Hermione Granger and the Time of her Life

Chapter 16: A Look on the Bad Side

Oliver got up to a shiny morning, only to set eyes on the beautiful part Veela who was still cuddled up against his chest. He carefully moved her to the side of the bed. Fleur moaned and continued her peaceful slumber. Oliver took a shower, dressed and went down to breakfast.

He went to the Gryffindor table and began loading his plate with double quantities of everything. Harry, who had the same goofy grin on his face that he had worn the day before, caught him.

"Someone's in an awfully good mood today." Oliver smiled back at him.

"Well, it's a beautiful day, don't you think?"

"Does it have the name Fleur Delacour written on it?"

"How did you know?"

"Wild guess," Harry sniggered. His friend remained as clueless as always.

"Got to go. See if I can catch Fleur before she wakes up."

"Oh, don't let me stop you. I've got to go see Hermione myself." Harry gave him a pat on the shoulder and took his leave.

Oliver sighed happily and began making his own way out, but not before Professor McGonagall called him from behind.

"Wood!"

"Professor, good morning," Oliver greeted her.

"I wondered if I could have a word with you. After yesterday's incident I fear the Quidditch match..."

"Professor, see, I'm kind of busy right now, but I'm sure that Katie will be more than happy to help you. She can fill me in later. Au Revoir." Oliver smiled, continuing on his way at happy pace.

Professor McGonagall shook her head as she stared after him with a wide- eyed expression. Oliver Wood? Too busy to talk about Quidditch? It was then that she became aware that she had noticed double quantities of food in his plate and hastily dismissed the thoughts from her mind. But then she remembered that he had just spoken French.

Fleur got up to a knock at her door. She wrapped a blanket around herself and opened the door, a furtive smile taking over her lips as the visitor's eyes widened.

"Darcelle? "Itz a little bit early to be visiting, isn't it?"

"You? What are you doing 'ere!"

"What do you 'zink I'm doing 'ere, really? Do I 'ave to be a little more specific for you?" Fleur asked calmly.

"Where is Oliver?"

"Still in bed. Wouldn't wake him 'zough. 'E must be ex'austed, you know, being up all night and all. But if you want, I could give 'im a message for you. If not..." Fleur smacked her lips. She was having the time of her life, " I don't see what you're still doing 'ere." She closed the door in Darcelle's face.

Fleur sighed. She whished she could have captured Darcelle's astonished face in a picture. Her mouth curled up into a malicious smile as she took the liberty of using Oliver's bathroom.

She came out as Oliver came in with breakfast, her hair still damp and a smile on her face.

"Well, someone is certainly not temperamental today." Oliver smiled back as Fleur got close to him.

"Wouldn't dream of it," she whispered, kissing him softly. He was only too happy to comply with the sweet gesture.

"Breakfast?"

After a nice session of breakfast in bed, as well as a few kisses here and there, Fleur got up, ready to leave. But before she could, Oliver took her arm, pulling her closer to him and capturing her in a fervent kiss.

"You'd better let me go if I'm going to make it to Snape's class," Fleur giggled.

"Oh all right," Oliver pretended to whine, "But only because I have to stop by Professor McGonagall's office before lessons start."

Their lips met once more in as ardent a kiss as before. Oliver rounded his arms at Fleur's waist, knocking the plates to the floor as well as other study materials.

****

When Fleur returned to her room, she noticed Crookshanks sleeping peacefully on her bed.

"You bad cat, you." Fleur smiled, taking him in her arms.

She found Hermione at the pool again, but she wasn't alone. She and Harry were caught presently in a lip lock. Fleur sat down with Crookshanks on her lap and waited quietly, so she wouldn't ruin the moment.

"Fleur." Hermione broke the kiss as she noticed Fleur's presence but Harry settled instead, on her creamy neck.

"Fleur who?" came Harry's muffled voice. Fleur laughed as Hermione elbowed Harry in the ribs to get him back to reality. "Oh, Fleur! Hi!"

"God, you looked so cute!" Fleur stood up as Harry and Hermione got out of the pool, Harry putting a towel around Hermione's shoulders.

"I just came to return your cat. I would've returned him last night but letz just say I got a little sidetracked." Fleur handed the cat to her best friend.

"No problem. Thanks a lot. How are you feeling?" Hermione asked.

"A lot better today, 'zanks for asking," Fleur replied happily.

"I trust you slept well?"

"Well, don't know about 'ze sleep, but I did 'ave a very pleasant night. Ooh, got to go. Potions final." Fleur smiled once more as she took her leave, leaving Hermione with a puzzled face.

"Am I missing something here? I mean, she just got poisoned yesterday. What is she so happy about?" Hermione turned to look at Harry.

"Didn't you get it? She just got back with Oliver. That's why she had a very pleasant night," Harry explained, rubbing her shoulders as the towel dried her body.

"And how do you know so much about this?" Hermione put her hands on her hips.

"Oliver told me."

"I'm watching you Potter," said Hermione, giving him a soft kiss on the lips afterwards.

****

The day went by smoothly. After the day's finals, they were able to relax, as the next day was the last day before the holidays. Oliver and Fleur had that missing flying lesson around the Quidditch pitch. Harry and Hermione sat down to 'read' in the common room (although we know for a fact that they didn't remain in the common room for long, nor did they end up reading).

As expected of such a great day, night came in a flash.

Hermione knocked the door to Fleur's room. Her friend came out dressed in shorts and a red top.

"Going somewhere?" Hermione asked, smiling.

"I'm going...to take Oliver's breaz away."

"Knock yourself out."

"Isn't 'Arry waiting for you?"

"Yes, but I like him to get him a little...desperate before he sees me," Hermione grinned wickedly.

"Ooh, I 'zink I've 'ad a bad influence on you. What can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to thank you before the term is over, for everything."

"You 'ave nozing to 'zank me for. I just returned your favor. It is really me 'zat should be 'zanking you."

"Well, you're welcome. You know, before I knew you, I thought you were nothing but a French Barbie." Fleur looked puzzled.

"What's a Barbie?"

"Oh. Just a Muggle toy. Imagine this, I thought your gift was poisoned."

"Wow, 'zanks for elevating my self-esteem," Fleur scoffed.

"I'm serious. But now I think you're my best female friend ever. I wouldn't have survived this term without you."

"Well, same 'zing goes for you. I don't even know what moved me to ask you to 'elp me. I 'zought you were nozing but a nerdy girl who spent her time hiding behind books. I couldn't 'ave been more wrong." Fleur hugged her.

"Hey Fleur, did they find out who tried to poison you yet?"

"Don't ruin 'ze moment 'Ermione! Jeez!"

They were still laughing when Harry suddenly appeared.

"Mind if I borrow her?" he asked Fleur, his arms encircling Hermione's waist.

"Not at all 'Arry. Be my guest." Fleur smiled at him.

"Merci." Fleur stared at Harry in amusement.

"I see you're learning French."

"I'm working on it," he replied before getting close to Hermione's ear. " Let's get out of here."

He kissed her as he lifted her into his arms. Hermione waved happily to Fleur until they were out of sight.

Fleur went back to her room and finished combing her hair. She even put some perfume on.

Just then, her owl arrived.

"When are you coming over? Missing you already. Can't wait to kiss you. Put a hurry on it."

Love,

Oliver

Fleur smiled as she put the parchment away and went straight for the door. But before she could, her room went black.

She gasped, trying grasp the air in front of her, feeling for the doorknob. She hated darkness. Why had this happened anyway?

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Fleur fell to the floor in a matter of seconds as a shadow lifted her, disappearing into darkness once more.