A/N: This is my first story, so please enjoy. I also want to mention, this story is almost complete fluff. If that is not your thing, then this isn't the story for you.

This story also has a mention of Rape. It is not detailed, but it is the story, in Chapter 4, I will add a reminder to the beginning of that Chapter.

Please enjoy this story and Review!

Chapter One:

Hermione Granger loved her job. She really did. She worked hard on her work and focused entirely on it. This is the main reason she and Ron never worked out. He felt neglected, and when she was impartial, she realized she probably did neglect him. After a year of awkwardness, they both found they could be friends. While Hermione didn't date anyone, Ron had a steady girlfriend who was great for him.

She was often the last one in the office at night and the first one in in the morning. This resulted in Hermione doing most of the proofreading for her colleagues because they didn't have as much time because they had lives outside of work. This didn't lend Hermione much time to work on her documents, and she was growing frustrated. She didn't do this work to assist her colleagues.

Bill Weasley and Fleur Weasley started out desperately in love. After the war ended, and they had trouble conceiving a child, Fleur decided she had enough and left. Once they were divorced, Fleur moved back to France. It took a while for Bill to even be able to go back home without his heart aching over what he had lost.

When Bill was offered a chance to return back to Egypt as the lead cursebreaker, he jumped on the chances. He would have his own team that would go through Ancient Egypt's artifacts and the Pyramids to continue to look for the curses set to protect the tomb. While his team would be assigned in Egypt, he was allowed one assistant that he could choose. The point of this is to ensure he completely trusts one person on the team. It will foster good will for the rest of the team and Bill knew exactly who he wanted to choose.

Bill walked into the Ministry and to Hermione's office. He knocked on the open door frame and the brunette witch looked up at him. She looked irritated, until she realized it was him. "Are you okay," Bill asked. Hermione sighed.

"I am," she said. "I'm just a little frustrated at the moment. But enough about that, what can I do for you?" She was slightly confused. Bill's line of work didn't often bring him to her office.

"I have something I need to talk to you about. Do you have time to take lunch," he asked. Hermione smiled. She stood and grabbed her bag before sealing her office.

"Lead the way," she said. Bill led her to a small bistro that was in Diagon Alley. It was fairly new, but he found he enjoyed their food, and it would afford them some measure of privacy. They ordered their food and Bill put up a subtle ward to not allow their conversation to be overheard.

"I have been given a transfer back to Egypt," he said.

"Oh," Hermione said surprised. "I'm sure you're excited." She beamed at him.

"I am," he confessed with a smile. "I am going to have a team of workers under me, but I am allowed one assistant that I choose. I want you to come with me," he said. "You have the qualifications required and you're scary smart."

"Me," Hermione asked. "I'm not sure I'd be good at being a curse breaker."

"I wasn't either until I did the job. I started out as an assistant and you could move up in your own right."

"When do I have to let you know by," Hermione asked. Bill considered.
"Well, I leave in a month. So the earliest I know the better. I will need to know no later than a week from now. If you choose not to come with me, that will give me a chance to find a different assistant."

"If I take this job, when would I start," she asked. "How dangerous is it?"

"You would start as soon as you want to," Bill told her with a smile. He was fairly sure she would accept this position. "It can be dangerous," he admitted, "but I'll be with you every step of the way."

They finished their meal and continued talking. Bill told her about his past experiences as a curse breaker and what she could expect and Hermione took notes. By the time their lunch was finished, Bill was extremely confident that Hermione would be going with him.

Hermione walked back into her office. She groaned in frustration as she saw the number of documents on her desk and realized none of them were hers. Instead of sitting down at her desk, she headed to her supervisor's office. Mr. Milner was agreeable as long as you did exactly what he expected, so Hermione didn't expect him to hear her out.

Mr. Milner," She said, gently knocking on the open doorframe.

"Ms. Granger," he said pleasantly. "Come in, sit down. What can I do for you?" Hermione sat down and cleared her throat.

"I was wondering if it was possible for everyone to do their own proofreading. I don't have time do anything myself because I'm working on everyone else's work. I just don't want to continue doing that." He sighed and shook his head sadly.

"Unfortunately, as you don't have anything in the works, and everyone else does, you need to continue to proofread their documents so they can continue to work. It makes our department run smoothly.

"I would really like to be able to work on my own things. I can't do that as long as I'm everyone's proofreader," she protested. "Could we work on a system that allows me to get my own work done?" She looked at him pleadingly. Though she could tell he wasn't going to give in to her request.

"Was there anything else I could help you with," he asked, effictively shutting her down. Hermione sighed.

"No, thank you, Mr. Milner." She walked out of his office and back to her own. On the way, she was handed more documents to proofread.

"Granger, you're falling behind. I need several documents from you. It isn't fair that you aren't pulling your weight." Hermione growled but went to her own office. She shut the door and warded it before making a rash decision.

Hermione packed up all her personal belongings and left her office door opened. She walked to Mr. Milner's office and slammed the door open. "I quit," she announced. He had been in a meeting with the Minister, but she didn't care. "I'm tired of not being able to do my job because you want me to be a proofreader. I'm not stupid. I noticed that I'm the only muggleborn on the roster. I can't help but wonder if you're not allowing me to work because of that. I will not be subjecting myself to this any longer. I have received another job offer and I have decided to take it. At least with this new job, I know I'll be appreciated," she said and walked out, leaving the office door open.

Hermione headed to the auror department before she walked out of the Ministry. She found Harry sitting at his desk and sat down at the chair next to it. "What's up," Harry asked with a smile. Hermione told him what had happened and he frowned. "Kingsley wouldn't allow that," Harry countered.

"I'm not sure Kingsley was aware. He definitely is now," Hermione told him. She shrugged. "I'm not really fussed with it. I was leaning towards taking the job Bill offered."

"I'm not surprised he offered you a job," Harry said with a grin. "You're scary smart and you two have talked in the past about being a curse breaker. He probably thought you'd have at least a little interest."

"Potter," a voice called from a few desks away.

"Sorry, I've got to get busy. See you tonight," Harry asked. They had a standing date for dinner with Ron and she always looked forward to it.

"Absolutely," she said. She walked to the Atrium and apparatus to Diagon Alley. She walked the short walk to Gringotts and walked in. She walked to one of the counters and smiled at the goblin. "Can I see Bill Weasley," she asked politely. The goblin nodded and motioned for her to follow him.

He led her down a confusing hallway until he stopped outside of an office clearly labeled 'Bill Weasley'. Hermione knocked on the door. "Come in," she heard from inside. He looked up curiously and grinned when he saw Hermione.

"So starting immediately," Bill asked. Hermione grinned sheepishly.

"I honestly wasn't sure I was going to take the job at lunch, but by the time I returned, I was fed up. Now they'll be scrambling to get their own documents sorted and proofread them themselves. So, what do you need me to do," she asked. Bill motioned for her to sit down.

"From here, I mostly dispatch different curse breaking teams. The current team in Egypt is due to return soon, so we might be leaving sooner than I thought earlier. I would recommend you take care of your flat now. You can stay in the spare room at Shell Cottage with me until we leave. Then you can officially start tomorrow if you want," he suggested. Hermione agreed quickly. He obviously wanted her ready to leave at a moments notice.

"Can you show me the way out of here," she asked. Bill chuckled.

"It is confusing," he admitted. He quickly led her out of the bank and grinned at her before he turned around and walked back in. Hermione apparated to her flat and quickly packed it up. Luckily she still had her beaded bag with the undetectable extension charm. She quickly packed all of her things in it before going to the leasing office.

"Good afternoon," she said. "I have an emergency and have to vacate my flat. Can you please tell me what fee I will incur so I can pay it off," she asked sweetly. The lady behind the desk went with her to see the flat. She was surprised at how clean it was.

"You've lived here for four years," she asked. Hermione nodded. "How did you keep it this clean," she asked.

"Honestly, I just came here to shower and sleep. For the most part I was at work," Hermione admitted.

"Well, we'll have to hire deep cleaners anyways, but that won't affect you at all. You unfortunately forfeit your deposit since you're breaking your lease. Come to the office with me and we'll finish the paperwork."

Hermione signed the paperwork, and honestly wasn't too fussed about losing her deposit. She was breaking her lease and she had quite a bit of money saved up, so it wasn't a big deal.

Hermione went to Shell Cottage and realized she didn't have access yet. She sighed and sat down on the bench near Dobby's grave. She chose to visit the little elf's grave as she waited for Bill to make his appearance.

Bill arrived thirty minutes after Hermione did. "I was trying to beat you here," he said with a laugh. "I realized we never gave you access to Shell Cottage nor discussed when you could actually access it. Have you taken care of your flat," he asked.

"Yes," Hermione said. "I'm all moved out and ready to go to Egypt whenever you are," she said excitedly. Bill laughed.

"Good," he said. "I just got word from the goblins. They want us in Egypt by the end of the week. They've already replaced me at Gringotts and they're ready for the current team to return home. Apparently, they aren't doing very well."

"What does preparing to go to Egypt entail," Hermione asked.

"Well, we'll have a flat, so we won't be living in a tent or anything like that. We will have to actually find one for ourselves. Purchasing one isn't a good idea because we can be moved at any time. What you already have is probably good enough. It tends to be hotter there, so maybe some lightweight robes would be best. Definitely some runes books and some curse books. I'll show you tomorrow which ones I recommend," he told her.

"Thank you," Hermione said.

"No problem. Would you like to go to dinner with me," he asked. Hermione sighed.

"I would, but I have dinner plans with Harry and Ron. Considering we're leaving at the end of the week, it's important that I go to this dinner."

"That's okay," Bill said with a smile. "I'll go to the Burrow to inform Mum what we're going to do. We'll prepare tomorrow and leave in a couple of days, if that works for you," he said.

"Sounds good," she said. She went to her room and dropped her bag off. She didn't need to carry it to dinner with her, so she just grabbed her money pouch and told Bill goodbye as she headed to the Leaky Cauldron.

Harry and Ron were already seated with drinks, talking quietly. Hermione waved at them and ordered her own drink before sitting down. Suddenly she didn't feel hungry, so she didn't order any food. "You okay," Harry asked her. She nodded.

"I'm fine," she said. "Has Harry told you," she asked Ron. He looked confused.

"I didn't say anything, I thought you might want to tell him," Harry offered.

"Thank you," she said as she took a sip of her mead. "Well, Bill is heading back to Egypt to be a curse breaker again," she said. "He offered me a job as his assistant, and I took it. We leave in a couple of days," she said quietly.
"I though you had a couple of weeks when we spoke earlier," Harry said with a frown. Hermione sighed.

"We were supposed to, but before Bill left work today, the goblins told him to get there as soon as he can. We're going to make some purchases tomorrow to ensure we're prepared. He's telling your mum right now, Ron," Hermione told him.

"Are you dating my brother," Ron asked with a frown. Hermione giggled.

"No," she said. "He offered me a job. That's all it is," she assured him. "I gave up my flat so I'm staying at Shell Cottage until we leave."

"That must have been difficult," Harry said. Hermione shrugged. She hadn't been particularly attached to her flat.

"Not really," she said. "Honestly, I'm just glad to have this chance. I've always been interested in Ancient Runes and to have a job in that field is quite exciting. Besides, my boss at the Ministry hated me because I'm a muggleborn," she lamented.

"I'm sure that's not true," Ron soothed. Hermione rolled her eyes. He didn't like thinking of anyone believing anything but the best of his two best friends.

"Oh, it is," Harry confirmed. "After Hermione left this morning, I spoke with Kingsley. He confirmed the boss has some racist ideals. He can't fire him though because he has connections at the Wizengamot. He had hoped by having Hermione work there, it would prove the old arse wrong." Harry took a long sip of his Firewhiskey before continuing. "So, Kings wasn't totally surprised when you quit, though he did wish you would have talked to him first."

"Kingsley placed me in that office knowing I would face persecution. Why would I speak to him," Hermione asked in disbelief. She adjusted her hair in frustration before taking a calming breath.

"There's plenty of work in the private sector. Besides, Bill will be a great mentor at Curse Breaking," she gushed.

Ron rolled his eyes. "Count on Hermione to be excited about work," he said with a laugh. Hermione stuck her tongue out at him. He enjoyed his work too. He quit the auror department after a year. He found he didn't feel as fulfilled as Harry did at the job. He instead went to work with George and now co-owned the business with his brother. The two worked together to bring laughs to Diagon Alley, and Ron turned out to be almost as devious as the twins were.

Hermione arrived back at Shell Cottage after dinner. Bill was nursing a cup of coffee, but smiled when he saw Hermione. "Want a cup," Bill asked.

"Nah," Hermione replied. "I won't get any sleep if I do," she explained as she sat down across from him. "How'd your mum take it," she asked.

"As expected," Bill said with a sigh. "She isn't thrilled, but admitted that she can't stop either of us from going. She does demand that we write to her," he said with a laugh.

"That's doable," Hermione said. Bill nodded and stretched.

"I was thinking we'd leave day after tomorrow," Bill said. That will give us a couple days to get situated before we start work. One thing we need to decide," he said. Hermione raised an eyebrow, but waited for him to continue. "Do we want to get a flat together, or separate," he asked. "Together would assure we had a private place to discuss what we need to, but separate would guarantee we have privacy. It's your choice," he said.

Hermione had lived alone since after Hogwarts. She enjoyed her privacy, but that was mostly because Harry and Ron were rowdy. While Bill could be rowdy, she also knew he could be serious and studious as well. Maybe it would be nice to live together.

"Could we get a place together," she asked quietly. "If we decide we don't like it, we can always get a second flat then," she added with a shrug. "I've always lived alone, and I'm not sure I want to do that any longer," she said. Bill smiled at her.

"Growing up in a large family makes me not want to live alone either," Bill said. "I'd love to share a flat with you. It'll make work easier and we won't feel as lonely." Bill drained his cup and stood. He washed it quickly in the sink before turning back to Hermione. "Good night, Hermione," he said. She wished him good night and headed to her own room.

Morning came early. Hermione showered and dressed before heading down the stairs. Bill had a pot of coffee made and poured her a cup, which she accepted gratefully. She sat down at the table and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"Morning," Bill said. He sat down across from her.

"Morning," she repeated. After a few sips of coffee, she said, "what is going to be our first stop," she asked.

"Books," Bill said. Hermione's eyes brightened. "Just remember, whatever you buy, we will have to bring with us, so don't go crazy with shopping for books." Hermione's eyes dimmed for a moment before she smiled.

"I know you're right," she admitted. "So, books, robes, and what else," she asked.

"That's it," Bill said. "We'll probably get the robes near to the evening and we can leave first thing in the morning. Hopefully by tomorrow evening, we'll have a flat," he said.

"Or we can leave this evening," Hermione said. "We can get a room tonight and look for a flat in the morning," she suggested. Bill considered this.

"Are you sure you're okay with that," he asked. Hermione nodded.

"Truth is, I'm anxious to get out there," she admitted. Bill smiled. He could understand that. He was the same way when he first started.

So they went shopping. Hermione ended up with an entire stack of books. Some were on the topic she needed, but many others were not. Bill rolled his eyes, but didn't try to dissuade her from it. He did pay for them, much to Hermione's protest.

"You're leaving your entire life behind at my request," Bill told her. "The least I could do is pay for your books." Hermione didn't like it, but she agreed.

Their next stop was Madam Malkins. Bill ordered the robes they would need and paid for it to be expedited. The robes were ready an hour later, and they picked them up and headed to Shell Cottage. Hermione packed her things in her bag and offered Bill her bag to pack his things as well. He packed his necessities, grateful he wouldn't have to lug everything around. He locked and warded the house, so only a Weasley or Harry would be able to enter it, and he smiled at Hermione.

"Are you ready to go," he asked. Hermione nodded.

"Where are you going," he heard. His head snapped up at the familiar voice of his ex-wife.

"I'm moving back to Egypt," he said. "Hermione is going with me as my assistant. What do you want," he asked.

"I wanted to give you another chance," she said airily. "Talk to ze goblins and tell them you change your mind." Hermione almost snorted. You didn't just tell the Goblins anything.

"No," Bill said firmly. "You left me. You took off and divorced me. You don't get to waltz back in as if you belong here just because you regret your choices. We're done, Fleur. We're done. We are not getting back together. Been nice seeing you, now Hermione and I have to leave," he said. He offered her his arm, and she gripped it tightly. He spun on the spot and appeared in Egypt. Hermione saw a sign that said zaghaq diagon. "It means Diagon Alley," Bill told her. "They're not very imaginative, but most of them speak English. Let's go get us a room," he said. He led her into a pub. He ordered them two rooms, where he was informed there was only one room available. He begrudgingly took the room and led Hermione up the stairs. He swore when he pushed the door open and he saw there was one king sized bed. "She told me it had two beds," he said apologetically. "It's the last room, so we can't just get something else."

"It's okay," Hermione assured him. It wouldn't afford them much privacy, but she found she wasn't too upset about it. She set the bag down and sighed. "Can you place some wards around the room so I don't have to bring the bag with us," she asked.

"Yes," Bill said. He quickly placed wards around the room and nodded in satisfaction when he felt them settle into place. "Would you like to get some dinner," Bill asked. Hermione nodded and he led her down the stairs and out of the pub.

They walked down a muggle shopping center and stopped in front of a small café. "I got some muggle Egyptian money before I left work the other day," he explained. He translated the menu for her and she picked her food, but he ordered for her.

Their food and drinks arrived and Hermione moaned in pleasure. The food was delicious. "This is so good," she said. Bill smiled.

"I know," he said. "When I was last here, it was a new establishment. I'm glad to see they're still in business." He took another bite of his food. When he swallowed, he said, "I would prefer to live in the magical world, but I assume you'd rather live in the muggle," he asked.

"Not necessarily," Hermione said. "Magical world is fine, if we can find a place to live."

"I'm going to check out the building my last flat was in. It was a one bedroom, but they had two bedrooms available, so we can check there first," Bill suggested. "Hopefully, we can find something quick, I'm ready to get settled down."

Hermione agreed. But she looked around and suddenly wanted to see a little more. "Since we don't start work for a little while, could we play the tourist this evening," she asked. "I'd love to take a walk."

"Sure," Bill said. They finished their dinner, and Bill paid their tab and he offered her his arm. She linked her hand through his arm and they walked together, mostly in silence. "You know, we've known each other for years, but I feel as if I don't really know you," he said. "I know your credentials, but what else is there to know about you," he asked.

"My favorite color is purple," she admitted. "My parents were dentists and they loved me. They were so proud of me when I got accepted to Hogwarts. They didn't pretend to understand, but they did care," she said.

"I wasn't aware your parents died," Bill said. "My condolences."

"They're alive," she said with a sad smile. "Before I went on the run with Harry and Ron I obliviated them. I removed any knowledge of myself from them and sent them to Australia. When the war ended I went and found them and repaired their memories, but they were so angry that they demanded I change them back and never return to them again," she said wiping a tear away. "I did what I had to keep them safe, but the cost was my relationship with them."

"Do you regret doing it," he asked. "If you could go back in time and do it again, would you?"

"Yes," Hermione said decidedly. "I have to live with my decisions. If I could go back, I would do it again, because I can't live with myself if they had been tortured or killed," she answered.

"That doesn't always make it easier, does it," he asked. Hermione shook her head. It really didn't.

"What about you," she asked. "Tell me something about you that I don't know." Bill thought for a moment.

"I didn't always want to be a curse breaker," Bill said. "I wanted to work in the Ministry until my seventh year. I had taken ancient runes and arithmancy and was interested in curses, but Mum convinced me working in the Ministry was the way to go. I was excited, but I really didn't want to do it when I actually thought about it. A job sitting behind a desk just didn't appeal to me. I like the excitement," he said.

"And what's your favorite color," she asked teasingly.

"Blue," he admitted. They talked small talk until they made their way back to their room. "You can use the bathroom first," Bill offered. Hermione thanked him and grabbed her shower kit and her pajamas.

She showered and dressed for bed. She climbed in the bed while Bill went to shower and dress himself. He walked out in trousers and a t-shirt. "That's what you're wearing to bed," she asked. Bill's cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

"I usually sleep in my underwear," he admitted. "I didn't bring anything else comfortable to sleep in." Hermione laughed.

"Then sleep in your underwear," she said. "You deserve to be comfortable too." She turned her back while he stripped down to his underwear and climbed in the bed. "Good night, Bill," she called quietly.

"Good night, Hermione," he called back.