The characters and canon situations in the following story belong solely to JK Rowling. I am not making any money from the publishing or writing of this story.
I know crazy, two days in a row. I hate cliffhangers as much as the next person.
Thanks for taking the time to read.
Hermione stopped just before entering Gringotts for the second time in less than an hour. She was not going to leave until someone found Bill Weasley's sorry backside. She was not going to take no for an answer, if she had to search all of the vaults herself she was going to find William.
"Miss, Miss, you need to check your wand with a customer service goblin. Please take a place in the line to your left." She ignored the goblin speaking to her as she strode past all of the counters and headed straight for the gates at the back of the lobby.
When a wand welding hand tried to stop her, Hermione broke her stride and turned to look at the owner. "I am going to suggest that you put that away. I will find William Weasley and it will take a lot more than a wood-carrying goblin to stop me."
The air crackled with energy and Hermione continued heading for the gates. She remembered Bill saying that his office was behind the gates and to the right. He did not happen to mention to right and down a hall, or to the right and down a flight of stairs. She only knew to the right.
Before she reached the sentries guarding the gates, a tiny goblin stepped directly into her path.
"Yes, Mrs. Weasley, I am Zolfork, I will happy to escort you to Curse breaker Weasley's office. Follow me please, right this way."
Hermione had an instant to decide if she trusted the escort or not. A quick look around made her realize that she did not have a better option so followed she did.
"Curse breaker Weasley has been detained the majority of the day in one of our most ancient and valued customer's vault. He should be returning to the main level in just a few…Ah yes, there he is. If you will excuse me I will leave you to it. Good day Madame."
As Zorlfork spoke Hermione lifted her eyes to look over his shoulder and saw Bill running towards her. He was covered in dirt and crime. His robes were tattered, there was dried blood on his neck, and the beginning of a nasty purple bruise was evident above his left eye. He was a mess.
"Sunshine! They just told me. I suspect they were waiting to tell me you were looking for me until I broke the last curse. What is the…oh! It is blue!" Bill sprinted the last few yards.
His eyes searched hers, "How much more time do we have?"
Hermione was fighting through all of the conflicting emotions raging in her brain. He was there, he was hurt, and she had found him. Her brain was speaking but it was taking time to get the words to hr mouth.
"Sunshine?" Bill was pushing the hair from her face.
"Maybe thirty minutes give or take a few?" Hermione finally answered.
"Right" Bill was scanning the area, "not enough time to get home. Then it will have to be my office." He hand slipped around her waist and he pulled her down the hallway and to the right.
Two more right turns and Bill abruptly stopped. Hermione only stay standing because of Bill's steady grip.
"Mr. Weasley, we should do something about your eye." The feminine sound roused Hermione from her stupor. Who was that speaking?
"Thank you Mrs. MacAnelly, I will see to it shortly, but first Mrs. Weasley and I have…um…important business to …um…discuss." Bill was hoping his assistant did not notice the telltale Weasley blush he could feel burning up his face.
"I will make sure you are not disturbed, Mr. Weasley. Can I get you both some tea, how about a nice plate of chocolate biscuits, I know how you like your tea and biscuits in the afternoon." Hermione couldn't help herself she smiled at the grandmotherly Mrs. MacAnelly.
She was certain the poor old woman would have palpitation if she knew what Bill and her were planning to 'discuss' in his office.
No, thank you Myrtleen, I will buzz you if we need anything." Bill gave the lady a kind smile and escorted Hermione into his office and closed the door.
"Where in the bejeeses have you been Bill? I have everyone out looking for you!" Hermione's finger was poking his chest, emphasizing each word. Her face was an inch from his and he could see the anger in her eyes. The normally relaxed Bill was reacting to her attack.
"Why didn't you send your patronus? Even deep in the bowels of the earth it would find me." Bill answered with barely concealed anger.
Hermione blinked twice and stepped back. She appeared to shrink, as if someone had let all the air out of her.
"Why didn't I think of that? I wasted so much bloody time." Bill could barley hear her whispers.
"Sunshine, it is okay. We have at least fifteen minutes to 'discuss.' So how about we focus on that." Bill was pulling off his tie and threw his robes over a chair as he twirled his wand contemplating the décor."
Hermione smiled, if she had to name one trait that she admired about Bill Weasley, it would have to be his ability to 'go with flow'. He did not seem to hold a grudge and when he did get angry it was short lived.
Remembering why finding him was so important, Hermione made an effort to pay attention.
"I guess I could just bend you over the desk and lift up your skirt." Bill grinned and winked at the blushing Hermione.
"Bill!" was the only response she could think of.
"Alright I agree it would be awkward I the little one ever asked about the day he was conceived." Bill narrowed his eyes and with a graceful swish the desk became a dark chocolate leather chaise lounge. "Yes, much better."
Hermione nodded as he walked up to her and lifting a curl from her shoulder he brushed her hair behind her neck and cupped her face.
"Sunshine, both of us would agree that this is not how we had envisioned the start of our respective families. But I have to say that I for one am really looking forward to raising our child." His lips gently met hers and she melted.
The chaise lounge was more of challenge than it appeared at first. It was much narrower and the leather made it slippery. Their various attempts to maneuver into position finally resulted in uncontrolled giggling on Hermione's part and a loud growl from Bill.
"Woman, that is not helping my mood! I would appreciate a little encouragement!" Bill was startled when Hermione took control.
"You, William, formerly known as the 'playboy' Weasley brother need encouragement? Tsk, tsk." Hermione was smiling as she slowly shook her head.
"How about you let me show you…" Hermione slipped between his legs, guiding him to lean back and let her take control. Bill thought that was a brilliant idea.
"See William first you need to stop fidgeting and push back." Bill complied and found himself with his back against the arm rest and his legs straight put in front on him.
Hermione made quick work of the unnecessary apparel and situated herself to where she was sitting gently on his lower legs, one of her legs on either side of his.
"Now, William this should work quite nicely." Hermione leaned forward and kissed him. Bill tried to pull her closer.
"Ta, ta William, patience is a virtue." Hermione whispered against his chest as she kissed her way down from his neck.
Bill growled lowly. "Like that William?" Hermione asked, looking up into his eyes with smile that almost stopped his heart.
Bill nodded as he felt her move closer to where he needed her to be. "Well, William, if you liked that and I think you're going to love this."
Hermione laughed at the cross between a moan and a growl that came from Bill as she showed him exactly how to do what they both needed.
Mrs. MacAnelly was desperate. She had intercepted half a dozen urgent messages for Mr. Weasley and an incoming floo call from a distraught Molly Weasley. That coupled with the bizarre noises emanating from Mr. Weasley's private office, Myrtleen MacAnelly was considering knocking on the door. In her thirty three years of working for Gringotts, she had never been put in such an untenable position. She always prided herself on being able to handle just about anything that came into her office but this, this was beyond her.
Turning away from the door, she decided to wait a tad longer. Before she could get back to her desk there was a violent growl and deep moan from the other side of the door. She was pounding on the door before she even realized she was not sitting at her desk.
"Mr. Weasley! Mr. Weasley! I must insist that you open this door! Mr. Wesley!" Mrs. MacAnelly shouted at the closed door.
It seemed to take forever before there was any noise from within the office and when Bill Weasley's voice was heard, Mrs. MacAnelly could have sworn he was laughing.
"Yes, Mrs. MacAnelly. One moment please." Mrs. MacAnelly decided she was mistaken and Mr. Weasley had not then said, "Stop that, she'll hear you, Sunshine."
No, it was surely the stress of the day and Mrs. MacAnelly was just tired.
Hermione was also tired, but for an entirely different reason. She was thrilled to be so tired and looked down to see the bracelet was still glowing. They hadn't run out of time.
Part of this is chapter was inspired by IGotTeamEdwards' latest review.
When I read it I thought, 'now why didn't I think of that?'
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