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Hermione was frustrated.
Though most people who knew the brunette would argue that Hermione was easy to frustrate. While she didn’t tolerate idiots or men who talked to hear themselves talk, this was a different frustration.
More primal. If she had to choose how to describe it, that would be the best definition.
Two weeks.
That’s how long it took Hermione to realize that her new flat was a problem. More so, one of her neighbors was the problem. But this building housed at least 30 spaces, and she had no idea which one it could be.
Her move to the United States had seemed like a huge opportunity to further her career. If only she could sleep long enough to be effective at work. That was the real problem.
The first incident happened on the first night. Hermione could chalk it up to a change in time zones and a new place. New York City was quite different from London.
Three days later, the second incident happened. Earlier in the morning, but it was still too early for her to be awake.
The third incident was when Hermione realized this might be magical in nature, but work had called her away into the late hours of the night. It gave her a much-needed reprieve from the issue.
But after two weeks of constant sleepless nights, Hermione had enough. Somewhere in her building lived a Veela. Not just any Veela either but own born with Siren blood which meant a European clan. And this particular Veela loved to sing. Which sounds insane to most non magical folk or even the everyday magical but to Hermione, it was a call.
Hermione understood in the way someone who has studied this particular magic extensively that this particular call was rather important as it was personal.
She, however, couldn’t understand why a Veela would be singing in the middle of a magical apartment complex. Either the Veela didn’t know she had that particular skill or, and Hermione truly felt this might be the reason, is that the Veela was lonely, and it was a dream call. Which meant Hermione would have to approach the situation with professionalism.
After all, she liked sex as much as the next person but to wake up almost every night horny and unable to handle the problem. She tried. Every idea she could think of to get some semblance of peace, but nothing worked. This Veela song had imbedded deep into her body and nothing, but the feel of that Veela thrall would calm it.
An unfortunate situation when in a new country, city, and job but life never walked the path she expected it to. Hermione wasn’t looking to date but when a Veela calls, there isn’t much else to do but find them.
Which is why Hermione had a plan of action. She would systematically move through the building until she found the Veela. Sounds simple enough.
Apartment 5C
“Hello?” The blonde woman with resting bitch face and glamorous attire drawled when the door opened.
Hermione wasn’t sure why she started here but maybe because no one answered 5D when she knocked. This woman was in her mid-thirties with a golden ring on her left hand.
“I’m Hermione Granger, I live in 2B—”
“And you’re here why?” The woman snapped.
“Babe,” a man’s voice called from behind the woman before Hermione could respond.
The man appeared just behind the woman with slicked brown hair, bright green eyes, and a lopsided smile that looked far too casual to be friendly. His green eyes lit up when he spotted Hermione in the doorway, and a gleam crossed them that worried her. The smile turned into the smirk of a man who had all the confidence in the world and no filter.
“Who’s this?” He asked causally as he wrapped his arm around the woman’s waist.
“Don’t know, don’t care. She was just leaving,” the woman growled as she shot Hermione a glare.
“Nice to meet you,” Hermione mumbled as she ran off.
She hoped the other apartments wouldn’t be like this.
Apartment 3A
“Oh, hey, you must be new,” a young man said with a beaming smile. “Names Cormac.”
“Hermione,” she replied as she stuffed her letters into her bag.
“I live in apartment 3A if you ever want to get together. I moved from England too, I can show you around.”
“No, thanks, I’ve been here before,” Hermione told him with a strained smile.
Her neck itched as she felt the call working its way under her skin. Heat crept up the back of her neck as she fought not to squirm. It felt like fingers teasing her skin. A fist of desire lay heavy in her stomach, and she just needed to get back to the safety of her own apartment.
“How about a coffee date?” Cormac pressed. “Or dinner?”
“I really do have to go, Mike.”
“It’s Cormac.”
“Sure.”
Hermione did her best not to run up the stairs, but it wasn’t an easy task. Not when the Veela call was getting louder.
Apartment 1D
“Veela? I don’t think there are any in the building,” Lana Peters remarked as she leaned against the door frame. “Honey, have you seen a Veela in the building?”
A raven-haired woman appeared behind the red head with a furrowed brow.
“Blonde, other worldly beautiful, right?” The red head asked.
“Should be, yes,” Hermione nodded.
“Yes, she moved in two years ago. She lived in 4C for a while before some magical damage occurred from the assholes in 5C but haven’t seen her much since she moved apartments.”
“Do you know her name?”
“No, sorry, I think it was something like Lily or Rose. A flower name, if I remember correctly. I do know she’s a Curse Breaker.”
“Most of the tenants work odd hours,” Lana remarked. “I think that’s why we all like it here so much.”
“Any reason you’re looking for her?” The red head questioned.
“I work with Magical Beings and noticed a pattern of Veela magic. Just trying to see how the laws here are working for them.”
“Best of luck. She wasn’t all that talkative when I came across her but shes nice enough.”
Apartment 4C
“Oh, hello, dear, how can I help you?” The older woman asked a bright smile on her face.
Her gray hair was pulled out of her face, and she wore coveralls covered in paint. Large glasses perched on her nose while gray-green eyes looked over her.
“I’m Hermione, I live in 2B.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Hermione. I’m Leslie resident artist and musician. If my music is keeping you up, I apologize.”
“No, that’s, no, I can’t hear your music though I’m sure it’s wonderful.”
Leslie chuckled, eyes bright.
“Aren’t you a sweet darling. If it’s not my music, are you just introducing yourself?”
“Sort of. I’m looking for someone who used to live in your apartment before they moved to another,” Hermione explained.
“Ah, the Curse Breaker. She usually doesn’t do side jobs, but she might for you,” Leslie remarked with a smirk.
“Uh…” Her mouth opened and closed as she tried to figure how to respond to that.
“I’d love to help but I’m not sure what floor she moved to. Two or three, maybe.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Of course, dear. If you ever do want to hear my play, I play at the club down the street on weekends.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Apartment 2D
Hermione stopped outside the door to the apartment, hand raised to knock when she heard the arguing. Two men by the sounds of it. One talked louder than the other.
Before she could move or do anything else, the door swung open to reveal a striking young man with slicked back platinum blonde hair and steel blue eyes. He didn’t even seem to notice her as he brushed passed in a huff.
A tall, gangly red-haired guy came rushing out after yelling ‘babe get back here.’
“Gay couple got it,” Hermione mumbled under her breath as she went back to her apartment to cross off another one off the list.
Apartment 5D
“Oh hey, are you here for the party?” The brunette asked with a wide smile. “I swear, Pansy never tells me who is going to show up. Come in,” the woman tugged Hermione inside before she could argue.
“Did you get the drinks?” Another brunette asked as she hugged the first one.
“Hannah said she would get them, relax, honey,” the first replied. “Found this one just outside though.”
“Oh, hey, not sure I remember your name. I’m Pansy and this is my wife, Tracey. I know it’s been hectic the last few days, but what are you going to do when your best friend elopes?”
“I swear, Daphne can’t keep it in her pants,” Tracey shook her head. “Winds up going to Vegas and gets married to some woman she met there.”
“That’s quick,” Hermione managed to get out.
“Daphne swore she’d never marry and here we are. I think she just wanted to be stubborn, always was a softie at heart.”
“Does Daphne live in this building too?”
“Yes, 5A, down the hall,” Pansy nodded.
“I live in 2B and—”
“Wonderful!” Tracey grinned. “You single? Looking for a man or woman?”
“Oh, well, I was actually trying to find the Veela that lives here,” Hermione began.
“Fleur?” Pansy asked looking at Tracey.
“Right the Curse Breaker. She just got back from going on vacation. Fleur went to visit her sister in France. Love her. Total ice queen but killer legs.”
“If you’re into tall, leggy blondes,” Pansy chuckled. “She doesn’t come out as often since her last breakup.”
“No, it has nothing to do with Kathy, it’s because she got that promotion at work.”
“I forgot! We even had that big dinner for her. Hey, do you play sports? Were in desperate need of someone for our soccer team or well, football for you.”
“A little,” Hermione started.
“That’s all we need,” Tracey jumped in. “Lennie moved to San Francisco with her wife, so we are down a player.”
“I just moved here and haven’t had a chance to meet anyone. I work at Magical United.”
“Me too!” Pansy grinned. “HR.”
“Lawyer.”
“Love that. Well, you’re welcome anytime here. We usually have get togethers or sports games. Also, if you’re looking for a partner we have the low down on the city.”
Another knock on the door had Tracey rushing off. Before she knew it, Hermione found herself embroiled in a rather large party to celebrate Daphne marrying a woman named Ellie.
She met two other neighbors, a young couple named Hannah and Susan in 1A who came along with the couple from 1D. Parker and her wife, Nadia. Ginny, the bisexual mess from 2A, who was excited to learn about her single neighbor.
By the time Hermione left, she had a standing invitation and a promise to show up for the next soccer practice.
Apartment 3C
Hermione rocked back when the door opened to reveal the tall, rather bulky man who opened the door to 3C. His brows were pulled into a fierce scowl that softened into confusion when he spotted her. He had a rather impressive scar on his jaw and a crooked nose that had been broken one too many times.
“Hello?” His voice came out rough and gravely with a deeper base than she expected.
“Just moved in, meeting new neighbors. Hermione,” she explained.
“Viktor.” He replied with a nod.
Silence fell for a few seconds before Hermione forced a polite smile on her face.
“Nice to meet you.”
He gave another nod as she turned to walk away.
Hermione groaned as she rolled in bed. Her skin felt hot to the touch and sweat slicked her skin. The cooling spell she had used had worn off, and she simply couldn’t bother to focus long enough to do the spell again.
Over the last week, Hermione scoured the building. A few mentions of Fleur the Curse Breaking Veela but she had no idea where this woman lived. She had the unfortunate opportunity to run into Severus from 1B while trying to get away from Cormac, who seemed to have a knack for showing up when she least expected it.
During that time, her body was in a constant state of arousal so distracting she took off work Friday just to avoid people. The entire weekend had been ruined by the extra sensitivity she developed to this Veelas song. She wanted to scream in pure frustration.
How much more could she take of this? The need and desire that rolled over her. It left her aching. Wanting.
What made it worse was knowing this Veela had no idea that Hermione was suffering. It was a harsh realization because it was clear this Veela was not just lonely but looking for someone to hear her song. Whether or not the Veela had started it intentionally, the song could still reach her over distances.
An intentional song wouldn’t feel like this. Hermione knew enough about the European Veela to understand that this was a rare occurrence. Most Veela would have noticed the call within days of it starting, but this one seemed oblivious. She just had to deal with it until she found her.
Even as her body thrummed with desire to find the Veela, she couldn’t seem to find her. The primal pull was enough to keep her temper on a hairpin trigger, as the Americans would say.
Frustrated, Hermione threw off her sheet and got up. Her body moved on autopilot. Blood pounded in her veins, and the heat settled firmly between her slick thighs. Another pair of underwear ruined by a woman who she had never met.
The door clicked shut behind her as she stepped into the hallway. Sleep wouldn’t come any more than she would.
For once, Hermione just let instinct take over. Her mind was trapped in the hazy sexual dream that had woken her up.
It felt like she was walking through water and the sounds of the city faded far into the background.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Hermione stared at her raised fist like it had betrayed her. The golden 3B on the plain wooden door mocked her. Another door. Another let down. Not to mention, it was almost midnight when she knocked on this door.
She stepped back, intent on returning to the darkness of her apartment when the door opened with a soft click.
The world paused.
Something Hermione didn’t believe happened outside of books.
But everything slowed down as Hermione found herself looking into the deep, endless dark blue eyes of a tall, leggy blonde Veela. Shiny silvery, blonde hair braided over her right shoulder and the gentle, teasing caress of thrall.
The second the thrall teased her skin, the pent up frustration drained from her making her knees give out. She caught herself on the doorframe as the blonde looked at her with wide, surprised eyes.
“Can you please stop singing?” Hermione’s voice cracked with hours of frustration and a desperation that made her feel weak and vulnerable.
“Singing?” The woman’s musical voice further soothed Hermione’s frayed nerves and overheated body.
“Yes, I’ve heard you calling since I moved in and I can’t sleep.”
“I would never,” the blonde began, voice tight with anger.
Hermione blew out a breath.
“Look, I know that,” Hermione cut in. “I’ve worked with a lot of Veela over the years. But your Veela is calling me, and I can’t sleep because of all the dreams. I’ve asked half the building where you live to ask you to stop.”
“What, but, I can’t do that.”
She smiled.
“I’m Hermione Granger from 2B.”
“Fleur Delacour.”
“Wonderful, are you free tomorrow at six?” Hermione asked.
“Oui but—”
“I’d like to go on a date with you, if you want.”
Fleur’s mouth opened and closed as if she was surprised by Hermione’s bold declaration.
“You just told me you want me to stop singing and ask me on a date? Are you insane?”
“No, I’m sexually frustrated by a woman who lives right above me who had no idea her Veela was calling me. What I want is a night of sleep so I can take you out on a date and maybe get married.”
“What—”
“Think about it? I’ll come back tomorrow night at six.”
Hermione smiled and walked away, leaving a stunned Fleur standing in the doorway to her apartment.
“Find her?” Leslie asked as she passed Hermione on the stairs.
“Sure did. I’m going to marry her one day.”
“Good for you.”
************************************************************
Fleur rolled her shoulders for what felt like the millionth time since she had returned to her apartment after her latest job. One that took her to three countries and two continents. It wasn’t unusual for a Curse Breaking job to take her out of the country, but it was one of the first times she had to go to other places to get the necessary components.
The job was straight forward enough in terms of work, but she couldn’t for the life of her understand what was causing this buzz in the back of her skull.
She had run through every option it could be but came up empty. Which was unusual in itself. Fleur didn’t like unanswered questions. This one was not only annoying her but making her horny. Since her ascension, she worked hard to keep her Veela under control outside of a committed relationship. To feel the strings tugging in her center was its own personal torture. The craving to feel smooth skin and a thundering heartbeat beneath her lips was hard to shake.
But she knew how to avoid the more sensual dreams that would keep her up for hours into the night. Her Veela rarely made a fuss unless someone had caught her eye, and she hadn’t been out in months. Not since the disaster with Kathy had ended in a heated screaming match with her upstairs neighbor. The same neighbor who flooded her apartment in retaliation. It wasn’t her fault that Kathy had gone after the woman’s husband. Cheaters were going to cheat. Fleur knew that well.
Tonight, she couldn’t settle down. The restless energy thrummed through her body as if preparing for someone to arrive. A sign that she must be losing her mind. She should get dressed and head to the club. A night with a stranger could be just what her Veela needed after such a long stretch and a brutal end to a relationship. But the idea held little appeal to her.
Just as she was trying to decide which toy in her beside drawer might take the edge off, a knock sounded at her door. A quick glance at the clock told her it was almost midnight and there was no reason someone should be at her door.
But the apartment was warded with enough spells to knock someone on their ass for days so she wasn’t too worried. She made her way to the door, running a hand down her wrinkled shirt.
The door swung open and Fleur forgot how to breathe.
She had seen beautiful women. Most lived in her clan or were fellow Veela. Not to mention the sexy women she had spent a night or two with. Fleur loved women.
But this one. There was something special about her.
Fleur would almost swear she was glowing.
Tight curly brown hair over an oval face, olive colored skin, and bright amber eyes that looked at Fleur like she was the answer to everything.
What stole her breath was the way her thrall seemed to wrap around the younger woman like an old friend. It settled into the woman like she was an extension of Fleur. The sweet taste of desire slicked her tongue and pulled her Veela to the surface. Hunger rippled through her body like a firestorm threatening to consume her.
“Can you please stop singing?” The brunette’s voice cracked with need and desire so thick that Fleur could almost see it.
“Singing?” The word rang like a bell inside her head. A dangerous edge that threatened to dispel the heat in the pit of her stomach. Instead, she tried to focus on the way the woman held onto the doorframe like it was all that kept her upright.
“Yes, I’ve heard you calling since I moved in and I can’t sleep.” She continued with a slight smile tugging at the corner of her lips like that explanation lifted a weight off her shoulders.
“I would never,” Fleur began, voice tight with anger.
Her defensive edge not unheard of in situations where a stranger was pointing out her otherness. She couldn’t help it. Too many people had blamed her for something that wasn’t her fault. To have this beautiful woman saying the same thing set off a deep-rooted anger she had little control over.
The younger woman blew out a breath.
“Look, I know that,” she cut in. “I’ve worked with a lot of Veela over the years. But your Veela is calling me, and I can’t sleep because of all the dreams. I’ve asked half the building where you live to ask you to stop.”
This was news to her. Not only was this woman not blaming her but explaining that she understood it was something Fleur had no control over. A state of being that she refused to accept was happening to her. There was no way her Veela was acting out for no reason whatsoever. What could have caused this? She shouldn’t have been able to unconsciously sing to anyone. It was such a rare ability that most Veela didn’t think it could be done anymore.
“What, but, I can’t do that.” Fleur argued before she could think better of it.
The woman smiled.
“I’m Hermione Granger from 2B.” The smile that played on her lips widened as if she hadn’t just dropped a bombshell on her.
“Fleur Delacour.” She mumbled through surprise.
“Wonderful, are you free tomorrow at six?” Hermione asked.
“Oui but—”
“I’d like to go on a date with you, if you want.”
Fleur’s mouth opened and closed surprised by Hermione’s bold declaration.
“You just told me you want me to stop singing and ask me on a date? Are you insane?”
Because this woman must be insane.
“No, I’m sexually frustrated by a woman who lives right above me who had no idea her Veela was calling me. What I want is a night of sleep so I can take you out on a date and maybe get married.”
“What—”
“Think about it? I’ll come back tomorrow night at six.”
Hermione smiled and walked away, leaving a stunned Fleur standing in the doorway to her apartment.
She had no idea how long she stood in her doorway after Hermione left. But it was the realization that she was no longer tense and horny that broke her out of her haze.
Numb fingers fell from the door, which swung shut with a soft click.
Fleur stood in the entryway unable to process what just happened.
A woman she had never met before, who lived in the apartment beneath her, just told her that she wanted a night where Fleur stopped singing to her. Something Veela rarely did that Fleur wasn’t sure she even was doing it. But then again, she could feel the subtle shift since she had locked eyes on Hermione for the first time.
Her Veela had been calling to a woman without her knowledge. A beautiful woman. One who looked similar to the woman she was dreaming about each night. It all made sense.
The restless, horny energy. A desire that made no sense but still kept her up at night.
What surprised her the most wasn’t being asked out but how accepting Hermione was of the entire situation. The additional comment about marriage did something to her heart that should terrify her but thrilled her instead.
Apartment 2B
Fleur rolled over, fingers stretching until they found warm skin. A low hum rumbled in the back of her throat as she curled around the form next to her. She snuggled into curly hair and the scent of home.
A soft sigh lingered as the figure turned in her arms and pressed their face against her chest.
This was how Fleur wanted to wake up everyday.
Wrapped in the warmth and love of this beautiful woman.
A woman who she had called to her side without knowing.
Hermione had been a wonderful surprise.
The night of their first date was filled with anxious worry and unspoken joy. Fleur couldn’t remember a time when her Veela was fixated on a person. Not just any person but a smart, capable woman. Which Fleur found out when she had gone to speak to Tracey and Pansy about her unexpected date.
Her friends had teased her relentlessly about not knowing a beautiful woman was looking for her for weeks.
When Hermione arrived on her doorstep for the second time in less than twenty-four hours, Fleur was ready.
The date went from dinner to the entire weekend. As cliche as it sounded. But Fleur had something rare. Not just the usual U-Haul lesbian trope. No, Fleur had learned, accidentally, that her Veela song wasn’t unintentional. In fact, it was so intentional that Fleur had discovered they were soulmates. Which was the whole reason Hermione could hear her song even though they hadn’t met. Their proximity had triggered her Veela to respond, and Hermione’s knowledge of Veela lore had allowed her to reciprocate.
Three months later, they were married and living in Hermione’s apartment while they saved for a house.