Hey guys! Here's the next installment for my fic and I'll try to squeeze another one in before week 7/8.
Enjoy~
CHAPTER 10
'Hermione! You've joined the living again!' Before she could scoff at Bill's attempt at humour, he engulfed her with one of his bear-like hugs, before twirling her around the Gryffindor common room with ease.
'Put me down Bill,' her tinkering laugh set his heart beat askew but he let her down gently as if she was a fragile porcelain doll.
Before long, Hermione's dorm mate's squeals of merriment were the only thing she could hear as they hugged her until she felt like a very used stress ball.
'Calm down guys, I'm alright!' Hermione's attempt at soothing the hysterical girls was in vain and she blatantly rolled her eyes at their antiques.
'I thought we lost you Herms,' Hermione decided she needed a new life.
'Yes, Georgia, I would've hated to go without saying a proper goodbye,' she replied sarcastically.
A throaty laugh sent her toes curling, and she turned to find Bill who had, obviously, not left her alone with the bimbos.
She sent him a half-hearted glare before patting Georgia awkwardly on the back.
To say she was surprised would be a huge understatement.
'Hi 'Mione,' Bill's smile sent her heart beat a leaping but instead, she smiled in a politely confused manner back at him.
As he ladled his plate with toast and spaghetti, he sent her a smirk as a reply to her unasked question.
'What? Do you like eating alone?' his eyes twinkled mischievously which sent yet another round of butterflies swirling in her stomach.
They ate in comfortable silence until Bill noticed, or more like felt, a death glare his way. He looked up and noticed Tom's brazen smirk which was quickly followed by a mouthed, 'she's mine.'
Bill's eyes flared with heat and anger before he subtly moved towards Hermione, as if to shield her from Tom.
'Bill?' Her chocolate brown eyes were swirling with amusement and he nearly forgot about Riddle. Nearly.
'Hey, are you, uh...friends with Tom?' His eyes had locked with Riddle's again which crinkled up in amusement.
'Ew! No way Bill! No way! Why would you even consider that?'
Bill laughed nervously and shrugged his shoulders carelessly.
'Just wondering.'
The following week, Tom was the perfect gentleman. He carried her bags, walked her to her classes and did what any gentleman in love would do. The only thing that pissed him off though, was that she still hadn't fallen for him! No matter how genuine he seemed, she would always stiffen at his touch, she would always watch his wand hand suspiciously, and she would never let her guard down around him.
He was infuriated, to say the least.
Bloody bimbo!
After having her fall into his arms, Bill wanted to shield her form the world, or from Riddle more specifically.
But he couldn't. He was a year above her, had different classes to her and had no free periods whatsoever.
But he still sat next to her during the meals where he would always find himself at the receiving end of Riddle's smirks.
'B-Bill?' Her tentative voice broke through his thoughts and he smiled down questioningly at the girl who he might have a crush on.
'Yes 'Mione?' Her eyes shifted nervously to the Slytherin table and for a split second, he felt anger pulsate through him. How could I have been so stupid?
He had known that Riddle was after her, and now, it was too late.
'I- never mind Bill.' She shook her head and continued to pick through her food. Bill lowered his gaze, defeated. Amid many different emotions that ran through him, the one that stood out the most was disappointment in himself.
