You and Me, Forever - Romione

003. Seconds

Hermione slept all day after returning from Malfoy Mansion. She was vaguely aware of Ron, Harry, Luna, and Dean checking in on her during the few times she was able to keep herself awake longer than a few minutes, and, despite Hermione's protests, Fleur was by her side whenever she wasn't taking care of the others.

By the time Harry recruited her and Ron to talk with Griphook, her body was still covered in cuts from the chandelier. She knew the deeper cut along her neck would likely never disappear completely, but she felt stronger. Mentally, at least.

Although she had enough energy to walk and brainstorm ways to break into Gringott's, she was still in enough pain that Fleur had to help her with the simplest tasks, including changing and washing. She felt helpless, but at least she wasn't confined to her bed.

"Ron seemed very reluctant to leave you," Fleur commented as she was giving Hermione a bath, running the soap over her cuts carefully so as not to sting her. She glanced slyly at Hermione from under her waterfall of white-blond hair.

"Yes, well, he's just concerned. Harry is as well," she explained, ducking her head so Fleur couldn't see her blushing.

"So there is nothing between the two of you?" Fleur prodded, though she seemed to have already made up her mind about the answer.

"We're. . . friends," Hermione replied hesitantly as if she didn't believe what she was saying.

"Friends."

Fleur didn't say anything else; she just looked at Hermione, an amused and mildly smug glint in her eyes. Hermione shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.

"We can't afford to be anything more than friends," she admitted reluctantly after a few moments. "With the war going on," she added.

"When you love each other that much, even war cannot stop the inevitable."

"Love? I never said anything ab—"

"For someone as brilliant as yourself, you really are not very observant," Fleur said with a twinkling laugh.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked sharply.

Fleur ignored her. "Get up, let us get you changed."

Hermione's eyes narrowed, but she allowed Fleur to carefully dry and dress her.

"Ron used to have a crush on me, did he not?" Fleur asked abruptly as Hermione was about to leave the bathroom.

"Well—I—yes, I suppose—but that was—" Hermione stammered.

"Oh, he could not help it. It is the Veela blood," Fleur said flippantly. "But have you not noticed that, whenever we are in a room together, his eyes never leave you? Not even for a second?" She cocked her head to the side. "I am not quite used to being ignored. It makes you wonder, does it not, what has changed since the last time I saw him? Why is it that now, he does not look at me when, one year ago, he could not look away? I think you know the answer to that question as well as I."

Fleur brushed past Hermione, shooting her a knowing smile as she closed the bathroom door behind her. Hermione stood speechless, staring at the floor for who knows how long. A smile teased at her lips and she pulled the door open, nearly colliding into Ron as she turned down the hallway.

"Hey," he murmured, turning to face her.

"Hi," she whispered, biting back a smile.

"Dinner will be ready in 10 minutes," Fleur sang as she floated past them.

Ron's eyes didn't leave Hermione's. Not even for a second.