So this is a new story I've had in my harddrive for months... So I guess it's not new... Anyway, I don't own Harry Potter. I do, however, own the characters that are original - Juliana, Josey, the healers, etc (You get the idea). I also own the plot. If you're going to use, get permission from me, please? I'd really appreciate it!

Molly insisted I eat dinner with them, and she convinced Josey to talk me into it as well. I was quiet, participating in the conversation if directed. Charlie had Portkeyed in from Romania for the summer, using the accumulated time off for his brother's wedding and the war. I mostly talked to him, shamelessly flirting to get my emotions off my chest.

But he took it a little too literally, I think. Or too much to heart. When Josey went to grab her shoes, Charlie pulled me aside in the hall, "Can I sneak in?"

I gave him a little laugh, "I have work tomorrow."

"We won't be up too late," Charlie promised.

I shook my head, patting his arm, "Charlie, I'm sorry, but... I just can't. I..."

"You still like Bill," Charlie finished.

I hesitated, "I'll bring her back tomorrow, same time. My shift ends at four, though, so tell Mrs. Weasley she doesn't have to worry about dinner again. But I'll see you then."

He sighed and stepped away, allowing me to catch up with Josey and head home.

The routine continued for the first two weeks. Bill made amazing progress in his recovery, and Fleur only visited one more time in that time. Bill wasn't animated anymore, didn't openly offer conversation. That all became strikingly obvious to me when I handed him the Evening Prophet one night before I left.

"Thought you'd like to see Puddlemere's score," I said quietly.

He nodded and just took the paper, setting it on the nightstand without a word, nor glance.

"Bill," I tried.

"What's for dinner tonight?"

"The elves are making roast beef," I sighed. "Potatoes or noodles?"

"Potatoes, please," he admitted, sitting up and lounging on the back of his headboard. His facial bandages had been removed for good earlier today and not as many bandages wrapped around his arm and torso.

I stood there a moment, seeing if he wanted to say more, but nodded. "I'll bring it to you before I leave."

He just nodded and went back to staring at the curtain door like he was expecting the French tart to arrive.

On my way back to his room, with his dinner, I nearly ran into Fleur, who was talking to him.

"- I cannot continue zis, Beel," she was saying.

"Because of Greyback," Bill must have repeated. I eased into the room quietly and placed the tray of food before him. He barely spared a glance at me. "You can't marry me because I was attacked?"

"Non!" she insisted. "I cannot marry you becauzz I cannot marry... someone as..."

"Disfigured?" Bill threw in bitterly, his hand gripping the fork tightly and playing with the meal. I stopped at the curtains, waiting for him to stab the tart in the face. I wouldn't stop that.

Fleur was quiet as I made myself busy aimlessly flipping through the chart. Eavesdropping was bad, but I at least made it look like I wasn't. Nine years on my belt to practice professionally, and seven more in school.

"Oui," she said finally. "I am a beautiful woman, Beel. I want to marry a beautiful man. And you are not beautiful anymore."

I raised an eyebrow, blinking in shock. He liked this girl? This floozy? She was a cold-hearted woman that was so absorbed in her looks she didn't care what he thought.

"Fleur," Bill said slowly. "I'm still Bill."

"But you are not beautiful," her thick accent insisted. "Goodbye, Bill."

And she stood, giving me a raised eyebrow as I looked up, and passed out into the hall. I finished taking my 'notes' and folded up the folder, glancing at Bill. A very expensive engagement ring was clasped in his fingers and he was staring at it in disbelief.

"I've spent two years," he said slowly, "being tricked by Veela magic."

"If that was the only way she could hold onto you," I said slowly, "than you didn't deserve her."

He glanced at me, giving me a wry smile that stretched his forming scars, "If only it were that simple."

I gave a small smile back, "My shifts over. I'll see you tomorrow. And I don't want you going a single spot. Mrs. Weasley's bringing cookies."

He nodded, "See you."

"And if the tart's at the Burrow... I'll give her a peice of my mind," I added, giving him a secretive smirk. He gave a tiny smile to that.

"I don't need you fighting my battles."

"Ah, but it's not your battle. I just have a lot of pent up anger I feel will be fair to take out on her."

"You better tell Charlie to memory record it, then," Bill made me promise.

"I will," I laughed. He chuckled back and I left with a small wave, checking on a sleeping Jason, before apparating to the Burrow.

Sure enough, Fleur was there, having tea with Molly.

She glanced up when I came in the back door and frowned, "What are you doing 'ere?"

"I am picking up Josey," I said stiffly. "What are you doing here?"

"I live 'ere..." she said slowly.

"No," I corrected. "You don't. You live in France with your floozy friends and your conceited parents that rely on only their Veela magic for love."

She slammed the cup down and spun to face me, "'ow dare you say zat to me!"

"I will say whatever I want to you," I spat. "I'm not the one that's mooching off your ex-fiancee's parents!"

"I am not 'mooching'," she gasped.

"Then what are you doing here?" I demanded.

"Juliana," Molly interrupted whatever she was going to say. "Are you alright? You do know Fleur lives here since Bill's been in the hospital..."

"Yes, I do," I replied to her calmly. My eyes flashed as I saw the smug smile on the French's face, "Except, she's not Bill's fiancee anymore. She broke up with him because of his attack. She can't 'marry someone as disfigured' as Bill," I quoted. Molly glanced at Fleur to see the shocked look in Fleur's eyes. "How dare you say that to him! Bill doesn't deserve you! You deserve no one because no one wants to have a conceited brat that only cares about her good looks and a handsome husband."

"Zat is all zat matters," she insisted.

"That's where you're wrong," I snapped. "Bill may not have the best looking face in the world anymore, but he still has his personality and himself. You don't need looks. You don't need beauty or money." I gestured at her, "You don't need designer clothes. You put a bad name on love. And you put a bad name on France. Using your Veela magic to attract Bill to you? Are you mad?"

She looked offended, "I only deed vat Beel asked of me!"

"He doesn't deserve to be tricked into love!" I insisted, my temper rising. "No one does. Bill is the sweetest, funniest, and most considerate man I know and you took full advantage of that."

"I do not need you to tell me vat to do een my mozzer in law's kitchen!" she snapped.

"She's not even your mother in law," I cried, giving a disbelieving laugh. "I sat in that hospital room and watched as you broke up with Bill and gave that ring back to him." She glanced down at her hands and seemed to realize that it was no longer with her. That she had no way to disprove what I was saying. "He's heartbroken that you'd do that to him. That you'd break up with him because you... you couldn't overlook his scars!"

"Eet is none of your business," she insisted to me.

"But it is mine," Molly interrupted before I could retort. "Fleur, is she telling the truth?"

"I am not going to be interrogated like zome criminal!" Fleur gasped, her glare turning to me. "Eef you zink Bill is so great, zan you marry 'im!"

I immediately backed down, "I... That's not what I'm saying. I just can't believe-"

"I knew eet!" she gave a humorless laugh. "You love 'im. You are his 'ealer and nozzing more. You never will be anyzing more!"

I set my jaw, "As a matter of fact," I said slowly, making sure she could hear me. "He knows I'm here, he knows I'm giving you this conversation, and he gave me full approval as long as he could review it in Charlie's memories later."

"Don't worry, Jules, I got this," I heard Charlie say from the doorway.

I gave a small smirk at that.

"You still weel never be anyzing to 'im. You are nozzing."

"Enough," Molly snapped. "Fleur, is this true?"

"Oui, but she brought eet up before I could tell you," Fleur defended herself.

"You left the hospital an hour ago," I muttered under my breath.

"Yes, and you've been here for an hour," Molly agreed. "When were you going to tell me?"

"Zis ees unfair," Fleur insisted in a haughty tone. "I am going 'ome." She pointed her finger at me, "Watch your back, 'ealer."

"Only if you watch yours," I muttered as she passed me.

When she left I let out a huff of hot air and immediately blushed as Molly rounded on me, "Right, um, sorry for ruining tea?" I tried.

She waved it away, "Oh, it's alright, dear. Now, are you staying for dinner?"

"I'd love to, but I have a trial for my father in a few hours at the Ministry. I just came to get Josey and get her home before-"

"Nonsense," Molly insisted. "You go on. Josey's okay here, right, Josey?" The thirteen year old girl was beside Charlie and she gave a squeak at being addressed.

"Mrs. Weasley, uh-"

"If she doesn't object then I will be back at nine..." I hesitated. "But I don't want to put you on the spot, Mrs. Weasley. Really, it's fine to take her to my flat."

"Nonsense," Molly insisted. "Now would you like some potato salad with your meal?"

"Uh... whatever you make is fine, Mrs. Weasley," I responded.

"Good, now off you go, dear," she waved me into the living room where Charlie, the twins, and Josey were seated.

"Man, I am so showing Bill that memory tomorrow," Charlie told me. "That was classic."

"I hate her," I insisted. "She's a... a horrid excuse for a woman."

"Or do you hate her because your man's got the hots for her?"

I glowered at the twins, "Bill is not my man."

The twins looked at each other, smirking, "Denial."

Charlie thumped them on the back of the head, making me smile slightly, "Bill's not mine. Nor will he ever be. You and I both know that ship sailed long ago."

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Lots of love,
Anastasia