A/N: Bill and Tonks meet up at the Ministry's Annual Ball. Bill/Tonks. AU. RxR. FxF. I do not own Harry Potter.
Submission for:
Hogwarts Casino 2014 Challenge/Competition: Raffle Ticket - 'eternity'
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments): Speed Drabble
The "As Many As You Want" Competition: lips, shiver, eternity, dance, first
Bill had been invited to this stupid ball by his boss's invitation. He stood against the wall with a glass of whiskey in his hand as he watched the couples spin around on the dance floor. Dancing really wasn't his thing and he couldn't wait until it was late enough that he could escape without looking too bad.
"This party really is a snorefest, isn't it?" a woman laughed she came to stand beside him. "Don't watch, it will be over soon. I'm waiting for the host to send us on our way."
He smiled at the newcomer and pulled her in for a tight hug. "Hey Tonks," he said. Currently, her hair was bright blue to match her midnight blue dress. He took a deep breath in and could smell the faint aroma of wood and ?. Tonks was definitely not a girly girl, so he wouldn't have expected anything less. But that was part of her charm.
She pulled away and smiled up at him, "Wotcher, Bill. What brings you here?"
Bill rolled his eyes and said, "Boss extended me and invitation. Couldn't say no if I wanted to keep my job."
She laughed and said, "Well I'm glad you did. I'm happy I have someone interesting to talk to." They stood against the wall just chatting like old friends, but Bill couldn't help the naggling feeling in the back of his head that wished that could have been more than that. Tonks was fun to be around, laid back, a laugh and a half and definitely pretty. She was just so interesting and she had the best stories. And she was just so awkwardly clumsy that he found it adorable.
He was just about to say something flirty, just to see her laugh at his feeble attempts, when the orchestra changed their tune into a slow waltz. He looked out onto the ballroom floor and had a brilliant idea. He held out his hand to her and said, "May I have this dance, milady."
She giggled as he wanted and then said, "I know you hate dancing, Bill."
Bill then flashed a wicked grin, "Well then I'll make an exception for you." He then grabbed her hand before she could protest and pulled her towards the middle of the ballroom.
They got lost among the swaying bodies and in the slow rhythm of the song. They started off with a few inches between their bodies, Bill laughing at another one of Tonks' famous stories, but somehow they found themselves closer with Tonks head on his chest. The conversation had stopped and Bill was just enjoying their rocking, her body against his and her hand on his shoulder. It felt like they stayed that way for all eternity. With her head against his chest, he was just she could hear his rapid heartbeat, but she made no mention of it. The song ended and they separated a bit. Bill was sad to hear it end. Tonks looked over to the side and said, "Follow me."
She pulled him off the dance floor and out onto the balcony that was attached to the main ballroom. She walked straight to the railing and looked out into the night sky. He walked up to her and placed his jacket on her exposed arms. She looked him gratefully as he said softly, "You're shivering."
She bit her lip and said, "Thank you for turning this night into one of the best I've ever had."
He smiled back and pulled her close, "No thank you." He looked deep into her eyes and made the quick decision to lean in. He paused just a moment to gauge her reaction but she wasn't upset or scared. She closed her eyes as well and they met in the middle, her soft lips on his. They shared their first kiss under the stars on the balcony of the Ministry's Annual Ball. This memory would be imprinted in his mind for all eternity.
