"Bill, don't give me that look. You know I love you. It's just that you and I are nine years apart. Not only that but I need to finish school and you have a career as a curse breaker. Your brother loves me and this would crush him. Fleur loves you. So what happens when we tell them we were cheating on them? I'm your brother's girlfriend!" A panicked Hermione Granger paced the floor of the Shell cottage. Bill Weasley was leaning in the doorway watching his witch worry.

"Hermione, love, with Fleur in France visiting family and Ron away at his Auror job, this has been an opportunity for us. When I first met you during the quidditch world cup way back then, I thought you to be one of my brother's annoying little friends. When you got older, after everything that has happened between you and Ron, I saw you for something I've never seen in any girl before. I saw you be the brave, witty, and smart young witch you are today. And Hermione, I'm pretty sure we've made it quite obvious that we love each other. I mean, does Ron or Fleur really believe you need that much help studying for your NEWTs?" Bill chuckled as he slowly started to walk to Hermione who was sitting on the floor with her knees pressed against her chest. Her chin was quivering and tears were silently dripping off of her face. Bill knelt down and tilted Hermione's chin up with his finger.

"The Christmas party at the Burrow is going to be in two days. Fleur won't be back for another few hours. Bill, I just feel really weird about all of this. I mean, we snog and cuddle and we love each other. It just doesn't feel right," Hermione looked down at Bill's hand that had traveled to the side of her leg.

"I didn't want to do this but I guess I'm gonna have to," Bill sighs and adjusts his position on the floor and Hermione looks up at him. Bill was now on one knee and had his puppy eyes out. "Hermione Granger, will you be my date to the Weasley Christmas dinner?"

Hermione laughed and wiped her tears. She got up and threw her arms around Bill who fell over. "Of course I will. I'm just worried about what everyone will think."