~
"You ready?" Bill asked, his fingers trailing absentmindedly over Eleanora's shoulder. "Hey."
"Mmmmm no." Eleanora pulled a pillow closer to her chest and inhaled the scent of Bill's sheets. All she wanted was a few more minutes in bed with her fiancee while the world was at peace.
Bill laughed and leaned forward to wrap his arm around Eleanora's waist. He kissed her shoulder and rested his chin on her arm. "Dad'll at least be fine with it. And most of the Order will be happy."
"Mhmm."
"It's just Mum..."
"She's going to kill us."
"She's going to kill me."
Bill ran his hand over Eleanora's stomach and she turned to smile up at him. "How are you not more hungover? You'd think after last night, you'd- wait, what's that?" She was staring at something on his shoulder, something that hadn't been there before. She sat up in bed to get a better look. "When did you get a tattoo?"
Bill looked down at his shoulder in mild surprise. "Huh. I thought that was a dream."
"You what?" Eleanora pulled herself up further and took Bill's arm in her hand. "Back- back up. When-?"
"Last night." Bill sighed and collapsed back on the pillows, resting a hand over his eyes. Eleanora knitted her eyebrows together in a highly unimpressed expression. "With your dad," Bill groaned at the memory. He was more hungover than he was acting, but he didn't want Eleanora to see that. He figured he'd put her through enough the night before.
Eleanora let out a derisive snort. "My dad was behind this- wait, let me see it again." She pulled Bill's arm over to get a closer look at the tattoo. "It's just an E," she said, laughing. "In the whole wizarding world of tattoos, Weasley- I mean, you could've gotten anything-"
"I was drunk!" Bill tried to defend himself, but couldn't help laughing at it himself. "Remind me to never go out with your dad again."
"Yeah, trust me- I won't make that mistake again." Eleanora patted his shoulder, unable to control the growing smirk on her face.
"What?" Bill said, watching her get out of bed.
"I used to think you were the smartest person at Hogwarts." She pulled a sweater on and tossed Bill a t-shirt. "Come on, let's tell your mum we're getting married."
"And- maybe leave out the part about the tattoo?"
"Depends on how she takes the first bit of news."
Bill followed Eleanora down the stairs and into the kitchen where, surprisingly enough, the twins were standing with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. They all looked up when Bill and Eleanora entered and the twins gave them identical sly smiles. "Good morning," George said cheerfully before snickering into his coffee mug.
"How are you two on this fine morning?" said Fred. "Bill- how're you feeling, mate?"
Mrs. Weasley eyed Fred and George critically. "What are your two on about? Why wouldn't Bill be alright?"
Eleanora leaned against the doorway and looked to Bill, who shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "Ahhh, we're- could I get some coffee?"
The twins dissolved into fresh waves of silent laughter. Eleanora would've found it funny too, but she was too worried about Mrs. Weasley's reaction to their news. "Mrs. Weasley..." she started unsurely. "You know Bill and I have been together for- a little while now."
"Not that long," said Mrs. Weasley.
Bill caught Eleanora's eye and gave her a hopeless look. "Right, but Mum, we've known each other for- forever. And I mean, you've never had... any problem... with us?" Mrs. Weasley didn't respond to this, so they plowed forward.
"Mrs. Weasley, last night- um-" Eleanora's eyes flicked over to Bill for help.
He took a deep breath and stepped back so he was at Eleanora's shoulder. "Mum, Dad, Eleanora and I are getting married."
The room went so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. Even the twins were silent, watching their parents in anticipation. Mrs. Weasley's face went through about a million emotions over the span of two or three seconds, but Mr. Weasley's broke into an enormous smile. "Congratulations!" he boomed, throwing an arm around Eleanora. "This is wonderful news! You know Molly and I already see you as a second daughter, but-"
"You're too young," Mrs. Weasley interrupted. "Both of you!"
"Mrs. Weasley..."
"No- no. You can't get married- you've only been together a year! And you were missing for part of that and-"
"And I never stopped loving her," Bill stepped in calmly. "Mum, you were there that whole time. You know how much I love her-"
Mrs. Weasley bit down on her lower lip, but wouldn't relent. "I can't believe this! And with the war and everything." Her voice lowered from its shrill pitch as she took a step towards Eleanora. "Eleanora, dear, you know how much we all love you, but Bill's- he's- older, and-"
"It doesn't matter," Eleanora said, holding her ground. "Neither of us care, and I think it's better to do it sooner than later. You never know what'll happen with the war and everything..."
"They do have a point, Molly," said Mr. Weasley. He was still smiling at Eleanora, but seemed rather nervous about Mrs. Weasley's reaction.
Fred, who had been looking back and forth between his mother and Eleanora, decided to jump in. "It's not up to any of us, Mum. And even if it was- I think they make a great couple." At this Eleanora looked up in surprise. Fred grinned at her. "I don't think I've ever liked one of your boyfriends, but you two..."
"Yeah, they're right for each other," George said with an air of finality. "Let it go, Mum. You finally get to plan a wedding."
Mrs. Weasley's expression changed again, and for a second, Eleanora thought she might've changed her mind. "I always thought it would be you and Fred," she said quietly. Eleanora had to actively stifle her groan.
"Mum...." Fred said, not even trying to cover up his annoyance. "We've been over this so many times. It's not like that."
"It's never been like that," said Eleanora. "And I'm sorry, but I'm marrying Bill. It's final." She lifted her chin and stared Mrs. Weasley right in the eye. Beside her, Bill took a step closer and moved a comforting hand to her lower back. The kitchen fell silent again, everyone staring around at one another.
"Well, we've got to get back to the shop," George said at last, setting his mug down in the sink. "You lot... have fun here."
"Come visit us," Fred said cheerfully to Eleanora on his way out.
Mrs. Weasley stared after the twins, then turned back to Eleanora, Bill, and Mr. Weasley. "I've got to make lunch," she said curtly. "Out, everyone out."
"Mrs. Weasley-" Eleanora started.
"No. We'll talk later. Just- out."
Eleanora hesitated at the door, but Bill took her arm and gently led her out of the room. "Give her time," he said, his voice unfaltering. "It'll all be okay."
When they got to the living room, Mr. Weasley turned to face his son and daughter-in-law-to-be. "Congratulations, really," he said. "Molly'll come around, don't worry about that. Just- be happy, alright? While you have the time. While you're young." Eleanora was surprised by the sincerity of Mr. Weasley's words. He'd never been much for emotional availability. "I really do think this is... right." Mr. Weasley gave Eleanora a quick hug, shook Bill's hand, and then left the room to try and console his wife.
Eleanora and Bill stood in the middle of the living room floor side by side, staring after Mr. Weasley. "Well," Eleanora said at last, "Glad we didn't say anything about the tattoo."
Bill smiled a small smile, then shook his head. "C'mere," he pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her hair.
"You alright?" Eleanora asked softly. "I'm sure Molly'll come around-"
"Yeah, I'm okay," Bill said, kissing the top of her head. "Just really, really happy."