like to accompany me to the Ministry today?" asked Armand.

The brunette was shocked. "B...but..is that allowed?" she stammered.

Armand laughed. "Absolutely. Didn't Professor McGonagall tell you about the job offers you've received?"

"Well...yes, but..."

"Trust me Hermione, there are plenty of people there who want to meet you." Armand smiled at the look of astonishment on her face. He had become quite close with the young brunette and found her to be an incredibly strong and interesting individual. She was already a daughter in his eyes and wanted to see her happy.

It was with a certain amount of nervousness that Hermione accompanied Armand to the Ministry. It was in the middle of Paris and Hermione gasped as she stepped through the hidden entrance into a wide open space filled with light. Where the British Ministry was dark and closed in, the French Ministry was open and light. Paper memos flew around everywhere and the place was alive with movement. Armand nudged Hermione and she quickly followed him as he headed towards some lifts that were in the corner. Rushing inside she wondered where they were heading off to. The lift shot upwards, making Hermione's head hurt and she felt dizzy when it came to a sudden stop and the doors opened again. Armand stepped out and she followed as they walked down a corridor lined with portraits. They stopped outside a grand door, which Armand knocked on. It opened and they stepped inside.

They were in a massive conference room with floor to ceiling windows showing a marvellous view of Paris. This sight distracted Hermione momentarily from paying attention to who was in the room, but a voice calling out drew her attention to the dozen or so people littered around the table.

"Ah Armand, you're here and you've brought Mademoiselle Granger, perfect."

Armand gestured for Hermione to take a chair and he sat down next to her. She fidgeted in her seat nervously as everyone watched her. She didn't have a clue what was going on, but Armand was smiling at her so she knew it was nothing bad.

"We are so glad you could come Mademoiselle Granger," said a grey-haired witch seated on the right. She spoke with a thick French accent and looked to be about sixty. Her attire told Hermione that she was a woman of importance.

"Err...thank you...Why am I here exactly?" stammered Hermione.

The woman smiled at her. "We are various heads of departments here at the Ministry who are interested in offering you a job Mademoiselle...once you have finished your schooling of course."

Hermione's mouth dropped open. "A...a job, but...wait...what?"

A few of the seated members chuckled.

"You said she was modest Armand," guffawed a heavily built man with a thick moustache.

"Indeed she is, but you will not find a more intelligent witch I can promise you that," laughed Armand.

It turned out that there were representatives from nearly every department in the French Ministry and by the end of the hour long meeting Hermione had had job offers from every single one. She would have her pick of anything she wanted, from Magical Law to the Department of Magical Creatures to the Auror department and even in Education. She felt dizzy and overwhelmed by it all. Armand only allowed the meeting to last for an hour. He could see that the young brunette was slightly overcome by everything and he wanted to protect her. She allowed herself to be led out of the building and he took her to a nearby cafe which was his favourite.

Hermione only spoke after he had brought two cappuccinos and she had taken a sip.

"Why do they all want me?" she asked.

Armand chuckled again. "You are unaware of your own brilliance Hermione. News of your talents have made their way over here. There are many other places besides the Ministry who are clamouring to have the Golden Girl as an employee."

Hermione seemed to struggle with this. "But...why? I'm just a muggle-born."

Armand suddenly grew very serious. He set down his cup and grasped both the brunette's hands in his own. "Your blood means nothing. Don't let what they stupid chienne Umbridge said to you affect you. She is part of an old world that has no place now. You are an amazing witch Hermione. You are kind, caring, you always try to see the best in others, you're intelligent yet not arrogant. Any business or government department would be lucky to have you on their staff. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You are capable of anything you set your mind to, I know it. You can be a cause of real change in the Wizarding World and right now I say that is exactly what we all need."

Hermione felt tears welling up in her eyes. She didn't know what to say so settled for nodding. Armand gave her hands a gentle squeeze and picked up his cup again. "My daughter certainly knows how to pick them."

He winked and Hermione smiled. Armand truly was a remarkable man.

When they returned to the house, Gabrielle came bounding down the stairs and threw herself into her father's arms. He laughed and swung her around, before she dragged him off to go play a game outside. He waved his hand to Hermione, who smiled and watched them go. She went in search of Valentine and Astrid. Fleur wouldn't have returned yet from her trip she was sure.

She was wrong.

Upon entering the living room she found the family all seated around the room with the same worried looks on their faces. Hermione came to abrupt halt when she saw their faces and felt the smile on her face slide away.

"Is everything okay? Is it Sabine?" she asked, hoping the dark-haired Veela was okay.

Fleur shared a look with her mother and stood up. "There is no news on Sabine, but we did receive some very alarming news."

"Come and sit down Hermione, you should hear this," said Julienne. "If recent events have taught us anything it's that keeping secrets achieves nothing. You are a member of this family and therefore you need to know what is going on."

Hermione nodded and sat down next to Fleur immediately reaching for the blonde's hand. Fleur smiled weakly.

Julienne sighed and brandished a letter. "We have received word from a branch of our Coven in Bulgaria. They have informed us and the rest of the Coven that they no longer see us as being fit for leadership."

Hermione gasped and stared open-mouthed at everyone. They all wore the same dark look. "But on what grounds? How can they say that? You've always all done your best for the Coven."

"They have somehow found out about Aurelie." said Julienne, sadly.

"What?! How?" blurted out Hermione.

"We don't know," replied Julienne. "The only ones who knew are in this house and of course Aurelie and Voldemort's supporters."

"Aurelie wouldn't have told this branch of the Coven," said Apolline. When Hermione didn't look convinced she continued. "This is part of an ancient grudge which that part of the Coven has had for a long time. Aurelie would never tell them even if she did hate us. The animosity between us and the Bulgarian section has been going on for as long as anyone can remember."

"They've never done anything like this before though," explained Astoria. "They just hated us from afar and never did anything about it."

Julienne nodded. "Now though they have ammunition. They must have been waiting for something like this to happen to try and get one over on us."

"What do they want?" asked Hermione, afraid to hear the answer. She knew it wasn't good from how tightly Fleur was gripping her hand.

"They have informed the Coven that Aurelie is alive and Sabine is her daughter. They have written to every branch of the family outlining exactly what happened and what we did. How they know, as I said, is still unclear. They have told us that either we give up control of the Coven, or there will be consequences."

"What happens now?" asked Hermione.

"Well giving up control at this time isn't an option," explained Apolline. "Things are precarious to say the least what with Voldemort's return. We will write to the Coven informing them that we will not be relinquishing control and we will just have to see what happens next. The rest of the Coven will not want to see a change at the moment, but things may not stay that way."

"Indeed, if I know them the Bulgarian branch will be having secret meetings all over the place trying to usurp us," said Julienne, grimly. "This won't be the last we hear from them, make no mistake, this is just beginning. I can't help but feel this is no accident. The timing of this is just too much of a coincidence."

"I can't help but agree mama," said Apolline. "With Voldemort and Aurelie's return and now this, it's too much of a coincidence."

"Stupid bitch," snarled Victorie.

"As much as I disapprove of your language, I can't help but agree," replied Julienne.

"Wait, who's a bitch?" asked Hermione. "I thought it was part of the Coven?"

Julienne sighed again. "It is, but they have a leader unlike the other branches, part of that ancient grudge I spoke about. Her name's Guinevere."

"Guinevere?" gasped the brunette, turning to look at Fleur. "Wasn't that the woman you were having meetings about a few months back."

Fleur looked grim. "The very same. She's been causing a few issues here and there but nothing too problematic."

"Until now," interjected Valentine.

"That is the most confusing part in all this," said Apolline. "She has never been brave enough to do something before. So why does she now?"

Julienne said nothing for a moment, she simply stared into the fire that was burning in the hearth. "I sense that someone is being a guiding hand for her. The sooner we find out who the better."

XXXXX

A sudden crack of apparation split the silence. A tall figure in a cloak paused as if to take in their bearings, before heading off swiftly down the narrow path. The August sunshine was twinkling through the trees as the shadowy figure made their way through tall wrought, iron gates bearing the Delacour family crest. The stranger moved quickly, barely making any sound. As the driveway turned around a corner a grand castle came into view. Without pausing the figure marched up the steps and opened the front doors.

A vast stone hallway greeted them, but there was no time to take in the decor. Moving through the castle with a speed which showed their familiarity with the place, they ascended the floors until the figure reached a set of double doors. A hand came out from under the cloak and swiftly knocked on the doors. The sound echoed around the corridor and down into the depths of the castle. A curt voice from inside the room called for entry and the figure stepped inside.

The room was elegantly decorated with rugs and fine art. A woman dressed in expensive clothes was staring out of the window. She didn't turn when the figure entered. There was someone else sat in an armchair, but the newcomer couldn't see who it was. The cloaked figure's attention was brought back to the woman, who now turned and gestured for the messenger to speak.

"I bring news, my lady. The Delacours have refused to back down and have informed the rest of the Coven that they will not acquiesce to your demands."

A vase came flying at the shadowy figure, who quickly ducked.

"Leave us," demanded the woman, her eyes shining purple in her anger. She was breathing heavily and her face had contorted into one of pure fury. She let out an unearthly scream and blasted a hole through the door that the messenger had just gone through.

"Now really Guinevere," said the other occupant of the room. "Is that really any way for a Veela to behave?"

"They haven't backed down," she screeched. "Those arrogant hypocrites. They bang on and on about the importance of family and yet they have plenty of skeletons in their closet. I thought when you told me about Aurelie that they would finally see how imperfect they are. The rest of the Coven still won't support me. You told me this would work."

Another spell was fired off and set a nearby table on fire.

"It was never going to ruin them completely, my dear Guinevere. All it was going to do was rock the boat and that is exactly what we needed to do. Now we put the next part of our plan into motion."

"You better be right, Dumbledore."

The old man's eyes twinkled. "I always am."

A/N: Dun dun duunnnnn. Just thought I would include this at the end to apologise to anyone that hates Dumbledore being presented in this way. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I'm not going to give a timeframe on updates because let's face it, with my track record it never works. I have got some ideas flowing so hopefully it won't be too long. Adios for now.