"I always knew something was wrong between you and Fleur." Charlie grinned. "But Hermione Granger?"

Bill growled at his brother and shoved his shoulder. He'd needed to talk to someone, but Charlie might not have been the best choice. Not that there was a better one.

"I get it. You don't have to growl." Charlie waved his hand dismissively at Bill. "You spent a lot of years forcing yourself to do things. It must be a relief to find they come easier now."

"Nothing is easier." Bill shook his head. "We've had a month of awkward lunches and two dinners at her perfect house with her perfect elves. I'm a fool. I know it, but I can't figure out how to deal with all of this."

"You spent years trying. That's what happens when a wolf lives in denial. Did Remus ever seem happy to you?" Charlie shook his head. "He only took on Tonks because Sirius was dead."

"Remus and Sirius?" Bill blinked.

"Yeah, Remus and Sirius." Charlie grinned. "You want it to be a struggle because you've come to expect that. You want it to be work, but it isn't. It isn't, and you panic. She's your mate. She's bloody brilliant. She's quite the looker. Let yourself be happy."

"What if she isn't ready?" Bill took a swig from his glass of fire whiskey. "What if I've hurt her too much?"

"There is something seriously wrong with you." Charlie shook his head. "But, I don't think you have to worry about inviting her to the next Sunday dinner."

"Why not?" Bill frowned.

"Because she's outside with Harry and Ginny." Charlie smirked. "Guess she decided to quit waiting."

He turned and glanced out the window. The glass had a ripple in it, but there was no mistaking his mate. He drew in a deep breath, and Charlie clapped him on the shoulder.

"Let her come to you." Charlie moved around to find a good view through the glass. "You are a lucky man. Let her settle in. Give Mum a chance to not hate her. Bet that's her plan."

Bill watched his mate through the evening. She spent time with each member of the family. Laughing at old memories and reclaiming her place in their orbit. He wanted to squeeze her hand when George tossed his head back and laughed until tears streamed from his eyes. He wanted to pull her close when his mother grinned as they worked in the kitchen together. He wanted to hug her when she spent an hour trying to explain the difference between a parasol and an umbrella to his father. He wanted to kiss her when she punched Ron playfully and still managed to make him whine.

He wanted to scoop her up in front of all and sundry when she met his children. He watched her from across the room as Louis curled up his little legs and plopped down in her lap. She stroked through his burnished locks with one hand until he drifted off to sleep with her hair wrapped around his fist.

"Louis doesn't take to anyone." Harry came up beside him. "I don't think I've ever seen him so content."

"He does look happy." Bill smiled. This was what he wanted. This sense of peace and belonging.

"Your boy has good taste." Harry grinned.

Bill examined Harry carefully. His brother in law smelled off. Nervous. His senses were picking up signs of distress. Harry looked miserable. Bill looked back at Hermione. He was something coming, but he didn't want to rush his brother in law.

"She went through a lot in the war. Lost a lot." Harry blinked. "I've been a shite friend. She wrote every week at first. I was so angry with her, I didn't answer. I let her drift away. I let her run. I know you've been seeing her, having lunches. Don't hurt her. Please."

"I'm trying to do this right." Bill managed to get the words out.

"I was the one that told her to go. She was a mess. Her neck was still bleeding. I didn't even try to help her." Harry took a deep breath. "I didn't think I could forgive her for destroying your family. Turns out, I didn't know what I was talking about."

"You knew all this time?" Bill clenched his fists against his legs. "You told her to leave?"

"You picked Fleur. You wanted Fleur. She was pregnant." Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "I always wanted a family. When Hermione left, things seemed good between you and Fleur."

"You told my mate to leave me." Bill felt the growl rumbling in his chest.

"I didn't know about the pain. I swear." Harry backed up and raised his hands. "I didn't read Remus' journal until recently. I didn't know what it would be like for either of you. I didn't know how hard it is to deny the instinct."

Bill knew his eyes were shifting colors. He knew that leaving was the best option. He knew killing Harry wouldn't help assuage his own guilt. He knew all of it, but he couldn't get his legs to move.

"Daddy." Victoire bounced next to him and grabbed his hand. "Look what the nice lady did to my hair."

Bill focused on his five year old's delighted face and noticed that her strawberry blonde hair was braided into a crown with flowers artfully woven through it.

"I look like a sprite. Uncle Charlie said." She spun around and giggled. "She's gonna tell us a story about these magic lines in Pedu when she's all done with Nickie's hair."

Bill looked over at Hermione. He knew she'd heard every word. He knew she was protecting Harry, but it didn't matter. Seeing her with one of his children asleep in her lap and another perched on her knee was too great a draw. He moved across the room and conjured a few pillows and settled at her feet with Vicky tucked up against his chest.

"Do you want me to braid your hair, Bill?" Hermione pressed her free knee into his shoulder slightly. He leaned against her leg and dozed as she talked about her time in Peru.