The characters and canon situations in the following story belong solely to JK Rowling. I am not making any money from the publishing or writing of this story.

________________________________________________________________________

Molly and Hermione walked into the bedroom in silence. Molly Weasley had seen many of the oddities of the magical world but this humiliation being forced on her daughter of the heart was the worst. She wanted to scream when Charlie told her about the situation. Hermione was as much a daughter to Molly as Ginny. When the engagement between Hermione and Ron failed, Molly feared she would lose her and the guilt Molly felt over not being there through Hermione's loss is the main reason she agreed to participate in this arcane ritual.

Hermione could just barley hear the mutterings coming from Molly but was certain she heard, "Disgraceful…beautiful respectable girl…showing her privates…Charlie should have…spider…"

Hermione smiled as her surrogate mother puttered around the bedroom conjuring a water basin and ewer of steaming water. Hermione's eyes opened wider when she saw a straight edge razor lying next to an embroidered hand towel.

Molly finally looked up at Hermione who had turned a slight shade of green, "It will all be over before you know it dear."

Hermione did not answer but merely nodded.

Molly walked around the bed to stand next to Hermione, "We have a great deal to do and we might as well get started."

Charlie watched his brother walk from kitchen to the front door and then to the fireplace over to the hallway not saying a word his eyes searching for some long lost idea.

"I was thinking we should put the stripper pole just to the left of the fireplace and the vat of Jell-O dead center on the carpet. What do you think Bill?"

Bill was still walking around the room. "Sure Charlie what ever you…wait…what did you say?"

Charlie smiled. "Man you are whipped!"

Bill glared at him. "Let's just do this. Without the jokes it is not funny for Coco."

Charlie feeling properly chastised started taking the books and magazine off the end tables and piling them on the shelves.

"When did you collect so many books?" Charlie asked as he started his third stack.

Bill admonished, "Who said they were mine? Who could they possibly belong to?"

Together they said, "Coco!"

Bill smiled. "You better be careful she has them in order!"

Hermione asked for the tenth time. "Why did we have to do this with out magic?"

Molly was helping Hermione to sit up. "Because dear, Charlie's nice friend Helen…such a dear thing…"

Hermione's eyes rolled as she realized Molly was off on a tangent and not answering her question.

"Did you know Charlie brought her round for tea last Sunday," Molly continued. "They make such a good couple don't you think?"

"Yes they are great together! But what did Helen say about not using magic?" Hermione's tone was unintentionally brusque.

Molly's face flushed. "I was rambling wasn't I? Sorry dear magic yes, right, Helen said well it is only a theory of course…such a smart girl…I certainly hope Charlie does not let this one get away…he never has trouble finding nice witches; it is the keeping them he seems to have trouble with. I remember Sage…"

Hermione was almost in tears from the frustration. "Please…about magic?"

Molly's voice squeaked, "I am sorry, I am just so upset about all of this…I just never would have thought we would be doing this again. Fleur was a nasty piece of work and she hurt my William…"

Molly looked at Hermione, "Yes, magic…Helen, that is Charlie's friend, thinks the bite you have has somehow using the magic used by you and magic used around you to worsen."

Hermione thought for a moment. "That would explain a great deal. My shoulder is more painful on days that I use more magic."

Molly held up a sheer piece of material and motioned Hermione to stand. Hermione complied and Molly with great care wrapped the golden tissue thin voile around her. The top of the shift was laced with gold satin ribbon that knotted in the front above her breasts leaving her shoulders and chest bare. The edges of the material just met in the front but floated open when Hermione walked toward the full-length mirror.

Despite the nervousness of being completely nude underneath the virtually transparent garment, Hermione smiled. She felt beautiful, the color suited her complexion and the simple design accentuated her figure. The only drawback was the see though quality of the material and the exposure of her entire torso when she moved. Other than that, it was the perfect outfit.

Hermione turned back around to face Molly who was wiping her eyes. "What do you think we should do with this?" Hermione asked as she lifted her exuberate hair off her shoulders.

Molly chuckled, "Simple, something simple French twist or a braid."

Hermione nodded, "Braid definitely not anything French."

Charlie looked at his bedroom it was full of living room furniture that had been manually moved by him and Bill. "Where am I going to sleep?" Charlie wondered aloud.

Bill was wiping perspiration out of his eyes and heard Charlie. "I suggest you ask Helen that question. Maybe she will have pity on you."

Charlie grinned and with dramatic enthusiasm dropped to his knee. "Have pity on me dear lady! My good deed cannot be for naught. I am in need of refuge for a night!"

Bill laughed. "I am sure that will win her over with out a doubt."

Charlie scoffed and stood up. "I can always use the 'poor puppy dog' look. It works with Mum."

Bill had walked into the living room. It was devoid of furnishings except for the large ottoman in the center of the room. Taking in a deep breath Bill said, "It has really come to this? Coco put on display for the world."

Charlie came up next to him. "No, not the world just us, we all love her and will not think any worse of her."

Bill turned to face his brother. "I do not want her to be humiliated and that want this ritual was designed to do."

Bill kicked the ottoman. "We have become so close and I do not think I can…Coco means the world to me."

Charlie noticed the clock on the kitchen wall. "Well, Bill you have about 20 minutes before your nearest and dearest start to arrive. You better get changed."

Bill glanced around the room again in disgust then stalked down the hallway. His hand had tuned the knob and stepped into the room before he realized that Coco and his mum were on the other side. Bill's vision filled with Coco wrapped in a floating layer of gold.

Her back was to Bill and the noise of his entrance caused her to turn around to face him. Bill had never seen any one so perfect in his life. Coco was standing before him silhouetted by the window and the lingering rays of sunlight the sight astounded him. She was so beautiful it was hard for him to remember to breathe.

Hermione saw Bill and every feeling of apprehension disappeared. She would be with him and he would make everything fine. Bill was her knight. Bill helped her find her way again. Bill was her friend. Bill made her laugh.

Hermione's world spun a little slower as she watched Bill's face. The small lines that started at the corner of his eyes and the one strand of gray hair that only she knew about were just part of what made him Bill the man she loved. That errant thought that had been floating in her mind for weeks, she loved Bill and she was safe with him. Hermione knew that tonight would be fine.

Bill's attention was drawn to a thin pink horizontal line that was between Hermione's hipbones. He had not noticed it before but before it had been covered. That scar was put there by his nephew, by Ron's son. Bill wondered for the hundredth time at Hermione's resilience. She had endured so much and yet still laughed and smiled. Bill knew that she carried all of her sorrow with her but did not allow the sadness destroy her. Bill admired her strength. Bill tolerated her obsessive reorganization binges. Bill delighted in her child like curiosity about the unknown. Bill loved her and would not fail her tonight.

Molly Weasley watched the two lonely souls. Neither said a spoken but she knew this was the moment. Molly did not say a word but collected her things and tidied up the room.

"I am sorry. I should have knocked." Bill started to retreat.

"It is fine Bill, we are done I think." Hermione looked at Molly.

"Yes all done." Molly glanced around again. "I think it is time for me to go. Hermione dear you are the bravest…" She could not finish that thought for fear of breaking down. With a quick hug to Hermione, Molly walked toward the door.

Bill embraced his mother and whispered in her ear, "I would never hurt her; I was just trying to save her."

Molly patted her son's cheek. "I know son and she knows son. Please remember how dear and precious she is to all of us." Bill watched her walk toward the front door.

Bill was still in the doorway. "I just wanted to get cleaned up. The rest will be here soon."

Hermione nodded. "Right do you want me to leave?"

Bill shook his head. "No I will just grab my stuff and jump into the shower. I will be done in a flash."

Hermione smoothed the gossamer material. "I am ready just come get me when it is time."

Bill closed the door behind him.

The water was still running when Charlie answered the door. All the brothers arrived together. Fred and George were unusually subdued. Percy had a slightly bored air about him and Ron looked nauseous. Harry looked anywhere but at the ottoman. When Charlie got closer, he realized Harry smelled slightly of whiskey.

Charlie had explained to them what was expected of them and it was a testament to their love of Hermione that they were there.

The men stood in a semicircle as far away from the ottoman as possible. No one spoke.

It was only a couple of minutes from when the water stopped until Charlie heard the bathroom door open. Bill walked into the living room and saw his brothers. Without speaking, Bill turned and walked back down the hallway to Hermione.

Hermione opened the door as soon as Bill knocked. Bill offered his arm and she accepted. Together they walked the twenty feet to the waiting men. At the entrance to the living room, Bill stopped and turned to Hermione her head was slightly down. Putting his crooked finger under her chin and drawing her face up to meet his he said, "Coco you honor me. I." He could not find the words.

Hermione placed her hands on either side of his face. "I trust you Bill. I feel comfortable with you. When you hold me I know I am safe."

Bill had to compose himself. She had created a rush of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. Hermione took his arm again and they walked the remaining way.

Harry was shifting from foot to foot and looking a little queasy. He was the first to notice Hermione and Bill arrive in the room. He was stunned. A nearly nude Hermione was breathtaking. Ron was watching Harry fidget and noticed when he stopped. Ron followed Harry's gaze to the doorway to the hall. Ron's heart trembled; standing next to his oldest brother was the love of his life, the woman who should have been his wife, the mother of his son. Ron's heart stopped trembling and shattered.

Hermione smiled at Ron as if she knew what he was remembering. There was a collective gasp as if on cue, the rest of the group looked up and realized that Bill and Hermione had joined them. The couple appeared perfectly matched, Hermione in her diaphanous gown and Bill in black silk robes.

Bill held Hermione's hand. The reaction of his brothers did not surprise him but he did not like it either. Bill's second thoughts about going through with this were now screaming. He did not want to share his Coco or the intimacy they had found.

As they walked toward the ottoman, Bill made a decision. Putting his hand on the small of her back, he leaned down and whispered in Hermione's ear.

"Coco we need to talk before this goes on. We need…no that is not right. I need to tell you…" Bill was searching for how exactly to tell her that he wanted more than this.

Hermione turned to face Bill ignoring the others present, ignoring that the front of her robe was gaping open; she put her hands into Bill's.

"Tell me what you want Bill."

Hermione waited patiently for Bill to tell her what he needed. Bill looked into her deep chocolate brown eyes, "I have been thinking about our children and drinking tea late at night with you."

Hermione laughed. "You have?"

Bill nodded. "I want to wake up with you. I want to fight with you. I want to do dishes with you. I do not want to share any part of us with anyone. Do you understand?"

Hermione put her arms around Bill's neck and quietly said, "Yes Bill, I will marry you."

Bill crushed her into his chest. "Thank you Coco, thank you!"