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Astoria's love and adoration for Bill Weasley started the moment she first met him, where he was resting casually against his run-down car, something unusual for a Pureblood. But no matter it still had caught Astoria's eye. And she could tell he was a wizard from a mile off, her meticulous eye for detail eyeing those dragon hide boots— it was never impossible for Astoria to notice.
She had known of his younger brothers at Hogwarts and heard many stories of the cursebreaker in the Daily Prophet; it was no wonder she had managed to contact him fairly quickly to break her curse.
At first, Astoria Greengrass wanted to see what he was willing to do, so they went on a walk, an interview walk of sorts. His fiery red hair brightened in the sun, and her brunette hair didn't seem to budge from its darkness—a swirling fire against the night sky; a contrast she had loved.
It was his dragon-toothed earring that she had noticed first, and then the faint scars that had been plastered across his skin, some small, some large, faint, and some more prominent. In the vulnerability of a small crush and the pull of attraction, Astoria found him quite handsome.
Their interactions began small, a gaze of a hand whilst walking. Then, the studying of the curse, grueling hours dedicated to the removal of the fraying curse. Many cups of tea were made, and many brushes of fingertips that shot little sparks of electricity as they touched. It was something that Astoria had felt, and which Bill soon reciprocated one day. It was quiet, a small walk beside the sea, the salty breeze in their hair. Soft lips meeting the jagged scarring of his, teeth clinking gently against teeth, his breath minty and refreshing— she needed more.
Their meetings dwindled after he had broken the curse, and he had left to go back home for more work. They occasionally visited one another, but ensured to send each other owls with passionate, suggestive linguistics. She was amazed at his sophistication, how he was level-headed, firm but true with his opinions— she had respected it, desired it even.
When Bill had mentioned a work colleague, Astoria had been excited for him to have friends and to explore the world. She understood how busy life could get, she worked hard too to get where she was after her curse was broken. But Astoria was no fool. And the silver linings were thickening. Their letters became more frigid, like a thaw of an ice block; as if the core of their relationship had been dissolving. And it was the reality that Astoria was not used to. Something that she hadn't expected to happen so quickly.
It wasn't long before Astoria missed him.
But nothing was meant to last. And even with his visits, they had decreased after a few years. And Astoria knew there was no hope in holding onto something you could never have. It was a harsh reality.
Astoria Greengrass had never meant to fall in love with the cursebreaker. She had chosen to keep her emotions locked away for good when it came to him, especially after their contact had decreased. His recent letters had proved that. And she knew she couldn't have him for herself; that was far too selfish for her to think. Even with her beauty, it would not be much to sway him; he was married to a Veela of all people. No, her silly little crush had to be pushed to the side. Not for later, that is not an option. No, she had to box it all up and crush it.
She sat on the quieter side of the beach, listening to the waves dwindle as they reached the shore. She held her book in her hand, faintly reading as she sunbathed, but more so trying to avoid the hole in her heart.
His footsteps made no noise as he stepped closer towards her; his face was pained, as if he were remorseful even.
Bill Weasley slowly sank beside her, his jaw locked, the unspoken words lay heavy between them.
He looked at her, gaze heavy and concerned as she looked forward at the sea, her book neatly laid in her lap. The moment shared between them was stretched, like their time together was prolonged by their time at the beach. Time stopped momentarily around them, allowing them to have the few moments before their time would cease.
"I won't be able to see you for much longer." He says, the words sent daggers straight to her heart, confirming what she had been worried about.
She looked down, her brunette fringe bouncing softly against her forehead as she did so, "I know." She says, her voice soft and almost a whisper against the sound of the waves.
Bill pressed his lips together as he rested his hands on his knees, "It's expected of me," he said.
Astoria nodded, "You met her at work, and you fell in love. I understand, Bill. I am nothing more than a holiday fling. I was nothing more than a distraction for you."
Bill met her eyes; he conveyed a deep sadness, but his face remained blank, as if he were deep in thought. His Adam's apple bopped slightly — a nervous tick.
"I don't think you were a distraction, Astoria."
She took a deep breath, not from anger, but to distract herself from the fact that she may have been more than something to him. Her tender heart didn't want to get broken more than it already was. Astoria was pained as she looked at him, and he knew she was too, but he did nothing to prevent it. She was just a memory that he could enjoy.
Astoria sucked in a breath and let out a small huff- not an angered one, it seemed more exhausted than anything, "If I wasn't a distraction, why did you keep coming back to me after you got married?"
Bill stayed quiet, his jaw ticked slightly, "Astoria…"
She closed the book in her lap and turned to face him, "Why have you been coming back, Bill?"
Bill Weasley sighed, "Astoria, I …I came here to say I can't see you again."
Astoria blinked a few times, processing what he had said to her, and tears threatened but she blinked them away. Clouds had begun to form from above. Astoria forced a smile, remaining the last bit of dignity that she had left, "O-okay…” she composed herself, “I think it is best that you go."
"Astoria…"
"Go, Bill.” Her heart was shattering into a million pieces, “You have a wife, to whom you will be loyal." Astoria says, her eyes glistening, "It is best that you do not visit me." She began to walk away.
"I love you," He says, gently capturing her hand.
I love you too.
She squeezed her eyes shut, "If you loved me, you wouldn't marry someone else." She smiled at him — a pained expression in her eyes, "I love you too, Bill. But you’ve made your choice. And it wasn’t me."
Footprints in the sand erase over time, just like distant relationships that no longer mean anything when you fall in love with someone else. But the heart can still pull on those strings and ache at the nostalgia of what once was. At what Astoria could never have. Because he was never hers.