* More than cousins *
It was a cloudy Saturday afternoon when they decided to go. They hadn't met the newest addition to the family yet. She was born the same day as their daughter's first birthday - a week ago -, and though everyone had rushed to St. Mungo's as soon as they had seen Bill's patronus, Ron and Hermione thought it would be best to leave the new parents alone to settle down and get used to their new life as a threesome. After all, the 18-year-olds knew what it was like. They gathered a few things, got ready and, with a soft pop! they disapparated and apparated on the beach near a little cottage. Hermione looked at it as her little girl wiggled in her arms. Memories flooded in an instant and a sense of sadness mixed with apprehension invaded her.
"Wate. Mommy, wate." The little one said pointing at the sea behind them and bringing Hermione back to reality.
"Later, Belle. Now we're going to meet your cousin." Hermione explained as her and Ron started to walk to the cottage.
"Cousin?" Belle asked, confused. Hermione looked at her.
"Yes. Your cousin. Baby Victoire. She's in the cottage with uncle Bill and aunt Fleur." Hermione told her.
"Baby Towy?" Belle asked, a glimpse of excitement in her eyes. Hermione nodded and smiled. Belle smiled as well.
Bill was tired but extremely happy to see them. He greeted them in and prepared some tea.
"So... How's parenthood treating you?" Ron asked him with a smile.
"Tiring. Haven't slept in an eternity. She cries a lot but is extremely cute." The eldest of the Weasleys said with a smile. Hermione put the baby down on the floor.
"Baby Towy?" Belle asked.
"She's sleeping now, so we'll see her in a little while. How about we get her present from the bag?" Hermione suggested. Belle went to her eagerly as Ron gave his brother a box.
"I know hand-me-downs are something we don't really like but, with everything that happened and the expenses, well... we thought to give you some of Belle's old clothes. Mind you, they're in excellent state." Ron said as his brother opened the box and looked at all the tiny clothes his little brother had given him.
"Don't you guys want to keep them? You know... for a new one?" Bill asked.
"We have plenty at home still. And it's not like we're planning to give Belle a sibling any time soon." Hermione answered as she looked at Belle who was shoving her stuffed toy dragon from side to side. In that moment, they heard a cry and Fleur appeared in the kitchen holding a little bundle of silver blond hair. They all looked at her.
"Baby Towy!" Belle exclaimed, happily, taking the little package from her mother's hand and running to her auntie. Fleur sat down and rested baby Victoire in her arms for everyone to see. She was a gorgeous baby! Ron picked Belle up so she could see the baby better. The one-year-old looked at her cousin mesmerized. She dropped the package to the floor and extended her little arm in an attempt to touch the baby's face.
"Gentle, Belle. She's still very little." Hermione told her. Belle touched the baby's cheek slowly and Victoire moved a bit.
"You want to give the baby a kiss?" Ron asked, getting her closer to the baby. Belle smiled and kissed her cousin's head, making the little girl wiggle in delight. "Look at that! She likes you!" Ron exclaimed, kissing his daughter's head.
"They're going to be besties." Fleur said as everyone looked at the little girls interaction.
Many years later, in a small apartment in London, a young couple was sitting on their couch with their eyes closed. They heard a faint cry coming from one of the rooms and the woman frowned.
"She needs a change. I'll go." The man said. He kissed his girlfriend's forehead and got up. Belle just stayed there with her eyes shut, enjoying a few minutes of rest when the fireplace lit up.
"BELLE! HE DID IT! HE DID IT!" the excited shouting of her cousin made Belle's eyes pop open and get up.
"What is it? What did he do?" She immediately asked.
"HE DID IT! HE PROPOSED!" Victoire said. Belle smiled at her.
"He did? Tory, I'm so happy for you!" Belle exclaimed. She immediately went and hugged her cousin.
"I can't believe it, Belle! We were in the park, in our spot, and out of nowhere, Teddy got down on one knee and asked me!" Victoire explained. Belle just looked at her, wide smile on her face. Victoire suddenly got very serious and looked at her cousin in the eye. Belle looked back, worried.
"I was wondering if you would... if you... would you be my maid of honour?" She finally asked. Belle was speechless.
"Me? Are... Are you sure? I mean... What about Domi?" She asked.
"She'll be a bridesmaid." Victoire said.
"But she's your sister. I'm just your cousin." Belle said.
"You're more than my cousin, Belle. You're my best friend. My big sister. You've been there from the very beginning. I want you there, front and center." Belle's eyes glistened and she smiled.
"Only if you are Amelia's godmother." Belle replied. Now it was Victoire's turn to be speechless.
"Wh-what? Really?" The blonde girl asked. Belle sniffed, wiped her tears with her hand and nodded, smiling.
"Of course! You're also more than my cousin, Tory. You're my best friend and sister at heart too." Belle said.
Victoire smiled as tears ran through her cheeks and she hugged her cousin tight. They've been there for each other since birth as more than cousins.