Hello dear readers. I know it has been a terribly long time and I do apologize. Together with the craziness that is everyday life you just have to know - if you care - that I got my heart broken and it made me unable to write anything for a long while. I'm mending now and I hope you can continue to enjoy this story which is very dear to me. Thank you for all the kind reviews and especially the private messages, they mean a lot. Do enjoy!

"A separation? How does that work? They couldn't just cut of one part of Fleur, could they?", Harry asked incredulously.

Hermione just pressed her face further into his shoulder against the cold wind blowing from the lake. Memories called to her from the water, Fleur's wet body against hers, large and dark trees above her. The events of the past weeks were clearly taking their toll, for her memories were wistful, not frighted.

"I don't know, Harry. I... I just don't know anymore."

"We have to talk to Dumbledore..."

"He is London right know. Barty Crouch's death and all... I will try as soon as he returns."

So much had happened in the last four days.

Barty Crouch had been murdered in mysterious circumstances, Harry had discovered Karkaroff had been a death eater and Ginny still lay in the sick bay.

And yet it somewhat all became so much bearable simply because Harry knew. He knew what had happened, he knew about Fleur, Fleur and Hermione.

And suddenly it was as if she didn't carry her burdens alone anymore. Friendship truly was a magical thing. Harry's brow was scrunched together and he looked helpless. She knew he was francticly thinking of something to make her feel better or at least make sense of all of this, but she knew it was of no use.

She sighed deeply. "I'm afraid... I'm afraid this isn't in my hands anymore, Harry. I don't see what I can do anymore. Or what I want to do."

"Don't say that. No one can force you into doing... whatever they want you to do,especially if you don't even know what it is!" Hermione smiled sadly at that and they both fell into an uncomfortable silence. Finally Harry asked: "What do you think Fleur wants you to do?"

The question surprised her. What was it that Fleur wanted? Her it seemed. Or sometimes not. To be another person deemed her the most likely.

"Freedom",she said. "The freedom to control herself an the choice with whom to fall in love."

Harry frowned. "Nobody has that."

"You know what I mean. Your life is somewhat tied to Voldemort's, Harry. Have you never wished to change that? As is Fleur to me."

Harry's mouth fell open. "You can't compare that."

"I know it's strange, but in the end it's the same thing. A curse. That hers is related to something as glorious as romantic love doesn't make it any easier for her."

"But you can't just run away from a curse. You have to live with it."

"Well, she doesn't seem to accept that. And even if she did... she is afraid to force me into her magic."

Harry thought for a while, chewing his lip and when he started blushing Hermione knew she wouldn't like what was to come next.

"And are you sure about your choice?"

"What?"

He cleared his throat.

"Suppose she would let you. Suppose it feels right. Why not be,you know, together... with her?"

Now it was Hermione's turn to let her jaw drop.

"That's I mean, impossible - she, I mean I don't know, I wouldn't,couldn't- and the consequences! Her family,her mother, these stupid laws in France- I mean it's just not an option!"

"And the other? Letting herself maimed by some Veela council? You should at least try to talk again to her."
Hermione let out a shaky breath.

"We tried,Harry. Look how our talks usually end - with someone in the sickbay or running away."

Harry leaned back and he that look in his eyes that Hermione always both feared and anticipated. It was his look when he was about to do something very brave and really stupid. The look of hunting down the best protected secret of the castle, of jumping of brooms in motion, of standing up to Snape, of hunting down alleged murderers - it was Harry's signature defiance, his refusal to just accept obstacles and faith. She realized it that moment it was what she liked best about him.

"Where is Fleur now?", he asked in a business tone.

"In...in the sick bay."

"Is she protected?"

"Restricted by these horrible ropes of her mother. There is almost always someone with her. I didn't dare to try enter."

He nodded, almost satisfied. After a minute torturing Hermione's patience and already very damaged nerves she snapped:

"What?!"

He turned to her and smiled. "I think I let you borrow my invisibility cloak tonight."

So it came that at ten o clock Hermione Granger, brightest witch of her age, found herself lurking in the shadowy corners of the sickbay, her legs cramped under the invisibly cloak and her mind wondering how on earth she had gotten into a situation like this and if she had had ever been here if she never became friends with one Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley.

Her tired eyes glanced at the only occupied bed in the sickbay. On it lay Fleur Delacour, tightly bound to the mattress,her body limp. She might have been sleeping if it weren't for her eyes openly staring to the ceiling, expressionless.

She didn't seem to notice Gabrielle who sat by her side and clutched her hand, talking calmly to her in french. She was always the last one to go, just after Emanuelle.

Just at the entrance sat Fleur's mother in a tall armchair, guarding her daughter with never tiring eyes. Hermione released a shaky breath.

"This won't work. And you're standing on my food again", she told Harry beside her, who just smiled.

"There is only one way to find out. I think it's time you get started."

Nervously Hermione pulled out her wand and aimed it at a spot in the ceiling just above Madame Delacour's head.

"Are you sure that the pipe is there?"

Hermione scoffed.

"Of course. I studied the whole system our second year when I found out how the Basilisk navigated through the castle. I continued with it when I was, er, awake again."

She corrected her aim a little and then spotted Harry's wondrous face.

"What?"

"You studied the entire pipe system of Hogwarts?"

"Well - I had to make sure it could work. It was the only idea that made sense at the time,but I had to check it beforehand. It is actually amazing that they build them so large, it must have been Salazar Slitherin's doing... I wonder why the other founders just went along with it. I mean it's almost as if they were asking for some monster to curl around in there."

Harry shook his had and laughed quietly. For the first time in what seemed like ages Hermione smiled.

"What?", she asked again.

"You just amaze me sometimes Hermione. You should start."

She smiled and took her aim with new confidence. Then she whispered: "Difindo!"

And just like that the pipe broke open and a gush of greenish ill smelling water poured right over the flawless satin robes of Madame Delacour. She shrieked, jumped up from her chair and let loose a string of courses in french.

The gush didn't last long but even from where they were hiding the smell raked over them.

Apoline Delacour was a loss of her elegance; she ran around in circles and seemed to be incapable of accepting that she could be in such a state- both Harry and Hermione couldn't stop their laughter but fortunately the shrieks drowned it.

Finally the french witch said something rapidly to Gabrielle and stormed out,apparently to clean herself up, her daughter right after her.

'Now,go!' Harry told her. Before he could slip out to stand guard Hermione grasped his hand in hers. He came to halt and she gave him her most grateful smile. He gently squeezed her hand and then he was off. With a shuddering breath Hermione turned and slowly approached the bed.

Fleur still lay there as if she hadn't taken notice form the incident with her mother. Hermione knew she had to be quick about it and so she shuffled off the invisible cloak. She felt very vulnerable all over again when she stood there in plain sight and for a moment nothing happened. Then Fleur's ice blue blackening eyes turned to her.

"For someone who is capable of making themselves invisible you are remarkably stupid 'ermione", she said simply. Her voice was raspy and sounded as if she had difficulty getting words out.

Hermione swallowed.

"For someone who can throw people unconscious against walls you are remarkably obedient."

She wasn't going to say something mean. But she guessed she could never trust her emotions with Fleur Delacour.

For a short moment anger and shame flushed over Fleur's face before it became stony again.

"I am sorry for what 'appened... for what I did to your friend. But it did make me 'ope zat maybe you would finally keep staying away from me. Yet 'ere you are again."

She rose her eyes questioningly to Hermione's face.

"Why?"
Hermione opened and closed her mouth again. Her palms were sweaty and she wiped them at her robe before she straighted her back.

"I came to release you. And to ask if you wanted to have a drink with me."

Even in her own head it hadn't sounded quite that stupid. All resolve in the world couldn't keep the surprise of Fleur's face. Finally she shook her head.

"Are you insane?"

"You know I'm not. Fleur, there isn't much time. Your mother will be back here in minutes and I'm pretty sure you're in no condition of running. And when we want to make it to Honeydukes-"

"'Oney what?"

Hermione sighed and raised her wand at Fleur's restraints. They snapped open easily and immediately Fleur shrank back from her. Her eyes were big, flashing from blue to black in her pale face.

'What are you doing?', she whispered franticly.

'I'm giving us one last chance to talk. I trust you. If you trust me', Hermione replied steadily and picked up the invisibility cloak from the ground. Fleur grasped when her arm turned invisible.

Suddenly they hurt faint french curses from some of the corridors near and their eyes met in some strange form of understanding.

''Zey will search for me."

"And they won't find you."

"You will get into a lot of trouble."

"I think we both already are. And besides", she leaned down to help Fleur of the bed with a shaky laugh, "I am used to it by now."

Minutes later they arrived at the Gunhilda of Gorsemoor Corridor on the third floor, with Fleur breathing heavily from the exhaustion. She was leaning onto Hermione with all her weight which was worryingly little; but even so Hermione had to fight hard to blend out the hot breath on her neck and the overpowering smell that was so uniquely Fleur.

She tried not to think of what Fleur was fighting against. The invisibly cloak enclosed them entirely and even though she knew she was now at the mercy of the creature slumbering in Fleur she hadn't felt this carefree in along time.

Fleur's soft breath into her ear tore her from her wondering. "And what now?"

Hermione aimed her wand at the statue of of the hunched Gunhilda of Gorsemoor. "Dissendium", she said. And seconds later they stared into the darkness beneath the statue, leading down a short, cool stone slide. Fleur shook her head.

"You want me to go down zere."

"I will help you, don't worry."

"'ow do you even know of zis place?"

"Fleur, I tell you later. We don't have time."

But the french girl was still obviously hesitant.

"Will there be rats?", she asked cautiously. Hermione stared at her.

"You faced a dragon, Fleur. Don't tell me you're afraid of rats?"

"Dragons are proud and mighty creatures", Fleur replied with so much dignity Hermione would have laughed weren't they in their current situation. "I do not like rats. And tunnels for ze matter." But eventually she followed Hermione into the passage. The walk through the low and narrow earthy passageway went very slowly and Fleur had to take breaks often. She refused to be helped after a while and even though none said it they both new it was because of the danger their closeness presented. They reached the door trap in Honeydukes, wriggled their way out and finally they stood in the cold Hogsmeade air. Fleur looked around in amazement and took deep ragged breaths.

"Where are we?"she asked faintly.

"In the village of Hogsmeade." Hermione smiled.

They put the invisibility cloak into her bag and walked silently through the village. Hermione had never been there so late – since it was against all rules – so she was surprised the streets were so cramped. Apparently the people of Hogsmeade preferred to walk the streets when there were no loud students in their way. It made sense actually. Fleur took everything in silently and with great interest and Hermione was content to watch her.

Finally they reached the Hog's Head, a old, worn down place Hermione had never set food in. But it was the only place that would serve hem at this time of night and not report them if the rumors were to believed. Hermione had a feeling Fleur understood this, for she didn't comment on the terrible state of the building. But before they entered she searched her bag and took out a silk black scarf and offered it to Fleur. The part Veela took it wordlessly and put it around her head.

When they entered the Hog's Head it was filled with some gruffly eyed, drunken old men whispering to each other. The black scarf around Fleur put around her face was Hermione's attempt to draw less attention but Fleur's natural charisma still attracted some of the men's greedy eyes, despite her sickened appearance. The exhausted look on the french girl's face went to rigid; the men's stares returned to their pints.

Hermione couldn't help but chuckle.

"Why don't you do this more often in Hogwarts?", she asked.

Fleur averted her gaze. "Because it attracts attention to what I truly am. What you should no forget ma belle."

Hermione's chuckle died on her lips and she decided to search them a table. She chose one in a secluded corner,put down her cloak and tried to steadily look into Fleur's eyes. "Here, sit down. I will order our drinks, what do you want?"

Fleur stared at her and suddenly a shy look took over her face. She sat down carefully and pain was evident in her face.

"I... I would like a 'ot chocolate."

Hermione smiled and went to the bar. The inn holder was a old, scrappy wizard, with a huge dirty beard and a sorrowful face. It was strange but when he looked at her for a moment she thought he looked like an odd scrubby version of Dumbledore.

"Good evening. I would like two cups of hot chocolate please."

He studied her.

"I know you. You're the girl who always buys so much parchment. I see you often."

He pointed his head to the shop in front of his pub; Hermione swore she felt Fleur's amused gaze on her and she blushed. "Um, right. So, what do I owe you?"

Her slowly grabbed for two mugs and shook his head.

"I know you're not allowed to be here at this time, Miss. But since you don't seem like the kind to cause trouble I might just forget it for now."

Hermione guessed it was safer not to answer this and returned to their table gratefully. Fleur had locked her gaze onto the table. But when she set down the mugs she heard a faint spell; and suddenly the candle between them was flickering with a bright flame.

Fleur visibly sank down in her chair, the small action seemed to have exhausted her even more than the walk to Honeydukes.

"Are you alright? You should not have done that."

Fleur just nodded her head and closed her hands around her mug.

"Zank you", she whispered.

Her white, elegant fingers were shaking and impulsively Hermione put her own hand above them. The skin under own felt hot and cold by turns. She stroked it gently and couldn't stop the worried frown from her forehead.

"What are you doing, 'ermione?", Fleur finally asked quietly. "What good can come from zis? It will turn my mother's anger on both of us and ze matter is already decided. I will go to my grandmotzer's tribe and zey will decide what to do. It is for ze best."

Hermione studied her counterpart for while. Finally she sighed.

"You know, it makes me sad seeing you like this. You were always so proud. Now you will just give in?"

Fleur gripped the table with such force Hermione shrank back. Anger flared over the part Vela's face.

"I am not giving in! I am fighting and I'm loosing ze fight. I 'urt people. I 'urt you and your friend. Zere will be more and it is my decision to prevent zat. It is my duty to prevent zat, a duty to both my family and myself. Do not dare to call me a coward."

Despite her wild beating heart Hermione tried to keep the fear out of her voice.

"I didn't-"

"You did. Don't anger me. It is careless, even more zan what we are doing now."

She closed her eyes and took a forceful breath, then she released the table. When she opened her eyes again they were filled with a deep sadness.

It seemed like her anger had flown right into Hermione's heart however, because now it was her that was griping the table.

"But they are going to rip a part of you off! A part of your being!"

"Non. This is not what I am. I never was until I met you. It is a bond zat can be separated, if with force. Zey will not like it but zey 'ave to. Zey owe my family."

"You cannot want to do this!"

"I 'ave to do zis. For us both."

"I won't let you decide for myself! I-"

Desperately she took her mug and took a deep sip. She burned her tongue.

"I won't do this Fleur", she said more calmly an looked right into the black-blue eyes in front of her. "I can't."

Under the black scarf Fleur's pale skin and hair looked even paler... the candle's flame lit her wet lips and Hermione closed her fist around the table tighter.

"Why?", Fleur asked.

Hermione took her time to answer that. Her eyes scanned around the room, taking in the lost figures on the worn out tables.

"Because it's not natural. You are what you are. As I am muggleborn your are part Vela. This is not something you can just take away because there are obstacles."

"Obstacles!"

"Yes, obstacles. I know yours are more grave than mine, but still. This is not the way. This is... bad. It's not fair."

Fleur opened her mouth, closed it and rested her head in her hands, as if it was suddenly to heavy to hold for her neck.

"Fair?", she repeated weakly.

"Yes. I mean... we never got to know each other, really. And with the tournament and all - how can you know you can not accustom to me so you have yourself under control? To be able to decide if you truly like me or if it is a curse. We were... I mean we were always interrupted before..." Her voice trailed of, suddenly shy.

Fleur's hand rose to her face and caressed her features tenderly. Hermione closed her eyes.

"I do love you, 'ermione." The words were simple, gentle and true. Hermione didn't dare too open her eyes, fearing this might not be real.

Fleur continued speaking without stopping her feather-like touch.

"But as I told you... it is not the kind of love I want. Directed by old, dark magic... you shouldn't want zat eitzer. I am sure, would I not be what I am, I would 'ave loved you anyway. As a friend, maybe even more. But it is as it is. And it will forever be tainted."

Hermione leaned her face into the touch. She was shaking with emotion.

"Who knows what makes us fell in love, Fleur?", she whispered. "In the end, who knows if it isn't always some kind of magic?" She waited for an answer that didn't come. Fleur's touch was burning and the flame close to her face added to the heat. She nodded.

"So, you just want to rip that part off yourself. And that would make everything normal again." She sounded bitter and she didn't care.

"Then why did you even come here with me?" Fleur's fingers played with her hair now. She sighed deeply.

"It isn't always easy to do ze right zing."

"Yes... maybe I'm tired of doing the right thing."

For some mad reason Fleur laughed at this. It was raspy and surprised them both but she laughed. Hermione finally looked at her again and took the sight in, the beautiful face lit up by laughter and light in her eyes. She wondered if it actually was the first time she really saw Fleur laughing.

"I do not believe you", Fleur smiled and shook her head."You do the right zing. It's who you are."

"Then why have I kidnapped a Vela from the sick bay and sneak her out to a pub?", Hermione replied miserably.

"I do 'ave wondered 'ow you came into ze possession of one of ze rarest magical items in our world. 'ow is zis possible?'

"It's not mine. It belonged to Harry's father. He was an auror and... I'm not sure how he got it actually, but Harry inherited it and we - well, we probably used it way too often since then."

"Use it for what?"

And even if Hermione couldn't remember when their conversation had taken this turn she found herself telling Fleur. She told of her adventures with Harry and Ron, the philosopher's stone, the chamber of secrets. Once she had started, she barely could stop anymore. She told of her friends, of Hagrid, of how lonely she felt at times among the girls her age, of how she loved the solitary of the library and the look of the Scottish High lands when it had rained for days.

Fleur was a good listener. Perhaps it was because of the dire situation they found themselves in and because Fleur had followed the events in Hogwarts in the papers, but she didn't retort with the usual terrified and unbelieving sounds one would expect at their adventures. Instead she asked smart questions and discussed blood status, wizard history and people with her. She told stories of her own. Of her home in France ,of the summers she spend with her sister and father by the sea. Of her own adventures in Beauxbatons and if anything they both found out they weren't as well behaved as the other had thought.

Fleur spoke of her love for flying and couldn't believe it that Hermione had no passion for it.

"But it is ze very zing muggles 'ave strived to do!", she exclaimed. "Ze balloons, ze, 'ow you call zem... plains! It is ze most amazing zing muggles and wizards 'ave created!"

"You sound like Harry and Ron", Hermione snorted and drank the last rest of her now cold chocolate.

"You cannot possibly compare me to your... red headed friend", Fleur replied incredulously.

"Ron's not so bad. I mean, yes, he acts like a git most of the times, but he is actually a good friend."

"I beg to differ. 'ow 'e let 'arry down is unforgivable for a friend."

Hermione sighed. The truth was, sometimes she felt Fleur was right. Before she could delve into this however Fleur said: "And besides, it is ridiculous 'ow he lusts after you and doesn't even admit it to 'imself."

Hermione almost choked on her chocolate.

"What? Ron? Now you're being ridiculous. He didn't even really realize that I'm a girl until the Yule ball."

Suddenly Fleur's eyes looked dangerous again and Hermione realized they hadn't for good an hour.

"Oh, qui, believe me. 'e certainly noticed." To relieve her embarrassment and to cast away that dangerous gleam Hermione tried to lighten up the mood.

"You sound jealous." Definitely the worst thing she could have said.

Fleur sighed deeply an looked out of the window into the dark Hogsmeade night.

"Insanely so. I know every boy and girl that is interested in you in this castle. I know their names and their weaknesses. I want to turn zem into shreds when I see them."

Hermione knew she should be more frightened and repelled by these violent sentences. Instead she blushed.

"You're exaggerating. Except for Viktor nobody here really noticed me that way, at least... not until-"

"Me?", Fleur asked with a wry smile.

"I was going to say the Yule ball."

"Ah. Yes, I be'aved rather shamefully zat night, didn't I?"

"Were you really drunk?"

"Very much so." They both smiled begrudgingly at the memory.

"You kissed that boy. What happened to him?"

"Were you jealous of him?", Fleur shot back. The question took Hermione aback. Their eyes looked. Fleur's were almost only blue now, the black only shimmering in the corners.

"Insanely so", she breathed out.

Fleur broke their gaze and rubbed her eyes.

"It is a shame you do not like flying. Were we in France I would show you 'ow to ride the Pegasi. Zat is true flying", she said as if they had never changed the subject.

Hermione hesitated. "Would you show me? If I came to France?"

A shower of emotions went over Fleur's face. Extreme fear and extreme wistfulness.

"I would love to zat... I would love to do zat so very, very much."

"But", Hermione punned.

Fleur's eyes fixed on her and the sadness returned and with it the blackness. Hermione immediately missed that girl she had met for only such a little while, the smart and funny french with who was arrogant and seductive and loved flying.

"But after all of zis is over... it would be best we do not see each otzer again."

All happiness disappeared from Hermione's face. Her heart turned cold and she felt a lump in her throat and tears in her eyes.

"You... so you still-" She took a breath and tried desperately to collect herself.

"'ermione..."

"What would be my part in this exactly?" she interrupted, her voice choked.

Fleur hesitated. "I do not know, exactly. But you would 'ave to be zere."

"And if I don't come? What then? Will your mother force me?"

Fleur looked down on the table again.

With a start Hermione jumped from her chair.

Tears were now flowing down her face.

"You know what you are, Fleur Delacour? A coward! Afraid of what you are, of your family and me. You don't want to face it anymore, you just want to cut it of. And you know what? I wouldn't want to be with someone like you in a million, billion years."

She grabbed her coat and stormed out, not caring for all the looks and whispers of the men in the pub.

It was cold outside and she walked of into no particular direction. She cried and cried of her own stupidity and helplessness and anger and she didn't stop until she was suddenly at the clearing she had found Fleur and Gabrielle in, in the winter. She sunk to her knees.

She didn't know how long she remained there, just staring at the ground and wetting it with her tears until a heated hand put her chin upwards and she looked into blue-black electric eyes and Fleur grabbed her face and kissed her like there was no tomorrow. Their lips connected heatedly, their hands clung to each other and Fleur breathed her name again and again until they were lying on the cold ground intertwined, their lips relentlessly crushing together.