"You look so handsome!" his mother gushed, her eyes glistening with tears as she proceeded to embrace Bill moments before the two of them, his father, and Charlie were to exit the house and walk to the marquee where all their guests were currently waiting.
"Mum, don't cry," Bill pleaded, doing his best to both hug her in return but also keep her from crushing the rose on his lapel.
"Oh, she's going to cry," Charlie said.
"She is," their father agreed, his attention out the window and clearly on the sight across the garden. "But Molly, can it wait a couple of minutes?"
She was nodding, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief while smiling, already on about—for the fifth time that day—how she couldn't believe this day had come; how just yesterday it seemed like he was that little boy trudging up and down the stairs with his tattered blue blanket that he'd never let leave his sight.
"Except that was me, Mum," Charlie said. "Always mixing us up."
That comment earned him an immediate look of surprise not only from their mother and father, but also from Bill. His mother may have legitimately mixed up details between the two of them from time to time, but that little boy had most definitely been him and not Charlie.
"What—?"
"I'm taking the piss," Charlie said obviously. "Just trying to make a little joke." He smiled at Bill. "We all know it was you with that blanket. Frankly, there was a time where I assumed it would be that thing instead of Fleur you'd be gearing up to marry."
Bill reached out and swatted him while his mother said, "Charlie, you're too much…"
Meanwhile, Ginny had appeared then at the stairs, currently acting as the go-between for them and Fleur. When they left, she was to go and let Fleur and her father know it was time to make their own way downstairs.
"Why are you still here?" Ginny asked. "Would you go already?"
"Am I getting yelled at on my wedding day?" Bill said to her, watching as she made a shooing gesture with her hands to signal for them to get moving.
They did take their leave then, all of them marching across the garden and toward where the tent had been constructed near the orchard. It was warm outside, but otherwise, it was a perfect day with clear blue skies as far as the eye could see. The way their wedding luck had been, Bill had almost assumed they'd have had to deal with rain—perhaps a random hurricane?—but it seemed that, for once, something had gone according to plan.
"All things considered, this is a nice turnout," his father said as the sight of all of the people who were sitting and waiting up under the marquee came into view. "I'd say that's about fifty to sixty guests."
"That was the number we were expecting," his mother said, which made Bill immediately remember how they originally had planned for closer to a hundred and twenty. When the dust had settled, nearly three quarters of Fleur's guest list had dropped out while roughly a quarter of Bill's hadn't been able to make it. Truthfully, Bill had really only had about fifteen people he actually wanted to invite, but that hadn't taken into account all of his mother and father's friends, associates, and distant family members. He wasn't entirely sure who was in attendance, seeing as Fleur and his mother had taken over that step long ago.
"We'll go around the side," Bill said to Charlie, knowing that this was where he and his parents parted ways. They would go to the top of the aisle and escort each other to their seats; he and Charlie would enter through the side and stand at the front.
"Good luck," his father called to them as he proceeded to lead their mother away before she had a chance to get emotional once again. It had left Bill and Charlie to sneak around the front, stopping before they made their entrance in front of the waiting crowd.
It was there that they found themselves almost immediately greeted by a small wizard with a wide smile in very smart dress robes—the man who would be presiding over the ceremony. He seemed very pleased to see them, stating that he always was happy when things started on time.
"You and your best man here will walk straight in and stand just there—" He pointed to a spot at the front of the marquee, "once I give you the signal." He looked at Bill. "You'll, of course, go first."
Bill nodded, his heart starting to pound a bit harder now that heard the soft sounds of music kick up, as if someone was preparing the room for action. The little wizard told them it would only be another moment or so; he excused himself back inside while claiming that he would signal to them once he knew the bride was in place.
"For a second," said Charlie once the wizard had left. "I misunderstood and thought he said 'in space', and that made me think of Fleur on the moon."
He chuckled to himself, looking at Bill as if expecting him to do the same. What he found was Bill chewing on the inside of his cheek.
"Deep breath, mate," Charlie said, reaching up and giving his older brother's shoulders a quick rub before patting his back.
Bill gave him an apprehensive smile. He couldn't help but in his own head a bit. It seemed mad that this was all finally happening. It somehow felt like he'd just met Fleur yesterday, but also that he'd known her most of his life. Neither of these things were true, of course, but that was how he felt.
The music then grew a bit louder and the voices in the tent suddenly quieted. The officiant was standing at the front of the gathered crowd, smiling at something down the length of the aisle. He then turned and nodded toward Bill and Charlie.
With one last reassuring grin from Charlie, Bill stepped under into the tent.
He could just make out his parents taking their seats at the front row of chairs; the twins and Ron sitting nearby, accompanied by their friends. Behind them, faces the likes of Muriel and other random relatives were all in their hats and brightly colored robes. After a quick scan, he noticed other people he vaguely knew—his father's old coworker, Perkins; neighbors like the Lovegoods; members of the Order, including Remus, Tonks, and—in the back, towering over the group, Hagrid beaming happily at him.
There were a handful of coworkers from Gringotts there as well, many of whom he'd only invited once the location had changed to England in order to get the numbers up and fill in for Fleur's sudden vacancies. He noticed they were sitting on Fleur's side of the aisle, seeing as it was less full than his. She did have a good two rows up front filled with very pretty family members and other miscellaneous relatives that had made the trip. Her headmistress from Beauxbatons and some unfamiliar faces in other rows further back—likely friends Bill may not have met—had also come.
All in all, the place looked full. You'd have never known how many people couldn't and didn't make the trip.
A sudden wolf-whistle ripped through the otherwise quiet tent as soon as he and Charlie had stopped themselves at the front. That had caused giggles and a small bout of laughter to carry over the guests. Bill immediately knew it was Fred given the cheeky grin on his face, and he let himself acknowledge his brother with his own flash of a smile.
Then, just as quickly, the music swelled seemingly out of nowhere; for a moment, Bill found himself startled. He'd assumed he'd had another minute or so. His heart was practically thumping out of his chest, and while he knew he should keep his eyes on the aisle where Fleur would appear soon enough, a part of him was almost afraid to do that. Not because of her or of what was about to happen, but at the fact that he was now being watched by a large crowd of people who were privy to witnessing one of the most intimate moments of his life. This should be private—he, Fleur, and their closest family members. All of these other people suddenly seemed out of place.
He turned his eyes toward the officiant, who was beaming and clearly watching something happening at the other end of the tent. A collective sigh had filled the room courtesy of all of their guests, which seemingly indicated Fleur had finally made her appearance.
Bill didn't immediately turn. He wasn't sure why, but something inside of him kept telling him to wait. Not yet. This was the moment—his first look—and he wanted it to be perfect and on his terms; not just because an entire room of people were making noises and indicating that he should.
The officiant did eventually catch Bill's eye. His expression seemed to say, "Turn around! You're missing the best part!"
In his peripherals, he caught a glance of Ginny's hair as she took her spot on Fleur's side of the altar; followed by Gabrielle, who—out of the corner of his eye and with just the briefest glimpse of her blonde hair—made him believe that Fleur had somehow sneaked all the way up already. He'd panicked for a second, seeing that as much as he was hoping to savor his first look down the aisle, he didn't want to miss it entirely.
Beside him, Charlie had his gaze fixed intently down the aisle. He did seem to catch on to his brother's demeanor, and nudged Bill while offering an encouraging smile. It was as if he was saying, "Now is a good time to turn around " before he silently mouthed, "She looks beautiful."
Well, of course she looked beautiful. This was Fleur; she was incapable of not looking beautiful. She was incapable of being anything but beautiful, inside and out.
That being said, when he finally did turn to look at her, he wasn't sure he'd ever seen her look that beautiful before. That was Fleur alright, but somehow she'd elevated herself to look as if she was glowing pure, concentrated perfection. He actually felt as if he'd momentarily lost the ability to breathe. Breathtaking had an entirely new meaning—one he hadn't quite understood until this very moment.
She met his eyes and smiled at him. Everything else in the room at that moment not only paled in comparison, but as far as he was concerned, it all disappeared. All of the people and sounds fell away until it suddenly was just the two of them in their own world. All of his nerves at the idea of people watching them share this private moment suddenly turned to dust. It now truly felt as if it was only them.
The only two people that mattered.
When the music swelled, Fleur knew it was time.
In front of her on the purple carpet that lined the aisle and would lead her to the front of the marquee, Ginny and Gabrielle—in that order—both turned to offer Fleur looks that said, "It's time ," as they clutched and raised their bouquets in front of them. From beside her, her father offered her his arm to take, his expression positively giddy. It was him who actually said the phrase, "Ç'est l'heure."
It was time.
Ginny stepped forward first, then Gabrielle a few steps behind her. After twenty or so seconds passed, Fleur felt her father squeeze her arm, waiting for her cue to know when to proceed. He apparently wanted her to know that this was to be done on her terms. He would follow her lead.
She nodded and smiled, holding her head up high just as she had a hundred times before when walking into a room where she knew all eyes would be on her. This wasn't her first grand entrance, but it was proving to be the most significant one to date.
Her heart started to beat quicker and quicker with each slow step they took, but it had little to do with nerves or with all of the people watching. They didn't bother her at all; she was very used to being watched. She was simply happy to finally get to make this official—to call Bill her own forever. She was excited to finally get to see him and experience the madness of this once-in-a-life occasion now with him. It had been an exhausting morning doing it on her own so far, but soon it would be a task for the two of them.
Every face in the room had turned to look at her and her father as they entered; she could hear and feel the reactions pouring off of her guests. Some were whispering and pointing excitedly, others just beaming at her. As someone who had been to several weddings, she knew what it felt like to watch a bride proceed down the aisle to her groom; how there could be this overwhelming sense of joy that overtook one's senses. It was as if the idea of love was personified in a moment in time, and for once, she was the one creating it.
Her father was acknowledging the family that had made the trip from France. She could see her mother near the front, already dabbing her eye with a handkerchief as she sat with her Aunt Marie. Several of her more distant cousins—they'd come!—were also teary eyed, looking equal parts happy and envious. Fleur managed to pick Isabelle out of the crowd for a brief moment, her hand over her heart and large smile plastered across her face. Madame Maxime was there as well, beaming proudly.
She turned to let her eyes settle on the front, where Bill had his back to her, apparently waiting to turn around to see her. She actually found this rather surprising. Bill was generally very eager—she'd have assumed he would have been the type to have watched her take every step—but there he was standing resolutely forward with a purpose. She wondered what he was waiting for.
Ginny and Gabrielle had reached the front and taken their spots beside where she would be standing in a moment. Charlie was beside Bill, his smile beaming at her as she briefly caught his eye. She'd taken the moment to briefly look down to make sure she hadn't stepped on her dress, though when she looked back up, she saw that Bill had finally turned.
When their eyes met, he smiled at her in a way that made her heart feel as if it could leap out of her chest. How he managed to convey so much love in a single glance, she'd never know.
Because that smile...The warmest, sweetest, sexiest smile she'd even seen. Even after his accident, while his face had changed, his smile felt identical to the very first time she'd seen it. In fact, given the current distance between them, she was immediately reminded of that first exchange of smiles they'd had happened across a dark room at Hogwarts prior to the third task. One where he'd been being polite and she'd been hoping to catch his attention.
There had been so many smiles since then. Happy smiles, sad smiles, tired smiles, giggly smiles, sarcastic smiles, drunk smiles, sexy smiles…She could name them all. Though she had to admit the one she was looking at right now was different. She'd never seen this one before, at least not this highly charged with emotion. If she were to label it, she'd call it his "This is forever" smile.
She liked this one most of all.
She and her father stopped at the end of the aisle, him letting go and leaning in to kiss her cheek before stepping back to join her mother at their seats. As she stepped forward to stand at her place, two different hands immediately reached out toward her—Bill's to take her and guide her closer; Gabrielle's to take her bouquet from her.
She handed her sister the flowers before letting Bill's hand entwine with hers. The second they touched, they both squeezed each other in an identical manner.
"You look beautiful," he whispered.
"You do as well," she said with a smile. Her nerves had got the better of her and she realized a moment too late that what she'd said was silly. She let herself pull the slightest trace of a face for Bill's benefit, but he merely let himself smile and quietly chuckle. He squeezed her hand again.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," said the little wizard standing before them, the one Fleur had only just noticed was even there. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two faithful souls…"
She could feel Bill look over at her, so she did the same. They likely should be listening to what this man was saying—it was their wedding after all—but smiling at Bill's face just seemed like such a better idea at the moment.
Because everything this man was saying, she was already well aware of. Marriage was the ultimate commitment; true love was a bond like no other…
She wasn't exactly sure she followed the part about how when two souls found their match, their combined powers could bring forth a magic more powerful than the greatest of spells, but she supposed it sounded nice. It certainly had made a few people in their seats sniffle loudly.
But she didn't need to be told that she was making an ultimate commitment because that's not what any of this felt like. When people put it like that, it almost sounded foreboding; as if this were a choice you had to think long and hard about for fear of making a mistake.
Maybe that was the case for some people, but with Bill, she'd never had to think hard about whether or not they were meant to be together. She'd known he was the one within a week of knowing him.
He was her other half. The person who could understand her with a look and calm her with a touch. He brought out the best in her, which…until she'd met him, she'd always assumed she was the best form of herself already, but he'd allowed her to understand that wasn't true. She still had much to learn, and he'd helped her do that. He'd taught her so much, opened her eyes to so much, supported her so much.
There was no commitment to be made, it had naturally happened. It wasn't something she'd ever questioned. Marrying him was one of the easiest decisions she'd ever had to make. She struggled more with what to wear most days than agreeing to marry him.
The wizard before them was now indicating that they should turn to face each other. She reached out to take both of Bill's hands in hers, their eyes locking and smiles sprawling immediately across their faces. If she didn't know any better, his expression seemed to be saying, "This is it…"
"Do you, William Arthur," said the man, "take Fleur Isabelle to be your wife? To bond yourself for life under the most ancient of magical promises? Through the ups and downs of marriage and all challenges that you may face?"
Bill smiled and nodded slowly. "I do."
"And do you, Fleur Isabelle, take William Arthur to be your husband…"
Somewhere, someone loudly blew their nose like a trumpet, which…Fleur did her best not to react to despite it being the absolute worst possible moment for someone to do that. Instead she listened as the wizard finished her part of her vow expectations, nodding quickly and answering, "I do," the moment she was prompted.
With that it felt final and real. She and Bill both grinned rather stupidly at each other. That really only left….
The wizard held up his wand. "Then I declare you bonded for life!" he said, waving his wand over their heads as a shower of silver stars fell upon them. On that cue, Bill leaned in and kissed her as the sounds of applause rang out behind them. Other noises such as balloons bursting, music playing, and bells ringing filled the room.
Beautiful madness.
As she and Bill broke apart, she pushed her forehead against his, whispered, "I love you," and quickly kissed him again before glancing around the room at all the happy faces that were now standing and staring right at them, clapping their hands and some whistling. She supposed it was time to enjoy this with everyone she knew now.
Because as it were, she had the rest of her life to enjoy it with Bill. They'd certainly just seen to that.
"The new Mr. and Mrs. Weasley!"
It was the twins' friend, Lee Jordan, who's called that out shortly after the ceremony, once Bill and Fleur passed directly by him as they made their way back into the tent after taking some photographs.
Fleur mustered a funny sort of look at hearing that. While Lee wasn't wrong, per se, Bill could also understand while it had jolted Fleur a bit. They had already had the discussion about what she wanted to do with her name once they were married. As she explained it, in France it was common for women to legally keep their names, though they socially may be referred to as their husband's name. She knew that in England, it was far more a common practice for women to legally change one's last name, but she apparently much preferred the way they did it back home.
"So you'll legally keep Delacour," Bill had asked her weeks earlier, "but if someone calls you Weasley—?"
"I would not correct zem," she said. "Unless it iz an official matter." She studied his face. "Iz zat somezing you are comfortable wiz?"
Bill shrugged. He didn't care much one way or another, seeing as it wasn't as if there was a shortage of Weasleys. If that was what made her happy, so be it.
"And," she added as an afterthought, "Being called 'Mrs. Weasley' will certainly be an…adjustment." She threw him a look. "It makes me zink of your mozer."
It made him think of his mother as well, hence why he immediately understood the look she was now making after having been addressed as Mrs. Weasley by Lee. Hearing 'Mr. and Mrs. Weasley' paired together did nothing but conjure images of his parents in his mind.
That was going to take a lot of getting used to, especially since he kept hearing it over and over again throughout the night.
The party had kicked off into full swing nearly straight away, the ceremony decor vanishing in favor of tables and chairs for people to take to while they snacked on hor devours and charmed floating bottles of champagne. The band had taken a small staging area off to the side and begun immediately playing music for people to enjoy. Bill had barely had a moment to take everything in—or to grab a quick bite to eat—before he and Fleur were immediately being urged to take to the dance floor.
Fleur reached over and took his hand, smiling as she took the cue and led him out to the center of the dance floor to start things off. All around the room everyone seemed to be watching; some had started clapping.
"You know, I don't think we've ever properly danced before," Bill said as placed one hand on his wife's waist and the other in her hand. He pulled her as close as he could get away with with so many witnesses.
She made a face as if she wasn't sure she believed that, but she also couldn't seem to offer a rebuttal. "We 'ave danced togezer before."
"Right, as in playfully and when no one's around, but when have we ever had a real occasion to dance like this? No one's been celebrating much lately."
Now she was looking at him funny. "Do you mean to tell me I married you wizout knowing if you can properly dance?"
"Seems that way," he said with a small smile before leaning in to give her a quick kiss. "What an oversight on your part."
A camera flashed nearby. Somewhere in the crowd behind him, there was an "Awww…"
Fleur was laughing. "Per'aps, it was just meant to be saved for our wedding night? We certainly did not save anyzing else."
"We did not," Bill agreed, turning her a bit on the spot to a smattering of applause. "And I have no regrets about that."
"Of course you 'ave no regrets."
Bill laughed as he glanced around the room, watching as his mother and Fleur's father, as well as his father and Fleur's mother had paired off to take to the dance floor. They were met with more applause, the ice clearly broken for anyone else who would like to come out and join them.
The dance floor started to fill after that; the music swapping from a slow, rather romantic number to a fun, quick step song. His and Fleur's parents both had found their way back to each other, both sets happily dancing and celebrating the union of the children. Bill caught friends and couples from all parts of his life on the floor, looking as if they were having a great time.
At one point, he even caught sight of Ron dancing with Hermione, both with smiles and—for once—looking as if they were spending time together for reasons that had absolutely nothing to do with planning for something bigger. Those smiles were enjoying each other's company, plain and simple.
He should have taken Fred and George's bet.
He and Fleur stayed out there at first for the first four of five songs, until they could no longer avoid the watchful eyes of people who were waiting for them to step off the dance floor to speak to pay their well-wishes. As much as Bill rather would have spent his night enjoying his new wife and dancing with friends and family, duty did eventually call.
"Absolutely beautiful ceremony," said Isabelle as she came to offer her congratulations and embrace Fleur tightly. She spoke something to her in French that made Fleur beam before turning to also give Bill a grand hug. He hadn't seen her in over a year since she'd left, though Fleur had contact with her a time or two while she was visiting France. Like many of the others, she'd expressed hesitation at coming to England. However in the end, it appeared she'd chosen her goddaughter over her fears.
"You haven't happened to see my shop recently, have you?" she asked, mostly addressing Bill. "I was thinking of going by while I was visiting to see if it was still in one piece, but I've been told Diagon Alley is still in quite a state. All plans I've had to return have been put on permanent hiatus."
"Well, it's still there," Bill offered, thinking that it had been a bit since he'd properly been by, but last he'd seen it was still as locked up tightly as before. It was covered in "Wanted" posters of Death Eaters—many of whom paraded the streets still at night—but it was there.
"You should speak to my brothers about how Diagon Alley's been lately," Bill said, pointing out the twins from across the rooms. "That's them, just over there."
Isabelle turned to look, where—true to their word—Fred, George, and Lee Jordan had already found a trio of Fleur's pretty cousins to chat up. They had wasted no time.
"So happy for the pair of you," came the next well-wisher, some distant aunt in a large purple hat that Bill barely knew but vaguely remembered was called Mimi. There were many of those types, all with the same messages. " So happy for you," "Beautiful couple," "Lovely wedding," "You seem so happy."
And of course, "How are you holding up?"
This question was always directed at Bill and always followed with a long look at his face, as if they were deciding for themselves the answer before he could speak.
"Well, I just got married to an amazing woman, so I'm holding up very well, thanks," Bill would reply with a smile every time. He was well aware that wasn't what they'd been alluding to—what they really wanted him to comment on—but he wasn't going to bite. He wasn't in the mood.
Only one person—his already half drunk Uncle Ollie—was forthright enough to follow up with, "No, I meant your face."
"'Is face iz as perfect and as 'andsome as always," Fleur cut in curtly, throwing Ollie a look as if to say, "Move along now" before actually saying, "Zank you so much for coming."
Fleur was masterful at moving people along; she was already hugging the next person who had queued up to say hello, insisting Bill properly meet them.
"Bill, zis iz Viktor!" she said excitedly, gesturing to the surly looking bloke with a goatee who was standing there with his hand out to shake Bill's. He reached out to return the gesture, immediately realizing that while he knew exactly who Viktor Krum was—the famous Quidditch Seeker and also Fleur's fellow competitor in the Triwizard Tournament; someone he'd heard Fleur mention countless times—he'd never properly seen the man before. He didn't follow Quidditch enough to care, and he'd barely paid attention to him at the Tournament.
While he would have been the same age as Fleur, he looked much older. He could have passed for closer to Bill's age than hers.
"Nice to finally meet you," Bill said, shaking his hand. "I've heard quite a bit about you from Fleur."
Viktor mustered a sort of polite smile—probably as polite as he was capable of. "Fleur is a vonderful voman. You are a lucky man."
Fleur smiled fondly, clearly happy to see her old friend. Bill offered up, "You don't have to tell me."
It was honestly strange to have so many different aspects of his life all gathered in the same place at once. Family he barely saw; Order members he saw all the time; coworkers who he'd never seen put in a situation to cut so loose or dance so wildly; his siblings seemingly having a great time; his parents looking as though this was a much needed night off from their usual routine; his new in-laws actually looking unusually casual and relaxed. There was something rather unexpected to look at everywhere. It was a nice change of pace.
Speaking of the unexpected…
"It's a Nepalese fertility pebble," said Xenophillius Lovegood, having handed Fleur his wedding gift and insisted the pair open it right then. When Fleur had pulled the lid off, they'd discovered a very small, smooth pebble sitting inside. Bill picked it up to examine it, not having the faintest idea what it could be.
"Very powerful, you know," Xenophillius continued. "It is said that if you keep this pebble anywhere nearby while engaged in sexual congress, you are to be guaranteed the bearing of fruit."
Bill and Fleur looked up at him, the former now dropping the pebble back in the box as if it suddenly burned his hand. Fleur was staring at Xenophilius as if she wasn't sure she quite understood.
"Fruit?"
"Children," he clarified, laughing. "It will most definitely bring children. And I can attest to its powers because I used my own just once when conceiving my Luna."
Well, that was more than Bill ever wanted to know about Xenophillius' life, and given Fleur's expression, she seemed to feel the same. Especially since she'd literally just met the man.
"Keep it safe until you are ready for it," Xenophillius said with a wink. "Do not underestimate its powers."
With that, he sort of drifted away toward the dance floor, apparently wanting to enjoy the song that was currently playing. It left Bill and Fleur standing there rather blankly, holding the mysterious baby making rock.
"'Ow do you know zat man, again?" Fleur asked, quickly closing the lid on the box and looking as if she didn't have the slightest clue what to do with it.
Bill decided that he and Fleur had earned a bit of a break after that; the pair wandered over to find someone safe to talk to—which in this case meant Charlie, who was at the edge of the dance floor talking to Remus and Tonks. Tonks was swaying rather happily to the music and seemed to be in an especially good mood tonight. Perhaps she was living her own wedding night out vicariously through theirs. Either way, there was a wonderful glow radiating off of her.
The same couldn't be said for Remus, who seemed to be in his own head and rather subdued. He'd stopped talking to Charlie to shake Bill's hand and congratulate him—Tonks had embraced him and Fleur into a massive hug—but just as quickly was back to explaining something rather serious sounding to Charlie.
Tonks walked over and rubbed her husband's shoulders. "Can't you take one night off?"
Remus begrudgingly seemed to acknowledge that perhaps he'd been a bit of a buzzkill, and while Bill wasn't sure what it was they were talking about, Charlie also looked a bit thankful for the change of subject. He immediately turned his attention to Bill.
"You don't have a drink."
"Yeah, I've been busy chatting with everyone and haven't had time to—"
"What kind of shit best man do you have that he's letting you go empty-handed?" Charlie asked, already sounding as if he'd been hitting the Firewhiskey fairly regularly that evening. "You need a drink."
"Well, if you're offering to get me one, I won't turn it down."
Charlie had turned to Fleur. "You don't have a drink either! Seems your maid of honor isn't much better than this best man of his."
"She iz eleven-years-old," Fleur reminded him.
"Yeah," Bill added, "some might say a child supplying drinks all night is inappropriate…"
"Well, then I'm going to get everyone drinks!" Charlie said with a quick head nod, looking also at Remus and Tonks. "For everyone! You two need some?"
Remus held up a half full glass as if to say he was fine. Tonks, who had nothing in her hands, said, "I'd love a pumpkin juice."
Charlie made a face. "That's it? You really know how to go hard, Tonks."
She shrugged as if she couldn't be bothered. "I'm not much in the mood to drink tonight."
"Whatever you say," Charlie mumbled before turning back toward Bill and Fleur. "You two are getting real drinks though. Don't move, I'll be right back!"
"You do that," Bill said, glancing over to where Fleur and Tonks both were watching Charlie walk away with rather amused expressions. It prompted him to add, "So Charlie's been drinking."
"Obviously," Fleur said.
Tonks laughed. "Does he still sing when he gets really drunk?"
He raised his eyebrow. "Is that something he did?"
Tonks shrugged, still laughing a little. "Maybe? I just remember seeing him somewhere once—I think it was right after we'd finished school and ended up at the same party—and he was drunk as a skunk and singing with some mates of his. Poorly, I might add. It's very clear why he's not a singer."
Bill had been about to comment that he knew all too well how bad a singer Charlie was, so Tonks' story must be true, but Fleur had jumped straight in with, "Zat certainly sounds like somezthing Charlie would do."
She'd said it with a completely straight face; effortlessly taking the piss. For some reason, that made Bill smile. It was as he could sense in that moment just how well she knew his family—even Charlie, who she'd met all of three times. She'd really start to become one of them.
As the night progressed, a big to-do was made about him and Fleur cutting their cake, which commanded the attention of nearly everyone in the room. This was especially true once their phoenix cake toppers took flight and circled the room the moment he and Fleur sliced into the first of the three tiers. The flashes of cameras nearly blinded Bill, and he was starting to believe he may never see again without starbursts obscuring his vision.
But it would be worth it if the night continued to be as amazing as it was turning out to be.
Because everywhere, people were having fun. For a few short hours, it was as if Voldemort didn't exist under this canopy and people could once again enjoy themselves. Cake was being passed around, drinks were still flowing, the music had kicked back up, and he was fairly certain he and Fleur had spoken to and thanked every guest in attendance at this point. Perhaps they were finally free to enjoy the party
"Oh no, poor Harry," Bill said as he and Fleur stopped dancing and sat for the first time all evening. She was picking at a piece of the cake, while he was drinking down a glass of champagne and staring across the tent. That was where Harry had got himself locked in a conversation with Aunt Muriel and his parents' old friend, Elphias Doge.
"Someone should save him from Muriel," Bill mumbled to her, draining his glass before turning to the table behind him. Charlie, Hagrid, and Uncle Ollie were all sitting together and singing a terribly drunken and offkey version of "Odo the Hero."
"Charlie!" called Bill. "As best man, I feel as if it's your duty to go and rescue Cousin Barny from Muriel."
Charlie, who was nothing close to sober at this point, squinted at Bill. "Who the hell is Cousin Barny?"
Bill laughed. "Someone who needs saving from Muriel."
Charlie made a face that could only be summed up as, "Go fuck yourself" before muttering, "I did my time with Muriel earlier. Fifteen bloody minutes, half of which was her telling me how much she likes my hair and how I'm the only one of mum's kids who knows what a proper haircut looks like." He rolled his eyes. "I'm done for at least another decade."
"If she makes it another decade."
Charlie swigged from his glass. "Please, you know bloody well she'll out live us all."
Bill laughed again, turning back around in his chair to watch Fleur as she pushed her cake plate away, having finished, and took in the scene before them. The dance floor was packed, the noise was joyful, and the energy was infectious. Hopefully, this night had been everything she'd hoped for.
"You having a good time?" he asked, reaching over to rub her back.
She turned and smiled at him. "I am. Yes."
He smiled back, and he could have kept staring into her beautiful, piercing blue eyes for at least another minute or so, if they weren't suddenly confronted with a very unexpected visitor.
"Bill. Fleur," said his father, who had come over to their table with another familiar face in tow, though this one Bill couldn't claim to have seen in ages. "There's someone here who was hoping for a quick word…"
"Amos," Bill said, standing immediately and feeling as if he'd seen a ghost. Truthfully, that was because Amos Diggory did look like one—a skinnier, older, clearly haunted version of the neighbor Bill had known since he was a small boy. He's always been a loud and boisterous man with a visible energy, never afraid to speak up or speak out, but the man who'd approached them on the heels of Bill's father seemed like a shadow of that man.
"Hello, Bill," Amos said, mustering up a difficult sort of smile that he also turned briefly onto Fleur. "It's been a bit. Congratulations."
It had been a bit. The last time Bill had seen him was that night at Hogwarts, but he wasn't about to say that. According to his parents, neither of the Diggorys went out as much as they used to. His parents had taken to checking up on them from time to time, and they'd even been invited to the wedding, but they'd politely declined.
Fleur also slowly stood up, though looked rather frozen. She was staring at Amos as if she had no idea what to say.
Bill cleared his throat. "Thank you. I'm glad to see you could make it."
Amos glanced over at Bill's father before looking back to him. "Yes, well, thank you for the invitation, but I only wanted to pop by and drop off this—" He held up a wrapped gift before setting it on the table beside Fleur, "and congratulate you. I hadn't planned on staying."
"You're welcome to stay," Bill said. "I'd love it if you did."
He shook his head. "Kind of you to say. You always were a kind lad. But Linda's back at the house and…I'll need to be getting back. She sends her congratulations as well." He forced a smile. "Wanted me to tell you that. She unfortunately couldn't bring herself to come."
He suddenly looked over at Fleur for a flash of a moment, almost as if he didn't want to, but that he couldn't help himself. "It's just…some things can't help but remind her of…"
He trailed off. Bill's father reached out and gave him a reassuring sort of pat on the back.
"But please know we wish you both the best," Amos continued, again forcing a smile and this time looking directly at Fleur with a purpose. "Ced always had lovely things to say about you, and knowing what a wonderful young man Bill has always been, I'm sure they're all true."
Fleur, who had visible tears in her eyes, did nothing more than nod. Bill reached over and took her hand.
"And you're certainly marrying into one fantastic family," Amos added, attempting to force a positive inflection to his tone since he seemed to sense the shift. He glanced over at Bill's father. "Truly good people."
"Thank you, Amos," Bill offered, sensing that Fleur was doing everything in her power not to cry right then. "And thank you for stopping by."
He nodded. "Right, well, I'll be on my way." He chanced a glance at Fleur. "I apologize if I upset you—"
Fleur suddenly dropped Bill's hand and stepped forward to hug Amos where he stood. He seemed surprised by the gesture, but did find his way to return it. Bill could just make out Fleur saying, "I am so sorry. I never 'ad ze chance to tell you 'ow sorry I was."
"You have nothing to be sorry for," he said, breaking apart and looking both confused and surprised all at the same time.
"I zink about Cedric everyday," she said, slow tears coming now. "You 'ave no idea 'ow much 'e 'as changed my life. 'E did not deserve…" She trailed off into a small sob. Bill stepped forward to put his arm around her, sharing a look with his father.
Amos looked teary now as well; he was shifting his weight awkwardly on his feet. After a heavy breath, he mustered, "You're kind to say that, and I'm truly sorry for upsetting you on your wedding day."
"You 'ave not upset me," Fleur said, her eyes shooting to his. "You 'ave allowed me to finally say somezing to you zat I 'ave been 'olding for years now. I only wish I 'ad done it sooner."
Amos forced another smile and didn't seem to know what to say to that. He seemed touched but also overwhelmed.
He finally looked over at Bill's father with an expression that said, "I should be going." He then turned back to Bill and Fleur, thanked them for their time.
"Congratulations," he offered once more before telling Bill's father he would see his way out; not to worry. He politely made his exit.
Bill's father stepped forward to ask if Fleur was alright, to which she immediately waved him off as she grabbed a nearby napkin and dabbed her eyes. "I am fine. Emotions are high today, zat is all. I was taken by surprise…"
Once she'd composed herself, she blinked a few times before settling her gaze on Bill. He smiled at her.
"Are you really alright?"
She nodded to say she was. "I 'ad always 'oped to speak to 'is parents. I never knew 'ow or when zat would be appropriate."
"You should have told me. They live a mile away, we could have worked something out."
"Yes, but I was also afraid to see zem," Fleur said quietly. "It iz all very complicated."
He kissed the top of her head, noticing then that Gabrielle had appeared at her sister's side and looked concerned as to why Fleur was suddenly upset. Whatever she asked Fleur, it prompted Fleur to immediately plaster on a very large smile; she even reached down and playfully boop Gabrielle on the nose. He got the impression she was letting her little sister know that everything was wonderful.
With that, he had been about to suggest they grab a drink or perhaps have another dance—anything to get Fleur's back to that happy place they'd been in earlier. He'd even invited Gabrielle to dance with them, seeing as the band was currently playing a very upbeat number.
But that was before the silver lynx that he already knew to be Kingsley's Patronus suddenly dropped in from the top of the tent and into the center of the dance floor. It caught the attention of only a few people in the room; when it opened its mouth, sure enough Kingsley's voice rang out throughout the tent—his tone as urgent as Bill had ever heard it.
"The Ministry had fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."