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
Hermione's eyes fluttered closed at his touch. She could feel rather than see his movements as he leaned toward her lips.
"Bill, we shouldn't," she whispered as his lips brushed against hers. But it was hopeless. She pressed her mouth against his kiss and felt the warmth of his body invade her senses. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled herself close to him.
He grunted in appreciation as her body met his. He could feel her pulse speed up as she tangled her fingers through his long hair, and he nearly gasped as she parted her lips and slipped her tongue into his mouth. He kissed her gently and reverently, unlike their overly zealous snogging from the previous day. Hermione's full lips moved against his so sensually, the bruising power replaced with longing.
Bill traced her chin with his thumb, and Hermione's fingers curled more tightly in his hair. She drew her lips away from his, a hazy look in her eyes. He watched as she slowly realized what they had been doing, and her eyes grew wide as she released him.
"Sorry," she muttered as she hopped off the counter. "We shouldn't do that," she said, unable to meet his eyes as she set his notes down.
Bill bit his lip. This was the first witch he had allowed himself to form any attachment to since Fleur, and he didn't want to muck it all up. But on the other hand, he knew he wanted more from Hermione.
The men's bathroom door opened with a loud bang, causing Hermione and Bill to both jump to attention. "I figured I would find you both here," Kingsley said merrily. He was peppier than he had been in weeks.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked, straightening out her suit coat and taking another step away from Bill. The last thing she wanted was for her boss to catch wind of them snogging.
"It seems as though your idea about garnering information from the wizards in custody may come to fruition. I've been given permission to have law enforcement officers question them."
Hermione smiled. "Brilliant! Then maybe we can get to the bottom of this whole mess."
"First I need you to complete a new assignment by tomorrow. Bill, can I see your notes?" Kingsley asked, taking the parchments and scanning through them. "Fine. Great work," he muttered, tucking them into his robes. "Now here is your ticket for an international Portkey to Armenia. The Armenian minister is awaiting a visit from our best curse breaker to clear the home of Makar Gordian, half brother of Antonin Dolohov. Shouldn't take more than a day now that you've disabled the curses he left here," he added with a smile, gesturing to the men's loo in which they stood.
Bill gaped at the paperwork in front of him. "This Portkey leaves in thirty minutes," he said slowly.
"Better get a move on then. Their government officials will take care of anything you need for the night. Don't worry, you'll be back in time for your Mum's meatloaf tomorrow evening!" Kingsley replied with a chuckle.
With a wistful look at Hermione, Bill nodded once and turned toward the exit. Hermione felt her heart sink the moment he was gone, and her gaze lingered on the door.
"I need you to work through these Arithmantic problems and let me know the probability of successfully predicting counter-curses," Kingsley told her, pulling her from her thoughts.
Hermione nodded and took the notes. "I'll have them back to you by tomorrow," she promised as she left the restroom and made her way back to her office in the Ministry.
By Friday morning, Hermione felt no closer to completing her task than she did when Kingsley handed her the information. She was more distracted than she could ever remember having been in her life.
"There are no distractions here at all," she muttered to herself. She sat in her silent office and scratched away with her quill all alone. And that was the problem. There was a complete lack of Bill distracting her, and she couldn't take it! After just two weeks of working with the man, she really did miss his presence today.
She looked up from her calculations as Dennis arrived and sat at his desk in her outer-office. "Finally," she murmured, jumping up and dashing out to see him.
"Morning, Dennis! How are you? Did you have a good evening? What are you working on today?" she asked, excited to have a distraction.
He looked at her concernedly. "I'm fine. I really have a lot to work on today. I'm trying to finish some reports for you and the Minister," he told his boss, gesturing to the piles of work on his desk. "I might not even have time to get you a doughnut today," he apologized, digging into his work.
"Oh, that's fine," she replied, and noting that he was no longer listening to her, she sauntered back into her office.
"So much for a distraction to take my mind from my missing distraction," she said as she plopped down into her chair and returned to scribbling on her sheet of calculations.
Finally getting into a rhythm, she worked through lunch, never stopping until the inter-office mail was dropped off. Stretching and taking a break, she tore into the envelopes finding a note from Ginny.
Come to dinner tonight. -Gin
"How very descriptive," she said, rolling her eyes as she dropped the note from her friend into the rubbish bin. She had already been debating about whether going to dinner at the Burrow would be a good idea, or whether she should avoid it all together. If Bill made it back in time, he would be there, which was precisely the reason she should stay home or perhaps do some shopping in Diagon Alley. She shuddered as she remembered that Zacharias could potentially be lurking about in the city looking for her.
Still, even she wasn't fool enough to believe that she would be able to stay away from Bill if she continued to spend time with him. For Merlin's sake, she had snogged him in a men's loo! In King's Cross station! It was probably hopeless whether she went to dinner or not. She might as well make Ginny and Molly happy by going.
Hermione arrived at the Burrow at six o'clock for dinner. After work, she had taken the time to dress in her new jeans and a purple blouse. She used her wand to wind her hair into a sea of curls and used some lipstick, just in case Bill was present.
But now that she was standing on the front porch of the Weasley family home, she thought it was a bad idea to stay. Everyone would know she came to see Bill; she never usually did her hair so nicely or wore makeup. Sighing, she knew she didn't want to disappoint everyone already inside. She knocked on the door and was greeted by Ron.
"Hermione." He breathed her name just as he always did when they were together. Hermione's throat felt a little tight
"Ron," she muttered, giving him a hug in the front doorway. She hadn't seen him in a long time, and although they agreed to stay friends, it was always a little difficult.
"Ronald, who's there?" Molly called from the kitchen.
Hermione smiled at Ron and made her way into the living room. After hugging Percy, Fred, George, Ginny and Harry, she headed for the kitchen.
"Hermione!" Molly and Arthur sang in unison. Arthur patted her affectionately on the head and Molly smothered her in hugs and kisses.
"Sorry I'm a little early for dinner," Hermione said as she watched Molly load the oven with no fewer than seven meatloaf pans.
"Nonsense my dear, you are always welcome, any time!" Molly promised with a motherly smile. "Now have you seen Bill? I know he's been working with you," she said, and Hermione noted a distinct glint in the woman's eyes.
Hermione shook her head sadly. "He's not back yet?" Her heart sank to her feet. What would be taking him so long?
Ahhh, sorry to end it there. The next chapter will include more of the evening at the Burrow.
In the meantime, if you are craving more Weasley goodness, check out my new Charlie/Hermione story Very Desirable.
Please leave a review :)