A/N: Yeeep just pumping out the chapters at the mo! This one is a shortie though.

Guest re Ch8: Sorry mate, didn't realise anyone had their hearts pinned on anyone being a virgin in this, but don't worry, I also hate the thought of her getting with Ron. As NicoleFFX commented, she stooped pretty low to get with him

CHAPTER 10

Hermione was sitting eating breakfast morosely at the table early the next morning. She was the only one up, which was not surprising given the early night she had had. There was a quiet knock on the door and she wrapped her dressing down around herself, dragging herself to the door. She just hoped it wasn't anyone asking for her because she was definitely not in the mood.

She opened the door to an uncharacteristically scruffy Bill. He was wearing a loose tee and some ripped jeans. His hair looked ruffled and he had dark bags under his eyes.

"I hope you're here for Ron or Ginny…" Hermione said darkly, as Bill put his hand on the door to hold it open.

"Let me just come in for a coffee," he said, smoothing his hair with his other hand.

"Fine."

Bill trailed behind her into the kitchen-dining area where Hermione made them a coffee with a quick flick of her wand. No point dragging out negative experiences.

She sat down at the table with Bill. His fingers were drumming the table.

"Hermione… I never thought we would be having this conversation, you know," Bill said, looking at his coffee, "I thought Fleur finding out you had slept with Ron had hurt her beyond giving anyone a serious chance again."

Hermione snorted in disbelief and took a gulp of her coffee.

"I'm serious Hermione," Bill said, "We have been friends through lots of heartbreaks and rejections, but I've never seen her the way she was after she heard about Ron."

Hermione frowned, "you said she waited for me…"

"She did, Hermione," Bill said, scratching his beard, "She only saw Cho a few times, only ever at parties, and never serious. I'm convinced she only even went on a date with her to make you jealous. Cho was her distraction from missing you. Cho was Fleur's Ron."

Hermione shook her head, "I'm no hypocrite, and that might be true… but Cho said last night that Fleur had got with her on the night of their date too…"

Bill pulled a face, "I think she was afraid the date would go badly with you… I don't know. I don't even know if they went all the way that time, Fleur didn't talk to me about it. All I know is that she's been happy for the first time in ages ever since her date with you. And I can't think of anyone else she would wake up her hungover friend to march across town for…" he squinted and rubbed his head.

"Fleur sent you?" Hermione said, frowning, "Too busy with some girl?"

Bill stopped rubbing his head and looked at Hermione seriously.

"Too busy crying actually," he said, "She's been in tears since you left last night,"

Hermione paused mid sip. She couldn't imagine the ice queen Fleur Delacour crying at all.

"Will you see her?" Bill asked, swallowing the last of his coffee in one gulp, "I promise you after her date with you, she never replied to another owl or comment from another woman."

"I need to think about it, Bill," Hermione said, running her hand through her hair, "I have to wrap my head around it,"

"All right then," Bill said, standing up from the table. He winced as he turned to leave the apartment, "Merlin, I am so hungover."

The door hadn't even shut yet when Hermione heard the tell-tale pop of him apparating away. She held her coffee mug in two hands in front of her, deep in thought.

"Was I hearing things or was that Bill?" Ginny said, stretching as she walked into the kitchen for a water.

"Stayed over with Harry again?" Hermione asked dully. Ginny nodded and yawned, coming to join Hermione at the table.

"What happened to you last night?" Ginny asked, "You seemed to disappear in the first half hour. Is everything okay? Fleur looked miserable and left not long after you."

Hermione sighed heavily and told Ginny what happened. Ginny swore.

"Fucking Cho. You know, she managed to go out with Harry before me too…"

Hermione smiled, "Of course I remember, Gin."

"But she said Fleur had been ignoring her since their date? Does that mean Fleur is serious about the shot with you now?"

Hermione shook her head, "I don't know… I guess I just imagined that after Hogwarts she had just kept waiting for me…" she blinked to try and get rid of the tears forming again.

They were interrupted by a rapping at the window. Ginny dragged herself up from her chair and went and opened the window for a regal looking barn-owl which promptly propped up its foot for her. She removed the parchment and took it over to Hermione, "its for you."

Hermione took the parchment. It was folded in quarters and her name was looped prettily across the outside. Her chest ached as she recognised the handwriting. She unfolded it.

"Hermione,

I was afraid you would leave if I said anything. It meant nothing. I haven't seen anyone else since our date and I don't want to.

Please meet me at the place we went for our first date.

Yours,

Fleur."

Ginny was reading over Hermione's shoulder.

"You going to go?"