I am only playing in JK Rowling's universe.

Charlie looked at his brother "Is it really Hermione?" Bill pushed the curly brown hair out of her eyes and studied her soft features. He looked closely and saw a familiar small jagged scar under her left eyebrow. "Yep, this is Hermione…see the scar? That is from when Fred took her flying and the foolish girl fell off his broom. That was the summer before..."

Charlie nodded "I remember we were all home for your and Fleur's wedding."

Bill muttered "The wedding that never happened."

Charlie could feel his brother's anger and wisely chose to redirect the conversation, "I haven't since Hermione since then, she certainly has filled out!" Charlie was looking at the leather halter-top and miniskirt that barely covered Hermione.

Bill was shifting her in his arms, "She is small but still dead weight. What should we do with her?" Charlie thought "Rule #3 bro…Rule #3." Together, they disppaerated to the flat they were now sharing.

Bill placed the unconscious witch on his leather sofa. Charlie nipped into the bathroom and came back with a wet towel to clean her face. The residue from the flung drink was still clinging to her however, Charlie was wary of using magic to clean the mess. If there was a potion in her splattered drink using magic might intensify the effects and could quite possibly be fatal.

Bill helped to wipe her arms and neck "She's got some nasty bruises forming on her arms…maybe we should take her to St. Mungo's."

Charlie grunted his disapproval, "and have this all over the front of the Daily Prophet tomorrow? 'Wrong Weasley save Wronged fiancée of Wickedly Handsome Wee Weasley'."

Bill nodded, "Yes you are right, it was bad enough when it happened…Ron was flat out wrong to treat her the way he did. She deserved better. She was such a sweet kid…Ron is such an ass."

Charlie smiled, "She got him according to Ginny – hexed his parts so badly…it took almost a full month before he could walk properly."

Bill laughed, "Good for her…remind me not to get her mad at me!"

Charlie took the soiled towel from his brother asking, "So what do we do now?", as he sat down on the floor next to the sofa.

Bill sat on the end of the sofa, "I doubt the bloke was trying to kill her…more likely just trying to get into her pants. I think we just let her sleep it off."

Charlie nodded his agreement as he stood up, "Somebody should stay close for when she wakes up."

Bill was studying her face while Charlie was talking, "Hm…yeah… good idea, I'll take the chair you go on…I will come get you when she wakes up but if you hear any hexing come running!"

Charlie chuckled, "Deal."

Bill charmed the fireside chair into a recliner and taking off her shoes, he covered her with a blanket. Once he was sure she was tucked in and peaceful he took up his post and watched the petite witch as her breathing caused the blanket and curls to rise and fall in slow methodical precision.

Bill sat mesmerized by abundance of chocolate curls surrounding the small face. He thought back trying to remember the first time he met Hermione. The brightest witch of her age had been a constant companion of his youngest brother for ages. From the time Ron had started school Hermione, Harry, and he were always together. Bill could not remember a holiday or major event of his life in the past ten years that did not include Hermione Granger.

It was expected and welcomed when Ron and Hermione had announced their engagement. It was a shock when Ron had returned to the Burrow with luggage and said that he had never loved Hermione. Bill had heard from his mother about the breakup, at the time all he could think was that Ron was such an idiot.

Over the years, Hermione had grown into her looks, the awkward young duckling had transformed into a swan. Bill sat in the recliner and continued to recognize the changes in her; she was painfully thin and pale. Bill realized that the break up with Ron must have taken a great toll. His eyes traced the lines on her brow and the small creases around her mouth. Her features were relaxed but somehow she seemed sad. Bill knew about sadness and did not want to see that corrosive emotion to eat away at such a beautiful swan.

Bill shifted his position and he realized he had fallen asleep. Looking at his guest, he realized she was awake and staring at him. He sat up slowly he did not need to scare her.

Hermione was just staring at him, "Hermione are you okay? Do you remember me?" Bill asked.

She nodded, "You're Bill Weasley…where am I? Am I dead?" Hermione tried to sit up but the effort was too much and she gave up and lay back down.

Bill was immediately concerned by her lethargy, "You were at the Happy Hippogriff last night…Charlie and I saw you get into an argument with an unsavory bloke – you said you thought he had spiked your drink."

Hermione looked so small under the blanket, her eyes glazed over as she fought to remember. She finally made eye contact again with Bill "I thought I was dying…I slapped him didn't I?"

Bill laughed, "We heard the crack across the club!"

Hermione gave a small sigh, "I should have hexed the s.o.b."

Bill had gotten out of the recliner and was kneeling next to the young witch on the sofa, his hand instinctively brushed a curl out of her eyes, "I heard you are very good with hexes, family gossip has it that Ron did not walk straight for a month!"

Tears spilled over her lower lashes as a small sob escaped from the trembling lips. Bill put his arm around her shoulders noticing that she was very warm and shivering, "I am sorry he hurt you so much, he is such a prat."

Hermione looked into the familiar blue eyes, "I can not seem to remember much more than feeling sick to my stomach…are you sure I'm not dead? It felt horrible, worse than…Ron…I was going… I need to talk to Ron…could you find him and bring him here?"

The request surprised Bill, "Are you sure you want to see him, Hermione? He hasn't changed, he is still an ass."

Hermione only nodded then in a hoarse whisper, "I have to tell him…before I lose the memories…It hurts to remember."

Bill put his cheek to her forehead, "Hermione you are burning up. Maybe you should rest, talk to Ron some other time. Charlie and I took care of you …is okay…why make yourself miserable by talking to him?'

Hermione pulled away, "I need to tell him, he deserves to know."

Bill realized his sleeve was soaked from being across her shoulders "Hermione, you are sick I should take you to a healer…"

Hermione was shaking, "Please I want him to know everything. It seems so fuzzy now. He deserves a clear memory, do you have a penseive?"

Bill nodded.

"Can I use it? I am feeling a little blurry; while it is still fairly clear …I need Ron to know." Hermione pulled the blanket up around her neck, "Please Bill?"

Bill retrieved his work penseive from a cabinet in his room. He placed it on the coffee table in front of the sofa. Hermione tried once again to sit up; Bill sat next to her and helped her into a sitting position.

Hermione pulled her wand from the small purse that found its way next to the sofa. She tapped her wand to her right temple and as she pulled the wand away a silvery filaments flowed out of her into the penseive. Hermione eyes were shut the tears still wetting her cheeks. As her wand fell to the floor Hermione crumbled into Bill's arms exhausted.

Bill watched the swirling memories in his basin. He was speechless, what had happened to Hermione and how was Ron involved? He was worried about Hermione she was very weak. Bill knew an argument with Ron would only weaken her further. Hermione stirred again. Bill looked down into the deep rich chocolate eyes his heart lurched. He gently placed his hand on her forehead; her temperature was rising from just moments ago. He wrapped the blanket around her even tighter,

"Charlie! Charlie! Come here bro!" Bill was beginning to panic. Hermione was whimpering and the shivering was worse.

Charlie, sleep tousled, walked into the living room, "What…I was having a great dream…Hermione…Bill, why is she crying?"

Bill looked helplessly over the top of her head at his brother, "Go find Ron, please now!" Charlie did not understand but he nodded and went to put on clothes.

Bill picked Hermione up as Charlie came back into the living room, "Charlie, she is getting worse, I'm going to take her to St. Mungo's. She is burning up with fever. If you find Ron bring him there."

Charlie nodded "Will do…what do you think is going on?"

Bill shrugged as he held Hermione, "I don't know…but I plan on finding out."