Right, so, forgot to say this last chapter, they'll be short and sweet, mostly cause im writing at work in 2 hour blocks before i move to a new spot, so itll depend on how much i can get done (how much work i actually have to do) there could be as many as 4 updates in a night (or none, if im off or with really bad writers block.) not sure where exactly im going with this but... well get there together right? oh and i make no money and these aren't my characters, just borrowing them (and hoping for more fleurmione to show up)
Fleur sighed as her hands rubbed her face, her eyes threatening to close. Today was a particularly boring day, she checked her watch one more time, willing the seconds to pass by until it was close enough that she could sneak out early without being caught.
"Merlin, Fleur!" Fleur jumped at the sudden voice intruding upon her thoughts. "You gonna spend all day checking your watch, may as well get outta here early!" Her boss, Patricia Rakepick called out across the floor, to which Fleur couldn't help but give a small smile and notice the teasing nature of her voice, she was normally a hard worker, always showing up early and staying late, but her mind wasn't able to focus today.
"You too, Bill! Enjoy the celebrations tonight!" Bill looked up, surprise evident across his face, but who was he to question his boss, he stood from his desk and disappeared quickly before she could change her mind, racing to leave with Fleur.
He walked silently next to her in the hallway, shooting her a questioning glance to which the blonde simply shrugged. Bill opened the door back to the main room of Gringott's before finally speaking. "Nervous?"
"A little," she confessed, and Bill reached over, taking her hand, he gave it a light squeeze in reassurance. The two of them had ended things on good terms, and while she knew she wouldn't be happy married to him, he was one of her best friends and she would always treasure him. She wasn't sure how he truly felt, that her mate was his brother's fiancée, but he had never commented on that fact directly. It wasn't like she could have chosen after all, such things under the control of fate.
They walked back to the apartment, in silence, Fleur needing to gain her strength for the night, a silent warning to be prepared for what was to come. Bill was more than happy to join her, in no rush to make it to the festivities that wouldn't have started yet as it was barely 4 pm.
Too soon, the walk had ended as they found themselves outside of Fleur's apartment, key in hand, ready to open the door, but the door swung open on its own, revealing an already tipsy Hermione. "I thought I heard someone out here!" she practically yelled, stepping out of the way to allow them entrance, her eyes glancing down to notice the still joined hands. "Heyyy I thought… didn't you two y'know… break up?" she whispered the last two words, her hand at the side of her mouth holding a small glass of a brown liquor, trying to shield the words from the others in the room.
Fleur stepped inside, nodding at Hermione and gazing around the room to see who else was there, it seemed to just be Ron, Luna and Neville gathered on the couches around the muggle contraption Hermione had called a TV.
Bill smiled and went ahead to take his place on the end of the couch, leaving just the chair open for Fleur, he'd already poured himself a drink, the bottle of Firewhiskey in front of him nearly empty. Hermione took her seat on Ron's lap, noting the fact all other seats were already taken. "Guess when Harry gets here, he'll get the floor!" she chirped happily, "serves him right for being late!"
"Late? It's barely gone five," Fleur couldn't help but question, but she didn't receive an answer as a tumbler was shoved roughly in her hands. Hermione picked up the remote to the TV and resumed the movie, explaining the rules, "Alright, so, you need to play catch up since we've had a head start. Go ahead and drain that." She stared expectantly at the two until they did as they were told.
"Great!" She clapped her hands, "now, every time that hat is on someone's head, we take a drink." She let out a small squeal, "Like that!" she pointed excitedly at the TV and took a drink, draining her glass. The others followed suit.
Three, or was it four? Maybe five? Glasses later Fleur heard a knock at the door, her world was swimming already, but she clumsily stood up to get it, hiccupping slightly at the movement. She stumbled her way to the door, cursing all that was good in the world that the door wouldn't hold still for this. It took her a couple tries, but she finally found the doorknob and opened it slowly, leaning onto the door and the frame for support. "Ooo eez eet?" She slurred, her French accent coming out thickly.
Harry chuckled at the answer, and at Fleur's drunken state, given she had already opened the door when she thought to ask who was there. "'arry!" she exclaimed, nearly toppling him over with a bear hug, "but w'ere eez Ginny?"
Harry was still laughing at Fleur's drunken greeting and patted her on the back lightly, hoping she would realize that she was still holding on to him and it had been long enough. "She already had plans for tonight."
Fleur looked at him confused, "but w'at eez more important zan seeing 'er boyfriend tonight?"
Harry looked down shyly, "well, for starters, her girlfriend."
"W'at?" That answer had taken Fleur by surprise and she quickly pulled Harry in conspiratorily, "Non, we will get you your girl back."
Harry couldn't help but blush at the words of the blonde who was currently holding him tightly, her breath smelling strongly of alcohol, "No, Fleur, really, you don't need to."
She pulled back ever so slightly, "Nonsense, we will fix zis. Zee is crazy to be out wiz someone else w'en zee could be wiz you."
Harry couldn't help but smile at how adamant his friend was that she would get them back together, but he had to break it to her, "Fleur, we were never together, it was just a façade."
"W'at? But why did you not tell me? Are we not friends?" She asked scandalized by this information.
"We are, I thought you knew."
"Knew w'at?"
"That both of us are, y'know…." Harry trailed off, his voice having lowered to a whisper.
"Both of you are w'hat?" Fleur probed, his actions lost on her in her drunken state.
Realizing this wasn't a conversation he wanted to have with a drunken Fleur, he cleared his throat, "erm, y'know what? Nevermind, Ginny won't be joining us tonight is all, so where's the drinks?"
Fleur smiled widely, and pulled Harry into the room with all the others, falling unceremoniously back into her seat. Harry looked around nervously, noting all the spots were full before pouring himself a drink and taking a spot on the floor.
The group continued to laugh and drink, enjoying the game until the movie ended. The group was thoroughly trashed, including Harry who had had by far less than the rest of the group. But it was Bill who suggested with a smirk they all play a game of Truth or Dare, and Fleur without considering the consequences, was more than eager to play.
Harry shot Bill, who had a playful glint in his eyes, a knowing look and the two started their silently communicated plan. If only Fleur had known at this point just how much trouble she would be in, but she was too drunk to realize what would happen.
Harry spoke up first, "Alright, I s'pose I'll start. 'Mione, truth or dare?"
"Mmmmm," she started off, leaning to the side slightly as she spoke, a long silence following as she took a long sip of her drink. "Truthhhhh."
Harry looked over at Bill, as though asking for silent permission, which was granted with a slight nod. "Alright then, no need to name names, but have you ever had a crush on a girl?"
"That's an easy one!" she couldn't help but exclaim and let out a hiccup after, swaying once again to the side. Fleur felt her heart clench in anticipation of the answer. It was really only a brief pause that felt like an eternity as she waited for the answer. "Duhhhhh," was all that came and Hermione had moved on, "Right, Bill, the truth, why did you and Fleur break up?"