Sorry to interrupt the story but I was hoping to recruit some help. As I've been writing (5 chapters in my notebook so far!) I realized why I felt like I was struggling with progressing the plot. I'm very unfamiliar with writing about Bill and Bill/Hermione interactions. So I was hoping some of you would take pity upon my poor soul and write in telling me what you think about or want to see Bill's personality like and what his relationship with Hermione should be like. It progression... any of you thoughts really. Thanks so much!

Chapter Three

Grimbles laughed heartily at the joke Bill cracked, the stares and shivers of the witches and wizards they passed served only to make them both laugh even harder. Bill grinned to himself, feeling relaxed in his friend's presence. The appreciative looks women of various species sent him, and friendly smiles men and women of various species gave where lost on him. But Grimbles didn't miss any of them. Actually, he observed them all with growing amusement, knowing each and every one of them was lost on his companion.

"So I hope I didn't interrupt anything before," Grimbles hinted no so subtly in Goblin.

"Not exactly," Bill hesitated a little as he answered in Goblin thankful that Grimbles'd realized that he'd want to keep the topic as private as possible. Grimbles shot him a look. "Well you know of Hermione Granger. Everyone knows her story. So… I guess she was the last person I expected to come running through my office door as my personal assistant."

"So you were star-struck by the girl," Grimbles concluded, frowning. He was sure there was more to it than that.

"No!" Bill's voice rose as he answered in English, shooting Grimbles an affronted look. Ignoring the curious glances others sent his way, he continued, taking care to speak in Goblin again. "When have you ever known me to get star-struck? I've worked with all sorts of important, famous people – I can't afford to be star-struck. Beside, you're forgetting something. Ron's my little brother and mum practically adopted Harry the second Ron began to write home about him in their first year. And it didn't take long for her to view Hermione as a daughter either. The point being, I grew up helping change the diapers of one-third of the Golden Trio and am used to seeing the other two-thirds at family dinners and events pretty regularly. There's no way I'd be star-struck at seeing Hermione. It'd make no sense," Bill babbled a bit. Grimbles nodded, listening to his boss's rambles, realizing quickly that the man was probably even more confused than he was.

"So then… what?" He asked, knowing Bill would understand the non-sensical question.

"I don't know," Bill admitted with a heavy sigh. "I know I asked for an extremely well qualified PA but… I think she's over qualified. Not just for the job but to be a PA at all. I can't imagine why she would choose such an over demanding, stressful job. She could easily have any job position in the world she wanted.

Plus… I can't believe no one bothered to tell me she was coming to work for Gringotts! Granted, I haven't told anyone exactly what my new position is, but still… I would've at least expected Ginny to tell me. Maybe order me to make sure she was comfortable and happy in her new job." Bill trailed off. Grimbles nodded again, remembering Bill tell him how the sister he was so close to was best friends with the Granger girl.

"It is strange," Grimbles began, only to be cut off by Bill's arm flying out in front of him, effectively bringing them both to a dead halt. "What is it?" He asked as Bill stared at the door to his office, still a few feet away.

"Charms," Bill murmured. "Strong ones." Grimbles took a step back so he could peek out from behind Bill. If nothing else, he knew to trust Bill's very well-honed skills when it came to charms.

Steadying his breath, Bill tentatively reached out with only a bit of magic to explore the charms. It took only a few seconds for him to realize what they were, and quickly delve further into them.

The charms were extremely well woven, and he was increasingly impressed with them. They were multiple layers of the only truly unbreakable, extremely powerful protection charms. They could only be removed by whoever put them there and only if the person was completely willing, had full control over themself, and had good intentions in removing the charm. It was very high level, difficult magic. The reason he was so quick to delve in and explore was because he was familiar with the charms and realized immediately that Hermione was the one who'd put them in place. Also, one of the additional effects of the charms was she'd know the moment he'd probed the charms, leaving him no reason to pretend he never did.

Other effects included not just denying access to beings or things seeking to do the inhabitants harm, but actually repelling them. On the off chance someone or thing did get in, the room and charms would turn against the intruder doing whatever it takes to protect the inhabitants while transporting them to wherever the prearranged safe place was. The charms would drain the magic and even physical energy of the intruder and use it to fight them and get everyone to safety. He quickly realized that the charms were extended to every external surface that could lead into the office, including air ducts, and extended a few feet out away from the room in every direction.

Bill retracted his magic, thoroughly impressed. For a moment, he wondered why she would think such extensive security measures were necessary. Then he remembered just what his new position entailed, and that they were both war heroes, though she was much more acclaimed then he, and with good reason too. Then he remembered how she'd orchestrated the all too epic break in at this very building only a few years ago. He was suddenly grateful that she'd thought to put all of the charms up because there was no doubt there were still people out there that would like to hurt one, if not both of them.

"Bill?" Bill jumped, having completely forgotten that Grimbles stood behind him.

"Sorry… everything's clear," Bill turned as he assured him everything was safe. Grimbles eyed Bill curiously. Bill gave him a quick, easy to understand explanation as they continued on their way to the office. They entered and yet again froze in their tracks. They both stared the beautifully designed reception area in place of where Bill's office used to be. They quickly recovered enough to realize that Hermione must have expanded the office to accommodate the extra room.

"Can I help you?" Hermione's voice called out drawing their attention to the desk. "Oh, Bill!" She quickly recovered from her surprise and shot him a closed mouth smile. He was struck with the thought that such a stiff look didn't quit her.

"It looks great in here," Bill said sincerely.

"Indeed it does. Bill's lucky to have to you," Grimbles added. They were rewarded with the bright flash of a smile. Both smiled back, quickly charmed.

"Thanks err…" she hesitated and furrowed her brows at Grimbles.

"Oh right…. Hermione, this is Grimbles, an old friend," Bill introduced.

"Nice to meet you," Hermione surprised them both by standing and purposefully crossing the room to shake Grimbles' s hand. Bill's opinion of her sky-rocketed at her unusually polite actions. People rarely considered Goblins worth a handshake, and he sure as hell had never met someone who would cross a room just for that very purpose. It was just plain unheard of for a witch or wizard to treat Goblins like equals the way he did… the way she just did.

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