This fic is a response to MistressMalfoy's birthday challenge at Grangerenchanted

Hermione sighed and closed the book; she had been trying to read, but the truth was she had been staring at the same page for hours. Life wasn't supposed to be like that. She had had all these great expectations about how her life should be, everyone had, really, but nothing had turned out as planned.

She wasn't sure why it had happened, or how. She had finished Hogwarts, completed her apprenticeship in both Charms and Ancient Runes, and had what looked like a promising future, but then he had made his way into her life.

She didn't blame him for it, how could she? She was the only one to blame, really. She had been the one that had let great opportunities go by, to stay with him. He had never asked her to, but she had fallen in love, foolishly and desperately, and she had done what had felt right at the time.

A soft knock on the door startled her, and she got up, wondering who would be visiting so late. No matter how sad her thoughts had been only moments before, a smile took over her features as soon as she saw him, standing outside her door, under the rain, waiting for her to let him in.

"Bill," she barely whispered, before his lips descended on hers, and he slowly pushed her inside the apartment, kicking the door closed behind him. "What are you doing here?" she asked, between kisses.

"She went to her parents," was all the answer she got, as his lips moved to her neck.

Feeling her heart beat faster, she moved her hands to his chest and gently pushed him away.

"Did something happen?" she asked, trying to keep her tone normal.

"Nothing important. Her sister gave birth, and she wanted to be there," he said dismissively, pulling her closer to him again.

"Oh, right," she muttered. "Would you like something to drink?" she asked then, changing the subject and quickly turning around, so he wouldn't see her eyes fill with tears. Why was she even surprised? After almost two years, Hermione should know he wouldn't leave his wife, no matter how much he claimed to love her. But still, when he had said Fleur had left, a part of her wondered if maybe he had finally made a choice, finally fought for what he said he wanted. She was just being foolish.

"Not really," he answered by her ear, and she felt his arms wrap around her waist from, behind, as he rested his chin on her shoulder. She leaned back against him, but didn't speak. "Is everything all right?" he asked, pulling her closer to his body.

"Tough day at work, that's all," she answered, tilting her head to the side when he kissed her neck.

"Is that stupid boss of yours still making your life miserable?"

"Oh, don't get me started there," she said with a sigh.

"I don't know why you stand it. Someone like you, I'm sure you could get any job you wanted, and still, you're stuck in that place, doing a job anyone with half a brain could do, with a boss that seems to hate you."

Well, of course she could get another job, one that was challenging and exciting, but that would mean she would probably have to move, and she wouldn't be able to join him every time he was sent abroad on an assignment, and that was about ninety percent of the time they spent together. But she couldn't tell him that, he didn't need to know how much she was giving up for him. It was her decision, not his.

"You should dry your clothes, you'll catch a cold," she said, instead.

"Or," he said, turning her around to face him, "I could just take them off."

A smile made its way back to her lips when she saw the way he was looking at her. It never failed to arouse her, no matter where they were, or who they were with, or even if they had been fighting only moments before. Just one look and she was his.

She nibbled on her lower lip as she watched him take off his robes, and let them pool on the floor around his feet.

"Care to help me?" he asked, with a mischievous smile, but she just shook her head and walked to the couch. She sat and leaned back, and when he looked at her confused, she simply smiled and motioned for him to continue.

His hands moved down his chest, slowly undoing his shirt, one button at a time. He took his time, his fingers caressing his skin as it was revealed, just like she always did, his eyes never leaving hers as he undressed for her.

She could feel her body reacting to him, the heat, the need, and it took all she had not to get up and go to him, touch him in the way she knew he liked, make him want her the way she wanted him.

"Enjoying the show?" he asked, his voice low and seductive, sending shivers all through her body. She didn't answer.

He finally reached the last button, and undid it too. The white shirt was still wet from the rain, and it clung to his skin deliciously, letting her see his lean muscles through the material. She licked her lips, and let her own hands roam her body, caressing her neck first, and then moving down. She moaned lightly when her fingers ghosted over her hardened nipples, and watched him freeze for a moment, a fierce look on his face, gone the next second.

He turned around, his back to her, and slid the wet shirt off his shoulders, letting her watch his muscles tense and flex as he moved. When he turned back around, her hand had already found its way under her skirt.

She saw it in his eyes, the raw desire, the need. No matter what he said or thought, it was a part of him, and she loved it. Playful Bill was gone. Dominant Bill was there now.

With a deep, rumbling growl, he stalked towards her, his eyes darker, his jaw set, and his bare chest rising and falling in rhythm with his steps. It barely took him a few seconds to reach her, all playfulness gone as he leaned over her, his fingers wrapping themselves around her hand, forcing it out from under the clothes, and then pinning it up next to her head.

He took her lips then, in a hard, almost desperate kiss, his tongue easily setting the rhythm as his teeth played with her lip, biting hard enough for her to feel it, but not enough to really hurt.

Her free arm moved around him, as she buried her fingers in his hair, trying to pull him closer, but he would have none of it. With another growl, this one a warning, he moved her arm away, and pinned it next to the other, holding both her hands firmly with one of his.

She could see the flecks of gold in his eyes, as he moved back a bit, his heated gaze running down her body as he licked his lips. He pushed one of his knees between hers, making her part her thighs, and then leaned forward again, his whole body resting flush against hers. With a low moan, she arched her back, pushing her hips up, trying to get more contact, to feel him, and she heard him chuckle against her ear, before he moved his leg higher up between her thighs.

Even if they started off slow, it usually ended up like that between them, him taking complete control, and her enjoying every minute of it. She didn't know if he had always been like that, or only ever since Fenrir's attack, but she wouldn't ask, and it didn't really make any difference.

She felt his hand travel to her thighs, his body still moving rhythmically against hers, and he pushed her skirt up around her waist, before wrapping his fingers around her knickers and easily tearing them off her body, making her yelp. His laugh was low this time, but his breathing got louder, and she could feel his breath on her neck, in between nibbles she knew would leave a mark.

"Smell so good, witch," he breathed, by her neck, before licking up her throat. "Taste so good."

His free hand made its way between them, a finger flicking over her clit, making her arch and moan, and then, unexpectedly, he pushed two fingers inside of her, silencing her surprised gasp with another bruising kiss.

She spread her legs wider apart, and he moved between them, his fingers never stopping as his thumb rubbed her clit, making her lose control. His tongue mimicked the movement of his fingers, the rhythm faster as the minutes flew, and she felt her body start to tense.

"You like that, don't you?" he asked roughly by her ear, but just as she was about to answer, he pushed another finger inside, reaching the perfect spot, and her whole body arched as her muscles contracted around his fingers, trapping them inside.

The grin on his face was almost wolfish, as he kept on moving, watching her writhe under his body, and drawing out her pleasure until she begged him to stop. And then, leaning back just enough, he hastily undid his trousers and pushed them down his legs, before burying himself in her body.

She wrapped her legs around his hips after a moment, trying to push him even closer, deeper within her.

"Bill," she moaned, her nails sinking into his back as soon as he let go of her hands.

His arms moved around her waist, and then he got up, as easily as if she weighed nothing, still firmly buried within her, and looked around the room, trying to find a better place. There wasn't much furniture around, so he finally lowered her to the floor, and kissed her hard again.

Now that his hands were free, he ripped her top open, his lips leaving a wet trail on her heated skin as they moved down, wrapping around her hardened nipple, as the rhythm of his thrusts increased. She buried her hands in his hair, pushing his head closer, and this time, he didn't stop her.

She groaned in protest when his lips left her body, but the promising smile on his face made her heart beat faster as she wondered what he could be planning. With both hands firmly on her hips, he kneeled, then sat back on his feet, taking her lower body with him, so that only her shoulders were still resting on the floor, while the rest of her was supported by his arms, as he easily moved her hips back and forth, his own hips meeting every thrust.

She could almost feel the heat of his gaze on her skin, as his eyes feasted on her body, and his thrusts became deeper, faster, harder, the rhythm soon turning frantic. She couldn't speak, or even moan, as he took her, the only sound in the room that of flesh hitting flesh.

Then he pinched her clit, and her world shattered again. As soon as her muscles started contracting, she heard him groan, and opened her eyes just in time to see him throw his head back, another deep growl escaping his chest as she pulled him over the edge with her.

The first rays of sunlight made their way through the window, waking her up. She could feel his warm body behind her, his arm firmly around her waist, keeping her close. It was a wonderful feeling, waking up beside him, and one she could rarely enjoy. With a contented sigh, she snuggled closer to him and closed her eyes again. It was Saturday, and it was early, and if it were her decision, they would stay there in bed, together, the entire day.

"Morning," she heard him whisper sleepily by her ear, and tightened his arm around her.

"Morning," she replied, with a smile on her lips. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't; it was the damn light. Can't you just turn it off?"

"It's the sun," she replied, laughing.

"I know," he grumbled in return, and kissed her neck playfully.

"How did we get here?" she asked suddenly. The last thing she remembered, they had been lying on the floor, exhausted but sated, and now they were both in her bed.

"Well, I brought you here, of course. Couldn't let my girl sleep on the cold, hard floor now, could I?"

"Oh, how thoughtful of you," she sighed, and heard him chuckle behind her. She was just about to say something else when her stomach lurched loudly.

"Hungry?"

"Well, of course I am. I was interrupted by a rude man, last night, just as I was about to eat."

"A man? Who is it? When I find him I'll have to kill him," he retorted, making her laugh again.

"Oh, but he's a strong and powerful wizard. Wouldn't want him to beat you up."

"Is he now? And what else is he?" he asked, kissing his way down her neck, until he reached her collarbone."

"Oh, he's smart, and handsome, and an animal in bed," she whispered the last part, as if she was telling a secret.

"Yes, it's decided, I will have to kill him. I cannot possibly compete with that."

"It's a lost cause," she said, and then her stomach rumbled again.

"How about," he started, kissing her neck one more time before getting up, "I go fix you some breakfast?"

She started to get up, but he stopped her right away. "You stay right where you are," he said, before walking out of the bedroom.

Bill closed the door behind him, and turned left, to the kitchen. He could have easily found his way around it with his eyes closed. And the smell; it smelled of her everywhere he went, the most beautiful scent he could think of. It was funny how her house felt more like home to him than his and Fleur's ever did.

As he walked down the hallway, he noticed, not for the first time, the framed pictures adorning the walls. Some of them where still; Muggle pictures. Those were the ones with her family. A few more steps and he reached the moving ones. He stopped by a small one, where she was standing between Harry and Ron, all three of them smiling broadly and waving. That was his favourite one. It had been taken by him, so many years before, when they had first met, just a few days before the Quidditch world cup.

Tearing his eyes from the picture, he moved on, glancing at the ones he found on his way to the kitchen. She looked so happy in them. She hadn't looked like that for some time now, but he wasn't sure why. He knew she hated her job, but for some reason, she refused to quit. He wondered if maybe she was mad at him, although if she was, she was certainly hiding it well. He was married, and even if he didn't love his wife, he still had to go home to her. Hermione knew all this when they started seeing each other. Surely, she understood the situation.

He reached the kitchen and stepped inside, so lost in thought he kicked the doorframe on his way inside. Cursing, he sat on one of the chairs for a moment, willing the pain away. He had left his wand in her room, so there wasn't much he could do about it.

After a few minutes, he got up again, and walked to the counter. He had been surprised the first few times he had been there; he hadn't seen many houses so Muggle-friendly. He took two cups from the top shelf, and then poured some coffee into them, using the microwave to heat it, just like she had taught him.

They had been together for almost two years, he thought, as he carefully placed two slices of bread on the toaster. It wasn't really such a long time, but he couldn't imagine his life without her.

He needed a tray, he realized, and opened the cupboard where she usually kept it, but it wasn't there. Frowning, he opened a few more, but with no luck. It was strange, she never left things out of place. He made his way to the door and glanced outside, seeing the tray he had been looking for on a small table by the couch.

He had only taken a few steps towards it when he froze, his eyes fixed on the fireplace. He had completely forgotten Fleur had said she would floo in the morning. Cursing to himself, he considered his options for a moment. He could stay with Hermione, and not be home when Fleur tried to contact him, but he knew his wife, knew he had to keep her happy or she would become even more controlling, and that would mean he would be able to spend less and less time with Hermione. And he couldn't simply change things. Leaving his wife wasn't an option.

He took the tray and walked back to the kitchen, carefully avoiding the doorframe, and then opened the microwave and took the two cups out. He placed them both on the tray, and stopped again, staring at them as if they held the answer to his problems. After a few moments, he took one of the cups, walked to the sink, and poured the coffee down the drain. He would go home, and wait for Fleur to floo.

It only took him a few more minutes to finish fixing her breakfast, and then he made his way back to her room, telling himself he was doing the smart thing.

As soon as Bill had left the room, she had leaned back into the bed again, twisting until she found a comfortable position, and then burying her face in the pillow. It smelled like him. She must have dozed off, because the next thing she knew, he was pushing the door open, and carrying a tray in his hands.

"Smells delicious," she said, sitting up and making room for him on the bed. He smiled broadly and sat next to her, carefully placing the tray on the bed, by her side. "You're not hungry?" she asked, when she realized there was only breakfast for one.

"Of course I am, but I have to go," he said, his fingers lightly caressing her cheek.

"What?"

"I have to go back to my place."

"Why? It's Saturday, and it's still early."

"I know, but Fleur said she would floo in the morning, to tell me what had happened with her sister, so I have to be ready."

"Can't you go later? You could make something up, tell her you were at the Twins' or something."

"I can't, love. I'm sorry. You know how she is. If she tries to contact me, and I'm not home…"

She wanted to say more, something that would make him stay, but instead, she just bit her lip and kept silent. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, he leaned forward and kissed her lightly before getting up again.

"Will you come later on, then?" she asked, hoping she didn't sound as pathetic as she thought she did.

"Full moon, tonight," he simply answered, as he reached the door.

"So?"

"We have been through this, already. I can't be around you when the moon is full."

"Of course you can. There is nothing wrong with you, Bill, and you don't have to worry about hurting me or that…"

"I can't," he said, interrupting. "I'll come tomorrow morning, all right? We can have breakfast together then."

"Ok," she relented. She knew she would get nothing by arguing more.

"I love you," he said, and stepped out.

"Love you too," she answered, but he was already walking down the hallway..

She stood still, hearing his footsteps, then the main door open, and close again. She couldn't believe he had left her like that, lying in bed, with breakfast on a tray next to her, and no one to share it with. And yet, she didn't know why any of it surprised her anymore.

It was sad. Worse than sad, it was pathetic; she was pathetic. What had happened to her? Life wasn't supposed to be like that.