Chapter 11: The Three Broomsticks
The next morning Bill woke up a little earlier and made his way down to the common room. Hermione looked like she hadn't moved an inch and Fritz had relocated to the pocket her legs made around him.
"Hermione," Trying not to scare her he whispered. "Hermione," A little louder this time. "Rise and shine!" He finally yelled which even then only made the girl stir. "Seriously Hermione it's time to wake up, you have to go get ready for class and I'm sure you don't want everyone knowing you didn't sleep at Gryffindor Tower last night."
That got her going, The brunette had leapt off the couch staring at Bill with wide eyes.
"What time is it?" Her hair was a mess and there wasn't much she could do to fix it.
"It's six o'clock. I tried to give you enough time to get back and act like you just got back late." He smiled and sipped his coffee. "But if you want that you happen you should probably leave now."
Without a backwards glance Hermione ran out of the room, "Thanks Bill!" was heard before the portrait closed.
Fritz was still laying on the couch, staring up at his owner. "I know I'm sorry I made her leave." Scratching the pups belly Bill smiled, "But maybe she'll come back soon."
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Running through the corridors Hermione hoped no one would be awake yet. Her friends would have a good time asking her questions if they knew she hadn't slept in her bed and that couldn't happen. Especially with Ron. After saying the password Hermione was let into the common room, she tiptoed in just in case but no one was awake so she bolted up to her dorm and snuck in. She knew Lavender and Parvati wouldn't wake up for another half hour so she had time to grab a shower.
After she grabbed her shower things, Hermione snuck back out of her room only to bump into Ginny who simply stared at her.
"Morning Ginny, sleep well?"
The red-head raised an eyebrow. "Well I know one of us did."
"I fell asleep on his couch, it wasn't planned." The blush that burned her cheeks was enough for Ginny to know that something else was running through her friends mind. "And honestly, he could have woken me up before he went to bed and not this morning. It's as much his fault as it is mine."
Nodding, the young girl smiled. "I'm not blaming anyone Mione, just stating that you slept over there." And with a wave Ginny was gone to who knows where and Hermione continued on towards the bathroom for her morning shower.
Twenty minutes later she emerged from the steam and magically dried her body and hair. The school robes were something she had grown used to and even over the summer holiday she would wear her skirt out to dinner.
This just feels like it's going to be an awkward day.
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The rest of the week went by without any problems, Bill still hadn't figured out who his secret admirer was and Hermione had been border line avoiding him. The only good news about the week was that it was a Hogsmeade weekend trip and his dad was coming down to see them all.
Friday, after class was out Bill called the golden trio up to the front for a word. "I figured I'd let you guys know that dad is coming into town tomorrow to see us all."
"But why is he coming? He's never come to visit before." Ron's hurt expression made Bill sigh.
"I asked him to come. I need to have a word with him tomorrow."
"About what?" At Ron's response Harry and Hermione took a seat, it was going to be awhile before they would get to lunch.
"Ron, I just have to ask him about something. It's not a big deal."
The younger Weasley's ears were turning pink. "It is a big deal when he comes to see you but has never once come to see me or Ginny here before."
Hermione took the time to look at Bill for a moment, he looked tired and even paler than before. "Does it really matter that much Ron?" Bill got a nod from his brother. "Then don't come to see him!" And with that Bill stormed out of the classroom leaving the three alone.
"Why are you so upset over this Ron? It's just a simple visit." Neither of them really understood why Ron was so upset about this, it wasn't as if he had ever asked his father to come visit before. Bill did.
"It's just that Bill and Ginny get all the attention. Bill's the oldest and Ginny's the youngest and the only girl and it's just that the rest of us really don't get much notice. At least I get the least." Ron huffed into his plate at lunch.
Hermione, though she couldn't relate to the sibling rivalry tried to help. "I'm sure it's not like that Ron,"
"Bill is the first born and the best son they could ever hope for, whenever Charlie comes home it's all about him, Percy comes around and it's like he's the only child they have, Fred and George get all sorts of praise for their shop, and Ginny gets treated like a princess!" The rant had caught the attention of several students around him and Ron's race was almost completely covered in red.
"Charlie lives in a completely different country, your parents are going to be excited when he comes to visit." Always the logical one, Hermione went through everything her best friend said. "Percy doesn't come around much either, Fred and George though up something completely genius and had made a name for themselves. As for Bill and Ginny getting all sorts of attention: being the first-born will always seem like they're the favorite and being the youngest will as well as being the only girl, you're not left out Ron you just get consideration for other things."
Ron fell silent. He knew he had blown up at his brother and for a dumb reason; he just couldn't control his temper sometimes.
"I should go apologize, shouldn't I?" Harry and Hermione nodded and watched as Ron stood and walked out of the Great Hall.
The rest of the day went smoothly and finally the group was situated in the common room enjoying the feeling of a weekend.
Finally, the Hogsmeade visit came and Bill could finally be Ron and Ginny's brother again instead of their professor. He could give Ginny piggyback rides and mess up Ron's hair, and most of all he could hang out with them and not get weird looks. Finally around one o'clock Bill split away from the group and made his way over to the Three Broomsticks. Spotting his dad in a booth he walked over and embraced the man.
"How are you dad?" Bill asked sitting across from him.
"I'm fine, how are you? Do you like the new job?" Arthur ordered another butterbeer for his son.
All Bill could do was sip the drink and run a hand through his short hair. "I like the job, it's a bit stressful when it comes to grading but it's good."
"Than what's wrong?" Arthur Weasley knew his kids well, and he knew that Bill had almost everything figured out for himself, so to ask for help in any way it must be a big deal.
"Don't freak out and don't go telling mum," That's a great way to start this out. He thought grimacing. "I think I'm starting to fall for one of my students."
The silence was uncomfortable. Arthur knew he should scold Bill for such thoughts but if it was someone of age then there was nothing he could do about it. Finally, Arthur closed his mouth. "How did this come about?"
"It's not like I've only known her for a month and started fancying her dad," Bill finished the drink and folded his hands on the table waiting for the realization to kick in.
Suddenly Arthur looked up at his son, "Hermione?"
"Hermione."
"You had me seriously worried for a moment there," Bill was a bit confused. His father looked relieved at the news? "I thought you were talking about some girl you only just met. Not someone who's been in the family for seven years."
"So you're not upset?" Bill needed clarification, just in case he had misjudged his father's reaction.
Arthur shook his head. "Of course I'm not, I'm happy for you. But I would be lying if I said no one would be upset." Bill nodded. "You'll have to break this to Ron and your mother somehow. You know she's been hoping that Hermione and Ron get married, but she will always be family even if she doesn't have the last name." Mr. Weasley clapped his son on the shoulder and smiled. "If anything happens though you need to talk to Dumbledore and make sure you're not breaking any rules." Again Bill nodded.
"Hey dad!" Ginny's voice came from the door way followed by Ron, Harry, and of course Hermione the latter of which Bill locked eyes with and boldly winked at.
A/N: Another chapter finally! I do have to say that I'm sorry about updates that might have been happening this weekend. I'm getting my wisdom teeth removed tomorrow and I will most likely be sleeping it off for the next 48 hours. I'll try to write if I can but I really can't promise anything.