Say You Won't Let Go || Bill Weasley

Eighteen: Only You

Even while in Egypt, Bill still got a copy of the Daily Prophet every day in order to keep up with what was going on back home and with the Ministry. That Wednesday morning, the day after the first task of the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts, was no different.

Though Bill often reflected his mother, who he adored, he also had similar habits to his father, such as reading the Prophet every morning as he ate his breakfast alone in his small home in Egypt and got ready for work.

Bill scanned through the first two pages of the paper, which outlined the details of the first task, the rankings of each champion, and the individual interviews. Even though Bill didn't know Harry as well as his other siblings did, he knew when he read Harry's interview that it was unlikely that he was actually crying as he answered the questions, like the article stated. It wasn't until Bill turned the page that one particular moving picture caught his eye.

Bill watched as his girlfriend laid on the chest of his brother, his arms wrapped firmly around her as they both sported wide grins, underneath the bold title "New Hogwarts Professor Works Through the Weasleys." He knew he shouldn't have, but his eyes moved to the article underneath:

"Isabelle Clarke, professor-in-training at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, seems to make herself quite comfortable with the men of the Weasley family. Despite her supposed relationship with the eldest son and Gringotts curse-breaker Bill Weasley, she is frequently appearing very cozy towards the others, including assistant to the Minister of Magic Percy Weasley as well as students Fred and George Weasley, according to sources. Recently it was witnessed that she and dragon caretaker Charlie Weasley spent a night under the stars, seemingly very close and intimate-"

Bill shook his head and crumbled up the page in his fist, not wanting to read the rest of the details. He didn't want to believe it anyway, and that there had to be some kind of out-of-context mistake, but couldn't hide the wave of jealousy and hurt he was beginning to feel.

He always knew that Isabelle and Charlie were good friends even after he graduated from Hogwarts, but Charlie had reassured him that there was never anything more. Could his feelings for Isabelle have changed since last December? Maybe she had always had a thing for Charlie, and Bill was just the next best option.

Bill couldn't believe that she would do it, she had always been so sweet and gentle and caring towards everyone else's feelings. Even Ron had written to him about talking to her through his issues with his friends and how happy he and Hermione were that she was there.

He also couldn't believe that his own brother, who he had always been close with, would betray him in such a way. Still, the immediate pain he felt in his chest was overwhelming, tears that were so rare to him threatening to spill from his eyes at any moment.

He fumbled for some parchment and a quill where he scribbled down a quick letter, asking to meet up with her so that he could hear it from her. So he can decide where to go from there. A few small tears managed to escape his eyes, falling onto the drying ink and causing it to smudge a little, but he didn't care. He sent it away with his owl, spent the day at work trying to block out his thoughts and keep his composure, and came home to her letter requesting to meet him that weekend at The Three Broomsticks.

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The next several days leading up to her meeting with Bill were some of the most stressful, anxiety-filled days of her life. All she could do was believe that he knew that she would never cheat on him, or anyone for that matter, especially not with his brother. It was also the first time in weeks she had her nightmare spouts, shaking her awake in the middle of every night and not allowing her to fall back asleep until it was time to get ready for class.