Chapter 10: The Common Room

When Harry and Hermione got back to the common room the silence was deafening. Ron and Ginny had stopped fighting well after everyone had ran from them for fear of getting caught in the cross fire.

"There you are!" Ginny jumped up running to her best friend. "We were getting so worried."

"I'm fine I just needed some time to think." She smiled sadly at Ginny. "I've decided that Ron needs to know the truth." The boy in question looked at her questioningly. "Ronald, you and I have been best friends for years, your family has taken me in as one of their own and somehow you think that gives you the right to control my every move. I'm not a child and I'm not yours to control, if I want to date someone Bill's age I'll do it and you won't have a say because it's my life and not yours." Even though she was saying this in a calm manner Ron's ears were still getting pink and he was biting his lip. "I will always love you Ron, but only as a friend and when I decide that I want to fancy someone you cannot stroll up to me and tell me that it just can't happen."

"Even if it's one of my brothers?" The sheepish way he asked the question made Hermione smile.

"If it really bothers you so much that I might date one of your brothers then you can talk to me like a mature adult and voice your opinions without seeming oppressive." The pair hugged and realized that somewhere in the talk Harry and Ginny had snuck off.

Ron messed with Hermione's hair for a minute before walking up to the boy's dormitory. Hermione, with a smile on her face walked to hers as well preparing for a well rested night.

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"Hermione, it's time to wake up." A soft voice was coaxing the girl out of her dream. "I brought you some tea and toast," It had been a very good dream. "You missed breakfast and we were worried about you."

Eventually the brunette opened her eyes and stretched noticing a smiling redhead hovering above. "I hope you know that you woke me up from a very, very good dream." Sitting up Hermione was handed her toast and tea.

"Did it happen to star one of my lovely brothers?" Ginny joked sipping on her own beverage. The blush on her friend was the answer she had been waiting for. "You don't have to be embarrassed Mione, I know you've started thinking about Bill in a different manner than just "big brother." Honestly, I think it's a good match for you."

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The rest of the day went my smoothly, all the professors (except for Snape) were glad to see that Hermione was acting more like herself. McGonagall and Bill in particular. At lunch Hermione looked down at her plate to see a note scribbled in the wood.

Feeling better are we?

Smiling she wrote back, Slept wonderfully last night. I think I finally figured out what was wrong. The look on Bill's face was clearly happiness for his family friend and student.

Great, I'll hear all about it when you come help me out tonight? Bill wanted that to sound as casual as possible, it's not like the staff didn't think that his family would come visit him but they couldn't know Hermione was coming over for purely social visits by herself.

Of course. See you then. Hermione wrote back trying to act just as casual.

"Ginny, do you want to go for a walk around the grounds?" Hermione turned to her best friend who nodded. The girls left lunch without looking to see the hurt and confused looks the boys had on their faces for not being invited.

After some small talk the pair laid out on the grass by the lake and Ginny finally got to the point. "Spit it out, Granger. I know you wanted to talk to me about a certain someone."

Blushing, Hermione tried her best glare. "It's just, when I was over there last night he asked for my help with something and it's kind of weird." Ginny looked almost scared at what her oldest brother was having trouble with. "He's been getting these gifts from a secret admirer and he has no idea who it might be, he wants me to come over and help him look at students hand writing later."

"So what's the problem?"

"Well," Hermione looked nervous for a fleeting moment. "Bill was a curse breaker. Why isn't this something he can do himself?"

The youngest Weasley smiled. "Because he wants you to be there with him." Ginny giggled. "It's Bill's way of trying to get to know you a little better and honestly it might be his way of trying to figure out what's been up with you these past few weeks."

Hermione nodded. "So it's not like a date or anything? It's just me helping out a friend."

"Whatever you want to tell yourself."

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After dinner Hermione told the boys she was going to the library to study and when she was far enough away from them, she turned up a different corridor and entered Bill's room.

"Bill, are you here?" She asked walked in and immediately playing with Fritz.

"Right here," He said coming out of what Hermione assumed to be his bed room. "Thanks for your help with this." He motioned to the coffee table where a stack of papers were sitting.

Laughing Hermione moved over to the couch, Fritz never far behind. "Don't thank me yet big bad curse breaker. This is going to take awhile."

Laughing Bill noticed how Fritz was always sitting with Hermione. "He really likes you. Really, he's never that cozy with me." The girl leaned down the nuzzled the dog's nose with her own. Damn, she's cute when she does that. Bill thought smiling at the exchange. You can't think that way, she's your student!

Hermione's laughter broke his thoughts, "Should we get started?"

The next hour and a half were filled with jokes as well as frustration. None of the students were matching up to the note and they were more than half way through the papers.

"Do you want some tea?" Bill asked walking over to his counter area and pouring a cup.

"Yes, thank you." Hermione smiled at him. "Honestly though, I'm not sure if any of these are going to match up." Her hair had been pulled up into a messy bun ages ago and Fritz was snoring by her side, rolled over on his back for belly rubbing.

Bill ran a hand through his hair, "I know, it's just killing me because I want to know who it is simply to ask them to stop."

I like his hair shorter, Hermione thought to herself. It suits him much better. A tapping noise turned her attention towards the window where a large owl was waiting to be let in.

Bill walked over and took the note and smiled to himself. "My dad's coming to see everyone this weekend."

"That's great!" Hermione knew that family was important for the family and after Bill had been in Egypt for such a long time he probably wanted to spend as much time with his family as possible. "Now you just need Charlie to move back here from Romania and the whole gang's back!" she joked noticing that Bill's enthusiasm had ended with the news his father was coming to visit.

Returning to the papers Hermione's mind raced but didn't let it stop her from going through the stacks of parchment before her.

Eventually, they had finished their task but to no avail. "Are you hungry?" Bill asked offering some muffins his mom had sent.

"I'm fine, thanks." Hermione said. She had laid down on the couch still stroking Fritz' fur as the krup drifted off to sleep close to one of his favorite people.

Bill nodded. "I'm going to write back to my dad if you don't mind." He pointed to the parchment and when Hermione shook her head he started reading what his father sent.

Dear Bill,

Of course I would love to come see you three this weekend. Harry and Hermione too, your mother is all but frantic for me to make sure you're all eating properly. Is everything alright though? I know it's not often that you ask for my advice but I'm always willing to share what wisdom I have. I'll see you at the three Broomsticks around one.

Love,

Dad

Bill smiled and looking up to his couch he noticed Hermione had drifted off to sleep with Fritz curled on top of her chest.

Dad,

Everything's fine. There was something wrong with Hermione this week but I guess all that was straightened out. Not quite sure what it was though. I'll make sure to tell the group that you're coming, they'll be pleasantly surprised!

Can't wait to see you!

Bill

Standing Bill folded the parchment and shoved it into his robes pocket. He remembered the witch asleep on his couch and strolled over, leaning on the back of it and looking down at her sleeping form. She's beautiful. He thought to himself reaching down and moving a strand of hair off her face.

I'll just let her sleep and wake her up in the morning.

And with that, Bill went to bed his thoughts still down in his common room.