Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.
Chapter 29
Millicent's POV
"Vic, what are you doing here?" Millicent asked as Victoire suddenly appeared in her fireplace.
Victoire gave her a sad look, "We need to talk."
Millicent looked over at Kevin. "I'll give you two some time alone," he said as he kissed her forehead and left the room.
Victoire climbed into the bed and took the space that Kevin had just vacated. Millicent didn't know what to say, she was partly angry at Kevin for telling Victoire about her situation but was glad that it was finally out. The next moment, Victoire had reached over and pulled her in for a tight hug. Millicent suddenly felt herself cry for the first time since finding out that her father had passed.
"I can't believe he's gone Vic," Millicent sobbed. Her friend continued to brush her hair as she held her, trying to sooth her cries.
"And I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye," she continued.
"Well, at least you were able to spend time together at your wedding," Victoire offered.
Millicent felt a lump growing in her throat, if it hadn't been for her friend, she didn't know if she would have allowed her father to stay. This made her feel even sadder. "I just can't believe he's gone," she croaked.
For one reason or another, all the hate she had previously held for her father had disappeared. She no longer resented him for leaving and now desperately wished she had gotten to known him further. From the small conversations she had with him at her wedding, she could see herself in him; and despite everything, she loved him. "He knew he was dying, that's why he came to see me. He and Mum had been spending time together for a while before they came here for the wedding." Millicent said.
Victoire nodded. "I just wished he'd come sooner," Millicent finished. For the rest of the night, Millicent stayed in bed with Victoire. Kevin had agreed to sleep on the couch since he didn't want to disturb them and Millicent was now as grateful as ever that Kevin had decided to tell Victoire the truth.
The next morning, Millicent woke up with an empty bed. When she entered the kitchen, Kevin and Victoire were already eating breakfast. "Morning," Millicent whispered, her voice still hoarse from crying all night.
"Morning honey," Kevin responded.
Millicent reached the table and bent down to kiss her husband. She then turned to Victoire, "Vic, do you think I can have some time off? I want to go to France again to make sure my Mum's okay and to…" She felt herself welling up a bit from thinking of her father again.
Victoire immediately stood up and hugged her before assuring her that she could take as much time off as she needed. When Victoire had to leave for work, Millicent promised her that she would try to get back as soon as possible.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Kevin asked as he cleared the dishes.
Millicent shook her head, "No, it's fine. I can go alone this time. You should stay here."
"Are you sure? I can take a week off from work," Kevin suggested.
"I'm sure. You've already came to the funeral with me, there's no need this time," Millicent said. Kevin nodded and swooped down to kiss her before he too left for work.
Victoire's POV
Victoire had thoroughly enjoyed her long weekend, especially yesterday at the beach with Teddy. But today, she had to get back to work; with Millicent gone once again, she would have to do more work.
A week had passed and she still hadn't received any word from Millicent. She suspected that her friend was just spending time with her family. Victoire didn't want to impede her family affairs so she didn't call either. Besides, Millicent probably kept in contact with Kevin; if she got really worried, she could always ask him if he'd heard any news from her.
One afternoon as Victoire was returning from lunch, she spotted an owl from outside the window. She immediately let it in, hoping that no one had seen it. At first, she thought it might have been from Millicent but when she opened it, she knew it wasn't. To her surprise, it was from Leon.
Dear Victoire,
Comment allez-vous? It has been a while since we have talked but I thought it would be nice to let you know that I met Millicent the other day. We have been talking and she told me about her father. I asked her how you were doing but she said she did not want to impose on our relationship and suggested I owl you myself. You once said that we could be friends, I hope this is still true and that you don't burn this letter before you read it. Anyways, I was just talking to Millicent the other day on how nice it would be to have a reunion; you should definitely come for a visit soon.
À bientôt,
Leon
Victoire read the letter once more before folding it up. She had almost forgotten that Leon and Millicent had gone to the same school. It seemed like a lifetime ago that the three of them attended Beauxbatons. And although Victoire had forgiven Leon, she hadn't given their friendship much thought until now. She supposed it would be good to visit France again; she could make due on that promise to see her parents and surely, Millicent wouldn't mind if she were to check up on her as well.
"How do you feel about coming to France with me?" Victoire asked.
Teddy looked up at her with a smile, "Well that was sudden. What's this about?"
"Well, I was just thinking that I should visit my parents, and maybe check on Millie," Victoire said, she decided to leave out the part with Leon.
"Hmm, I suppose I could go for a week," Teddy replied.
Victoire clapped her hands together, "Great! This can be our first trip as a couple."
Teddy chuckled, "Let me check with my boss first, before you go celebrating."
Victoire pouted at Teddy for ruining her mood but was soon back to her elatedness when Teddy came home from work the next day and told her he'd taken a week off. "You're going to love it!" Victoire exclaimed. "And as I recall, the last time you were there, you must have been around twelve."
"Don't remind me," Teddy said.
Victoire furrowed her brow, "Why not?"
"Because soon after, we lost touch," Teddy said as he placed her on his lap.
Victoire turned to face him and placed her arms around his neck before resting her lips next to his ear. "But we found each other again," she whispered in a husky voice.
She watched as Teddy shivered, "If you keep talking like that, I can't be responsible for what I'm going to do in the bedroom."
Victoire smirked. "Ted-dy," she said in the same seductive voice, tempting him further. The next moment, she felt herself being picked up by Teddy as he walked towards the bedroom.
Teddy's POV
Teddy stood nervously as Victoire rang the doorbell. He hadn't seen Bill Weasley for years but he was sure he was going to be a lot less friendly now that Teddy was dating his little girl. Not that Victoire was little anymore, but Teddy doubted Bill Weasley would discriminate when it came to his daughter.
"Why do you look so nervous Teddy?" Victoire asked as they waited for someone to answer the door.
Teddy smiled nervously, "What if you parents don't like me?"
"Don't worry Teddy, they love you. Besides, it's not like they know we're together," she said, suddenly regretting the last part.
"What?" Teddy asked, looking at her incredulously. "You haven't told them about us?" he pointed between them.
Victoire looked at him apologetically, "I didn't know how to tell them in a letter."
"But…" Teddy started but was cut off when the door finally swung open, revealing a beautiful blonde woman who looked just like Victoire.
"Mon cherie!" Fleur cried as she hugged Victoire. Once Victoire had hugged her, the older woman turned her attention to him.
"Teddy, 'ow good to see you. I 'ave not seen you since you were zis tall," Fleur said as she tried to gesture Teddy's height when he was twelve. And before he knew it, she had engulfed him in a hug; equally as inviting as the one she had given her daughter.
"Maybe, this won't be as bad as I thought," Teddy thought to himself. But as soon as he saw Bill, Victoire's father, he had second thoughts. The man's face had aged since the last time Teddy saw him and made him look even more intimidating if that was even possible. Although Bill had given him a warm welcome as well, Teddy wasn't sure how hospitable they were going to be when they found out he was dating Victoire.
After the initial pleasantries, Fleur had told Victoire to bring him upstairs to set up while she finished dinner. Teddy looked around in awe, absorbing the regal environment that was the Delacour mansion. He appreciated the architecture and paintings far more as an adult then as he was as a child. The French influence was a nice contrast from the concrete New York.
When Teddy saw that Victoire had led them to her room, he frowned. "Vic, I don't think it's a good idea if we stay in the same bedroom. Your dad won't like it when he finds out we're dating."
Victoire smiled coyly. "Which is why I didn't tell him," she said as she reached for his neck before pulling him down for a kiss.
The kiss was intoxicatingly addicting but Teddy pulled back, "I'm serious Vic. I don't want your dad to kill me, or worst hate me."
Victoire giggled, "You need to sort out your priorities."
"Exactly, if I'm dead, then that's that. But if he doesn't kill me, he'll probably hate me. And I'll have to live knowing that I can't be with you," he replied, surprised at how smooth that sounded.
Victoire seemed to have agreed and stared at him a bit teary eyed. "That's so touching," she said in a joking tone but he could tell that she was honestly swayed by his speech.
Teddy gave her one more look before she gave in. "Fine, you can take the guest room, instead of staying here with me," she pouted.
Teddy shook his head with a smile, he had to give it to her for trying; truthfully, he was quite tempted and was about ready to give in but he couldn't tell her that.
When Fleur came up to tell them dinner was ready, she was surprised that Teddy was in the guest room. "Oh I zought you would be rooming togezer like old times," she said.
Teddy watched as Victoire looked down at her feet, a sign that she was nervous about saying something. This was it, Teddy thought, she was going to tell them. "Maman, we should go downstairs now," Victoire said as she pushed her mother out the door and downstairs.
He followed closely behind and when he reached the dining room, he was in awe again for the second time today. It was no surprise Victoire was an excellent cook, she took after her mother. It took much effort for him to keep his salivary glands in check and not drool all over the expensive rug.
"Everything looks wonderful Fleur," Bill said as he reached to kiss his wife.
"Oui, now let's eat," Fleur said as she gestured for Teddy and Victoire to sit as well.
Throughout dinner, the conversations were kept casual. Bill had asked him about his job and how the rest of the family were doing while Fleur spoke to Victoire. By the time dinner was finished, Victoire still hadn't brought up anything about their relationship. Teddy was beginning to lose hope.
When Fleur bought in the chocolate soufflé, Teddy saw Bill's eyes light up. Just as he started to dig into his dessert, Victoire had spoken up, "I have something to say."
Bill looked disgruntled at the fact that he would now have to wait until Victoire said what she had to say before eating his dessert but put down his fork nonetheless to listen more intently. Victoire cleared her throat before taking Teddy's hand, which was currently lying on the table.
"Teddy and I are dating," Victoire had blurted out. Victoire was now looking at everyone but Teddy only had eyes for one person in the room, Bill Weasley. He was almost sure he saw Bill's jaw clenched slightly when Victoire had dropped the bomb but the older man had stayed silent for what seemed like an eternity.
Fleur, who had noticed the awkward silence, bless her, finally spoke up. "Well, zat is very nice Victoire. I always zought you and Teddy would make a good couple," she said while eyeing her husband as if telling him to agree.
Finally, Bill spoke. "Yeah, I suppose," he mumbled.
"Oui, let us 'ave our soufflé before it falls apart," Fleur suggested. Bill immediately picked up his fork and started eating. Teddy could see him visibly relax and at that moment, he realized why Victoire had held off telling them until dessert. Teddy had learned, Bill Weasley had an obvious weakness to his wife's chocolate soufflé.
Teddy let out a deep breath, counting his lucky stars that he hadn't been hexed yet. He turned to look at Victoire and she smiled at him with a shrugged before digging into her own soufflé.
Teddy could now see why Bill Weasley had such an affinity for his wife chocolate soufflés, they were simply divine. After hurdling over the awkward confession, they four of them had enjoyed the rest of the night peacefully, much to Teddy's surprise. Bill even pulled him aside to tell him that he was glad Victoire had found someone like him but didn't hesitate to threaten him like Teddy had already suspected.
"I told you there was nothing to worry about," Victoire said as they sat on the couch enjoying some tea.
Teddy rolled his eyes and chuckled, "Easy for you to say, you weren't the one getting the death stares."
Victoire swatted his arm before he caught her wrist and pulled her in for a kiss. Almost immediately, he heard a stern "ahem." He and Victoire snapped their heads to look behind them and saw that Bill was staring at them. Teddy could see the blush on Victoire's cheeks behind her curtain of blonde hair while he attempted to morph his own blush when he felt his cheeks getting warm.
When Bill finally left after getting scold by his wife to leave them alone, Teddy and Victoire broke into a fit of laughter.
A/N: Yay, more family interaction! I always love it when we go back to the roots of the Weasley family (did anyone pick up the Ron reference?). I know it's only Bill and Fleur but I love them and they're one of my favorite ships. But who knows, maybe Harry and Ginny will make an appearance soon as well *hint hint*. Anyways, I know this is another happy chapter but drama will soon ensue again. I'm not exactly done with Teddy and Victoire so no happy ending just yet.
