Through It All

by sweasley

Bill/Fleur. A collection of stories about how they came to be, what they became, and how they handled the events that life threw at them. Alternative POV of OotP, HBP, and DH. WIP.

36. Thestrals and Brooms

"Why does it have to be that Sunday exactly?"

"Because that's what Dumbledore wanted," Mad-Eye snapped. He was standing at the head of the table in Burrow's kitchen and staring down at what was left of the Order. The ones that had managed to survive the last year.

Kingsley was there, along with Hestia Jones, Dedalus Diggle, Professor McGonagall, Hagrid, Mundungus Fletcher, Fleur, and nearly all of the Weasleys—save for Charlie; Percy, of course; and Ginny, who at just shy of turning sixteen was still not allowed to join.

They'd expected Ginny to have an issue with this, but she didn't seem to mind and always agreeably trudged along upstairs whenever their mother told her she needed to leave for the meeting. Bill suspected it had less to do with her accepting she couldn't be there, and more to do with the fact that she could likely hear every word being said if she simply sat out of sight at the right spot on the stairs. He knew firsthand you could hear what was coming out of the kitchen if you positioned yourself correctly. He and Charlie had done the same thing when they were kids during the first war.

Bill wasn't about to blow up Ginny's spot; he was actually happy she got to listen in, especially now that he knew just how wrapped up to Harry's well-being and safety she was. A part of him thought that if she was old enough to be with Harry, she should be old enough to at least sit in on the plans to protect him.

Because Ron and Hermione had now been allowed, having both turned seventeen earlier in the year. It seemed his parents' rule about needing to finish school had gone out the window these days, or at least it didn't hold much weight anymore. No one even brought it up outside of a very weak initial objection from his mother, and she caved in on that rather quickly after Mad-Eye dismissed all concerns. The tone now was very much "if you're of age, all hands on deck". The war was upon them and the Order needed numbers.

Bill also got the impression that Ron and Hermione didn't have any intention of returning to school in September. Ever since Hermione had arrived days earlier, she and Ron had been glued together in quiet conversation wherever they went; always looking incredibly preoccupied. While Bill would have liked to have believed it was just the two of them wanting to spend some time together because they'd finally figured themselves out, that didn't seem to be the case.

They were planning something. Neither would give up even the slightest clue as to what, but something was up. One time, he'd overheard Hermione telling Ron that it was important now to be ready to go at a moment's notice. Another, he'd actually caught them both coming down from the attic, Ron muttering something about the highly contagious disease Spattergroit and Hermione asking him if he thought that would work. That had been all Bill had caught before they'd noticed him and stopped speaking. They'd quickly made an excuse to go up to Ron's room.

"Per'aps zey simply want to be alone togezer?" Fleur suggested, having also noticed just how much time those two were spending together. "I 'ave noticed Ron iz better around 'er. It iz about time…"

Bill shook his head. That wasn't it. Ron had been acting less like a dolt around her lately, that was true; something had shifted between them, but not enough for him to think their secrecy had anything to do with hidden relationships or rendezvous. He just sensed they were up to something.

Back in the kitchen, just as Mad-Eye was about to run through the final preparations they'd come up with for the mission to move Harry in two days' time, the door to the kitchen flung open and in walked a very late Remus and Tonks.

The meeting had started twenty minutes prior, and that was after they'd already waited ten extra minutes for these two. It wasn't like either of them to not be on time, and Mad-Eye had been extremely irritated by their lack of punctuality. Everyone else, however, had jumped straight to concern. When people didn't turn up where they were supposed to be these days, the worst tended to be assumed quickly.

"Really sorry," Remus said, sounding embarrassed to have every eye in the room on him as he slunk into the nearest chair. Tonks followed suit right behind him, though her demeanor was entirely different. She was smiling, offering up a far more unaffected, "Sorry."

Mad-Eye was not amused, throwing them both dismissive looks before muttering, "If Mundungus can make it here on time, there's no excuse for you two." He looked back at the rest of the room. "But we've wasted enough time already. We need to get down to business."

Business meant the plan, as Mad-Eye now proceeded to explain. Jones and Diggle would be responsible for transporting Harry's Muggle relatives to a safe location prior to getting Harry moved. They would take care of them while the rest of the Order—thirteen of them to be exact—turned up to Harry's Muggle residence to help initiate the very intricate plan to get Harry away without raising any Death Eaters' suspicion. Both Kingsley and Mad-Eye wanted to believe that Voldemort would not suspect them of moving him five days prior to his birthday; they were hoping to catch him off guard.

That being said, as Mad-Eye reminded them, Voldemort had a way of getting information. It was unlikely he wasn't monitoring the situation closely.

"It is why," he continued, "we will be utilizing the Polyjuice Potion that I personally have been brewing for the last month to create several versions of Potter."

"Remind me again, Mad-Eye, if you're any good at Potions," Tonks quipped rather playfully, which earned her a sharp look from the source. She really must have been in good spirits because it was clear to everyone else in the room that Mad-Eye was not in the mood for jokes. Especially when it came from one of the people who'd strolled in a half an hour late.

"In the event You-Know-Who is paying attention," Mad-Eye said rather loudly, as if trying to assert his authority over the room and keep the comments at bay, "he is going to find himself met with many decoys Potters going in various directions. The plan is that we confuse him so he doesn't know which way to look, allowing the real Harry to escape to the designated safe location."

"So will all of us be taking the Polyjuice Potion?" George asked, looking around the room. "Or only some…?"

Kingsley was shaking his head, reaching out to pat Mad-Eye on the shoulder as if to tell him to take a break. "Half of us will be. The other half will remain ourselves on the pretense that Harry is being accompanied by a guard. Obviously we would want to protect him, and in the event Death Eaters turn up—"

"They'll likely suspect that the real Harry is with the most skilled or capable protector," Mad-Eye said, gesturing between himself and Kingsley.

"But you won't be sending the real Harry off with one of you, will you?" Molly asked, sounding concerned. "If the Death Eaters assume it's one of you, then they'll likely strike you two first!"

"Yes, but those two are also the ones who will hold off the Death Eaters best if they do turn up," Fred said. "I mean, no offense to everyone else here, but sticking Harry with…" He looked at Mundungus, though didn't say his name, "some people is a suicide mission."

"We've accounted for that," Kingsley said. "And no, Harry will not be with either myself or Mad-Eye for that reason." He looked over at Hagrid. "Hagrid has volunteered to take Harry."

Hagrid beamed, as if that was the greatest honor one could have bestowed upon him, though there was a quiet muttering in the room as to whether it was the best course of action. It was Bill's mother who once again said, "But Hagrid doesn't have a wand. What's he to do if they do go after him?"

"Keep in mind, Hagrid is also impervious to most of these spells thanks to his giant's blood," Kingsley offered. "For example, it would take a very strong Stunning Spell to get him. And the kind the Death Eaters are firing off at a moment's notice won't be of that level. That means he'll be able to be hit and still navigate through much of the danger—unlike the rest of us would—and prioritize Harry's safety." He turned and gave Hagrid a nod. "We stand by our decision."

Hagrid smiled proudly. It did make sense. It would be hard to catch Hagrid by surprise with a spell—one that wasn't Unforgivable, that is. He had better odds than the rest of them did.

"Plus, it's not as if Potter can't handle the magic part," Mad-Eye barked. "He can cast spells like he has countless times in the past while Hagrid focuses on moving him where he needs to be."

"As for the rest of you," Kingsley continued, "we're still working out the pairs and who best works together."

"But we know who will stay themselves and not take the Polyjuice," Mad-Eye said. "That'll be Kingsley, myself, Tonks, Remus—if they show up on time—"

"When you hear why we're late, you may cut us a break," Tonks offered.

Mad-Eye ignored her. "Arthur, Bill and Hagrid. We'll be the drivers—"

"Drivers of what?" Ron asked.

"We're getting to that," Mad-Eye said, dismissing him. "If I didn't say your name, you'll be one of the ones taking Polyjuice and transforming into Potter."

Bill glanced over at Fleur, who forced a smile at knowing she'd be one of the decoy Potters. She looked a little nervous, which was understandable. This was her first proper mission. She'd mostly been on watches and listening in on countless meetings, but now things were getting more dire. This involved potential confrontation and fighting. It was nerve wracking, but it was ultimately what they all signed up to do.

That being said, Bill was going to do everything he could to make sure that he got Fleur as his partner in this. He'd learned the hard way what it felt like to have your mind on someone else in the middle of a fight. While he had a lot of people he loved involved here who could be in potential harm if things went bad, Fleur was the one he knew he'd find himself most worried about. He'd rather have her with him.

And on a more selfish note, if something were to happen, at least it happened to the two of them. He couldn't bear the idea of having to cancel yet another wedding, only this time because one of them hadn't made it.

On the other side of the table, Bill could hear Fred asking his mother how she'd got out of any of the "heavy lifting" of participating in the mission, to which she replied that someone needed to be present at a centralized gathering point to keep everyone up to speed. Also, Ginny could not be left alone at the Burrow, especially if You-Know-Who got wind that Harry was on the move.

"Safe houses," Kingsley continued. "These are separate places we will take our decoy Potter to in order to throw any potential Death Eaters off the scent. We've had several locations volunteered, but we need more. I have opened up my home and will be taking my Potter there. Mad-Eye will be doing the same with his place for his Potter. Tonks, you'll be going to your flat with your Potter—"

"It's not only my flat anymore," Tonks said with a funny sort of smile, as if she were hoping to say something more.

She was immediately cut off by Mad-Eye. "Hagrid, Tonks' got her parents to volunteer their home, and it's been decided for you to take Harry there. It's a well protected location and they're far enough removed from Potter that it would be very low on anyone's radar. Now Bill, you and your Potter will be going to your place—"

Bill smiled and nodded, not quite getting tired of hearing the phrase his "place" yet. Because that's exactly what it was. His place. Fleur's place. Their place.

Because that's what it was. A place of their very own. They'd hashed out the details with Muriel and she'd hired movers to remove some of the few things she'd apparently wanted to keep—including, to Fleur's amazement, the ugly bird portrait on the stairs that she was always so disturbed by. The pair of them had actually just signed the paperwork and paid off the cottage—in full—the day before.

And the moment it was theirs officially, he and Fleur had both immediately gone to visit their new home. Even seeing it now hit differently than it had in the past. The beach seemed more picturesque, the water more blue, the privacy it offered was more comforting. This was the place they would live out their newly married days and hopefully raise a family in. This was their future.

But before they could do that, there was much work to be done. The ripping down of old wallpaper, the application of much needed coats of paint, nailing down loose floorboards, the thorough cleaning and dusting of…everything. The cupboards in the kitchen needed some updates and repairs, the chimney desperately needed some care, much of the old furniture that Muriel had left behind needed to go, and the garden was certainly in need of loads of care.

It was a work in progress, and would likely continue to be for months, but he and Fleur were just hoping to make it habitable so that they could move in after the wedding. That was the goal—to get properly into their new home by the time they were married.

"Now Remus has secured a safe location for him and his Potter," Kingsley said back at the Burrow, bringing Bill back to the present, "which leaves us with a need for at least one more inconspicuous place that Arthur and his Potter can go to. If we can get more for backup, that would be ideal."

"I take it we're avoiding 'ere?" Mundungus said, gesturing around the Burrow's kitchen.

Kingsley and Mad-Eye were both nodding, though it was Kingsley who said, "The Burrow will likely be one of the first places anyone looks, and we need them not to find anything. The key is to shake any potential tails before rendezvousing together here well after. We'll have Portkeys at each safe house ready."

"But we still need one more location," Mad-Eye reiterated.

"We can offer up our place," George said, and Fred was already nodding. "Even the shop."

Kingsley was nodding as if that worked, just as Bill's mother suddenly said, "I can ask my Auntie Muriel if we can use her home as well." She looked at her husband. "It's very large and would be less obvious than the twins' place in Diagon Alley."

His father nodded, though it was clear by his expression that a trip to Muriel's was not something he was keen on. It almost looked as if he would rather take his chances with the Death Eaters.

Hestia offered up not only her own place, but also claimed she could ask her brother to use his if they needed it. Diggle too said he'd be willing to help with his flat if necessary. Somehow in the end, roughly a dozen locations materialized, leaving Kingsley and Mad-Eye to sort out the details. They claimed they would have it all worked out by Sunday, but they wanted to move onto discussing modes of transportation.

"Now brooms are the most inconspicuous way to get in and out," Mad-Eye was explaining, "though…" He gave Hagrid the eye—the magical one—and argued that for some people, brooms may not be an option.

"I can take me motorbike," Hagrid suggested, which made the most sense except when you considered that now Hagrid would be the odd man out when everyone else was flying off on brooms.

"But will it look like he's being singled out?" McGonagall asked. "Seeing as he will have the actual Harry Potter, I don't feel it's wise to draw extra attention to him specifically."

It was a good point; one that immediately opened up a discussion about what other transport options they had. Rumor had it that anything magical, like Portkeys and Apparation, were being highly regulated and tracked. Taking Muggle transportation was out of the question, and brooms were honestly barely adequate. Unless someone had other flying vehicles laying around—

"Thestrals are always an option," Hermione suddenly offered, looking over at Ron. "Ron and I used them when we went with Harry to the Ministry two years ago and I found them to be very quick and efficient."

"Yeah, but how are you supposed to get thestrals into a Muggle suburb without causing a scene?" George asked. "Muggles can see them—at least the ones who have seen death—as well as we can."

"Disillusionment Charms, obviously," Hermione threw right back at him. "Just as wizards have been doing for ages."

Kingsley seemed to be pondering that. "Thestrals are not a bad idea and would help create a larger distraction." He looked from McGonagall to Hagrid. "Could we acquire some from Hogwarts?"

"Oh sure," Hagrid said. "I could get some. I reckon no one will even know they're gone. I'll just claim they need to be spreadin' their wings fer a bit."

"Alright then," Mad-Eye said affirmatively. "Half on brooms, half on thestrals. Now who's volunteering for the thestral?"

There was not a huge rush around the room to do that, though Bill found himself surprised to feel Fleur shift beside him and put her hand the air. She wanted to ride a thesteal…?

Before she could speak however, Hermione said, "I'm not great on a broom. I'd feel far more comfortable on a thestral."

Kingsley nodded, his eyes traveling to Fleur next. "And you as well, Fleur?"

She nodded. "I cannot claim to 'ave been on a broom more zan twice in my life and I did not enjoy eizer time. I would prefer zestrals. I spent much of my child'ood 'orse riding, and zey likely are not zat different."

Several people looked at her as if that little fact didn't surprise them much—assuming she looked the type of a girl who'd spent her childhood horse riding—and Kingsley was already jotting down a note, saying to himself, "We'll need at least two thestrals…"

Bill smiled at Fleur. Well, if he was going to get Fleur as his partner—and he was—it looked like he'd be on a thestral too. If he were honest, he didn't love the idea of being on a broom because it wasn't his preferred way of doing things, but he'd certainly ridden more brooms than he had thestrals in his life. He hadn't spent much of his childhood horse riding, so that would be…interesting.

He suddenly wondered if they were anything like camels…?

Kingsley informed Hagrid that he would need to acquire two thestrals, while the rest of the group agreed to brooms. George said something about thestrals creeping him out since he couldn't see them. As it turned out, none of his siblings, nor Hermione, could.

"Seven o'clock, we meet here before traveling to Potter's home," Mad-Eye said, gesturing around the room. "Except Diggle and Jones, they'll be off handling the Muggles beforehand. But otherwise we all travel together. Is that understood?"

There was a murmur of agreement around the room.

"And DO NOT," Mad-Eye looked at Remus and Tonks, "be late. Is that understood?"

"One time in nearly seven years," Tonks said, looking a bit insulted. "And it was for a good reason!"

Remus made a humming sound as if he wasn't sure he wanted to make excuses—that they knew better—but he was quickly drowned out by Mad-Eye throwing Tonks a rather wild look.

"I'd like to hear what is so important that you feel it excuses you being late for a preparation meeting to move Potter?!"

Tonks stood up, her face a bit defiant, but not overly so. She and Mad-Eye had a funny sort of relationship—almost one of parent and child. They liked to have a go at each other frequently, but it was clear there was ultimately loads of love—tough and sometimes rebellious love—between them.

"I will tell you," Tonks said, glancing around the room then. "And I appreciate that introduction, Mad-Eye, because I was hoping to make an announcement anyway."

She gestured to Remus, who was looking at her hesitantly. She seemed to want him to stand up and join her; he seemed to not want to be the center of attention. When it was clear that she wasn't going to continue until he did—and when everyone in the room was looking at him anyway—he stood a little reluctantly. He seemed awkward under this sort of spotlight.

Tonks beamed as she grabbed his arm affectionately. If this was them about to announce they were together, that was old news. Bill's mother had already told them a story about how—after his own werewolf attack the night of the battle—Tonks and Remus had publicly declared their affections for one another in front of a room full of people.

Given his recovery, wedding planning, and work on Shell Cottage, Bill hadn't been following the story of those two much—it really wasn't his business—but he'd assumed they were now together and it had all worked out. They'd been keeping things professional at Order meetings, so he couldn't be sure, but that seemed to be the rumor.

"Two days ago," Tonks said with an excited cadence in her voice as she started gesturing between the two of them, "We went and…."

She paused for effect, suddenly holding out her hand to show off a glittery ring that she'd been hiding up until this moment. "Got married!"

Bill felt his mouth open in his surprise, though nowhere near as much as some of the others in the room. His mother had let out a very surprised and excited sounding gasp, while Fleur made a similar sounding noise, her eyes wide. Everyone around the table seemed completely shocked, if only because they'd only just got together. He and Fleur were going on two years and they'd still yet to get married, but these two worked it out after about two weeks.

There was suddenly a pounding of hurried footsteps on the stairs. A moment later, Ginny burst onto the scene exclaiming, "You got married?!"

Tonks was already nodding, though Mad-Eye's voice had cut through the noises of surprise and celebratory comments to ask, "You mean engaged, don't you? You didn't go and get married that…quickly?"

"I think I know the difference," Tonks said, smiling in a way that nothing anyone could say could shake her. "And I mean married. In a very small ceremony up north." She looked over at Remus, who hadn't said much, but had put on a lazy smile as he shifted his weight repeatedly on his feet.

"But it was lovely and perfect and…" Tonks smiled and looked at Remus as if he hung the bloody moon. She honestly was glowing.

"It was very nice," Remus said, speaking for the first time.

"And we're so sorry we couldn't invite all of you," Tonks said while Remus nodded. "It would have been great to have a proper wedding like you two—" She gestured to Bill and Fleur, "but we decided for something private given all the anti-werewolf legislation making things difficult for Remus. Not even my parents know—"

Bill's mother made a face, as if she found the idea of that most horrible.

"We're actually headed there after this meeting to tell them," Tonks said with a nervous smile. "So you all know before my own parents!" She looked back at Mad-Eye. "And that is why we were late because we were enjoying the very brief honeymoon we let ourselves have before returning to all this madness."

"Still doesn't excuse…" Mad-Eye grumbled, but he was immediately cut off by Bill's own mother exclaiming how wonderful this all was.

"It seems to be wedding season!"

"Oh, but please don't think we're trying to steal your thunder," Tonks said, dropping her smile for the first time as she looked at Bill and Fleur. "That really was not our intention. It was just how things worked out. After Bill's accident we realized there's no time to waste." She smiled again. "We're still very excited for your wedding."

"Of course we do not zink zat," Fleur said, glancing over at Bill—who certainly did not think that. He wasn't even aware that was a thing to think. Were people not supposed to get married around the same time as one another? Was that a faux pas he was unaware of?

"If anyzing," Fleur continued, "we will 'ave forever reminders as to when our anniversaries will be." She glanced at Bill. "If you 'ear it iz zeirs, zen you 'ave no reason to forget ours."

"Yeah, Bill," said Fred, "you two should set up a system where Tonks and Remus remind you of theirs, that way you don't forget the dinner reservations."

"I'm perfectly capable of remembering my own anniversary," Bill said, though he did step over to pat Remus on the back and offer, "Though perhaps if we did work out a sort of buddy-system just to be sure…"

There was laughter around the room as Bill's father announced that they should at least have a toast. This was something Tonks was apparently well prepared for, seeing as she said they'd brought Firewhiskey for everyone. She'd left the bottle outside in order to not draw attention to it when she'd arrived, and immediately went to fetch it as glasses were conjured.

"It iz a very lovely ring," Fleur had said after the toast, once she and Bill got their audience with Remus and Tonks on their own.

"Remus got it from his dad," Tonks said happily, showing the ring off proudly. "It's perfect."

Bill threw Remus a smile, which Remus returned but it was a bit strained. He really did not seem to enjoy being the center of attention when it came to all this wedding business. He was letting Tonks do nearly all of the talking, which she seemed happy to do as she enthusiastically recalled their intimate ceremony.

Bill was certain he'd never seen her so happy. He even caught her hugging Mad-Eye, which…Mad-Eye didn't seem to know how to react to that, but he took it in stride. Bill could have sworn he caught a smile out of him once or twice when listening to Tonks tell her story. Her elation was contagious.

"That sort of excitement is going to be tough to beat on our wedding day, huh?" Bill said to Fleur once Remus and Tonks said their goodbyes; they needed to get to her parents' house and further share the news. Everyone else was taking their leave for the night as well, leaving only his family, Fleur, and Hermione.

She threw him a funny look, as if she highly doubted that. Knowing her, she likely took it as a challenge. It made him laugh as he reached out and pulled her toward him, kissing the side of her head. He may not have been making a big deal about all of this wedding stuff as she was, but he was actually very excited for it. He was looking forward to his turn to be the happy goon with the unmovable grin on his face as everyone came to greet and congratulate him.

It was a nice night, so they decided to have dinner outside in the garden. Bill and the twins helped move the tables, while Ron, Ginny, and Hermione helped set them. Fleur was helping his mother in the kitchen, while his father eventually pulled Bill aside to start asking about where they thought it best to set up the tent for the wedding. If Bill was being honest, he was fairly certain Fleur already had a plan and a blueprint for that, so asking him was just a waste of time.

Sure enough, once his father also asked Fleur the same question, she immediately had every detail committed to memory and began explaining them at length. She was never anything if not prepared.

He smiled as he watched her, happy to see she'd been in much better spirits lately. The majority of her side of the guest list had unfortunately declined the invitation to come to the wedding here, though she still had several family members and a few friends that were willing to make the trip. It wasn't the amount she'd been hoping for, but she was very excited at the 'yeses' she'd received and was trying to look on the bright side. She'd been great about that lately—looking on the bright side.

He wasn't even entirely sure what had shifted—maybe him nearly dying—but she was even getting along better with his mum. There was a cordialness now there between the two of them that didn't exist prior to his attack, and while he'd have much rather it come under entirely different circumstances, he'd take what he could get. They were learning to get along; maybe even enjoy each other's company.

The same could be said for most of his family. Ginny and Fleur were talking more—Bill had even witnessed them laughing together a couple of times—and getting on without the added hostility. Ron wasn't as doofy in front of Fleur anymore, which told Bill he was growing up significantly. He could talk to her without tripping over himself, and that growth seemed to have trickled down into his interaction with others, like Hermione. He was so much better around her these days; sticking his foot in his mouth far less than before and actually–dare Bill say it—being almost charming at times. There were definitely more smiles and less bickering these days between those two.

His father engaged her more; the twins…well, they hadn't changed much, but they did take the piss on her more often, which was their way of showing affection. It didn't always work since Fleur had her own way of shutting that down, but there were small changes everywhere that showed Fleur was now considered a part of this family. He was happy everyone else had caught up because, as far as he was concerned, she'd been family to him the moment they got engaged.

"So, is this wedding just going to be a glorified Order meeting mixed with the likes of Auntie Muriel and some distant Weasley cousins turning up?" Fred asked once he, George and Bill finished with the tables.

Bill shrugged. "If you even want to call it that. Much of the Order can't come because they have their own stuff to take care of, but mum and dad did wrangle up some of the random family members. And Fleur's got some family turning up. Her folks, an aunt or uncle or two, some cousins…"

"Oooh, cousins?" Fred asked, his expression intrigued. "Are these cousins, perchance, attractive?"

"And if the answer is yes," George added, "are they single?"

Bill threw them both looks as he noticed Fleur appearing from the house with a platter. "They're attractive enough to be far out of your league."

"You let us worry about leagues" Fred said, also noticing Fleur. He stepped forward to try and be helpful by attempting to relieve her of the platter she was carrying. "Hey Fleur. I know you'll be busy on your wedding day and all, but think you can put in a good word with some of your fit cousins for me? Preferably the best looking ones…"

Fleur laughed as she breezed right past him, choosing to carry the platter herself. "All of my cousins are ze 'best looking ones' and zey will eat up desperate men and spit 'zem out for breakfast, so…" She looked him up and down. "Do not be zat man."

"I would never," Fred said, feigning earnestly, which for some reason made Bill cackle with laughter. Ginny, who had wandered over with food of her own to place on the table, was now staring at Fred as if she wasn't entirely sure she believed that.

"So wait, if you've got yourself some cousins coming after all," George said once everyone else began to appear from the house with the last of dinner. "Does that mean you got your bridesmaid situation sorted out?"

Fleur was shaking her head as she moved napkins and utensils around to make room. "I love all of my cousins, but I could not count on asking someone, only for zem to cancel. Zere are still questions if zey will even make ze final trip. Plans are changing constantly and I need to be certain at zis time."

Bill reached out and gave her shoulder a little rub. He'd asked her a very similar question days before, and it was clear she was tired of depending on people only for them to change their minds. She'd come to the conclusion that she was fine with it just being Gabrielle standing up there with her, just as he would only have Charlie.

"It is a shame those lovely gowns you chose won't be seen," said his mother, who had just placed a large bowl of potatoes on the table.

Bill threw his mother a bit of a look as if to say, "Let's not remind her…" He was about to change the subject when Fleur suddenly said, "Well, zere iz still one way…"

With that, she set her gaze on Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, who had all taken seats at the other end of the table and looked ready to tuck in to dinner. They didn't seem to have noticed that the rest of them were paying them any attention until Hermione looked up; she nudged Ron, who also looked and caused Ginny to do the same.

Fleur smiled a little and took a step forward. "Ginny, would you like to be a bridesmaid?"

Bill blinked. That was news to him. It was apparently news to everyone because there were surprised looks all around the group. His mother had gasped a little, looking both surprised and delighted. Ginny looked…completely gobsmacked.

"You're asking…me?" Ginny asked, though there wasn't any sarcasm or snark in her tone. It was genuine curiosity; perhaps even shock. Across the table from her, Hermione was grinning, while Ron seemed to be waiting for her response.

"You want me to be a bridesmaid?"

Fleur nodded, finally looking back at Bill to gauge his reaction. When he didn't object, instead offering her a silent look of encouragement, she smiled quickly and turned back to Ginny.

"Bill 'as always said 'e 'as 'ad a special relationship wiz you," Fleur said. "I remember on our first dates, 'e would speak fondly of you and 'ow you were ''is little shadow.'"

His mother squeaked out an "Awwww" noise.

"And what were we called?" Fred whispered, glancing over at Bill.

Bill shrugged. "I don't know. The little demons that lived upstairs and broke all my stuff?"

Fred and George both snickered a bit, with George muttering, "I suppose if the shoe fits…"

Their mother shushed them all, clearly wanting to let Fleur finish with her little moment. Fleur, in turn, was still looking at Ginny with a hopeful expression.

"I know we 'ave never been close, but I do 'ope zat can change in ze future. I truly do. And since I do 'ave zese beautiful gowns already 'ere, I zought you would be a perfect fit to wear one. If you are interested."

Ginny still looked shocked. She glanced around at the various faces, all of which seemed encouraging. This was a different direction than Bill had expected the evening to take, but he was happy for it. Fleur was making a huge effort here and extending Ginny an olive branch of peace. He only hoped Ginny would take it.

"Gin," he said, wanting to also chime in, "it would mean the world to me if you did this."

Ginny's expression could still only be summed up as, "What is happening…?" but after a couple of silent seconds, it did give way to an awkward sort of smile. She finally just shrugged and said, "Alright. Sure."

There was a small outburst of excitement from around the group, mostly sourced from his mother who immediately commented in that if Ginny were to wear one of those dresses, they'd need to alter it. Down the table Ginny was looking at Ron and Hermione still rather unsure as to what had just happened. Hermione looked to be offering her excited words of encouragement, while Ron nodded along.

"Can't imagine why I didn't get asked as well," Fred quipped, helping himself to salad. "I would look amazing in a nice frock."

"You were ze backup plan," Fleur teased. "I do 'ave two gowns, and do not zink I did not consider you and George."

"But you realized that our raw animal magnetism would have outshone you on your big day?" Fred asked. "Makes perfect sense. I get it."

"Missed opportunity," Bill offered, reaching over to rub Fleur's back as they all ate under the evening sky. It was a perfect night, truly perfect, and he could only hope for this sort of evening for the wedding in a few days time. He could already practically picture it all as he glanced around the back garden, the image of a tent, soft lights, people, and music filled the air.

It would be amazing. For once, everything was amazing.