Something moved in the corner of her eye and Fleur's head snapped to the front door and in a split second her wand was pointing in the same direction. It hadn't crossed her mind that others could have accompanied Dolohov and if one was now entering to see where their leader had gone then by Merlin she was going to fight for all she was worth.

They were not going to take Hermione away from her.

"Easy Fleur it's me, Bill" came a pleading voice. Despite the ginger hair, easy going smile and scars along his cheek Fleur refused to budge, for all she knew it was someone in disguise and with Hermione unconscious she wasn't taking any risks. When the tall young man saw that the blonde wasn't going to lower her wand he sighed before his eyes focused on the unconscious form in her arms.

"Oh shit...Fleur is she alright?" asked 'Bill'

He didn't receive an answer from the Veela as she continued to point her wand at him. The red head understood Fleur's reluctance, now was not the time to be taking risks at first glances.

"Ask me something that only I would know Fleur" he pleaded. Fleur frowned thoughtfully. What had she told Bill that only he would know? After careful consideration she had her question and a curse on the tip of her tongue if this 'Bill' was an imposter.

"What was ze name of ze restaurant you first took me to when I came to live in England?" she asked. Bill smiled down at her with an emotion she wished he didn't hold for her. If this truly was Bill Weasley then he knew that Hermione was the only one she cared for and he was wasting his time.

"Mongolian Barbecue" he answered. A small amount of relief eased her shot nerves and Fleur smiled weakly up at him at his answer before lowering her wand and wrapping her arms tightly around Hermione's unconscious form. She didn't look up as Bill approached the limp form of Dolohov with disgust written across his face.

" 'Ow did you know where to find me Bill?" she asked quietly. Bill looked at her with a guilty smile on his face from where he was knelt next to Dolohov.

"This house belongs to the Order Fleur...that's why I suggested it to you when you were adamant to leave and search for them. It's filled with enchantments though unfortunately they seemed to fail when they were most needed" By them he was referring to Harry, Ron and Hermione though they both knew that Fleur had only been searching for the brunette in her arms.

Fleur frowned at him though there was no heat in her eyes as she stared at the guilty Weasley in front of her. Bill sighed to himself as he quickly went back to the front door and closed it, whipping out his wand from the depths of his coat he muttered a locking spell.

"Go put Hermione upstairs...I'll deal with Dolohov and after I'll explain everything to you" promised Bill as he turned and offered Fleur a small smirk. Fleur nodded as she carefully got to her feet, pulling Hermione up with her and pulling one of her arms around the back of her neck.

Bill watched with a heavy heart as Fleur took Hermione up the stairs. It was obvious in the way that Fleur was so gentle with Hermione that the French Veela was in love with the teen. Frowning at the dull ache in his chest he shook his head. Fleur would never be his so what would be the point in hoping for a future with the gorgeous Veela.

Fleur carefully eased Hermione onto one of the guest room beds, her bed had been soaked with her blood and she couldn't let Hermione rest on it. Lying down next to her Fleur wrapped a protective arm around the brunette's waist and pressed herself into her side. Fleur noticed that Hermione was now taller than her with a small smile. No more teasing her about her height now.

Her height wasn't the only thing that was different much to Fleur's concern. She could feel bones jutting uncomfortably into her as she held Hermione close and could see her ribs and collarbone easily. She wondered in concern how much weight Hermione had lost. She hoped that Hermione hadn't taken to starving herself in order to cope. Her anger flared at the notion.

She was angry at Hermione for neglecting her body this way. She looked horribly ill and nothing like the bright young witch she had fallen in love with all that time ago. It had broken her heart to see Hermione so full of anger and hate as she protected her from Dolohov, the bright witch she had fallen in love with hadn't seemed capable of that level of hate and Fleur feared what could have brought on the change in Hermione.

"What 'as 'appened to you ma chèrie?" whispered Fleur curiously.

A frightened whimper escaped from Hermione causing Fleur's heart to break slightly. The nightmares were back. Hermione had informed Fleur about them before they began their relationship during the summer between Hermione's fifth and sixth year. The brunette had told her how they had hounded her since her second year and she had developed a case of insomnia that she had eventually been forced to take potions for by the Hogwarts nurse, Madame Pomphrey.

Hermione hadn't gone into great depth about the nature of her nightmares only that they had a tendency to mix the worst experiences of her life with fantasy to create new horrors that just wouldn't leave her be. No one else knew of her plight since no one cared enough to notice how their brilliant friend was suffering and Hermione was too stubborn to confess to anyone, she admitted that she preferred to suffer in silence rather than worry the people she cared for.

It was this selflessness that caused Fleur to worry constantly for Hermione health.

But the nightmares had seemed to ease off once their relationship had begun to flourish. Often at night Fleur had held the brunette close after a nightmare had tormented her and had seen with her own eyes their slow deterioration as their relationship progressed.

Now Fleur found herself once again making soothing noises as she held the brunette, hoping that it would relax her. Eventually, after more whimpers and a bit of twitching Hermione relaxed in her arms. Fleur felt her own exhaustion catching up with her and making her eyelids feel heavy. Forcing her eyes wide open she willed herself to stay awake. She was determined to keep her eye on Hermione for a small fear nagged at the back of her mind that if she fell asleep she might wake up and find Hermione gone once again.

Fleur didn't think she could bear it if the brilliant witch disappeared; especially now knowing what little care Hermione was taking of herself.