Hermione Granger and the Time of her Life

Hermione Granger and the Time of her Life

Chapter 15: Poison and Silver Lining

" 'Ermione?" Fleur's blue eyes opened slowly as she felt someone caressing her hand.

"No. It's me," Oliver's voice filled her ears, but she made no effort to remove her hand nor to stop the caress.

"What 'appened?" She turned her head to face him.

"You fainted and fell from your broom. I caught you."

Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by low hisses. Seconds later, Madam Pomfrey made her appearance, followed by Hermione, Harry behind her.

"Oh good, you're up," Madam Pomfrey smiled while Hermione rushed to Fleur's side.

"Is she going to be all right?" Oliver asked.

"Yes, fortunately. The poison wasn't lethal," Madam Pomfrey answered.

"Poison?" Oliver's eyes widened.

"Yes. It appears that somebody tried to poison you, Fleur. What did you drink before the game?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"Some orange juice for breakfast and oh, 'zere was my bottled water 'zat Cho brought me," Fleur recalled.

"Well, the water was poisoned, because the contents were designed to take immediate effect. Did you say Cho?" Madam Pomfrey frowned.

"I don't think Cho did it. I mean, she hardly knows Fleur," Hermione intervened.

"Yeah, maybe it was Darcelle." Fleur scoffed in disgust.

"I don't think she'd sink that low, Fleur," Hermione interrupted again.

"We'll look into it. It's fortunate Wood caught you. You could've died from a fall like that. Maybe that's what the person who did this really wanted," Madam Pomfrey figured. Fleur's face became pale, along with the rest of the faces in the room. "Go and take a shower. If you feel better afterwards, you may leave."

"Here, brought you some clothes." Hermione gave her a pair of jeans and a baby blue blouse, Fleur's favorite color.

She followed Madam Pomfrey's advice and came out of the shower relaxed and refreshed.

"Can I go now 'zen?"

"Yes, but be careful. You're still weak," Madam Pomfrey warned.

"I'm fine," Fleur remarked, tossing her silver blonde hair.

"Nevertheless...Wood, carry her to her room please," Madam Pomfrey requested. Fleur's eyes widened as Oliver nodded.

"What? No, zat's really not necessary..."

Despite all of Fleur's protests, she came out of the Hospital Wing in Oliver's arms. She was tempted to lay her head on his shoulder, as it was getting very heavy, but her thoughts were disturbed by Oliver's voice.

"Thank God you're all right. You had me worried," his voice was full of the tenderness she had come to know so well.

"I appreciate your concern," she answered flatly, avoiding his face.

"Did you like the owl I sent you?"

"Was 'zat you?" her mouth formed the words automatically.

"I left a note."

"Oh yes' Wiz all 'ze love in 'ze world and 'zen some'. Very moving, Wood."

"Does that mean you liked it?"

"Does it matter?"

"Well...yes."

"Yes, I liked it. 'Appy?"

"So, does that mean I still have a chance with you?"

"I don't want to talk about 'zat."

"Okay then. You look much better. The way I see it, you'll be back on the Quidditch pitch in no time," Oliver smiled eagerly.

"I don't want to talk about 'zat eizer." Fleur sighed. Her patience for Quidditch had run out.

"Okay, what do you want to talk about?"

" 'Ow about you just drop me in my room? " her tone was again icy cold.

"As you wish." Oliver sighed, getting upstairs.

"Tell me, 'ow was it 'zat Darcelle got 'zat close to you?" This time, Fleur did look at him.

"I don't want to talk about that Fleur. You talked enough that night."

"I want to! I want to know 'ow was it 'zat Darcelle finally got you where she wanted!" By now, Fleur was screeching like an angry Veela.

"She didn't get anything, because we didn't do anything! I thought I had made it clear that I love you."

"She was touching your chest!"

"We still didn't do anything!"

""Yeah, you didn't do anyzing to stop 'er!"

"I think you stopped her enough."

"She was about to kiss you, damn it!"

"But we didn't! Jeez, Fleur, I told you I love you! You honestly believe that I would cheat on you with your French friend? If I didn't know any better, I'd say you don't trust me."

"Whoever said anyzing about trust?" again, the words just sprang out of her mouth. Oliver's face changed. She had hurt him.

"Okay. That's the way it is then," he whispered.

Fleur would have kept up the arguing; it felt good to finally get it out of her system. However, what Oliver hadn't taken into account was that due to the heat of the argument, he had lost track of where he was going, and was headed instead, to his own room. Fleur didn't only notice that tiny detail, but also saw the strangest thing; Crookshanks appeared to be out of his room, seated instead before the door of Oliver's room, and the Quidditch captain was going straight for him.

"Oliver, you might want to..." But Oliver had heard enough.

"What now? You broke a nail and want to take it out on me as well?" his tone had changed abruptly, leaving Fleur's mouth wide open. She had never been so insulted in her life. And no, her nail wasn't broken.

"Fuck you Wood!"

"Ah now, that's not a very nice thing to say Miss Delacour, since I'm the one carrying you!"

" And 'zere's plenty more where 'zat...whoa!"

The next thing Fleur knew, she was lying on her back next to Oliver's bed. As expected, Oliver had tripped over Hermione's cat and had gone straight for the door, opening it with his and her own body weight. Oliver lay face down on the floor just in front of his bed and Fleur could see his feet were still in the hallway.

"Ugh! Damn it Wood! If you 'ad paid attention...are you all right?" Despite their previous arguments, Fleur couldn't hide the concern in her voice.

Oliver groaned, but got up quickly.

"I'm fine. Are you?" He went over to her and offered his hand, but she refused it and attempted to push herself up. But, as a result of being weak, her feet stumbled over her bodyweight and she would had gone straight to the floor again if it wasn't for Oliver, who took her by her waist while her body leaned completely against his embrace.

Fleur sighed, inhaling the all too familiar scent. She put her hands on his shoulders so she could regain her balance again, but he pulled her tightly against him, lifting her chin.

Their lips met in a passionate, craved kiss that deepened the second it started. Neither of them pulled away for air, because they didn't seem to want this to stop.

Fleur moaned as Oliver's tongue entered her mouth and allowed herself to fall backwards on the soft mattress, pulling Oliver with her. Blood rushed through them as well as wild sensations; until the Quidditch captain finally pulled away.

"Fleur, maybe we shouldn't. I mean...you've just been..." But he was interrupted as Fleur brushed his lips softly.

"Oliver, make love to me."

Their lips crushed roughly again as Oliver made himself a mental note; thank Crookshanks later.