"Look," He said softly, brushing the hair away from your face, tucking a strand behind your ear, "It's… complicated…"

You shook your head, "How is it complicated, Bill? I'm in love with you."

"Kid…"

"Don't call me kid!" You exclaimed, your whole body shaking as tears began spilling down your cheeks. Your fists were clenched by your sides as Bill wrapped his arms around you.

After debating whether or not to return the embrace, you felt yourself leaning into his chest as he stroked your hair. His button-up was stained with your tears, but you couldn't care less. Clinging onto him, you allowed the tears to fall, not caring who saw or heard them. And Bill held you, shushing you softly, before lifting you into his arms and carrying you to bed.

Holding you in one arm, Bill pulled back your quilt, setting you down onto the mattress, pulling the fabric back up over you.

By the time your head hit the pillow, you were fast asleep, your chest rising steadily as you sunk into the sheets. Bill climbed into bed beside you, opting to stay above the covers, his hand sliding up and down your side until he was sure you wouldn't wake up.

When you woke up a few hours later, you couldn't bring yourself to open your eyes. Because deep down, you knew he was gone. You could feel it. The emptiness of your bed without him. Your heart ached for him to be back with you, so you did the only thing you knew how to do: you shut down. Burying your head into your pillow, you allowed your sobs to take control over you. But you kept your eyes closed. You knew that if you opened them, you'd see what was right in front of you: an empty space.

Bill walked up the steps of The Burrow, waving his wand and muttering "alohamora" to open the door. Once inside, he slipped out of his cloak, placing it in the closet by the living room. Slipping off his shoes, he made his way up the creaky steps to his room. But he seemed to have forgotten one important detail: he wasn't alone.

Before he could even reach his room, Fred and George appeared before him, pretending to check an imaginary watch and shaking their heads.

"You're late, Billy." Fred said, placing his hands on his hips.

George snickered, "I didn't think Fleur would be the type to keep you out all night."

When Bill didn't respond, Fred let out a gasp, "Unless…"

"You weren't with Fleur." George finished, casting a glance to his twin before shoving his older brother in his room.

Once the three Weasley's were crammed inside Bill's bedroom, the twins ushered their brother to the bed, forcing him to sit.

"Mind telling us what's going on, Billy?" Fred asked, tapping his foot, "Fleur's a very beautiful girl, what is she- one thirty-forth Veela?"

"No, Freddie, a quarter Veela." George smirked, nudging his brother in the ribs.

Fred grinned, "Even better!"

Bill rolled his eyes, "Are you guys done yet?"

"Not until you tell us what's going on."

"Nothing's going on," The eldest Weasley hissed, "And if something were, it wouldn't concern either of you."

Fred raised his brows, "You see, Bill, it does. Because we know exactly what's been happening. You can thank our newest invention for that. An extendable ear. Quite handy, if I do say so myself."

Bill's eyes widened, "What exactly do you know?"

"Oh, no, we're keeping that to ourselves. No need for you to know."

"None of your concern," George quipped, earning a laugh from his brother.

"Tell me!" Bill screamed, his eyes filled with anger, "So help me Godric if you two don't tell me what you know-"

Fred held his hands up, "Woah, woah, Billy, no need to be so hostile."

"We're not telling you anything until you 'fess up. So go ahead and tell us about your little lady friend."

He sighed, laying back on his bed, "You won't give up, will you?"

"Nope," They answered, sitting on the edge of his bed, "Go on, Billy, tell us."

"It all started in my third year…"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Year 2

Bill watched as you waved your wand, sending a blast of fire towards a practice dummy, sending it flying back. A smile spread on his face as you turned towards him, excitedly grinning from ear to ear. Before either of you knew what you were doing, your arms were wrapped around one another, holding each other in a tight embrace.

"You were fantastic, Y/N!' Bill exclaimed, pulling away from the hug, "I reckon we'll be breaking through that cursed ice in no time."

"You really think so?" You asked, gazing up at him through your lashes, feeling the heat on your cheeks.

He nodded, taking your shoulders in his hands and craning his head to be at eye level with you, "You're going to do great things, kid."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Seems innocent enough." Fred said, crossing his arms, "But remind me how much older you are than her?"

"Two years," Bill answered, "We met when I was in my fourth year and she was in her second."

"So you were falling for a twelve year old?" George asked, sticking out his tongue in mock disgust.

He shook his head, "No, it wasn't like that. Not then, at least."

"So when was it like that?" George questioned, raising a brow.

"I'll tell you when I get there," Bill grumbled, "Now let me tell my story…"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Year 2

"Bill!" You exclaimed, rushing over to him to break him free from the ice. His freckled face was turning blue, ice beginning to crawl up his throat.

"Incendio!" You shouted, waving your wand. The ice surrounding him broke away, leaving a shivering Bill who rushed towards you, pressing an innocent kiss to the top of your head as you apologized.

He let out a breathy laugh, rubbing his arms up and down to warm himself, "I'm alright, kid."

"Are you sure?" You asked, voice quivering as you looked him up and down.

Nodding, Bill smiled, "I'm more worried about you, honestly."

"What about me?"

"It's not important, let's get this ice under control, yeah?"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"You never told us you got trapped in ice!" Fred huffed, his forehead creased, "That would've been so much fun!"

"Believe me, it was not."

George smirked, "But you had someone to warm you up…"

"George! She was twelve!"

He held up his hands in mock defeat, "Continue…"

"In our third year, I told her about this girl I liked. Her name was Emily. I claimed to be in love with her, so I tasked Y/N with asking her if I had any chance with her."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Year 3

You clenched your fist, brows furrowed in anger as Emily mocked the Weasley family.

"The Weasley's may be good-looking, but that's about the only thing they're good for," Emily snorted, "They don't have money or manners, and there's too many of them to keep track of for my liking. Honestly-"

"Shut it!" You hissed, stomping your foot into the ground, "The Weasley's are the kindest, most welcoming Wizarding Family I've ever met, and I won't take you dragging their name through the ground! Bill Weasley is a better wizard than you'll ever be. He's kind, he's smart, and talented, and he certainly wouldn't disrespect another family! You don't deserve him, Emily!"

She raised her brows, "Maybe he doesn't deserve me."

"He doesn't deserve to be treated badly by you," Anger flared in your eyes as you spoke, "You're just jealous that he's too good for you."

Emily stuck her nose up, "So be it, I wasn't interested anyway."

The two of you walked separate ways, with her heading towards The Three Broomsticks to gossip and you stomping away with your arms crossed, determined to reveal Emily's true colors to Bill.

But unbeknownst to you, he had heard the whole exchange. Although he was devastated that Emily had broken his heart, he was disappointed that she had disrespected his family, but he couldn't help being proud of you for standing up for him. In that moment, his heart beat faster. You and him… Could it… but he shook the thoughts out of his head. No, it couldn't.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Remind me what her name was?" George said angrily, "I've got some Wildfire Wizbangs coming her way and-"

Bill shook his head, "Good luck getting to her. She'll have your names plastered all over the paper. Works for Rita Skeeter now."

Fred rolled his eyes, "I'd like her to have a piece of my mind… no one talks down on the Weasley's and gets away with it."

"Can I get on with it now?"

The twins nod and their brother continues, "In my sixth year, I had a new feeling… something I hadn't felt before…"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Year 4

As soon as Charlie sauntered into The Three Broomsticks, a model of a dragon clutched in his hands, Bill knew he had made a mistake. Your eyes lit up upon seeing the second-born Weasley brother, and you extended your hand.

Charlie looked down at you awkwardly, shaking your hand with three fingers, "Charlie Weasley."

"My younger brother." Bill interupted, tapping his foot aggressively on the floor.

"Y/N L/N." You smiled, returning your hand to your lap.

As Bill watched you and Charlie talk among yourselves, he was hit with a pang of jealousy. So he threw back butterbeer, hoping the sweet flavor would wash over him and throw his jealousy out the window. But it didn't. It got worse. And all he could do was sit there and watch it happen.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"You're telling me that Y/N had the hots for Charlie?" Fred questioned, staring down at his brother.

Bill groaned, "She swears she didn't, that she doesn't, but in the moment, I got ahead of myself. I was beyond jealous and I couldn't bring myself to realize why."

"Oh, Billy, you're in deep." Fred laughed.

George let out a sigh, "Keep going, Billy, we don't have all night."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Year 5

You chewed at your bottom lip, standing before Bill with your hands clasped behind your back. Your eyes were stinging with tears at the thought of saying goodbye to one of your closest friends. You had known this day would come, but you hadn't been prepared for it.

"Bill, I-" But you were cut off when his arms wrapped around you, enveloping you in a bone-crushing hug. You placed your hands on his bag, tears spilling onto his robes as he rubbed circles into your back.

"Y/N, can I be honest?" He asked, his cheeks a shade of pink.

Nodding, he continued, "Out of all the friends I've made here at Hogwarts, I think I'm going to miss you the most."

"Bill, I'm going to miss you, too," You said through the tears.

He pressed a thumb to your cheek, wiping the droplets away before they could fall down your face.

"You'll visit, won't you?" You asked, "In Hogsmeade?"

"I'll be there," Bill smiled, "But only if you promise to visit the Burrow."

You nodded, a sad smile on your face, "I promise."

Bill looked behind him, watching as students moved towards the exit. Looking back at you, he pressed a kiss to your head, "I'll see you around, kid."

"See you…"

Your heart broke a bit that day, watching him walk away. But nothing could prepare you for what would happen years later.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Year 6

Walking into Defense Against the Dark Arts, you felt a flutter in your chest. For the first time in nearly a year, you'd be able to see Bill Weasley- and you couldn't be happier.

You walked in with a slight skip in your step, Charlie trailing behind you.

Upon pushing the door open, a certain ginger smiled at you, "Miss me, kid?"

Rushing towards him, you practically knocked him to the ground, "More than you know."

It wasn't until Charlie cleared his throat as other students began piling in that the two of you broke away from your embrace, looking nervously in opposite directions.

"Now that the reunion's out of the way, we can move on to the big question: What are you doing here?"

As Bill began explaining, you couldn't help but notice the empty space on his robe. He didn't have his prefect badge anymore. Not that he would, having graduated, but it made your heart sink even further in your chest. Things were changing, too fast.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Not twelve anymore, is she?"

"Shut it, George." Bill huffed, rolling his eyes.

George shook his head, "Really, Bill, two years isn't that bad."

"It's bad when she's in her sixth year and I've already graduated."

"Depends on how you look at it." Fred noted, "So when did you see her next?"

"With dad, actually."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Year 7

"Y/N? Is that you?"

Turning around, you saw a familiar ginger standing behind you, his hair swaying by his shoulders. Within seconds of seeing your face, he was stumbling towards you like a child in Honeydukes, gripping his father's hand and leading him towards you.

After seeing a knowing look on his father's face, Bill let go and cleared his throat, "Y/N, this is my father, Arthur Weasley."

"Bill," You laughed, "We've met."

Turning to Arthur, you smiled, "It's good to see you again, Mr. Weasley."

"Good to see you, too, Miss Y/N."

"So what are you doing here?" Bill asked, searching your eyes for an answer.

You sighed, shaking your head, "It's a long story that I'll explain later. Now, I've got to convince them to allow me in without credentials."

"We can vouch for you, if you'd like." Bill offered, a dreamy smile on his face.

"You'd really do that?"

He nodded, "Anything for you."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Almost forgot she came over on holiday." Fred said, crossing his legs, "She was stunning then, I want to know how she looks now."

Bill grumbled, "She's too old for you, Fred."

"And according to you, too young for you." George quipped, turning to face his brother, "So, tell me, Billy, how exactly did you end up where you are now? You've got the job, you've got a girl, but you keep going back to her. Why?"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

It had been four years since you had seen Bill Weasley. And now, seeing him walk into the conference room, cuts littering his arms, you couldn't help but take it all in. He had a fang hanging from one year, his ginger hair was combed back, and he was dressed far nicer than you had remembered.

Once his eyes met yours, he made his way towards you, slipping into a seat beside you as one of the Head Auror rambled on about protecting Gringotts.

The two of you stole small glances at one another during the meeting, which seemed to last for ages. When it was all said and done, your chairs were mere inches away from each other, your hand slipped in his. It was innocent. At least, that's what you kept telling yourself.

It wasn't until you started getting frequent owls from Bill that you started wondering if the two of you had something more.

Your first kiss had happened fast. Bill was going on about Gringotts and how little budgeting they had, on the brink of hyperventilation, when you had pressed a kiss to his lips. You hadn't expected him to lean into it, but you had been wrong. Before either of you knew what was happening, you were pushed up against your desk as he deepened the kiss, your hands running through his hair as he held your face in his hands.

When he had pulled away, he muttered a small goodbye and left without another word.

Not even a month later, he was galivanting around Diagon Alley with Fleur Delacour on his arm.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"That was your own bloody fault, you twat!" George exclaimed, whacking his brother in the stomach.

"Oof!" Bill groaned, propping himself up, "It was a mistake, alright? A big one."

Fred was silent for a moment, a rarity for him, "Which part?"

"What?" Bill asked softly, a frown on his face.

"Kissing her or leaving her?"

He shook his head, "Leaving."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

When you saw Bill a few months later, you could hardly be in the same room as him, let alone look at him. He kept waiting for you to meet his gaze, so he could ask you to speak with him privately, but you never did.

It was until the meeting was over that he barred you from leaving, begging for you to hear him out.

You told him he had a minute to state his case and then you were leaving.

So he used that minute as best he could, "I'm in love with you, Y/N. I always have been. Granted, it took me a while to figure it out, and an even longer time to admit it, but I can't not be with you. We make sense, kid. So few things make sense."

He allowed you to process the words. And next thing you knew, you were kissing him all over again. You knew it was wrong- he was with Fleur. But in that moment you didn't care. He loved you like you loved him. And that was all that mattered.

So when a few months later, he hadn't called things off with her, you were starting to get nervous. You hated the secrecy and betrayal of it all. You felt bad for Fleur, you ached for his company, and you felt sick thinking about the two of them together.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"So are you going to call it off?" George asked with a sigh.

"I dunno," Bill admitted, "I love Y/N more than anything. But I'm scared I'll screw it up again."

Fred rolled his eyes, "You already have. You're shagging the both of them!"

"Fred," Bill warned, "Not now."

"All I'm saying is that you have more history with Y/N. Mum likes her more, anyway. You're her golden child, she'd want you to marry her."

"We're not getting into marriage right now, Fred."

He nodded, "Exactly, not now. But Fleur's a beautiful woman, too, and she'll be waiting for a proposal. You can't keep seeing the both of them. No wonder Y/N's a mess. She's having to share you. And poor Fleur doesn't even know! Look, I'm a bit of an arse-"

"A bit?" Bill interupted, receiving a glare from his brother.

"But I wouldn't do that to a girl. Any girl. Make it right, Bill."

The twins left shortly after, leaving their words behind. Bill layon his bed, staring up at his ceiling and then at his nightstand. A picture of you was haphazardly framed on the top, a bright smile on your face as you drank butterbeer.