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“Where are you off to this time?” Ginny asked as she dropped onto Hermione’s bed.
“France,” Hermione mumbled as she put more clothes into her bag.
“Ah, this is your final stop, right? Then you take your exam for level...five of being a Curse Breaker?”
“Yes, if I managed to make it through the six-month training period, I could test for level five.”
“Then why do you look like you sucked on a lemon? This is a good thing.” Ginny sat up to watch her friend’s face.
Hermione continued to pack, not looking at Ginny as she did. Ginny, never known for her patience, broke the silence after two minutes.
“What is it? What has the great Hermione Granger uneasy?” Ginny demanded.
“I’ve spent the last three years avoiding this,” Hermione admitted as she turned to face Ginny.
“Why?”
“Because almost all the Curse Breakers who take the course fail. I don’t mean just from England, I mean from the rest of the branches. My mentor said it was the hardest thing he’d done in his entire career. He passed by the skin of his teeth.”
“But that’s what you like, isn’t it? To be challenged.”
“I do but this is important. Over the last ten years, France has churned out the best Curse Breakers and everyone else is trying to catch up. Four Curse Breakers have passed the course from England. Four! Out of a hundred.”
“Hermione, you’re brilliant, why are you worried?” Ginny questioned, unsure why this was getting to her best friend.
“I don’t want to fail.”
“Failure is a part of life. This is the first time I’ve seen you let your ego get in the way of learning.”
Hermione’s mouth dropped open in shocked outrage.
“It’s not my ego!”
“It is,” Ginny teased. “You’ve spent your entire life fighting to prove yourself as a Muggleborn. If you fail this, they are going to say they were right. That you aren’t as good as they are, which is bollocks since so many people fail it anyway. But I am your best friend, which means I can give you important advice when it comes to working with the French Curse Breakers.”
“You mean more than your brother who said not to show fear?” Hermione snorted with a shake of her head.
“Bill is a dumbass. I mean, who listens to the confirmed bachelor in the family? No one. This advice is based on life experiences. Since I joined the Holyhead Harpies, I’ve had my fair share of dealing with French teammates. After all, Gabi is the team manager, and you know how we got into it when she first started.”
“Then you got her in bed, not sure that will work for me,” Hermione chuckled.
“Only if it's a man. I know you’d be a sucker for a brilliant French woman telling you what to do,” Ginny teased.
“Any woman.”
“Then I need to give you important information.”
Hermione sighed but waved her hand for Ginny to continue.
“Rule No. 1: The French are never wrong.” Hermione snorted but fell silent at Ginny’s glare. “Rule No. 2: If they are wrong, see Rule No. 1.”
“Thats it? Thats your important information.”
“Yes, and it has worked very well for me. Besides, you could use it more than I ever did.”
“I do not.”
“You do. You never can pass up an argument to save your life.”
Hermione groaned, rolling her eyes and turned back to packing.
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Hermione was about to rip her hair out. Maybe she’d strangle her mentor. Her body trembled with barely contained fury.
Since her arrival in France, she’d felt like her head would explode. Paired with someone she was told was the best Curse Breaker Gringotts had ever had and all she wanted to was hex the smug smirk off her beautiful face. Fleur Delacour was cold, uninterested in anything Hermione had to say, and way too hot for her brain to function properly.
They fought daily and Hermione couldn’t tell if she wanted to slap or kiss her. Either would satisfy her. After a month, they couldn’t find any form of common ground, and she was maybe days away from washing out.
“Rule No. 1: The French are never wrong.” Ginny’s voice echoed in her head like a bell.
The words seemed to flip a switch. Tension left her body like a deep exhale. Her anger evaporated and she felt cut free from the expectations she placed on herself.
Her eyes took in the vault with new, fresh eyes as she tuned into what Fleur was saying.
“You need finesse,” Fleur continued to say. “You English seem to think brute force will solve your issues, but it won’t. Spells take time and patience.”
Hermione could hear the frustration in Fleur’s words, in the tension to her shoulders. No longer did it sound cold and unfeeling. It sounded almost pleading, like Fleur just needed her to listen. This wasn’t an attack, like she’d imagined, but a chance to learn.
“You’re right,” Hermione said. Her voice was calm, understanding, and she squared her shoulders a bit.
“I know it’s not—, wait, what did you say?”
Fleur’s wide, beautiful blue eyes looked at Hermione like she’d spoken German instead of French. The look of surprise and disbelief made her feel guilty. She knew a large part of the miscommunication came from her, but her pride hadn’t allowed her to admit that even to herself. Her heart twisted in her chest in an uncomfortable moment. The knowledge that she’d missed a chance to learn from this Curse Breaker all because of her ego.
“You’re right,” Hermione repeated, stronger this time. A small, rueful smile on her face. “Would you mind showing me again?”
Fleur seemed unable to process Hermione’s sudden change in attitude. It took a full minute before Fleur gave a short nod and returned her attention to the vault.
Hermione listened to Fleur’s explanation and watched her wand movements. She was able to appreciate the precise movements she made. The way her magic built and the control she had over just how much magic she used with each spell. It was like a dance. Hermione had never appreciated magic as much as she did in that moment. It changed her entire understanding of magic.
By the end of the day, Hermione was energized, and Fleur was calmer. The small smile she’d given Hermione gave her a giddy excitement. It was beautiful and she tried hard not to swoon when she saw it.
After work, she met her fellow transfers at the Muggle bar they enjoyed going to. Hermione grabbed her drink before joining the others who looked worse for wear.
“What are you grinning about Granger?” Marcus, the American, grumbled.
“I completed two of my marks today,” she beamed as she slung her arm around Marie’s shoulders.
“You’re kidding? Delacour showed you something?” Chris questioned in surprise.
“She did and it was amazing.”
Hermione launched into what she learned today while her fellow transfers listened in stunned silence. She couldn’t quite explain what Fleur did in great detail, but she explained how she learned that control was important. Even as her friends didn’t quite get it, Hermione did, and her excitement was palpable.
******************************************************************************************************
Over the next three months, Hermione no longer dreaded going to work. She spent downtime practicing and reading the books Fleur recommended when she first arrived. Everything was taken in with a new appreciation for her line of work and just what Fleur managed to accomplish in half the time of her peers.
The biggest change was her relationship with Fleur. It took a further two weeks before Fleur realized Hermione wasn’t going to fight her anymore. She asked pointed questions without judgment and Fleur happily answered. Day by day, Hermione watched Fleur’s mask crack, and it was just as exciting as completing each phase of her training. On her bad days, Fleur’s gentle guidance and soft praise left her weak in the knees. Her praise kink well known to her at this age and the look in Fleur’s eyes was everything.
When she accomplished one of the hardest tasks, Hermione was swept into a hug by Fleur. Her body trembled with arousal for hours after with Fleur’s whispered praise on repeat in her head. Not to mention the soft, pleased smiles that Hermione would give her. It was very clear how attracted Hermione was to Fleur. She heard from many of Fleur’s colleagues about her distant attitude towards them to know those smiles were special. Her respect for Fleur grew everyday alongside her attraction.
Hermione was a professional and kept her desires in check even when she wanted to melt under those blue eyes. They no longer got into heated arguments that drove most of their peers away. Those shifted into spirited debates where they’d both end up smiling or laughing. Hermione realized she was half in love with Fleur, and she reveled in it. Not that she thought she had a chance with the French Curse Breaker, but she still enjoyed their discussions.
By the end of month four, she completed her training. Two months before her allotted time. Fleur took her out for dinner and drinks to celebrate.
“Did you think I’d make it to this point?” Hermione asked as she sipped from her glass.
“That first month, not at all,” Fleur admitted with a grin. “You wouldn’t listen, and I was days away from having Tolrok wash you from the program.”
“I wouldn’t have blamed you. To be honest, I’ve always known I’m not easy to deal with and my ego tends to take center stage more often than I’d like to admit.”
“What changed? I’ve been meaning to ask since you’ll be returning to England once Tolrok files the paperwork. That day you were a second from hexing me and then…” She waved her hand when words failed her.
“When I first started in my Curse Breaking career, I dreaded coming here,” Hermione admitted. "Most of us do. I’ve heard enough stories from the others to know it’s the hardest part of Curse Breaking is taking on French Curse Breakers.”
Fleur’s grin was smug and a bit teasing as she leaned forward.
“We’ve heard it, a lot,” Fleur chuckled. “Which is wonderful, and I’ve had ten students wash out within a couple weeks. I wasn’t going to become a mentor at all. The idea of teaching my fellow Curse Breakers made me want to lock myself in a vault. Tolrok said my skill set was rare, and they just didn’t have enough work for me to do. Teaching would keep my skills up. I agreed in the end, and it’s been just as awful as I thought it would be. Between the egos and my students trying to sleep with me, I almost quit to do freelance. Then there was you.”
“Is that good or bad?” Hermione questioned with a grin.
“Horrible,” Fleur glared but it had no heat to it. “At first. You showed the signs that everyone else did. Wouldn’t listen, argued about everything, and a few times I wanted to slap you.”
“The feeling was mutual.”
“Oh, I know. Veela always know. I took you on because Tolrok said you had the skills but needed the right training. Which is unheard of for a Goblin to say about anyone. When you turned out like everyone else, I went to wash you out and Tolrok refused. He said I’d figure it out. Then you changed and he was right. You’ve got the skills to go far and once you listened, you advanced far quicker than anyone predicted. I’m confident enough to know that the change had nothing to do with me.”
Hermione nodded.
“It wasn’t even me that changed my mind. You’ve got a sister, right? Gabrielle?”
Fleur blinked in surprise and nodded.
“I do, she’s a year younger than you.”
“Works as a team manager for the Harpy’s.” Hermione stated. “Her girlfriend, Ginny, is my roommate and best friend. She gave me ‘important information’ before I left.”
Fleur groaned.
“That little shit, she didn’t say anything when I mentioned your name,” Fleur complained.
“That sounds about right.”
“What information did Ginny give you?”
Hermione chuckled, shaking her head.
“It didn’t feel as important as she made it out to be. Ginny was right though, I need to learn to listen.” Fleur snorted but didn’t say anything else. “Since I learned about magic, I’ve been seen as an outsider. Never good enough because I didn’t grow up in the magical world. My parents didn’t have magic. I buckled down and fought for my skills. Worked hours into the night practicing and reading. Absorbed as much information as I could. I didn’t realize I developed a chip on my shoulder. My intelligence couldn’t be taken from me so when I was faced with something I was told I’d only ever fail when greater witches and wizards had, well, my ego got the better of me. The need to prove myself made me into exactly what I didn’t want to be. Rude, callous, argumentative. Then, and she’s going to love this, Ginny’s voice popped into my head.”
“I’ve met her enough to know she would, but I get it,” Fleur replied with her usual warm smile. “Being Veela has always made me stand out, even before my thrall came into play. A pretty, dumb blonde. My skills and intelligence meant little in the world that labeled me as nothing more than a pretty face. When it came to being a Curse Breaker I was fighting two fronts. Goblins hated us and my coworkers thought I would wash out early. With each level I passed, the worse it got with coworkers. The Goblins, however, gave me the chance and now, they’re a lot better. One particular Curse Breaker was banned from the program over it.”
“Really? Please, tell me more,” Hermione said as she leaned in with a conspiratorial smile on her lips.
“About six years ago, when I was in my second year as a Curse Breaker, I’d completed my training course for level five,” Fleur began.
Hermione groaned since she was in her fourth year, but Fleur’s grin was cocky and it made her stomach churn with desire, again.
“I wasn’t training yet but I was on the track to becoming the youngest ever Curse Breaker to reach top levels. My peers were stuck between envy and jealousy at my skills. The Goblins were beginning to push me into harder cases and more money. One of the best parts about working for Goblins is they pay you what you’re worth. There I am, being trained by some of the best, who treated me like an equal, and in walks this cocky, self-assured man in his late twenties. Mind you, this was his third attempt since our bank created this specific course, and he hasn’t passed it. I wasn’t his instructor, obviously, but my instructor had been working with his. I’m still not sure how it happened but it did.”
“How what happened?” Hermione questioned.
“The lifetime ban. I showed up for work that day and my mentor mentioned that Ricky needed our help with the vault on the lower levels because his new trainee wasn’t cutting it. Ricky is a good sort, patient, kind, and he’s smart. He transferred to us from South America, and he is good. Anyway, we show up to the vault and I’m guessing his trainee hadn’t heard about me or just ignored whatever my coworkers said. He gives me this big, cocky smile and swaggers over to me.”
Hermione grimaced as Fleur rolled her eyes.
“I’m thinking it’s another asshole guy who thinks he’s got charm when in reality he can’t hold down or commit to a relationship.”
“Which is why you have resting bitch face,” Hermione teased.
Fleur laughed, a beautiful sound that Hermione wanted to hear again.
“Yes, my cousins aren’t any better,” Fleur’s smile was full, genuine. “Well, he approached me and tried to talk to me. My mentor got in his way to remind him we were at work and not a club. He backed off for a while. I focused on the task at hand, discussed the next steps with them while he stayed in the background. There was this…itch at the back of my neck. Which is the best way to describe when my thrall is pinging off someone’s emotions. He was getting angry. It didn’t make sense to me because I thought he knew I was qualified. Each time I was asked a question he tried to jump in to answer but they’d brush him off. Told him to listen to the professionals.”
“I can imagine he didn’t take it well,” Hermione shook her head.
“He did not. As the only female and younger than him, he didn’t take it well when they talked to me like the equal I am. By the end of the day, the vault was open, and he didn’t do anything but almost get us killed. We took a late lunch since we managed to finish it quicker than expected. There’s a handful of Curse Breakers and several Goblins on break. I was in the middle of a discussion with my mentor when I feel it. This wall of anger and frustration coming at me. He’s stalking towards the table, red faced and enraged. Then he outright accuses me of sleeping my way into my certification.”
“No,” Hermione rocked back in her chair in shock. “But everyone knows that the Goblins are the only ones who certify you.”
Fleur nodded.
“Which is what my mentor told him. He has the gall to say that’s exactly what he meant. As another creature, it’s not like it wouldn’t be something I’d do.”
“Oh Merlin. He insulted the Goblins.”
“He did. To be honest, I have no idea what happened after that because he was jumped by several Goblins while everyone watched. Dragged away by angry Goblins. Next thing I hear is he’s banned from coming back to our branch which meant he couldn’t get any further certifications.”
“What a dumbass.”
“He is.”
“Wait, who was it?”
“I think his name was William? Called himself Bill.”
“Did he have long red hair and several piercings?” Hermione’s mouth spread into a slow, satisfied smile.
“Yes, I’m going to assume by the smile you know him.”
“I do, your sister is dating his sister.”
Fleur’s mouth dropped open in surprise.
“That’s Ginny’s brother?”
“One of, she’s got six but he’s the eldest.”
“And she’s so sweet but yeah, I can see the resemblance. He never got passed his first name when I met him.”
“He’s not well liked at our bank either. His reputation for being a lazy Curse Breaker and a man whore keep many of us away. I’ve known him for years and I’ve never liked him. He’s creepy.” Hermione shuddered. “He tried to chat me up once when I was sixteen, I think. Ginny punched him in the face before Fred and George got ahold of him. They turned him bright green for a month.”
“That sounds horrible,” Fleur replied, and Hermione could tell she meant it. “Well after tomorrow’s demonstration you’ll be free to return to England.”
“If I can still push for my other certifications I’ll be surprised,” Hermione grumbled.
“What do you mean?”
“The Goblins are fine it’s the supervisors. They told me before I left that even if I manage to get this certification that no one else in the bank has, they won’t let me do any real work.”
“Why?” Fleur demanded to know.
“I’m Muggleborn, remember?”
“You should transfer. No sense in staying somewhere they hold you back.”
“Maybe, one day.”
“You didn’t tell me what advice Ginny gave you,” Fleur reminded her.
“Right, got sidetracked,” Hermione chuckled. “As we seem to do. Well, I was torn between slapping or hexing you that day. Her advice popped into my head, and I was like, ‘nothing else has worked might as well try it.’ It worked like a charm.”
“You’re still not telling me.”
Hermione smirked, enjoying the teasing glint in those blue eyes.
“Ginny gave me two rules to follow. Rule number one: the French are always right. Rule number two: if they are wrong, see Rule number one.”
Fleur’s mouth dropped open in surprise before she burst out laughing. Hermione joined her, shaking her head at admitting Ginny was right.
“That’s why you said I was right that day,” Fleur said in between laughs. “I thought you hit your head.”
“It felt like it, but she was right.”
“That she was.”
They chatted for another hour before heading out.
“I probably won’t see you tomorrow,” Fleur explained. “You’ll be taken to be tested and once you pass, you’ll be free to go.”
“Thank you, for not washing me out when I wasn’t listening. I learned a lot,” Hermione told her.
“You did all the work, my job was to guide you. I’m also not your mentor anymore just a colleague.”
“Maybe one of these days we’ll work together.”
Fleur smiled, a slight flush to her cheeks.
“I’ll see you around,” Hermione said even though she didn’t want to leave.
“I guess so.”
She nodded and turned to head back to her temporary apartment feeling like she missed an opportunity.
“Hey, Hermione,” Fleur called out. She turned to see Fleur approaching. “I forgot something.”
“Okay what—”
Words died in her throat as Fleur’s lips pressed against hers. Her brain melted as the softest lips danced against her own. Hermione’s body reacted before her brain could. She sighed into the kiss, one of her hands tangled in silvery blonde hair as she pulled Fleur closer. Fleur moaned when Hermione deepened the kiss, her hands gripped her hips and Hermione melted.
Hermione could still taste the wine on Fleur’s tongue, but it tasted better on Fleur. Their kiss went from soft and warm to heated and passionate. She never wanted to stop. Fleur kissed her like she’d thought of nothing else but this moment. It didn’t matter that she was leaving tomorrow.
Fleur broke the kiss, and Hermione couldn’t stop the whine she let out. The soft, low chuckle sent heat straight to her center.
“I’ve been waiting months to do that. Ever since you first argued with me,” Fleur admitted. The raspy quality to her voice made Hermione’s knees weak.
“Me too.”
“I know.”
Hermione huffed, opening her eyes just to glare at Fleur’s smirk. She pulled Fleur into another heated kiss. If this was all she got, she was going to remember all of it.
“Maybe we’ll see each other again, soon,” Fleur whispered against her lips. “I couldn’t let you leave without kissing you at least once.”
Hermione nodded her agreement, letting out a shaky exhale as she did.
“I’ll be thinking about that all night,” she mumbled.
“Me too.” Fleur kissed her again. A chaste kiss that didn’t calm her down at all. “Good luck.”
********************************************************************
Hermione groaned as she sank into the chair across from Tolrok.
“You passed,” Tolrok said with a nod. “The first person to pass in two years. Fastest one too.”
“I had a good instructor,” Hermione replied.
“You had the skill, you just needed the right instructor to get you there. I’ll get the paperwork filed but you’re allowed to return to England.”
Hermione nodded but didn’t move. After she left Fleur, her mind bounced between kissing Fleur and her future in England. She wasn’t sure she wanted to go back. Not when she’d spend her entire career fighting everyone else just for the chance to rise in the ranks. Part of her wanted to transfer. She had magic, she could visit her parents often. Her dating prospects were almost zero. While she wasn’t prepared to move on the chance that she and Fleur might work out to be…something, she was prepared to move to better herself. Being in England didn’t give her hope for achieving her dreams. If dating Fleur didn’t work out, she had a better chance dating away from where she’d grown up.
“Is there anything else, Miss Granger?” Tolrok asked.
“I…well that’s to say, I wanted to request a transfer,” Hermione admitted. “I know it takes time to get a transfer approved and if it’s all the same, I’d like to stay and at least finish the last two months. Get a chance to learn from some of the other Curse Breakers.”
“I see,” Tolrok replied. “Which branch would you like to transfer to?”
“H-Here,” she managed to say. “I don’t think England would give me the same opportunities that I will get here.”
Tolrok nodded as if he saw it coming.
“Tomorrow you’ll be assigned another mentor, and I’ll file the paperwork for the transfer. I expect we’ll get a response quickly. You’ll be allowed to continue in your current apartment until the transfer comes through then you’ll have a month to find housing.”
“Thank you.”
“You are free for the rest of the day.”
Hermione thanked the Goblin again before she left. She tried to wrap her mind around the knowledge that she just decided to move her entire life to France. It didn’t surprise her since she wasn’t sure what she’d do if she returned to England with the certification.
As lost in her thoughts as she was, she didn’t notice that she’d made her way to Fleur’s office until she stood outside the door. A quick check of the time told her that lunch would start soon, and Fleur would be in her office. She took a deep breath before knocking. When she got a response, she entered to find Fleur at her desk.
“Hermione? Did you pass?” Fleur asked in surprise.
“I did. Tolrok just confirmed it.”
“Ah, that’s wonderful. Are you heading back to England then?”
Hermione nodded as she closed the door behind her as she stepped further into the room.
“I’ve got the day off thought I would tell my parents the good news before work tomorrow,” Hermione continued.
“They don’t give you a few days off when you get back?” Fleur asked surprised.
“Maybe? I have no idea since I’m not going back.”
Hermione watched Fleur freeze in surprise. Her stomach twisted with nerves because she wasn’t sure how Fleur would react.
“What do you mean?” Fleur’s voice was neutral.
“I asked for a transfer. Didn’t think my career would take off if I continued working with people who can’t see the value in others. Tolrok is putting in my transfer paperwork.”
“That’s good.”
Hermione grinned.
“Just gives my parents another excuse to spend their summers in France.”
Fleur stood up, her movements slow, controlled.
“You’re transferring here?” Fleur asked in a quiet voice.
“Start with another mentor tomorrow,” Hermione replied.
“And it’s what you want?”
“I never do something I don’t want to do.”
“Then you’ll be free this weekend? For a date?”
“Depends, is someone asking?”
Fleur smirked as she came to stop a foot away from Hermione.
“I am.”
“Didn’t sound like it,” she teased.
“Hermione, would you like to go out on a date Saturday?”
“Yes, I’d—”
Once more, her words died as Fleur kissed her. Hermione didn’t hesitate to drag Fleur closer. The chime went off to let them know lunch had started but they didn’t stop. Not until Hermione found herself pinned under Fleur.
“Are you hungry?” Fleur asked. Her warm breath came out in soft pants.
“No,” Hermione said as she pulled Fleur back down to her.
As Fleur continued to devour her mouth, Hermione realized she’d have to thank Ginny later.