Chapter Text
Hermione looked with static fascination at the widespread panic that was in that house that day. The morning of the wedding came like a whirlwind and Hermione just kept away from any hysterical women she might see. Narcissa was in the hairdressing salon with Fleur and her two sisters, all getting ready for the wedding that would take place in a few hours.
The writer was sitting in the living room, calmly typing out a piece of story she had an idea for, while actively avoiding anywhere besides the living room and the kitchen.
"Herm, aren't you going to get ready?" Chloe, very friendly with Hermione now, asked in a calm tone. And that made the brown eyes go up and look at the blonde.
"Uh... I have my suit ready and put together, I just need to shower, get dressed and I'll be ready. This will take 28 minutes." She spoke and looked at the computer clock. "I still have 2 hours and 43 minutes of freedom." She spoke in a playful tone. "You look beautiful, Chloe." She spoke friendly and the blonde smiled slightly.
Chloe wore a bridesmaids dress, a soft blue tone and the dress looked comfortable, she also wore high heels and a set of earrings and necklace with blue stones. The blonde smiled slightly and placed a strand of hair behind her ear and approached.
"Thanks Herm. Can I sit down?" She asked gently and the brunette moved to the side, giving Chloe room to sit. The two were silent for a moment. "You make Fleur happy, I think it's beautiful how your relationship works so smoothly. I don't think I've ever had that before." She pondered.
"My relationship with Fleur and with every other person in my life is based on trust and open communication. I don't have a lot of patience for relationships where I need to guess or walk on eggshells around... I'm just glad that I make Fleur happy and comfortable." She spoke sincerely and Chloe nodded.
"I kind of envy your ability to be so direct and honest about things if I'm honest." This made Hermione look at Chloe with her head tilted.
"You confuse this ability with something I actively do." Hermione spoke in a friendly tone. "I'm a person with a neuro divergence, Chloe, that means my mind and my processing capabilities are different from how neurotypical people - like you or Fleur for example - see the world and how they process things. What do you call brutal honesty is really just that, I can't lie or omit it. Of course, with a lot of effort I can mask things and I can even lie, but this will give me such tremendous anxiety that it's honestly not worth it." She pondered thoughtfully. "I have open communication with Fleur, with Pansy and with everyone else because it's the only way I can truly communicate. I don't see the point or logic in running circles around things, in running around bushes to get something I need. If I can say that I need A or B directly and without beating around the bush, why would I do something that would take a much longer and more laborious path to get the same result, you know?" She spoke and Chloe sighed. "It saves time, energy and leaves no room for interpretation."
"I think that makes a lot of sense." She contemplated. "I learned to lie about many things very early in my life. About my well-being, about my desires, about my dreams, about what I was doing or not doing. Fleur said something about me always being so perfect... No It's exactly like that, you know? I try very hard to get the things I have and I live under constant pressure from my mother to be the best, to be the one at the top. It's exhausting and I just do it with a smile and a nod trying to be as good as possible so I can go unnoticed." She spoke and Hermione noticed that Chloe was really tired.
"And what is the advantage of allowing them to do this to you? What advantage does allowing yourself to be manipulated give you?" The question was sincere and even brutal, Chloe frowned and looked away as if contemplating the answer to that.
"None." She spoke dryly.
"Then perhaps you need to find your place of peace..." Hermione took Chloe's hand gently. "So you can be happy with yourself." She amended and Chloe looked at her hands and smiled slightly.
"Yes... I think so. But today is about Narcissa. So please go get ready so we can go to church." She said, standing up and Hermione just nodded, knowing that there wasn't much room for arguments there. It was Narcissa and Lucius' moment indeed and Hermione would save a lot of mental health and energy if she just didn't argue about these things.
She knew that Fleur was extremely stressed and contemplated that it would be best to go as unnoticed as possible by everyone there, especially an irritated bride.
Hermione then took a shower and 27 minutes later she was walking to the kitchen of the house, trying to find someone more versed in tying tie knots than her, she knew a lot of things, but a butterfly knot wasn't exactly her strong point, since for the temple, her brothers and father wore a simple tie knot.
She walked silently until she saw Natasha, Yelena and Wanda there talking calmly, they all seemed to be waiting for Kate to appear at some point due to the expectant tone Yelena seemed to be in.
“Hey, can someone help me?” She asked gently and the three women's eyes focused on her.
“Wow, Granger, you clean up well.” Yelena spoke and Hermione just rolled her eyes and snorted.
“You three look magnificent and I’m just an ugly duckling.” Hermione grunted and lifted the tie between her fingers. "Help?" She asked in a low tone and Wanda was the one who walked up to her, the woman laughed softly and took the tie, adjusting it around the collar and tying the knot with an almost enviable practicality.
“There, now you’re ready to go. I like the scarf, it's a nice touch and it's the same color as Fleur's dress.” Wanda said, smiling slightly.
“She chose it, like the tie, two items that I didn’t bring because I knew they would look better if they were combined.” Hermione said with a shrug. “You look pretty in scarlet.” She said smiling slightly and Wanda just gave a soft smile.
“Ah, you are very sweet.” She spoke gently and Hermione looked at Natasha and Yelena.
“So different shades of blue were chosen?” She asked, seeing that unlike Chloe, the two sisters' dresses, besides being darker, were different from each other.
“Apparently Narcissa decided we were going to be in a damn monochromatic mode.” Yelena said, rolling her eyes. “I look horrible in blue.” She rolled her eyes.
“Ah, I don’t think so, you all look very pretty.” She said smiling to try to appease Yelena's grumpy mood, the blonde just smiled and then snorted.
“She is irritated because she had to put on makeup. God forbid she wears anything more than simple eyeliner.” Natasha spoke and pushed her sister lightly. “Your suit looks nice, we could almost have you on the groomsmen’s side.” She joked.
“I know the feeling well, I just master the art of makeup as little as possible, the feeling of too much on my face makes me uncomfortable.” She said to Yelena who nodded in agreement. “Are there as many groomsmen as bridesmaids?” She questioned in general.
“Ah, there would be 12 of us, but with Ashley's absence there are 11. Lucius called the whole Weasley family I think... Which makes six brothers, Harry, and the boys in the band. There would be one left, but apparently Tonks was more than happy to round out the twelve on Narcissa's side. They thought of you, but Fleur quickly shut down the idea.” Natasha replied.
“Yahweh freed me from this burden. Fleur knows me well enough to know that the fact that I’m sitting in the front rows makes me uncomfortable.” The line was so sincere that it only made Wanda laugh softly and shake her head.
“They wanted to give me the space, but I ran faster than Pietro and my brother is a sprinter.” She said, laughing softly and Natasha threw her arm over Hermione's shoulders.
“Excited to see your girlfriend in a pretty dress?” She asked playfully and Hermione gave a smile.
“I always am. Where is Kate?” She asked changing the subject.
“She’s here, looking like an air puppet in heels.” Kate spoke and her voice sounded as unsteady as she was walking. “I hate fucked up heels and this one is low.” Yelena moved to steady her angry girlfriend.
"You are very pretty." And indeed she was, wearing what looked like an emerald green one-piece.
“I will be your support to get into the church, Kate.” Hermione offered readily and it made the taller girl sigh in relief.
“Thank you, Herm.” She said, smiling slightly. "Can we go? I feel like we’re going to be late and I hate it.” She spoke sincerely and the women looked at each other and nodded.
“Do you want to go with us?” Natasha asked Hermione and she pondered.
“Yes, it could be, I know that Apoline’s car is full and I would go with whoever had space.” She spoke sincerely and with that the five of them moved towards the car - slowly, after all poor Kate looked like she would fall over at any moment.
The path to the church was busy and for Kate's own safety, Natasha stopped in front of the church so she could get off with Wanda and Hermione, then the two sisters went looking for a parking space. It took a few minutes for the two to appear, apparently discussing something in rapid Russian that no one really understood.
“Use language people understand or stop it.” Wanda scolded firmly and the two looked at each other and stopped fighting at the same moment. Hermione thought it was funny and just held back an amused laugh.
“Well, my ladies, we will go to the hall where we will try not to make Narcissa freak out until it is time to enter the church, because apparently these days there are late fines and they are hefty.” Natasha spoke and very softly pecked Wanda's lip, Yelena gave a soft kiss to Kate's face and lips and then they walked to the other side of the church.
"Let's go?" Hermione offered an arm to each woman and they both just chuckled in amusement, but readily accepted the offered arms.
Then Hermione entered the church with Wanda and Kate on each side of her and observed the church with care and admiration, both she and Wanda viewed the sacred paintings with good eyes of admiration.
Hermione saw that some people looked at the three of them in confusion, but no one said anything. When they located Apoline, they went to the bank right behind. Where the matriarch and younger brother were sitting. Thierry promptly turned around on the bench and began talking excitedly to Hermione - in a low, polite but still excited tone.
“Have you seen Luci’s sister?” The young Delacour boy asked excitedly.
“I haven't seen Danny yet, I'll probably end up seeing her when we go to the party room.” She pondered.
“Thank God it’s right next door.” Kate grumbled.
“Did you bring a pair of sneakers?” Wanda asked calmly.
“Yes, glory to God, yes, I will wear them right after we take the photos and there are no living or dead beings that will make me change my shoes after that. Right you, who came with shoes.” She spoke to Hermione, but didn't miss the fact that both the Romani and the Englishwoman held back a small laugh. “Don’t laugh at me.” She spoke indignantly and the woman's American accent was very visible and this made both Hermione and Wanda laugh quietly and Kate sulk.
“I’m sorry, honey, I think it’s cute that you’re in so much pain.” Hermione spoke sincerely.
“I think it’s really funny.” Wanda fought back and was slapped by Kate and that made them both roll their eyes and laugh.
“It was never very feminine in general. I still have doubts about my own gender identity sometimes.” Kate spoke sincerely. “Or if I just don’t like girly things.” She amended and sighed and Hermione looked over and smiled.
“The important thing is that you are happy and comfortable, then you can put on your sneakers. In the meantime, I will continue to be your support until Yelena is free.” This made Kate smile slightly in gratitude.
It took a little over twenty minutes for Lucius, already well dressed in his suit and hair tied in a ponytail, to stand in front of the altar. Hermione saw that the bridesmaids and groomsmen were in their proper places and Hermione also saw that Fleur was nervous. When the blonde looked for her in the second row, she just gave a soft smile in support and that seemed to relax the blonde. When the music started everyone got up - Kate with Hermione's help - to welcome the bride.
The ceremony itself, at least for Hermione and Wanda, was very tedious. The two of them, not being Catholic or seeing much logic in all this, just kept talking in whispers about the sacred arts of the place. Kate on the other hand was tearful on Hermione's other side. The writer just gave Kate two small pats of emotional support on the knee and offered the handkerchief to the young woman.
At the end of the ceremony, Hermione went directly outside, knowing that there would be photos of the bride and groom with their family and groomsmen and bridesmaids and she was getting anxious about the movement. Outside Kate, Wanda and Hermione were waiting patiently.
“Would you guys be mad at me if I smoked?” Romani asked calmly.
“Just smoke against the wind and everything will be fine, that way the smoke won’t get in my face.” Hermione said with a shrug and Kate nodded. They organized themselves while the others smoked and they talked. “I never thought it was a very healthy habit.”
“Ah, not really. The ones I smoke are kind of artisanal, if we can say that there are artisanal cigarettes. These in particular are made with organic tobacco and only tobacco. Which is no less harmful but at least there are fewer chemicals and mixtures.” She spoke inhaling. “I'm slowly cutting back, when I cut I suddenly had a lot of withdrawal. I'm at an acceptable stage of reduction. My psychiatrist gave me anti-anxiety medication to help kick the addiction, but I’m still smoking three a day.” She spoke slightly awkwardly. “It’s not healthy or even close to a good habit to have, I gave myself until the end of the year to kick it completely.” Hermione nodded.
“Seems like a solid enough plan, I've never been one for smoking or things like that. My brothers had their moments, Dio stopped smoking a few years ago. His quality of life improved after that, but he smoked like a chimney.” She spoke calmly and Kate swayed slightly on her heels, which made both Wanda and Hermione hold the brunette.
“You really look like a duckling in heels there, sister.” Wanda said amusedly and Kate rolled her eyes.
“This is not safe.” This made the two women who were with her nod at Kate's irritated speech. “I can’t wait to wear my sneakers.” She whimpered.
“Let's go to the hall, we'll meet everyone there, this crowd is making me nervous.” Hermione spoke sincerely and this made the two of them help Kate walk to the salon across the street.
The room was beautifully decorated with blue and silver, after leaving Kate safe in a chair the brunette began to wander. Grateful that she was left to herself for a few moments. Hermione appreciated the small details like polaroid photos of Narcissa and Lucius scattered among some decorations, she saw that there were photos from their childhood and she stopped in front of a particular one that caught her attention. A young Hermione, next to a young Lucius and with Cordelia hugging one on each side of her, the three of them covered in paint and smiling widely.
“It was from the day we decided to paint Lucius’ room.” A familiar voice sounded next to Hermione and the brunette quickly turned around. “Hey, little lamb.” She spoke softly.
Cordelia Malfoy had in fact changed very little over the years, long blonde hair, icy blue eyes, a little taller than Hermione. The usually icy eyes and rigid, tense posture always seemed to melt around Lucius or Hermione, the eyes were gentle even though the woman still looked like royalty. She wore a beautiful marsala dress and had a necklace with several small silver chains that highlighted the dress even more.
“Danny.” Hermione spoke softly and the two looked at each other briefly and then moved in for a tender hug. “It’s been so long…” She pulled away and smiled sweetly at the blonde. “You look as beautiful as I usually remember.” She spoke sincerely and Cordelia smiled kindly.
“And you’re still the same sweet, kind-hearted person.” Cordelia then gently cupped Hermione's cheeks and assessed her for a moment. “I like the new hair.” She spoke in an approving tone. “Lucius told me you’re dating.” She inquired in a gentle tone.
“Yes, Fleur. A childhood friend of Narcissa. Small world I guess.” She spoke and Cordelia released her but didn't necessarily move away.
“Does she make you happy?” The tone was curious and Hermione knew that Cordelia was reasonably protective.
"Yes a lot. I think I found my person.” The brunette spoke quietly and gave a satisfied smile at the older woman's nod of approval.
“That’s all we hope for.” Cordelia sounded gentle and anything she could say was cut off with a young blonde throwing himself at Hermione.
“Herm! I found you!" Thierry spoke excitedly and Hermione just frowned and then smiled and placed her hand on the child's back.
“Yes, it seems so. Thierry, this is Danny, Luci’s sister.” She spoke and the young man promptly turned to the blonde.
“Wow you’re tall.” He spoke and smiled widely. “And beautiful!” He spoke and then adjusted himself and held out his hand. “I'm Thierry Delacour, it's a pleasure to meet you.” He tried to sound more formal and Hermione rolled her eyes slightly in amusement. Danny took the offered hand and shook it lightly.
“You are also very handsome, Thierry. A pleasure to meet you, I'm Cordelia Malfoy, but you can call me Danny like the little lamb here.” She joked and Thierry smiled widely.
"Lamb?" He asked Hermione curiously.
“Just a silly nickname from when I was little.” Hermione explained and that seemed to satisfy Thierry.
“Oh! Herm. Fleur is looking for you.” He spoke thoughtfully. “I came in front as a good scout.” He said proudly and Hermione nodded.
“The best we can ask for.” She praised and he blushed slightly. Then a few moments later Hermione could actually see Fleur up close. The baby blue dress made her blonde hair shine golden in the lamplight. The makeup was beautiful and Hermione was sure she felt her heart skip a beat. She turned away from Thierry and Cordelia with her eyes focused on Fleur and smiled widely.
“You look magnificent.” That's all Hermione managed to say before stopping a step away from Fleur and smiling and admiring the blonde with sincere looks of admiration and Fleur felt like a work of art being admired like that.
“I haven’t seen you in the suit yet, you look beautiful.” Fleur said, moving closer and adjusting the collar of Hermione's shirt - not that she needed fixing, but it was a good excuse to touch the woman in public. “I liked the scarf and tie.” Fleur smiled.
“Yes, you chose it.” Hermione replied in a light tone and this made Fleur laugh briefly.
“Fleur Fleur! That’s Luci’s sister!” Thierry spoke excitedly and that broke the moment a little.
“Oh, nice to meet you, I’ve heard good things.” Fleur spoke kindly and politely and there was an awkward moment where Danny inspected Fleur and then glanced briefly at Hermione.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Fleur.” She spoke in a slightly protective manner, but everyone saw the woman relax when Hermione held Fleur's hand and there was no resistance from the doctor. “Good to see someone who isn’t afraid to hold the little lamb’s hand.” She pointed out and again Hermione rolled her eyes.
“Shall we go to the table? The real party is going to start and there are all the speeches.’' Fleur spoke kindly and Hermione nodded, then the four of them headed to the real hall.
If you asked Hermione exactly how the wedding party went she wouldn't be able to tell you, she got tired quickly after the first hour and had found a quiet place to stay while she recharged her social batteries. She didn't have much energy for crowds and was grateful that Fleur understood that need without getting irritated.
It didn't take long for the blonde to approach her and sit down next to her, mentally exhausted and leaned on Hermione's shoulder.
“Tired, baby?” She asked gently as she stroked Fleur's back.
“To the bone, gods protect my soul, I will not be anyone else’s godmother.” She talked and mumbled.
“Not even your sisters?” Hermione asked sincerely and Fleur groaned.
"Perhaps." She grumbled and this made Hermione laugh and pull Fleur closer.
“Excited to go home?” She asked gently and Fleur nodded.
“A lot, I love this mess and everyone here, but I can’t wait to have peace of mind.” Fleur spoke softly. “Little lamb.” She teased and Hermioen rolled his eyes.
“Silly nickname.” She grumbled and that made Fleur laugh.
“I think it's cute. Come, come dance with me and then we can both escape the party.” She promptly stood up when Fleur talked about skipping the party, a dance wouldn't kill anyone.
*******
6 years later
“Could you calm down?” Yelena let out an irritated sigh at Hermione's pacing and snorted.
"Sorry! I am anxious." Hermione spoke sincerely and Yelena nodded.
“I know, but we have to be patient.” She spoke sincerely.
“You talk like it’s easy.” Kate replied and looked at Hermione. “Try to sit down please.” She asked and Hermione hesitated and did as indicated.
“Gabby is giving birth with Fleur’s help in the middle of a Saturday afternoon with Pansy screaming in pain along with Gabby. This isn’t doing anyone any good.” Natasha spoke and Angelina, who was on the side, nodded.
“I should have done like Anaïs and gone for a walk.” Bella snapped and pulled out a coffee cup.
“We’re in the middle of London, with a woman giving birth at home, this couldn’t be more stressful for all of us I think.” Andy spoke with a calm calm.
“I’ve seen this done in a camp in the middle of the woods, nothing is more traumatic than that.” Wanda spoke leaning against the window and then there was a long silence and then the crying of a child. Which made everyone jump up and look anxiously at the bedroom door. It took a good long more minutes and then Fleur left with a satisfied smile.
"We are all fine." She spoke and everyone gave an excited shout. “Shh, we have a newborn, my little sister is exhausted and Pansy is helping Mel bathe Willa.” She scolded and everyone made a small, low cheering sound again.
“So Fleur, when is you and Hermione’s little one coming?” Yelena asked excitedly and Fleur placed her hand on her stomach and smiled.
“I’m in the middle of the pregnancy, we still have time.” She said amusedly and everyone nodded.
No one imagined that Hermione and Fleur would be beaten into having children by Gabby and Pansy, but no one was complaining about the children being born practically together.
“Take good care of my godson, he needs to stay in the oven for a while longer.” Wanda spoke in a dry tone and Yelena, the other godmother, nodded quickly.
“It’s enough that we have to compete for the child with Anaïs and Narcisa.” Hermione laughed at Yelena and Wanda and just nodded.
“Uri hasn’t even been born yet and he’s already going to be spoiled by four owl godmothers.” Hermione said amusedly and Fleur rolled her eyes and nodded.
“Willa Parkinson Delacour and Uri Granger Delacour. I think both are good names.” Bella spoke calmly. “I will teach these children everything wrong.” She said amusedly.
"No." All the women spoke and Bella just gave a small pout.
“Ahh.” She complained and Hermione just laughed.