To Win the Heart of a Dragon

Chapter 3: Fleur Delacour

Rhea's pov:

          I recognized the beautiful blonde right away. Last year Hogwarts hosted the Tri Wizard Tournament, and had, subsequently, met the Beauxbatons Academy's champion Fluer Delacour. I knew they had hit it off but I didn't realize just how well apparently.

Charlie smiles at everyone as he asks, "Where is everyone?"

At some point while I was lost in my thoughts Molly had gotten up and was now standing in front of Charlie. "Your siblings are up stairs and your father is out in his garage. I'll go grab everyone upstairs. Bill, will you go grab your father?"

"I'll go grab him. I haven't said hello to him yet." I say, giving Molly a small smile. The truth of the matter was that I desperately needed air.

Molly has a look on her face as she nods to me, that tells me Molly knows how I'm feeling, but I don't allow myself time to linger on that small bit of knowledge. Frankly, right now I don't care and am thankful for Molly's discretion in letting me slip out for a moment's reprieve.

Walking out the back door to the garage, I realize that everyone knows; it's not just Molly that does. I can't stand the thought of the looks of pity they'll all give me now.

As I step into the garage I find Arthur at a workbench with what looks to be a Nintendo, "You'll need to hook that up to a TV for that to work."

Arthur nearly jumps out of his skin as he turns to look at me; I in return gives him a small apologetic smile.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you Arthur, but Molly sent me to get you. Charlie's here and he brought a girl."

A look of shock takes over his features, "A human girl?"

His question makes me bark out a much needed laugh, "What other kind of girl would he bring?"

"I always assumed he'd meet a nice dragon." Arthur states matter of factly, smiling softly at me.

Yup, everyone definitely knows, I think, taking a shaky breath.

Arthur sets down the Nintendo and walks over to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and says, "Well lets go see this girl. I won't believe she's not a dragon till I see it with my own eyes!"

We're still laughing as we walk into the house. Arthur pausing for a moment whispers to me, "Well that is definitely not a dragon. I owe Fred and George a galleon." This causes me to chuckle again and relax for a moment, but a moment is all I'm given.

"Now that everyone is here, I have some big news! Fleur and I are engaged!" Charlie announces as Fleur flashes her left hand, that does indeed have a beautiful ring situated on it.

Everyone rushes Charlie and Fleur, offering congratulations and welcoming Fleur to the family.

Suddenly my world is caving in around me, and my breathing is ragged. I can't control the tears that have leaked out. I take this moment with everyone occupied to slip out the back door one more time.

As I reach beyond the wards, I turn back wishing I could wake from this nightmare, escape this hell, but I know that pipe dream will never be, and disapparates.

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Bills POV

          FUCK! I thought. There was no way RJ was going to take this well. Hearing a faint pop of apparition, I turn and look around, only to realize Rhea is gone. Squeezing out of the group, I head outside, hoping that she's still there, but realize quickly that the sound I heard was her leaving. Yup definitely not taking it well, but it was to be expected.

She had never voiced out loud her love for my brother but you could see it in the way she always looked at him. I ran a hand through my hair not really knowing what to do. I started pacing to get some of my energy out. There was no way I could just leave, Charlie had just announced he was engaged but I knew RJ shouldn't be alone. She'd kill me if I sent one of her dads after her. I was pretty sure no one was supposed to know she was in love with Charlie but we all did.

A hand on my shoulder startles me out of my thoughts; turning around I find mum with a sad smile on her face, "Go find her sweetheart. She needs you right now."

That's all the permission I need, as I take off running out of the wards, and disapparate to Grimmauld Place.

Upon reaching Grimmauld Place I took a deep breath quickly making my way up the steps and into the house. I could hear loud music and RJ's voice singing along with the music coming from her living room.

I took slow steps towards the doorway. I leaned against the door frame taking her in. While the scene in front of me was sad, I couldn't help but to take her in.

She was singing along to a muggle song I recognized as Jessie's girl. She was dancing around with a bottle of firewhisky, and belting out the lyrics. Her hair had changed to her natural color; black. I had only seen that once before and it was when were much younger. She turned around and I could see the unrelenting tears streaming down her face.

Noticing me she suddenly stopped and quickly wiped her eyes, "Bill, what are you doing here?"

I slowly made my way into the room, towards her and wrapped her in a hug. "Rhea, you're my best friend. You couldn't have possibly thought I wouldn't be here for you."

She hugged me back fiercely and broke into another round of sobs. It broke my heart to see her like this. She was such a strong woman. I had never seen her so broken before. She started to crumple in my arms, so I slowly lowered us to sit on the floor; never breaking the hug.

"Everyone knows don't they, Bill?" She asked through the sobs. I didn't know the right words to say to her. It was true everyone knew, but it was something she really didn't need to hear right now, so I remained silent. "Why am I not good enough?"

"Of course your good enough!" I exclaimed. "More than good enough. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes. You're amazing! You're beautiful inside and out! I'm sorry Charlie didn't see what was right in front of him."

She chuckled softly, "You have to say that, you're my best friend!" She gave me a tearful smile as she handed me the bottle of firewhisky.

After taking a swig I responded, "Its because I'm your best friend that I know what an idiot my brother is." I was rewarded with another chuckle from her.

The music began to change to a slow melody I recognized as one of Rhea's favorite songs; Something by The Beatles.

I smiled down at her, "Dance with me."

She chuckled as she stood up. Placing her arms around my neck, we began to sway with my hands on her hips.

As I pulled her closer I couldn't help but to sing the lyrics low to her. "Something in the way she moves, attracts me like no other lover. Something in the way she woos me. I don't want to leave her now. You know I believe and how.."

As we twirled around her living room, I could see her spirit lift as her hair slowly changed back to its vibrant red. The RJ I loved was coming back to life, and I couldn't help but to smile down at her as she threw her head back and laughed.

"Thank-you. For everything Bill."

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          Unbenounced to them, outside the door in the hallway stood Sirius and Remus hand in hand.

Remus smiled down at Sirius, lifting his hand to his lips to place a kiss, "I think she's going to be alright. She's in good hands."

Sirius agreed with a nod, "I think you're right, but do you think she's realized just how in love with her Bill is yet?"

Remus frowned slightly, "I don't believe so, but what's meant to be will be. We need to let her take this in her own time. Don't go meddling in this Sirius. Let them come together on their own."

Without another word they went back to the Burrow, with the knowledge that their daughter was being taken care of. And while she may not be okay right now, she was, in fact, going to be okay in time.