No regrets

July 1995

Bill was bent low over his desk; there was a complicated diagram spread out in front of him. He frowned, at it as he came to another dead end. The diagram was of one of the safes buried away in Gringotts, protected, by God knows what. The family had just discovered they owned it; it had been there for three centuries untouched. The curse was proving difficult to lift. He sighed and slumped forward onto the desk, he couldn't deal with the desk work, he missed Egypt so much! That's why he had gone there in the first place he loved exploring and going on instinct. But he knew he was needed here. The ministry were denying Voldermort's return, and he had his parents to support as well as the order, with his git of a brother going off, especially now. He was scared. And scared of loosing his family. He was scared of his twin brother's recklessness, his youngest brother's loyalty, his baby sister… well he was always worried about her. He was especially worried he would never see Charlie again with him in another country. Who knew what was going to happen. He was scared his mother was digging herself an early grave with all the worry she took on board, he was worried that his dad's job was undervalued therefore seem as easy and he would remain unprotected. He was even worried about Percy, even though the complete ass didn't deserve it. Bill was also scared for Harry. He had spent a lot of time with him the previous summer and had grown to respect him. He was a great kid, although Bill wasn't under the same denial as his mum and knew Harry was far from a kid. He had watched him go through the Triwizard Tournament and was impressed with his skills at such a young age, and then he watched him deal with the aftermath. But Bill couldn't help but think that Sirius was right. His mother and Dumbledore were babying him. He needed to know what was going on, after all most of the stuff was directly surrounding him. He also agreed that Harry was better off with them, after hearing the stories of the cupboard under the stairs and the bars on the window, Bill knew no protection was worth that abuse. Sirius was a great surprise to Bill. The night everyone returned to the Burrow, Ron had sat everyone down and explained all about the events of his third year, giving Mrs Weasley several heart attacks in the process. She was in to much shock to punish Ron, who reminded her that it wasn't fair if she did because he wasn't nearly as involved as Harry and Hermione and Professor Dumbledore knew after all. Percy had walked out half way, refusing to believe that the ministry made a mistake. Bill got along well with Sirius, they had the same sense of humour, when he found out that Bill had been head boy, Remus said it was very much like w3atching him tease James. He was pleasantly surprised that he managed to get along so easily with someone he had believed for as long as he could remember to be an infamous murderer.

"Weasley!" he was snapped out of his trance and quickly sat up alert as his boss; Maximus Dilagay bore down upon him. He was so deep in thought he hadn't heard him enter. The other thing he missed in Egypt was the boss who loved him; here the boss didn't seem to like anyone.

"Yes sir?" he mumbled yawning widely.

Dilagay frowned but overlooked it as he continued. "I have an intern for you; she wants training in all fields of curse breaking… she is also French so wants to improve her English, before getting her career here."

Bill nodded. He didn't really see a difference it would make. He was good at his job which Dilagay had to admit reluctantly. Dilagay motioned with his arm towards the doorway. Bill gasped as the girl entered the room. He felt all his breath leave him as he took in her stunning figure, crystal blue eyes and long slivery hair. And he felt something stir in him… like he had met her before.

"This is Miss Fleur Declour. Miss Declour this is William Weasley. I'm sure he would be honoured to help you" Bill noticed his boss leering at her, and had a strong urge to punch him in his smug face. "I'll leave you two to get acquainted". He left the office, not taking his eyes from her.

She shuddered slightly, then gave him a radiant smile as e stood and accepted her offered slender hand.

"We ave' never ben formally introduced" Bill noticed that the French accent seemed to have left her and she only had a slight slur on a few words.

"Formally" asked Bill in confusion "Do I know you?" he retook his seat and motioned for her to also sit down.

"Well I recognise you from O'warts… you were at the Tournament last year… Arry's family I believe". She frowned slightly. "But you ave different names"

Bill cast his mind back then remembered where he had seen her. "Oh you were one of the champions"!

"Ah so you do remember me" she smiled.

"I'm just shocked you remember me" grinned Bill.

"Well William"

"Please call me Bill Miss Declour"

"Please call me Fleur… well Bill… you rather caught my eye"

He felt his ear turning the familiar Weasley red, and his breath caught in his throat as he shivered slightly at the dazzling smile playing across her irresistible lips.

"That boss gives me the creeps" she whispered shivering slightly again.

"Well you're the only one he is nice to" Bill told her grinning.

"Being part veela has that affect on men I'm afraid" she smiled back. Bill nodded; wondering if that is why he was so drawn to her. He pushed those thoughts away; he was being natural wasn't he? He wasn't making up lucid tales, or changing his personality, he was drawn to her because well… she was gorgeous but she also seemed nice and genuinely wonderful.

"So are you A'rry's family" she pressed on.

"Well so to speak" and he found himself telling her the story of how Ron had become good friends with Harry and how he didn't have a proper family who cared about him.

"I think it's taught me quite a lot… being around Harry I mean"

Fleur nodded. "He's a special boy. And so talented! He could do thing I have seen no fourteen year old do before".

"It's not just that" Bill responded shaking his head slightly. "I suppose it's taught me blood does not matter… over two months I've come to appreciate that more. My brother, well if I want to call him that any more has left the family… Harry isn't blood yet I see him as a brother… and I have a friend who was disowned from their family because he didn't hold their dark beliefs… he found his family in his best friends…" Bill trailed off: he'd almost told her about Sirius and the Order.

Fleur nodded more vigorously. "I see your point"

Bill looked at his wrist and took a double take. "God look at the time! We could have left an hour ago… I guess when the companies good you loose track of time"

Fleur actually blushed. The first time she had done so. Bill took in a deep breath and got up the nerve:

"I don't suppose you have any plans tonight… We could grab a bite to eat on the way home"

Fleur glowed in response. "I would love that".

The following June.

Bill took a seat at the long table in the kitchen at Grimmwald Place, and helped himself to a butter beer as he waited for the meeting to start. The room held few occupants who were in silence; he raised his eyebrows in curiosity but let the silence hold. He watched his mother bustled around making pots of tea, and saw out the corner of his eye his father at the opposite end ft he table studying notes. Emmeline and Dorcas sat in a whispered discussion at the table.

Bill sighed. Growing up in a full household he was use to noise. "Where's Sirius?" he asked as someone came through the fireplace.

His father was jerkily pulled from his thoughts. "Good question". He replied wearingly. "All we know is that Dumbledore wants us to wait here. When I and your mother arrived Fawke's feather was here with a note."

Something about the situation didn't feel right. The tension in the room was full and thick as everyone waited in the silence. Waiting.

It was around eleven when the fire burst into green flames; everyone jumped in their seats as Kingsley Shattlebolt climbed out brushing off his robes. His mother quickly jumped into action as she got him a cup of tea. There was another burst of green as Moody followed. They both sat down in a grim silence, Moody holding his arm and wincing; just intensifying everyone's uneasiness.

"What happened?" a number of people burst out.

They both exchanged glances. "Look. Dumbledore will be here soon and he will explain everything" said Kingsley in his deep sorrowful voice that gave nothing away. He lent his head on his hand and winced when he touched a bruise which he quickly healed. Bill knew he's mum wanted to protest, but she refrained and sat down trembling.

What seemed like hours later Lupin followed them through the fireplace, looking far worse, and His face grey and hollow. He sank into the nearest chair next to Kinsley and buried his face in his hands as the room looked on in a stunned silence. Lupin ever showed this kind of distress, which was saying something considering the full moon. Kingsley tired to comfort him but he shrugged him off and tried to change the subject.

"How's Tonks?" he asked in a croaky voice.

"What the hell happened!" Bill felt himself exclaim. "What's wrong with Tonks!"

Lupin looked around the table at the paled, worried faces. He took a gasp of air, as if saying it was going to cause an immense amount of pain.

"Sirius is dead" he whispered, a tear rolling down his cheek. Bill felt as though a wall had closed in on him; he had become so close to the man that he respected and loved… he was apart of his family. He heard his mother whimpering quietly, despite their disagreements he knew his mother admired the way Sirius had handled what he had been through; and also had Harry in the back of her mind. Every one looked stricken at the news.

"How's Harry" muttered Moody.

"I dot know" wailed Lupin. "I just got the rest of them out of there while you took Tonks to St Mungos' … I left Dumbledore to it".

"Right by the sounds of it… Dumbledore isn't going to be here any time soon, so maybe you three better tell us what's going on" he heard his father say. Always the voice of reason.

"I don care Arthur! What did Dumbledore have to go after Harry" his mother practically screeched. Moody and Kingsley exchanged uneasy glances. Lupin remained silent; and they let him be.

"When we arrived here, that is I, Tonks and Kingsley came from work, and Lupin was here preparing something, and Sirius was talking to Snape. Said Moody. "Basically the Dark Lord has achieved what we feared… he planted a vision in Harry" Bill felt his breath catch in this chest and heard his mother gasp. "From what Snape could gather, it was of himself torturing Sirius". Bill closed his eyes, knowing what was coming. "Snape doesn't know for sure, but he is guessing Harry tried to use Umbridge's fireplace to try to contact Sirius, and he must have been caught. Snape was called to her office to interrogate him and the students with him. Harry gave him a cryptic message which he had to pretend he didn't understand."

"Very clever" he heard himself say sarcastically before he could stop himself. "Harry would think that Snape didn't care!"

Moody nodded. "Yeah well no one accused Snape of being delicate with another person especially when that person is Potter. Snape saw Harry and Miss Granger lead Umbridge into the forest, he has no idea what that was about. He returned to her office to find the students that Umbridge left in charge of the rest in various forms" Moody grinned despite the situation. "But the ones they were guarding were gone". Moody sighed. "Snape was going to search the forest but dint hold not much hope. We all obviously went to the ministry… Sirius would not be persuaded to stay" he explained with a quick glance at Remus. Bill grinned as well, he knew that Sirius wasn't going to just sit there.

"Ron" he heard his mother whisper. And he felt the grin slide off his face and panic set in.

Moody gave a short nod grimly. "Well if Hermione was involved I don't know how Ron could not be" soothed his dad stroking her arm comfortingly.

Bill felt something else stab at him "You said rest" he burst out. "Ron doesn't count as rest… who else was there?" he questioned narrowing his brown eyes. Something didn't feel right.

Moody breathed in. "Molly there no easy way to tell you his; three other students went with Harry… one of them was Ginny". Bill felt as though someone had punched him in the stomach, and was too shocked to be angry at Harry and Ron for involving her. The shock helped him realise that Ginny, if she was there wouldn't have let them leave her behind.

"Are they alright?" his father gabbled in shock? "Who were the others?" Emmline had moved to comfort his mum. She seemed to be in too much shock to say anything else.

Kingsley joined in with the names. "One was Neville Longbottom and the other was a girl ermmm Luna Lovegood I believe her name was." He said frowning. "And don't worry, they are all safe and accounted for… it is Harry we all need to be concerned about."

Molly was still in silence, and Remus looked up. It wasn't like her not to ask after Harry's well fair. "I took them back Molly… they are fine. Luna was just knocked out and will spend the night in the hospital wing, as will Neville. He broke his nose. Ginny has broken her leg and will also be released tomorrow… Ron had a charm put on him that basically made him a liability… the worst for his injuries was because he touched one of the brains in the tank room and he got wrapped in it… Hermione however" he sighed. "Got hit with the charcoalria curse".

"Oh my God!"

"Is she dead"?

"No" Lupin shook his head. "Madam Promphey suspects that he curse was either deflated or maybe the person casting it was under the silence charm… she was lucky… although she may have internal damage".

Everyone was in silence thinking over everything that had already been said, when Bill remembered. "You still haven't told us what happened to Harry."

Moody took over and explained about what they saw when they arrived. he explained about the battle, Tonks getting injured by falling down the stairs. He told them about Sirius's death although he didn't see it himself but Bellatrix had killed him. Harry had gone after her before any one could stop him; and Dumbledore had gone after him. The room was stunned into silence.

"Oh Harry" he heard his mother sigh. Bill didn't know what else to say and for the rest of the night they sat in silence until Dumbledore arrived at seven the next morning.

July

Bill rolled over in his bed at Grimmwald Place; they had arrived the day before, Harry and Charlie were both arriving that day. He rolled his eyes at the thought of the state his mum would be in, and contemplated staying in bed. On his way to the bathroom he passed his baby sister and pulled her into a hug. He couldn't help it; ever since the Ministry he felt, if it was possible, more protective. He stepped back and marvelled at how beautiful his little sister was and grinned.

"Who are you trying too impress today?" he teased taking in her attire.

"Why would be trying to impress anybody" she asked airily.

"Not Harry by any chance?" his grin widening.

"I have a boyfriend" she said rolling her eyes although her cheeks turned pin. "As I am sure you are aware from Ron."

"Because you didn't just tell Ron you were going out with dean to annoy him" said Bill.

"I'm going to kill Hermione!" she growled

"Hey I could have worked that out myself"

She rolled her eyes. "The day I believe that is the day Ron doesn't love Hermione". And she stalked off down the corridor.

He chuckled to himself as he got ready. He was looking forward to seeing his brother, he spoke to him through the floo a lot, they were close in age and he was closest to him. Sirius he supposed, was a substitute in a way, he needed Charlie to talk to about that, he had been bottling up his feelings. Charlie had met Sirius a few times when he came for meetings and had stayed in the year, and was as shocked as everyone else. He also wanted to talk to him about Fleur and get details about his relationship. He was also looking forward to seeing Harry, although he didn't want to think about the state the kid was probably in.

He arrived in the kitchen where the rest of the family, apart from Percy were gathered. He still hadn't come to his senses, still saying that Dumbledore may have been right but he was still trying to over throw and take over the Ministry. The fire turned green and his bother tumbled out, his blue eyes twinkling and grinning at everyone. Ginny ran to hug him and he span her off the floor. He shook hands and hugged all his brothers. The two brothers soon found themselves alone in the drawing room, the twins at work, Hermione and Ginny had dragged Ron upstairs for some reason and Charlie and Bill spent some time together, which they hadn't done for over a year. They both gave each other the details on their relationships, both grinning stupidly.

"So will you be coming back permanently?" asked bill.

Charlie shrugged. "It depends. I'm here for three weeks for now but beyond that I haven't a clue. What about you?"

"Well I don't want to curse it or anything but… I think Fleur is the pone" Bill said his ear turning red.

"What's this, my player brother settling down with one woman?" he teased.

"So it will depend on her as well as me. I doubt fleur would want to live in Egypt. France could be good. But I think we both want to stay here"

"Well suppose… since you've been straight with me… I think Rachael is the one too" he confessed.

"I wondered which girl would be special enough to tear you away from your dragons" he grinned.

"We're both whipped" Charlie chuckled.

"Had to happen some time" bill shook his had mockingly.

"Yeah" said Charlie leaning back peacefully. "And I know she is totally paranoid about what I do… I think she'd like it here."

Bill silently slid out of the kitchen and lent against the wall, breathing hard, trying to regain his composure. He had just attended Sirius's will reading and was surprised to have received a large amount of gold and something else, he was also surprised at the sentiment of his gift… the words of Sirius's voice filled his head, as his image turning around in the pensive swirled around in his head.

"To William Arthur Weasley, as well as the percentage of gold, I leave an item only he, (well Moony knows too) knows about… he knows what I mean but I have to tell you to live life to the full Bill, that's the only advice I can give you, tell your mum about her you, keep her from thinking your growing old alone man! Don't make my mistakes Bill… good luck!"

In a daze he took to the stairs and the long corridors as he made his way to Sirius's old room, he slowly pushed open the door. He felt strange. He felt as though it wasn't his place to enter first but slowly pushed door closed on himself feeling a sense of peace from the room. He eyed the room; all the memories spoke in waves to him as he eyed the many photos and trinkets. He slowly picked up a small blood red box from the desk with a shaky hand and pocketed it before he lost his nerve. He quickly left the room, glancing back around before he shut the door.

Three weeks before the ministry

He and Sirius were alone in the drawing room playing cards, and sharing a bottle of fire whiskey, the game was laid out forgotten as the conversation turned serious.

"I don't feel like I am existing anymore" Sirius confided to Bill, swigging from his goblet. Bill was taken aback.

"Don't be stupid, you have so much to live for"

"Like?" asked Sirius raising his eyebrows.

"all of us mate! Your freedom! And what about Harry"

"Harry was getting on fine before I came back into his life" he muttered

"I don't think he would do to well if you went out of it again" said Bill carefully topping up his own drink. Sirius blinked but dint say anything.

!I use too love everything about life… I use to be able to get away with everything, charming my way around everyone, including the teachers… the ladies found me irresistible" he chuckled to himself.

Bill chuckled with him. "Yeah I think it still works on MaGonagall… got to hand it to you Sirius didn't think anyone would be able to get away with anything with her" Sirius grinned his eyes dancing, his face full of memories.

"Yeah me and James kept her on her toes"

"What was James like" Bill asked curiously.

"My brother" he replied simply. "My family…. Well let's say id rather not use that word" he explained a dark look coming over his face. "James and I just clicked, his parents took me in, he never let me down, he was the only one id listen to because he had more sense than me, even though we matched on our personalities, our intelligence…"

"Cockiness?" asked Bill innocently.

Sirius flicked some fire whiskey at him grinning.

"You're lucky to have such as great family, amazing brothers, beautiful sister, great parents, even if your mum is a bit mad" he added. Bill laughed. "James was my family, and Lily, and Harry" he said simply. "I have no life now, I have Harry but I feel like I've le him down, I use to think I was indestructible, I love Remus to death I would do anything for him, I even miss peter who I knew him to be" Bill nodded in understanding. "But James was a different category. It just shows, everyone falls eventually."

Bill was momentarily stunned. He loved his family, and wouldn't be without any of them,. But when he was younger he sometimes wished, when a new baby was keeping him awake, when he got second hand everything that he had fewer siblings. When ever his mum became over protective he became irritated, he realised how lucky he actually was listening to his friend.

"I had a great life, love, money, home, best friends…" he closed his eyes. "Nothing can ever be the same"

Bill picked up on a word immediately.

"Sirius have you ever been in love?"

Sirius grinned, "I knew it"

"Knew what? "He asked shrugging.

"You're in love with Miss Declour". Bill sat there, unable to deny it.

"Tut tut young William" he said waggling a finger at him. "Your family don't even know their just guessing, and your mother is in the dark, I don't think anyone wants to be the messenger" he chuckled.

"Charlie knows" he said quickly.

"Ah that's ok then" he replied rolling his eyes slightly. There was silence, in which Sirius was frowning, as though in deep thought,

"Once" he whispered,

Bill starred "I didn't know that was possible from all the stories I have heard" he joked. Sirius smiled slightly.

"Yeah well…" he shrugged. "Happens to the best of us mate"

"What happened?" asked Bill.

"I got thrown in Azkaban" said Sirius calmly filling up his goblet.

"So she didn't believe you" Bill asked in slight surprise.

Sirius shrugged. "I've accepted it and moved on. I never expected her to believe me at the time… nobody did… not even Dumbledore or Moony… the person who knew me best in the told couldn't help me, and only he knew along with Lily… they obviously couldn't help me"

"So do you know what happened to her?" asked Bill.

Sirius smiled. "Remus has kept in touch with her. We were in the same group sort of at Hogwarts. There was us four then Lily, Megan; she was Lil's best friend, Christina, Julie and Tara. Despite popular belief" he chuckled softly. "James and Lily didn't hate each other, they were fiends, they argued a lot, but they both laughed afterwards. James did always like her but he didn't want to ruin their friendship… she didn't agree with some of the things we did. The other three girls died in the last war" he said quietly, sadness filling his eyes. "Remus and Megan are the only two left basically, or so she thinks… they just don't talk about me. They only time they have since I got arrested was when they were reassuring each other it wasn't me. She is Harry's godmother. We were engaged… "Sirius smiled, love passing over his face as he talked. "I never had a serious relationship at school but me and Megan always had a thing. When we got out of Hogwarts we still saw each other I grew up; well as much as possible it was for me to do so" Bill chuckled, listening intently. "We got together, and about a week before Harry was born I proposed." Bill was quite shocked. He was surprised how much hurt one man could take in a life time. "Remus says she hasn't got over me" he mumbled his eyes down cast. "She has a six year old called Phoebe… but she isn't married she was only with the dad a few months and she hasn't seen him since" Sirius wandered over to a display unit and pulled out a photo album flicking the pages and past it to Bill. The image made him smile sadly. There was an exact replica of Harry with his arms around his red headed new wife on their wedding day, Sirius standing next to him, with a girl on lily's side with long blonde hair and blue eyes. "Maid of honour" explained Sirius. "She was very clever. And didn't get lads get away with much… aware of her looks" he sat back down heavily gazing at the photo. Bill didn't disturb him. Then he suddenly got up and left the room, returning breathless a few minutes later holding a red box.

"Bill I know you love Fleur, don't live your life with regrets like me… I may have had the girl, a ring on her finger…" he trailed off. He past the box over and Bill took it. Inside was a simple silver band. "You add one of her hairs and the jewel that suits her will appear" he explained seeing Bills face. Bill looked at the ring a mixture of hope, excitement and strong fear coursing through his body.

"I don't know if I'm ready Sirius" he wondered out loud.

"I'm not going to push you" he said. He took back the box and pocketed it. "It will be on my desk when you want it" he looked firmly into Bills eyes.

"I know what it is like to have loved and lost Bill… It's not pleasant… do what's in your heart mate… love isn't something to think about with your head".

Bill paced his room waiting for the time to leave. His heart was in his throat. He had only told Charlie what he was about to do, he was sitting on Bill's bed trying to help him stay calm.

"Bill sit down"

"I can't"

Charlie sighed and lent back, he had been trying for hours. Bill took the box from his pocket and opened it, looking at the ring and smiling. He had found a hair on his work robes, he blushed at the thought of why, and added that, thinking it would be better to give it her already done. It was elegant and beautiful, simply Fleur.

"Bill its five to, why don't you go now? All this waiting is going to drive you mad"

Bill gave a short nod and quickly apparated to her flat. Fleur came to the door, looking radiant in a lilac tight fitting dress that was made up of many layers and flared out at he knees. As always, she kissed him tenderly and took the flowers he had bout, large pink and white Lilies. He took her hand and then apparated to the restaurant they had their first date. Afterwards they took a walk along a giant lake that covered a part of the grounds. The moonlight twinkled off its surface and the stars all sparkled in her eyes as she looked at them. He stopped by a rose bush and quickly pulled out his wand. He undid a concealment charm he had placed on a bottle of champagne and two glasses. They sat on the rug he provided and sat giggling and sipping the drink.

"Fleur you know I love you so much don't you."

"Of course I do silly! And you know I love you"

Bill was shaking slightly. "I hope you do because I have something to ask you… I wasn't sure if I was ready but looking At you now I know I am, and I know its what I want…" he took a deep breathe and opened the box he had closed in his hand. "Will you marry me?"

Fleur flung her arms around his neck tears in her arms.

"I love you so much! Of course my answer is yes"

Bill kissed her remembering their first kiss, and slid her ring onto her finer. She gasped ta it, a perfect clear pink diamond blinked at her flaked by two white pearls.

"It's so beautiful" she whispered. She snuggled into his chest and Bill smiled and looked up at the inky black, star filled sky.

"Cheers mate" he mouthed.

He could have swoon a star twinkled, as though winking.