How to Play Nice by WeasleyForMe
Bill finds out that his new work assignment has him paired with Hermione. Can he learn how to play nice with her? Bill/Hermione
Bill had to chase after her as she took off toward her office. Once they reached their destination and had her desk safely between them, Bill leaned forward and said, "I wouldn't call what just happened between us in that field a problem." His voice was barely above a whisper, and his eyes held her gaze. "Maybe we got a little carried away, but don't say that didn't affect you at all." His heart was pounding as he waited for her to speak.
"I never said that," Hermione replied, her cheeks stained that beautiful shade of pink that Bill liked so much. "You quite obviously… affect me," she managed through her embarrassment, thankful that her desk separated them.
"Then what's the problem?" he asked.
"Didn't you see that field? The problem is that I seriously doubt that there is just one person going around terrorizing the English countryside. Kingsley is right to be so nervous; it seems to me that more than one or two witches or wizards have set out to harm Muggles."
Bill eyed her skeptically. "It certainly does seem that way, after all of the things you've been dealing with this year. But, I was asking, is there a problem with us?" he questioned.
Just as the pink colour had started to recede from her cheeks, he made her feel all warm again. "I'm your boss. This is my department. We shouldn't make a habit of… that."
"You're temporarily my boss," he reminded her, leaning across her desk. "And thank Merlin for that. If I had to work with you for the rest of my career, neither of us would get anything done seeing as arguing with you makes me want to snog you senseless."
"Bill," Hermione gasped, trying not to grin as she pointed to her open door. "Dennis will hear you," she hissed.
Bill shrugged and sat down across from her. "Look if you're not interested, just say so. We'll forget it even happened."
Hermione sat as well. "I… I didn't say that... But Bill, this assignment is important to me, and I can't be snogging you all day."
"Right," he said too quickly. "Then you'll be my boss and I'll be your employee who does whatever you say. What's on the agenda now?"
Hermione played with the hem of her shirt. Bill's kisses had felt like the real deal, even better than the way the hero kissed his true love in Muggle romance novels. But how was she supposed to work in close proximity with him now that she knew what her body felt like when Bill held her?
She glanced up at him, but he was no longer looking at her with personal interest. He was back to business. She sighed. "I think we need to write up a report for Kingsley regarding today's visit."
Just then Kingsley Shacklebolt strode through her open office door. "No need to write a report. Just tell me now. But first, you should know that the Department of Magical Law Enforcement has officers at King's Cross station."
"Why?" Hermione and Bill asked in unison.
"Killing curse attempted on a Muggle," he replied grimly. "They are Obliviating several Muggle witnesses, and hopefully taking someone into custody. I hope the two of you have learned something that will get us closer to stopping all of this."
"The field looked suspiciously like more than one or two people are involved. And after catching Macnair, it's going to be hard to pinpoint who else is involved, because he had an almost untraceable record," Hermione informed him.
Kingsley rubbed his eyes in exhaustion. "The problem seems to be the locations."
"Crawley, Westminster, a farm in the middle of Wiltshire, and central London," Hermione recited.
"Doesn't add up," Bill agreed.
"Can we petition for a chance to speak to Willard Macnair under the influence of Veritaserum?" Hermione asked hopefully.
"That's a great idea. And how about this person they are taking into custody at King's Cross?" Bill added.
Kingsley shook his head. "The amount of paperwork regarding criminal rights would take weeks to file."
"Sod that! You're the bloody Minister of Magic," Hermione replied with anger. "And we need to get to the bottom of this now! It's terrorism!"
Bill and Kingsley both gaped at her. Bill started to laugh. "I have to agree with Hermione on this one."
Kingsley took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Let me see what I can do. Hermione, I want you in my emergency council meeting first thing tomorrow morning. Bill, please be at King's Cross station by eight o'clock tomorrow and check the entire area for evidence of any lingering curses. By the way," he paused with a changing expression on his way out the door, "please let Molly know I'm looking forward to meatloaf night." And with that, he was gone.
Bill stood and eyed Hermione cautiously for a moment. "If you're ready to leave I'll walk you out."
She looked at him for a long moment. "I think I'll stay here and finish up some things," she managed weakly, unsure of exactly why she felt guilty.
"Right. See you tomorrow," Bill replied cordially. He walked briskly through the Ministry and made his way home through Diagon Alley.
Why did he have to kiss her? He had gone and completely complicated everything. It would probably be impossible to work with her now. She may never look at him the same way with her beautiful cinnamon coloured eyes. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to regret it.
Smiling, Bill poured himself a bowl of cereal for dinner and looked at the picture of Hermione twirling around. Even with all of the snogging, he'd only been able to postpone their arguing for a few minutes. She was stunning, passionate and stubborn, and Bill had no right being so interested in her.
Hermione tossed and turned all night. She had a very detailed, inappropriate dream about taking a long, steamy, luxurious shower with Bill, and after that, she found it very difficult to sleep. She woke on Thursday morning just knowing it would be a long day filled with meetings before she was allowed to see Bill again. She wanted to throw caution to the wind and see what might happen with him, but she was afraid.
Sighing, she slipped on a charcoal coloured skirt and matching suit coat and pulled her hair into a ballerina bun. After applying some makeup to hide her tiredness, she slipped on her impractical black heels and flooed to the Ministry. She arrived just in time to make her way to conference room number seven for Kingsley's mandatory meeting.
"Good morning," she mumbled to a few of her colleagues as she poured a cup of coffee and sat down at the long table. If she were lucky, this would be quick and painless, and she could meet up with Bill at King's Cross before lunchtime. A slow smile spread across her lips as she thought about him.
From the corner of her eye, she saw someone drop into the seat next to her. When she turned to see who it was, she immediately snarled, "What are you doing here?"
Oooh, he's thinking about her, and she's having steamy dreams about him... what could possibly go wrong? Please leave a review!