notes: Thanks so much to all of you who've reviewed - this is another drabble that I hope you love as much as I do. Yes, that much; enjoy!
WARNING: Possible over-use of the word "smile." You have been warned.
our dancing days
ix. smile
billfleur
Bill sits at his desk every morning at ten to eight, and takes his coffee (black, two sugars) almost with a pinch of salt. He rearranges papers and answers Floo calls and does it all with a hardened smile. He's not scarred - yet - and he may even be handsome, but as far as he's concerned, he's nothing.
She floats in late every morning and takes her herbal tea (some French flavour) and laughs and works and practises her English with a less-scornful smile than she once wore.
And she's still beautiful.
"Excuse me?" There's a tap on his shoulder. "Mister Weezley?"
"Oh," he says, looking up and smiling at her. She looks rather frazzled, her hair slowly coming out of her perfect, professional bun and her skin glowing less than usual. "Miss Delacour. How can I help you?"
"Zis is... rather embarrassing, Mister Weezley. You see, I 'ave been watching you, and you seem so nice... and you 'ave 'elped me with my Eenglish so much, and I theenk zat I would like to... 'ow do you say? Go out on a date with you."
For the record, "dumb-struck" is not usually a word used to describe William Weasley. However, it seems Bill always makes exceptions for Fleur.
"I... yes, yes of course. I'd love to, Miss Delacour."
"Please, Mister Weezley. Call me Fleur," she says, smiling widely and perfectly at him. He blinks.
"Well, Fleur, I insist that you call me Bill. Everybody else does," he tells her with a wide, almost shy smile. Fleur nods, confidence regains, and Bill has the feeling that this is the first time Fleur has had to ask somebody out herself, rather than let her Veela charm do the talking for her. However, she takes his hand and kisses his bruises and battered knuckles gently.
"It would be my pleasure, Bill. 'Ow is Thursday lunchtime?"
"Thursday would be perfect," he replies, and she smiles again, before gliding back to her part-time office on the second floor. Honestly, he was planning to meet Charlie on Thursday, but his brother can wait.
He just talked to Fleur Delacour. He just got asked out by Fleur Delacour. He has a date with Fleur Delacour.
"You alright, mate?" His greying friend and workmate, Lucian Hart, says from beside him with a wry grin and a less-than-appropriate wink. He nudges Bill, but honestly, somebody could punch him right now and he truly wouldn't feel a single thing.
"She really does have a lovely smile," he says, and he takes a sip of his coffee (black, two sugars) with an easy smile.