Fic: The "Hunters" Part 27 Ginny/Hermione : Adult
Author: Lash_Larue
Title: “Content”
Pairing: Ginny/Hermione, others
Rating: Adult
Summary: The women of Shell Cottage handle the aftermath
Warnings: none of note
Word Count: 3065
Disclaimer: These characters belong to JK Rowling
The Hunters Part 27
“Content”
“Harry, when you find out who was behind this, run the name by me, okay?” Pansy asked as they neared the cottage.
“Good idea, I will,” Harry promised her. “You do have in mind something tidier than biting holes in skulls though, I trust? Not that it wasn’t effective, mind you.”
“Much tidier, if they are on my list they’ll likely self-destruct, and if they don’t I’ll send you enough to do whatever you want with them.”
“Right. Much tidier that way, and far less paperwork,” Harry agreed.
“It doesn’t bother you that I’m not turning all this over to you?” Pansy asked him. Harry shrugged.
“I’ve no doubt many of them were pressed into doing whatever they did. I’ve got my precious few I’m after, but if I started out after every bastard just because they are a bastard I’d never have time to play Quidditch. You have to get your priorities straight. If they’re doing no further harm, best to just keep them down. Now whoever sent Mawdsley after Victoire…”
“Is jaguar food,” Pansy finished.
“Might be a neat wrap-up to it at that,” Harry said speculatively. “Pansy, you know that Ginny and Hermione are very important to me, right?”
“I do, are you afraid I’ll be a bad influence?”
“Actually, I was hoping you’d keep an eye on them, as well as Fleur and Victoire. I don’t want to call attention to them by posting aurors around here. They are all quite capable witches, and the wards are first-rate, but your other self adds a dimension that might well prove decisive once again,” Harry explained.
“I’ll guard them with my life, Harry, whether you ask it or no. All of the women of Shell Cottage are very important to me,” Pansy promised.
“You know Pansy, if I ever do get the urge to go straight, you’ll be the first one I call.”
“And if I answer yes, I’ll be the last as well,” she said with a grin, “even if you survive, you’ll never look at another woman.” Harry didn’t doubt her in the least.
“How’s Fleur?” Pansy asked upon entering the cottage.
“Hard-headed,” Hermione replied, “but Ginny went to her Mum’s anyhow. She should be back soon, Fleur is lying on the couch, and Minerva is with her. Xiomara is playing with Victoire, thank goodness she wasn’t harmed.”
“That’s for sure, but I don’t think the guy wanted to hurt her. Once Fleur was down he had plenty of time to curse her, I’m pretty sure he meant to take her away.”
“Which you neatly prevented,” Hermione summed up.
“Actually ‘Mione, it was rather messy, but she got it done, right enough,” Harry corrected.
“I can’t believe that we’re speaking so lightly of someone’s death,” Hermione said wonderingly, “and Pansy, are you alright? It must be quite upsetting for you.”
“Not as much as I would have thought it would be,” Pansy told her, “and Fleur and Victoire being okay far outweighs any negative feelings, it was a bit icky after I changed back, though. Midnight did what she had to do, and I couldn’t have gotten there in time any other way.”
“Damned few could have managed it at all,” McGonagall said as she joined them, “I must say that I’m very impressed with you since Hogwarts, Pansy, very impressed indeed. Fleur is resting; I fear she may be going into shock, though. Such a monstrous thing to happen at any time, much less in late pregnancy.”
The fire flared green, and Apolline, Gwen, Ginny, and Fleur’s grandmother spilled out of it hurriedly.
“Fleur, ma belle fille!” Apolline cried as she rushed to her side.
“I’m fine,” Fleur protested.
“I shall decide that,” Gwen said sharply as she kneeled by the couch. The queen approached Pansy, and though she was stooped by years, she was every inch a queen. Harry felt the urge to bow, but he fought it down.
“Ginevra tells me that it was you who saved Fleur and Victoire,” the queen said without preamble. “First you enable Fleur to create the new queen, and then you save them both, and Victoire as well. The flock can never repay you, Ms. Parkinson.”
“Trust me, your majesty,” Pansy said, and she did bow, “I have received more than I have given. It is I who can never pay the debt.”
“Nonetheless, I insist that you be present for the birth, you must be there for the Blessed Hour. And I should like sometime to see this magnificent cat that has our Ginevra so, ah, stimulated…” she smiled and went to Fleur.
“Hot for the big black kitty, are we?” Pansy asked teasingly.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing that myself,” Hermione admitted, and Harry nodded in agreement.
“In due time,” Pansy promised them.
“I guess you really are at home in the jungle,” Ginny said. Pansy shrugged.
“She needs her natural environment from time to time, and I like it too.”
“I’d like to see the jungle as well,” Hermione added with a distinct lack of subtlety.
“Count on it,” Pansy promised, “let’s check on Fleur.”
“The child is fine,” Gwen pronounced, “you, however, need rest. And you need security. I think that you should come to your grandmother’s until the baby is born.”
“And then? I am not leaving my home. The wards here are as strong as any, we shall just avoid the beach in future, and I have my companions, my lovers, with me,” Fleur told Gwen.
“Harry took care of warding the beach,” Ginny informed Fleur, “and you can be damn sure you’ll never be out of sight of at least one of us from now until Harry finds who was behind this.”
“Harry,” Hermione whispered to him, “come with me.” Harry followed her into the kitchen. “The wards you conjured… your wand… it’s the Elder Wand, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I retrieved it about a year after the battle, and I cast a glamour on it to hide it. It came to me that it was stupid to fear it, and as long as no one knows I have it, they won’t be coming after it. I still have the cloak, and I also retrieved the ring as well,” Harry admitted.
“Then you’re…”
“The Master of Death, yes. I’ve always loved you Hermione, you’re the best friend I’ve ever had, obliviate.” he whispered.
“Try this wine, Harry,” Hermione said enthusiastically, “it’s wonderful!”
”Sorry love, I had to tell you, but I can’t let you remember…” Harry thought. “Love to, but just a small one. I’ve still got to deal with that bloke in the sand,” he said aloud.
***
“Excellent, Arthur! I can’t detect any growths at all, you’re doing really well! How do you feel?” Pye asked.
“Better than in years, I have to say. Do you suppose I’m cured?”
“Well it’s far too soon to say that, we mustn’t paint the Devil on the wall, so to speak. But I have to say that I’m much encouraged, and in any case this treatment seems far less unpleasant than what we’ve done before. I’m afraid we’ll just have to carry on for while and see.”
“So then, thrice a day on the strengthening solution?” Arthur tried again.
“Today only then,” Pye conceded, “not much is known about the regular long-term use of that potion, and we mustn’t get carried away here, Arthur. Save on rare occasions and in a good cause,” Pye granted with a smile. “Give my best to Molly, then, Arthur.”
“I’d rather give her my best, if you don’t mind.”
“Go on home then, you rascal,” Pye told him as he left the room.
***
“Mawdsley, you really did lack discretion…” Harry muttered as he looked over the contents of the dead wizard’s pockets. “Right, time for your last Apparition, old sod.”
“I am sure that you all have things to do,” Fleur said emphatically, “and while you are all welcome, I must point out that if it is rest I am supposed to have, that I shall find it far easier to get without such an assemblage in my home. I have, after all, a duty to my guests.”
“Well spoken, daughter,” Apolline conceded, and she kissed Fleur on the cheek “Shall I take Victoire for a few days?”
“Oh! Ginny, your parents are expecting her! We had already arranged for her to stay with Ginny’s parents tonight. We were planning a small celebration,” Fleur explained.
“The last month, non?” Apolline said with a smile.
“Not tonight,” Gwen commanded, “rest. I mean it. The baby is fine, but you still suffer the effects of the spell. I’ll leave a potion and instructions for its use, will you follow them?”
“Damn right she will,” Ginny promised.
“Indeed,” Hermione agreed.
Fleur sniffed, but did not argue. In fact she was beginning to feel truly tired, potion or no.
“Very well,” Fleur conceded, “but we must not waste the preparations. I shall take to my bed, but I beg the rest of you to have a good time, there is, after all, more to celebrate now.”
“I’ll take Vic to the Burrow,” Hermione volunteered, “I’m next to useless in the kitchen anyway. And I’ll contact Harry and arrange for security as well, although the wards on the Burrow are as strong as these.”
“I’ll get Fleur settled in,” Pansy spoke up, “Ginny, our guests might want to try a Margarita, there’s not much left to do.”
“I shall be delighted to assist you in finishing them, Ginny,” Hooch told her, “I’m quite fond of them myself.”
“We should get back, now that we know that Fleur is out of danger,” the queen said, “thank you all again.” Her aged eyes were on Pansy as she spoke. “Come, Gwen, I believe that there is another flock member needing your attention.” Gwen and the queen left by the floo.
“I shall go home and let Gerard know that Fleur is well,” Apolline told them, “may I return later this evening?”
“Of course, give Papa my love,” Fleur requested, and Apolline left too.
“I’ll just have a look at the wards,” Minerva said as she headed to the door.
“Lead me to the booze, Ginevra,” Hooch requested.
“Come on love, Pansy and I will help you up the stairs,” Hermione said to Fleur.
“Bon, I am after all a bit tired, I suppose. Victoire, have a good time at the Burrow, and behave yourself, d’accord?”
“Yes, Mama,” Victoire promised, and she planted a sloppy kiss on Fleur’s cheek. “Pansy kitty take care of Mama?”
“I sure will, sweetheart” Pansy promised her, and Victoire smiled happily and returned to her coloring book.
By the top of the stairs, Fleur was leaning heavily on both of them.
“I must have a shower,” Fleur declared, “I am filthy and sweaty; there is simply no way that I can sleep comfortably like this.”
“I should get Victoire to the Burrow, Pansy, can you…”
“Sure, Hermione, leave it to me. I’ll take good care of her.”
“I know you will,” Hermione said, and she kissed then each on the cheek before she left.
“I can manage on my own, Pansy,” Fleur protested mildly.
“Sorry, but I am not chancing your falling in the shower. I promise to behave, and anyway, I could use a rinse myself,” Pansy replied.
Fleur leaned back against Pansy in the shower as the hot water helped to flood the grime of the encounter from them, and Pansy gently washed Fleur’s body and hair.
“There is no need for you to behave completely, Pansy,” Fleur said softly as Pansy’s soapy hands slid over her body.
“Yeah, there is, I said I would, and you’re weak. Can you sit here in the corner while I get your legs and feet and then wash myself a bit?”
“Oui.” Pansy assisted Fleur onto the seat against the shower wall, and then knelt in front of her. Fleur shifted her legs apart. The sharp intake of breath was not lost on Pansy, but she confined herself to the touch that was necessary and no more. Then she stood and quickly washed her own body and hair. Fleur watched with interest. “You are very lovely, Pansy,” Fleur told her. “I want you.” Pansy turned to face her.
“You already have me, and you know it, but I can’t have you, and I know that. This is just the last month stuff, and perhaps gratitude. After you’re rested, we’ll all talk. I admit that if I were convinced that you really wanted me, wanted me, that I would be powerless to resist you, as I was unable to resist Ginny. But I can only stretch my heart so far, and I promised Victoire that I would take care of you. So you take your potion like a good girl, and let me keep my promises, please.”
“Very well, I shall respect your wishes. But I saw you on the beach, just before I was stunned. I saw the great cat, and I saw the look in her eyes, and I knew that it was you. You truly do understand the predator. And while you are correct that I am tired and weak, and therefore I could not now do you justice, I tell you plainly that I have never wanted anyone so much as I want you at this moment. This child has required much sacrifice from all of us, and having to forego you at this moment is, for me, the hardest one of them all, but I cannot give you what you want, what you deserve.”
“I knew that when we started, Fleur,” Pansy reminded her, “and of course you want me, I’m hot, right? See my dimple?” Fleur smiled tiredly and nodded. “Let’s get you to bed.”
Apolline and Hermione returned at nearly the same time, and they joined the others in the kitchen.
“How’s Fleur?” Hermione asked.
“Pansy was tucking her in a little while ago,” Ginny answered, “Fleur was tired, but she didn’t seem shaky or anything. She took her potion, I made sure of that. Pansy’s staying with her at least until she goes to sleep. Pansy being there seems to calm her down.”
“I should like to look in on them,” Apolline said tentatively. Ginny and Hermione exchanged glances. Apolline smiled. “I am familiar with the last month of Veela pregnancy, believe me, if they are making love I shall be thrilled and relieved.” Hermione went with her up the stairs, and she softly tapped on the door. Hearing no reply, she eased the door open, and her breath caught in her throat, and behind her she heard Apolline’s soft exclamation.
There on the bed reclined Midnight, her great yellow eyes watching them. Fleur was snuggled against her, sound asleep, an arm and a leg thrown over the huge jaguar. A deep purring filled the room.
“Merlin! She’s enormous! I didn’t know jaguars got that big! Hang on though, I do know that they can’t purr,” Hermione said in amazement.
“Veela can,” Apolline informed her, “but it seldom happens. Fleur is truly content, we should leave them.” Apolline blew a kiss to Midnight, and her great eyes squeezed shut briefly in acknowledgement.
“Professor McGonagall,” Hermione began.
“Minerva, please, Hermione. We should all be on a first name basis by now, don’t you think?”
“Thank you, Minerva. Can you explain how Pansy’s Animagus form is so large? I’m quite sure I never heard of a female jaguar being that big.”
“That was Pansy’s own twist on the transformation; she was able to assume the form with the theoretical limits of the size of a male of that species. She could of course simply have chosen the male form entirely, but she preferred not to.”
“I should think so,” Hooch agreed, “Margarita, anyone?”
“Thank you dear,” McGonagall said as she took the green concoction. “In any case, Midnight weighs nearly 200 kilos. It really is a remarkable bit of magic.”
“So what now?” Ginny said as she took her seat.
“Fleur and Victoire should be safe either here or at the Burrow,” Hermione ventured, “but of course they should never be alone.”
“The wards here are very strong,” Minerva told them, “and those on the beach as well, and I promise that Xio and I are available at need.”
“What do we tell Bill?” Apolline asked.
“Nothing,” Ginny declared, “to put it bluntly, if we can’t keep them safe with Harry’s help, then Bill wouldn’t make any difference either. If he knew, he’d either abandon the project or be distracted. This job could mean a lot for their future, and if he quits he won’t get paid. If he’s worried about Fleur and Victoire he might get killed. He’ll be here for the birth. We’ll let Fleur decide what to tell him then. And if she wants to tell him earlier, then that’s her business too. Our business is to keep them safe.”
“That’s what your father said, pretty much,” Hermione told her, “I had to explain what happened; Harry has a lot of Aurors in the area. Arthur said that sometimes it’s kindest to keep things from those you love, especially when there is nothing they can do about it.”
“Makes sense,” Ginny agreed, “but we have another problem just now.”
“What?”
“Pansy was going to cook the steaks; does anybody else know how to work a muggle grill?”
“I don’t suppose it’s much different than a peat-fired cooker,” Minerva said, “I’ll have a go at it.”
“I volunteer to stay sober,” Hooch said, “and I know a marvelous sober-up spell that I can use at need. This was supposed to be a party, after all. We can’t let the bastards get us down!”
Just then a stag appeared in the room, and Harry’s voice spoke to them.
”I have a good idea who was behind this, and I don’t believe that there is any further danger to either Fleur or Victoire. Nevertheless, I have arranged security around Shell Cottage that won’t draw attention like a bunch of aurors attempting to be casual would. I believe that you were scheduled for a celebration there, do feel free to carry on.”
As it turned out they all stayed sober, and if the party was something less than raucous, it was nothing less than a celebration.
Part 28 - http://lash-larue.livejournal.com/124856.html#cutid1
Title: “Content”
Pairing: Ginny/Hermione, others
Rating: Adult
Summary: The women of Shell Cottage handle the aftermath
Warnings: none of note
Word Count: 3065
Disclaimer: These characters belong to JK Rowling
The Hunters Part 27
“Content”
“Harry, when you find out who was behind this, run the name by me, okay?” Pansy asked as they neared the cottage.
“Good idea, I will,” Harry promised her. “You do have in mind something tidier than biting holes in skulls though, I trust? Not that it wasn’t effective, mind you.”
“Much tidier, if they are on my list they’ll likely self-destruct, and if they don’t I’ll send you enough to do whatever you want with them.”
“Right. Much tidier that way, and far less paperwork,” Harry agreed.
“It doesn’t bother you that I’m not turning all this over to you?” Pansy asked him. Harry shrugged.
“I’ve no doubt many of them were pressed into doing whatever they did. I’ve got my precious few I’m after, but if I started out after every bastard just because they are a bastard I’d never have time to play Quidditch. You have to get your priorities straight. If they’re doing no further harm, best to just keep them down. Now whoever sent Mawdsley after Victoire…”
“Is jaguar food,” Pansy finished.
“Might be a neat wrap-up to it at that,” Harry said speculatively. “Pansy, you know that Ginny and Hermione are very important to me, right?”
“I do, are you afraid I’ll be a bad influence?”
“Actually, I was hoping you’d keep an eye on them, as well as Fleur and Victoire. I don’t want to call attention to them by posting aurors around here. They are all quite capable witches, and the wards are first-rate, but your other self adds a dimension that might well prove decisive once again,” Harry explained.
“I’ll guard them with my life, Harry, whether you ask it or no. All of the women of Shell Cottage are very important to me,” Pansy promised.
“You know Pansy, if I ever do get the urge to go straight, you’ll be the first one I call.”
“And if I answer yes, I’ll be the last as well,” she said with a grin, “even if you survive, you’ll never look at another woman.” Harry didn’t doubt her in the least.
“How’s Fleur?” Pansy asked upon entering the cottage.
“Hard-headed,” Hermione replied, “but Ginny went to her Mum’s anyhow. She should be back soon, Fleur is lying on the couch, and Minerva is with her. Xiomara is playing with Victoire, thank goodness she wasn’t harmed.”
“That’s for sure, but I don’t think the guy wanted to hurt her. Once Fleur was down he had plenty of time to curse her, I’m pretty sure he meant to take her away.”
“Which you neatly prevented,” Hermione summed up.
“Actually ‘Mione, it was rather messy, but she got it done, right enough,” Harry corrected.
“I can’t believe that we’re speaking so lightly of someone’s death,” Hermione said wonderingly, “and Pansy, are you alright? It must be quite upsetting for you.”
“Not as much as I would have thought it would be,” Pansy told her, “and Fleur and Victoire being okay far outweighs any negative feelings, it was a bit icky after I changed back, though. Midnight did what she had to do, and I couldn’t have gotten there in time any other way.”
“Damned few could have managed it at all,” McGonagall said as she joined them, “I must say that I’m very impressed with you since Hogwarts, Pansy, very impressed indeed. Fleur is resting; I fear she may be going into shock, though. Such a monstrous thing to happen at any time, much less in late pregnancy.”
The fire flared green, and Apolline, Gwen, Ginny, and Fleur’s grandmother spilled out of it hurriedly.
“Fleur, ma belle fille!” Apolline cried as she rushed to her side.
“I’m fine,” Fleur protested.
“I shall decide that,” Gwen said sharply as she kneeled by the couch. The queen approached Pansy, and though she was stooped by years, she was every inch a queen. Harry felt the urge to bow, but he fought it down.
“Ginevra tells me that it was you who saved Fleur and Victoire,” the queen said without preamble. “First you enable Fleur to create the new queen, and then you save them both, and Victoire as well. The flock can never repay you, Ms. Parkinson.”
“Trust me, your majesty,” Pansy said, and she did bow, “I have received more than I have given. It is I who can never pay the debt.”
“Nonetheless, I insist that you be present for the birth, you must be there for the Blessed Hour. And I should like sometime to see this magnificent cat that has our Ginevra so, ah, stimulated…” she smiled and went to Fleur.
“Hot for the big black kitty, are we?” Pansy asked teasingly.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing that myself,” Hermione admitted, and Harry nodded in agreement.
“In due time,” Pansy promised them.
“I guess you really are at home in the jungle,” Ginny said. Pansy shrugged.
“She needs her natural environment from time to time, and I like it too.”
“I’d like to see the jungle as well,” Hermione added with a distinct lack of subtlety.
“Count on it,” Pansy promised, “let’s check on Fleur.”
“The child is fine,” Gwen pronounced, “you, however, need rest. And you need security. I think that you should come to your grandmother’s until the baby is born.”
“And then? I am not leaving my home. The wards here are as strong as any, we shall just avoid the beach in future, and I have my companions, my lovers, with me,” Fleur told Gwen.
“Harry took care of warding the beach,” Ginny informed Fleur, “and you can be damn sure you’ll never be out of sight of at least one of us from now until Harry finds who was behind this.”
“Harry,” Hermione whispered to him, “come with me.” Harry followed her into the kitchen. “The wards you conjured… your wand… it’s the Elder Wand, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I retrieved it about a year after the battle, and I cast a glamour on it to hide it. It came to me that it was stupid to fear it, and as long as no one knows I have it, they won’t be coming after it. I still have the cloak, and I also retrieved the ring as well,” Harry admitted.
“Then you’re…”
“The Master of Death, yes. I’ve always loved you Hermione, you’re the best friend I’ve ever had, obliviate.” he whispered.
“Try this wine, Harry,” Hermione said enthusiastically, “it’s wonderful!”
”Sorry love, I had to tell you, but I can’t let you remember…” Harry thought. “Love to, but just a small one. I’ve still got to deal with that bloke in the sand,” he said aloud.
***
“Excellent, Arthur! I can’t detect any growths at all, you’re doing really well! How do you feel?” Pye asked.
“Better than in years, I have to say. Do you suppose I’m cured?”
“Well it’s far too soon to say that, we mustn’t paint the Devil on the wall, so to speak. But I have to say that I’m much encouraged, and in any case this treatment seems far less unpleasant than what we’ve done before. I’m afraid we’ll just have to carry on for while and see.”
“So then, thrice a day on the strengthening solution?” Arthur tried again.
“Today only then,” Pye conceded, “not much is known about the regular long-term use of that potion, and we mustn’t get carried away here, Arthur. Save on rare occasions and in a good cause,” Pye granted with a smile. “Give my best to Molly, then, Arthur.”
“I’d rather give her my best, if you don’t mind.”
“Go on home then, you rascal,” Pye told him as he left the room.
***
“Mawdsley, you really did lack discretion…” Harry muttered as he looked over the contents of the dead wizard’s pockets. “Right, time for your last Apparition, old sod.”
“I am sure that you all have things to do,” Fleur said emphatically, “and while you are all welcome, I must point out that if it is rest I am supposed to have, that I shall find it far easier to get without such an assemblage in my home. I have, after all, a duty to my guests.”
“Well spoken, daughter,” Apolline conceded, and she kissed Fleur on the cheek “Shall I take Victoire for a few days?”
“Oh! Ginny, your parents are expecting her! We had already arranged for her to stay with Ginny’s parents tonight. We were planning a small celebration,” Fleur explained.
“The last month, non?” Apolline said with a smile.
“Not tonight,” Gwen commanded, “rest. I mean it. The baby is fine, but you still suffer the effects of the spell. I’ll leave a potion and instructions for its use, will you follow them?”
“Damn right she will,” Ginny promised.
“Indeed,” Hermione agreed.
Fleur sniffed, but did not argue. In fact she was beginning to feel truly tired, potion or no.
“Very well,” Fleur conceded, “but we must not waste the preparations. I shall take to my bed, but I beg the rest of you to have a good time, there is, after all, more to celebrate now.”
“I’ll take Vic to the Burrow,” Hermione volunteered, “I’m next to useless in the kitchen anyway. And I’ll contact Harry and arrange for security as well, although the wards on the Burrow are as strong as these.”
“I’ll get Fleur settled in,” Pansy spoke up, “Ginny, our guests might want to try a Margarita, there’s not much left to do.”
“I shall be delighted to assist you in finishing them, Ginny,” Hooch told her, “I’m quite fond of them myself.”
“We should get back, now that we know that Fleur is out of danger,” the queen said, “thank you all again.” Her aged eyes were on Pansy as she spoke. “Come, Gwen, I believe that there is another flock member needing your attention.” Gwen and the queen left by the floo.
“I shall go home and let Gerard know that Fleur is well,” Apolline told them, “may I return later this evening?”
“Of course, give Papa my love,” Fleur requested, and Apolline left too.
“I’ll just have a look at the wards,” Minerva said as she headed to the door.
“Lead me to the booze, Ginevra,” Hooch requested.
“Come on love, Pansy and I will help you up the stairs,” Hermione said to Fleur.
“Bon, I am after all a bit tired, I suppose. Victoire, have a good time at the Burrow, and behave yourself, d’accord?”
“Yes, Mama,” Victoire promised, and she planted a sloppy kiss on Fleur’s cheek. “Pansy kitty take care of Mama?”
“I sure will, sweetheart” Pansy promised her, and Victoire smiled happily and returned to her coloring book.
By the top of the stairs, Fleur was leaning heavily on both of them.
“I must have a shower,” Fleur declared, “I am filthy and sweaty; there is simply no way that I can sleep comfortably like this.”
“I should get Victoire to the Burrow, Pansy, can you…”
“Sure, Hermione, leave it to me. I’ll take good care of her.”
“I know you will,” Hermione said, and she kissed then each on the cheek before she left.
“I can manage on my own, Pansy,” Fleur protested mildly.
“Sorry, but I am not chancing your falling in the shower. I promise to behave, and anyway, I could use a rinse myself,” Pansy replied.
Fleur leaned back against Pansy in the shower as the hot water helped to flood the grime of the encounter from them, and Pansy gently washed Fleur’s body and hair.
“There is no need for you to behave completely, Pansy,” Fleur said softly as Pansy’s soapy hands slid over her body.
“Yeah, there is, I said I would, and you’re weak. Can you sit here in the corner while I get your legs and feet and then wash myself a bit?”
“Oui.” Pansy assisted Fleur onto the seat against the shower wall, and then knelt in front of her. Fleur shifted her legs apart. The sharp intake of breath was not lost on Pansy, but she confined herself to the touch that was necessary and no more. Then she stood and quickly washed her own body and hair. Fleur watched with interest. “You are very lovely, Pansy,” Fleur told her. “I want you.” Pansy turned to face her.
“You already have me, and you know it, but I can’t have you, and I know that. This is just the last month stuff, and perhaps gratitude. After you’re rested, we’ll all talk. I admit that if I were convinced that you really wanted me, wanted me, that I would be powerless to resist you, as I was unable to resist Ginny. But I can only stretch my heart so far, and I promised Victoire that I would take care of you. So you take your potion like a good girl, and let me keep my promises, please.”
“Very well, I shall respect your wishes. But I saw you on the beach, just before I was stunned. I saw the great cat, and I saw the look in her eyes, and I knew that it was you. You truly do understand the predator. And while you are correct that I am tired and weak, and therefore I could not now do you justice, I tell you plainly that I have never wanted anyone so much as I want you at this moment. This child has required much sacrifice from all of us, and having to forego you at this moment is, for me, the hardest one of them all, but I cannot give you what you want, what you deserve.”
“I knew that when we started, Fleur,” Pansy reminded her, “and of course you want me, I’m hot, right? See my dimple?” Fleur smiled tiredly and nodded. “Let’s get you to bed.”
Apolline and Hermione returned at nearly the same time, and they joined the others in the kitchen.
“How’s Fleur?” Hermione asked.
“Pansy was tucking her in a little while ago,” Ginny answered, “Fleur was tired, but she didn’t seem shaky or anything. She took her potion, I made sure of that. Pansy’s staying with her at least until she goes to sleep. Pansy being there seems to calm her down.”
“I should like to look in on them,” Apolline said tentatively. Ginny and Hermione exchanged glances. Apolline smiled. “I am familiar with the last month of Veela pregnancy, believe me, if they are making love I shall be thrilled and relieved.” Hermione went with her up the stairs, and she softly tapped on the door. Hearing no reply, she eased the door open, and her breath caught in her throat, and behind her she heard Apolline’s soft exclamation.
There on the bed reclined Midnight, her great yellow eyes watching them. Fleur was snuggled against her, sound asleep, an arm and a leg thrown over the huge jaguar. A deep purring filled the room.
“Merlin! She’s enormous! I didn’t know jaguars got that big! Hang on though, I do know that they can’t purr,” Hermione said in amazement.
“Veela can,” Apolline informed her, “but it seldom happens. Fleur is truly content, we should leave them.” Apolline blew a kiss to Midnight, and her great eyes squeezed shut briefly in acknowledgement.
“Professor McGonagall,” Hermione began.
“Minerva, please, Hermione. We should all be on a first name basis by now, don’t you think?”
“Thank you, Minerva. Can you explain how Pansy’s Animagus form is so large? I’m quite sure I never heard of a female jaguar being that big.”
“That was Pansy’s own twist on the transformation; she was able to assume the form with the theoretical limits of the size of a male of that species. She could of course simply have chosen the male form entirely, but she preferred not to.”
“I should think so,” Hooch agreed, “Margarita, anyone?”
“Thank you dear,” McGonagall said as she took the green concoction. “In any case, Midnight weighs nearly 200 kilos. It really is a remarkable bit of magic.”
“So what now?” Ginny said as she took her seat.
“Fleur and Victoire should be safe either here or at the Burrow,” Hermione ventured, “but of course they should never be alone.”
“The wards here are very strong,” Minerva told them, “and those on the beach as well, and I promise that Xio and I are available at need.”
“What do we tell Bill?” Apolline asked.
“Nothing,” Ginny declared, “to put it bluntly, if we can’t keep them safe with Harry’s help, then Bill wouldn’t make any difference either. If he knew, he’d either abandon the project or be distracted. This job could mean a lot for their future, and if he quits he won’t get paid. If he’s worried about Fleur and Victoire he might get killed. He’ll be here for the birth. We’ll let Fleur decide what to tell him then. And if she wants to tell him earlier, then that’s her business too. Our business is to keep them safe.”
“That’s what your father said, pretty much,” Hermione told her, “I had to explain what happened; Harry has a lot of Aurors in the area. Arthur said that sometimes it’s kindest to keep things from those you love, especially when there is nothing they can do about it.”
“Makes sense,” Ginny agreed, “but we have another problem just now.”
“What?”
“Pansy was going to cook the steaks; does anybody else know how to work a muggle grill?”
“I don’t suppose it’s much different than a peat-fired cooker,” Minerva said, “I’ll have a go at it.”
“I volunteer to stay sober,” Hooch said, “and I know a marvelous sober-up spell that I can use at need. This was supposed to be a party, after all. We can’t let the bastards get us down!”
Just then a stag appeared in the room, and Harry’s voice spoke to them.
”I have a good idea who was behind this, and I don’t believe that there is any further danger to either Fleur or Victoire. Nevertheless, I have arranged security around Shell Cottage that won’t draw attention like a bunch of aurors attempting to be casual would. I believe that you were scheduled for a celebration there, do feel free to carry on.”
As it turned out they all stayed sober, and if the party was something less than raucous, it was nothing less than a celebration.
Part 28 - http://lash-larue.livejournal.com/124856.html#cutid1