So, it's been a while since I've written romance. I've recently become quite fond of this pairing and I hope I did them justice!
This is a gift for Anna (colourful swirls). I hope you like it :)
The Hogwarts grounds were unnaturally quiet. An air of trepidation and grief hung about the place. It was a lovely day outside but only a few students were milling about and even they spoke only in hushed tones. All of them were heading towards the lake where a few hundred chairs and a large marble table had been set up.
Across the lake, in the shade of the big beech tree, Bill and Fleur sat close to each other.
"Eet is too beautiful a day for a funeral," Fleur sniffed.
"I know," Bill sighed. He put his arm around his fiancée and let her cuddle closer. "It's worse that it's Dumbledore's funeral."
"I wanted to invite him for ze wedding," Fleur said dejectedly. "'E was always kind to us Beauxbatons students even though we were so rude to 'im and 'is students."
Bill hesitantly turned to face her at the mention of the wedding. He looked nervous. "Fleur - I - are you sure about the wedding?"
"Of course I am!" she interjected. "I love you, Bill! I want to marry you. I 'ave told you ten times already. I don't care 'ow you look. I don't care about ze scars." She smiled slightly. "Eef I wanted to marry someone just for zair looks, I would've found better looking men in France," she joked.
Bill gave her a mock offended look. His lips twitched upward for a second before he sighed resignedly. "It's not just the scars, Fleur. You saw how dangerous the Death Eaters are and what they can do when Dumbledore isn't around. You've no idea what You-Know-Who is capable of. Now that Dumbledore's gone, we're not safe. You're in the Order because of me. I had no business dragging you into this war. You would be safe in France. If - if you were to go back, if you didn't marry me, you wouldn't be connected to us. You'd be safe."
Fleur stared at him. "Are you telling me," she began, "after all of zis, you don't want to marry me anymore?"
He looked into her bright blue eyes. They were full of hurt and confusion. It pained him to be saying this. "Sweetheart, you have no idea how much I want to marry you. You don't know what it means to me that you still want to marry me. But I love you too much to let you get hurt. If you're here, you'll be in danger. On top of that there's my werewolf problem. You don't know what it's like -"
"Zen I will learn," Fleur interrupted. She glared at him. "I'll learn what I do not know. I don't want to leave you Bill. I cannot sit in France wondering eef you are safe? I'm not weak or stupid. I will learn how to cope with any werewolf symptoms; how to make your steak rare or to ease your pain on full moon nights. I'll learn what I must to be safe and to keep you safe too."
Bill gaped at her for a full minute before sweeping her into a hug and kissing her passionately. When they finally broke apart, Bill looked into her eyes. "I love you, Fleur Delacour. I'll do everything I can to keep you safe."
"I know," she murmured. She traced the scars on his face gently. "You've already proved 'ow far you'll go to protect ze ones you love. We'll learn 'ow to get through zis too."
Bill nodded. "We'll learn together."
In my head, this is the first time they've really talked about the wedding after the Hospital Wing scene with Mrs. Weasley. Bill comes across as a very cool person in the books but I've always thought he must have been at least a little insecure and guilty about having Fleur stay in a country on the brink of war when she could be safe at home.
Anyway, do review and tell me what you thought about this :) Is my romance writing a bit rusty? Was anyone OOC? Was it too big for a drabble :P ? Do let me know!