Chapter 4 – Bill

Hermione arrived at the Burrow five weeks after the end of her fourth year at Hogwarts, following the tragic ending of the Tri-Wizard tournament. When she arrived home, Hermione had been careful to edit much of the information she gave her parents. It was something she had been doing for a couple years and was getting quite good at. After her petrification during her second year, her parents had wanted to withdraw her from Hogwarts and the wizarding world completely, scared for her safety. It had taken most of the summer, a week long hunger strike, and a visit from Professor McGonagall to convince them that the security at the school had been increased and she should return. They still hadn't liked sending her back and ever since, Hermione had been judicious in what she told them. This summer she was especially careful. The last thing she needed was for them to find out that the greatest dark wizard of the last millennium had come back to life and was regaining power. Her weeks at home had been long and tiring. She had put it off to worry over her upcoming year, when her classes would lead to the all-important OWL tests. Worry over academics was something her parents understood and they had tried to talk to her about her classes. Of course, trying to explain arithmancy and charms to her muggle parents was a lost cause. She was originally scheduled to stay for seven weeks, but her parents relented when they realized how much she missed her friends and allowed her to return to the Burrow early.

Hermione's return to the wizarding world was tempered by the recent upswing in violence against muggles. Most of the news was being tightly controlled and the muggle world remained blissfully unaware of what a few in the wizarding world were desperately trying to stop. The night of her arrival, Ron and Ginny pulled Hermione aside and gave her a briefing on the Order of the Phoenix and what she had missed while ensconced at her parents' home. Fred and George were also at the Burrow, but had been out for most of the day. When Hermione had seen them at dinner, she kept a steady conversation with everyone and tried to not look at Fred any differently than in the past. Due to Ron's loose lips, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had been informed that she and Fred had dated for a couple months and Hermione noticed Mrs. Weasley watched the two of them closely over the first couple days at the Burrow. After several days of careful stepping around each other, Hermione found herself out in the garden while the twins did a de-gnoming. She decided that if she was going to live with the Weasleys that she and Fred needed to resolve the remaining tension between themselves. As she approached him, George saw what was coming and went chasing a small gnome to the other side of the garden. Fred looked up and gave Hermione a tentative smile.

"Hi Hermione. Come out to help us?"

"Sure Fred. I don't mind, but actually I need to talk to you first. It's been almost two months since we broke up, but I still feel a tension between us. If I'm going to stay here for the rest of the summer, we need to resolve this. Like I told you when everything ended, I still want to be friends."

"Aye, I agree Hermione. It's just hard. I can't help it, but I still feel a connection with you. What the hell happened with us anyway?"

"We drifted apart. We had some in common in the beginning when the school year was more relaxed. Then the stress picked up and our priorities changed. As much as I care about you Fred, we're two immensely different people. I sometimes wonder if the better question is how we got together."

"Passion. That was the start of it. Then we had enough in common to keep us going, at least for a while."

"I suppose you're right Fred. So, can we agree to finally set the passion aside and try to be friendly without tiptoeing around each other?"

"Alright, I'll try. But one other thing Hermione. Our last time together has been bothering me. I used you and hurt you. I've been disgusted with myself ever since. I think that's part of the reason I've been acting the way I have."

"Oh Fred. Stop thinking that. What happened that last time was wrong, but it was as much me as you. Now, let's put that aside and move on."

Fred nodded and stepped forward to shake on it. As he did, he looked over Hermione's shoulder and saw his father step out from behind the peonies. Arthur looked a bit shocked as he began to speak.

"Fred, Hermione, Molly sent me to tell you lunch is ready. We really need to get her bell fixed. Anyway, I didn't hear much and I'll just say that I'm going to pretend that I didn't hear anything."

Arthur turned and headed back into the house while Fred let out a few curses. Hermione shook her head and followed Fred back inside. After their talk, Hermione found it easier to be around him and their friendship from previous years gradually reformed over the next couple days. A week after she arrived, Hermione was eating breakfast as usual when Mr. Weasley made a stunning announcement.

"Alright family, as you know we've been under a higher state of security lately. You also know a bit about the group we are part of, the Order of the Phoenix. Now, per Molly's wishes, I won't give more specifics on what the Order does. What I do need to tell you is that it has been determined that the Burrow's wards are not sufficiently tight enough to allow us to meet here anymore. Dumbledore has decided to move the Order to Sirius' ancestral home in London. So that your mother and I can continue our duties with the Order and also maintain our family, we will all be moving to London for the rest of the summer. Hermione, this includes you as well, unless you wish to return to your parents."

"What? No, Mr. Weasley. I am where I belong. I will do whatever I can to help the cause."

"Yeah, me too dad. We can help."

Mrs. Weasley turned red and dropped her fork, looking around the table.

"Now listen here all of you! You are underage. Well, except Fred and George. And the two of you just turned 17 a couple months ago. The Order is involved in some very dangerous activities, which none of you are prepared for. You will not be getting involved and that is my final word!"

Everyone shrank back from Mrs. Weasley, although Hermione did see a suspicious glint in Fred's eye. The rest of breakfast finished quietly. Then everyone was ordered to go pack before they left promptly at ten. Once the appointed hour arrived, the Weasleys and Hermione gathered in the front garden of the Burrow. Mr. Weasley cast a few additional enchantments and wards. Then he took hold of Ron on one side and Hermione on the other. Mrs. Weasley then took Ginny's hand and the elder Weasleys side-along apparated them to a London alleyway. Seconds later, the twins followed. They stood in the alley, looking at a row of houses across the street. Then Mr. Weasley pulled out a scrap of parchment and handed it to Ron, before instructing Ron to pass it along and then addressing the group.

"The parchment being passed around was written by Dumbledore. He is the secret keeper for 12 Grimmauld Place, the ancestral home of the house of Black. Once you read what Dumbledore wrote on the parchment, you will be able to see the house. Once everyone has read it, I will burn the parchment."

The parchment reached Hermione and she read the short statement before handing it Fred. When she looked up at the row of houses across the street, she saw something wonderfully strange and magical. Houses 11 and 13 suddenly seemed to push sideways and another house, number 12, appeared between them. As everyone had finished reading the parchment, Mr. Weasley disposed of it with a quick incendio and then led the group across the street to enter 12 Grimmauld Place. The inside of the house was much less magical than the outside, that is except for their host. Sirius came bounding down the hallway to greet them, happy to have guests to accompany his house arrest. The house itself was dark and dank. The wood paneling looked like it hadn't been scrubbed for years and above that the dark wallpaper looked even worse. Ron cringed as he eyed large cobwebs suspended from corners and pictures. Hermione noticed Mrs. Weasley give a small shiver and could almost hear her brain making lists of things to do. Once Sirius greeted them, everyone was sent upstairs to look around the bedrooms and pick from the couple that had been cleared of any dark artifacts. Hermione and Ginny went past the second floor to the third and found a good size room they quickly claimed for their own. The room was slightly cleaner than downstairs, but both of them agreed that a good scrub was in order. Neither of them were clean freaks, but Grimmauld Place was beyond their tolerance.

The twins also found a room on the third floor and Ron found a room downstairs that had an additional bed for when Harry arrived. They settled quickly and the rest of the day was spent cleaning until the late afternoon when a number of people began to arrive. Everyone made their way downstairs and were introduced to the Order members, but then the twins and those underage were sent back upstairs. A bit over an hour later, Molly called them back downstairs for dinner. Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks, Remus Lupin and Bill Weasley all decided to stay as well. The Weasley siblings were especially glad to see Bill, who had been re-assigned to England from Egypt. Hermione had been introduced as well and found herself comparing the eldest of the Weasley boys to his brothers. Bill was as handsome as Charlie, but with a more refined edge. He kept his hair long and with the fang earring and his confident swagger he reminded Hermione of a muggle rock star. She found herself spending a bit too much time analyzing Bill and chided herself. Certainly she had dabbled enough in the Weasley pool.

Soon life at Grimmauld Place settled into a boring pattern. For security reasons, no one was allowed further than the back garden. When they were inside, they were either cleaning or hanging around in their rooms. If the Order was visiting, all non Order members were sequestered upstairs. Hermione used the time to work on her summer assignments, but after a week she had them done. Her next year was OWLs and Hermione decided to do some advance reading in preparation. Ron and the twins thought she was mad, but it at least kept her in a better mood than they were. The worst part about the summer was that Harry wasn't scheduled to join them for a couple weeks yet and Ron and Hermione had been banned from communicating any news to him, per Dumbledore's orders. Hermione knew Harry would be angry, but security was stressed daily around the old house.

Although she and the others were banished upstairs during Order meetings, members of the Order often hung around after and Hermione and the others enjoyed getting to know them. Tonks became quite friendly with the girls and her presence was always sure to cheer them up. Bill also hung around the house quite a bit, happy to spend time with his family after having been away for so long. Hermione found herself embroiled in several long discussions with him about his work in Egypt, the types of curses he encountered and how the curses were derived from the same arithmantic origin as modern charms. Two weeks after she moved into Grimmauld, Hermione and Bill were talking after dinner and he offered an interesting proposition.

"Hermione, we've talked for hours about my work and you know how I admire your grasp of the basic rudiments behind what I do. You really are quite remarkable, not just for your age. I've talked to mum and dad about an idea I have and they've agreed. Mum was reluctant, but dad helped. I was wondering if you want to go with me to Gringott's tomorrow? I am doing some basic survey work down in the bottom levels. I don't expect anything dangerous, but I think you'll find the work interesting. I've promised mum that at the first sight of danger I'll get you out of there. If you're interested, I'll need you to agree to follow my every command without question. What do you say?"

"What? Of course! It will be good to get out of here and I can't wait to see you at work."

With that agreed, they talked a while longer about the bank before the conversation shifted to Bill telling tales about growing up as the eldest Weasley sibling. Hermione shared a bit of her muggle background and soon Bill noticed the time had gotten late. He had been spending more time at Grimmauld Place after meetings and even he had to admit that the brilliant young witch was one of the main reasons. He excused himself for the evening and Hermione tried to go to sleep, although she found it hard to quell her excitement.

The next morning at breakfast, Mrs. Weasley immediately started in on Hermione before she was even awake completely. She was in full maternal mode, giving Hermione instructions and insisting she listen to Bill at all times. The others hadn't yet heard about Hermione's planned outing and Ron immediately went sour. Hermione looked at him and frowned.

"What's your problem Ron?"

"What me? Oh nothing, I'm fine. Just stuck here in this old house with nothing to do. But don't mind me, just run off and follow my brother like a puppy now."

Hermione was about to retort when Fred and George beat her to it. They each smacked opposite sides of Ron's head while George teased him.

"Oh, look, ickle Ronniekins is jealous of the brilliant witch who gets to go help our brother explore the dark, old caves and fraternize with surly goblins. Maybe we ought to help him out, find something to keep him occupied…"

George's sickly tones were cut off by a sharp look from his mother. Seeing that look, Hermione decided to keep her mouth shut and finish her breakfast. Shortly before eight, Bill arrived and took Hermione to the back garden where he side-along apparated them to the bank. Once they arrived at the bank apparition point, Hermione looked around, stunned at the their location.

"Yes Hermione, we apparated to Gringott's directly. Normally only goblins can come in this way, but there are three or four of us with special clearance to come in. It makes getting to work on time a lot easier. Now, the plan for today is to take a cart down to the lowest level that is in current use. After that we will be grabbing brooms and flying down another six levels. The lowest levels were in use by the very first wizarding families in England. As time went on, the vaults moved up to higher levels, but that was only for active families. There are a number of the early families that died out and their vaults were left abandoned. Per the law governing abandoned gold, if a vault is not accessed for three hundred years the goblins can claim all gold in the vault, as well as any goblin made items. Anything else has to remain, although honestly the goblins don't care about other artifacts. Now, the Order and the goblins think it would be good to start cleaning out the lower levels. If things get worse and Death Eaters ever manage to infiltrate the bank, who knows what they may find down there. So, today I will be continuing my general survey and sensing. I want to get a feel for what is down there before we start opening the really old vaults. Today should be safe, but there are a few dangers I need to warn you of. First, the goblins assure me the old tunnels have been shored up and secured, but there is always the risk of falling rocks or even a full cave in. I'll keep a shield up around us the whole time. Second, there have been reports of ancient creatures living in the depths. The goblins haven't spotted anything, so I doubt those rumors. Finally, there can be occasional toxic gas issues. The lower levels are prone to filling with dangerous gases that come up through fissures. There haven't been problems lately, but there are detectors and alarms in place. Are you familiar with the bubble head charm?"

"Yes, but I can't do magic outside school Bill."

"Nevermind that. Here in Gringott's the trace doesn't work. The goblin magic nullifies it. If you hear the gas detectors go off, you get that spell on yourself immediately. I really don't anticipate problems, but I need to make sure you're aware."

"I understand. I'll be cautious and follow you the whole way Bill."

With the briefing done, Bill led her a side entrance where a goblin awaited with a cart. They climbed in and the long, perilous journey down the rickety old tracks began. They travelled for almost twenty minutes before the cart came to an abrupt stop. The goblin reached to hand them both brooms and Hermione hesitated. She had never been a good flier. Bill saw the look and shook his head.

"Don't fly huh? No worries, you can climb on with me."

Hermione did as instructed and carefully gripped the edges of Bill's jacket as they continued their descent. As they dove deeper, Hermione found herself pushed up close against Bill's back and she clutched tighter to him as their speed increased. The flight lasted less than ten minutes when Bill landed in what was obviously a very old cavern. The walls were rough and studded with billions of miniscule crystals, making the whole cavern seem to sparkle in the light from Bill's lantern.

"Beautiful isn't it? This is my third time down to this level and it always takes my breath away. Come, today my task is working in one of the side tunnels to our left."

Hermione nodded and followed Bill dutifully. The cavern really was stunning, but even more than that, the magic was palpable. Even so, the magic was alien and strange, causing her to shiver despite the heavy coat that Bill had equipped her with. He seemed to sense her unease and turned to look at her.

"I see you feel it. The magic here is so ancient that it's foreign to us. My first months in Egypt were nauseating until I got used to it. It's not as bad here, but after we're done today you may want a long soak to relax yourself. Now, here we are. We have two vaults ahead that I need to start scanning. I'll keep the shields up, but I won't have them at full strength while I work the other spells. If needed, remember you can cast down here."

Bill turned and began to cast his sensing spells. Hermione watched, fascinated as he spent nearly an hour in an almost trance-like state exploring the first vault for anything latent within it that would be particularly dangerous. When he finished and dropped his spells, Bill turned to her.

"That vault took a while because it has a lot in it. I'd say well over a hundred artifacts. I feel a lot of old magic, but nothing particularly dangerous. I'll put this vault on the cleared list for opening."

"So you mean that whatever family owned this vault just left everything behind and no one has claimed it? For how long?"

"That's right. The goblins cleared any gold, but no one else has come for the other items. The Ministry never showed an interest until recent events have forced the potential dangers here to be investigated. Honestly, very few in the Ministry know. Elphias Doge is part of the Order, but you don't see him around much. He's in the Department of Magical Antiquities. The few wizards in the department are almost antiquities themselves. Elphias initiated this effort that I am a part of. We can't guarantee that the Death Eaters will come looking down here, but we'd rather start clearing it out just in case. As for how long these vaults have been empty, I'd say 600-800 years."

Hermione let out a low whistle as Bill turned and guided her to the second vault. He cast his sensing spells and resumed the similar trance like state as before. Hermione was focused so hard on what he was doing that she found herself getting a headache. As she reached to rub her neck, an alarm suddenly sounded. Remembering what Bill had told her, Hermione drew her wand and began to cast the bubble head charm. Then her world suddenly went dark.

Some time later, Hermione woke and found herself on a settee, looking up at Bill. As she opened her eyes, Bill let out a long sigh.

"Thank Merlin you're awake. I was about to have to call a healer. Here, I have a potion that should help clear your head."

Hermione took the potion and downed the bitter liquid in one gulp. It immediately began working as her headache calmed and her vision cleared. Within a couple minutes, she was able to formulate coherent questions.

"What happened Bill? Where am I?"

"There was a gas leak. It was a sudden release and hit us quick. You appear to be sensitive to it and went down before you could cast the charm. I broke my sensing spells, got us in a shield bubble and then flew us straight out all the way back to the main floor of the bank. Hell of a ride to do all on a broom while holding onto someone. We're in the assistant regent's office at the bank. The goblins weren't happy that I didn't call a healer, but I was hoping you'd come around first. We've only been back up about ten minutes and I was about to give in and call for help.

"But that would have brought attention to the work you're doing down there. The rest of the Ministry would have found out."

"Yes, that's why I waited. But if you had needed help, I wouldn't give a damn about the stupid operation. How are you feeling?"

"Better. So what now? How long does the gas take to clear? Will we be going back down later?"

"What? Gods, you're amazing. You're just recovering from gas exposure and you're talking about going back. Even if we could, I wouldn't take you back down for a couple days. Merlin, when mum hears about what happened, she'll never let you come with me again. No, the gas usually takes a few hours to dissipate with the help of some spells the goblins use. I've talked to my boss and he told me to chuck it for the day. Well, maybe he didn't use those words. So, I guess we get you back home."

"Wait. If we go back now then Mrs. Weasley will have a fit when she finds out. Maybe we should kill time and go back at the usual hour. That way she doesn't need to find out."

Bill chuckled and shook his head.

"I never would have expected a devious streak from you Hermione. I suppose it would be better if mum didn't know. We can't really have you out in public too much. I suppose we could grab some fish and chips and go back to my flat and wait it out. Do you mind?"

"Sounds great. My stomach just growled when you said fish and chips. Let's go."

Bill helped her up and Hermione took a moment to steady herself. She followed him out a side door of the bank and stayed close behind Bill, keeping her head down. They stopped at a fish and chips stand a short distance away, then walked another block and a half to a nondescript building that housed a solicitor's office on the first floor. Bill led her up the side stairs and they entered his modest flat.

"Well, here we are. It's not much, but it's better than my tent in Egypt. Come, let's eat."

As they ate, Hermione was glad that the food was helping to clear her head more. She and Bill talked continually while they ate and were soon involved in a deep discussion on specific arithmantic rune determinations. After lunch, Hermione went to the kitchen to wash up and Bill came in to gather more butterbeers. As he reached around her, Bill's arm grazed her shoulder and Hermione suppressed a shiver. Bill suddenly pulled back and exited the kitchen. Hermione called out to Bill and he directed her to the loo while he stood in the living room, looking out the window. He was trying to settle himself after that small jolt in the kitchen. He was finding himself quite attracted to the brilliant young witch and tried to convince himself of all the reasons he was wrong to think about her in that way. Hermione returned from the loo shortly and came to Bill's side to look out the window at the busy street with shoppers bustling around.

"Amazing isn't it? All those people going about their lives like normal, believing the lies from the Ministry about everything being fine. Then we stand up here knowing much different. Hard to figure out who to pity, us or them."

Bill spun around and looked at Hermione.

"Gods, are you sure you're sixteen? Sometimes I wonder Hermione."

"Age is more than a date on a calendar Bill. I've never felt the same age as my peers. With everything Harry, Ron and I have been through it only exacerbates the fact."

Hermione sighed and looked up at Bill with a tentative smile. Her eyes betrayed the depth of what she had been through. She was beautiful in the early afternoon light coming through the window and suddenly Bill decided to stop fighting his compulsion as he leaned in and kissed her lightly. He was about to pull back when Hermione returned the kiss. They kissed for several minutes, pulling each other closer. They moved away from the window and Bill pulled back and looked down at the smiling young witch. He had never expected the response he received. She was quite an excellent kisser and Bill decided he needed more as he started kissing her again. As his tongue began to explore her mouth, his hands moved down to her bum and pulled her closer. Hermione also responded, tightening her grip around him as her hands drifted under his shirt and ran up his back, causing a shiver down his spine. Bill began to reach up to touch her further, but then hesitated and pulled his hand back down. Hermione felt the grazing movement on her side and grabbed his hand, placing it on her left breast. With her encouragement, he began to fondle her. Soon he worked the buttons on her blouse loose as Hermione started to pull at his shirt. When she went to pull it off, Bill suddenly came to his senses and stepped back.

"Hermione, we should stop. I'm sorry for losing control there."

"Hush Bill. I didn't push you away. I'm old enough to know what I want. I'm not as experienced as you are, but this isn't new to me."

Bill shook his head, gave in and began to kiss her in response. Taking her hand, he led her to his bedroom. Once there, they continued to slowly undress each other. Hermione admired Bill's long, lean strength as she ran her hands down him. He in turn reveled in the glow of her pale skin and marveled at her perfect, medium sized breasts. As he ran his fingers across her nipples, Hermione arched into him and finished unzipping his pants. When they fell to the floor, Bill pushed her back on the bed. She was left only in her knickers while Bill removed his painful, tight briefs with a sigh of relief. Hermione watched and smiled as she finally saw him in his full glory. Bill was average length, but quite thick and his erection stood straight out from a thick thatch of dark auburn hair. She reached and touched him briefly before she was being kissed again as Bill leaned over her and gently rubbed himself teasingly along her leg. While he kissed her, his hands resumed their work on her breasts and when he tweaked a nipple, she reached down and grabbed his shaft. As she began to work him, Bill moaned and pressed himself down on her more, then he removed one hand from her chest and began exploring lower. He disposed of her knickers and his deft fingers parted her folds, causing her to squirm under him, moaning. He pulled his tongue out of her mouth and began to nibble along her chin and down her neck. She meanwhile began planting kisses on any exposed skin she could reach while she pushed her hips against his hand. With that encouragement, he gently inserted a finger into her wetness. As her squirming increased, he added another finger and then a third, while finding her clit with his thumb. As he worked her inside and out, he brought her to her first climax, as she squealed and bit down on his shoulder The pain only made Bill throb more as he pulled his dripping fingers out of her and slowly began licking them. As she came down from her climax and watched him taste her, the need to have him fully was too much. Hermione reached down and gripped him tight as she tried to guide him to her center. Bill smiled and pushed her hand back as he began to devour her mouth again. As his tongue inserted itself into her mouth, his cock plunged deep into her core. Hermione tried to scream as the sudden entry caused a brief pinch of pain followed by near climax, but Bill refused to release her mouth from his. He began to drive slow and steady, reveling in her tight warmth. With her encouragement, he picked the speed up until they found a faster pace that hit each of them with the perfect intensity. As her climax began to build, Bill pulled back and watched Hermione's face as the her eyes fluttered and her panting increased. When she came, it was a beautiful sight and he basked in her glow as her muscles began to squeeze him. He kept his pace for another minute before joining her, sending streams of cum into her beauty. When both their climaxes settled, they lay side by side facing each other.

"Wow, Hermione, you're so amazing. I never would have imagined the passion behind your brilliance. When this day started I didn't dream we'd end up here."

"Mmm, glad for that gas leak Bill?"

He laughed and pulled her close, kissing her with renewed energy. Soon he was hard again as Hermione positioned herself over him. As she lowered herself onto him and Bill watched himself disappear into her, it took all his willpower to hold back. Then she began to ride him in slow, rolling motions that made her breasts move in delightful ways. When Bill leaned up to capture one with his mouth, the change in position caused her to moan and start riding him harder. Bill wrapped his arms around her and held on as he helped guide her movements. As her panting became irregular and she seemed close, he moved one hand down her back to her bum. She seemed to hang on the edge until he inserted half a finger into her backside. Her eyes flew open with surprise. Then Bill began to move his finger as she continued rocking on his shaft and she finally came with a howl. Bill watched her happily, but ached for his own release. Once she settled, he flipped her off and positioned her below him. As she still recovered from her last orgasm, he carefully placed her on all fours before plunging himself into her dripping core yet again. The new position caused her sensitive body to start coming again as Bill finally met her and they climaxed together. The efforts of the afternoon finally claimed them both as Bill barely rolled off her before they were both asleep.

A couple hours later, Hermione awoke confused. The light in the room was fading as night fell and she looked over at the gorgeous man stretched out next to her. Then the realization hit her that the time was getting late. She quickly shook Bill awake.

"Bill! Wake up. We fell asleep and it's getting dark."

"Huh? What? Oh shit."

Bill flew up out of the bed and grabbed a nearby clock. It was almost seven. Fuck.

Hermione joined him as they quickly cast cleaning spells and dressed in a hurry. Once they were ready, Bill took a second to stop and talk before they apparated.

"Hermione, I think I have an excuse for us. Let me do the talking when we get back to Grimmauld."

"Okay Bill. And thank you for this day. I know this was a one-time thing, but I don't regret it."

"I can't believe you're thanking me, I should be the one thanking you for taking on this old man. I guess we should go."

Hermione frowned at his comment and then took his arm as Bill apparated them back to Grimmauld. They arrived just as the clock was striking seven and Molly came running to them when she heard their arrival.

"Where have you been? You're almost two hours late. I've been worried sick. Hermione, are you alright?"

"Mum, calm down. We're fine. The stupid cart at the bank had a malfunction. Took forever to get it fixed and get out of the lower caverns. I knew you'd be worried, but I can't send a patronus through the goblin wards."

Bill smiled down on his mother and reached a hand gently to her shoulder. Hermione suppressed a smile as she watched Mrs. Weasley's oldest work her perfectly. The she bear calmed as she looked lovingly into her eldest son's eyes.

"Well, alright. I guess I understand. I hate those stupid carts they insist on using. Must be something better they can use these days. Anyway, we're not quite done with dinner. Come eat."

Bill and Hermione followed her to the dining room and Bill shot Hermione a quick smirk that was entirely too reminiscent of Fred. Hermione gave him a light punch and pushed him forward, suppressing a giggle. Most everyone else was done eating and Bill and Hermione went back and forth on details from the day, managing to extend the two hours they spent in the caverns into a much longer time period. After they ate, they took biscuits and drinks to the living room where the talk diverged to Ministry subjects and Molly stopped Arthur twice when he went too far with Order secrets. Sirius and Remus disappeared at some point and Hermione read a book half-heartedly while listening to the conversation. Around nine, Bill declared it was time to head home. He went to apparate out of the back garden and Hermione jumped up.

"Wait, I forgot to ask…" she said as a cover to follow Bill. No one else said anything as she darted out of the room and found Bill in the garden. He hadn't apparated yet and appeared to be waiting for her.

"I was hoping you'd come out to say good-bye."

"I couldn't let you leave without this."

Hermione pulled his head down and kissed him soundly. Bill responded and soon they were snogging and hands were starting to drift. Using the last of her willpower, Hermione pulled back. Bill sighed and smiled at her.

"Good night beautiful."

With that, he turned and apparated away. Hermione sighed and turned back to the house. As she did, a figure stepped out of a shadow near the garden shed. Then a second figure stepped out next to the first. Lupin and Sirius were both stomping out cigarettes as they smirked at Hermione. Sirius was the first to speak up.

"Cart malfunction at the bank, huh?"

Hermione was momentarily taken aback, but decided that her best bet would be to keep Sirius on his toes. Professor Lupin was another matter, but she decided to use the same tactic on both. Crossing over to them, she first kissed Sirius lightly on the corner of the mouth and then turned and kissed Lupin's jaw. Then she turned on her heel, looked back at their stunned expressions and waggled her fingers before returning to the house.

The next week went by slowly for Hermione as she was no longer allowed any field trips out of Grimmauld. There had been no confrontations with the Weasleys, so she knew Sirius and Lupin had kept quiet. Despite that, they both frequently shot her pointed looks when others weren't around. After a few days, she learned to ignore them. Bill was still a regular visitor at Grimmauld, stopping in every couple days. Hermione made a point to keep her distance, for fear of betraying herself unknowingly. Nine days after her trip to the bank, and the day before Harry was due to arrive at Grimmauld, Bill made an unexpected second trip in one day. Something was happening with the Order and she was once again sequestered upstairs. After Molly gave the all clear and the house emptied of Order members, Hermione fled to a quiet corner of the back garden with a book. Ron's attitude was getting worse by the day and the twins were doing some kind of experimenting, and she had had enough of everyone in the house. As she sat reading, she received a surprise when Bill entered the garden. Apparently he hadn't left earlier with others. Seeing her, he looked around and then crossed the garden in several large strides until he was standing next to her bench. Hermione rose and checked around before giving him a quick hug.

"Hi beautiful. I'm glad you're out here. I was hoping to catch you today. You probably realize something is happening. I can't give details, but I can say the Order has made some good progress. I've got new duties and I'm being re-assigned to a Gringott's subsidiary in Paris. I leave tonight and I'll probably be there for a month or two. I wanted to say good-bye. I know what we had was a passing fancy, but I want you to know how special you are. I'm glad we're friends. Please be careful this next year at school. We've heard some rumors about changes. I'm worried for you."

Hermione was shocked by his news and pulled him sideways toward the shed. After another quick look around to ensure that there were no more observers hidden in shadows, she pulled him into the shed and folded herself into his arms.

"Bill, you take care of yourself in Paris. I've heard bad stories about the catacombs there. I'll be fine at school. I'll have Harry and Ron with me."

She looked up at him and suddenly his lips were on hers. The desire was sudden and overpowering as she pressed herself to him, feeling his need as well. As her blouse came open, Bill looked at her, questioning.

"Let's be quick Bill. One more time before we both go into uncertain futures."

He smiled down on her. "One thing, I've been worried since our day together. You never cast a charm for yourself. Are you alright?"

"No worries Bill, I decided months ago to go on the potion. Back when Fred and I got involved."

His eyes grew wide.

"My little brother Fred?"

"I guess you hadn't heard. We dated for a while. But he wasn't my first. Guess I like ginger. Now, let's wish each other a nice good-bye."

With that he began kissing her again while he finished undoing her blouse and she unbuttoned her jeans while he lowered them. She kicked off her shoes and he grabbed the lowered jeans and threw them on a nearby potting bench. Next, he stripped her knickers and gave her a quick feel before lifting her up and setting her on the jean covered bench. Their kisses were frantic as he undid his zip and pulled out his pulsing erection. Knowing that they had to be quick, he checked to make sure she was wet and then drove into her quickly. They set a frantic pace and came together within a couple minutes. They had forgotten silencing charms and muffled each others cries with their tongues. After, they paused long enough to catch their breath and then Bill cast the cleaning charms and helped Hermione dress. He gave her one last wistful kiss and she thought she saw a tear as he turned on the spot and apparated straight out of the shed. Hermione took a moment and collected herself before she returned to her bench and book. While she tried to read, her thoughts kept shifting. She was definitely into ginger. Four brothers now. If only Ron would finally grow up and notice her maybe she'd add a fifth. But, if she did, that would leave one untouched and she wasn't the type to leave things unfinished.

o-o-o-o

Hmm, another long chapter. Oh well, so it goes.