therapy girl

don't

note: i know Skype wasn't invented until the 2000s. but for the sake of the story, pretend.

Two days later, Bill again sat next to Allie.

"Hello William." She grinned.

"Hello Allie."

They sat and talked for awhile, until Bill asked, "Does it hurt? Sorry, that was insensitive."

Allie watched him for a moment. "It does, thanks for asking. Do your...scars...hurt?"

"Not really, thanks." He waited a minute, before saying, "Hey um, my wife said to invite you over for dinner. So uh, if you want?"

Allie grinned at him. "Sure, when?"

"Uh, she said whenever, so tonight if you'd like."

Allie nodded. "Yeah, that works."

"Doctor Allen's ready for you, Allie Holland."

Allie stood. "I'll see you tonight then, I'll need your address before you go."

--

While Allie was with Doctor Allen, Bill subtly sent a Patronus message to Fleur. "Is tonight alright for dinner with Allie?"

"Yes, have fun at therapy, I love you."

"Love you too."

He'd just finished when he was called for his own appointment.

It was half an hour later that Bill met Allie outside the building. "If you'd like I can take you to mine, that way you don't have to catch the bus."

Allie smiled. "Yeah, okay."

--

"Fleur! Allie and I are here!"

"In the kitchen, Bill!" Came a yell.

"You can put your things in on the table if you'd like," Bill told Allie.

"Oh, you must be Allie! I've 'eard so much." Fleur hugged her.

Allie awkwardly pulled away. "And I you."

--

"I should get going, it's dark out." Allie said eventually. "It was so nice meeting you Fleur. Do you have a Skype, Bill?"

"A what?"

"Skype. It's an app you can get on your computer, it lets you chat with friends, but you can see their face. Like a video."

Bill nodded dumbly. "I don't, sorry."

"It's okay. Just, if you get it, be sure to add me. My username is ArtyAllie."

Bill nodded, making a mental note to ask Hermione what Skype was and where he could get it.

--

Allie was sitting in the room her friend had offered, reading, when the computer started ringing the signature Skype ring. She walked over and saw a name; Bill.Weasley.

Answering the call, Allie waved to the redhead. "Hiya William!"

"Hi Allie. How are you?"

Allie smiled at him. "Good, good. How are you and Fleur. The baby?"

"We're all well. What's that on your shoulder?"

Allie looked at her shoulder, quickly shifting the overly large green sweater over her shoulder. "Just a bruise."

"What happened?" The bruise had looked hand shaped.

"Same as my nose. Anyway, tell me more about your family? Do you really have over five siblings?"

"Yeah, six, I'm seven." He looked away. "I mean, I have five, I-I'm sixth."

Allie frowned. "Everything okay William?"

"Yeah, I guess. It's hard to get used to."

Allie could see Fleur's hands wrapping around Bill's shoulders, and her lips kissing his temple. "It's okay, Bill." Fleur was whispering.

"He died, if you're curious."

"Oh, William, I'm sorry that happened."

Bill shrugged. "Thanks."

Allie paused a moment before telling her own reason for therapy. "I recently left an abusive relationship. Nothing compared--"

"I'm proud of you, Allie. That must have taken a lot."

"Th-thanks." she stuttered.

Fleur sat down, turning the laptop so Allie saw her face. "Allie, 'ave you eaten dinner yet?"

Allie smiled at her. "Yeah, the girl I'm staying with made me a sandwich. Have you two?"

"We 'ave. What I'm trying to get to... I was talking to some of Bill's family the other day, 'is mother 'as invited you to a dinner next week. Would you like to come?"

Allie shrugged. "Um, I don't know. I've just met you all. I'll think about it. What do I wear?"

Bill swivelled the screen his way. "Whatever you want. Most of us usually wear something comfortable for the Quidd--er, for roughhousing. You don't have to obviously, but you can hang out with Percy, or Hermione, or Dad."

Allie nodded. "What are they like?"

"Well Hermione and Percy are both huge bookworms, like you. Dad likes talking to anyone about random things."

Fleur whispered something Allie couldn't hear. "Do we tell her?"

"I'll see you in a few days, Allie. Let me know your answer then." Bill said, waving at her.