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Fleur Weasley (fleur_weasley) wrote in bloodlines_rp,
@ 2017-08-13 19:53:00

Entry tags:

!retcon, bill weasley, dec 2002, fleur weasley, loc: shell cottage, type: rp

News All Around
Date & Time: Friday, 27 December 2002 | Afternoon
Post Type: RP
Status: Complete
Character(s): Fleur Weasley, Bill Weasley
Location: Shell Cottage
Summary: Bill has news. Fleur has news.
Retcon Info: These three threads happened, except without the Charlie/Nicky bits and in Aug/Sept 2002. Bill and Fleur have been in France together since Oct 12th.

Fleur found herself checking the clock every few minutes as she made her way from room to room, keeping an eye on the various cleaning spells she'd set to rid the house of the layers of dust that had settled in the two and a half months they'd been away from Shell Cottage. Bill had gone into the office today, mostly because he knew that the place would be relatively deserted on a Friday so close to a holiday. They'd been back in England less than a day, but she knew he'd be able to relax better if he wasn't thinking about what awaited him in the office on Monday.

That said, she really wished he'd stayed home today. She hadn't known this morning when she'd kissed him goodbye that it would be important—but there was a lot she hadn't known this morning.

As she finished her circuit of the house, Fleur ended it in the sitting room and sank onto the couch, pulling her her knees up and hugging them to her chest. A big grin came to her face, but she bit her lip and chased it away. It was early. There was still so much time for things to go wrong, like they had the last time. She shivered at the thought, closing her eyes against the torrent of emotions that came with letting herself really think about it. She'd grieved, and she'd finally given Bill the opportunity to grieve, but it hadn't gone away. And now—she drew in a sharp breath, but she chased away the sob that might have come with it only a few months ago. How was it possible to be so elated, and yet so terrified? Her chest felt like it might burst from it, so instead she forced herself to her feet.

Bill would be home soon. Then at least she wouldn't be dealing with the news on her own.

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fleur_weasley
2017-09-04 07:39 pm UTC (link)

Fleur was very proud of herself for not tearing up as she watched Bill send off their inquiry. If there had been any remaining doubt in his enthusiasm after their discussion, his excitement at finding the Floo address would have quashed it soundly.

"It is still very early stages." She laughed briefly at the congruence of that statement, given everything they'd just been discussing. Apparently everything in her life was at that point—including, in some respects, her relationship with Bill, even considering that they'd been married for five years now. "We still plan to focus on equal treatment for all, though with a focus on traditionally mistreated groups. Werewolves, house elves, Squibs."

She and Hermione been exploring the idea before things had gone sideways with Fleur and Bill, and it had only been the last couple of months that Fleur felt certain enough in her future to continue the discussion. Everything that had been happening in England had threatened to stop them in their tracks again, except that recently they'd realised the need for support for those who'd gotten sick, too. It was the perfect opportunity. Once the HMDC figured out what was happening and made progress on a cure, they would be able to put more of a focus on the other groups, too.

Fleur set the tea to steeping and handed Bill a couple of bowls to put on the table. "We're hoping to find a couple of significant backers before we go too much farther. To allow them the opportunity to shape the enterprise with us, if they so desire." That could have advantages and disadvantages, but Fleur had no doubts that between her and Hermione, they could steer things in the proper direction. "One of the shops in Diagon Alley is planning to move to Blackthorn after the first of the year, so we thought we might move in there, if the timing is right." It would be a very visible, convenient location, and it was all the better for its proximity to Bill's office.

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bill__weasley
2017-09-04 11:09 pm UTC (link)

Although, he touched his own face in an unconscious gesture, Bill's thoughts went immediately to George when Fleur mentioned Squibs. It twisted in his gut, cutting through his joy with brutal efficiency. For several precious minutes he had forgotten about the larger world, and for an irrational moment he absolutely loathed that world. He set the bowls on the table, then summoned a few pieces of silverware, napkins, and glasses from various cabinets and drawers to settle next to them in an elegant manner- this he picked up from Jean. He even set a couple of candles out, lighting them with a flick of his wand.

"If you both like, I can ask around Gringott's for any potential backers, maybe compile a list of investors known for their philanthropic tendencies, find those who might seem more inclined to your group's ideology." His mind was already going through his list of contacts at the banks who might be able to help. Bill smiled up at her when she mentioned moving into Diagon Alley. "Yeah? If you're not careful, you might find yourself employing your husband. Or you'll be well shot of me, coming over for lunch and tea breaks all the time."

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fleur_weasley
2017-09-04 11:41 pm UTC (link)

"That would be very helpful, yes," she said, giving him a bright smile as she levitated the milk and sugar to the table ahead of her, carrying the teapot and cups. "Hermione has some contacts she's developed through the Ministry, and I've met many people while volunteering this last year. It is no certain thing that they will want to invest, though. We're looking for several smaller backers, or at least one substantial one. Then, hopefully, we'll gain enough community support to continue to grow from there."

Fleur put the teapot and cups on the table before leaning into Bill with one arm draped over his shoulders. "You would come over to steal kisses on your breaks, you mean," she teased as she bent and kissed his smiling lips. Her voice turned more serious and her expression softer as she added, "Or to bring me ice cream when I'm craving it." Her lips brushed his again, lingering longer this time. "Or to pick up our children when our schedules don't quite match."

It took a moment for her to pull herself away from him again, but finally she sat and flicked her wand at the soup pot to start ladling out helpings into their bowls while she served their tea. "Even if we do not tell our families about the baby" —she couldn't help the bright smile that came to her face at that— "we can tell them that we're starting the adoption process. They will be excited for this, too, I think." And it would feel good to talk about some part of it.

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bill__weasley
2017-09-05 11:13 pm UTC (link)

“Guilty as charged- on all counts,” Bill smiled up at her, catching the hand that landed on his shoulder and accepting her kisses as the gifts they were. He pictured each scene as she presented them, turned them over in his head, and every one was a tiny slice of paradise. They fit so easily into his life that he couldn’t even imagine any other possible outcome. Any alternative was completely out of the question. And he could help Fleur and Hermione further their cause in the meantime, he would be more than happy to do so.

He had a lot to make up for, and this felt like baby steps.

Bill nearly laughed aloud- would it be like this from now on, every thought centered around children and family? He could dredge up no dread at the prospect, and instead found himself echoing her smile right back to her. “That’d be perfect.” He sipped at his tea, finding it just as he always liked it. The soup was amazing as well, and it was all he could do not to lift the bowl to his mouth and eschew silverware altogether. “Should we owl, or try to arrange for a Floo call? I’d be all right with either one, though a Floo call might make it easier to answer any questions, or get answers for ourselves."

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fleur_weasley
2017-09-06 02:13 am UTC (link)

Fleur managed to pull herself away from Bill with the awareness that dinner would likely be ruined if she didn't step away now—because it would go cold before they got back to it. She moved to the other side of the table and sat, still unable to pull her eyes away from him as he started on his food. Despite everything they'd been through the last year, she felt very lucky at this moment to have him. She ate a few spoonfuls of her stew, finding it imperfect, but servicable for the time and ingredients she'd had.

"I think the Floo for Maman and Papa," she said, after considering a moment. Though she knew the majority of the conversation would probably be she and her mother smiling and crying, with very little information being exchanged. It wouldn't be as emotional as the later conversation would be, but it would be enough. "But for your family, we will invite them for dinner. Do you want to owl your mother, or shall I?"

Fleur leaned back in her chair and only barely resisted wrapping her arms around her torso at the little shiver that went through her, thinking of telling everyone. The first grandchild—grandchildren—would be big news, whatever the way they were achieving that family. "Hermione and Harry, too, of course. It will be a celebration." She sipped her tea.

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bill__weasley
2017-09-06 11:52 pm UTC (link)

Bill almost ached to reach out to take his wife's hand, but they were both eating, and, well, there was time enough for that later. He nodded when she said they would Floo her parents, but her next suggestion fired up something completely insane in his head. He set down his spoon carefully, eyes going wide. "Feel free to shoot this down, but I've just had the most mad idea.

"What if we threw a small New Year's party? We could throw something together in four days, right? And most of that would be the weekend. I can send out the owls, arrange for the food, clean, maybe decorate a bit. I mean, there's a better than good chance that most everyone already has plans, but we could still see?" He turned a hopeful gaze toward her. "I'd do everything, so you can focus on your organization with Hermione. What do you think?"

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fleur_weasley
2017-09-07 01:33 am UTC (link)

Fleur bit her lip as she listened to Bill's supposed mad idea, but mostly to hide the smile. It was a little mad, because hosting any party was always more work than it seemed like it should be, but that didn't mean she disliked the idea. "You know very well no party including your family can be small." And if it was something other than a true family gathering, they would need to open it up for those invited to bring guests. "And that I will only have to redo it all if I let you decorate."

She finally let her expression shift to show him she was teasing, though he'd probably already figured that out. She leaned in and reached across the table for his hand. "We'll do it together. My plans with Hermione do not take up so much time as that just yet, and I'm pregnant" —she beamed at him, enjoying getting to say it aloud again— "not breakable. I do not feel so tired as they say can be normal." Though now that she knew to look for it, she could see how over the last couple of weeks she'd tired earlier in the night than usual.

Her hand lingered in his grasp for another moment before Fleur pulled back to continue eating, though she was already getting full. "Perhaps you should send some owls tonight, though. Some may have plans already, and then we will know to buy less food."

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bill__weasley
2017-09-08 12:31 am UTC (link)

His excited smile softened, turned fond and reflective as Fleur lightly admonished him. She was right, of course. Bill had very clear memories of his mum being pregnant with the twins- and subsequently Ron and then Ginny- and she had handled running the already hectic family just fine then too, without the full brood to contend with. It was utterly unfair to think his wife wouldn't be up to do the same. She'd been a bloody Triwizard champion, for wizard's sake.

He grinned again, and nodded. "Yes, I'll send them tonight, request an RSVP." He paused, and then abruptly: "I'm completely mad for you, you know?"

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fleur_weasley
2017-09-08 12:56 am UTC (link)

Fleur didn't respond immediately to Bill's somewhat-rhetorical question. Instead, she carefully chewed and swallowed her last bit of stew, rinsed it down with a sip of tea, then levitated it all to the sink before finally standing. Two steps took her to her husband's side, and she leaned down and pressed her forehead to his before whispering, "Je t'aime tellement."

She kissed his nose, then straightened and pulled away before he could make any move to pull her closer. "I'm going to take a shower, and then go to bed early. It's been a long day." And no matter how much she wanted to let him know she wasn't an invalid simply because she was pregnant, she was pretty tired. "Perhaps finish those invitations quickly?" Fleur raised an eyebrow at him, clearly flirting, and then giggled girlishly as she walked toward the stairs.

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bill__weasley
2017-09-09 09:42 pm UTC (link)

He would never admit to the pathetic little whimper that left him at Fleur's frankly brazen flirting, but the noise left him nonetheless. After a moment, Bill cleared away his own dish and the tea set, pausing only long enough to clean them and put them away. And then- it was was undoubtedly a world record time- he dashed off the invitation, duplicated it, and then went out into the cold sea air to fetch their owl.

After directing it to take most of the invites to the post- along with the requisite amount due for handling the rest- he came back inside and stood in the living room for a moment, listening to the falling water upstairs. That was his wife. His pregnant wife. And they were going to try to adopt right away, not as a contingency, but in addition to.

He sank back against the door, knocked momentarily breathless at the happy turn his life was suddenly taking. He thought of George and Ginny and Percy, thought of everything they were going through with this wretched disease, and he hoped they could garner some small bit of happiness at the news- or at least the part that he and Fleur were going to share for now.

He heard the water shut off, and pushed himself away from the door. Bill smiled to himself, and then walked to the stairs, already pulling off various articles of clothing as he ascended. They were back home, together, and he fully intended to christen their return to Shell Cottage properly.

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