Chapter 2: Getting to the bottom of it

The thick blanket of sleep refused to leave Hermione as she groggily stirred the next morning, the hazy memories from last night flashed though her mind giving the poor women a headache. Hermione vaguely remembered there was a letter that started this mess, she didn't recognise the handwriting but she had defiantly seen it before, but where?

There were a lot of blurs in Hermione's memory as she skipped from place to place, she was in the kitchen with Bill comforting her at one point and then she was outside in a screaming match with Victor and then she remembers Bill climbing into bed with her as he lulled her to sleep with his deep baritone voice.

This was just to confusing.

With a twinge of pain Hermione sat up in bed and looked around, it took her a minute to realise she was in her room; well a room she was always in when she stayed at The Burrow, the room was just how Hermione left it, tidy.

The thick blue curtains were drawn across the window only allowing a small crack of light to shine though the room, Hermione rested her head in her hands as she pulled up her knees, Hermione sat there as she tried to remember what happened last night, it was to much of a blur but when a footfall sounded outside the room the memories hit Hermione hard.

The letter told her some news that she didn't want to believe, something she didn't want to know and when Victor came round to talk about what happened it ended in a full blown argument, they shouted to one another until Victor had enough and stuck Hermione to the ground. There was a flash of red as Bill threw a spell at Victor that brought him to the ground, again there was Bill comforting her and then he brought Hermione into the house and upstairs to bed. Victor had hit Hermione in a fit of rage but he had no right, he had no rights at all.

Hermione was interrupted by a knock on the door, she jumped out of her skin to see Charlie asleep in a chair by the wooden frame, it was then Hermione noticed that Bill was nowhere in sight.

The person on the other side of the door knocked for the second time and again they didn't stir the sleeping male, Hermione could help but let out a little giggle at the sight of Charlie slumped in his chair with his arms crossed. The door knocker wasn't a person that liked to kept waiting for long as they slowly opened the door, the hinges creaked in protest as light from outside the room slowly filtered in.

Hermione's eyes had to squint when the light hit her eyes as she lay in big double bed, the figure was tall but then again all the Weasley men were tall, as Hermione was eliminating who the figure could be the male stepped into the room and he deeply sighed, their eyes falling on a sleeping Charlie in the chair. The air in the room whistled around the quick movement the new arrivals foot kicked a leg of the chair Charlie was peacefully asleep in, the sleeping male woke with a start and yelped like a dog in shock as the chair shivered beneath him.

"Mum what's you…" Bill's deep voice spoke with a smile as he had a tray full of food in his hands. "…oh and Char…" He quickly called as his younger brother started to leave the room "…so much for keeping an eye on 'Mi. I came into the room without you even knowing. How do you work with dragons when you keep falling asleep on the job?" Bill joked, he couldn't help but laugh at the look on his brothers face while Charlie walked away, muttering something about Bill being a long haired know it all.

Hermione's heart rate steadily slowed as Bill came fully into the room, he gently sat down next to Hermione on the bed, the springs sagged with his added weight and put a try of hot food onto her awaiting lap.

"What's this for?" Hermione asked as she looked at the plate full of food, the smell wafted up to her delicate nose making Hermione's mouth water. The two carefully placed fried tomatoes looked back up at the confused women, as the sausage mouth smiled up at her, a monstrous pile of bacon had been arranged into a quiff of hair as the baked beans plonked in the middle made a small button nose. The smiley face of food looked up at Hermione making her smile, Molly had always been a second mother to Hermione and to see her put so much effort into a single plate of food warmed the young women's heart.

"Mum didn't what you to get hungry…" Bill explained with a fond smile on his rugged face, his green eyes in another time and place as memories flashed across his orbs "…it's tradition to get a smiley breakfast when we're feeling down" He said shrugging, the times he had a smiley face plate, that really took him back to the good old days. Hermione smiled up at Bill before happily tucking into her lovingly prepared meal, while Hermione filled the ache in her stomach with food Bill sat next to her keeping the female company.

"Bill, Where is Victor?" Hermione asked, not looking away from the plate in her lap as she dug into the sausages.

"Well…" Bill began, his voice rough with anger, his green orbs flash menacingly for a moment as his eyes focused on a small chip in the door "…Victor is tied up in the Den. We all took turns to sit guard last night. If you are ready to face him then we can sort this out once you have finished eating, besides the twins are feeding him at the moment, it's the breakfast mum made him however she 'had to sort something out' and it got burnt" Bill joked, lightening the sour mood in the small room. Noticing the small look on panic hidden in Hermione's brown eyes Bill gently moved the half eaten tray and pulled the worried women into a brotherly hug.

"I don't want him near me…" Hermione whispered into Bills large chest "…I what him no where near me"

"It's ok…" Bill soothed, stroking her chocolate curls softly "…I will be there the whole time as will the rest of the Weasley clan, you don't have to do this alone" Once Hermione had swallowed the last mouthful of food Bill kindly stepped out of the room; with finished plate in hand, to give the young women some privacy to change. Hermione was grateful when Bill waited outside, his shadow cast down upon the small space at the base of the door showing his reluctance to go far. As not to make Bill wait long Hermione quickly rushed around the room to find clean clothes, in a flash the clothes she was wearing had disappeared into the bin and new items she had never worn before covered Hermione's slender body.

"I guess it's time to face the music" Hermione muttered to herself as she stiffly walked towards the her closed bedroom door. Hermiones hands were shacking as she reached for the door handle, she retracted her hand and wiggled her fingers about before trying again, this time Hermione had some control of the appendages. A warm smile awaited Hermione as Bill turned to greet the shaken women, his eyes shined with genuine affection as Bill offered his arm to Hermione, she happily accepted as Bill escorted Hermione down the uneven stairs.

"Morning dears…" Molly greeted as her oldest son and Hermione wondered into the steamy kitchen "…how are you doing Hermione?" The older witch asked kindly as she quickly pecked a good morning kiss on Bills cheek and then proceeded to smother Hermione in a famous Molly bear hug.

"I'm feeling better thank you Molly…" Hermione replied as she returned the motherly hug, it was times like this that Hermione wished her own parents were around. Bill took a step away from the hugging females with a small grin on his face, turning away Bill greeted his father and brother before heading over to the sink and started to wash Hermione's breakfast items by hand "…your smiley breakfast was just what I needed"

"Hey…" Charlie protested from the worn table when he had swallowed his mouthful, he winked playfully at Hermione as a smile tugged onto his lips; showing he was only kidding around "…where's my morning hug"

"Oh I'm sorry dear, I'm all in a thither today" A peck and a quick squeeze was all Charlie got before Molly hurried back to the bubbling pot, she discretely wiped her tearful eyes as she stirred the clear liquid within the cauldron. Arthur was sat at the head of the table, the morning newspaper in his hands as he sipped a steaming cup of tea.

"Morning Hermione" Arthur greeted as he shuffled the paper so he could see over it, he smiled softly before going back to reading the latest article on the pros and cons of muggle music systems in the modern magical home.

"Are you sure you're ok dear?…" Molly asked again as she finished stirring the pot with her battered wand "…I don't like to see any of my children hurt"

"I know you worry about all of us Molly but I'm fine, more shocked then anything" Hermione replied with a small smile as Bill finished the dishes and whisked them away with a flick of his wand.

"Thank you sweetheart" Molly sighed in thanks as Bill lovingly kissed his mother on the forehead. This small action was something that amazed the younger witch in the summer of the Quidditch World Cup, that was until Ron explained about Percy making the act of a gentleman look pompous and idiotic so Molly gave up trying to teach her sons respectable manners towards a lady; Bill and Charlie took it upon themselves to teach they younger siblings and it worked, to an extent.

Trying to be as discrete as she could the younger witch reached out and took Bills larger hand in her own once he had reached Hermiones side, Bill found her slender hand first and gave it a quick squeeze which didn't go unnoticed by the occupants in the room.

"Where is Victor now?" Hermione asked as she removed her hand from Bills firm grip, both of them stood beside the stairs; where Hermione had been standing the whole time, waiting for an answer. Charlie kept silent as he looked at the last sausage on his plate and stuffed the whole thing into his mouth, he then indicated that he couldn't speak as he had a mouthful; that earn a small giggle from the witches in the room but a stern look from his father. Molly looked a bit harassed a she started to chop some vegetables, the witch took great delight in harshly chopping the carrots and dumping them into a bowl, she had an twin like glint in her eyes as she shuffled about the spacious room.

"In there" Arthur answered with a grin on his face as he pointed towards The Den, he was failing to hide his amusement as Arthur once again looked back to his paper. Bill looked a bit pale as he gently guided Hermione out of the room and towards The Den, Charlie soon finished his meal and practically ran out the room in his haste.

"Don't ask" Bill muttered to Hermione as he stooped down to avoid hitting his head on the low doorframe, his hand firm and steady as it rested on Hermiones lower back.

"Why?" Hermione asked as her natural curiosity peaked, as she looked up Hermione noticed Bill still looked pale and he kept glancing back as if something was following them.

"Lets just say that from a young age Charlie and I learned that when mum and dad get those looks we must get out of the room and quickly. It normally meant that nine months later we had a new addition to the family…" With that Bill pulled a face, one that was grossed out but delighted at the same time "…it meant a new brother or sister but it was the knowing part that always got us to run like a wolf was on our heels" Bill finished as they stopped before The Den, the door was closed and just like before Hermione reached out only to have her hand shake.

Hermione didn't know what was wrong with her, the war had ended long ago, she had seen a lot that an seventeen year old shouldn't have seen and here she was freaking out about going into a room that her Ex was in, that's right Hermione didn't count him as a boyfriend anymore, he didn't deserve that title.

"Bill…" Hermione whispered as she looked at her hand and then the gleaming door handle "…Bill I can't do it"

"Yes, you can…" Bill encouraged as he gently took Hermiones outstretched hand and pulled it back towards her body "…there's no rush, take as much time as you need" One deep breath and out, two deep breath and out, three deep breath and out. Hermiones lungs expanded with oxygen filled air as she breathed deeply, Hermione took as much air as her lungs would allow before blowing it all out again before starting the process again. It took thirty four and a half breaths to calm the worried woman's mind and body to an almost tranquil state.

Once she was calm Hermione opened her eyes; she didn't even realised she had closed them, and purposely reached out for the door handle, the metal felt cold to Hermiones fingers but she didn't stop. With one last breath Hermione turned the handle and the door swung open with a whoosh and a small gust of air, with a nod the two of them walked into he warm Den to find one of the funniest sights Hermione had seen in a long while.

Fluffy white feathers and neon coloured make up littered the floor, leaving splashes of bright colour on Molly's pristine floor, Hermione flinched as Molly's angry voice popped into her head, she hoped it would get cleared up before the motherly witch came into the room. Both Bill and Hermione looked around the room in shock until their eyes fell upon Victor. The moron was tied up and bound, he was unable to move as the occupants tortured the bound male.

The gruff looking male had been 'tramped up' as he had thick looking make up on his face, his eyes were a neon blue with thick black mascara on his lashes, his lips were a ruby red with a pink lip liner outlining the monstrosity of his face. Ginny was happily painting Victors toenails a bright pink as his hands were trying from her previous treatment. Ron and Harry were putting his unkempt hair into lots of little bunches that scattered all over his head. The twins however were running around the group, both of them armed with a muggle camera as they flashed away; all four of them chanted the same thing, they had made it into a song and Hermione had to wonder how long it had taken to come up with the tune 'That's what you get for hurting 'Mione'

"Good job guys" Bill spluttered as he tried to contain his laughter, he was failing miserably but at least he was trying, something Hermione did not do. Hermione was shrieking with laughter as she looked towards her ex, it bubbled up from the pit of her stomach and came out almost like a hyena. Hermione need to laugh, it was that or cry and that is something she will never do in front of that git.

"Thanks" The group chorused in unison, all four of them smiled proudly at their work once they had finished their given task.

"Now I will leave you lot to it…" Ginny declared as she gave Hermione a quick hug for support, her dark eyes twinkled with a Dumbledore like quality before heading out of the room "…call if you need me" Ever the gentleman Bill confidently guided Hermione towards a large, comfy sofa, it was a Gryffindor red and the two of them sank down into its softness almost instantly, Bill was watching Victor with keen eyes as he smiled smugly at him. Fred and George soon followed suit and sat on either side of Victor, Harry and Ron stood behind the male and all of them had their wands out.

"Please forgive me" Victor begged helplessly as his eyes tied to convey his misery to the woman he claimed to love.

"No…" Hermione spat angrily as her brown eyes glared at the man before her "…you won't be forgiven"

"Please, love"

"Don't call me that…" Hermione whispered as she looked Victor right in the eyes, he voice carried across the room like a fog, it was thick and deadly causing the room to sit up straight and pay attention "…we have been dating for six years, do you really think you deserve to be forgiven after all this" Hermiones small frame was now shacking from head to toe with pure anger, how dare he try to act like he still loved her, if he did then sweet loving Victor wouldn't have done this.

"I love you Hermione, I always have and always will"

"Is this a joke, was the past six years nothing but a joke to you?"

"I didn't mean for it to happen" Victor whispered softly as he looked towards the floor and his offensive pink toes, he was trying to defend himself from the onslort that was bound to come.

"WHAT…" Hermione screeched loudly as she sat bolt upright and edged closer to the frame of her comfortable seat "…you didn't mean to be sleeping with another girl for the past two years. You have some nerve Victor Krum" Hermiones dark eyes narrowed dangerously as she glared at the tied up male, she was hurt and confused. Hermiones heart couldn't take much more, if another lie came out of Victors mouth then Hermione was snap and no one would get in her way.

"But she meant nothing to me" Victor quickly pleaded as he looked towards Hermione, his whole body begging her to take him back.

"Well slime ball if she meant nothing to you then you could have finished it years ago…" Victors skin paled considerably as he looked towards the ground again, once again the great and might Victor had been caught out "…I know everything, the dinners, the dates, the errands, your work meetings. Every time you went out, you told me one thing after another but you were really going off to see that slut you hocked up with" Each word that came out of Hermiones mouth was filled with fury and mistrust, from now on she wont believe a word he says.

"We know too…" Fred chuckled evilly as he japed the tip of his wand into Victors neck, causing the male to jerk away "…Ron if you will?"

"My pleasure…" Ron spat as he pulled out the letter with a flick of his wrist, their was several pages to this letter and Ron shuffled though them until he had found the first page "…this letter was sent to 'Mione only last night"

"It is a letter from your lover" George eagerly spoke as his face was itches from Victors, Georges eyes were now a hard emerald as they pieced into the other males dark ones.

Ron waved the letter in front of Victor so they fanned in a taunting way, he had a grin not unlike Malfoy's as his gaze burned a hole into the side of Victors head. Victor himself looked at the fluttering sheets of paper before muttering something under his breath, Bill was to busy concertinaing on the letter to pick up what the slimy git said however Harry, Ron and the twins did.

"Of course" Harry shouted as he almost snatched the letter out of Ron's now loose grip to get a closer look. Fred and George's ears went a brilliant shade of red as they froze in place, not a good sign if your on the revising end. Ron looked like he could literally spit venom at his victim Victor who went even paler then before.

"What is it?" Hermione demanded as everyone in the room looked at the letter in Harry's hands, the twins looked at it as if it could explode before turning worried gazes to their oldest brother.

"Bill…" Harry addressed as he waved the sheet of paper in his hands "…have you seen this letter?" Bill looked puzzled as his tilted his head at Harry's question; Bill looked like a confused puppy which did looked quite cute, the moment passed however when Harry handed the letter over. The oldest Weasley brother quickly read the letter over, his green eyes darting across the page at a fast pace.

"You have been seeing another women for two years then Victor…" Bill said in a mocking voice as he gripped the letter tightly in his hand, Bill's knuckles were white as the paper ripped from the rough treatment, his green eyes were now black as he gazed upon the bound man in the seat before him "…well you can have the SLUT"

The room jumped at the intercity in Bills voice as he glared at Victor, his voice was sharp and venomous, demanding to be heard and understood; almost like a poisoned blade. Bills large frame was shacking with anger as his hands clenched tightly, he was ready to beat the snot out of Victor but he was interrupted as Charlie came barrelling into the room, his wand at the ready; he was soon followed by a flustered looking Molly.

"What happened?" Molly gasped as she looked over her one of her children, her dark eyes lingering on Hermione as she sat back. Charlie slowly lowered his wand when his eyes saw no danger but he hand it firmly gripped in his hand, ready to cast at a moments notice.

"Victor has been cheating on me for the past two years" Hermione informed the new arrivals in a calm and collected voice, her worried gaze looked up at Bill as he stood in the middle of the room, not knowing if he should step backwards or forwards. The now ripped letter was still clutched in Bills strong grip as he looked towards the floor, he couldn't fight in front of his mother, it wasn't right. With a deep calming breath Bill stepped back and threw the letter towards Victor who now had a wet patch on his crotch, trying to keep his voice level Bill just uttered to words.

"With Fleur"

A.N. So here you go, new and improved chapter 2. I know it's been a while since I posted the new chapter 1 and I am deeply sorry. I was reading a ff and thought, I need to sort mine out, so I did, well only most of chapter 2. Now i'm off to do chapter 3, yay. hopefully it won't be as late as this one.