The wedding was arranged quite a bit too quickly for Molly, but Bill and Hermione wanted to start their lives together officially. She didn't see a reason to rush it, but no one would listen to her. The elves were decorating and cooking up a storm. No one consulted her.

There was nothing for the Weasley matriarch to do. Well, nothing but worry. It was all moving so quickly.

Even the children settled into their new home without a fuss. Having their own rooms seemed excessive, but they loved the space. Shell Cottage had been a lovely house, but The Burrow had been home. Now, this pile of rocks was home.

They adored their soon to be step mother, and spent most mornings with Hermione as she slyly taught them to control their accidental magic. Molly felt sure the Ministry would frown on the practice. After lunch, they did lessons. The elves were teaching them to speak in silly sing song sounds and Hermione was teaching them other things. They spent the remainder of their afternoons running about the well manicured lawn.

They were thriving. She could see it, but she still worried. They didn't seem to miss life at The Burrow. They didn't seem to miss her at all. It was disheartening.

She'd spent years taking care of her children and her children's children, but, now, she had to watch another, not even their mother, take over. Hermione was efficient and intelligent, but how long would she be happy settled in one place. Her wanderlust was legendary. She'd spent years away. Years.

The girl had taken off for more exotic climes just after finishing school. All those job offers had been for nothing. Hermione had disappeared from their lives without so much as a by your leave. She was flighty. She'd never settled anywhere before. Why would she do it now? How long would Hermione hang about before boredom set in?

Bill had no business rushing into a second marriage like this.

The first one had been an unmitigated disaster.

Fleur had tried, but they'd been so different. Her boy had rushed that marriage, too. It had helped stave off worries of the war for a time, but after, he'd stopped smiling.

Now, she stood on the precipice of another one of Bill's bad choices. He wouldn't delay. He wouldn't listen. He hadn't listened to her fears about Fleur, and he'd been all but destroyed.

She had to do something before he was broken beyond repair.

"You needs be leaving our family alone." One of Hermione's elves stepped next to her. "You be all turmoil and worry, but he finally bes home. Thems have real love."

The elf looked up at her with wide eyes. She knew the creature was loyal to Hermione, but this was odd behavior.

"She finds us with no homes and no place belongings, but she was worser. She belongsies, but there no place for her. Her skin itches all the timesy. Her heart always screamses. Her mate no chooses her. He pickses the bird woman. Very bad times." The elf flapped its ears. "So, we becomes hers and she becomes ours. Now, he makings the right choices. Our family be growing."

The elf popped away and Molly finched at the sound. She looked down toward the lawn and watched her grand babies running about with a young woman she hadn't really ever bothered to know. She chewed on her lower lip for a moment.

"Mum, you don't need to protect me from Hermione." Bill stepped into the room. "You've got the elves in a tizzy. They want to marry us in the elves way right this minute. It took a bit to get them to calm down."

"She's barely been back." Molly looked up at her oldest son. "How can you be so sure?"

"She's my mate." Bill looked down to the lawn to see his children chasing her. "She has been all along."

"You can't know that." Molly grabbed his arm. "You can't be sure."

"Mum, I marked her." Bill dropped his eyes to the floor. "I know."

"Well, you marked her." Molly took a deep breath. "That doesn't mean you have to rush this. She can't be impatient because your instincts took over. You are still a wizard."

"She's it for me, Mum. Wizard and wolf." Bill met her gaze evenly. "I marked her years ago, claimed her. She left so I could have the life I wanted with Fleur. She spent years alone and isolated, craving her mate. I was wrong to let her go."

"You marked her years ago?" Molly blinked. "And, you let her go?"

"Fleur was pregnant." Bill frowned. "Staying with her wasn't easy, but it seemed like the right thing to do. I'd made a commitment to Fleur, and I tried. I forced myself to be the best husband I could, but I dreamed of Hermione every night. The moons were agony. My inner wolf was tearing me apart. It was horrible, but there was nothing I could do. Hermione left me to have the life I chose."

"That's why she stayed away?" Molly looked back toward Hermione and her laughing grandchildren.

"It is." Bill placed a hand on his mother's shoulder. She could feel the warmth of it through her jumper.

Hermione had left her son to have the life he'd picked. Foolish, really, but noble. She should have known. The girl always did have a big heart.

"There has to be something I can do to help with this wedding." Molly reached up and patted her son's hand. "I know you want to keep it simple, but there must be something."

Bill chuckled and Molly relaxed. It was about time her son got it right. Really, how had they all ignored how perfect Hermione was for him?