A/N: Chapter 3 is finally here. The final four chapters have all started being written and I hope to update this more regularly with a plan to complete by April at latest. Fingers crossed! Anyone waiting for an update of Black & Red, I am close to finishing the next chapter, so I would say within the week.
Thank you to Arnel for the much needed corrections and edits!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own, nor have I ever owned Harry Potter.
Bill stood at the entrance to the marquee that had been erected for his sister's wedding reception. He was amazed by how simply and tastefully it had been decorated, considering how much Ginny had fought their mum over what she wanted for her own wedding. It had taken Harry stepping in and reminding Molly that it was his and Ginny's wedding and that, under no circumstances, was there to be any pink used.
He still couldn't believe his baby sister was getting married as he watched as the final few flower garlands, made up of lilies and roses, were weaved into the chairs. To think how far she had come since the day she had arrived in Egypt to visit him, while still struggling with the events of her first year and here she was about to marry the boy who had rescued her.
Bill chuckled to himself as he moved away from the marquee and headed over to where the ceremony was to be held. He remembered Ginny declaring, with absolute certainty, when she was just five years old that one day she would marry the Boy Who Lived. Her dream had come true, though he knew she would remind everyone that she was just marrying her Harry, someone very different to whom she had declared she would marry.
Even so, it had been long, rough ride to get to this point, to this very day that he had honestly thought it would never happen.
HP&GW
July 1993…
"Where are you taking me, Bill?" Ginny asked as he led her through the streets of Cairo.
"It's a surprise, little one," he replied, not wanting to tell her of his plans in case she refused.
"Don't call me that, Bill! I am not a child anymore!"
Bill stopped walking as he realised that his sister was right in what she said. She was no longer a child after the events of her first year at Hogwarts. Surviving being possessed by the memory of Lord Voldemort and being forced to set a fifty-foot Basilisk on the school would be enough to make any child grow up quicker than they should and needed to.
"You're right, Ginny, and I apologise for that," Bill said as he pulled his only sister into his arms and hugged her tightly. While he only knew the basic story of what had happened to his sister, who was not forthcoming about it herself, he hated how he nearly lost her and no one had been there to help her until it was nearly too late. "I know you are reluctant to talk about your first year at school and I understand that, I really do. However, I want to help you and where I am taking you, well… I hope it will help."
Bill could only watch as his sister drew back enough to be able to gaze up at him. It seemed she was looking for something, which he suspected was any sign that he was lying to or deceiving her. After a minute or so, she nodded and pulled out his arms completely, allowing him to continue their walk to historic marketplace of Khan El-Khalili in the heart of Cairo.
"Wow!" Ginny gasped as they began walking through the marketplace.
Bill watched in amusement as Ginny tried to look at everything that the market had to offer. He couldn't blame her as he'd had a similar reaction when he had first visited. The architecture alone was enough to make anyone's jaw drop in awe of its beauty, but then, there was also the variety of goods that you could buy from silverware and stunning gold artifacts to incense and spices. He intended to bring his mum shopping here later on in their trip, but today, it was all about Ginny.
"Bill, isn't this all items for Muggles?" Ginny asked as he led down another pathway.
"Noticed that, did you?" Bill replied with a chuckle. "I am planning to bring you and Mum back here to have a look round another day. Today, however, we are going to wizarding section of the marketplace."
Bill watched as his sister's eyes lit in excitement at knowing whereabouts they were going. He suspected, however, that she might not be as excited when she discovered just why he brought her there. For now, though, he was eager to show her the wizarding part of the market.
"Welcome to Alsouk Sahria," Bill said as they turned down yet another pathway and passed through a set of magical wards.
"Oh, wow! This is amazing, Bill!"
He remembered being as excited as Ginny was the first time he had ventured into the market. Like the Muggle part of the market, it was filled with a variety of cafes and shops selling similar items for the magical tourist. He didn't dare bring the whole family here as he knew they would end up leaving with a magic carpet, something that was banned in Britain.
"We're not looking today, Ginny," Bill told his sister when he saw her drawn to a stall selling stunning jewellery. "I have somewhere specific in mind for us."
A couple of minutes later, he opened the door to what looked like a book shop, letting Ginny walk in ahead of him.
"A book shop?" Ginny asked inquisitively. Like Ollivanders was stocked floor to ceiling with wands, this shop appeared to be the same except it was with books.
"This is not just any book shop," Bill explained as they approached the counter. "It creates custom book orders, including diaries."
"No."
Bill stopped and turned round to find his sister glaring at him.
"I don't want another diary. Not ever."
"I understand why you don't, but can you please hear me out before you reject the idea?" he pleaded, knowing how stubborn his sister could be.
"Fine," Ginny huffed in annoyance, "but if I don't like what you have to say, we leave. Immediately!"
"I have two reasons for wanting to buy you a new diary," Bill quickly explained. "First, it will help to have somewhere to write down your thoughts, feelings and nightmares. I know the diary turned out to be something horrific for you in the end, but you told me yourself that it was helpful to begin with, that it helped you deal with the struggles of starting Hogwarts and feeling lonely."
Ginny appeared stunned by him using her own words against her. He could tell she wanted to deny it, but was pleased when she simply nodded in agreement.
"The second reason," Bill continued, not waiting for Ginny to say anything in response, "is that the best way to handle any fear is to face it head on. I can't imagine what you are going to be feeling about returning to Hogwarts this coming school year, but the very fact you are returning means you are not going to let the events of your first year stop you from attending the school. If we apply that same idea to the use of a diary, then it will help you not be fearful of magical objects that could potentially appear to be like the diary was."
"Then why we are here?" Ginny asked curiously. "You know I could have just bought a new diary when we go to Diagon Alley at the end of the summer."
Bill knew in that moment she had accepted his reasons, which pleased him immensely.
"Because this shop specialises in creating custom made books, meaning we can get you a diary, which not only you are comfortable with, but has an array of spells on it to protect your privacy and make sure no one can use it but you."
"I like that idea," Ginny said slowly. She bit her lip as a look of concern came over her face. "The spells won't make the writing disappear or make it so no one else can see what I am writing when the book is open? I just don't want…"
Bill was confused as to what his sister was getting at for the moment before a sweeping realisation came over him.
"You don't want anyone thinking you have another diary like last year," Bill guessed, knowing he was right without the need for his sister to confirm. "More importantly, I think you don't want Harry to worry if and when he sees you with it."
The blush that began to spread across Ginny's cheeks was enough for anyone to confirm that Harry was at the forefront of her mind. Ron had mentioned to him that Harry had used the book briefly, which was the reason Ginny had stolen it back to begin with. Being in the chamber would have been traumatic, in different ways, for both of them, so he could understand Ginny not wanting Harry or anyone who knew the truth to be panicking she was writing in diary that could potentially harm her.
"There is a list of spells or options for you to choose from," Bill explained. "You get to pick everything and I will be paying."
Ginny threw herself at Bill, wrapping her arms around his neck as he caught her.
"Thank you for understanding and for not teasing me."
Bill hugged her tightly before letting go and leading her over to the counter to begin choosing her diary. He could only hope this idea would work for her and bring back some of that confidence he knew she'd had before she started Hogwarts. Perhaps then, she could make that step towards becoming friends with Harry as she had always told him she would.
HP&GW
June 1995…
Bill smiled as he took in the sight of a noisy Great Hall. He had never expected to return to Hogwarts for any reason, except if he was lucky enough to have children. Now, here he was, having returned for the last reason he could have expected – as a family member to Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived and the fourth Triwizard Champion. He was not surprised, though, by his own mum being invited to stand in as Harry's family, given that the only family the young Gryffindor had left were Muggles, who did not care for magic.
Taking a quick glance over to where Harry sat, pushing his dinner around, he knew that the nerves Harry must be feeling, ahead of the final task, were growing worse. He doubted anyone could manage to distract Harry from what he was about to face. How Harry could have possibly thought the Dursleys would have come to support him?
"Mind if I sit here, Bill?" a female voice came from behind him.
Bill turned and smiled when he saw his only sister standing there, waiting for an answer.
"Now, why would I refuse the opportunity to sit next to you?" Bill said with a small chuckle.
As Ginny took a seat next to him, Bill couldn't help but notice as Harry glanced over in their direction. The glance was fleeting, but he doubted that it was him that Harry had been looking at in that moment.
"Did you have an enjoyable afternoon with Mum and Harry?" Ginny asked as she began helping herself to some food.
"It was enjoyable. Harry told us some stories of his time here, which shocked Mum enough to want to have several words with the headmaster."
"Oh, no, that cannot be good. I only know the basics of what Harry, Ron and Hermione have done in the last four years," Ginny said grumpily.
Bill smiled at his sister's response. He knew Ron was pushing her away and refusing to allow their only sister to spend time with him and his friends. Ron guarded his friendships carefully, not wanting one of his siblings to take away something that belonged to him and him alone, especially after so many years of having to deal with hand-me down clothes and toys. However, he had told Ron himself that Ginny didn't necessarily need to be a part of their adventures, but he could still try to include her in conversations and allow her to spend time with him, Harry and Hermione.
"Harry actually told us a little bit about your first year," Bill told her nervously.
"He did?" Ginny said, dropping her cutlery on to her plate in shock.
"Actually, Mum brought it up when we were walking near to the Forbidden Forest," Bill explained, remembering how surprised he had been that his mum had asked about Harry's experience. "Mum wanted to know about what had happened when to the Acromantula colony in the forest. It seems Harry had left out just how many of them were living there and that they had been attacked."
"That would explain the shock then."
"With the way Mum reacted," Bill said, lowering his voice to avoid anyone overhearing, "I didn't dare tell her that both me and Charlie had been there as well!"
"Seriously?" Ginny asked in disbelief.
"I am not going to tell Mum just how heavily involved we were in helping find the Cursed Vaults while we were in school. Just like I will not be telling Mum how I saw you kissing a boy as we were about to enter the Great Hall for dinner."
Ginny's eyes widened in shock at Bill's words.
"I have no problem with you dating someone, but it does make me wonder about the crush I thought you had on Harry," Bill continued as he took a quick glance at Harry, who was, thankfully, too occupied to pay them any attention.
"I…" Ginny began before pausing.
Bill figured she was trying to figure out what to tell him, how to explain why she was suddenly dating someone else.
"Hermione told me to try dating other people," Ginny finally admitted. "I am unable to be myself around him and Hermione thought this might help me. I met Michael at the Yule Ball, which I told Mum about, and we started dating a few weeks ago, which I have yet to tell Mum."
"What about Harry?" Bill asked genuinely confused. He was certain Harry was beginning to notice Ginny. Then again, he also thought Ginny would wait forever for a chance to date Harry. Perhaps he was seeing things that were not there.
"He isn't interested in me and I doubt he ever will be," Ginny told him bluntly. "Even then, he has a crush on a girl in the year above him."
"You still care about him." It wasn't a question as Bill could clearly see in his sister's eyes just how she felt about the boy. She may have begun dating someone, but she still had some sort of feelings for Harry.
"Of course, I do, Bill," Ginny snapped. "Anyone would, given the position he has found himself in this year. I am scared for him, scared about what might happen tonight. Something in my gut is screaming that something bad is going to happen tonight. I doubt I am the only one thinking it, but if I am right, it is going impact Harry deeply and he is going to need his friends more than ever."
Bill opened his mouth to respond, but Ginny cut him off immediately.
"Can we stop talking about this and just eat our dinner?" she said, turning back to her plate of food.
The fact that his words had riled her up meant Bill was right in thinking that Ginny still had feelings for Harry. If something did happen tonight, then hopefully Harry would see that Ginny could potentially help him through it. He just wished they would both wake up and see how much they had in common and could support one another in a way no one else ever could.
HP&GW
July 1996…
Bill climbed the stairs to the first floor of The Burrow in hopes that he could get his sister to open up to him. He had just announced to his family his engagement to Fleur Delacour and the reaction, well, it had been a bit of a mix as he had been expecting. Considering no one had been fully aware of their relationship, he knew there would be some sort of resistance to the news. However, he had hoped, probably far more than he should have, that Ginny would be one of those who would be accepting and excited for him. Sadly, that had not been the case.
He was grateful at that moment that Fleur had chosen not to come with him to speak to his family. They had both agreed it would be best for the males to be clearheaded when he told, knowing that they all had reactions to the Veela at the Quidditch World Cup a couple of years previously. However, she had agreed to spend the summer with his family to give them a chance to get to know each other. Somehow, though, he knew Ginny and his mother would fight against it.
Bill finally reached Ginny's door, knocking on it as he called out, "Ginny, open the door, please! Let's talk about this."
"NO!" was the immediate response.
"Open the door, Ginny," Bill demanded. "Stop acting like a toddler who has had their favourite toy taken away from them!"
The door swung opened violently to reveal a fuming redhead.
"A toddler?" Ginny questioned him angrily. "After everything I have been through, you think I am acting like a toddler?"
"Yes, you are, and I am disappointed that the one person who I thought would welcome the news of me getting married turned out to be the one giving me the most resistance to the news. What is your problem?"
Ginny just glared at him before trying to slam the door shut, but Bill had managed to slip his foot in its path and keep it open. He pushed his way into his sister's room and shut door quietly behind him.
"How would you feel if I behaved the same way over you dating Michael?" he asked as he watched his youngest sibling pace back and forth in front of her bedroom window.
"We're not dating anymore," Ginny casually said, barely glancing as she did so.
"When did that happen?"
Ginny finally stopped pacing and turned to face her oldest brother.
"After the last Quidditch match of the season," she told him honestly. "Turned out he didn't like the fact that Gryffindor won against Ravenclaw, all because I was the better Seeker on the day. I certainly don't want to be with someone who is a sore loser."
Bill couldn't help but laugh at the reason behind his sister dumping her boyfriend.
"So, you're single, again?" he asked her as he took a seat on her bed, tapping the space next to him.
"Single?" Ginny laughed as she sat down next to him. "No, I found someone much better to date, just like Ron wanted me to."
"Harry?"
"No, Dean Thomas. Ron wasn't happy about that. I get the impression he meant Harry, though. Why does everyone keep bothering me about that? We're just friends."
Bill could believe that for now, but it did seem the two teens were completely blind to the knowledge that they would be well-suited to one another. Based on what the twins had told him, Ginny had been able to get through to Harry at times others couldn't and had helped him out several times over the course of the year. However, he knew not to push the subject further, so instead dropped it and went back to his original reason for following her up to her bedroom.
"Look, I know Fleur doesn't always make the best first impression. I also recognise that she can make other women feel inadequate because of her Veela side, but I know her and can see past that. I love her, Ginny. She is it for me and I really want you to accept that. I don't think you or any of our brothers would like it if any of us decided we didn't like the person they wanted to marry."
"No, you're right, Bill," Ginny quietly replied. "Though, I think you would all give me grief if the person I end up marrying isn't Harry."
"Well, then, like me, you would have to show the family just why that person was the one you fell in love in and wanted to marry," he stated, knowing Ginny would eventually come round to accepting that Fleur would be his wife one day. "Fleur is coming to stay for the summer, so please for me, try to get to know her. If you can do that, I swear, whoever it is you end up marrying, I will support your decision without question."
"Fine," Ginny huffed out, "but you do know you essentially just blackmailed me?"
"Yes, but that is what us Weasleys like to do to each other."
HP&GW
June 1997…
Bill's eyes flickered open as the sound of a door opening and closing woke him from the nap he had been taking. He sleepily looked around and realised that his parents and fiancée were absent from his bedside, making him hope that they had all taken the chance to go home, shower and eat.
Voices drew his eyes to the entrance of the hospital and he saw Madam Pomfrey speaking with his sister and Harry Potter. The sight of the two students brought a small smile to his face, especially when he spotted the pair holding hands. It seemed as though his sister's wish had finally come true. Though, given that his mum had said nothing to him about them dating, he suspected that Ginny had yet to tell anyone outside of the school they were dating, unless this was something that had happened in the last couple of days.
"Bill!" Ginny cried out as she ran over to his bed, causing Bill to sit up quickly and open his arms to receive his sister in a hug.
The siblings hugged each other with Ginny being careful not to cause her older brother any pain or distress.
"How are you feeling?" his sister asked as she finally pulled back and took a good look at him.
"Tired, but feeling better than I did last night," he told her honestly before looking behind her where Harry stood awkwardly. "Though, I am more interested by the fact that Harry has accompanied you to visit me and how the pair of you were holding hands before coming over here."
Bill held in the chuckle as both Ginny and Harry blushed, though he noticed neither could stopped the smiles from appearing on their faces. The way their eyes had lit up when the pair made eye contact made it obvious to him, also, that they had strong feelings for one another. If his mum saw the way they looked at each other, she would probably ignore his own wedding plans and begin planning a wedding for Ginny and Harry instead.
"So, would either like to tell me how this happened?" Bill said, breaking the couple's eye contact.
Ginny pulled Harry to the chair next to Bill's bed, pushed her boyfriend into it before promptly sitting on his lap, much to Bill's amusement.
"I kissed her…"
"…in the middle of the common room…"
"…after the Quidditch Cup final..."
"…in the front of the entire house!"
Bill couldn't stop the laughter this time at hearing the young couple alternate as they told him at how their relationship began. Even in his amusement, the way they had just spoken said so much about how good they were together.
"So, you're telling me that Harry was the one to initiate the kiss," Bill asked once he had managed to contain his laughter. He couldn't deny that he was surprised by the turn of events. From what he had been told by Ron, Harry's only experience with kissing a girl had not been the best.
The young couple nodded.
"So, if you have been together since… what would it be? Beginning of May? Why does no one in the family appear to know about it?" Bill asked earnestly. "I am assuming here that everyone at school, including the teachers, know you are dating."
"I hadn't actually thought to tell Mum," Ginny admitted to her older brother. "It wasn't because I forgot to do so… ok, maybe it was partly because of that, but, even then, it wasn't exactly the first thing on my mind…"
"No, I suspect Harry would have been," Bill jokingly said, causing the two teens to blush spectacularly.
"Bill!"
"Sorry!" Bill replied, not feeling remotely sorry for teasing his sister. Their blushes basically confirmed that their new relationship was constantly at forefront of their thoughts.
"Anyway," Ginny continued, shooting a stern look at her brother, "I have had classes and my O.W.L.s to worry about in amongst spending what little spare time I have with Harry. However, may I remind you that you, Mum and Dad all made clear not to put anything too personal in our letters home to you, in case they were intercepted. I believe my relationship with Harry falls under that category!"
"Ok, ok, you are correct about that."
Ginny shot a smug look at him, letting Bill know she had won that little argument.
"To be honest, though, especially now as I think about it," Bill continued, "Fleur mentioned to me, last night, that you two had entered the hospital wing together after the battle had ended. How is it, then, that no one noticed?"
"It was hardly the time," Harry muttered, his face dropping at remembering just what that battle had cost them all – the loss of the one wizard Voldemort had truly feared, Albus Dumbledore.
Ginny glared at Bill for his insensitive comment before turning to Harry and taking him into her arms to comfort him.
Bill watched in amazement at the way his only sister comforted her boyfriend. He had known that Harry had taken the death of the headmaster hard and he had expected that Harry would have closed himself off to everyone, but it seemed Ginny was able to get through to him in a way no one else had ever managed. However, he was even more surprised when Harry seemed to nod in agreement to something before gently kissing Ginny on the lips despite Bill's presence.
"I'm glad you are feeling better, Bill," Harry politely said before heading to the doors to exit the hospital wing.
"Sorry, I overstepped, Ginny," Bill apologised, understanding he had gone too far with his questioning. "Please tell Harry that."
"If you hadn't had said anything, it would have been someone or something else," Ginny sighed. "I am just doing my best to keep his spirits up enough to make sure he is functioning throughout the day."
Bill could see something in his sister's eyes that told him there was far more to it than what she had just said. He suspected they both knew that, with Dumbledore's death, Harry would be stepping forward and doing what was needed to stop Voldemort. Somehow, however, for Ginny, Bill felt that she was going to need to let go of the one thing that truly made her eyes light up in joy.
"You don't have to say it, Bill," Ginny said, surprising him. He hadn't realised his expression had given away what he was thinking. "I know what I have with Harry is not going beyond the end of the school year."
"Yet, the way his eyes light up when he looks at you tells me he has every intention of coming back to you once this all over."
"I wish I could tell you that makes me feel better, Bill, but I know it could be a long time before that happens. We both know what is coming, so we are just holding onto one another for as long as we can."
Bill was proud of the young woman that Ginny was becoming and it amazed him of the amount of strength she had to come through everything that had nearly crushed her. He just hoped she would remain strong, because he didn't think she would survive if Harry died.
"I have to go now, Bill," Ginny said as she stood and hugged her brother. "I will come back later if I can."
Bill grabbed her by the hand, stopping Ginny from leaving.
"He's going to win, Ginny," he told her with a conviction he wasn't quite feeling. "He is going to win and he will come back for you."
"I know he is," Ginny said with a smile that told Bill that she had faith in her boyfriend.
HP&GW
April 1998…
"Bill?"
Bill turned to see his sister standing in the door to the living room of their Great Aunt Muriel's house.
"What are you doing here?" Ginny asked him as he walked over to her and wrapped his sister tightly in his arms.
"I just brought Mr Ollivander over to come and stay here until the war is over," he told her as he shifted their position so Ginny could see the Wandmaker being fussed over by their mother. "I also thought I would catch up with my siblings and discover just how much they are driving Muriel, Mum and Dad up the wall by being stuck in the same house together."
"I think that would be more the twins than me," Ginny said with a giggle. "Not that Aunt Muriel knows, but they are running an Owl order service, which is unsurprisingly popular."
Bill chuckled. He really was not that surprised by that piece of information. Considering no one knew how long this war would drag on for, he knew that they needed to find ways that allowed them to still laugh from time to time. If the twins could help with that, by continuing to run their business, then all the more respect to them. He just didn't want to be here if and when their Great Aunt found out.
"Well, you can let me know what happens when she finds out what they are up to."
"Like I am going to be present for that blow up," Ginny told him with a look that said, 'Do you think I am that stupid?' Anyway, how is Ha… everyone at the cottage?"
Bill didn't miss his sister's near slip of the tongue. He knew she wanted to know about Harry more than the other occupants. He had not been able to tell them anything when he had rushed them out of The Burrow and to Aunt Muriel's house after Dobby, a house-elf, had arrived with Dean Thomas, Luna Lovegood and Mr Ollivander. When Dobby had then returned with Harry, Hermione, Ron and a goblin he recognised to be Griphook before he could Disapparate, he had stayed long enough to get them into the cottage and provide Harry with a place to bury the house-elf.
"I wish I could give you a straight answer, Ginny," he quietly told her as he pulled out of the living room and into the hallway. "He is not very forthcoming about everything that has happened since they escaped the wedding reception. I know they are planning something because he demanded the goblin, who arrived with them at the cottage, remain there with them."
"I don't need to know about his plans, Bill, or even anything that has happened in the last several months," Ginny said earnestly. "Just tell me how he is in terms of his physical and mental health."
Bill was surprised by her request, knowing that Ginny hated being shut out of the war and everyone's attempts to protect her. Yet, the look on her face told him that she truly was more concerned with Harry's health than her desperate need to know the details she was consistently denied.
"He's a mess, Ginny," Bill admitted. "It's clear they haven't had good access to food. He is definitely far more tired than he lets on. He does his usual of saying he is fine, but it is clear to everyone that he isn't. The loss of Dobby…"
"Dobby's dead?" Ginny gasped in shock.
It took Bill a minute to remember that Harry would have probably told her about Dobby at some point, last year.
"A knife to the stomach just as they Disapparated out of Malfoy Manor," he told her solemnly. "Harry refused to come into the cottage until after he had dug a grave without magic and buried the house-elf."
Bill could only watch as Ginny bit her lip and appeared to be looking at something that wasn't there. As he watched her eyes, he realised she was musing over an idea, one he was pretty certain he knew he was going to deny her. While he thought Harry could do with something or, in his case, someone to make him smile right now, he knew full well that the idea Ginny was about to present would not go down well right now.
"Perhaps…" Ginny began before Bill shook his head to reject what she was about to suggest.
"I don't think it is a good idea," he told her earnestly. "Yes, seeing you might be what Harry needs to help push forward and end this war, but I think you know that he may find it harder to keep doing what we both know he needs to do."
Ginny's face dropped as the rejection.
"I don't say any of this to hurt you, Ginny, but he spends so much time with Ron, Hermione and the goblin that I don't even know if he would have the time or even agree to see you. I don't want to force him to see you and I know you don't want to do that either."
"Send them all my love, Bill," Ginny replied simply, letting Bill know she was not going to argue with him. "Just make sure he eats well and gets enough sleep until they leave for whatever it is they plan to do next."
"That Fleur and I can do," he promised as he led Ginny back into drawing room where his parents were still talking with Mr Ollivander.
HP&GW
May 1998…
Bill looked up from the Gringotts paperwork he had just read through to see his sister and her boyfriend whispering to one another. It had been a regular sight for everyone over the past few weeks and one that never seemed to fail to make anyone smile, including George.
He had been pleased to discover that Harry had not waited too long before reuniting with Ginny. The support, trust and love between the two was tangible. Bill, however, suspected each member of the family was watching with interest, dabbed with a small amount of scepticism as well. He could admit he was in the same boat, even after his interaction with the couple just after he had been attacked by Greyback. For him, it was not about whether they were good for each other, they clearly were, but, instead, about how this past year had impacted and changed them as people. He feared the experiences and their grief would cause them to struggle to adapt to the peace they had won and cause problems for their relationship. It seemed, though, they were each other's best source of comfort and support, so his fears had been quickly wiped away. He just hoped that this was a relationship for keeps.
"All of this seems straightforward, Harry," Bill said, pushing his thoughts on the couple aside. "There are no payments that shouldn't be there, including any money being sent to your relatives."
"That's good," Harry replied with a sigh of relief. "Now, that's done, would you be amenable to giving me an overview of the banking system, exchange rates and average costs of items I will need to pay for, such as furniture, a house, for example, as well, helping me understand what all this means on the paperwork Gringotts gave me."
Bill was surprised by the request. While this area of banking was not his area of expertise, he was honoured that Harry trusted him to go through his finances and explain what he needed to know. Given Harry had come over to Shell Cottage to visit Dobby's grave and spend the afternoon here, it was the perfect time to go through it all. However, he was unsure about having this conversation with Ginny present as the relationship between the two teens was still relatively new and, in his eyes, not at the place where they would be discussing finances.
"Do you want to go through it all now, while you are here?" he asked the younger wizard, trying to find a subtle way to ask about Ginny. "Or, would you rather come back another day by yourself?"
"Subtly has never been your strong suit, Bill," Ginny said with disgust. "Why would it be a problem for me to be here?"
Bill sighed. He knew he needed to approach this carefully, otherwise he would be staring at the tip of Ginny's wand in his face.
"Ok, I didn't phrase that well, but, I wasn't too sure whether Harry wanted you present for this conversation, given that you are not at that point in your relationship yet. Fleur and I didn't discuss our finances, at least not in detail, until I had asked her to marry me."
Ginny went to respond, but a simple touch of her hand from Harry caused her to back down.
"I know your family is watching us carefully," Harry responded, "as they try to understand our relationship and where it is heading. It is annoying, but I know you all need to be certain my intentions are good. Well, here is your chance to be certain. I want to share everything with Ginny. She has already refused my offer to put her name on my account, at least, until we get engaged or married. However, she has accepted my request she be here to learn about my account, my estate and the banking system."
Bill was shocked by Harry's answer. It appeared his sister was right, subtly was not his strong suit, or the rest of the family's it would seem. Even so, the couple were serious, but knew not to move too quickly in their relationship. Yet, it didn't mean they could prepare ahead of time for certain things both would need a decent understanding of in the future, like Harry's account. Any worries he had for their future together was instantly wiped away. These two were a team, supportive and trusting of one another as every good couple should be.
"Ok, let's start from scratch and begin with our currency…"
HP&GW
A tap on the shoulder pulled Bill from his memories. He turned round to see his younger brother, Percy, standing there.
"Mother has asked if you could come and get dressed," Percy said as he took in the sight of the marquee. "The guests should begin arriving in the next half an hour."
"Of course," Bill replied, stunned at how fast the time had passed. "I will head up to house shortly."
Percy nodded and walked away.
Taking in the set up for his sister's wedding one last time, he was pleased with how everything had come together. He wanted, just like everyone else did, the wedding to go well and without the problems he'd had at his own wedding. Given that their circumstances were different and how hard everyone had worked to organise everything, he knew this would be a day to remember for the young couple.
Khan El-Khalili - an actual marketplace in Cairo, Egypt
Alsouk Sahira - translates to Magical Market