Charms and Curses

Four hours later, the three of them had bought some extra clothing, rations, and various playthings for Ali. Bill surreptitiously charmed the supplies to shrink and fit into their knapsacks while Ali, too busy playing to notice, chatted with Fleur, who was evidently his new best friend. Bill watched the two of them, a thoughtful look on his face. He had never pegged her to be the type to be so knacky with children.

At that moment, a dark-haired man, sweat dripping down his brow, panting and out of breath, ran towards them. "Ali!"

"Pappy!" Ali let go of Fleur's hand and ran towards the man, flinging his little body into the man's arms. "Pappy, where did you and Mama go?"

"Mama was not feeling well, but now she is much better! I am so sorry that it took so long, my son. But, I have some exciting news for you! You are now the big brother of a little sister named Yasmin!"

Ali let out an excited squeal. Then, proudly, showed his father his new acquisitions. "Pappy! Look at these, Fleur and Bill bought me lunch and played with me all afternoon!"

"Oh?" Ali's father looked towards the direction that his son pointed toward to see a tall young man with red hair and a beautiful young woman with a kind smile on her face. He bowed respectfully before them.

"Thank you, kind and gracious people, for taking care of my son. I, Hassan Haddad, am ever in your debt."

"You're very welcome. We were just passing srough 'ere, and all of ze sudden we 'eard 'im crying, so we decided zat 'e should not be left by 'imself," Fleur explained.

"And for that, you have my gratitude. If there is anything... anything at all that we could do for you..." Hassan Haddad continued fervently, looking as if he were desperate to prove his gratitude.

Bill thought for a moment. "Well, Fleur and I have to be on our way, we're traveling towards Alexandria, so there's really not much we need, but thank you anyway."

"Alexandria? So you are heading towards the Northwest. But there is no way that you will reach the next town tonight. Are you planning on staying here, then? I am sure that you two will be welcome in our home."

"Oh, no, zat is all right. Your wife 'as just given birs, we will not trouble you. Besides, we really should keep going on our way," Fleur replied quickly. The man looked ready to protest, but decided against it.

"Well, if you're sure, I have another idea. First of all, please go to my home for supper, you will be welcomed, and it is the very least I can do for your kindness towards my youngest son. And afterwards, I shall have my older son Raza bring you to the nearest oasis; it is about four kilometers from here to the north, and freshly formed, with a few trees and fresh water. He will set up a tent for the two of and then, you can rest there. I insist."

And with that, he led them towards a house in the distance.

~    ~    ~

Three hours later, they set out on camelback from the home of Hassan Haddad after a hearty meal. Their guide was a slim, brown-limbed boy of thirteen, who, despite his youth, led them through the desert with a familiarity that comes from living in the place all his life. The trip was fairly silent and fast, and when they had arrived at the oasis, the boy simply unloaded the items strapped to the sides of the camels they rode on, and within minutes had erected a sturdy tent big enough for the two of them. Then, with a bow, he quickly left, riding on one camel and leading the other two.

Fleur and Bill looked at each other, then at the tent. Bill began awkwardly, "Well, er, this IS sheltered. I'll just sleep under one of the trees. You can take the tent."

Fleur blinked. "No, zat is all right. Ze tent is big enough for ze bos of us wizout any problems. And, I trust zat you would not do anysing of ungentlemanly behavior in 'ere. Besides, even eef you 'ad such an inclination, you know zat I would keel you eef you tried, and zerefore, you would not do it."

Bill nodded. "All right, if you say so." Fleur rifled through her knapsack, and came up with a bowl for rations. Transfiguring it into a bucket, she drew some water from the oasis, and heated it up with a wave of her wand.

"Eef you do not mind, I shall wash myself 'ere in ze tent, zen change into somesing to sleep in. Zen, I will come out of ze tent, an' you can do ze same." Bill agreeably stepped out of the tent and shut the tent flap behind him. About half an hour later, Fleur walked out, swathed in a cream-colored dressing gown, her hair cascading past her waist. She handed Bill the empty bucket. He took it, forcing himself not to stare at her, her beauty almost luminous in the starlight, and went to draw some water for himself.

Afterwards, the two of them sat together, at the tent's entrance. It was a clear desert night. The sky was midnight blue velvet studded with diamonds, and the air was cool, almost chilly. Bill conjured a cheery little fire in front of them, and cast a warming charm upon the tent. Somehow, despite the fact that they'd both had a long day, neither were sleepy. They were content to simply sit close to each other and gaze at the beautiful night sky in companionable silence.

Fleur shivered slightly, although she was not at all cold, and Bill instinctively wrapped an arm around her shoulders, close but not too tight. Instead of shrugging him off, she leaned closer, resting her golden head against his shoulder. He stiffened for the briefest of moments, then leaned a cheek against the top of her head. Cautiously, his hand, which had been resting against her shoulder, stroked a silky lock of blonde hair. Idly, he remembered that day, at the start of the mission, when a veela spell on her hair had ensnared him and he had kissed her. She had not cast any more veela spells around him ever since that day, but right now, he once again felt an irresistible urge to kiss her.

And this time, it had nothing to do with her beauty, radiant though it might be. It was because she was smart and quick-witted. It was because under the regal, aristocratic demeanor was a fiery spirit and a kind heart. It was because she was, in short, the most fascinating and lovely woman he had ever met, and he had never felt this attracted to someone ever before.

Fleur was feeling warmer than she'd felt in a long time, just sitting there, leaning against him, with his arm around her. All of the sudden, she started to pick up upon his current feelings. Attraction... but of course. Even HE could not help himself against veela blood. Then, to her astonishment, respect... esteem... concern... these novel feelings were also emanating from him, and Fleur found, to her joyful surprise, that these feelings preceded the physical attraction! Jubilant all of the sudden, she shifted around and threw her arms about him.

Bill's pleasant thoughts were interrupted by even more pleasant reality. He did not know why Fleur suddenly decided to launch herself into his arms, but at the moment, he did not really care. Lifting his hands from behind her back up to her face, he rested his forehead gently against hers and looked into her brilliant blue eyes.

"I know that Veela magic has nothing to do with it this time," he said softly.

He did not know who initiated the kiss this time around, but one thing was for sure. If the last one had been heavenly, there was no way to even describe this one. When he had kissed her because of the veela spell, he had felt somewhat intoxicated, as if everything aroung him was a hazy, confusing blur. This time, the effect was entirely opposite. Everything was astonishingly, gloriously clear. The scent of flowers in her hair. The warmth of her lips, soft and pliant against his. The sweet taste of the honeyed dates that she had eaten at supper. The way she melted, fit so perfectly into his arms. The gentle caress of her slender fingers through his hair. He was drowning, losing himself in a myriad sensations.

A long while later, they broke apart. Her face flushed, her lips dewy and slightly swollen, she gave him a little grin, and wished him good night, as she entered the tent to go to bed. He sat outside for a while longer, still staring at the sky, but now with an inane smile on his face, as thoughts flowed like lightning through his mind.

When he entered the tent to go to bed as well, she was already fast asleep, her hair a curtain of pale gold partially covering her beautiful face. With a gentle hand, he brushed it back, and then leaned over to drop a light kiss on her forehead.

"I love you," he whispered as he lay down next to her, gazing at her by the sliver of moonlight shining through the thin opening at the top of the tent. And although he could have been mistaken in the dim light, he could have sworn that she smiled in her sleep.

*    *    *

*The authoress is attempting to wade through the river of sap and cotton candy she just created*

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