The plot and any unrecognized characters are mine. The Harry Potter world belongs to JK Rowling and rightly so.

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Bill checked on Hermione a couple of hours later. Opening the bedroom door, he found her sitting up her arms wrapped around her knees. She was gently rocking staring out into space. Bill walked into the room and sat on the edge of the bed.

"You okay?" he asked.

Hermione stopped rocking and looked at him. She was silent; she was not crying just looking at him.

With a heavy sigh she spoke, "Part of me is glad that Ron knows a burden is gone." She looked out of the window then she whispered, " the other part of me is jealous – he is married…"

Bill took her hand in his causing Hermione to look at him, "what is so right about her and so wrong about me?" she asked.

Bill did not have a chance to answer before Hermione spoke again, "I thought he just was not ready to commit but the truth was it was me."

She continued after a brief pause, "I assumed I would find a wonderful wizard and show him…but he showed me didn't he."

Bill took her other hand, "You are going to be fine I promise."

Bill shifting to face her, "How about you lie down and go to sleep…I'll stay until you are dreaming."

Hermione nodded and waited until he was sitting at the head of the bed next to her his legs stretched out she snuggled up next to him her head by his hip. Closing her eyes, she felt herself relax.

Bill stroked her hair while whispering, "I am really sorry about pulling you out of the bathtub earlier."

Hermione smiled, "Shocked the hell out of everyone…finding me naked in your arms!"

Bill laughed, "Yep! Ron's got a mean left hook!"

Hermione sat up looking at Bill, "He hit you?"

Bill touched his tender jaw and winched, "I'll survive Coco!"

Hermione gently kissed the newly formed bruise. "Thank you once more for defending my honor."

Bill hugged her tight, "My pleasure."

The bright flash of lighting through the bedroom window caused Hermione to yelp and jump at the accompanying clap of thunder. Hermione looked ashamed, "I've always hated storms."

Bill pulled her close again "I'm right here - not going anywhere…try to sleep."

Hermione's head was nodding as sleep was trying to win, "Okay, I'll try just don't leave."

Hermione woke up alone in the bed as sunlight was streaming in through the window. She felt better, the storm had broken the oppressive heat the air had a crispness about it. She walked into the kitchen and found both Charlie and Bill at the table.

They stopped talking when she entered and Charlie smiled. "Morning… you look better."

Bill just smiled.

Hermione poured a cup of tea for herself and joined them at the table. "So boys, where do I go from here?"

Hermione felt better she had decided she needed to focus on today and tomorrow.

Charlie answered, "What did you have in mind?"

Hermione looked out of the window over the sink, "I need to get a life! But maybe I should start with clothes."

Bill laughed, "Just like a woman shopping."

Hermione looked annoyed, "Well William, I could keep wearing your boxers and Charlie's T-shirts but that may not go over well on a job interview!"

Bill stopped laughing and looked worried, "What kind of job?"

Hermione glared, "I haven't gotten that far yet maybe I should start with baby steps…new underwear then who knows?"

Hermione stood up from the chair she had been occupying and as she rose she teeter a little.

Charlie's arm was around her waist, "How about I come shopping with you I love ladies underwear."

Hermione snorted, "That would be great. Thank you Charlie."

Bill was watching Hermione; he was concerned she seemed so fragile. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the front door. Bill left the lingerie hound in the kitchen and answered the door.

A rumpled, wet, and disheveled Ron was standing in the entranceway when Charlie and Hermione came out of the kitchen.

Hermione stopped, "Ron, I didn't think I would see you again so soon."

Ron mumbled a "Good morning" to Charlie and looked at Hermione, "Can we talk?"

Hermione nodded.

Bill looked worried, "Coco, we will be in the kitchen." He said as he and Charlie went back to the table.

Hermione walked to the sofa and sat down. Ron started to pace in front of the fireplace. Hermione took his hand and pulled him down t sit next to her. "Ron, talk."

Ron looked at her with tears in his eyes, "He was perfect wasn't he?"

Hermione nodded, "I wanted you to know I just ran out of time…they couldn't find you…Muggles!"

Ron was openly sobbing, "I never got to meet my son. Hermione I am so sorry…I never knew…I am such an ass."

Hermione laughed, "Okay you are an ass, but no one – not you or me deserve to lose their child. It is not fair but it did happen."

Ron held her hands his tears covering his fingers as they fell, "I am sorry about all of it. I should never have broken off our engagement. I was so scared, I panicked…I tried to find you later but you were gone."

Hermione nodded, "I moved I did not want the reporters stalking me. I knew they would never give up. 'Wanton Weasley ex-fiancée expecting who's wee one' I just needed time to think."

Ron looked at her and nodded, "Must have been a shock."

Hermione continued, "The day I went for the walk – when I was finished I was going to tell you…I didn't get the chance."

Ron sniffed, "I could tell you were sincere about finding me. I just wish I could turn back time."

Hermione smiled sadly, "We can not you have moved on. I admit I was surprised that you were married but I am happy for you Ron truly I am."

Ron turned red, "Yeah, I am surprised about that too!"

The awkwardness between them dissolved a little. Ron looked serious, "Hermione or should I call you Coco?"

Hermione playfully slapped his arm, "That brother of yours he is insufferable!"

Ron grabbed her hand, "Our son should have my last name. I want him to be a Weasley, if that is alright with you."

Hermione took a deep breathe and nodded.

Ron continued, "I was going to go to this morning and take care of everything at the Ministry."

He finally looked into her face, "Oh Hermione, please don't cry…"

Hermione's tears spilled over her cheeks her voice was throbbing with pent up emotions, "He was a Weasley red hair and all." She whispered.

Ron waited a minute then he spoke again, "I wanted to change the maker – Ronald Granger Weasley – if you do not mind."

Hermione simply nodded. She got up and went to her handbag, "I have got something for you. The hospital staff let me take a couple of curls before…well before they took him away."

Hermione handed Ron a small piece of tissue paper. Ron gently unwrapped it and inside was a tiny fiery red curl tied with a thin blue ribbon. Ron's breathe hissed out as he touched the only part of his son left. He looked at Hermione, "Thank you for thinking of me." Hermione simply smiled.

Ron sat still for a long time he did not look at Hermione for a long time. When he finally spoke it was a soft almost whisper "I do not know why I married her…I only met her two weeks ago. We were at the same conference in New York and then it seemed we were married."

Hermione looked into his eyes, "Are you in love with her?"

Ron looked at her without flinching he stated, "No."

Hermione shook her head, "That is a shame Ron, you should be in love with your wife."

Ron nodded, "I am not going to lie to you. I have only ever been in love once in my life and I screwed that up. I am not going to screw this up. I can't."

Hermione stood up she was tired of talking to Ron it hurt too much. She walked to the fireplace, "I was in love once and I truly hope to fall in love again someday…may be have a family…who knows I might run for Minister of Magic!"

Ron laughed, "You would make a great Minister."

Bill and Charlie heard Hermione's last remark and decided to join the couple. Charlie was looking at Ron he felt sorry for his youngest brother. Ron had made the wrong choice.

Ron made his excuses and departed soon after his brothers had joined the conversation between him and Hermione. He knew despite their silence they were judging him and he could not take their pity.

Hermione glanced at Charlie, "Still up for shopping?"

Charlie assured Hermione he was and with in an half an hour they were heading out of the door to the shops.

Bill took a deep breath as the door closed he was not used to so much turmoil. He was thankful for a couple of hours of peace, time to think. He spread his work papers out on the table; he needed to concentrate on the curse that had been plaguing his team for weeks now. He stared at the copulation of two months work but all he could see was the coco colored eyes.

Bill started to walk around the apartment trying to clear his head he needed to focus.

He found himself standing under a hot shower his hands scrubbing his face but he could only remember her floating in the bath water.

The towel that wrapped tightly around his waist as he brushed his teeth was what she should have been wearing when his family confronted them.

Bill realized Hermione was consuming his thoughts.

Hermione was a determine shopper. She had dragged Charlie through at least a dozen stores in record time. She was being very frugal with her money and only bought the very basics.

Charlie had insisted that she have the packages flooed back to the apartment. Charlie was being a very good sport but he had declared he was not a pack mule.

As they walked down Diagon Alley neither noticed the eyes that had followed them. The black eyes were watching them intently.

Charlie spied his favorite store, Veela's Vanities. He dragged a very reluctant Hermione into the racy lingerie shop.

An attractive young witch greeted Charlie as he walked in "Mr. Weasley, it has been quite awhile since you have visited us!"

Hermione turned to look at the sales associate and quickly realized her to be a veela, she shot Charlie a dirty look as the witch continued to purr her delight at Charlie.

Charlie was unfazed, "Good afternoon Courtney it has been a while. Courtney this is a very dear friend of mine…"

Charlie turned to Hermione, "Coco, I will leave you in Courtney's very capable hands. I'll be enjoying your liqueurs by the fireplace. I do hope you will ask for my expert opinion."

Hermione was blushing furiously the store was full of such beautiful unmentionables and Charlie was obviously a regular customer.

Hermione did not know where to start and very timid and felt overwhelmed by the possibilities. Courtney asked what she needed. Hermione quietly explained that due to a fire she needed everything.

Hermione hoped that the veela did not read the Daily Prophet and make the connection between Hermione and Coco. Courtney seemed oblivious to current events and began to take her measurements.

Within moments, Hermione was in a lavish dressing room surrounded by dazzling array of bras, knickers, camisoles, garter belts, slips, nightgowns, and robes. The opulence of such a decadent display left Hermione speechless.

Hermione just stood in silence until she looked up at Courtney and mumbled, "I have only ever worn white cotton…"

Courtney smiled, "Mr. Weasley loves deep rich colors."

Hermione looked at the collected garments and then back up at the sales associate a glimmer of understanding growing across Hermione's face, "No, no, NO!" she stuttered, "It's not … we are…look no…it is not like that…we are just friends."

Hermione was horrified.

Courtney nodded and smiled a knowing type of smile, "Of course you are friends. Mr. Weasley is very generous to his friends."

Hermione could not breathe; "I'll…" her brain seemed frozen.

Courtney looked at the garments "I'll send them along then, shall I?"

Hermione could not think she was embarrassed and angry and humiliated, "Fine…whatever!" she mumbled as she stormed out of the dressing room, her clothes in disarray and her hair flying.

Charlie was enjoying his absinthe as he waited for Hermione. Courtney was excellent at assisting in the best selection. He knew Hermione was safe as he relaxed for the first time since this drama began.

His relaxed attitude left him completely unprepared for the whirling dervish that came towards him from the rear of the store.

Hermione hissed at Charlie as she passed him on her way out of the store, "I am leaving!"

Charlie smirked at Courtney, "She has a temper! Just put it on my account."

He turned and raced out of the store to find Hermione. He rushed past other shoppers until he caught Hermione by the arm, "Slow down there, I almost lost you!"

Charlie took a minute to catch his breath, "What bee is in your bonnet?"

Hermione looked up at him with glistening eyes, "That was humiliating!"

Her voice was full of rage and emotion as she impersonated Courtney, "Mr. Weasley loves deep colors on his whores."

Charlie let go of her arms. "She did not say that."

Hermione looked a little ashamed, "Those were not her exact words but, that is what she meant." Hermione pushed against him hard.

Charlie was getting angry, "Courtney is too nice a person and too good a sales person to imply any such thing Hermione. Could it be you are a little over sensitive?"

Hermione crumbled; Charlie pulled her in to his arms, "Let's go home."

Hermione nodded agreement.

Neither of them noticed the fury in the black eyes near by in a corner.

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The story really gets going from here. Thank you for reading, it means more than you could possibly know.