Bill's skills

~o0o~

Harry joined them forty-five minutes afterwards.

Ginny flung herself into his arms in the hallway and the two kissed fiercely until Bill interrupted with a cough and a "Oy, big brother standing right here!".

"Sorry, Bill," Harry flushed red, but that faded as soon as he spotted Hermione lingering by the kitchen door.

"Hi," she said and gave a small wave.

Her best friend said nothing. He simply, though gently, de-tangled himself out of Ginny's arms, marched up to Hermione and put his arms around her. She gave a little sigh of relief against his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry I haven't been to see you," said Harry, still holding her tight. "It's just with Ron and work…I'm so sorry, 'Mione."

She held him equally close. "It's okay," she said.

And she knew it was, because as soon as Harry had hugged her, she knew he wouldn't leave her. He was her brother and she felt silly for having doubted his loyalty for even one second.

They stepped out of the embrace.

"It's not okay, though," Harry argued. "I don't want you to feel like I'm choosing Ron over you. We're not thirteen anymore, I can't be afraid of him lashing out on me."

Hermione had to ask. "Is he-is he all right?"

Harry looked conflicted. "He's not flying for the World Cup anytime soon, but…he'll survive."

"Oh," said Hermione. "That's good, I suppose."

Harry scratched his head. "I think it has more to do with the fact of why you broke up. If it was because of some other bloke, then he'd be able to blame you, but when you told him- er, " Harry looked around the hallway where they were surrounded by Bill, Fleur and his girlfriend.

"It's fine, Harry," said Hermione.

"Chère, let's go set the table," said Fleur and gave Hermione a small smile.

"Er, right," said Bill and followed his wife out of there.

Harry looked at Ginny who snorted. "Oh, please, who do you think she talks to when you're not around? I already know everything else."

"Right," said Harry and smiled at his fiery girl. "Anyway," he turned back to Hermione. "Ron is mostly having a hard time dealing with the fact that you 'fell out of love' with him. Because there's really nothing he can do about that."

Hermione nodded gravely. "Yes, that must have been hard to hear."

"Not to mention his ego is close to non-existent already."

"Ginny!"

"What? You know I'm right, Hermione! He's so insecure! You think I never overheard you arguing with him over Malfoy during Christmas break? I spend almost every day with you at school and you barely speak to the ferret and I told him this. But did Ron listen? No. Trust me, you're not suited for one another."

Hermione sighed. "I know, that's why I broke it off, remember?"

Harry looked uncomfortable. "Well, so, Ron is basically fine, all things considered."

Hermione gave her childhood friend a smile. "I'm honestly glad. I hope you'll tell him I still want to be friends?"

"Oh, no. I don't have a death wish, and I'm sure you don't either."

The girls laughed.

They went to help themselves to lunch and as they sat down at the table, trading stories and jokes, Hermione couldn't help but feel a sense of peace she hadn't felt in a long time.

~o0o~

When lunch was finished, the guests went to their bedrooms to settle in. Ginny dumped her bag on her side of the room and told Hermione she was going to help Harry with his unpacking. Hermione wasn't sure Ginny knew how transparent her lie was, but let it slide and granted her friend escape without mocking.

She'd just placed one of the books she'd brought for some light reading on the nightstand, when someone knocked on the open door.

"Mind if I come in for a bit?" said Bill.

"No, not at all. I'm only taking out some of my things."

Bill looked bemusedly at the tiny beaded bag. "Hidden extension charm?"

"Yes, made it myself."

Bill nodded. "Very clever. A bit sneaky. Seems like something the twins would have done-"

There was an awkward pause.

Hermione pretended to be busy adjusting another book on the table.

"That's actually why I wanted to talk to you," said Bill.

Hermione froze and one second of complete panic shot through her. Did he know? Did Bill know about the vials?

But then, how could he? Hermione hadn't even told Harry or Ginny.

"Oh?" she said, trying to keep her voice even.

"Yeah," Bill continued. "I wanted to apologize for acting strange earlier. It's just that I smelled him and it confused me, but then I thought about you and Ron cleaning his room and so the smell wouldn't have been too weird if you'd worn that sweater at the time and-"

"Wait, wait, Bill. Who's him?" Hermione asked, but she knew the answer before he even spoke.

"Fred."

"You smelled Fred on me?" said Hermione and felt a blush creep up her face.

Bill smiled sadly at her. "Yeah, I still smell him sometimes. Mostly on George but nowadays Ron carries a little with him. And then there's the Burrow…I just didn't expect it to come off you, is all."

Hermione sighed. She supposed Bill had smelled it because her clothes had been underneath her Pensieve. The box with the vials were next it. It must have rubbed off.

"Which is why you behaved the way you did when I arrived?" Hermione concluded.

"Yes, and again, I'm sorry."

Hermione shook her head. "It's fine. Still smelling him and being reminded…it must be difficult for you. I'm sorry." That last part was a lie. If she were to be perfectly honest, Hermione would have to admit she wasn't sorry; she envied Bill. Sure, she could smell gunpowder and fireworks, but it was only part of him. It was never the whole thing. It was never wholly Fred.

Hermione avoided the eldest Weasley's stare. She hadn't managed to bring herself to lie straight to his face, so the floor had had to do. After a moment he gave up.

"It is difficult," said Bill. "But I also count myself lucky, because it means I still have something of his to hold onto."

Hermione's eyes were pulled to her beaded bag on top of the bed.

"It's toughest on George of course, losing him…" Bill looked out of the window, but his eyes seemed to look beyond the shore. "I just…He was a good brother."

"He was a good friend," said Hermione.

She let Bill capture her gaze now. "We weren't close, but he was a good person and a good friend," Hermione repeated.

His lips gave a small quirk. "I'm sure he would've been glad to hear you say that."

Her heart skipped a beat and she wondered if Bill heard.

His wolf-senses couldn't possibly be that heightened, could they?

He gave a soft laugh. "Anyways, I'll let you get back to your unpacking. Oh, and Fleur asked me to tell you there's tea downstairs if you want it later," he added and then left the room, but not before Hermione could spot a slight smirk on his face.

Hermione punched her pillow.

Is there anyone in this bloody family that didn't know about Fred fancying me?

She felt humiliated about being in the dark about this for so long. Especially when it seemed like it had been bordering on common knowledge.

At least she was certain Harry and Ron hadn't known. They wouldn't have kept it from her, nor been able to. Though, Ginny knew yet neglected to tell her anything… But then again, she supposed that the redhead's loyalty to her brother overpowered the one for her friend. Hermione couldn't blame her for that.

Hm…

She caught herself inhaling the hem of her sleeve.

Nothing.

Not even a whiff.

For the first and last time ever, Hermione wished she was part werewolf.

~o0o~

"Hi," said Harry.

Hermione stood behind him and watched as her best friend placed a bouquet of flowers and a sock by the stone. The sock was striped red and gold. Gryffindor colours.

"Hope you're well. I'm sorry I haven't visited in a while. I'm not allowed to go out too often, you see. I'm training to be an Auror," Harry continued. "I'll be fighting bad wizards and capturing them. I know you'd want to help, but I think you deserve a break from helping me, don't you?" The stone didn't reply, but the raven haired wizard smiled nonetheless. "I miss you, mate."

Hermione held back the sob threating to escape. She took Harry's hand as she kneeled down beside to him. With her free hand she pulled out another sock, charmed it blue and silver, and placed it next to the one Harry'd left there.

"Opposites; so they're a proper pair," said Hermione.

Harry smiled appreciatively at her.

They sat without talking, enjoying the peaceful sound of waves hitting the shore gently by the beach. The sun was setting, casting a glow on everything around, and making the horizon look like a warm place despite it being winter.

Magical…

"You know, I actually brought you out here for another thing too," said Harry after a while.

"What is that?" Hermione asked.

Harry suddenly blushed and reached into his pocket. He then placed his hand in front of her, only it wasn't empty like before.

"Harry, is that-"

"-yes."

"I'm flattered, but I think Ginny would kill us both."

"Very funny," said Harry.

"May I?"

Harry nodded. "Go ahead."

Hermione took the small jewelry box and opened it. Inside was a golden ring decorated with tiny rubies in the middle, surrounding one huge diamond.

"Whoa," Hermione breathed.

"Too much?"

"Maybe just a tad."

Harry ruffled his hair. "It was in my family vault. Think it might have been my mum's."

The sad words 'but I don't know for sure because people who would have known for sure are dead' were left unsaid.

"Well, I certainly can imagine why she would have left it in there. From all the stories Sirius told us, your mother didn't seem like the type who'd shower herself in expensive things."

"Yeah, I was thinking my dad probably bought or inherited it, gave it to her thinking she'd be impressed and then pout as she'd chuck back into to the vault," Harry laughed.

Hermione gave him a smile. "But she'd still marry him."

"Yeah," he said.

"I'm not sure Ginny will love it, but she does love you," said Hermione. "And really, that's all that matters with you two."

"So you don't think she'll chuck it in my face?"

"Definitely not."

Harry let his shoulders relax a smidge. "I want it to be perfect, though. If she doesn't like it-"

"It's perfect because you chose it with a special thought in mind. It's your mother's ring, and I'm sure that when you let her know, she'll be the happiest woman on earth." Hermione put an arm around him. "Trust me, Harry James Potter, I know what I'm talking about."

"You're aware you're single, right?"

She sent him a glare and aimed a small punch at his arm.

"Ow, Hermione," he laughed. "Ease up on the violence, will you?"

She withdrew her troops (that is to say, her fists) and leaned her head on his shoulder. "When are you going to ask her?"

Hermione knew Ginny had been waiting since before Christmas. She'd never mentioned what she thought of the ring, but she'd made her impatience very clear.

"I don't know what's taking him so long," she'd said. "I found it weeks ago."

"After graduation."

"What?"

"I'm going to ask her after she graduates in a few months."

Hermione nodded. "Sounds like a good idea."

Harry laughed. "That's high praise coming from you. I'll take it as a good sign."

"You should," she looked up at him. "You, Harry James Potter-"

"Again with the middle name-"

"-are going to live a long, happy life with the woman you love and have many children who'll all be Quidditch prodigies. And you'll remember to invite me over for their birthdays for else I shall be a sad, old maid with twenty cats."

Her friend seemed to have found that funny and Hermione remembered him telling her stories about his childhood visits to Arabella Figg.

"Should I worry about you, 'Mione?" Harry said, a slight serious note to his question.

She shook her head. "I'll be fine. I haven't got a boyfriend any longer, but there's more to life, odd as it may sound. I think I've actually settled on a career path."

"Really?"

"Mhm, I'm going to join the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. There are so many of them being mistreated and I want to change that. It's not just house-elves and centaurs but werewolves as well. People like Remus who doesn't want to harm anyone but still can't land a decent job because of what they are. Wizards are in no way superior, and I think it's time we remembered to live in harmony, co-existing, and put the outdated way of looking at things aside."

Harry hugged her closer. "I think that's a great idea. And I think he and Remus would have been proud."

Hermione looked at the words 'Here lies Dobby, a free elf.' engraved on the stone and smiled.

"Yes, I think so too."

~o0o~

When they walked back to the house Ginny waited for them by the kitchen window and sprung out as soon they reached the door.

"I have an idea!" she said.

"Can you have the idea inside, please? I'm cold."

Ginny rolled her eyes at her boyfriend. "If you must."

They stepped inside, removed their cloaks and set course for the sitting area where Fleur had tea ready.

Hermione sipped hers while Ginny began explaining her plan.

"Diagon Alley; tomorrow. What do you think?"

"What's the occasion?"

"Nothing, just wanted to drop by the shop."

"The shop? Ginny-"

"Ron won't be there. I've already spoken with George, and Ron's going to be out all day."

Hermione bit her lip in contemplation. "I suppose…"

"Great!"

It was obvious to the others that Hermione did not find this great but since she made no further objections they assumed it was mostly fine.

Ginny knew Hermione needed an explanation however. She lowered her voice.

"Ron's been telling me George has been doing well for the most part but that recently he's been feeling a little bit down…or more so than usual. I figured since we're already out of school and don't have to go back until the evening…"

Hermione twirled a lock of hair around her finger. "I understand. Just hope he's okay with me being there." She let the lock go and watched as it bounced back into place.

Ginny made an impatient sound. "No one blames you except for mum, Hermione, I told you that."

Harry nodded. "And not even she really means it. Yes, she said something about regretting making you a sweater this Christmas, but that was it."

Hermione mouth hung slightly open. "But she never gave me a sweater this year!"

Ginny glared at the bespectacled boy. "Honestly, sometimes you're no better than Ron."

Harry blinked. "What?"

His girlfriend took a deep breath. "Merlin, give me strength not to hex this incredible, amazing boy for his unfortunately non-tactical brain." Then she continued, "Hermione, mum did make you a Weasley sweater, but when she found out you had broken up with Ron she sort of…made some adjustments."

"Like?"

"Well-don't worry though, because she never sent it- but there was an 'H' on it, only it didn't stand for Hermione…it spelled out a word instead…'Heartbreaker'."

Hermione felt something snap inside of her.

"That….petty, petty woman."

"Oy," said Ginny. "that's my mum you're talking about!"

But Hermione wasn't listening. "This is no different than when I was fifteen and your mother sent me that tiny Easter-egg! No wonder Ron resorted to commenting under his breath during third year, not caring if it made me cry, he learned it from your mother!"

Ginny was about to say something, but was interrupted by two people entering the room. A hand placed itself on Hermione's shoulder.

"Would you help mind helping me with something in the garden, Chérie?" said Fleur. "I think I saw some Dittany, but I can't be sure…"

As far as excuses went, this one was pretty weak. Hermione was on her way to tell the other witch no and that she had anger to unleash but something about the dark-blue eyes convinced her to follow.

They left the room with Hermione wondering if there might not be something on Veela's being able to control women after all.

Bill watched as his wife led Hermione out of the room and returned his focus to his sister.

"So, have you calmed down?" he asked.

"Me?" said Ginny.

"Yes, you. And you as well, Harry."

Harry blinked.

Bill smiled and tapped one finger to his ear. "Wolf hearing, mate. Your pulse was beating pretty hard."

"Er, right."

Ginny crossed her arms. "She's my best friend, but I won't let someone talk like that about my family."

This made her brother drop his smile. "Didn't you tell me earlier how you tried convincing Hermione that she was part of our family but failed? Can you really blame her for not believing you when you say things like this?"

"That's not the same. I…" Ginny trailed off as the words sunk in.

Bill continued, "Mum is going to hold a grudge for a while and when she comes around it would be nice for Hermione to be there, don't you think? But you can't expect her to just take everything thrown her way, so just let her vent for a moment and try not to take it too personally."

Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Speaking from experience?"

Her brother gave a wink. "Might. Obviously worked, though, didn't it?"

"Yes, yes. You have a gorgeous home and a gorgeous wife, we get it."

"Boasting again, Bill?" came Fleur's voice from the hallway. She had her arm around Hermione who, despite looking chilled from the temperature outside, looked a lot calmer than before.

"Can't help it, love," said Bill and made his scars dance as his lips pulled upwards at his wife.

Ginny pretend to be gagging at the scene when she caught Hermione's eyes and they both fell into laughter.

~o0o~

A/N: Hello!

Thank you for reading, reviewing, following and adding this story to your favorites!
I feel truly blessed to be granted your kind words!

Until next time!
/Primrue