It had been five years since the war had ended and Mrs. Weasley still insisted on monthly dinners at the Burrow for everyone to gather. Not counting the birthdays and holiday dinners that they had already gathered for. Since they almost lost many people in the war she argued that they should appreciate the time they have now. Having almost lost Fred the Weasley's have never been closer as a family. Spending most of their free time together as a family had become the norm. Even though it wasn't much different from before. Bill had come to appreciate it even more after his divorce. Living at shell cottage alone was too quiet sometimes so he relished in the sound of the hustle and bustle of the Burrow. His wolfy instincts that he had now had seemed to grow through the years but he still remained unchanged under the moonlight. He was very pleased to not have to suffer through the change but he had come to appreciate his new instincts. Nothing seemed to get past Bill anymore.

Sitting at the table for dinner Bill took notice that Hermione seemed to be bothered by something. She looked knackered if Bill was being honest and he couldn't quite put his finger on it but she seemed to be nervous. Taking a moment to study the rest of the family it seemed he was the only one to notice. Of course almost everyone else had their respective partners to pay attention to so it wouldn't be weird that only Bill could sense her inner turmoil. Although Ron seemed to always be more interested in the food rather than his fiance, Hermione always stayed by his side. Bill kept a close eye on the both of them for the rest of the meal. Having done so he was the only one who noticed that Hermione seemed to almost flinch when Ron reached across the table in front of her. Not to mention that her face seemed strained when Ron touched or acknowledged her at all. This was not sitting well with Bill at all and he made note to talk to her before the night's end.

As Molly started to clear away the table everyone had decided to go have a round of quidditch before it got dark. Bill watched for a bit then came inside to help his mother. Hermione was helping with the dishes when he walked into the kitchen.

"Mione are you alright?" Bill questioned as he walked over to help assist her with the dishes. She always insisted on doing them the muggle way. Hermione's eyes got large and she chewed her lip for a moment.

"Whatever do you mean William?" she sighed. Bill looked at her with a gentle scolding stare.

"You seemed put off tonight and I was just wondering if you'd like to talk about something?" Bill waved his wand to charm the dishes to wash themselves and gently turned Hermione to face him.

"You can talk to me, honestly I won't say a word to anyone Mi." Hermione smiled slightly at the nickname. Only Bill ever called her that and she liked it way more than "Mione". She looked at Bill and her eyes began to water. Bill seeing that pulled her into a hug.

"It's okay Mi you don't have to. I was just letting you know I'm here if you need someone alright?" Before she could reply Ron came into the kitchen.

"What's this then?" he questioned. His tone sounded annoyed. Bill could hear Hermione's heartbeat speed up before she turned to Ron.

"Nothing Ronald, we were just talking of the War and I got upset. Bill was just comforting me is all." Hermione's words seemed rushed as she told him. Bill looked at the two of them as Ron pulled Hermione into a hug that she went rigid in receiving.

"Darling, why didn't you tell me you were having a bad day?" Ron questioned.

"Oh I'm not. I just got caught in the moment and my emotions got the best of me i guess it's nothing." Hermione replied.

Ron released her and gave her a quizzical look before nodding.

"Well come on out back we have started a fire, it's a beautiful night." Hermione glanced at Bill then followed Ron outside.

Left to himself for a moment Bill had a bad feeling about what just happened but he couldn't quite figure out why.

As the night was winding down everyone was slowly dispersing to go to bed. Bill, having been keeping his eye on Hermione all night after the incident in the kitchen, was definitely not going to be going to bed any time soon. Hermione seemed to be exhibiting some signs of being uncomfortable, even nervous perhaps. It was driving Bill mad that no one else seemed to even notice that her smile was not reaching her eyes and her involvement in the conversations seemed to be very minimal. This was not like her at all and he couldn't understand why no one else seemed to be paying attention. Did no one else see that she was not being herself?

"Alright that's enough fun for us, we're off to bed" Ron's voice interrupted his thoughts. Pulling Hermione up out of her chair the two of them went in to go upstairs as everyone called out wishing them a goodnight. It being Bills birthday weekend everyone was staying for the celebration.

Hours later after everyone else had gone to sleep Bill sat awake in his room. The full moon was coming and that made him restless even though he didn't have full blown lycanthropy. Stepping out into the hall to go get some water, Bill's nose was assaulted with the smell of blood. Following the smell he reached what appeared to be where the smell was coming from and only to be left standing in front of Ron's bedroom door. Bill could feel a silencing charm casted and worked to lower it without making it noticeable that it was lowered. He hears a sound that he thought for a moment might be a sound of passion. Only for it to be followed by a sniffle and Hermione's quiet apologies and her begging of Ron to stop. This being enough to convince Bill his thoughts were right he then busts down the door only to be met with a horrifying view before him. Hermione cowered in the corner covered in blood and bruises as his brother stood over her with bloody knuckles. The next thing Bill knew he was standing over his brother showing no mercy only to be pulled away by his twin brothers.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!?" Shouted Molly. Bill ignored everyone and his eyes searched to find Hermione. Shrugging off his two brothers he immediately went to her side. She looked up at him tearing running down her cheeks and burst into tears as he wrapped her into an embrace. Having watched the rest of the scene unfold everyone seemed to piece together what had just happened. Molly shooed everyone out except Bill, Hermione, Harry and an unconscious Ron.

"Take him to the Ministry to await trial Harry." Molly spoke quietly. Walking over to Bill and Hermione she softly shuffled Hermione into her arms and they both began to sob.

"My darling girl I am so sorry" Molly whispered as she comforted Hermione. As they were doing so Bill and Harry aperated Ron into a holding cell at the ministry. Harry then stayed to fill out reports and Bill returned to the Burrow after giving Harry a full statement.

Immediately searching for Hermione the moment he stepped out of the floo Bill found her curled up by the fire asleep with his mother still holding her. With tears in her eyes Molly looked to her eldest son.

"How did you know?" she asked him. As Bill gave her a rundown of the night's events before the incident and she began to cry.

"I just don't understand how we all missed it" she sniffled. Hermione then adjusted to sit up having heard their conversation.

"I thought i could fix everything" Hermione began to sob again.

"I didn't want to lose the only family I've got," she cried. Molly shushed her gently and pulled her close.

"Never darling, never could you lose us. We all love you dearly. I'm so sorry we weren't there for you."

Rons trial had come and passed in a blur of horrifying moments. The laws now in effect against abuse were strict since having fought the war so he had barely escaped the kiss and would be locked up for life. Hermione moved into the spare room at Shell Cottage seeing as how Bill was the only person who seemed to sooth her and she couldn't bear living in the flat she had bought for her and Ron. Not that Bill would have let her anyways.

In the months she's spent at Shell Cottage she missed a few dinners at the Burrow and everyone else was missing her dearly.

"So what do you think about coming to dinner tonight, Mi?" Bill asked. She hadn't been expecting him to ask and it must have shown on her face.

"You don't have to love just a thought seeing as how they all just ask me about you the entire time I'm there." he laughed. Hermione smiled at the term of endearment and sighed.

"I just hate the way they all look at me with that sad stare William" she pouted at the thought causing him to chuckle lightly.

"They just wish they could have seen the signs, Mi." he reassured her. Hermione stared at her hands for a moment before she shrugged.

"We can come home the moment you're not feeling up to it anymore." Bill stared at her with a smirk knowing he was wearing her down. Hermione rolled her eyes with a smile.

"Fine." Bill pulled her into a hug kissing the top of her head.

"Let's go then" he said as he pulled her to the floo.

Everyone was delighted to see them, especially Molly who swooped Hermione away the moment they stepped into The Burrow. Bill laughed at the look she gave him as she was dragged away.

The night felt like it was dragging on but Bill was glad to see Hermione seemed to be enjoying herself. Bill watched with a smile as she laughed with the twins. His smile faded quickly though as he watched Fred start to wiggle his eyebrows at Hermione and a bubble of jealousy started to form.

"What on earth am I feeling like this for?" Bill thought

"Its not as if I have romantic feeling for Mi, right?" he questioned himself internally. Glancing back at the scene he felt his heart skip a beat when Hermione met his eyes with a soft smile on her face.

"Merlin, help me," Bill sighed.

The moment they stepped back into Shell Cottage Hermione plopped herself onto the couch with an exaggerated huff. Bill smiled and sat in the chair across from her.

"That wasn't so bad was it?" he questioned. Hermione let out a laugh before she began.

"Of course it wasn't, I love them all dearly. It's just a lot sometimes." she explained. Bill nodded his head in agreement and let out a laugh as well. He then took a moment to watch her as she laid with a small smile on her face.

"So William" she began. Bill raised his brows at her inquizically.

"I've been here for months now and I think it's about time for me to get some normalcy back into my life." Bill silently panicked thinking she was bound to be leaving now.

"Fred said I could work with him and George in the shop. I think I'm gonna take him up on the offer next week." Hermione explained.

"Do you think you're ready for the commotion of that love?" Bill asked lightly as to not offend her. Hermione smiled at him.

"I do. I can't just keep staying here all day every day, William" she explained. Bill frowned slightly. He liked to come home to her all the time. It made him feel excited to know she was home waiting for him.

"So you'll floo to work from here?" Bill asked. Trying to not come out and ask if she planned to stay with him still. Hermione looked at him with a confused face.

"If that's alright yes I was hoping to. I can even buy some floo powder since I'll be using it more often." She explained quickly, making Bill laugh.

"Mi you don't have to do that, it's fine." Bill reassured her as he pulled her up from the couch. They were standing close together and Bill pulled her into a hug.

"I just want you to be happy," he whispered. Hermione pulled back and looked up at him.

"William, you're probably the only thing that's brought me any happiness these past months." she stated in a serious but light tone. Bill smiled a megawatt smile at her and pulled her back into the hug. As the moment passed Bill couldn't help but feel like maybe this was how his life was meant to be.

Hermione had been working with the twins for a few weeks now and she was surprised to actually be enjoying herself. Watching little wizards and witches running around the store with obvious thoughts of mischief on their faces seemed to lighten her heart. George was also glad to get some time off to spend with Katie Bell who he had been seeing for a few months now. It seemed all was going smoothly which made her slightly nervous as she kept expecting for something to come and bugger it all up.

"Hey Curls!" shouted Fred, pulling Hermione out of her thoughts.

"Join us at The Leaky tonight for drinks?" Fred asked with a puppy dog face.

Hermione laughed and shook her head at his efforts.

"I don't know Freddie." She sighed with a smirk.

"Come on Mione! It'll be a good time! Our treat!" Fred offered with a smile. Hermione narrowed her eyes at Fred to inspect him for a moment.

"Oh alright but no funny business!" She warned laughing at Fred as he sped off to tell George.

Hermione was re-stocking and tidying the shop while George and Fred did the other closing duties. She was feeling nervous about going out tonight if she was being honest. It had been such a long time since she had been out and forever since she had been out with such freedom she had now.

'Ronald never let me go out at all,' she thought bitterly. Her face soured but she shook off those thoughts quickly after.

"Boys I'm going to use your floo to call and tell William I won't be home right away. Do you mind?" The twins shared a look before looking at Hermione with the same faces that always ended in mischief when they had been in school." Hermione shuffled uncomfortably.

"What?" She questioned the still grinning boys before her.

"Oh nothing" started Fred

"We just were unaware you had married our oldest brother and not told us" finished George. Hermione's mouth dropped open for a moment.

"What are you two talking about! He just worries and I didn't want him to.." Hermione began to argue.

"..to wait up for his darling love to come home" Fred finished for her.

"WORRY!" Hermione corrected loudly. The twins laughed.

"Whatever you say Mione" They spoke in unison. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Nevermind, let's just go before I change my mind completely." Hermione walked out of the room in a hurry hoping the subject would be dropped now.

Seamus had taken over The Leaky Cauldron and completely spiffed it up. They even had live music on weekends and a little dance floor. Hermione smiled as she took in her surroundings.

"Wow this place looks amazing!" Hermione commented.

"Oi Seamus!" Yelled George looking over at the bar.

"Where do ya want us?" Asked Fred

"Go ahead and take the private booth in the back guys!" yelled Seamus with a wave to Hermione. She smiled and waved back before following her two idiots. She liked to think of them as that and chuckled to herself.

Hours had passed and Hermione could not remember a time she had ever been this drunk. The three part goers stumbled into the twin's flat above the shop at well after 1'clock in the morning. They were all in tears laughing at something none of them could even remember. George immediately went to bed when they got back. He had plans with Katie early afternoon and needed to get some sleep. Fred and Hermione landed on the couch with a plop. Hermione sighed.

"Thanks for making me go out, Fred. It's been so long since I got to enjoy myself in public rather than worry about my every move so I didn't offend Ronald." Hermione ended her thought in a whisper. Fred looked up at her.

"I wish I had seen it Mione, I'm so sorry I didn't" Fred apologized. Hermione gave him a small smile and comfortable silence settled between them.

Hermione woke with a startle when she realized she never went home. She shuffled quietly and made her way to the floo. Moments later she was stumbling out into Shell Cottage. She glanced at her watch and cringed. It was 5 AM and the sun would be up soon. As she went to go to her room she froze at the sight before her. Bill was waking up from being asleep on the couch. He jumped up when he seen her.

"MI!" he rushed over to her and wrapped his arms around her.

"Mi where have you been? I've been worried sick!" Bill scolded her softly as he tucked his head into the crook of her neck. She felt the tension melt from his body and he took in her scent. His warmth radiated through her and she looked up at him sweetly. Noting how he didn't seem to pull away from her as she looked at him so their faces were very close.

"William I didn't mean to worry you I just…" Hermione was interrupted by the sound of the floo. She turned away from Bill and immediately grabbed her wand in defense.

"Psst Mione" whispered Fred walking slowly into view only to freeze the moment he saw them. Fred scratched the back of his head, glancing between the two of them.

"Err.. you left your bag Mione." Fred explained holding out Hermione's bag. Hermione's eyes went wide as she looked at her bag and went to grab it from him. She could only imagine what it looked like Fred stumbling in after her with her things at 5 AM. Fred shuffled awkwardly, sharing a small sleepy smile with her before he walked back to the floo. He obviously realized how it looked as well seeing as his blush was almost as bad as hers.

"Well I'm going to bed now since you're home and you obviously weren't in any danger." Bill quickly left the room before Hermione could even reply. Making her way to bed she couldn't help but think about what would have happened had Fred not come following after her.

After a few weeks of being avoided Hermione was getting fed up with the situation. Bill was apparently working overtime but it seemed too coincidental to Hermione. Even when she had seen him in passing it was like he was always rushing to get away from her. Feeling as though she was going to have to be the one to make things normal again she made up a plan. Since Leaky Fridays became common for Hermione she was going to ask him to come along. Harry was going to meet them this week as well so she hoped he would come along. Flooing home for lunch Friday afternoon was never something she did so Bill was surprised to see her come into the kitchen as he was eating.

"Hello William" Hermione smiled at Bill. Bill tried his best to play off his shock.

"Hi Mi, what are you doing home this early?" he questioned.

"I forgot some papers that George needs for our mail orders in my room so I figured I'd come home for lunch and grab them" She lied.

"Well there's that Chinese take out you like in the fridge" Bill told her as he got up and cleared away his stuff with a wave of his wand.

"Oh are you leaving already?" she questioned watching him clear his things away. Bill nodded then finished his drink before setting his cup in the sink.

"Uh yeah I'm due back to work right about now" Bill explained as he walked away from her.

"WAIT!" Hermione called as she followed him. Bill turned to face her raising his eyebrows when she didn't say anything after a moment.

"Come to The Leaky tonight, Harry will be there too!" Hermione spoke so quickly she thought she might have to repeat herself. Bill narrowed his eyes at her wondering why she seemed so nervous.

"Uh I don't know Mi I have a lot of work to do" He avoided eye contact as he explained. She frowned slightly and sighed.

"Oh well I guess I can understand that. If you get a moment or finish early then?" she questioned hopefully, looking at him with big eyes. Bill sighed and nodded.

"Very well maybe I'll come by for a drink or two" Bill reluctantly agreed. Hermione smiled up at him with that smile that always made his heart race.

"Great! I hope to see you tonight then!" She got on her tiptoes and gave Bill a kiss on the cheek before quickly going back to the kitchen before he could change his mind. Bill stood there for a moment before he touched his cheek and walked into the floo with a confused look on his face.

"Merlin's beard Mione loosen up you look like you're about to face Mr. No Nose all over again." Fred teased a very tense Hermione as they sat at the table.

"It's just Bill and he doesn't bite…well he would if you'd ask probably. She tried to laugh it off but her nerves were shot. She was worried Bill wouldn't come and things between them would remain or even get worse. She hated feeling awkward with Bill. He was literally her savior. After everything they had gone through she really hoped things would get back to normal.

"Come on" Fred held out his hand. Hermione looked at him questionably.

"What?" she raised an eyebrow at him. Fred pulled her out of her seat.

"We're gonna have a dance and try to lighten you up." Before she could even argue she was being dragged to the little dance floor. George and Harry having a laugh at Fred's refusal to accept anything but what he wanted. Harry pulled a random girl from the bar to go join his friends on the dance floor. George sat and laughed as he watched the four making a mockery of dance. A slow song started and George was surprised to see Fred had indeed improved in his dance skills. Hermione finally seemed to be enjoying the night instead of worrying so he was glad to see that. That is until he looked towards the door to find his oldest brother watching his twin and dance partner.

"Oi Woflish! Over here!" George called to his brother, pulling his gaze away from the dance floor. Bill moved through the room quickly glancing back at the dancing couple once before he reached the table. George handed him a firewhiskey with a smile. Bill immediately tossed back the drink and looked at Hermione thinking maybe it wasn't a good idea he came. George watched his brother carefully with a grin.

"What are you looking at?" Bill asked defensively to which George just laughed.

"Apparently I'm looking at a bloke who can't see platonic love in a friendship" George explained. Bill gave a sarcastic snort.

"Yeah friend who get wasted and shag til 5AM" Bill retorted. This sent George into a fit of laughter.

"You mean get wasted and pass out on the couch having a chat" He corrected after he finally stopped laughing.

"She only slept Bill, honest." George promised. Bill sat down with a huff.

After some shots at the bar a very buzzed Hermione was very excited to see Bill sitting at the table. Although he seemed to be in a mood.

"Oooo if it isn't Mr. Grump" Hermione teased with a poke to his nose.

"Didn't know if you'd actually come Mr. Grump" she giggled with a smile. Bill's heart skips at the smile he hasn't seen enough of in weeks.

"Yeah what's been up your arse Bill? Mione says you haven't seemed like yourself." interrupted Fred. Ignoring his brother Bill gets up to go get a drink. Hermione pouts before following him.

"I thought you enjoyed my company William, what's wrong?" she questions as she turns Bill back to face her.

"Not as much as Freddy apparently" he mumbled, turning back away shaking his head. Hermione let out a laugh that stopped him in his tacks. He looked back at her with narrowed eyes.

"William dear are you…jealous?" She smirked up at him. Her eyes glazed from the alcohol.

"What..Of course not I'm just not in the mood to be grilled about my moods by my git of a brother! He's just.." Bill was beginning to argue.

"Dance with me then!" She interrupted him. He looked at her confused.

"If it's just Fred bothering you then come dance with me" she took his hand slowly giving him time to decline before she pulled him to the dance floor. As they hit the floor a slow song came on. Bill gulped as Hermione smiled and pulled Bill close to her humming along with the music. As the night continued the two of them danced and laughed and drank. Bill's heart had never felt this content before and Hermione had never had this much fun with someone.

They had just come to sit at the table when Hermione curled up to him "William my feet hurt, take me home" she whined with a chuckle Bill scooped her up and bid everyone goodnight. The three remaining boys at the table shared a knowing look as they watched the couple leave.

Coming through the floo into the dark house Bill stumbled a bit but recovered very smoothly as he sat Hermione on the couch. He went to the bathroom and got the hangover potions they would surely be needing in the morning. With a smile on his face he walked back into the sitting room only to find a sleeping Hermione on the couch. Gently he picked her back up to take her to bed. Looking down at her he felt a slight pang in his chest at having been short with her these past few weeks. It wasn't his fault it looked so bad when his brother came after her with her things after a night out. Although he knew now he should have just talked to her. Placing her in her bed he kissed her forehead gently and stood up gazing at her.

"Well maybe I have been a bit jealous, but I promise I'll make it up to you Mi" he quietly tells her before leaving. A small smile appears on the girl's face before she is once again snoring away.

The smell of bacon wakes Hermione's growling stomach. She sits up slowly knowing she had drank too much the night before. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes she takes notice of the bottle on her nightstand and smiles. Bill had left her hangover potion so she could take it immediately when she woke. After throwing it back she made her way down to the kitchen with a knowing smile on her lips. Bill was standing at the stove flipping a pancake when Hermione stepped into the kitchen. He turns to greet her only to be met with a heated kiss. After the moment of shock wore off he sinks his hands into her hair and pulls her against him. When she pulls away from the kiss Bill looks down at her.

"I heard you" she whispered. Bills eyes widened in recognition at what she said. She laughed before he pulled her back into the kiss