Just a warning for all those English speakers out there. I like to make my stories as authentic as possible and in this one, Fleur speaks a lot of French. I haven't put any translations in so if you want to find out what they're saying, Google Translate is always an option. I did this because I want the reader to feel Bill's confusion at seeing Fleur and Gabrielle communicate in French to each other! Enjoy :) xx

June 3 1998

The crisp summer morning rays pierced through the lattice windows overlooking the beach as Fleur washed her dishes from the night before by hand. Most would think that Fleur was too precious to do such common household chores; particularly without magic; but truth be told, Fleur rather enjoyed it. There was no other way to rid one's mind of grief and anxiety than by cleaning the Muggle way; it kept her mind active and cleansed her mind of any negative and prominent thoughts that bothered her while she slept. Bill was still asleep upstairs; his snoring could be heard from the kitchen; and so Fleur took pleasure in these few moments alone. It gave her serenity.

Today, Gabrielle was coming to visit. It was the only time Fleur could see her sister before she went back to Beauxbatons. She was twelve now and Fleur felt slightly sad that she had missed her little sister's birthday in April. But luckily, Gabrielle had offered to stay with her sister for one week before returning to France. Fleur was elated. The last time she had seen Gabrielle was at her wedding last summer. But light conversation had been scarce due to the high tensions during the war. So, Fleur and Gabrielle had only communicated through the odd letter or two.

Fleur continued to hum contently as she dried the last of the plates. A pair of arms encircled her waist and pulled her back into a hard chest. Fleur smiled.

"What are you doing up this early?" he asked, nipping her ear affectionately.

"Cleaning up your mess," she laughed silkily, turning to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him.

"Hey," he chuckled defensively. "I was tired last night."

"And my sister is coming soon. Did you not zink of zat?" She put her hands on her hips in an imitation of her mother-in-law.

"Love, there's only one thing I think about when I get home," he winked at her.

"You pig!" she feigned disgust but let him kiss her anyway. She could never be angry at Bill for too long. He always had some way to charm her or distract her. And he knew her too well to know that she would give in.

"Non," Fleur pulled away when he began to deepen her kiss. "We don't 'ave time! I 'ave to make up the bed for Gabrielle."

Bill slunk an arm around her middle as she began to walk away. "Gabrielle can wait for a few… hours," he grinned cheekily at her.

"Guillaume!" Fleur scolded playfully. "I'm beginning to zink you 'ave developed an obsession with me!"

"Maybe I have!" he brushed his lips to her wrist.

"Bill… Gabrielle!" she groaned. He let go of her wrist and watched her fondly as she walked upstairs to set up the guest bedroom.

Fleur couldn't help but blush as she made up the guest bed for Gabrielle to sleep in. Her Guillaume was very cheeky but she loved it. She just hoped that he wouldn't be so flirtatious when her baby sister was staying. It was not something she wanted Gabrielle to see… or hear. Once she was satisfied, she stood back to admire it. The bed spread was simple and white, with a swirling flower pattern in blue. It looked simple and elegant; something that pleased Fleur. This would be her first, official, house-guest and as it was her beloved sister, she wanted to make it absolutely parfait!

"Guillaume!" Fleur called as she glided downstairs. "We 'ave to go and get Gabrielle!"

Gabrielle was travelling by Portkey to the village of Tinworth and Bill and Fleur were to collect her there. As Gabrielle was only twelve and Apolline was determined to stay with her ill husband, Gabrielle's means of safe transportation were confined to Portkeys or Muggle transport. She had chosen a Portkey.

"I'm here, love," said Bill, appearing from the kitchen and linking arms with his wife as they stepped out of the house and disapparated.

Tinworth was similar to Ottery St Catchpole in its simpleness; however it was a fishing district. The smell of fish from all the surrounding fish markets made Fleur scrunch up her nose in disgust.

"Why do ze feesh 'ave to smell so bad!" she moaned to Bill as they made their way past a bait and tackle stall. The owner winked at Fleur, earning him a scowl from Bill as he and his wife walked up the hill to where the Portkey was meant to land. The hill was enclosed by a circle on trees, strategically placed for witches and wizards who lived in the area to use Portkeys without Muggle notice.

"Fleur!" cried a small voice from the clearing of the trees. A young girl ran towards her sister, long blonde hair trailing out behind her.

"Gabrielle! Vien ici!" cried Fleur, pulling her little sister into a crushing hug. Bill stood back to admire the reunion of the two sisters. They were so very much alike, even if they were far apart in their years. Both were tall, slender and pale with silvery blonde hair and deep blue eyes. And of course, their Veela ancestry enhanced their appearance favourably.

"Oh Fleur! Je t'ai manqué!" Gabrielle cried as she pulled back from her sister's embrace and kissed both of her tear-stained cheeks.

"Je sais! Moi aussi, ma petite!" sobbed Fleur, brushing away Gabrielle's hair and cupping her cheeks.

"It's good to see you again, Gabrielle," said Bill, holding out his hand to his little sister-in-law.

When Gabrielle exclaimed; "Pardon?" and gave Bill a confused look, Fleur paraphrased.

"Direz 'Salut' a Guillaume!" she told Gabrielle.

"Salut!' said Gabrielle sweetly, grinning affectionately at Bill.

"Non," cried Fleur. "En anglais sil te plait!"

"Hello," she said softly, her accent even stronger than Fleur's.

"How have you're holidays been?" Bill asked her.

Gabrielle frowned and shook her head in frustration. "Je ne comprends pas!"

Fleur sighed and kissed her Gabrielle's head. "C'est d'accord, ma petite."

"What's wrong?" asked Bill, completely confused to the content of the conversation as he didn't speak French himself.

"Gabrielle cannot speak Eenglish very well. Zey do not learn it at Beauxbatons. You will 'ave to be very patient with her."

"That's fine," smiled Bill and he took his wife's slender hand. "As long as you can translate."

"Gabrielle," Fleur called to her sister and gripped her hand tightly. "Vas-y! Nous allons a la maison!"

The three of them disapparated.

So what did you think? I really wanted to include Gabrielle in this fanfic because I feel that she wasn't developed at all as a character (no offense meant to JKR- because she had much more important characters to develop). So I decided that Gabrielle comes to visit Fleur for a week before she goes back to Beaubatons. Reviews are solemnly appreciated! xx