Chapter 28: Fleur's friend
At breakfast next day, notes were given out to all fourth to seventh years.
"Look at that! 'Everyone having a boy- or a girlfriend must come into the Great Hall tonight for some special information!' I don't think that this will be very funny", complained Ron.
Harry and Ginny had a feeling that this 'special information' had something to do with their school skipping. Hermione however looked quite alarmed. "I think I know what they're going to tell us!"
And Hermione should be proven right. In the evening, along with Ron, Ginny and Harry, she went into the Great Hall, where instead of the four house tables, were many small tables. The four of them occupied two tables next to each other. More and more couples came into the Hall. They were soon joined by Luna and Neville, Seamus and Lavender; and Hannah and Ernie. Harry also noticed Draco Malfoy being there, accompanied by Pansy Parkinson.
At half past eight, the hall was filled with students.
Fleur Delacour, their Potions teacher, entered the room and carried a pile of cheats. She looked extremely uncomfortable and waved her hands around nervously.
"Good evening to all of you. Mr. Dumbledore 'as asked me to ehm… to provide you some information about relationships."
"So I was right, it is about sexual education then", whispered Hermione to Ron, who's ears reddened furiously.
"As there are so many of you, I suggested getting some 'elp from a friend of mine." With a mysterious look, she went into a small room behind the High Table. An instant later she was back with her friend, although he had to be pushed into the Hall, rather than volunteer to help her facing this problem.
"No Fleur, you can't –", the young man startled.
He stopped; looking at all the students and shut his mouth. He was a tall handsome man, with long red hair tied back in a ponytail. He wore an earring with a fang dangling from it and his clothes looked like he had just been at a rock concert.
"Bill!" gasped Ginny and Ron. Bill saw them, then looked reproachfully at Fleur.
"You should've told me that my brother and sister would be here tonight! I can't do this, not when they are here", he argued and wanted to leave. But Fleur grabbed his arm and held him back.
"Bill, you promised me! Please you must 'elp me", she asked pleadingly.
He sighed though slightly panicking. "Alright, but stop looking at me like that" and he gave in. Fleur beamed at him, and then turned towards the students. "This is Bill Weasley; he'll be my assistant this evening."
Ron and Ginny exchanged scared looks. This wasn't going to be very funny at all. Fleur explained them the precautions they had to take if they took a further step in their relationships, while Bill distributed the cheats Fleur had brought along. Fleur became less nervous and chose the words very carefully. She only hoped that the students would understand the importance of the topic.
"Now, if zere are any questions, feel free to ask either Bill or me. We'll try and help you!" said Fleur.
A seventh year boy apparently had an urgent question and called Bill to him. Bill scowled at Fleur for making him suffer like this, but she just grinned impishly at him. After some more or less embarrassing incidents, they finished the session. Fleur told them to ask her about a problem, whatever it would be.
Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione stayed behind, while the other students left the hall.
"Bill, what the hell are you doing here?" asked Ron surprised.
"Well…ehm… I was just… I could ask you the same question", he replied. He looked at the four of them and his eyes widened. Then he looked at Fleur and she nodded. The expression on Bill's face changed from bafflement into delight.
"I see. Ron and Hermione that was about time you two made up your minds!" He grinned at them. "And who would've thought that my little sister got herself a boyfriend too?" Harry and Ginny blushed, but Bill kept smiling. "Now, I think it's time to reveal a little secret to you. May I present? My girlfriend, Fleur." He took Fleur's hand and beamed at them.
Ron's mouth hung open as he heard that.
"Does mum already know?" asked Ginny. Bill nodded and told her that Fleur and he were already a couple for eight months.
"But our mother never told me about anyone of you…"
"How could she? She doesn't know yet" admitted Ron silently.
Bill and Fleur sat down with them and wanted to know how they had become couples. After finishing with these stories, it was Bill's time to tell them about his relationship with Fleur.
"One hot summer day in June…"
…Mr. Weasley came home from work, telling his family that Fleur Delacour was applying for the post to be Defence against the Dark Arts teacher in Hogwarts.
"Isn't she that girl from the Triwizard Tournament? From Beauxbâtons?" asked Molly Weasley.
"Yes, that's her" confirmed Mr. Weasley. Bill had also been home at this moment, because Gringotts didn't have any missions for him and he was no real help for the Order. His father saw the boredom of his son and asked him to accompany him to the office the next day, in order to help him with the job interviews. Bill had agreed, relieved to be released from his inactivity. So the following day, Bill and Arthur Weasley apparated to the Ministry of Magic and went into Arthur's office.
"Why doesn't Dumbledore do the interviews?"
"Because, he hast too much work in the Order", his father whispered.
"But this is not exactly your area of work; I mean you're responsible for the work on misuse of Muggle artefacts!"
"I know what my job is. Dumbledore trusts me and to make sure, there aren't any Death Eaters among them, he asked me to interview the applicants for the job. Call the first one in!"
The first applicant was a man called Eric Manson. He was completely clothed in black. His hair was of a bright grey with few red strands. He had almost black eyes and looked highly dangerous. After interviewing him, Arthur and Bill both agreed, that this man would rather teach the pupils the Dark Arts, instead of showing them the Defence of those.
The second one was a twenty year old, called Walther Prismo.
"Weirdo" muttered Bill under his breath.
"Be nice!" whispered his father, but he had a hard time, trying to fight his giggles.
Walther had blue eyes, blond hair and was dressed like a clown. His apparition was so ridiculous and the fact that he was cross-eyed didn't help it. Unfortunately for Walther, he was sent away, because he couldn't present the required diplomas for the job.
The last candidate was a young woman. As Bill saw her, it was as if a lightning had struck him. He knew her. She was the girl he had seen while visiting Harry during the Triwizard Tournament. And she seemed to be remembering him too, because she looked into his eyes and smiled.
She looked just perfect for Bill: she had long smooth white-blond hair, light blue eyes and was very beautiful.
"Miss Delacour? Shall we begin?" asked Bill's Dad.
Fleur took her eyes off Bill and reddened. During the interview she became very nervous and mixed up words with her French vocabulary. As she left, Arthur said: "Well, she's not the worst. Maybe I'll give her a second chance…"
Bill told his father he would get some coffee, but he had other plans. He hurried down the corridors to catch up with Fleur, hoping she hadn't disapparated yet. She wasn't inside the Ministry anymore and Bill decided to go out and look for her. Fleur was slowly walking through the crowded streets of London. Bill called her and she stopped, looking back over her shoulder.
"My – father – will – give you a second – chance. I just wanted to tell you that", panted Bill.
Fleur looked unbelievingly at him. "Vhy does 'e vant to give me anoser chance? I vas so nervous, I failed."
"No, you were way better than the other applicants and no one of them got a second chance! Same time tomorrow in my father's office and don't be afraid." He smiled at her.
"I am looking forward to meeting you again" he added before hurrying back to the Ministry.
At home, Bill couldn't wait for the next day to arrive. He felt so silly, like he was a teenager having a crush for the first time. His mother noticed Bill's dreamy expression and over dinner, she asked him out about his day in the Ministry. "How did the applications go?"
"Oh Molly, I don't know if anyone of them is very suitable for a job as teacher. The first one looked as if he was a murderer, the second was insane and well… the girl was just too nervous! And she used too many French words" answered her husband.
"I didn't expect any good from that girl!" said Mrs Weasley.
"What do you mean?" snarled Bill. "Dad has given her a second chance."
His mother looked piercingly into his eyes. "That girl has done something to you."
"Her name is Fleur and she didn't do anything to me. If you'll excuse me, I go to bed" he added furiously.
Molly watched him going upstairs, then she shook her head and meant: "Arthur, Bill seems to be really taken with that girl."
The next day, Bill's behaviour towards his mother was very cool and his mood was bad. Fortunately, Fleur's second interview was a full success, something which made him cheer up.
"I will let you know about further steps, when I have talked to Professor Dumbledore", said Mr. Weasley and dismissed her.
Some time later, Bill left his father's office and wanted to go home. As he opened the door, he saw Fleur sitting on a chair, outside the room. She noticed him and quickly got up.
"Zank you very much" she almost whispered.
"What for?" asked Bill surprised.
"For ze second chance!"
"Oh, that was my father's decision, not mine."
Fleur blushed. " 'ow silly of me. Vell, I'll just go now!"
She turned on her heel and scuttled off. With some long steps, Bill was level with her. He laid a hand on her shoulder.
She turned around and looked astounded at him. "Wait, I want to see you again" Bill said.
Fleur sceptically raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe I can take you out some time?" he asked hopefully.
"Maybe", flirted Fleur with a twinkle in her eye. She walked past Bill into the elevator and waved at him.
"I'll owl you!" he cried after her.
As soon as he was back in his room, Bill grabbed a piece of parchment and began writing.
"Dear Fleur! I am glad we've met again and I am looking forward to spending more time with you! If you don't have any plans for the next day, we could meet in Diagon Alley! See you, Bill Weasley."
He sent Percy's owl, Hermes, off with the letter and went down to dinner.
"How was your day? Anything exciting happened?" asked Molly.
"No, nothing. Except that Percy's enthusiasm for his job has no limits", sighed Arthur.
"And what about that girl?" asked Molly further.
"Her name is Fleur and she got the job", responded Bill angrily and left the table. What was his mother's problem? She got along with everybody, even if they were weird. He had never hear her talking about somebody as contemptuously as she talked about Fleur. And she didn't even know her. Bill tried to calm down and read a book, but he couldn't concentrate. He was thinking about what to do with Fleur on their date. A loud tapping on the window brought him back to reality. Hermes was back with Fleur's answer.
"Dear Bill. Tomorrow, I have time. Meet me at 2 p.m. in the Leaky Cauldron! I am looking forward to a nice day, Fleur."
Bill was happy and excited. He couldn't sleep all night long.
The next day, he arrived in time at the Leaky Cauldron. Fleur was sitting on a stool at the bar. Bill went over and greeted her, then took the chair next to her.
"So what do you want to do today?" he asked.
Fleur looked shyly at him. "Vell, zere is a leetle problem. My mozer told me to take care of my sister and my cousin. I'm sorry."
This news irritated Bill at first, but then he smiled at her. "I can help you if you want to. I have experience with younger children, I have five brothers and a sister. And maybe, we can use the time to improve your English a bit."
"Vould you do that? Zank you so much." Fleur beamed at him.
"Gabrielle, Bernhard" she called and two children, about ten years old, followed them into Diagon Alley. They passed the street very slowly, because it was extremely crowded. The kids kept talking in French to Fleur; and Bill felt a bit strange, because they also wanted to talk to him and he didn't understand a single word they said.
"Zey vant an ice-cream" said Fleur and they went on to Florian Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour. As soon as they had found a table, the children got their ice-creams and ate silently, while Bill and Fleur were talking to each other. Sunk in a deep conversation about Hogwarts and Beauxbâtons, they didn't notice that Gabrielle and Bernhard were sneaking away. As Fleur turned to look, she saw two empty seats.
"Oh merde! Vhere 'ave zey gone? Vhat vill ve do now?" she panicked.
"Don't worry, we'll find them" said Bill, trying to calm her down. They quickly paid and left the Parlour. They looked up and down the road and suddenly he saw two small figures running through the crowds.
"I'll get them" he called and hurried off to catch them. It wasn't easy to move fast and many people got angry as Bill tried to push through them. Gabrielle and Bernhard entered a shop and Bill followed at some distance.
"Hello? Has anybody seen two kids?" Nobody was in the store.
Suddenly he heard voices from behind a curtain. The voices were very familiar. "Well, if that ain't our brother William! What an honour for us to meet you here!"
Bill looked around. Of all the shops they could've entered, they had landed in Fred and George's joke shop.
"Have you seen two kids?" Bill repeated.
"Doesn't even say hello, does he?" George said to Fred.
"Lack of manners. We demand a proper greeting from our own beloved brother" added Fred.
"Hello!" sighed Bill, rolling his eyes. "Now, will you help me find those children!"
"Alright, if it is that important to you…"
"Yes, it is", Bill stated.
"They are in the section for children's toys."
Bill feared for the worst and hurried to the kids before they could do any harm or, what was more probably, the twins' inventions did any harm to them. He was relieved to find Gabrielle and Bernhard undamaged.
"Are you their babysitter? And what is it they are babbling all the time? They're not yours, are they?"
Bill was fed up, his brothers could be very annoying sometimes. "Obviously, they are not mine, they talk French and I am waiting for my – "
At this moment, Fleur arrived and immediately told her cousin and sister off for running away.
Fred and George grinned at each other. "Don't-say-a-word" Bill pressed through gritted teeth. The last thing he wanted was, that his brothers told Fleur anything unsuitable. Fleur looked at Bill and thanked him for finding the children.
"Hem, hem" made Fred. "Don't you want to introduce us?" asked George slyly.
"Fleur, these are Fred and George, two of my brothers. They own this shop. Fred, George, this is Fleur Delacour, a friend of mine."
Fleur shook hands with the twins.
"Hey, you could test our newest invention", suggested Fred.
"Not for all the money in the world" interrupted Bill.
"Vhy not?" asked Fleur, looking at him.
"I've had too much experience with their inventions, there's always something wicked about them."
"Don't listen to him Miss. We are very friendly and don't want to go for risks." Bill snorted, but they ignored him. "Our brother here, is exaggerating, as always."
Fleur began to wonder about the twins' behaviour. She explained Gabrielle and Bernhard what they would do and they were very interested in testing a game.
Fleur gave Bill a look, that made his knees weaken and he finally gave in.
"Great!" The twins grinned mischievously at each other. "All you need to do is try those glasses on and we'll tell you what to do" told George them as they entered a big empty room. Fred handed them four pairs of glasses. They were of a poisonous green, but light as feathers. The four of them tried them on and looked around. The whole room appeared in the greenish colour of the glasses. But as the twins turned off the lights, they saw a completely different place. Bill, Fleur and the children seemed to be in a kind of jungle. Fred and George quickly explained them that the goal of the game was to reach the middle of the jungle before anyone else did. "There are some measures, preventing you from reaching your target too fast. If you feel sick, just take off the glasses and come out of the room. Have fun!"
The twins left the room quietly. In front of the four adventurers appeared a large golden sign. They saw it clearly and then it floated some hundred feet away. No doubt, the room was magically enlarged due to these glasses.
All of them ran as fast as possible to the target, but they clearly hadn't been thinking about the twins' measures. Fleur suddenly stopped, because a large spider had appeared in front of her. Gabrielle and Bernhard pushed each other aside, but after a few minutes, Bernhard was trapped in a deep hole. Gabrielle laughed at him and ran on. But soon enough, she too was trapped in a net. Only Fleur and Bill were left in the game. Bill was closer to the goal than Fleur, but he slid on a field of mud and fell. Fleur wanted to run past him, but Bill straightened up and grabbed her around the waist to hold her up. Unfortunately, he didn't pay attention and tripped over the root of a tree. He tore Fleur down on the floor with him. Then suddenly the game stopped. Bill loosened his grip and helped Fleur get up.
"How do you like it?" asked the twins. They had simply entered the room and turned on the lights. The jungle had vanished, the traps were gone and everybody was in the room where they had started. "It's funny, but it is impossible to reach ze goal!" panted Fleur.
The twins grinned happily. After promising to visit them again Fleur, Bill, Gabrielle and Bernhard left. They returned to the Leaky Cauldron, where Fleur had a room with the kids. She shoved them into their beds as it was already late. She came out again and closed the door noiselessly. "Zank you for this day. It was very nice."
"Thanks to you. Will we meet again, I mean… do you want to go out with me again some time?" asked Bill quickly as Fleur wanted to re-enter the room.
She gave him a warm smile and nodded. They were standing very close to each other. Bill leaned forward to kiss her, but the very last moment, Fleur turned her cheek. So all Bill managed was a clumsy kiss on her cheek. He quickly said goodbye and disapparated to the Burrow.
The following week, Bill finally had some work to do at Gringotts. It was not the type of jobs he usually did, but he took it anyway, because he needed some money. All he had to do was to introduce the apprentices into their work. He came back late in the evening each night and checked the mail desperately for a letter from Fleur. She hadn't written all week. The eighth day after their first date, Bill had lost hope that Fleur would ever contact him. But then the next morning, a huge barn owl flew through the open window into his room. It carried a letter which read:
"Dear Bill! I am sorry, that I haven't written for a long time, but I had to bring Gabrielle and Bernhard back to France. I only just arrived home and I wondered if you would like to meet me again. I never explored Muggle London and I hoped you could show me some places. Meet me tonight in front of the Leaky Cauldron. At 7 o'clock. Bye, Fleur."
Bill suddenly had a very good mood. He went to Gringotts and couldn't wait for the day to end. In the evening he quickly went home, took a shower and changed into his best Muggle clothes. He went downstairs into the kitchen to eat a snack.
"Are you going out?" asked his mother casually.
"Yes I am going out tonight."
"Is it that Fleur girl? You know I don't like her, I'd rather have you stay home." His mother always went knickers when Fleur was mentioned, though Bill didn't know why.
"I'd like to see you lock me up. Mum, I like her and now I'll be going. Bye."
Before his mother could do or say something, he disapparated.
Fleur was already waiting for him. She wore a nice black dress and looked ready for action. Bill took her and hand and showed her some of the places he knew in London. They visited the Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square. Fleur seemed impressed by all the large buildings and the thousands of people running around.
"Would you like to go into a club?" asked Bill. Fleur nodded, not knowing what he meant by a club. She followed him down the stairs to a large room. It was filled with smoke and dancing people. Bill felt like he was having the time of his life and dragged Fleur along with him onto the dance floor. "But I don't even know 'ow to dance", she cried. Bill grinned at her. "Neither do I!" They imitated the other people's movements and had a good time. After some time, they sat down at the bar and had a drink. They resumed their dancing after a small pause. Around midnight, Fleur's feet were aching and they went to her apartment, which lay a bit outside of London's centre.
As they were standing in front of her door, Bill said: "Well, thanks for the nice evening."
He turned to go, but Fleur asked: "Don't you vant to come in?"
Bill nodded and followed her inside. She showed him where to sit down and came back instantly with a bottle of wine and two glasses. "It's from France, you'll like it."
Fleur told him about her childhood in France and described the beauty of the country to him. In return, Bill told her some funny stories about his childhood and the jokes he and his brothers used to play.
They laughed hard as Bill told her about George and Fred. Then their eyes locked and they stopped laughing. Fleur took Bill's hand, lent closer and kissed him. He returned the kiss and put his arms around her. Fleur got up and led him towards her bedroom. They sat down on her bed and sank into new fiery kisses…
The next morning, Bill woke up first. Fleur was lying next to him, asleep. He surveyed her, thinking about how beautiful she was. She stirred and woke up. " 'ey", she whispered happily. "Hey" Bill whispered back. He had to get up for work, although he didn't want to leave her right now. He promised her to come back in the evening. After work, he went home to pack some things together. He was about to leave the room as his mother came in.
"Where have you been last night?" she asked suspiciously.
"I was together with Fleur and now I'm going back to her."
His mother scowled at him. "Just tell me next time, you won't come home", she spat and dashed off downstairs.
Bill spent the following days with Fleur. They were inseparable and made for each other. But then one evening, Bill came to her and had to deliver some bad news.
"Fleur, I need to tell you some things."
They sat down on the couch. "Go on", she encouraged him.
"Well… I'm afraid you won't be able to teach Defence against the Dark Arts in Hogwarts. My father told me this morning that Severus Snape got the job first."
Fleur looked very disappointed. "But you can take the job for Potionsmaster instead, if you like."
She nodded silently.
"There's something else. Tomorrow I'll have to go to Greece for about a month. Gringotts sends me to break some spells."
"A month vithout you? Zat will be 'orrible!" exclaimed Fleur.
"Yes, I know, but I really need this job. I am sick of showing trainees into their jobs. I will write you as soon as possible!" He kissed her gently. The next morning, Fleur couldn't fight her tears back as Bill left, but she couldn't do anything to keep him back.
"So… that's how I met my entrancing girlfriend!" ended Bill proudly.
"That was so romantic", sighed Ginny and Hermione.
All of a sudden the door of the Great Hall opened. "Four students out of bed! And all Gryffindors! Professor McGonagall will be pleased", said a sarcastic voice. Professor Severus Snape had appeared in front of them. "You have no right to be out of bed, no one of you!"
"Professor, zey are vith me!" explained Fleur.
"They should go to bed now. As a teacher it is my right –"
"I am a teacher too and if I allow zem to stay, zey may stay", replied Fleur in a loud clear voice.
"Very well, Miss Delacour! If you'll take all the responsibility. But you must know, that Potter and his troop always wander around at night", he said with a nasty smile.
Then Snape's gaze fell on Bill. "Mr. Weasley, are you a teacher here too?"
"No", answered Bill, slightly aggressive. "I am just visiting my girlfriend!"
"Then, good night!" Snape left the Hall again.
Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Ron said 'Goodnight' to Fleur and Bill and quickly went into their common room as it was nearly midnight and they had classes the following day. Even though they didn't feel sleepy, they went into their dormitories and lay down on their beds.