"It's hard to believe." I chuckled to myself one afternoon in the Burrow's living room.
"What's hard to believe?" George asked, sipping a glass of his juice with an interested grin.
"That you and Fred both fancied me. And only one of you got caught by my husband." I giggled as George scratched his head in confusion.
"You forgot didn't you–"
"Of course, I didn't!" George exclaimed, making me burst into fits of laughter. "Yeah I'm really sorry, it was just a silly crush and I've gotten over it. As well as Freddie."
"It's alright, I meant I did have a lot of guys gushing over me during my years at Hogwarts." I breathed, George merely shook his head with a chuckle.
"But if there's one beautiful woman. It's her."
My attention then snapped unto Bill's fianceé, Fleur. I recalled that I had a brief encounter with her during the Triwizard Tournament two years ago.
And indeed, she was a Veela.
Quarter Veela to be precise.
Which made her unirresistibly beautiful.
"I gotta agree, Georgie. Bill's got a fine taste in women." I snickered.
"I beg your pardon?"
I was now looking face-to-face with her porcelain-looking face, her blue-ish and mysterious eyes locking with mine as she just gazed at me curiously. I coughed and sat up straight.
"Oh, sorry. It was nothing." I chuckled awkwardly.
"I see," she said quietly. "I just hoped you know, that eet's very rude to laugh at somebody."
At her words, Mrs. Weasley and Ginny both glanced at her reproachfully like she was a mass murderer or something as she looked back at them with hesitation and regret at what she had said.
"My apologies, I was ze one who was being rude." she gave me an apologetic look as I slowly tried to take in her French accent.
"No, no, no. Everything's fine." I reassured. She smiled softly and sat next to me on the sofa, a shocked gasp eliciting from Ginny before she was shushed by Mrs. Weasley.
"Um... I never got to formally introduce myself but I'm Selene Lupin. And of course, I've heard so much about you, Fleur." I stuck out my hand which she gladly accepted.
"Bonjour, Selene," she warmly shook it. "Lupin? Oh mon, you two are perfect for eech other! I could not help but observe you two on Christmas Eve. Bill told me zat you 'ave been close friends with 'is family for a very long time."
"Yeah, they're like my family as well."
Her eyes were now trained on my stomach and she couldn't help but smile again.
"I zee were the knitted sweaters were for."
I chuckled.
"Is it a boy or a –"
"A very healthy girl." I interrupted with a giggle.
She beamed at this. "Then zat's wonderful! It's easier taking care of a girl than a boy."
"Probably."
"You are ze murderer's sister, no?"
The entire room had suddenly stopped their conversations at that question. Ron was sniggering in the corner along with the twins, while Ana and Ginny were looking at the French Veela with a mutual disgusted face. Molly had dropped the plate she was scrubbing in the sink and was glaring at Fleur with utter fury. But for me, however, this was the moment that made me like the newest addition to the family of seven, my mouth slightly fell agape until I let out a small grin.
"Half-true, half-not."
"I did not mean to offend you!" Fleur was saying with a bashful smile on her face. "I just wanted to show you zat I was not afraid of you or Sirius! It was either zat or to say that I expected you to be more prettier!"
I snorted at that. "Oh please, I haven't inherited a single trace of vanity from the House of Black!"
But apparently, everyone (especially Molly) was still not impressed with Fleur's comment and they all went out of the room, leaving the two of us alone as I hummed awkwardly.
"I should not 'ave said that," she huffed to herself in disappointment. "I 'ave a foul tendency to say things before I can even theenk about it very clearly."
"Hey, it's fine," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I found it quite funny and Mrs. Weasley? Let's just say, she's a bit too... conservative and traditional ... but you know, she'll get used to you. She's really nice once you get to know her."
She scoffed lightly.
"I theenk otherwise."
"What do you mean?" I questioned.
"Isn't it obvious? She despises me so much! Ever since Bill brought me 'ere... they have been looking at me like I am a dangerous insect that must be squashed immediately." she explained throatily as I was engulfed by a briefly long silence.
"Did you do anything that offended her?"
"No, I tried my very best to fit in with Bill's family, but it seems they despise me no matter what I do."
"Oh."
"But you see," she looked around the room cautiously and moved closer so that she was whispering to my ear. "One night, I overheard her and Ginny, that Bill and I might have rushed in the engagement, we started to get to know each other last year when I was working at ze Gringotts, and I formally met the Weasleys last summer."
"No wonder why," I sighed. "Well, Mrs. Weasley isn't as bad as she seems, she's just... protective of her children and she just wants what's best for them. And... I think it's the very first time one of them brought over a girl, so totally understandable."
She looked at me blankly.
"And Ginny? She's very sweet, you'll love her and she'll love you. She treats everyone with kindness... and she'll consider you part of their family once she gets to know you."
"I hope she does."
"So... when's the wedding?" I asked excitedly, deciding to change the rather gloomy topic.
"Summer, I suppose. Will you be attending?"
"Anything for Bill."
Fleur smiled gratefully.
"Y'know, you don't have to speak too much eenglish with me, I've studied French when I was young." I said, exaggerating the English with my best French voice which made her giggle.
"Vraiment?" she tested, slightly bouncing in excitement.
"Oui je peux." I smirked.
"By the way, how did you and Lupin become a couple?"
My cheeks blushed furiously and I nervously
laughed.
"Now that's... a very long story."
A/N : Short and slightly boring chapter, I know. I've been busy with school lately 'cause of lots of projects. And Fleur's one of my favorite HP characters, and she's so underrated! It's such an injustice by JKR and the films, so for my fellow Fleur stans, I'm finally giving the attention she deserves! :)
Oh, and I might have butchered on her accent, but I'll do my best in her following appearances 😭
Slight spoilers: Chapters 109-110 are gonna be a rollercoaster ride.
- jxlvpin