Gently stroking Penny's back, Bill gave Hermione one of those almost smirks. A hidden message just between the two of them when Bill…

Fred and George hadn't been the first of the Weasley Family to display the mischief that resulted in bangs, purple smoke and a yelling Aunt Molly, who usually magically appeared with a wooden spoon that she was determined to whack the offender with. There had been the eldest Weasley Male Young Pup, who had raided prank shops long before he had even become a First Year, dragging his slightly younger brother along with him, and using most of his pocket money to fill his pockets with anything and everything that could result in trouble.

And –corrupting- Charlie had hardly been enough for Bill. He'd trained Charlie carefully into becoming his partner of crime, beginning during their young –innocent- years before Bill had become a student at Hogwarts, passing through the time Charlie had joined him and once Bill had viewed Fred and George old enough…

Though of course, Bill's idea of this had hardly been an appropriate year in Aunt Molly's mind. A few days after Fred and George's fifth birthday, Bill had passed them a Dung Bomb, along with ideas of where and when they might use it. The twins had been free to make a choice, or to think of something else, and during the fall out of a nearly destroyed living room, including the phone that Uncle Arthur had just brought home from The Ministry…

Bill had provided them with an alibi, resulting in Bill also being punished. Fred and George had been let off lightly, only having to do half an hour of weeding in the garden. And Charlie…

There was a reason why Charlie, despite his seemingly never-ending –discussions- with his Partner over said Partner's ability to cause trouble, did have a hand in improving said pranks. Brian did freely admit what he would be about to get up to, whether it be alone or with the –help- of other Weasley Members and their Allies, to Charlie and sometimes Charlie… He'd adopted a method that Hermione highly doubted she'd ever take part in.

If Charlie believed that he wouldn't be able to stop one or more of the pranksters, then he picked to put in his own ideas in the hope that this would turn the prank…into either not being so volatile or else causing it to be more tightly constructive so that the message wasn't lost. Hermione preferred informing the lot of them that they were stupid and had no right to perform any of it, on anyone.

And generally, this meant that none of them told her what they were getting up to…unless it was Bill. His partaking in these pranks had dwindled over the years, mostly because of his decision to live abroad, but when he did… Bill never hid it from her. He'd drop around little hints, tease her with bits of information that left her puzzling over seemingly non-related objects and leave her…

Hermione could take the choice to go up to Bill and demand some kind of explanation from him. He never admitted it right away. He liked leaving her even more clues (he'd once mentioned that this was to give her a chance to figure it out herself as she was a smart little –Female [with no sign of condescension in his voice either]), only giving in to her questions if he decided she wouldn't. And then his voice…

Merlin, it was annoying how he would state exactly what he, and/or anyone else would be getting up to, as if it was just a fact. This was what they were planning to do, and Hermione… She could either join in, or else take up a seat nearby (more than once Bill had offered to put by snacks so she had something to munch on during the floor show) and watch the fireworks. Her protests, her cries of how she viewed it stupid, her attempts to stop him/them only ended with…

That wicked smile from Bill, as he watched her with affection towards his –little sister-, the crossing of his arms across his chest as he leaned back against the closest vertical long object and all but tapped his foot as her as he waited out her little –tantrum- (as he was want to put it) and leaving Hermione… Bill just exhausted her. He took all the reasons she gave for why she thought it was a bad idea, and turned it into a –discussion-. Pointed out all of her flaws in the logic and then used reason against her to prove that what he/they were doing was right. And despite Hermione's own specific brand of using her knowledge to win said argument…

Bill always beat her.

And his congratulating pat to himself at the end was always his request for Hermione to see the prank for herself.

It was bloody annoying.

And so that little grin at her…

It would just be like Bill for him to take advantage of this ordered journey to the United Kingdom to stir up some more –fun-. And try to drag Hermione in it.

'Become so hungry that you have swallowed a lemon, Mione?' Bill said, cocking his head as what could only be viewed as the –Mexican dance of his eyebrows- came into play.

'There isn't a single lemon left in the entire building,' Hermione said. 'Aunt Molly used all of it for her lemon cheese cakes.'

'Treats that Penny was not supposed to know anything about,' said Bill, glancing down at the sleeping girl in his lap.

Hermione snorted.

'Aunt Molly shouldn't have thought she would keep it from Penny,' she said. 'The fact that Penny managed to figure out about the secret hideout of the twins' stash-'

'And the resulting chaos?' said Bill.

Chaos was hardly the word for it. Penny could never sufficiently explain exactly how the fireworks had been –sparked- (Muggle ones so that had involved a flame), and Fred, George and Lee couldn't wave away the little problem of what they had stored in there. How those three had ever thought they would get away with fireworks, exploding skunk-scented putty (their own invention), goofy front teeth and a Jack-in-the-Box in a confined space…?

Well, whoever did understand the twins and Lee's minds? The simple matters of how one could help make the others go kaboom and therefore shouldn't be kept together completely missed the little flag of –bad idea- and just…

Fred had yelled out that none of them had thought that anything would happen and the resulting explosion… Well, it could have been worse and Penny… She had just laughed it off, giving Percy a big hug and infecting him with the sludge of the remaining bits of putty and the smell. The bangs… didn't seem to have affected her.

Luckily.

But that hadn't stopped Fred, George and Lee being heavily punished for the entire debacle. Not only de-gnoming the entire area around The Burrow and cleaning it, but also acting as a maid service for Percy's home for two weeks straight (with Percy's direct supervision)and had been ordered to help Draco with his extra paperwork. The first couple had been dealt with a gentle grin and never-ending roll of jokes but Draco…

That had nearly ended up with yet another flair up between the four.

'But I blame Percy for that,' added Bill, giving the smallest of shrugs.

'Percy?' said Hermione. 'I'd hardly think that he would encourage Penny to-'

Bill's chuckle interrupted her.

'If you'd seen him when he was younger,' he said, 'then you'd see exactly how Penny would get it into her head to search out that small cupboard under the stairs where Mum had stored all the ingredients for the treat.'

He smiled, giving Penny a small hug.

'He and Dad used to spend hours taking things apart that Dad managed to procure from The Ministry,' Bill continued, as the smallest of sparks flickered over his eyes. 'The shed was their hide-out, and only the threat of Mum would ever get them out… Even food was never enough.'

'I believe those are the methods of persuasion for the twins and Ron,' said Hermione.

Bill nodded.

'Percy's last letter mentioned that he had kicked Fred, George and Lee out of his house after visit with food,' he said, 'along with Penny's discovery of the bags of lemons.'

'You knew?' Hermione said, raising an eyebrow.

One of Bill's laziest smiles (the one that annoyed her even more than his shit-eating grin) as his eyes flickered shut.

'Penny sent me her own owl post,' he said, 'to give her own side. She heard a noise and…'

'And just had to investigate,' said Hermione, shaking her head. 'Of course. She just had to adopt that from them.'

Yes, of course blame the twins for that,' said Bill. 'Penny's attitude would have nothing to do with the contact of a certain girl who disobeyed the rules when she was barely eleven and…'

Bill mercifully left the rest of the sentence to trail off as Hermione…

Harry, Ron and Hermione had never gone into great detail of what they had experienced over the years in Hogwarts. Oh, some of it had been explained, there had been the barest bones of what had happened down that trap-door sweeping through the school during their First Year, but other than that…

It was well-known that Harry had defeated a possessed Quirrel (exactly who had taken over the Defence teacher had never been talked about until two years into the Second War) and that the Golden Trio had overcome obstacles set by the professors (though only McGonegall's and Snape's had ever been learnt), but the rest… It was still trickling through. It wasn't that Harry, Ron and Hermione were ashamed of what they had done before the Second War, especially in the earlier years but…

Some events were just…private. They'd prefer…to keep it all out of the limelight, though knowing how everything worked… It would get out eventually.

'Penny couldn't wait to tell you all about her discovery,' said Bill, 'but she wanted to tell you in person. Hence why I asked her to –encourage- you to come up.'

Hermione smiled, even though… Well, it had been the little eruption that had gotten the pair up here.

Bill always was a safe bet if Charlie wasn't around.

'So that hour when she kept running out of breath?' Hermione said softly.

'Completely for your benefit,' said Bill. 'She knows how much you like lemon cake.'

'She still shouldn't have told you,' said Hermione. 'It's your favourite.'

'I am back home,' said Bill. 'Mum always takes advantage of it by trying to convince me to stay with her cooking.'

'I think she's hoping that it won't only be her cooking that will keep you here,' said Hermione.

Bill sighed suddenly, the heaviness to it causing Hermione to glance up at the eldest Weasley son.

'There's too much out there that needs to be found,' he said. 'With the War…'

Yes, it had been more than just information that had been lost or displaced. There had been objects as well, some so dangerous that there had been no other choice but to… Ginny was one of the few in the United Kingdom that kept an eye out for them, while Bill…

The softest of squeaks from Penny. Bill's hands had naturally closed in on the little girl with the thought of…

This was too heavy a conversation when Penny was there, even if she was asleep.

'You shouldn't be conspiring with Penny,' said Hermione, earning her the slightest of sudden shake of Bill's body as he jerked out of his own thoughts. 'Bad enough that she has the twins and Lee around her, and apparently me as well… But if you are exchanging letters with her…'

'You believe I shouldn't encourage her?' said Bill. 'Me, who is the best oldest brother that any of you have ever had-'

'You're the only eldest brother for us,' cut in Hermione.

An argument that was as old as… It had been brought to Hermione's attention within three days of Charlie arriving at Hogwarts to take part of the Second War there. With the complete set of all of the Weasleys children, the Males were exhibiting their version of bonding, which mostly was shown in heavy pats on the backs, pranks and dog piles. And at some point, Charlie had displayed the exact same –fun argument- he had been repeating with his Dragon Master colleague, Brian Taban, with Bill. One teasing remark from Charlie that he needed to –shop around- for a new brother and Bill…had declared that he was the best oldest brother Charlie had ever had.

'And as such I take great pride in my responsibilities,' said Bill.

'Turning every single one of us into terrors?' said Hermione.

'Never,' said Bill. 'As if I'd ever do anything that would pass on my knowledge of causing mayhem.'

'Of course,' said Hermione. 'You didn't have a hand of several pouches of the spikes from a Joshua Tree ending up in the twins and Lee's possession.'

Bill snorted, and yet…

Hermione raised her head, and yet Bill wasn't meeting her gaze. His attention was on Penny, gently stroking her hair and…avoiding her.

What in Merlin's name?

'I'd advise you to stock up on all your sugar rushes,' said Bill.

'I'm not partaking in any of your flying games,' said Hermione, 'or your versions of Man Hunt.'

'Have you still not forgiven Harry for that?' said Bill.

'Just because it was a game played in the estate sharing the playground,' said Hermione, 'doesn't mean that he should have taught the rest of you it.'

'Still mad that Fred found your little hidey-hole on the top of the extension of The Burrow?' said Bill.

Hermione growled.

'I am not still annoyed that my place was found,' she said.

'Fred did say that he wouldn't tell anyone about it,' said Bill, 'even if he was on the Hunting team.'

'I would have had to agree to allow him to spruce up my apartment then for his silence,' said Hermione.

'Looks like that forced attendance at that class worked,' said Bill.

'Don't remind me,' said Hermione. 'I don't think Alicia and Katie will be grateful if they return to my bad books.'

'Even though you are the one who can't let go of the grudge?' said Bill.

'I can let go of a grudge,' said Hermione, feeling her hands curl into fists as her back rose in indignation.

'Mione,' said Bill, a hand reaching out to her and gently placed on her knee, 'you still won't let Fred, George and Lee off for what they did to Ron and Harry's home years ago.'

'They had just moved into their first apartment as an actual couple!' said Hermione.

'Mione!'

'Before they'd always be housing with someone else,' said Hermione. 'Neville! Or Hannah. Or-'

'Breathe Mione,' said Bill, his grip tightening, 'or else you're going to pass out.'

'It was still their first home together,' said Hermione.

'Mione,' said Bill.

He slid over, carefully keeping Penny in his lap as he pulled Hermione into him. Wrapping his free hand around her, Hermione found herself smushed into his side, her head tucked underneath his chin.

'Mione,' said Bill. 'They've apologised. Ron and Harry accepted it. They've also done their penance.'

'You want me to let it go,' said Hermione, her words mostly blurred by Bill's own body.

'You thrive on logic, Mione,' said Bill.

'I don't only live by logic,' said Hermione.

'But your rational part of your mind understands when it is a good time to hold a grudge,' said Bill, 'and against who. Fred, George and Lee's level of understanding of exactly what pisses you off has improved. They are, dare I say it, mature and their amount of events involving you have dwindled.'

'They've kidnapped me!' said Hermione. 'They've embarrassed me in front of potential clients!'

'And you have made them pay for each and every bit of angst they have caused you,' said Bill. 'Ron and Harry have always done the same against them as well. Believe me, when Fred, George and Lee nearly destroyed their apartment, the two made them pay.'

Hermione sniffed.

'You keep building all of this annoyance and nothing will be able to release all that energy,' said Bill. 'You are beyond a simple bath with rose scented candles and a good book. You need much more.'

'I can de-stress myself,' said Hermione.

'Then why haven't you been taking better care of yourself?' said Bill.

Hermione huffed.

'I have,' she said.

'When is the last time you have read a book?' said Bill. 'When have you last taken the time to get a sleep in?'

'You've been talking to Ginny,' said Hermione.

She should have known. The youngest Weasley would not have staged the attack that morning without some kind of plan. Without some kind of back-up. And obviously, Ginny had done the first stage and decided…

'She sent me a letter,' said Bill. 'Said you had spent the night Draco had convinced you to come to their house up so late that she was surprised you had managed to get up for work. And you weren't reading.'

Hermione gave the best attempt of a shrug she could.

'I had other things to do,' she said.

'Not work either,' said Bill. 'This secretive matter of yours will lead to trouble.'

'I've already proven that I can be trusted.'

'You are, for the most part. Just like everyone else. But every now and then your level of sense diminishes.'

'You promised you would never bring up that misunderstanding again,' said Hermione through gritted teeth.

'I'm not,' said Bill. 'Your own mind brought it to the forefront, not mine. I am just stating a fact.'

'I apologised for running out of Hogwarts to prove that point against the twins and Lee,' said Hermione. 'I said sorry when I first woke up properly. I said it to you, to Aunt Molly and Uncle Arthur, to Remus and Sirius…to everyone!'

'You were forgiven for that,' said Bill, 'and though whatever is plaguing you this time may not have such a serious outcome, and I hope for Merlin's sake that it doesn't, it is still something that you are keeping from us. And I would have hoped by now that you have more faith in the old saying of a problem shared, is a problem halved.'

'There is nothing for you to worry about,' said Hermione.

'You have said that before,' said Bill, 'and been proven otherwise.'

'I do not need a lecture from you about-' said Hermione.

'I am not attempting to give you one,' interrupted Bill. 'This is just a friendly reminder, from your eldest brother, that you can talk to us. Even if you do think that it is none of our business.'