Chapter Text
The last thing Fleur Delacour expected from her visit to London was to find herself at the British Library, scouting for a stolen Veela book. Her mother, Apolline, leader of the French Veela clan, had contacted her a couple of days ago with news that someone had seen the book in London.
And Fleur, who happened to be in London, was the Veela assigned to recover the book.
Usually, she wouldn't be anywhere near England. After all, the weather and dryness of the place left much to be desired. But her best friend William Weasley had just gotten engaged, and not making an appearance at his engagement party wouldn't have been very nice of her.
Not that Fleur could be considered nice. In fact, she knew many called her a bitch behind her back. Alas, Bill was one of the few wizards Fleur liked, so she made an effort for him.
That didn't mean, though, that her effort extended to his family. The Weasleys were known as one of the oldest pureblooded wizard families in England. And while their views on vampires, werewolves, and other creatures were not as terrible as those of other pureblood families, it wasn't difficult for Fleur to see the biases the family had.
The fact that Bill was engaged to a werewolf only made the issue much more apparent. And not even the well-meaning engagement party the Weasleys had organized was enough to hide the brewing resentment.
"You know," Fleur had told Bill with a cheeky smile after Bill's family had done all the toasts and congratulatory speeches. "A part of me wonders if this engagement is what will make Molly finally disinherit you."
"And a part of me thought that you had chosen to ignore my invitation, my dear Fleur," Bill said, smiling as he hugged her tightly. "Thank you for coming, mon amie."
"And miss Molly's annoyed smile? No way," she grinned. "Inês seems wonderful, you're fortunate to have found each other."
"I knew you would like her," he agreed. "Inês has a similar role to yours within the werewolf clan in Portugal: She's training under her father to become leader of the clan."
"Then I look forward to talking more to her in the near future," Fleur's smile lessened. "But truthfully, Bill, are you sure you're both alright? It hasn't been difficult to hear the many opinions your relatives have on this engagement."
"I haven't been disinherited just yet," he tried to joke. "But indeed, as much as my parents try to hide it, they're not happy with this engagement."
"How shocking," Fleur said sarcastically, which made Bill laugh.
"I will say that I heard my mother say that better Inês than you."
Fleur smirked.
"I still don't know what I did to make her dislike me so much," she chuckled. "Then again, we do know why that is."
Her statement made Bill sober up.
"I know, Fleur," he said apologetically. "And I know you're tired of me apologizing for my family's bigoted views."
Fleur shrugged.
"It is what it is," she said, staring at him. "If you love Inês, you know she can't stay here, surrounded by all the judgmental stares and opinions."
"We won't be staying here," Bill agreed. "Gringotts just offered me a new job as lead cursebreaker of their Ireland branch, which I accepted."
"Bill, that is amazing news!" Fleur said as she hugged him, truly happy for him.
"Inês and I are happy, especially with Ireland's policies and views when it comes to supernatural creatures. And between you and me, things are only getting worse here in London."
"Meaning?"
"There are whispers among the pureblood families, some radicalist views that the younger generation is starting to spout," he groaned. "All stupid and false, but still, I wouldn't be a good friend if I didn't tell you to be careful during your stay in London."
"A stay that won't be long, my friend," Fleur promised him. "After all, the last thing I want is to be in this dreadful city."
The irony of her situation didn't elude her. On the contrary, it only made Fleur roll her eyes when she received her mother's request to recover the Veela book. Apparently, the book was stolen from a Veelan settlement centuries ago, following a group of wizards' attempt to destroy the settlement during a territorial dispute. Nothing new or shocking about it, considering wizards' views of Veela, but what was surprising was that they didn't destroy the book. Instead, they seemed to have kept it hidden, and it was by mere happenstance that a Veela recognized the book.
Fleur had asked her mother why that Veela hadn't recovered the book, to which Apolline said that magical wards heavily protected the book. And out amongst the Veela, the Delacour were one of the few branches that had Veela trained in magic and wizardry.
As such, the Delacours were the best suited for the job, as annoying as it made things for Fleur.
The first thing Fleur did was meet with the Veela who had seen the book. After all, the more information she had, the better prepared she would be. The Veela, who was in her late forties, had only opened her eyes in surprise at seeing her.
"I should have known that the Clan would send a Delacour," the older Veela, Miriam, murmured.
"They wouldn't have if you had recovered the book when you had the chance," Fleur shrugged, not caring about playing nice.
"They had the place surrounded," Miriam growled, her eyes turning into slits as she allowed her Veela side to take over. "I could sense their wards, disgusting wizard magic."
"Where was this?"
"At the British Library," Miriam relaxed, her eyes returning to normal. "The book was taken by the librarian, which leads me to believe that those wizards are using the library to keep the book hidden from us."
"Hidden, but not impossible to get," Fleur said as she stood up. "For a Delacour, at least."
"You half-blood traitors, trying to be something you're not."
Fleur grinned, getting close to Miriam.
"And yet here I am, being called to come to the rescue," she smirked, showing her golden eyes to Miriam, who gulped at the challenge. "Now then, if that's all the information you have," she stepped back. "Then I bid you adieu."
Fleur spent a day scouting the library, magically tracing the aisles and areas to create a map of where the book could be. The two wizards Miriam had seen hadn't returned for the book, which made Fleur determine that the sooner she got it, the better.
After all, as confident as she was in her wizardry and spells, the last thing she wanted and knew her mother didn't need was for the clan to enter into a public dispute with wizards.
Hence, she calmly made her way to where the librarian was, who couldn't be more than 30 years old, and let her thrall loose enough for him to sense it.
The moment his eyes glazed over, and he started smiling dopily at her, Fleur knew she had complete control of him.
"Bonjour," she said, laying her accent extra tickly for added allure. "I was wondering if you could assist me with something, Jonathan?"
"Ye... Yes, of course! Anything you wish!" he exclaimed, getting the attention of some people due to how loud he was.
Fleur chuckled, trying to hide her annoyance.
"Well, there's this book that I've been dying to read, and a friend told me that this library is the only one that has a copy available."
"Of course, what is the name of the book?"
"The Strange Phenomena of the Supernatural," Fleur said, knowing that the wizards would have placed a translation spell on the book.
"I do see that the book is in our library," he said, which made Fleur smirk. "But it seems like someone is using it right now," he added apologetically.
Fleur groaned, which made her allure over Jonathan lessen.
"Besides, the book is restricted, so even then I'm not sure I could let you see it."
"But I will only be here today," she pouted, increasing her allure a bit more. "Are you sure I can't just take a quick peek?"
"If it's a quick one, then I don't see a problem," he whispered, his smile getting even more ridiculous. "Once the person who took it brings it back, I'll make sure you can read it."
"This person who took it out," Fleur asked, an idea already coming to mind. "Who might they be?"
"I... I can't really say, it's confidential information," Jonathan struggled.
"You see, this book is scarce, so I'm curious about who else would be interested in it. Like, kindred souls in a way," she tried to convince him, knowing that using more of her allure would put him in danger. "You don't need to tell me their name, but maybe point me in their direction?"
That was what Jonathan needed to hear for him to relax and smile, nodding to the far side of the library where a lone woman was sitting, her whole attention on the sole book she was holding in her hands.
Fleur immediately made her way towards her, keeping her thrall in place until she was standing in front of the brunette, who hadn't noticed her just yet.
Releasing her thrall and using one of her best smiles, Fleur knew that the mortal in front of her wouldn't be able to resist her.
"Excusez-moi," she purred, ready to be done with this whole errand. "I was wondering if it would be possible for me to read that book you have?" she asked. "You see, I'm leaving the city today, so I hoped I would be able to..."
Whatever else Fleur was going to say was forgotten. All she could think about, all she could focus on, were the intense brown eyes of the brunette in front of her. And her Veela, who was always so confident and loud, had fallen completely silent at the sight of the mortal woman.
Fuck, Fleur thought, meeting the woman's eyes and seeing them clear of her thrall.
"You would be able to?" the brunette added, clearly not pleased by Fleur's interruption.
"I would be able to look at it," Fleur managed to say, feeling strangely vulnerable and uncomfortable.
"I see," the brunette said, staring suspiciously at her. "I do need the book for my research, but if all you want is to take a quick look," she offered the book to Fleur, who, after a moment's hesitation, sat next to the brunette.
The moment Fleur took the book from her, and their hands touched, she felt magic flowing through them, the warmth and familiarity of it making her stare in surprise at the strange woman, who seemed just as affected as she was by what had just happened.
She can't be mortal, Fleur thought. I literally sensed her magic just now.
And yet, when she had done her initial scouting of the area, she had been certain that there weren't any wizards or witches around.
This would be the point at which Fleur knew logically that she should withdraw and try again at another time. But the moment that thought entered her mind, her Veela immediately rejected the idea, demanding that she stay and talk to the strange woman.
And well, Fleur knew better than not to listen to her Veela.
"I thank you, Miss?" Fleur took the book and immediately started inspecting it, smiling as she realized how long it had been since a Veela had last held the book in her hands.
"Hermione Granger," the brunette offered, relaxing a little once she realized Fleur was really interested in the book.
"Fleur Delacour, a pleasure," she smiled, taking Hermione's hand and kissing it softly, only realizing she had done so after noticing the blush that appeared on Hermione's face and the quick flicker of her magic.
"May I ask why you're so interested in this book?" Hermione asked after a moment of silence in which Fleur had spent reading the book, confirming that this was the stolen Veela book.
Fleur pondered her response, wondering how much she could share. While she knew that Hermione couldn't be mortal, she also wasn't sure to which faction the brunette belonged.
"This book was stolen from my people a long time ago," Fleur admitted, leaving things vague on purpose. "For centuries, we believed it to be lost."
"How shocking that you found it here in the British Library," Hermione said sarcastically, which made Fleur smirk.
"Well, you British have a certain reputation that precedes you when it comes to your museums and their treasures," she bluntly stated, already prepared for the brunette's retort.
Instead, Fleur could only stare in surprise as Hermione laughed, the sound of her laugh making Fleur feel something she hadn't felt before.
"Tell me about it", Hermione agreed. "For all we have when it comes to culture and treasure, it's astounding how much of it doesn't truly belong to us. And yet, some of us like to pretend it has always been ours," she said softly.
And Fleur, who was always careful when it came to her magic and her Veela, only noticed too late that her magic was bursting out of her, its tendrils moving to where Hermione and the book were.
"Hermione," she tried to warn her, only to stare agape as her magic was absorbed by Hermione, who closed her eyes and softly moaned as she took Fleur's magic within her.
When Hermione's eyes opened, Fleur noticed that her irises were now golden.
Just like mine look when I shift into my Veela.
Yet before either could say anything about what had just happened, Fleur felt multiple magical presences enter the library. Turning her gaze to the front door, she noticed a group of wizards and witches frantically analyzing the crowd.
When they made eye contact with Fleur, she knew things were fucked.
"Shit, they're here for me," Hermione and her said at the same time, which made them dumbly stare at each other.
And while the situation was serious, with the imminent danger of an altercation on the horizon, both women couldn't stop themselves from laughing at the ridiculousness of their situation.
Knowing that there was no time to hesitate or ponder on things, Fleur grabbed the book and Hermione's hand, hastily taking both out of the library. As they fast-walked out of the way, Fleur kept glancing backwards, making sure that the witches and wizards didn't try to do anything too outrageous to get them.
After all, as much as they disliked each other, the punishment for breaking the rules of no magic in front of mortals was too severe.
Once they were out in the open, Fleur quickly ran into a crowd of tourists, doing her best to blend in with them.
Hermione, thankfully, wasn't trying to ask her too many questions as they ran, probably aware that their main priority at this moment was to escape unscathed.
And, the less noticeable they were, the easier it would be for them to remain unseen.
"I'm glad you seem to be aware of how dire our situation is, Hermione," Fleur observed, noticing how calm Hermione was about everything. "Almost as if you're somewhat familiar with situations like this one."
"Pretending otherwise at this stage would be foolish," Hermione shrugged. "And while there's much you still need to explain to me, Fleur-- I know that those people at the library were dangerous."
"And I'm not?" Fleur couldn't stop herself from saying, letting some of her Veela out, which made Hermione's eyes open in surprise.
"You're a Veela," she whispered with awe, which made Fleur relax.
"And you're strange, Hermione Granger. Most people are terrified of Veela, and yet you almost seem to be fascinated with my revelation."
Hermione blushed, which only pleased Fleur and her Veela even more.
"Fascinated isn't the wrong word to express how I feel," she softly admitted. "Also, only idiots and ignorants let foolish prejudices and misconceptions define how they treat others."
"And you're neither," Fleur stated as she quickly grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her close, their bodies now touching. "Shh," she warned as she noticed a witch around the corner.
Hermione nodded, remaining silent. But, as close as they were, with their bodies touching, Fleur realized that she was losing control of her magic yet again.
No, not losing, Fleur determined as she connected the dots.
Hermione was syphoning her magic every time they touched.
And the more Hermione took from her, the hotter Fleur felt.
"Fleur," Hermione whimpered, her eyes now fully golden.
"Hermione," Fleur tried to warn her, yet moving even a little would alert the witch of their position.
"I, I can't keep absorbing magic like this."
"Then stop taking my magic," Fleur groaned, closing her eyes as she felt her Veela coming out.
"I would if I could!" Hermione complained. "This has never happened to me before."
"Fuck, she sensed us," Fleur muttered as she stepped away from Hermione, moving both out of the way of what seemed to be a Confringo.
"She can't use magic around mortals!"
"She no longer cares," Fleur said as she silently cast a Protego to shield them. The only way out of this mess would be by fighting. "Can you use magic?"
Hermione shook her head.
"I don't have magic, so I never learned how to use it."
"You don't have magic?!" Fleur exclaimed, flabbergasted. "But you're literally syphoning my magic."
"Which I've never done before!"
"Then how do you even know about magic?!"
"I read!" Hermione screamed, and the simplicity of her answer, as well as the ridiculousness of the situation, made Fleur laugh. "It's not funny, Fleur."
"You have to admit that it is a tiny bit," Fleur grinned, moving both away from the witch who had gotten close enough for her to talk to them.
"Give me back what you stole from us, you conniving beasts!" the witch demanded, raising her wand and pointing it at them.
"You mean the property that I took back from you after your ancestors stole it from mine!" Fleur growled, her eyes turning into slits at the nerve of this witch.
"A Veela," she spat, which made Fleur see red.
"Confringo!"
"Petrificus Totalus," Fleur and the witch said at almost the same time, but due to the Veela being faster and stronger than her, it was Fleur who easily won the duel.
"You didn't use a wand," Hermione observed, the two moving past the petrified witch.
"As a Veela, I don't need one," Fleur explained. "My magic comes from being a Veela, which naturally makes us Veela better casters than wizards or witches."
"Do all Veela cast magic?"
Fleur shook her head.
"Casting magic comes from wizards and witches. And as you were able to see, we don't exactly get along," Fleur shrugged. "Many Veela consider my family, the Delacour, as big Veela traitors for casting magic."
"But why?" Hermione asked. "Why wouldn't you use something you know you would excel at? Why limit yourselves like that?"
"It's the principle. Just like wizards and witches hate us, we hate them. So why would we learn how they use magic, or worse, use it?"
"That's very narrow-minded," Hermione muttered, which made Fleur smile.
"Believe me, I agree," Fleur said, stopping Hermione as they noticed the remaining wizards patrolling the main street.
"This is the only way out of the plaza," Hermione told her. "Our only way out is by fighting them."
"Indeed, but since you can't use magic, I'll be the one doing the fighting and you'll be the one doing the running."
"You're far outnumbered!" Hermione exclaimed.
"I'm a Veela, cheri. They have no idea what I'm capable of," Fleur winked at her. "The moment we start dueling, that's when I need you to run out of here," she told Hermione as she handed her the book. "And make sure you keep this safe."
"But Fleur," Hermione tried to say.
"Bonne chance, Hermione," Fleur whispered, decorum be damned as she softly kissed Hermione's lips. As she stepped back, she noticed Hermione's eyes had turned golden once again. "For luck."
Rushing out of their hiding place, Fleur quickly used a spell to petrify one of the wizards, their attention falling to her at once.
"There she is!" they all said as they took their wands out and started casting spells, some of them falling on the mortals who were running and screaming away.
"Diffindo!" Fleur heard a wizard scream, moving out of the way just as the spell was about to hit her. "How about you stay still, you freaking bird."
"Even so, you wouldn't be able to beat me, connard. Expelliarmus," she said as she waved her hand, the wizard's wand flying towards her.
"Without a wand?! Abomination."
"Says the man who attacked me in the middle of a plaza surrounded by mortals," Fleur smirked. "The irony of wizards. Always so quick to judge, and yet terribly slow when it comes to their own mistakes. Confringo!" she yelled, hitting two wizards out of the way.
Four more to go.
"Arresto Momentum!"
"Accio!"
"Protego!" Fleur said, a strong shield protecting her from the onslaught of attacks.
Once the two wizards were distracted by some distant screams, Fleur quickly dispelled her shield and launched a strong depulso to push them to the wall, causing them to faint from the impact.
"Crucio!"
"Bombarda!"
Fleur was quick enough to evade the bombarda and disarm the witch who cast it, but the crucio hit her right on her chest, making Fleur scream and kneel from the pain.
"Finally," a wizard smirked as he continued casting crucio on her. "You will tell us where the other woman and the book are, creature."
Fleur chuckled.
"And stop having fun with you all? No way," she grinned, doing all she could to stop herself from screaming again.
"If you think I won't kill you, then you're sorely mistaken."
"I don't doubt you will," Fleur spat at him. "But at least I won't give you the satisfaction of giving you what you want or begging you for my life. So do your worst, fils de pute."
"Avada Kada..."
"NO!" Fleur heard, her gaze moving to where Hermione now was, her hand extended towards the wizard as a ball of flames went straight for him.
"Veela magic," Fleur whispered, stepping away from the wizard as he shrieked and fell to the floor, doing his best to mitigate the flames.
Realizing that this would be their only chance to escape, Fleur quickly stood up and grabbed Hermione, who was staring at the burning wizard, clearly in shock. "
"Cherie, we can't stay here," Fleur softly said as she pulled Hermione away.
"I," Hermione tried to say. "I didn't mean to..."
"Had you not interfered, he would have killed me," she said firmly, not wanting Hermione to feel guilty for what she had to do.
"But I used magic," Hermione murmured. "I don't have magic."
"You did have magic," Fleur tried to explain as they ran away from the plaza. "And I know you're confused and scared, and that there are many things I still need to explain to you. But right now, we need to get out of here."
Hermione nodded, still a bit confused about everything that was happening, but willing enough to follow her lead.
"There's a safehouse for Veela we can go to. We will be safe there."
"And will I be welcomed?" Hermione asked. "Considering things, I wouldn't blame the Veela for not wanting me to be there."
"You'll be coming as my guest, so of course you'll be allowed in," Fleur promised her. "Besides, who knows what those wizards would do if they found you and they thought you had the book."
"I'm scared, Fleur," Hermione whispered, the fear evident in her voice.
And Fleur, who usually didn't go out of her way when it came to others, found herself reaching out to Hermione and holding her tight against her, allowing her magic to be syphoned by the brunette.
"I promise you, I won't let anyone hurt you, Hermione," she vowed, knowing her Veela and her meant it.