![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
thecooloneThere, the thing is settled. Taking a deep breath, Bill walks into their flat: he wants this done before Fleur gets back. Wand drawn -- he knows this spellwork intimately -- he begins methodically dismantling the flat and packing everything into three trunks, shrinking items as he goes. It doesn't take so very long and it's clear that this isn't the first time Bill has packed and moved. The last item -- the photo book from Las Vegas -- goes into the last trunk; shrinking the trunks down, he sets them one, two, three like a trio of heavy books on their dining table.
It's only then that he walks to the balcony and looks out onto Luxor's wizarding bazaar as if memorising the sights and sounds and smells of not just this city but of all Egypt. If he could bottle it and take it with him, he certainly would. But Fleur and her health come first and the Healer said no more Apparating. That makes Egypt unfeasible: were there more reliable access to the bar here he might try to stay. But curse-breaking is risky work, and he's promised Fleur more than once he won't die, won't leave her alone. He means to keep his word on that, both for her and for their twins.
Twins. The thought fills him with unexpected and untold contentment, and he can't wait to find out the gender. He's looking forward to all those little things with his wife: chosing names, organising rooms, picking out cribs. What he'd like more than anything is to do up their room in an Egyptian theme; he and Fleur can discuss that at leisure.
And the babies will be born in London, because that's where he's been reassigned and he knows how to get to Milliways from there without question and without hesitation, and it works every time. She won't have to use magic to get round the place, and he'll be at a nice, safe (albeit dull) job at Gringott's for the duration and he doesn't mind a bit. It will keep him closer to the woman he loves.
The click of the door opening pulls him out of his reverie: turning round, he holds out his hands and smiles.
"Hullo, love. Surprise."
It's only then that he walks to the balcony and looks out onto Luxor's wizarding bazaar as if memorising the sights and sounds and smells of not just this city but of all Egypt. If he could bottle it and take it with him, he certainly would. But Fleur and her health come first and the Healer said no more Apparating. That makes Egypt unfeasible: were there more reliable access to the bar here he might try to stay. But curse-breaking is risky work, and he's promised Fleur more than once he won't die, won't leave her alone. He means to keep his word on that, both for her and for their twins.
Twins. The thought fills him with unexpected and untold contentment, and he can't wait to find out the gender. He's looking forward to all those little things with his wife: chosing names, organising rooms, picking out cribs. What he'd like more than anything is to do up their room in an Egyptian theme; he and Fleur can discuss that at leisure.
And the babies will be born in London, because that's where he's been reassigned and he knows how to get to Milliways from there without question and without hesitation, and it works every time. She won't have to use magic to get round the place, and he'll be at a nice, safe (albeit dull) job at Gringott's for the duration and he doesn't mind a bit. It will keep him closer to the woman he loves.
The click of the door opening pulls him out of his reverie: turning round, he holds out his hands and smiles.
"Hullo, love. Surprise."
no subject
Date: 2006-06-11 01:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-11 01:42 am (UTC)Without all their appointments and belongings, this flat looks strangely foreign to him. "I've a week between assignments. Is there anywhere you'd care to go, anything you're aching to do? Go to Paris, tell your mum and sister? They were so thrilled when we popped round and told them we were married; I thought Gabrielle was likely to have my head on a silver platter. How do you suppose they'll take this news?"
There was one sure way to find out. Curse-breaking takes a good bit of defiance of danger and an equal amount of bravery, but it doesn't hold a candle to facing his in-laws.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-11 01:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-11 01:56 am (UTC)The idea isn't without its appeal: a week-end with no responsibilities seems like a lovely, lovely thing.
"Or I could take you on one of those Nile River cruises and fan you with a palm leaf and glare at all the men -- and women -- who'll be besotted by how lovely you are." Now, he thinks, is the right time to be silly. After the twins are born, they'll be far too busy being practical.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-11 02:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-11 02:19 am (UTC)"One more series of Portkeys to go, love, and we'll be home, and then you won't have to use one again till after the twins are born." The three trunks fit nicely under his arm. "Say goodnight to Egypt, Fleur. The Portkey will be active in two minutes." He takes a last longing glance out through the window: it's spectacular but he's ready. Of all the things he's had to concede to, this is the least regrettable of all. Luxor isn't going to simply disappear.
Bill takes the broken and useless wristwatch into his hand and directs Fleur's hand to it as well. "Ready?"
Goodbye, all of this.
They'll just be on holiday from it for a while.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-11 02:28 am (UTC)And hangs on to the Portkey.