Date & Time: 21 August, 1995
Post Type: RP
Open To: Complete
Character(s): Fleur Delacour and Bill Weasley
Location: Diagon Alley
Summary: Bill and Fleur go out for drinks and a quick snog on the streets


Goblins truly had wretched little faces; dark black eyes that bore very little by way of reflection, deep set lines carved into the leathery skin, and hooked noses that would make Severus Snape the front runner in any Wizarding Bachelor lineup. She was really the only thing worth looking at, but even that didn't even do her justice really. It wasn't often that women that lovely came around, and it was even less that they stayed. Fleur possessed the kind of beauty that he'd only read about, and while sometimes she appeared cold, there were moments when her eyes flashed some hint of mirth, or the corners of her lips would tick upward just a notch, and he knew that they were impossible to imagine. The problem was that Bill wasn't the only man who noticed. People here seemed to fawn over Fleur, taking great care to impress her, tripping over each other to carry supplies over to her desk, or grab a particular box for her.

Rarely did she have a moment alone, and there were some days that he felt absolute pity for her. If it wasn't work related, it was after work related, and that seemed to impress her less. So he'd continue his pitiful desk job, pretend to himself that someday he'd say something, but until then kept company with the Goblins. Trading her silvery little laugh for the scratched tenors, and her polite company for the gruff (and more often than not) dismissive kind of Goblin acceptance.

He was ready to leave for the day, throwing his jacket over his arm, before he found himself casting a quick glance near her direction, and feeling a ssting of guilt for doing so. He reassured himself that it was natural, and beyond his control, and it helped. Bill was ready to smile and nod, but found himself wondering how she was adjusting. Fleur was far from home, surrounded by a revolving door of people who just wanted either her or things from her. It had to really be quite lonely, and before he realized quite what he was doing, he was standing in front of her, almost like his feet had moved entirely on his own. "Fleur, do you have a moment?"

Fleur found heself smiling ever so slightly as her eyes landed on him. Bill Weasley. Although she'd be unlikely to admit it, Bill was one of the brighter bits about her job. She'd remembered him, of course, how could she not have? There was just something about him that had caught her eye last year, and when she'd seen him at Gringotts, she'd been quite pleased by the turn of events. So very few people seemed to not want to bother Fleur Delacour.Most people begged her for attention, or asked her to do things, then there were those who absolutely despised her presence. Rarely did she meet someone who just couldn't be bothered.

Glancing at the clock, Fleur sighed softly in relief as the second hand neared the top. It was nearing the end of the day and she was looking forward to going home. As much as she had wanted to go to England, to work at Gringotts, there were just some days when she'd really had enough. Today was unfortunately one of those days. Fleur slowly packed up her things, hoping to time things just right so she'd get to walk out with him. It was a short distance, but one had to take what little pleasures one could get. Picking up her bag, Fleur glanced up to see Bill standing at her desk.

Blinking in surprise as Bill spoke to her, Fleur said nothing for a moment. She hadn't said more than a few words to him in the past few weeks, and was surprised to see him speaking to her, even more so considering that annoying spotty boy hadn't beaten him to it. Recovering, Fleur offered Bill one of her rare smiles. "Of course, Mr. Weasley, 'ow can I 'elp?"

Bill was laidback, but her silence nearly undid him. The moment stretched, and even though it hadn't been more than a few seconds, they were uncertain enough that he almost apologized, wanting to back away. But then she smiled. Not the quick indulgent offerings to her kinder admirers, and not the terse polite grin offered to those who pressed too hard, but rather a soft smile- her pretty lips parting to flash a pearly white row of teeth. His stomach felt like it dropped through the floor, but he found himself pulled into reciprocating, offering her a geniune smile of his own. "Bill... please- 'Mr. Weasley' makes me sound far too important. I might get an ego, besides if word got back to my brothers, they'd never let me live it down."

He took a deep breath, seeming to remember who he was, growing more comfortable once they were both talking. "I just wanted to ask if you were settling in well. It's likely a difficult time for you."

"Bill." Fleur repeated and blushed slightly at being corrected. She felt a little thrill at at his insistence that she use his first name, but then quickly reminded herself that he was probably just being kind. She cocked her head slightly to the side as she looked at him, eyes scanning his face. He did have very lovely eyes, she realised now as she was standing close enough to really look at them. "You do not look like the sort to 'ave an ego." Fleur commented, uncertain whether he was joking or not. "Your brothers? Ah yes, I remember zem. Friends of 'arry Potter, no?" Fleur asked, brightening slightly as she remembered the brave little boy who had save Gabrielle. She remembered Bill's brother as well, the ginger boy who kept fumbling over his words and professing his love. He had been quite adorable.

"I am, yes," Fleur said, smiling again as her eyes met Bills. " It's so kind of you to ask. I am still getting used to everyzing, it is so different to France, but I do like it 'ere in your London."

It was difficult to stand so close to her, and not touch her. Carefully he tucked his hands into his pockets, eager to eliminate the temptation, and abuse of their tentative boundaries. "Weasleys aren't known for their egos, no." His nod was reassuring, despite the fact that Percy's ego had become it's own living and breathing thing. "My brothers, all five of them. They tend to... run a joke long passed it's ordinary life span." The tension was unwinding between his shoulderblades, and he was feeling more and more like himself as time passed.

"Oh, good." He pushed his hands further into his pockets, rocking back on his heels once. "I just didn't know if anyone had asked you. I just know what it's like to be away from home, and... well, that's really it." Bill canted his head, noticing her gathered belongings on her desk. A moment ago she'd seemed ready to leave. "London... it's interesting for sure, but I bet France is wonderful."

Fleur noted the nervousness, and she actually found herself responding by lightly bitting her lower lip, wishing he'd offered to show her around. She'd always had bloked throw themselves at her, finding one who wasn't offering already offering to show her arround 'their London' made her really wish he would. Her eyes slid down to the table as his dipped and she was quickly tried to think of a reason why she couldn't leave yet when Bill spoke again. Thankfully he spoke again, and Fleur smiled, pleased that she wouldn't have to leave yet. "London is very interesting, though I am not sure I 'ave seen much of it. France is so very beautiful, 'ave you been?"

"No, but I lived for a while in Egypt- that's entirely different though I suppose." Bill found her accent to be impossibly charming, it was nothing like the strong pull of attraction, but something that resonated on a deeper level. It was beyond the inexorable tug, inching him closer to her. "I've always wanted to travel there, but I suppose with how close it is, I don't have much of an excuse, do I? Expecially when one takes apparition into account." The conversation was both entirely innocent and frustrating, teetering on the precipice of becoming another mundane exchange in his attempt to remain casual.

"Why haven't you seen much of London?" Her hours weren't impossibly strict, surely she had enough free time on her own to explore at her own pace. "I'd imagine you'd have an envoy of tour guides by now." There was no jealousy in his voice, merely observation and curiosity.

"Egypt? Zat sound really exciting" Fleur asked her eyes going wide as she imagined all of the sights. She'd always wanted to go to exotic places and well, Egypt sounded incredibly exciting. Finding herself leaning toward him, Fleur smiled again as she wished to hear more. "You should go visit France, zere is so much to see. Not just Paris." Fleur said smiling again as she reached out to lightly touch his arm. "When you do go, let me know, I can tell you all the places to visit."

"I've seen some of the sites," Fleur explained as she leaned closer, lowering her voice as she confided in Bill. "And there 'ave been offers, but would you really want to 'ave Williams in Accounting show you around? or - " She stopped suddenly and brought her hand to her mouth in surprise. "Oh I should not 'ave said zat. Zat was 'orrible."

"It was exciting, there are some days that I miss it, but then there are others where I remember why I came back." For the first time he felt comfortable enough to remove a hand from his pocket to scratch at the back of his neck. "It's just time to be near my family." And the Order, obviously. "But I'd like to tell you about it sometime." The offer was extended easier than he thought possible, breathed out as naturally as the air.

Her touch was gentle, and for a moment he thought that he'd imagined it entirely. And would have, had her impossibly smooth palm not been steady against his arm. When he drew in his next breath, it caught lightly in his chest, combusting into a series of small tremors that lanced up the length of his arms. He didn't just want to go to France, or owl her for the sights. Bill wanted very much to see them with her. "I figure Paris is quite a bit like London, which might be irreverent, but I think I'd like to see the countryside more."

Her small surprised expression was enough to bring about a laugh, and he nodded slowly. "I happen to think Williams is quite a wonderful tourguide." Before he realized himself, he'd found himself nudging her shoulder with a playful knuckle. It felt natural, easy, and he didn't jerk away; he was a grown man, and he could do this. "So it's just a matter of finding the right one then?" It didn't even feel like teasing until the grin had spread across his features.

"Zat sounds, 'ow do you say, brilliant?" Fleur said as she smiled and nodded. "I would love hear about it, Egypt must be so different from 'ere." Fleur added, realising that it sounded like the best idea ever. In fact, although it was clear it hadn't been an actual invitation, Fleur found herself wanting nothing more than to hear every last detail about Egypt. Her move to touch Bill had been almost instinctive that Fleur blinked in surprise as the feel of Bill's arm sent shivers down her spine. Were she to dwell on it, Fleur would likely have thought it a rather pleasant experience, but as it was, it was just confusing. She tried to recover quickly, though the fluttering in her stomach was making that practically impossible. Glancing up at Bill, Fleur breathed out, not realising she'd been holding her breath. "The countryside is very beautiful, I theenk you will very much like it."

Relaxing a little when Bill laughed, Fleur smiled and laughed softly at her blunder. She even found herself grinning as he nudged her shoulder. "Well, zen he can be your tourguide," Fleur retorted, shaking her head at the though of the portly, balding accountant. "Yes, I theenk you are right. I need the right guide."


"Yes. Brilliant." Bill nodded, and his smile broadened further. "It is different, wonderful. Full of it's own secrets and mysteries, and just.. contains answers to questions that a person would never think to ask. It's an adventure, everyday there is it's own journey." He felt his heart quicken, but in a way that had little to do with company, and more to do with the place he'd left behind. Suddenly, he wanted to share everything with her, drag her to his small flat and beseige her with a hundred pictures or any of the small artifacts he managed to bring back to the country. "Is that where you're from? I'm afraid that I don't know."

The teasing seemed to relax her, something that pleased him to no end. It was an endearing quality, one that spoke a lot about someone's willingness to reach out, and set aside some of the personal pride. Her joke piqued his interest, and for a moment he regarded her with a smile, and a slightly canted head. She could just be teasing back, but suddenly he wanted to ask, some morbidly curious part of him eager to show her, if that was what she wanted. His fingers clenched once in his pockets, before he chided himself. "Fleur, I don't know too much about London, and I can't promise that I'd be a good tour guide, but I do know that I'd like to have dinner with you."

"You make it sound so amazing" Fleur said with a smile, she could easily see the way his face lit up as he spoke about Egypt and it made him look all the more attractive. The way he made it sound, Fleur wanted nothing more than to go to Egypt, see it through his eyes. To see him so excited about something was thrlling in its own way. Thinking back to France and Bill's question, Fleur nodded. "We 'ave a Château in Méréville, it's a village south of Paris."

Fleur paused for a second. Her instinct when faced with an invitation to dinner or any sort of date was to say no, but she didn't really want to say no to Bill. He was different. "Yes. Yes. I'd like zat."


"It really is, on the surface, it doesn't seem like there is all that much to see, but there was so much that I got to, because of all of this." He gestured dismissively around hiskj body, indicating Gringotts. "My family got to see it to, if you ever get the opportunity, you should take it." His feet felt like they might pull him forward at any moment, but he steadied his heels on the flagstone. He'd never heard of her hometown, but the name alone indicated some idyllic atmosphere."Mereville." Bill was careful to repeat it, wanting to remember where she was from. Her accent expelled the word with a grace that his own wouldn't afford, but he tried once more. "Am I saying that right?"

Her pause was enough to let the quick chill of doubt flutter into his periphery, but soon it was replaced with a swift relief and a broad smile. "Brilliant. When would you like to go?"

"Zen it is a shame that you 'ad to return," Fleur mussed, frowning slightly. He certainly seemed to miss Egypt, though the more he spoke about it, the more she wanted to go. "I theenk I might, my next holiday should be to Egypt." Fleur smiled broadly as he repeated the name of her hometown. "Close. It's Méré-ville, with ze accent on ze first part, but very good." Fleur corrected, thoughs she smiled, pleased that he'd even tried to pronounce it properly.

Fleur suddenly felt shy as she realised that she'd actually agreed to go out with Bill. The thought that he may even be interested in her had never actually crossed her mind. Oh he was fit, and she certainly seemed to like him the more she spoke to him, but he hadn't fawned all over her, and well that never happened. "Zis weekend? Per'aps Friday?" She glanced around, noticing for the first time that most of the rest of the office had already left. She nodded in the direction of the door. "Walk with me to ze Diagon exit?"


Bill canted his head, wondering if he'd truly been projecting a distaste for his current station. While he missed the curse-breaking, and he missed the friends that he'd made, he also knew that now, this was the only place that he needed to be. "It's a shame that I can mix the two, but my family is here, and with everything, I just- I need to be closer to them now. Caverns have gone undisturbed for thousands of years, and they can wait a few months more." The war wouldn't- it was already bearing down on them. He was needed in the Order.

She spread the syllables, punctuating each letter with a graceful, patient care. This time, he copied her, and while he'd never be able to capture the delicate way the french would have, he managed to at least pronounce it properly. "Friday is perfect." Suddenly he couldn't recollect whether or not he actually had plans or not, but he did know, that if it didn't work, he'd make it work. Her request was surprising, but he grinned. "Yes, of course."

"Do you not plan on staying zen?" Fleur asked, wondering what exactly was wrong with his family that he needed to leave his job. She wanted to ask, but then she also knew it was rude. In fact, she probably shouldn't even be asking him whether he intended to stay, it truly was none of her business. Then again, she was doing a good job of not asking absolutely everything.

Fleur grinning and nodded enthusiastically as Bill managed to pronounce the name correctly. "Friday zen," Fleur said, quite thrilled at the prospect of going out with Bill. Fleur smiled as Bill agreed to accompany her and Started toward the door. "Where do you live, if you don't mind?" Fleur asked as they walked together.

"I'm not so sure what my plans are, I just know that I'm home, and even when I'm away, I can't stay that way for long." He wondered if he could ask why she was here, why she'd left her family now of all the times in the world, but found himself letting the impulse slide. Their steps were measured, and he found himself taking far shorter ones, not to match her pace, but hoping to slow it, preserving whatever short moment of time they could carve for themselves. "How are things here? Is everyone treating you well?"

He didn't mind her questions, in fact, if she'd asked him for the key to his home he would have handed it to her willingly. "A small flat, nothing special. London's too expensive, and with apparition and floo, there's no reason to bleed myself dry to sleep closer to work." He crinkled his nose playfully, feeling like his steps were coming far lighter the more time they spent together. "Oh! How's your sister, I can't believe I haven't thought to ask."

"I know what you mean, I do miss home sometimes," Fleur said, thinking back to France and everything she had back there. Sometimes she still missed her family, home and her friends, esopecially late at night, but Fleur was trying to work through all of that. "Things are well, yes. My flat mates are great, and people are very kind to me. Maybe a bit too kind," Fleur added the last bit with a smile as she walked next to Bill, glancing occasionally over to him. "I always though ze Eenglish were not zis kind, but zey are."

Fleur nodded as he spoke, finding herself just a little disappointed to find out that he didn't live close. She supposed it was way too early for that, though she was quite curious. Fleur then brightened again at the mention of her little sister. She deffinitely missed her most of all. "Gabrielle? She is doing very well, yes. Keeps asking about 'arry," Fleur added with a laugh, although only eight she was still fairly certain that her sister had a not so very secret crush on her hero.


"When I was in Egypt, and missed the Burrow? I'd try not to focus on what I was missing, but rather the things that I knew wouldn't change while I was gone." Bill hoped this line wasn't inappropriate, but continued softly, offering some of the things he still thought about when the bittersweet longing rolled around. "My mum, she has this clock, with our faces on the hands, but rather than telling the time, it tells her round about what we're up to. Or- oh, my father's love for Muggles, he's always telling us something, generally it's wrong, but it can at least be counted on to be wrong. Smaller things, like what Charlie and I nicked and buried in the backyard." Bill shrugged, wondering if he'd been going on about nothing. "At any rate, I think that's all homesickness is, but sometimes it helps."

Of course people were kind to her, how could they not be? She was kind hearted beneath the layers of beauty, very brave, and strong spirited. "Well, some of us are, but then again," Bill leaned in conspiratorily nudging his chin in the direction of Griphook, who was moodily stamping a set of papers with a brutal scowl. "It's not too fair if you count him as English. Kind of drags us nicer onces down a peg, or seven."

It was good that Fleur made the effort to remain in touch with her sister, something that only caused him to regard her with even higher esteem. "I'm afraid that I don't have much news to pass on. I hardly know what he's up to, only that recently he had a birthday." He pulled a quick smile. "It's good that she's doing well."

Fleur listened to Bill describe his mothers clock, and she couldn't help but smile at the thought. It wasn't so much the object itself, though it sounded rather brilliant, but rather the way he spoke about his mother and father. "Yes, I think that would help." Fleur said, wishing she had something, anything, else to say. "I will have to theenk of the best bit of maman and papa."

"Per'aps it's only the bad ones that they see in France" Fleur said, with a soft laugh, leaning toward Bill as heU whispered something. Glancing toward Griphook, Fleur looked quickly back to Bill, hoping the goblin hadn't noticed. She giggled, ,hiding her laughter behind her hand. "'e does not count," Fleur whispered back. "But you do make up for him," Fleur added, blushing softly.

"Thank oyu, I'm sure she will be 'appy to 'ear it," Fleur said with a laugh. She did ttry to owl her sister regularly, it helped her feel less homesick sometimes. "She will be even 'appier to know that her sister works with someone who know 'im well."

The door was rapidly approaching, and he couldn't steep his steps any further, or else they'd come to a complete stop. While he didn't want to stop speaking with her, leaving would bring about tomorrow, and then soon enough they'd be sharing a meal rather than a few stolen minutes. "Tell me about your parents? Are they anything like you?" There was nothing he knew about them, not even their names. It was all muted though, lost in her quick assurance that she'd consider his advice, something that was entirely humbling.

"Perhaps." When she leaned in, it was impossible to step away, and he found himself drawing nearer, breathing in her cool scent. Her laugh as well as cautious looks back and forth from the Goblin were enough for him to nudge her elbow. "Don't let him hear you say that, he'll let you know how important he is, rather nastily too." For a moment Bill almost looked around, concerned that the Goblin had suddenly appeared behind him while he was busy trying to impress and tease a girl at the creature's expense. Her soft blush though captured his attention, flushing a gentle pink on pale cheeks. His chest swelled with a deep crest of emotion, something that toyed the line with disbelief and pride. "Thank you, if I had any negative association with the French, you'd be making it stand on it's head."

Fleur hadn't really noticed that they were taking forever to get to the door, let alone the exit from Diagon Alley out into muggle London, and eventually her flat out into muggle London, and eventually her flat. She was far too wrapped up in their conversation and Bill in general to notice, though she certainly wished they had more time. "Maman is great, she's very nice and

"Oh no," Fleur gasped, unable to stop herself from glancing over her shoulder once more at the goblin. She blushed again as he nudged her, and decided to play along. "Maybe we should leave before he 'ears us?" Fleur said as they finally reached the doors. Then, realising that it sounded like she wanted to leave, Fleur glanced up at Bill. "As you know 'im so well, you can maybe tell me what I should do to avoid 'is anger? over drinks?" Fleur asked, looking at Bill innocently, as she bbrushed strands of her silvery blonde hair out of her eyes and over her shoulder.

"Maybe we should." Her playful tone was mischevious, but still rather innocent. Things with her seemed to be a constant rotation of paradox, and while he was growing comfortable, he never fully understood her. He pushed open the door with a steady palm, allowing her to pass through it before him. "Mmm, the best way of avoiding his wrath is, well, not being in the same room with him?" The pads of her fingers swept her hair back from her forehead, and his fingers itched to reach out do the same. Her invitation was as startling as her blush had been, but he nodded. "That's the secret, but drinks sound lovely. I hope we can find something better to talk about besides Griphook, though." When she stepped through the door, he found his hand gently pressing at her back, just below her shoulders.

Fleur had to admit, she was a little disappointed when Bill didn't quite seem to get what she'd been hinting at. "Oh, right, of course," Fleur said, trying not to sound sad, thanking him softly as he held the door open for her. Surely it had been clear that it wasn't really Griphook she wanted to talk about, hadn't it? The disappointment lasted only moments as Bill agreed to drinks, bringing a smile to her face."I should 'ope so. 'e does not seem all that interesting," Fleur added as she stepped outside, resisting the urge to turn at him as she felt his hand on her back. If she turned and looked at him, she was sure he'd stop, and well she rather liked the small thrill it sent through her.


Fleur's soft thank you felt off, but for no reason that he was comfortable placing. Soon enough though, she was joking again, and briefly, he wondered if he'd imagine the entire thing in his anxiety. His heart was hammering against his ribs, and just from merely grazing his fingers over her clothed spine (and when he thought about the clothing, it was impossible to ignore the curiosity about what lay beneath the fabric). "You could tell me more about you, I feel like I don't know anything about you, except that you have an incredibly strong will. You have to have one, standing face-to-face with a dragon, daily interaction with goblins, merpeople... Severus Snape."

"I will tell you what you'd like to know, but only if you tell me more about you, yes?" Fleur said as she smiled at Bill again. She coloured lightly at Bill's description of her, and found herself laughing as she thought back to the dragons and merepeople. If may only have happened a few months ago, and been incredibly scary at the time, now it just seemed sort of something she'd just had to do. "Severus Snape? Who is zat?"


"Of course, I'll tell you anything that you like." With as many siblings as he had, Bill had no secrets. His whole life, nothing had gone unnoticed, or unremembered. Sharing them wasn't a bother. His joke went over her head, but when she asked, he chuckled, fully willing to explain. "Snape is a professor at Hogwarts. He's just... a foul git, and anyone who's ever been under his tutelage can offer you at least one horror story or humilation." Slowly he dropped his hand from her back, having hovered longer than appropriate, and he tried to ignore the tension in his fingers. "If you were ever in the Great Hall, he'd have been the disinterested one with a hooked nose. Black hair."

Fleur nodded as Bill described the professor and giggled at the description. She thought back to the meals she'd had at Hogwarts, trying to place the person and face. Remembering him then, Fleur laughed. "I remember 'im. Rather odd looking, no? Like he wants to hex everyone in the room. We had a professor like that Monsieur Moutard. He is 'orrible really!" Fleur added, laughing again, she was deffinitely not going to to miss her former Herbology professor.


"I suppose that everyone has that one teacher who just wants to hex their students beyond recognition." His fingers clenched at his side, eager to settle over her back once more, but hearing her discuss her Herbology professor twinged some odd recognition. Fleur was still young, too fresh from school. Drinks were drinks, and dinner could just be a meal, but no matter how strongly he was attracted to her, she was still at least six years younger than he was, possibly seven. Bill chewed the inside of his cheek, as he considered the ugly possibility that he was stepping in on a homesick girl. "Snape is one of a kind, and a kind that should really have disappeared in the Dark Ages. It's fitting that he teaches potions in a dungeon. What about Moutard?"

"Yes, maybe it's a law? To 'ave at least one grumpy professor in the school." Fleur suggested, laughing again. She thought back Professor Moutard, he'd never been terribly rude to Fleur, but he'd been incredibly strict and quite difficult to deal with. Glancing up at Bill, Fleur noted the look of concern on his face, and she wondered what it was he was thinking. "Yes, Monsieur Moutard was like zat. I am sure he would 'ave liked to chain us all in dungeon so he would not 'ave to teach us. I do wonder 'ow the plants in ze green'ouses did not die," Fleur said, unable to stop the giggle.

"Plants are more resiliant than students, I wager. Besides, I reckon Moutard didn't expect quite as much from them either." It was easy to bounce back, and his comfort was drawn entirely from her laughter. She seemed happy, unfettered by whatever darker thoughts he'd fallen into. It was a concern coming far too early, there was only casual questions now, paired with something to drink... because talking made people thirsty. The reasoning was stupid, but he clung to it. "Did you have a favorite professor then? Or at least a subject?"

"Prbably not, zey could also probably stand 'im," Fleur added with a grin. She looked from Bill to the street, where they seemed to be quickly approaching the Leaky Cauldron. She considered Bill's question and nodded in response. "Oh yes, I very much liked ze Arithmancy and ze Potions. Zey were my best subjects also. What about you? Not Potions, no?"

"Well, as plants, what choice did they really have in the matter?" This door he didn't dread reaching, but rather looked forward to. "Are you trying to imply I don't look like a Potions Master?" He smiled reassuringly, trying to resist the urge to nudge her again. Even though the small gestures were affectionate, Fleur was not either his friend or his brother. Doing so could give her the completely wrong impression. "I like Arithmancy a great deal, but Defense was always my strongest suit. Going into curse breaking seemed like the most natural step after school."


"I am." Fleur said with a nod, smiling again. She hadn't actually, she'd only meant that he clearly didn't seem to like the Potions Professor, but if she could use it to flirt just a little, well she was going to have a bit of fun. You are, how do you say, much more fitter zan ze Potions Master," Fleur said as a matter of factly, smirking ever so slightly as she glanced over at her colleague. "Defense? You must be very good. I can't say I was very good at zat, though it was not my worst subject. I admit I could never understand Divinationsl"

Was she flirting? Bill chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest. "Well, I suppose Griphook back there is 'fitter' than Snape, but I'll take what I can get." He felt like he hadn't smiled this much in ages. With Charlie away, and with the Order, there was rarely bouts of unfettered joy. In that moment, he couldn't have imagined a better person to share a drink with. Loveliness and shaking legs aside, she was funny, slowly winding him up only to help him uncoil with a quick laugh, or a glance. "I happen to think that you're far more fit than Snape." He found it odd that the first time he commented aloud on her appearance, it was in jest, but he supposed it was fitting. She knew how stunning she was, and had likely heard it eleven times a day her entire life. But flirting was flirting. "Oh? You can't be rubbish at it, if there was something that you'd like to know, perhaps I could teach you. Our mother is a master at counter hexes, and resetting broken bones... erm. The two aren't entirely unrelated."

"Oh yes, Griphook is my ideal in looks," Fleur said rolling her eyes and laughing as she shook her head. She sincerely hoped he'd understand that she was kidding, and that he was kidding as well. Surely he knew she would find him attractive. Then again, he hadn't really shown much interest in her, not in the way other men did. "I should 'ope I am," Fleur said automatically, not realising that it may come off sounding snotty. It was only afterwards that she realised it was the first sort of compliment Bill had paid her, and she couldn't help but smile. Perhaps part of him did realise. "Zat makes us both fitter zan your Snape, no? What a coincidence." Fleur said and flashed him another smile.

"No? With, was it five, brothers I imagine you drove her a litle, how do you say, mental?" She paused for a moment as her mind went back to what had happened that summer with Cedric. "I would like zat, yes. It may be helpful." She said softly, her tone taking a more sullen turn.

He laughed as she joked, finding himself shaking his head frequently when she did. "You are." It was such a small confession, but it felt like the air had been let out of his lungs. Bill felt an odd sense of impotence; she was beautiful, did she really want to hear it from him? He was dying to say it. "I've never met anyone like you." The sentiment was honest, but it felt like a compromise, and that feeling was unsettling.

"Five brothers, the one sister, and now Harry running amok during the tail end of summer." He took a steadying breath focusing on the light atmosphere that he'd nearly abandoned. "Mad, batty... homicidal." Fleur's voice once again took on that softer tone, but he did detect the slightly crestfallen note. "Fleur?" Gently, Bill reached out, clasping his hand over her deceptively delicate elbow. "What's- did I say something wrong?"

Her heart almost skipped a beat at Bill's next words. No one like her. That was even better than all the compliments in the world about her beauty. Yes, maybe they'd only spoken a few times in the past few months, and this was by far the longest, but she felt like he could mean it. "You are very different too. I like zat." Fleur said, flashing a smile.

She laughed at the thought of such a full house. "'omocidal maybe, but sounds like a happy home." Fleur said, family had always been a very important thing to Fleur and she liked the fact that Bill seemed to have a loving, if maybe not so safe home. "You?" Fleur asked, her eyes clouding over as she looked at him in confusion. She quickly shook her head. "Oh no. You haven't said anything wrong, it just made me theenk of 'arry and what he said about Cedric -" She paused for a second, overcome with emotion as she glanced toward the entrance to Diagon and the Leaky Cauldron. "I'm sorry, I've ruined the mood. I could certainly use that drink." Fleur said with a rather cold laugh.

The compliment turned round on him, and it was entirely unexpected, but not unappreciated. His smile softened a hint, and he carefully met her eyes. "Thank you." Her laugh was as bright as ever, and while her accent was thick, he understood. There was a swell of pride thinking about his family; while they'd never been rich, they'd never needed anything. There was always joy to be found, even if it was in an inappropriate joke during a hard time. "It is. Dangerous, but full of love. I couldn't come from better people." The wizarding world could say what they liked, but it was a simple truth that remained. Molly and Arthur loved and respected each of their children, and had raised them to be uncompromising in their beliefs and values.

Cedric. Time hadn't completely erased the third task, and Bill remembered it very well. He couldn't imagine having known the boy, but Fleur had. They'd been together during the hardest trials of their lives, and now he was gone. Murdered. And now she was ready to flit away, apologizing for well deserved sorrow. "Fleur, wait." He ran his hand from her elbow to her shoulder, lightly soothing over her bicep. "Don't be sorry, and don't worry about any mood. It's okay, I don't mind." He didn't want her to sobbingly relay her personal tragedies, or even discuss what she was feeling beyond her comfort, but he did need her to know he didn't mind. "You aren't a trinket, you can feel whatever you like. I'll adjust."

Cedric and the end of the Triwizarding tournament was still a fairly sore subject for Fleur. Although she hadn't known Cedric overly well, had had still been a friend and his death had been a difficult matter. What Harry had said as he'd brought Cedric out of the maze had only made everything all that bit more disturbing. She wasn't sure how dangerous that could be, considering nothing had happened since then, but it was still something she thought about on occasion. Fleur stopped as Bill touched her arm. Breathing in deeply she glanced from the floor up to Bill's face. He looked genuenly concerned for her and she had to admit, it was incredibly sweet. "Yes, but I -" Fleur stopped then as she realised that she was sounding like she was making excuses. She softened, a real smile now forming on her face. "Thank you" she said softly as she stood on her toes and lightly brushed her lips against his cheek. "I appreciate it."

Her silence was uncomfortable, if only for the sake that he didn't know her. She was a familiar face, but essentially a stranger, and here he was, caressing her arm in the middle of Diagon Alley, telling her that it was okay to be upset. It wasn't his place, yet his hand remained, and soon enough her lips were brushing over his cheek. Smooth, supple flesh that he'd never given himself permission to think about, sweeping over the line of his jaw. His next breath felt sharp, but in reality merely hitched low in his throat, rattling low along his sternum. Bill didn't feel experienced, and he didn't feel a single one of his years, just hopelessly dazed by such a small offering of affection. So he nodded, brushing his hand back down to elbow, trying to move, focusing on anything but his pounding heart. "You're welcome." You said something about a drink?

Fleur heard Bill's reaction, and in turn her stomach tightened as she looked up at Bill. She was rather surprised at her own reaction to the brief kiss. It had been a very innocent gesture, but the only thing she could think of was what would happen if he'd have turned his head. Swallowing hard, Fleur looked down at his hand on her arm, noticing just how close to one another they stood. She took another deep breath, trying to remind herself that Bill was a coworker and nothing more. Glancing toward the entrance, Fleur nodded her head in the direction of the pub. "Drinks?" She queried, not really wanting to give him the option to just go home.

When Fleur rested on the flat of her feet, some of the heady fog disappated. It receded from the edges of his vision, and when Bill spoke, his voice felt a pitch deeper, "Yes. A drink." He needed a drink, this was suddenly unbearably close. She was too young for the way his heart twisted, and certainly for the way something more primal lanced up the length of his legs. They didn't know each other. He released her arm, pulling open the door to let her pass, glad for the momentary distraction of such mundane movement.

Fleur let out a sigh of relief as Bill agreed to the drinks. Stepping apart, Fleur felt herself relax almost immediately. Walking toward the pub, Fleur headed inside, a few steps ahead of Bill. Pausing just inside the pub, Fleur glanced around the relative empty establishment for a place to sit. Seeing plenty of places, and therefore no need to rush to secure a spot, Fleur headed straight for the bar, to order her drink, a glass of house red.

She wasted no time, something that he appreciated. He rounded her, slipping up to the bar granting her some distance. It was impossible to ignore the few heads that turned to notice her, and it seemed that a wizard at the end of the bar had taken a salacious glance as he passed, nudging his friend brusquely, pointing, and then attempting to flag down the tender. Bill ordered both a shot of firewhiskey, and a stein of whatever the Leaky had on tap. Sliding forward enough money to cover both his drinks and Fleur's. "Where would you like to sit? I imagine you like windows."

Fleur didn't really notice the people staring. She was used to that by now and was generally quite good at tuning things out, it was when they started interrupting her that it became impossible. Glancing over at Bill, Fleur gave him a smile as he ordered additional shots and paid. "Ze window will be lovely," Fleur said, nodding in agreement as she picked up her glass of wine and a shot before making her way to one of the booths by the window. "Zere is no need to pay for me," Fleur said once they were seated, pulling out her purse. They were just enjoying drinks as coworker, and Fleur didn't want him to think she was taking advantage.


Bill nodded, trying to ignore the quick rush of embarrassment. She wasn't being rude, in fact quite the opposite. Perhaps since she'd asked, she wasn't interested in treating this like some sort of date, however it seemed to shake him in regards to dinner. Was she expecting that to merely be a meal between friends? It was uncertainty that he'd left behind in school, it seemed ironic that it was happening in the Leaky of all places. "I didn't feel obligated." The tender was busy, a few paces away, so he felt a small degree of comfort speaking to her. It had simply been second nature, if she'd been Griphook he'd have purchased the first round. He smiled though. "The window is perfect." He collected his stein with a nod to the tender, and accepted the difference in coin nonchalantly, slipping it back into his pocket.

Fleur smiled at Bill in thanks and tucked her purse away for the moment. "Fair enough, but I'll get ze next set of drinks, yes?" Fleur asked as she smiled at Bill. Leaning forward, Fleur picked up the shot and held it up, waiting for Bill. Fleur was never really the sort to drink hard liquor, preferring wines mostly, but there was nothing wrong with having the occasional hard drink. "Cheers."

"Deal." Bill lifted his own glass, unable to clink lest they spill the overflowing amber. "Cheers. To seeing London, yeah?" He grinned before knocking it back with a rather casual tilt of his head. He was curious to see how she'd react, unsure if she'd ever had hard drinks before. It was familiar, slinging back with such warmth that it felt like his insides were greedily pulling for more. While it burned, the trail was it's own uncontested pleasure.


"To the best tourguide I could ask for," Fleur said, nodding in agreement as she help up her shot glass, winked at Bill and tossed it back. Closing her eyes tightly, Fleur gasped as the liquid hit her tongue and throat. Placing the glass down on the table, Fleur straightened her neck but kept her eyes closed for a moment, as she felt the liquid burn it's way down her throat. After a few second, Fleur breathed out sharply and opened her eyes. "Wow."

Her gasp took him by surprise, and he abandoned the small glass on top of the bar, concerned by the small noise. There was no worry on her face, and while he saw traces of the burn, there was also the slow muted pleasures of the whiskey. Bill chuckled, rubbing her shoulder affectionately and calling for a water. "It's something, isn't it? Was that your first?" When the water came he let it rest in front of her. She seemed to be fine. "The ah- I'm not patronizing you, I just can't imagine that the whiskey and house red mesh well together."

Shaking her head as if to clear cobwebs, Fleur giggled softly, "Sorry, I was just surprised," Fleur said, blushing softly, though secretly pleased that he was rubbing her shoulders. Smiling at him, Fleur thanked him and then the bartender for the water. Taking a small sip, Fleur glanced back at Bill, unable to keep the blush from re-appearing on her cheeks. "Probably not. What do you theenk I should 'ave then?"


His grin turned indulgent, and his thumb brushed once more over her arm before picking up his stein. "Don't be sorry. That was impressive. I about turned green my first taste, my father nearly killed himself laughing." She slowly sipped. "If the water's very cold, you'll feel the strangest thing. It's soothing, especially when it gets to around here." Bill brushed his knuckles over his sternum. "Then, rather than the cool and warm fighting each other, they mingle. It's one of the strangest pleasures, something that I never think about really." At her question, he tipped his head toward the small table at the window. "If you drink just a few more gulps of the water, the whiskey taste should be gone enough for your red."

Fleur giggled again as Bill mentioned turning green. It wasn't her first time with a firewhiskey, but it most certainly was not something that Fleur drank regularly. She watched him trying hard not to laugh as he demonstrated the affects of water and firewhiskey. Nevertheless,she did as he suggested, hand moving to her chest as the cool liquid moved down her throat. "That's brilliant," Fleur said, her voice full of amusement. Taking another few sips of the water, Fleur glanced back at her glass of wine and then to Bill. "Shall we sit then?"


Something in his chest softened, adoring the way that she followed suit, trusting him implicitly, despite how silly or absurd it sounded. Her hand pressed along her sternum, and her tone turned breezy as she rode out the effects. "I'm glad you like it, and yes- sitting would be great." He moved smoothly between the tables, trying to ignore the way eyes seemed to dart in her direction. They prickled both his nerves and ire, and suddenly, he imagined it had to be quite invasive for her. She dealt with it every day. He sank into the chair with a quick groan, rubbing one hand over his face as the warmth from the whiskey seemed to reach his limbs.

"Great" Fleur said as she made her way through the pub past various tables to the one that they'd selected near the window. Heading to the table, Fleur sat down in her seat ad she reached out for her glass of wine. Fleur giggled as she noticed Bill's reaction. "Would you like some water?" Fleur teased, smiling at him. She took a sip of her wine and smiled.


He narrowed his eyes playfully from between his fingers, before sliding them from his features. "Teasing me?" Bill nudged out with his shoe, tapping her smaller foot. "Ordinarily I'm immune to it, but I'm definitely picking it up on my periphery." The stein was close, and quickly he took a small sip of the mead. It was bitter in the wake of the whiskey, and he pulled a face. "Actually yeah, water would be great, bugger all, blech." He returned the heavy glass to the table, laughing quite hard at explosive taste war happening in his mouth.

Watching the various looks of disgust cross Bill's face was entertaining to say the least. She giggled to herself as she drank her wine, smirking as he finally agreed to the water. "Maybe just a little," she said, teaching out to nudge his foot with hers in return. "It is easy when you pull those faces." Fleur said, grinning again.Picking up her glass of wine, Fleur took another sip to hide the giggle as she pushed what remained of her water glass forward. "You can have some if you like."

"Thank you." Slowly he reached out for her glass, taking a brief (but rather generous) gulp, letting the cool water slosh over his tongue, before sliding down his throat. He settled it back between them, nudging it back to her outstretched fingers. He examined her features for a moment, happy to be sitting with her, happier to be laughing and flirting with her, but for a moment, no words flew to the tip of his tongue. "I've wanted to talk to you for days, weeks even. I'm glad that I did." The sentiment came unbidden, but he went with it, knowing only that it was the truth.

They settled in to a short but comfortable silence, and Fleur smiled across at Bill as she took another sip of her drink. "Really?" Fleur asked, blinking in surprise at Bill's revelation. "I'm glad you did, I was hoping you would for weeks too," Fleur confessed, blushing again. She could have mentioned that she'd been wanting to since Hogwarts, but frankly she figured that would make her sound more like a stalk, and that would not go over well at all.

"Really." Her revelation too came as a surprise and his shoulders briefly shook with a humored laugh. "Now, I'm sorry that I didn't. I just- it seems that someone is always trying their best to catch your attention. I didn't want to bother you, or overstep, or any of the other half a dozen scenarios I envisioned, but obviously had no merit." It really was just a relief, and it melted the tension from his back. The blush had returned, and overwhelmingly, he wanted to smooth his knuckle over the appled cheek.


The blush didn't leave her cheeks as Bill spoke, though she smiled easily eyes gazing down at the table. "You don't bother me," she said before taking a large sip of her wine. She was finding that the more she drank, the happier she was feeling, it was certainly helping with the nervousness she'd been feeling earlier. "It's nice to have someone not try and convince you they own half of England," Fleur said, giggling softly.

"I'm glad." Bill sat back in his chair, relaxing entirely. His left leg rested against the wall, but stretched out comfortably infront of him, extending his foot all the way to her chair. Her next statement was absurd, and his dissolved entirely into laughter. "What? Own half of-?" He almost snorted, before leaning forward, a rakish grin uncurling. "I'd personally go for something more tropical."

Fleur was laughing as she tried to remember just who had said it. Truth be told, it was one of the very many ridiculous statements she'd heard at Hogwarts, though it was hardly the worst. "Oh yeah? I've always fancied a trip to ze Carribean." Fleur said, smirking as she leaned forward. "No outlandish fantasies zen?"

"Have you? Well, you're just in luck." He leaned further toward her, his elbows resting on the table. "I happen to own a map to the Carribean." Her smirk was a devilish little thing, and while he prepared himself for something what came out was nothing like he expected. Bill was far from scandalized, but he was shocked, and worked it off with a low chuckle. "You little scamp." He didn't move away, but merely let the moment simmer, content to flirt and play. "None that are appropriate given how little alcohol that I've consumed."

Leaning forward expectantly, waiting for Bill to respond. It took a second to sink in, but Fleur soon laughed, tossing her head back as genuine peals of laugher escaped her. Looking back at Bill, Fleur gave him an innocent look as she pretended not to understand why he was calling her a scamp. "Does zis mean something else in Eenglish?" Fleur asked, eyes sparkling. At the mention of alcohol, Fleur finished the rest of her wine and licked the droplets off her lower lip. "Zen per'aps you should get more alcohol?" Fleur suggested, looking up and toward the bar.

He ducked his head at her laugh, focusing for a moment at the way her hands held her glass, examining the graceful digits before meeting her eyes again. Her mock innocence for a moment completely fooled him, and he wondered if he'd simply blown passed a language barrier, before he remembered the devious little smirk. "I'm pretty sure that it means the same thing in most languages." He blinked once before continuing, "Although, if I misunderstood, feel free to correct me in anyway that you see fit." Soon enough her glass was empty, and he focused anywhere but the delicate pink tip of her tongue. "I still have this," Bill tapped the side of his stein. "But another whiskey might be in order."

Fleur smiled easily enough as Bill seemed confused. "Zere is still so much I need to learn to perfect my Eenglish," Fleur said, reaching out to lightly touch his arm. "I 'ope you can learn to be patient with me. " Fleur added, her eyes meeting Bill's. As the mention of the whiskey, Fleur nodded, she pushed back her seat. "I'll get zem zen," Fleur said as she slid out of her char and was off to purchase the shot before Bill could stop her.


The graze against his arm had been light, but it brushed over his skin, leaving a path of singing nerves as she passed. It was lovely, really, borne entirely of an connection between man and woman, and not Veela after mindless prey. A familiar touch, bringing back the first tenatitive days of any of his previous relationships, something had nothing to do with her beauty. He would have felt it with his eyes closed. "I'm already patient with you. Trust me, you haven't met all of my brothers, if you had, you wouldn't be worried a lick about my patience." When she pulled her hand back, Bill bent his fingers, deliberately dragging his knuckles against the smooth underside of her forearm. She was gone quickly enough, refusing to wait for coin from his pocket, making good on her promise that the second round was her purchase.

Fleur found that she rather liked the feel of his skin beneath her fingers, it was a nice feeling and the way that he smiled at her was even better. Lightly running her fingertips across his arm, she found herself giggling softly. "Are you? And 'ere I thought you might say that zere is no need for you to 'ave patience with me," Fleur teased, shaking her head. "Ah Bill, I am thinking you are not so good at zis flirting zing."

She'd considered lingering, but the bar was calling her, and Fleur needed to make sure to get over to the bar before Bill beat her to it. Walking toward the bar, Fleur resisted the strong urge to glance behind her to check whether Bill was looking at her arse, though she certainly hoped he was! Once she'd attained the shot and paid for them, Fleur walked back to the table and slid back into her chair. "Miss me?" she asked, as she pushed the shot toward Bill and gave him another smile.


Fleur was moving quickly, her silvery hair bouncing behind her with each deliberate step. There was temptation to look lower, to oggle her once her back was turned, but too quickly he noticed the looks of the older wizards at the bar, ready to catch another glimpse of her. Instead he waited, drinking from his stein, pretending he wasn't just a dirty old man (or a twenty-four year old one, at any rate). He heard the glass hit the table first, the only signal of her return, beside her cheerful voice. "I was just about to write you a letter, but I couldn't find anything to write with." He winked cheekily over the rim of his glass, before returning it to the tabletop. "Cheers."


Fleur had been a little disappointed to find that Bill wasn't looking in her direction as she waleked back to the table. Oh she'd felt various eyes on her as she walked, just not the ones she'd hoped. Fleur didn't have much time to analyse his behaviour as she was soon sitting down at the table. She laughed at the thought of Bill writing her a letter. "Cheers" Picking up her shot glass, Fleur waited for Bill to follow suit, then sipped it first before throwing it back.


Bill nodded appreciatively, throwing the shot back rather decisively. It temporarily numbed his lips, and when he pressed them briefly together, the pliant flesh tingled. "Back to that bit about fantasies..." He started expectantly. "You strike me as more of a cottage holiday rather than the Carribean."

Fleur pulled another face as the firewhiskey burned its way down her throat. She recovered quickly enough, and glanced up at Bill, smiling as he brought up the topic once more. "You're right, though I imagine zere are cottages in ze Carribean, no?" Fleur asked, not entirely sure whether or not that was actually true. "Besides, zere is some enjoyment to be 'ad from a day out on ze beach, no?"

Her pulled face was sweet, and he found his smile growing softer, appreciative of the fact that this girl went from Triwizard Tournament to grimacing at a drink. "Mm. I suppose, I might be ruined for sand for awhile, one of the only things I didn't like about Egypt, but I suppose with water, and the right company, it could be lovely." Her assertion that he'd been right twinged a small ounce of pride. "I just picture you in a cottage, sweater tucked over your knees with a book and a bottle of wine. It just... feels right, but then again, so does splashing about in the water."

Fleur laughed, understanding how one could no longer stand sand after so much of it. "Zat is becuase you 'ave been away from the seaside for far too long.You should go sometime before ze summer is over." Fleur said, thinking back to the various seaside visits she'd had when she was younger. "A good book, a bottle of wine, and the right company," Fleur corrected with an easy smile. It was funny, she could so easily picture what Bill was describing; with him.


He breathed in deeply, disbelieving how quickly he was ready to go to the beach simply because she expressed how much he should. "I'll tell you what, if you want me to find a seaside, I reckon that you should help me look." Bill was still resting his weight on his forearms and elbows, and for a moment, he thought the invitation was a touch too bold. He didn't withdraw it though. "The company always makes the holiday."

Fleur couldn't believe what she was doing, but she found herself leaning forward, her elbows resting on the table. "I'll help you look, if you take me with you," Fleur retorted, before she even realised what she was saying. It was out now though, and frankly Fleur wasn't going to apologise. Her friends would likely have called her mad for even hinting at any such thing when she wasn't even technically dating the bloke, but she couldn't help it; there was something about Bill Weasley that she'd been dying to get to know better ever since she first saw him all those months ago.

Once her elbows rested on the table's surface, tentatively Bill reached out, once again grazing her forearm with his knuckles. "I already told you, I have maps. The company was what I was looking for." Slowly he withdrew from her arm, wondering how he'd gone from chastizing himself for wanting to watch her sidle up to the bar, to inviting the girl on some beach holiday. "I suppose though, if you were with me, I wouldn't care if it was a pond or the ocean."

Fleur glanced down at her arm, smiling at the tender touch. "I weell try my best to be good company," Fleur vowed, a little disappointed to have him remove his hand. "Oh why is zat? Not planning on leaving the 'otel room?" Fleur asked, eyes dancing as she teased him. She was absolutely on her worst behaviour right now, but Fleur was finging it rather hard to curb her tongue. She was going to blame the whiskey, if he ever bothered to speak to her after tonight.


"I'm sure that you'll be just lovely, I haven't been this relaxed for drinks in ages." He rapped his fingers against the wooden table, but when she teased, he was shocked to feel the quick unfamiliar heat bloom over his cheeks. A blush, a blush. Bill nearly choked on his drink, returning it swiftly to the table. "I- ah... scamp, you are such a little..." He let out a little nervous chuckle. "Scamp."

That was absolutely adorable, Fleur decided. The way the blush creeped across his cheeks, it looked good on him. "Is zat not true?" Fleur asked, batting her eyelashes at him and giving his a questioning look. She waited for several seconds, just to see how he would react before reaching out to lightly touch his hand in a calming manner. "It's okay. I am merely, how do you say, pulling your arm?"

Even though she was joking, and her eyelashes were batting, he still felt the need to reassure her "No. No- I like you, I didn't even think about sleeping arrangments. That's not why I asked." The heat still felt like it was pulsing, but soon it ebbed. Her fingers were soothing the back of his hand, and he felt the tension melt from his back. "You pulled it, I mean, really pulled it." He reached up and squeezed her hand, delighting in how smooth her palm felt against his calloused fingertips. "Any time you get tired of carrying it around like a trophe, I'll take it back." The joke fell easier than the explanation, and soon he was grinning again.


Fleur's heart dropped to her stomach. Maybe she had been reading him wrong, maybe he didn't fancy her at all. She tried not too look disappointed as she glanced down at her fingers, which hadn't yet left his arm.It took her a moment to compose herself as she glanced back up at Bill. Fleur giggled at the thought of having taken his arm as a trophy. It was such an outrageous idea. "You can 'ave it back, I don't mind." Fleur said, giving his hand a light squeeze though not letting go just yet..

It looked like some of her mirth had wilted, and Bill turned her hand over to fully hold it, tracing his fingers lightly over her wrist. "Fleur? I didn't mean to offend you." There was something almost forlorn the way that she glanced down to her fingers, and Bill sighed. "Really, I don't mind the teasing, but I didn't want you to think that I only wanted to pull you away for some lost weekend. I haven't known you long at all, and if I say something stupid, tell me. I fancy you too much to push you away with a bad joke." Her joke was nearly spot on, and he squeezed her fingers appreciatively. "Thrown out like a piece of trash. This arm and I have been through a lot together. I'll have you know it's quite the catch."

Fleur bit her lower lip as Bill's fingers traced her wrist. "You fancy me?" Fleur asked blinking in surprise before gazing up at Bill, eyes widening in surprise. She'd heard most of what he'd said, but it was like this was the only thing she could not get her head atround. Sure, he'd been flirting, but he'd hardly reacted the way blokes tended to when they fancied her; in fact until now she just hadn't really been ale to place him. All of the rest of what he'd said was completely forgotten.

"The longer that we sit here, the more I do." He wasn't a stuttering teenager, and saying the words was not difficult. She'd accept them however she chose to, and someone like Fleur could handle being an object of fancy. "You don't need to worry about me, I'm a grown man. I can say it." Her hand hadn't moved from his, and tenderly he swept his thumb along the outer curve of her hand.

Her sour mood lifting almost immediately. Her breath caught in her throat as he admitted to liking her. Her heart was pounding fast as she tried to formulate the right words, anything that wouldn't make her sound completely rubbish. "Zat makes zis night a whole lot more interesting." Fleur said, managing a calm smile as her eyes dipped to their hands for a moment. "Zen I am theenking, it would only be fair to tell you I fancy you too."

"Yeah, I suppose it really did." Her small declaration sent his head spinning, that someone he felt so strongly for, someone who exuded some deep radiance, fancied him in return. "That is very fair. In the interest of disclosure, I should probably tell you that my heart feels like it's beating faster than wings on a snitch." Bill took a quick drink, using his free hand, at loathe to relinquish the small grip on her hand. The moment was surreal, and it weighted him like an anchor.

Fleur was biting her lower lip to keep from grinning like an idiot. All of this time she'd just assumed he didn't behave like the rest because he simply had no interest in her. Now it was clear that he was just different. Fleur smiled as she leaned forward so she could whisper to Bill. "Mine does too," she said, blushing softly, This was feeling unbelievable, like she was floating above her body, watching herself and Bill. "What should we do about zis?"

"Well, I say that we finish our drinks, and if we want, order another round. Then we have dinner on Friday, and go from there." He was quite infatuated with her, and she said she felt the same way, but that didn't necessarily change anything. They still knew so little about one another, they just had gotten the messy confession part out of the way, except it hadn't been messy at all. "Take it one day at a time." He'd wanted to say 'take it slow', but wasn't sure quite how possible that was. There was an undeniable, heady attraction, and in the alley, when her lips brushed over his cheek, he'd nearly fallen apart. He'd never felt that way before, and as exhilarating as it was, it was also quite frightening. "What do you reckon we should do?"