Part 17

Fleur POV

Another week had passed, almost entirely without words between them. The silence had stretched thin, suffocating the space between them. Bill had invited Fleur and Victoire to the Burrow for New Year's Eve, but Fleur had declined. She'd let him take Victoire to see her grandparents, while she stayed in the apartment, quietly waiting for Hermione to come home from work.

But as the evening wore on, Fleur's anxiety began to grow. Hermione was taking longer than usual, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. It wasn't like her to stay out so late without sending a message.

By the time the clock struck midnight, Fleur had all but convinced herself that something had happened. Maybe Hermione had decided to stay out, or maybe—she didn't want to think about it, but the doubt crept in anyway—maybe she was avoiding her.

The door creaked open almost an hour after midnight, and Fleur turned quickly, her heart leaping in her chest. Hermione stood in the doorway, a little unsteady on her feet, her cheeks flushed with a warmth that wasn't entirely from the cold.

She looked up at Fleur, her expression shifting from surprised to concerned almost immediately. "Fleur? What are you doing here all alone? I thought—well... you should be in bed by now..."

Fleur didn't answer right away, her gaze flicking down to the faint lipstick mark on Hermione's cheek — an unmistakable shade of red. A quiet ache spread through her chest.

Hermione stepped inside, still looking at her in confusion. The truth was, the younger woman had been avoiding them both for days, her distance growing more palpable with every passing hour. Fleur didn't want to bring it up now, didn't want to add to the already tense atmosphere, but the sight of the lipstick on Hermione's skin stung in a way she hadn't expected.

"I was waiting for you... I thought you'd come straight back from work and... that we'd spend New Year's together..." Fleur replied with resignation. "You obviously had other plans." She pointed to Hermione's cheek, who unconsciously touched it with her fingers, smiling awkwardly.

"Yeah... I went for drinks with some people from work. Pansy was there too and decided we had to keep up the New Year's tradition and kissed me, leaving her awfully obnoxious lipstick on." Adorable grimaced and Fleur chuckled. "I..." Hermione hesitated, looking at Fleur as if in fear. "I thought you'd go with Victoire to Bill's... I didn't want to come back to an empty flat." She admitted quietly.

Fleur nodded slowly, though her heart felt heavy. Pansy Parkinson. The thought of Hermione sharing any form of intimacy with anyone else hit her unexpectedly hard. Her throat tightened, but she didn't let it show.

"I'm sorry," Hermione continued, stepping further into the room, her voice softer now. "I didn't mean to worry you. I thought you'd want the space, and—well, I guess I was just trying to avoid the tension." She paused, glancing at Fleur, her expression growing more vulnerable. "I didn't want to be left alone."

Fleur tried to smile, but the action felt foreign on her lips. Fleur felt a pang deep inside her. She knew what Hermione was talking about. They had danced around it for days now, but the truth lingered in the air between them, heavy and suffocating. Their feelings for each other were clear, but everything else was a mess. Bill. The pregnancy. The uncertainty of what would happen next.

Without thinking, Fleur stepped toward Hermione, reaching for her hand.

"I think we can admit to each other that... I've fallen in love with you, Hermione. There's no room in my heart for Bill anymore, not in a romantic way, no matter what he talks to Vic, Bill and me... it's over."

Tears were streaming down Hermione's face, she approached Fleur and took her face in her hands, slightly trembling and warm. Fleur snuggled into them.

"I feel it too, Fleur... it's just hard for me to accept that I feel like a third wheel whenever Bill appears... sometimes I feel like I live in some kind of bubble, with you and Vic, and then when Friday comes, and he appears, he wants to get closer to you, and I think he has the right, that I'm the one who's out of place... and then everything falls apart like sand slipping through my fingers."

Fleur could only think of one way to assure Hermione of what she felt - she kissed her deeply, pouring out all her feelings.

And what an experience it was... as if new possibilities had opened up before her, as if for the first time in her life she had taken a real breath, as if her heart had only now been in the right place, kissing passionately this beautiful, brave and caring woman in front of her.

***

It's good. Everything is good. At least, that's what Hermione tells herself each day as she wakes up beside Fleur, as they share quiet mornings and moments in between the chaos of their lives. The anxiety that still lingers in the back of her mind is there, like an old habit she's learned to manage, but it's getting better. Every day feels like a step forward, even if it's just a small one.

Two months have passed since that first kiss, that first true moment of admission. Their lives have become something more real, more grounded, and so much more beautiful than Hermione ever thought possible. She can still feel the heat of each kiss, the tenderness of each touch, and as she looks at Fleur, it's as if everything makes sense. There's no question of where she's supposed to be.

Fleur has been going through the motions of setting boundaries with Bill, establishing clear limits for their interactions through a mediator. Fleur had also started seeing a psychologist to help her talk to Victoire. They'd been working together to prepare her daughter for the changes ahead. The news of a new sibling coming in two months had left Victoire in high anticipation. And the one thing Fleur had made clear was that there would be no going back to Shell Cottage or trying to recreate the past with Bill. That chapter was firmly closed, and Hermione couldn't be more relieved.

As for them, Hermione can't help but smile whenever she thinks about how things have been between her and Fleur. Their bond is deeper now, stronger. It's as if everything between them is settling into place in a way she hadn't dared to dream. The first kiss was only the beginning, and every kiss since has felt like a revelation. There's no doubt in her mind — she's in love with Fleur, and Fleur loves her. It's a love that has no pretensions, no walls, only a deep understanding of each other's complexities.

Hermione reads Apolline's letter again, the one she received just last week. The message is clear — the bond between them, this connection that has grown so swiftly, is not to be underestimated. Apolline explains that they're going through the bonding process, that they shouldn't pull away from one another, that they've begun something deep and beautiful. Hermione feels it in every touch, every look. She feels at home in a way she never thought she would. When she's with Fleur, she feels like she's in the right place.

At work, things have been surprisingly calm. Hermione has even struck up an unlikely friendship with Pansy. It's funny how time changes people. Pansy, who had been her rival in school, has evolved, and so has Hermione. They still tease each other, but there's no animosity between them now. Sometimes they even go out for drinks, dragging Luna along too for the occasional night out. Fleur, of course, has expressed her jealousy more than once, though she's never serious. Hermione assures her that it's just friendship with Pansy, that she has nothing to worry about.

But it's funny, she thinks, how life shifts like this. One moment, she's wary of a new connection, and the next, she's building a life full of people she never expected to become close with.

Fleur has been supportive through all of it. She's proud of Hermione for making peace with the past, for finding a new rhythm with her coworkers, and for being able to manage her anxiety better. Fleur sees the strength in Hermione, even when Hermione feels unsure of herself. It's something that grounds her, makes her feel like she's not just surviving, but thriving — especially when Fleur's hand is in hers, especially when they lie side by side in the quiet moments of the night.

And now, as they prepare for the arrival of their baby, it feels like the beginning of something even more beautiful. Everything has shifted into place — for the first time in her life, Hermione feels like she's exactly where she's meant to be.

She looks over at Fleur, who's sitting at the kitchen table, a warm cup of tea in her hands. Victoire is playing with her dolls on the rug. It's a picture of peace, of home, and Hermione knows that nothing will ever be the same again. And she's okay with that. She's more than okay with it.

As Fleur looks up and catches her eye, she smiles — a soft, knowing smile. It's a smile that says everything without words. And in that moment, Hermione knows that they're in this together, no matter what the future brings.

It had been a calm morning, one that had started quietly enough, with the soft hum of the kettle and the faint scent of coffee drifting through the apartment. Fleur and Hermione had spent the early hours of the day looking at different arrangements of the apartment, because Hermione decided to do a little renovation before the baby arrived - so that they would be comfortable. Vic was at kindergarten and Hermione took the day off.

But that calm was soon shattered.

The doorbell rang unexpectedly, and Hermione knew before she even stood up who it was. Fleur glanced toward her, a slight frown crossing her face. She had been bracing for this moment, had known it was coming, but the reality of it still seemed to hit her with a dull thud.

"Bill?" Hermione asked softly, even though she already knew.

Fleur nodded, her jaw tightening. "I'll get it," she said, rising from the couch. But Hermione reached out, stopping her gently.

"I'll answer it," Hermione said, offering her a reassuring smile. She knew Fleur was already feeling the strain of it all, the balancing act between their growing family and Bill's refusal to let go.

Fleur gave a small nod, a wordless thanks in her eyes, as she settled back down, her hands folding in her lap. Hermione sighed, glancing at the door one last time before stepping toward it.

The moment the door opened, Bill's familiar presence filled the doorway, his scowl immediate as he stood there, arms crossed, eyes narrowed in a mix of frustration and something deeper. Hermione forced a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes.

"Bill," she greeted him, trying to keep her tone neutral. "What brings you by?"

"I need to talk to Fleur," Bill said, not bothering with pleasantries. His eyes darted past Hermione toward Fleur, who had begun to stand again, but paused at the sound of his voice.

"Bill, what is it?" Fleur asked, trying to keep her tone calm. Hermione could see the strain in her shoulders, the way she shifted slightly, preparing for yet another confrontation.

Bill didn't even wait for an invitation. "There are two months left until the baby is due and I wanted to talk about the apartment. You shouldn't stay here Fleur. I've decided to buy a flat in Diagon Alley, near George's shop... you'd be comfortable with Victoire and I could be close, especially in the first few weeks. I've also found a new nursery for Vic. She'll have new friends there, wizards like her.

Fleur blinked in surprise, her expression faltering for a moment as Bill continued speaking, oblivious to the shock his words caused.

"Bill," she began, her voice steady but laced with an edge, "You can't just decide where I live. I've made my choice, and I'm happy here with Hermione. We've already talked about everything, and this is where we want to raise the baby." She took a deep breath, her hands slightly trembling at her sides as she forced herself to remain composed.

Bill's jaw tightened. "It's not about what you want, Fleur," he shot back, his tone sharp. "This is about what's best for Victoire and the baby. You're being unrealistic thinking you can raise them here, in a flat with one bedroom and no space for them. This is not a place for a family, especially not with a newborn on the way."

Hermione's chest tightened at the words, and she fought the urge to step between them. She knew this conversation was going to happen eventually, but hearing Bill's dismissive tone still stung. Fleur had done so much to make this apartment a home for their small family, and now Bill was so easily trying to tear that away.

Fleur's voice was firm but calm as she responded, "Bill, the bedroom is fine. It's spacious enough for the crib. I'll be sharing the bed with Hermione, and Victoire will have the guest room."

For a brief moment, Bill's expression flickered with something like disbelief. Then, it morphed into anger. "You're sleeping with her?" he spat, his voice rising. He took a step forward, as if to emphasize his point.

Hermione felt a wave of discomfort wash over her, but she stayed silent, watching as the argument escalated. Fleur, however, didn't flinch.

"Yes, Bill," she said, her voice even but firm. "I sleep with Hermione now. This is our home, and it's where I want to be."

Bill's frustration boiled over. With a sudden and violent motion, he swept the tea cups off the table, sending them crashing to the floor. The sharp sound echoed through the apartment, and Hermione felt her heart skip a beat.

"Enough!" he yelled, his face flushed with anger. "You're making a mistake, Fleur. I won't stand by and watch you throw everything away like this."

There was a long, tense silence, and Hermione could see Bill's frustration boiling over. He clenched his fists at his sides, and for a moment, Hermione thought he might say something more cruel, but instead, he exhaled sharply and turned away.

"This isn't over, Fleur," Bill muttered, his voice low and filled with frustration. "We'll see what happens when the baby comes. I won't let you push me out of their lives."

With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him. The sharp crack of the door echoing in the small apartment left a heavy silence hanging in the air.

Hermione stood still for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't tell if she was more angry at Bill or at the way Fleur was looking after him, as if she were the one who had done something wrong. Fleur had made a decision, and yet Bill, in his anger, made it sound as though she had no right to choose where she wanted to be.

"Fleur..." Hermione started gently, taking a step closer.

Fleur turned to face her, her eyes weary, the strain of the conversation evident on her face. Her shoulders slumped, as if the weight of it all was beginning to catch up with her. "I hate this, Hermione," she confessed, her voice cracking. "I hate how he always thinks he can just decide what's best for me."

"I know.." Hermione said carefully, taking her in her arms. Fleur's belly was already very visible, so Hermione tried to embrace her carefully.. "If you want I can talk to my colleague in the family law department. Maybe he can help establish some order in Bill's relationship with the children... maybe so that you don't have to interact with him." Fleur nodded with her head on Hermione's arm.

"Yes, that would probably be for the best."