[Bill tells Hermione what's going on.]

[barelybitten]

Bill had debated bringing the letter with him when he went to go see Hermione, but decided against it at the last minute. Burning it, like he told Hermione he had done, seemed like a good enough idea. So before he came, he had tossed the letter into the fire, watching as it shriveled in the flames. The words were burned into his mind, so it wasn

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[muggle_lioness]

"Too many people would be like a death trap. Besides, who knows the ins and outs of that mansion better than us?" She tried to offer him a reassuring smile, but failed.

[barelybitten]

"We don't know all the hiding places," Bill pointed out. "Besides that, Lucius would take extra measures to see that I don't run again. You know Malfoy would do the same thing if you got caught."

[muggle_lioness]

"I know," Hermione said, never wanting to let him out of the hug. "I just don't want to be helpless in my attempt to save you."

[barelybitten]

"Just be patient with that. There are other people that need to be saved, too. Focus on the easy ones for now, okay?" He knew Hermione could help more than just himself, especially if she stayed.

[muggle_lioness]

Hermione merely nodded, then looked up at him, worrying her bottom lip. "Would it be incredibly awkward and off putting if I were to. . . kiss you?" She prayed he would let her. She'd wanted to for so long. She needed it. Needed him.

[barelybitten]

Bill thought quickly over the pros and cons of her question. It might hurt worse if he let her, then again the opposite could be said as well. Nobody had kissed him since Fleur, nearly five years ago. "If you ... if you don't think ... I don't want it to hurt more..."

[muggle_lioness]

"It can't," Hermione whispered, shaking her head. "It can't," she repeated, before tilting her head up and pressing her lips to his.

[barelybitten]

Bill let Hermione close the distance, holding the kiss for a moment before he returned it. After a few long moments, he broke their connection and took a small step back. "I'll leave Esmond here with you tonight," he told her softly. "Take care of him."

[muggle_lioness]

Hermione held back a whimper when Bill pulled away and quietly said, "I will," before wiping yet another tear away.

[barelybitten]

"Everything will be fine," Bill promised. He rubbed Hermione's arms once before taking another step back. "You should get some rest. You look tired."

[muggle_lioness]

"Don't tell me it will be fine when we both know it won't be!" Hermione practically yelled, then shrunk back, hugging herself. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell."

[barelybitten]

Bill winced as she yelled, but he didn't take offense to it. She had a right to do it. "No need to apologize. I understand."

[muggle_lioness]

"No, I shouldn't have yelled. You're just trying to take care of me," Hermione said, still holding herself. After a few moments of silence, she softly said, "Am I. . . going to see you again before you leave?"

[barelybitten]

"I don't know," Bill told her honestly enough. "It depends on when I leave, I suppose. I haven't decided on that yet."

[muggle_lioness]

Hermione nodded, and tugged on the sleeve of her shirt, seeing the outline of the cuff that lay underneath it. "I just don't want you to leave without telling you a proper goodbye."

[barelybitten]

Bill reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind Hermione's ear. "Then say it now... just in case."