Prompt: Casablanca (#99)
November Cold
Fleur was inconsolable and everywhere he looked, all he saw were Casablanca lilies. Bill wasn't sure why, but it was Fleur's way of dealing with the loss.
They had yet to tell anybody. This too was Fleur's decision. She couldn't face the shame and he supposed, she was still struggling to accept what had occurred.
For his part, Bill was hurt, but he was more lost. His excitement and happiness had all been tinged with concern and fear. And while a part of him was there with Fleur, willing to answer to her every beck and call, another part of him was with Luna.
His little Luna, all alone with their burden, a burden he was supposed to help her carry.
There were so may times that he wanted to run to Hogwarts and visit her, but he couldn't. He couldn't even write her, not under Fleur's ever watchful eyes.
Something told him she suspected.
He never was able to tell her the truth and Bill was willing to admit that he had been a coward. He'd had every intention of telling her, not knowing the outcome but willing to accept whatever Fleur decided.
What he had not expected was to be met with the news that Fleur too was pregnant. And in the face of her happiness, and her trepidation that he might be displeased, Bill had buckled. He'd crumpled up like a piece of paper in the flames and kept his mouth shut about Luna and the baby.
He couldn't help feeling that perhaps, he deserved this pain. For being dishonest, for leaving Luna on her own, for betraying Fleur.
But Bill couldn't understand why Fleur had to pay his price. It simply didn't seem fair and he wasn't sure how he'd ever be able to live with himself again.
TBC...
