Author's Note: I know that you didn't expect anything any time soon, but I thought that I would post this as a thank you for waiting for it. I still haven't finished chapter eight yet but I don't think it will be long now.

Hermione was curled up on the sofa with a book and a slightly furrowed brow.

Healer owns had discharged her that morning and had told her not to do anything too strenuous over the next couple of days, and that if she experience any dizziness, or sickness then to return to St Mungo's immediately.

Rodolphus, Rabastan, George, and Harry had all insisted that they escort her home and make sure that it was safe. When none of them had found any danger there, the four men updated the wards to make sure that no one who desired to harm Hermione could get through.

Whilst Hermione had been happy to see them getting along, she hoped that this level of protectiveness wouldn't last too long. Although she knew that she needed the protection due to the attack, she didn't want to be mollycoddled.

"Hermione," Harry said breaking her out of her reverie.

She looked up and smiled.

"I've got to go now, but I will see you again soon. My boss wanted me to let you know that you're mail is going to be searched before you get it. Just another precautionary measure to make sure to make sure that none of his threats get through to you." he informed her.

"Okay. Do you know who my escorts will be?" Hermione asked.

"Not yet. We will assign whoever is free when you go out. It won't be that bad as you only need them in public." Harry answered.

"It will be unpredictable then. Do you know how long you will have to search my mail for?"

"It will be searched until he is caught. That way you won't have to hear from him again unless he decides to attack again. Hopefully he will realise that he doesn't stand a chance with the increased security around you." Harry explained.

Hermione nodded.

Harry walked towards her and bent down so he could kiss her forehead.

"You know where I am if you need me," he murmured.

"Thank you, Harry."

"No problem, Hermione." He replied and flooed home.

Hermione recognised George's voice as it floated through her flat and listened to what he was saying.

"- she might kill you if you did that."

"We're only trying to protect her," Rodolphus said confused.

"I know that, and I am sure that Hermione will know that deep down, but you're forgetting one thing."

"What's that?" Rabastan asked.

"She's Hermione Granger. Independent, fiery, and has a temper to match. If you try to coddle her then she will get angry at you, I can guarantee that. Hermione is used to her independence and doesn't like it when people try to interfere, even if she knows that it's the best thing for her." George explained.

Hermione whole heartedly agreed with George. She was independent and she didn't take it very well when someone had to protect her when she knew she was capable of protecting herself.

"We will still talk to her." Rabastan replied.

"Better you than me." George said coming through the door.

Hermione smiled at the as they walked to the sofa she sat on.

"We're going now, love." Rabastan said quietly before kissing her cheek.

"Alright, when will I see you next?" Hermione asked.

"Tomorrow. There are a couple of things we want to ask you but now is not the right time." Rodolphus replied in a soft voice as he too leant down to kiss her cheek.

"Tomorrow then." Hermione said blushing slightly.

Both grabbed a bit of floo powder and called 'Lestrange Court' before disappearing in green flames.

"What were you talking about before you came in George? I heard the last part about me being independent." she asked with curiosity.

"Eavesdropping, Hermione? I thought you were better than that." George said teasingly.

Hermione scoffed. "Eavesdropping? You were talking so loud that I couldn't help overhear it."

"I'm not going to say anything as I am sure it's what they are going to talk to you about tomorrow. It's nothing to worry about. Just don't bite their heads off though." he said trying to reassure her.

"Thank you George. I can guess what they want to talk about and will try not to bite their heads off. Who will be here tomorrow?"

"I think it's going to be Bill. I was supposed to be chaperoning Ginny but Percy said that he would so I can spend some time with Angelina."

"That's nice of him."

"It is. I think he's doing it because he knows how hard it is to spend time away from Audrey."

"How is he getting on now? I know it was extremely busy for him after the law was announced." Hermione inquired.

"He's doing alright. The only thing he does say is that there are so many names coming through to him that have refused to marry their match and have gone to Azkaban, or fled abroad. Even the lead singer of the Weird Sisters refused." George informed her.

"I read about that in the Prophet. I would have refused, but I didn't fancy going to Azkaban, or having my wand snapped. This is my home and I shouldn't have to flee. I think that people should strive to do the best they can in a bad situation."

"Like you, you mean? I know that they weren't on your list of potential suitors and if you had the choice you would have picked someone else, but you have given them a chance anyway. People should follow your lead in this, as well as Harry and Ron's. The three of you were given people that none of you wanted, yet you are making it work the best you can." George said passionately.

"Thank you George. Maybe if I contacted Skeeter we could do an exclusive interview again. The only problem would be getting Rodolphus and Rabastan to agree to it." Hermione thought out loud.

"That would be a miracle. I'm sure that they would not want you to comment on your relationship on them in the press." George replied.

"You're right. Maybe I could talk harry or Ron into doing it. People will also listen to them."

"Try Harry, he has more influence than Ron does. I best be off Hermione, Angelina's expecting me." George said getting up and stepping towards the floo.

"Bye George. I hope you and Angelina have a good time tomorrow."

"We will. Bye Hermione."

Now everyone had gone there was an eerie silence which unnerved her.

Hermione shook it off. She knew perfectly well that nothing and no one was there that would hurt her. She was more shook up about the attack than she let on.

Hermione had no idea why Dolohov was fixated on her. The only thing she could think of was that she had been the one victim that had got away.

She had hoped that Rodolphus and Rabastan ham known him more so they could find a way to catch him. They knew what made him tick, but apart from that nothing.

Her mind wandered to the next day and was sure that they would be asking to move the wedding up or something so they could protect her more. She hoped that they would be asking her to the Ginny and Draco's engagement ball too as she did not know who else would escort her if they did not.

Hermione went to bed early that night and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

When the next day arrived, Hermione was feeling refreshed and excited. She couldn't quite work out why but at least it was better than feeling scared.

At ten to ten Bill flooed in and greeted her with a hug.

"How are you holding up?" he asked.

"I'm good. A little shaken, but getting there." Hermione replied.

"I'm glad. Fleur sends her love and Victoire wants to see her favourite auntie soon." Bill said smiling.

"I should be able to see them soon. Healer Owens told me to rest for a few days but I should be back to normal within the week."

"Apart from the Auror escorts." Bill grinned.

The whole Weasley family knew what Hermione was like on the issue.

When the war was over and many Death Eater's were still on the run, the new Auror Department had offered escorts to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Harry had initially refused but after he was nearly kidnapped he decided that he would accept when he was in public. Ron had also accepted, but Hermione had refused.

She had thought that it was a waste of resources that were better spent capturing the rogue Death Eater's. As there had been no major attempts on her life (apart from Dolohov's disturbing letters), there had been no need to accept their offer.

In Harry's case, and to a certain extent Ron's, she knew that they had made the right decision. Harry had lost the minimal protection he had when Voldemort was alive as all the vengeful followers could kill him if they wanted to.

Ron had accepted the protection so that his family knew that he would be safe. After Fred's death they had become rather close again and he didn't want them to go through the pain of losing someone else.

"I can't deny that I need them now. I never thought that he would actually attack me. I just…I just thought that he was trying to mess with my head. I didn't realise how far he would go."

The floo lit green again as Rodolphus came out followed by Rabastan.

"Morning Hermione, how are you feeling?" Rodolphus asked.

"I am very well thank you, and you?" she asked back smiling.

"I am very well too."

Hermione suddenly realised why she was excited. It was because she was going to see the men in front of her.

"Would you care for any refreshments?" Hermione offered.

"No thanks, Hermione." Bill answered.

"I'm alright thank you, love," Rabastan said as Rodolphus shook his head.

"Make yourself at home and sit down."

Once they were settled, Rodolphus started talking.

"Rabastan and I have been thinking about other ways to increase your security. George has warned that you may not be receptive to our idea but we thought that we would still ask you."

"What Rodolphus is trying to say is that we would like the wedding to take place within the next month. I know that it might seem too soon," Rabastan said hastily at the look on Hermione's face, "but neither of us want to wait much longer. We would feel better knowing that you were going to come home to us rather than on your own."

"We know that the wards a strong on here now they have been updated, but it doesn't ease our worry completely." Rodolphus added.

Hermione sat thinking for a few seconds before she responded.

"I can see why you would ask, but I don't think that we should marry in the next month if fear and worry are the only motivations behind it. Those are not good reasons to get married, and I would like more time to get to know you first and to build our relationship up before we do. Was there a particular date that you had in mind before?" Hermione asked.

The brothers looked at each other briefly. They had expected Hermione to say something along these lines but they had hoped that she would acquiesce.

"Our family has only ever married on what they thought were the most important days of the year; the spring equinox, Beltane, the summer solstice, the autumn equinox, Samhain, the winter solstice, or New Year's Day. We would like it if you would consider one of those days, and we would have suggested the first day of Samhain." Rodolphus replied.

"I would not have objected to marrying on any of those days, but I would not have agreed to do it so soon. I would have suggested New Year's Day at the earliest. I can make sure that the only time I spend alone is when I am sleeping. I can go to the office and work because they have high security, and I can spend my free time with you, my friends, the Weasley's and my family. Would that make you worry less?" she asked.

"It would make us worry less, but I would still be worried for you." Rabastan admitted taking her hand.

Hermione's stomach flipped. She liked the way he caressed her hand and wondered what it would be like it was somewhere else on her body.

"Worrying is natural. I still worry about Harry and Ron even though I know that they can handle themselves. Like I said before though, I don't want to bring the wedding forward out of fear or worry. I am okay with setting the date for New Year's Day or after."

"We understand. Thank you for agreeing to keep our family's tradition," Rabastan said sincerely.

"I am glad that you agreed to. There is one more thing though. Would you like attend the Malfoy engagement ball with us?" Rodolphus asked.

"I would be delighted to." Hermione replied smiling.

At least I am able to wear my red dress, Hermione thought.

Her shopping had been retrieved by Auror's and given back to her before she came home yesterday.

"That's great. Maybe we can rearrange our date in the next few days?" Rabastan asked.

"Of course, I will have to see when someone is available to chaperone." Hermione answered.

"Percy and I are free on Monday, my father is free on Tuesday night, but I am unsure of when George is free." Bill informed them.

"Thank you, Bill. Would Monday be okay?" Rabastan asked turning to Hermione.

"Monday would be great." Hermione replied.

"Would you chaperone us please Bill?" Rabastan asked again.

"Yes, I will."

"I will owl you both a time and place as soon as I have made a reservation."

Rodolphus checked his watch. "We've got an appointment with Gringotts at eleven fifteen."

"He's right, love. I will see you on Monday." Rabastan said kissing the back of her hand before standing.

"See you on Wednesday, Hermione." Rodolphus said just before he stepped into the floo.

"Goodbye Bill," Rabastan said before leaving through the floo too.

"Bye Lestrange," Bill replied.

Bill had sat back and watched the conversation with interest. It wasn't the topic of the conversation which he found particularly interesting, but their actions and body language. Rabastan clearly cared for Hermione as he had held her hand. Rodolphus, however, was a still a bit of a mystery. He hadn't physically touched Hermione but he had seemed very concerned for her safety. Like the others in his family he thought that maybe Rodolphus had a problem expressing his emotions.

Overall, it was Hermione's reaction which had shocked him the most. It was obvious that she was happy to see them, and if her blush was anything to go by, then the affection went both ways.

"I better go home. Fleur's expecting me back. Do you want to come?" he asked.

"I'm alright thanks Bill. I've got research to do." Hermione replied.

"I'll see you on Monday then." He said kissing her forehead and leaving through the floo as well.