Author's Note:

I just wanted to leave a quick message that I wish to thank everyone who is reading my story and leave you with a little story.

This entire story came about because a friend betted that I wouldn't be able to write a romance. And despite both of us knowing that romance is not my -genre-, I somehow was convinced to do so. And this is the result. So, thank you to everyone who is sticking with it, despite that this has been going for a few years now. It takes me a bit longer, as my entire mind now seems to be stuck full of various ways to make the romance work. Not a pretty picture, especially as my other story is full of grief.

It's a lovely battle of wills in there now.

So, thank you everyone again.

Twi

'As I mentioned before,' murmured Bill as he all but hip bumped Hermione into the wall, 'I would advise you to invest in all the sugary food you can find to give you the needed energy.'

Hermione rolled her eyes, jabbing Bill in the side as they made their way down the next flight of stairs.

'I believe I'm on enough of a sugar high as it is,' said Hermione. 'You do remember all the plates we brought up earlier? Unlike you Weasleys, I take a while before I come off that rush.'

'Completely depends on how often you eat such things,' said Bill.

Hermione's foot paused for a moment, before she forced herself to continue on.

Why in Merlin's name did he have to bring it up? She already had all of the Weasleys, her own Kata plotting different ways of stuffing her, and Aunt Molly…

Merlin, for all the love Hermione had for her adopted Aunt, the Head Female of the Weasley Family was the worst. She always had to push.

Hermione didn't need Bill to add to the mix.

'And my newest little sweet,' said Bill, cocking his head as he threw his –Don't care if you don't like this. Don't care if you think I'm being rude. I'm your big brother. You're doing it- look at her that Hermione had grown to not trust (she hadn't needed Ginny to inform her to warn out for those) years ago. 'You haven't tasted that yet. I don't think I sent you a package of it.'

Hermione snorted.

No, he hadn't. Something that Hermione was half grateful for (she already received enough of his little –care- gifts that could rival Sirius') but at the same time… It proved that something was distracting Bill. He had never before forgotten to send his –latest- to herself, Ginny, Alicia and Katie. So for him to do so…

Was this what Ginny had meant when she had spoken of how Bill… And as Hermione had pointed out, Bill wouldn't allow himself to be cuckolded by anyone. For Bill to enter into a relationship where the –girlfriend-…

Yet Hermione didn't have any proof that Bill was any –different- than usual. He'd met her with his usual cocky attitude (tried to hug her to death with her unable to escape as he had lifted her off her feet) after launching himself from his bed and then attempted to pull Penny into a long-winded conversation about Hermione's choice of food. If Penny hadn't been there, Hermione had known that Bill would have grabbed her onto his lap, as always but instead he had insisted that she lean up against him as they continued to talk.

And as Hermione had been tucked underneath his arm…there had been no tension. No noticeable lines on his face that hadn't been there before. Nothing that Hermione would have associated with something actually bothering Bill.

So maybe the Group was wrong? Maybe this girlfriend of his…was just viewed as unlikeable because she was an Other? Bill always argued that he took on girlfriends that he loved; that he wouldn't be restricted by only looking among the pool of Resistance Members. And he had always followed through on that.

And with every one of his picks, the Weasley Members, and quite a few of their Allies when they became involved (Remus was one of the few who at least –tried- to keep his distance) disagreed with it. Argued with him over it.

So maybe this was no different?

Bill's polite cough to draw her out of her thoughts and back into the conversation caused Hermione to glance over at him. He met her with his soft brown eyes, a gentle smile and a wave of his hand as if he was ushering forward a lady of high rank.

And Hermione, as always, laughed.

'I've got some in my travel pack,' continued on Bill as they stepped onto the first floor landing. 'Remind me to give it to you tonight.'

'I will hardly be reminding you,' said Hermione. 'I've still got remnants of your last box of nice things.'

'Still?' said Bill. 'I sent that to you three months ago.'

'It expanded to the size of a freight truck when I released it from its' spells,' said Hermione, raising an eyebrow.

'Opened it outside?' said Bill. 'I made sure that it wouldn't crush anything if you did do it in your living room.'

'Restricted in its' opening size depending on where I did it?' said Hermione.

'Thought it best,' said Bill. 'Last problem I need is you travelling all the way to Egypt to yell at me.'

'Only did that once,' said Hermione, 'and you shouldn't have sent me that box.'

'I thought you might need it,' said Bill.

'I needed it as much as I needed sand in every crevice of my clothes,' said Hermione.

'Received an impromptu holiday out of it,' said Bill.

'I had other matters to take care of in the United Kingdom,' said Hermione.

'Still,' said Bill, 'you had taken two days off already to cater for this trip. And, as I managed to take my own holiday as well… Worked out in the end.'

Hermione sniffed.

The so-called quick visit so Hermione could properly yell at Bill had turned out to a week and a half of discovering anything and everything Bill could think of. He hadn't taken her to the usual touristy spots either. The Weasley Family and their Allies had already been to the Pyramids, to Khan a Khalili and all of those… So, Bill had decided upon the places where she hadn't wandered around, or else quickly stopped over/fought in during the War.

And what had made it so infuriating, was that Bill knew this would touch upon Hermione's love of knowledge and therefore… She couldn't really complain.

She was learning, wasn't she?

'Much better than the one before that, no?' said Bill. 'Didn't appreciate the amount of risk I took just to get that book for you.'

Hermione felt no remorse in giving Bill a whack on his shoulder. If he was any shorter, she would have definitely aimed for his head.

'As I told you before,' she said, 'I have my own opinion of Shakespeare and I am already –well- aware of that one brought forward by the book.'

'And for that I am most surprised,' said Bill. 'Hardly would think that –you- would not only know of this underlining theme running through his plays, but also-'

'How old am I, William?' said Hermione. 'If you think I could reach this age, survive a War and –still- not know of such things, you might as well-'

'Concede that you are wiser and smarter than anyone realises?' interrupted Bill, with a wink. 'Already did so.'

Hermione snorted.

She hated it when Bill cut her off, because he knew, -knew- that he had lost the conversation.

'Yet you forgot for the second time?' said Hermione. 'We had this exact same talk after you tried to shock me with the book on the hidden sexual meaning behind Shakespeare's words.'

'I had thought that we had already worked this out?' said Bill, his hand sneaking out to give her right side a slight squeeze. 'Or are there someone else who have…'

'You missed quite a conversation,' said Hermione, giving a shake of her head. 'The twins, Lee and Brian found out about a book I managed to recover and ever since…'

'I hardly believe that they are actually interested in it,' said Bill. 'More likely they just want to see you smile.'

'You mean go red in the face as I yell at them and unsuccessfully attempt to beat them to a pulp,' muttered Hermione.

Bill chuckled.

'Well,' he said, 'we do still have that Group rule that we're not allowed to kill one another. We couldn't let you break it. Wouldn't want you to have to face the consequences.'

'Even if I would be ridding the world of pain in the asses?' said Hermione.

'Even then,' said Bill.

'Pity,' said Hermione.

'Not as much pity as the amount of damage you would do to the Weasley Member you are annoyed with,' said Bill.

'Pity for them?' said Hermione. 'Is this because they were stupid enough to annoy me, or what I do to them?'

'I would lay more of the blame on themselves,' said Bill. 'If they were to truly use that noggin of theirs, then they may realise that your anger could be better used against others outside of our Group and Allies.'

Hermione snorted.

'And then your own level of tolerance towards them may be raised,' continued on Bill, 'giving them more breathing room for when they decide to act out their own…area of expertise.'

'You would have thought, wouldn't you,' said Hermione. 'They still talk of what I did to the Bitch.'

Bill raised his own eyebrow.

'I thought what you did to Umbridge was not allowed to be spoken of?' said Bill, 'despite the amount of good it accomplished for Percy.'

'There are no Elders around,' said Hermione. 'And I highly doubt that you will tell on me.'

'And if I did,' said Bill, 'then I am assured you will drop your own recollections of various –events- that I am responsible for in front of the Elders that would undoubtedly lead me back to Hogwarts for a near permanent stay of at least seven full rounds of cleaning…'

He flashed her a grin.

'Not to mention the work I would be given to do in the Forbidden Forest,' Bill added.

Hermione laughed as the two jumped off the last step (an old recurrence from the twins who liked thinking up of new ways of nearly destroying The Burrow), swinging around the large pillar that divided the living room from the kitchen and entering into…

Just the sight of what awaited her when she took those last few steps into the kitchen caused her to pause. She could feel Bill nearly crash into her, only saving himself by wrapping his arms around her and her gently lifting her up so that she at least didn't trip, but all of her attention was on…

She'd known, didn't need to be a bleeding –psychic- to realise, that there would still be some tension between the groups even after her little visit to Bill. She could have stayed even longer up in the bedroom, and even then…

Those hours didn't seem to have even abated the fight slightly. It was almost as if… their anger had gotten worse. But it should have been…

Hermione's eyes darted over to the ones she knew would be able to actually –stop- or at least –lessen it. They were the ones who acted as the Base for any argument, and so if it did get really bad, then…

Yet Percy held his position at the counter, with only his arms crossed. There weren't any narrowed blue eyes and Percy's nose certainly didn't look pinched, all signs that he was annoyed. The rest of his body posture was… almost benevolent.

Just watching the scene that was unfolding, just like Charlie. That Weasley Male was leaning against the stone counter, his hands tapping out a beat against his hip as he ever so slightly bopped his head. (Hell, if he got a new one stuck in Hermione's head… She'd make him –wish- that he was involved in this argument). But in an actual move to being in control over the fight…

Charlie didn't even have a restraining hand on his Partner standing next to him, who wasn't exactly participating but…

Brian had that metaphysical vein throbbing in his forehead.

He wasn't physically involved in the large tempest erupting in the middle of the kitchen. Brian hadn't even stepped away from Charlie, the one he –knew- would stop him, And yet his eyes were watching each and every volley of words from the others, near silent words falling from his lips that couldn't be heard but…

But he had an almost silent voice of annoyance.

Three down, but still…

Hermione glanced over at the small group of Males. At least one of them would be involved, though Hermione was leaning towards… Only not a single real noise was erupting from either of them, even Ron…

Harry and Ron, side by side, were using the small nook between the kitchen counter and a table in between the small entrance of the back door. Hermione couldn't see if their arms were entwined, or even if they had their arms wrapped around each other's back, sure signs of… slight apprehension. Their entire physical body movements almost… made them look peaceful, leaning into each other.

It was as if the fight didn't even bother them, though it bloody well should. While Hermione didn't exactly –want- Ron adding to the screaming, at least then… It was what she expected.

It was what always happened.

What the Hell was wrong with this fight? It was all… off.

Not that Ginny's reaction was in any way different. This was exactly what Hermione had pre-determined with this fight. Ginny would be right in the thick of it. And Ginny… would brighten up with all this –extra- excitement. Rosy cheeks and a slight smile tugging at her lips as she added to the –argument-. Dramatic gestures added to each and every word as Ginny… bathed in it all.

Ginny –liked- getting into word altercations. Ginny was the other offender among the Females that had –incidents- with the New Idiot and his Lapdog, but unlike Hermione… Ginny could easily be accused of looking for fights, against… anybody. It was mostly against The Ministry, Servants and various –un-educated- Others though.

But that didn't mean that Ginny wouldn't take the opportunity to have a go at Weasley Members, especially if it involved her Brothers. And this argument… was going to be a good one. If Ginny was already this animated, then…

Hermione gently shook her head.

This was only the preliminary.

But Ginny's words towards George were showing that she was really wading in. It was still slightly playful. Lee was holding back George, not very hard as Hermione could see that Lee only had his arms loosely wrapped around George's shoulders. George could very easily break free of that hold.

And George's fake attempts to do so were only rocking back and forth the chair he and his Partner were sitting on, Loud scrapes punctuating the argument as Lee rolled his eyes and let out a small burst of –For fuck's sake, Ginny-, along with –Ginny, fucking drop it- tinged with slight annoyance.

And his grip on George was slowly increasing. Gently still, but with Lee's Tone, Hermione knew… George would be picking that up, and it would affect him. His Mate's displeasure…

At some point, George would launch himself off the chair, and then-

Wand! George had just reached for his wand!

Hermione could feel her own hand slip into the sleeves of her left hand. It would only take a moment for her to grab her own and throw up shields around Ginny, George and Lee. Only-

Lee had George's wand in his grasp now. He had plucked it out of George's hands, before passing it on to Fred.

Fred.

Fred was showing the strain. He was holding onto the back of the chair George and Lee were on, but that arm… It was nearly clasped into claws against the wood, sinews of muscle bursting out against his tanned skin and his knuckles white.

Fred would… He'd throw the entire discussion into the full-blown argument; catapult it faster than…

Hell.

Hermione's neck twisted so that she could stare once again at Charlie and Percy. Considering the state of Fred, the two must have moved into that pincer movement carefully constructed beforehand by where they were standing by now. Yet…

The two were still doing nothing! Nothing! But they must know that-

'Just watch,' interrupted Bill's voice, his mouth inches away from her ear as he gripped her body tighter.

'Watch?' hissed Hermione back, giving him a shove with her hip.

'We don't know what this is about,' replied Bill. 'If we interfere now-'

'But Fred-!' said Hermione.

'Hasn't blown his top yet,' said Bill, 'and he's the only one.'

A slight pause.

Hermione's eyes focused back on Fred. The Male was still standing behind the chair (very good sign), his eyes were only a slightly darker blue (still a thumbs up), he didn't have anyone restraining him (this could actually be a winner), and his arm…

Hermione sighed.

Nope. Fred's arm still looked as though it was about to break the nearest object. Luckily only the chair was within reaching distance, and even then, Fred would have to get George and Lee off it first. But… still not a good point for Fred to be.

'Ah Freddie poo,' cut in Ginny's soft, not exactly sarcastic but there was a definite hint of –sharpness of wit- there, 'could the possibility of that complaint made by that customer actually have gotten to you?'

'If she was so offended by our window displays,' replied George, with a raise of his eyebrow, 'then she shouldn't have looked in our direction. She could save her –sensibilities- for Fortescue.'

'Fortescue as at least has managed not to be picketed,' said Ginny. 'Thinking of maybe going for round number three?'

What? They had had that crowd shooting out magical slogans as they chanted outside of their shop a second time? When in Merlin's name had that happened?

'Saving it,' said Fred with a near sneer. 'Gotta make sure that it's for a real reason, not one of their half-ass, fucking useless excuses to try and get us in front of the Wizemegot again.'

'And for that,' added George, making almost what was an abortive attempt to rise from the chair. But Lee had his leg hooked over George's and tucked underneath one of the chair's front legs, and that stopped him, 'we need Bill.'

'Bill?' repeated Ginny, her chin dipping away from the stance of –uppity- to… completely confused like the rest of them. 'What in Merlin's name-?'

'Shit!' hissed Bill's voice in her ear.