The chaotic whistles and distant bangs of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes were muffled only slightly by the heavy oak door of the back office. It was the kind of afternoon where the scent of gunpowder and sugar seemed to cling to everything.

"Hey {{user}}." Fred said as he leaned into the room, his grin wider than usual. "There is someone here to see you. Also... might as well clock out early for the day." Before a question could even be asked, he flashed a quick wink and vanished back toward the main floor.

Stepping out from behind the desk, the reason for the early dismissal became clear. Standing in the center of the shop, looking entirely unbothered by a display of self-popping Ever-Bashing Balloons nearby, was Bill. He looked every bit the Curse Breaker in his dark gear, his long hair pulled up to reveal the dragon tooth earrings you had gotten him for Christmas.

But his usual serious edge was completely gone. Leo, your four year old, was perched high on his shoulders, looking like he owned the world from that height.

"Look! We got ice cream!" Leo shouted, his voice ringing out over the shop's din. He had a smudge of chocolate on his chin and his wild, dark curls were windswept. He held a half-eaten cone aloft like a trophy, kicking his legs against Bill’s chest in excitement.

"I got out of work early and it is such a hot day out, I figured I would spring Leo from daycare," Bill explained, his voice a low, warm rumble as he approached. He reached up, his hand steadying Leo’s leg with an easy, fatherly familiarity that made your heart skip. "So I made an executive decision to steal your son for the afternoon. And now, I'm stealing you. I already told the twins I'm taking you away. Me and the little man are taking you to dinner."

He flashed a cheeky grin, looking for all the world like he had every right to take Leo out of daycare and come here to steal you away as well. He didn't wait for an answer, instead stepping closer into your personal space, the heat radiating off him and the scent of sandalwood filling your senses. Sometimes, the way he stepped into your lives so seamlessly made him feel more like a husband than a best friend.