A/N Apologies in advance for my attempt at writing accents...
Thanks to everyone once more who's taken time with this, you guys are awesomesauce.
Disclaimer: I woke up this morning, and realised that I'd completely changed bodies, and was now JK Rowling! Then I actually woke up and I'm still me. Ah well, everything recognisable is JKR's!
Chapter 19
Ron was out of hospital in just a few days, and life returned to normal for them all. Hermione sat in on the Lestrange brothers' trial, smiling in grim triumph as they were sentenced to life in Azkaban. Both caught her gaze as they were escorted out, narrowing their eyes in hatred, Rodolphus mouthing, "I'll get you Mudblood," as he passed, to which she only smirked. Ron continued to bug her every day, and it had become a daily occurrence for her to constantly state her desire to be only friends, not that this deterred him. His latest desire, on top of another 'date' and her undying devotion, was to see her new house, though to the Weasley's knowledge she was still staying at Shell Cottage. She made up excuse after excuse, before finally losing her temper and practically yelling at him to leave her alone to work. He was back again the next day.
Two weeks after the trial was Bill's thirty-fourth birthday, and once more Hermione's life was turned upside-down. She had finally gathered her courage and woken Bill up wearing Ginny's present, which was predictably skimpy and made her flush red from the barely covered area between her thighs to her lace covered breasts. After taking in her attire, he promptly threw the breakfast she had brought him to the floor and ravished her body, groaning and gasping that he loved her. Afterwards, curled up in her bed and looking at the discarded tray of food, he declared that he'd had the best birthday breakfast ever, before grinning and pulling her to the bathroom to shower together.
By midday, they were sated but thoroughly exhausted, and stumbled blearily downstairs to get some sustenance, Hermione discreetly hiding Bill's present in her beaded bag. It was as she was cooking them a small midday meal that an owl tapped at the window, looking very tired; she opened the window, took the letter and offered the owl a treat, a drink of water and a perch where it could rest. It hooted gratefully and swiftly flew over and tucked its head under it's wing, falling asleep instantly and she began instinctively opening the parchment, before seeing it was for Bill and, apologising, handed it to him. He read the note, paling dramatically as he did, and by the time he'd finished his mouth was hanging open in shock and his eyes were wide and tearful.
"They're at Shell Cottage." He whispered, still staring at the letter before him.
"Who?" She asked curiously.
His shocked eyes snapped up to meet hers. "Victoire. She's brought Victoire back. They're at Shell Cottage."
Hermione gasped, before dragging him to the floo. "You get to see her! Oh, Bill, this is so wonderful! Come on!"
Bill suddenly dug his heels in and looked dark. "Phlegm will be there. But Victoire..." He looked undecided before staring at her imploringly. "Come with me? Please?" She stuttered for a moment, but seeing his begging expression, nodded in agreement. He grasped her hand and they stepped into the fire, calling "Shell Cottage!"
No sooner had they stepped out of the fireplace, Bill was thrown backwards by a small blonde child. "Daddy!" Victoire cried happily. "I've missed you daddy!"
Bill promptly lifted her up and hugged her tightly, trying to stop the tears that were running down his face, but grinning. "I've missed you too darling. I've missed you so much." He choked out.
"We 'ave all missed each uzzer, it eez good to zee you Bill." Came Fleur's throaty voice as she stepped down the stairs. "But what haz 'appened to our 'ouse? Eet looks so strange."
Bill gave her a cold look, still holding Victoire protectively. "I thought it needed a new look, seeing as almost everything had been taken."
"Mama I like the new house." Victoire cut in, and Bill smiled adoringly at her.
Fleur, ignoring her daughter's comment, glared at Bill. "Zees is our 'ome, you had no right."
"No right?!" He replied loudly.
"Victoire, would you like to play outside?" Hermione interrupted, not wanting the young child to see her parents argue.
"'Ermione! I did not zee you zere!" Fleur exclaimed. "What are you doing 'ere?"
"I've been helping Bill redo the house." She muttered.
"What?!" Fleur screeched, and Hermione grabbed Victoire's hand and took her outside. "You let anuzzer woman to change our 'ome!?"
Hermione cast a quick silencing charm over the cottage, and led the young girl onto the beach. "Do you remember who I am Victoire?" She asked softly.
The young blonde nodded proudly. "You're Herm-nee. You're Uncle Ron's friend."
"That's right! I'm your daddy's friend too though." She said gently.
The five-year old frowned. "I miss my daddy. Mama says he's been working, but I still miss him."
She stroked her hair gently. "I'm sure your mama and daddy can sort something out. You'll be seeing your daddy much more now." At the child's unbelieving look, she racked her brain for a distraction. "Hey, how would you like to read one of your daddy's favourite books with me?" Victoire's face lit up, and Hermione accio'd the copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar she'd bought weeks ago from her house.
Sitting on the beach with Victoire in her lap, they read the story, and Hermione conjured an image of a caterpillar and the various foods as the tale was told; the young girl giggling and swiping at the bug as it grew bigger and bigger. When they reached the end of the book, she made the cocoon explode and release thirty butterflies, which Victoire chased along the beach, squealing in delight as they turned into glitter when she caught them. She quickly grabbed Hermione's hand and dragged her along the beach, giggling wildly when they ran into the shallows of the sea to catch a few stray butterflies, running back quickly as the cold water splashed her face. She drew her wand and swiftly made a few childlike figures out of the sand and sea, which her young companion danced and laughed with, before she once more grabbed Hermione and they danced in circles, cheering wildly.
It was this scene of mirth that Bill saw when he stormed out of the cottage, and his raging expression immediately gave way to a wide grin. Upon seeing him, Hermione dropped her enchantments and followed Victoire as she ran towards her father. "Daddy, daddy!" She called in excitement. "Herm-nee read a book about catpills and buttflies, then they were sparkly, then we were dancing!"
"I'm glad you had a good time darling." He said, swinging her up until she was rested on his hip, kissing her cheek affectionately.
"I like Herm-nee." The girl declared. "I want to see her again. And I want to see you daddy! I miss you!"
Bill buried his face in her hair and closed his eyes. "I miss you too, my lovely baby girl. I miss you so much."
"Are we going to be together again soon?"
"Yes, darling, we are."
Fleur came out at that moment and, not looking at Victoire, stated; "You 'ave two weeks to decide." She promptly took the child from Bill's arms, though she could see he tried to hold on desperately, and returned to the cottage. When he and Hermione returned, the flames from the floo had already diminished.
She rubbed his shoulder, unsure what to do. "Bill, are you okay?" She asked lamely. He moved away from her and grabbed a bottle of firewhiskey, drinking straight from the bottle. "What did Fleur say?" She asked bravely.
"Don't ask." He replied coldly. "Maybe you should go." She moved towards the door, trying not to feel insulted and reassuring herself that he'd had a stressful day, when Bill grabbed her arm. She turned to him and saw that he was crying desperately, looking broken. "I'm sorry, 'Mione. I'm so sorry."
She massaged his back and kissed his cheek. "You've nothing to be sorry for."
He shook his head, muttering; "You don't even know."
"Then tell me!" She implored.
"I cant."
"Bill-"
"I'll see you at the Burrow later."
She moved to the fireplace, and murmured "I love you," before disappearing in the green flames.
She collapsed on her sofa, frowning and wondering what in Merlin's name Fleur had said to Bill, sadly pulling his present from her bag. She smiled slightly at the book she had jokingly bought for him, describing how to properly braid hair, and thinking happily about the two tickets to Japan within; he had wanted to visit the ancient Samurai tombs for a long time, she knew, and she had previously been very excited to surprise him with the trip. Now though, it seemed pointless, and she felt tears form in her eyes at Bill's obvious distress, and her inability to help him.
...
She saw him briefly that night for his birthday meal at the Burrow, but he only stayed for an hour, much to Mrs Weasley's distress. She gave her present to him, grinning and trying to catch his eye, but he merely thanked her and kept his gaze downwards, and though she followed him when he left for the apparation point, he still refused to look at her, and simply muttered a goodbye.
She was very hurt when, the morning after his birthday, Bill sent back the wrapped gift unopened, with no note or explanation regarding its return. She tried to go to Shell Cottage, where he had stayed the previous night, but found the floo blocked, and anti-apparition wards surrounding the whole beach. Over the next few days she attempted to visit him, both at home and at work, but was met with magical barriers around Shell Cottage and goblins claiming that Mr Weasley was busy.
Ginny visited her at her office a week after her brother's birthday, interrupting her work on a satisfyingly challenging law regarding trade between themselves and the Irish Ministry, grumpily saying that she'd had to make up a story regarding her 'secret partner' to her husband. "You know, you really should just tell Harry about you and Bill. He'll understand."
Hermione burst suddenly into tears, making Ginny jump in shock at her friend's uncharacteristic behaviour. "I don't know what happened!" She wailed. "He just stopped talking to me after Fleur turned up, and-"
"What?!" Her friend interrupted. "Phlegm arrived?!"
She nodded miserably. "She came with Victoire, but Bill and Fleur ended up arguing."
"What about?"
"I don't know. I took Victoire outside and cast a silencing charm. He hasn't spoken to me since!" She saw Jo reappear, back from her coffee trip, and was very grateful when she quietly closed the door to give them privacy.
"Hermione, what in Merlin's name is going on? Why didn't you tell me Phlegm had arrived? None of us have seen him in over two weeks, it's like he's vanished off the face of the Earth."
Her eyes widened in concern. "What?!"
Ginny nodded solemnly. "We've all tried Shell Cottage, Gringotts, owls, everything. All our letters return unopened, and he sent our birthday presents back too."
"Mine too."
Ginny, now satisfied that Hermione wasn't going to burst into tears again, hoisted herself up to sit on her desk and started swinging her legs, looking contemplative. "I wonder what they were arguing about? And why the heck has Phlegm chosen now to come back?"
She merely buried her head in her hands and sighed heavily. "I don't know Gin. Merlin, I've been such an emotional wreck recently, I don't know what to do with myself."
She hopped down and grabbed her friend's hand. "I do." She declared, and began to drag her out of her office. They ran into Jo, who was awkwardly waiting outside for it to be safe for her to enter, and Ginny flashed her a wide smile. "Hey, you must be Jo, right?" Without waiting for an answer she continued. "I need to borrow 'Mione for the day; there's an engagement party in a few days and in her typical style, she's not got anything to wear for it."
"Ginny!" She cried, appalled. "I can't just take the day off work!"
"Of course you can," Jo replied, "I owe you for covering for me the other day anyway. Go out, have some fun, you deserve a good time."
She gave her a hug and grateful smile, before Ginny called her thanks and pulled her away. "So," she started, "it's eleven o clock now, I'm thinking we meet up with Toni, Angelina and Audrey, get them out of work, have a couple of hours shopping, then a light lunch, then we should have about four hours to decide on make-up and hair for this weekend."
"Gin, we do not need four hours to decide things like that. I already have something to wear at home, so I think I'll just head back and start working through the Quidditch World Cup Final details. It's being held in Norway but with the Triwizard Tournament coming up we offered to help out with-"
"Hermione Jean Granger, that's not until next year!" She exclaimed. "And I can guarantee that when you say you have 'something to wear', you mean that pant suit you've worn every single celebration recently, and you are not wearing that again."
She frowned. "Why not? It's practical, it's comfortable, and it looks-"
"Like you're about to go to work? Yeah, it does. 'Mione, we need to get you something hot, something to show off your body! And don't you dare say anything about your body with me looking like this."
She bit her tongue, looking at her friend, slightly waddling but determinedly attempting to storm through the Atrium and into one of the fireplaces, holding her now prominently swollen stomach. "At least you have an excuse to tell people to get out of your way." She offered weakly, and Ginny smirked back at her, doing just that.