Chapter 21: Escape plans

"Why am I doing this again?" Bill asked nervously as Hermione straightened his dress shirt.

"Because you love me" She stated brushing some imaginary dirt off his sleeve "Don't worry…" Hermione softly whispered seeing the fear in his green eyes"…they will love you"

"Give me fire breathing dragons any day but meeting a girlfriend's parents for the first time" He involuntarily shivered.

"What is the problem, what has you so worried?" She asked kindly, her small hand lovingly cupping his cheek.

"I don't exactly look the part of a proper boyfriend" Bill gestured to his shoulder length hair and dragon fang earring "I look more like the love them then leave them kind of guy" A small giggle passed Hermiones lips at the look on Bill's face.

"Come on" Hermiones soft lips brushed his as she gently took Bill's hand in hers "Just be yourself and all will be fine" She promised while turning to the wooden door in front of her and knocked, her fist making three small taps. Bill swallowed thickly just before the door of Hermiones childhood home opened to revile her mother.

"Hermione, so glad you could make it" Just like her daughter Hermione's mum had soft curly hair that was pined up into a messy bun, she was smartly dressed but still causal; her soft blue eyes shined with the same warmth Molly's always has.

"Good to see you mum" Hermione led the way into the house hugging her mother tightly which was returned just as fiercely. The hall was nicely decorated, pictures lining the walls and Hermione's school pictures making a steady assent up the staircase.

"So you must be Bill" Bill could only nod not able to find his voice "I'm Jane nice to meet you"

"Nice to meet you too" Bill stuttered still worried, Hermione squeezed his hand in reassurance. Jane Granger noticed.

"Don't worry dear we won't be biting your head off" She said kindly leading them though to the living room "Their here Harold" Jane called lovingly while sitting the two down on the brown leather sofa "I will be right back with some drinks" She offered disappearing though the door.

Bill looked around the room once again seeing pictures all over the walls; the walls being a light cream with light chocolate carpet, a large bookcase stood beside the fireplace full of books coving all subjects; the fireplace being just like the one at The Burrow, large and open.

"I always find it funny how similar our mums are, always making sure everyone is fed and comfortable" She said trying to lighten Bill's low mood.

"It's not your mum that has me worried" Bill confessed his eyes glancing towards the door.

"Dad will be fine" Hermione said sternly "Trust me on that" She giggled as her dad came into the room. He was a few heads taller then Hermione's height with the same shade of chestnut hair laying flat on his head which was cut short, his brown eyes shined with wisdom and eagerness similar to Arthur when he had a muggle object in his hand.

"Hello Bill my boy" Harold bellowed taking Bills hand in a strong grip "It's nice to finally meet you, 'Mione has told us a lot about you" Bill smiled back but it looked more like a grimace, Harold then turned to his only child and loving daughter "'Mione how have you been darling?" He pulled Hermione into a huge bear hug almost crushing her; Jane came into the room with a tray of drinks and was handing them out while laughing at her husband and daughter.

"I'm fine dad" She giggled pretending to put her ribs back into place, Bill waited until Harold had sat down until he did himself.

"Before we begin the small talk…" Harold began "…I would like to make sure my facts are in order" The way he said it remind Bill of Hermione in so many ways wise and always wanting to know more "You two met though Ron who is 'Mione's school friend and your youngest brother correct" There was no harshness to his voice or tone, in fact he almost chuckled.

"That's right sir"

"Call me Harold my boy everyone does" His smile belonged more on the troublesome faces of Fred and George then Harold "You are the oldest of your siblings; you being ten years older then 'Mione and work as a Cure Breaker at the wizard bank Gringotts with 'Mione"

"Yes Harold right so far"

"Great" He smiled wider glad to have some of his facts right "You two have been going out for six months and a half months but were flat mates for a month before hand and now the both of you are living with your mother and father"

"That's right dad" Hermione smiled taking a sip of her drink as she watched her dad.

"Know this is the bit that I'm a little confused about" Harold offered taking a sip before talking again "You and 'Mione got together after a incident with your werewolf part but you're not a full werewolf" His eyebrows pulled together in a slight frown as her looked towards his daughter and her boyfriend with confusion.

"Yes that is true" Bill said sadly as if admitting to a great offence.

"So how did that happen if you don't mind me asking" Jane asked shyly "The werewolf part I mean"

"As you know there was a war that ended at Hogwarts when Harry killed Voldemort" Hermione started, both Jane and Harold nodded knowing this already.

"Well a year before the final battle the school was attacked, a load of us rushed to the school to stop the death eaters; who were Voldemorts followers, but in the fight that followed I was bitten by an untransformed werewolf" Jane paled slightly as she glanced to her husband who looked utterly shocked.

"You poor dear" Jane said sadly making her way over to Bill, she sat down beside him and pulled Bill into a motherly hug "You have been though so much" A small smile made its way onto Bills face as he embraced Jane back, swapping her with his big arms. Hermione smiled happily glad that her parents were always so open minded and welcoming.

"It has been difficult at times…" Jane pulled away and smiled motherly at Bill as she made her way back to her husband "…and I have felt like a monster but 'Mi has helped me though it and for that I'm eternally grateful" They looked fondly at each other forgetting there were others in the room, green met brown as the love they shared melted in their gaze; Jane watched on lovingly at the loving gaze on both of their faces.

"Takes me back a bit" Harold chuckled.

"I know it does dear, it does not seam that long ago"

"Mum do you mind if I show Bill that picture?" Hermione asked gesturing to the mantle piece around the fireplace, Jane smiled.

"Go right ahead" Leaping skilfully from the sofa Hermione got the picture she wanted and brought it over to Bill; whose mouth dropped at the sight before him. Inside the picture were two people, by the looks of things it was Harold and Jane when they were younger but what surprised Bill was Harold; He had long brown ponytail; much longer then his, with a earring in his left ear looking somewhat similar to himself.

"That is why you should not be worried; there is eight years between my parents" Hermione said softly running a hand though the end of his ponytail of flame red hair.

"I only cut my hair after 'Mione was born, to worried she might try to eat it or something" He chuckled at his own half joke looking fondly at his daughter. The whole room jumped when three loud knocks interrupted the moment. Jane and Harold shared an annoyed looked before glancing towards the door.

"That better not be him" Harold muttered bitterly as he pulled himself out of the comfy chair. Bill breathed in though his nose as the familiar smell hit his nose, the smell belonging to someone he never wanted to see again, Bill growled as he stood up from beside Hermione.

"Don't worry Harold, let me handle this" Bill half spat in rage and half smirked moving quicker then the older man. Harold nodded to Bill, showing him that he understood and moved to sit next to Hermione with Jane right behind him, Hermione just looked confused. Bill let out one calming breath before opening the wooden door to show Victor Krum's smug face; which fell upon seeing Bill at the door.

"Leave before I personally feed you to one of Charlie's dragons" Bill hissed his eyes hardening into small rocks of Jade. Victor found his fallen face again and glared at the red headed man before him, he opened his mouth to say something but Bill did not give him a chance; Bill satisfyingly slammed the door in his face with a bang. He could hear Victor muttering to himself before leaving, his heavy feet making dull thuds as they hit the hard garden path. Bill chuckled to himself as he walked back to his girlfriend and her family.

"We should have told you" Jane said sadly her hands twisting in her lap.

"What do you mean mum?" Hermione asked confused looking to each of her parents; worry filling her gaze.

"That is not the first time he has been here I take it" Bill said still standing in the doorway.

"No it's not" Harold clarified looking at his loving wife "He has been making threats to us and has been scarring your mother 'Mione. We were going to tell you tonight but he did it for us" Harold chuckled humourlessly running a hand though his hair.

"You should have told us the first time he came round" Hermione pleaded "We could have helped"

"We didn't want to upset you dear" Jane said brushing a stray stand of curly brown hair out the way. There was another visitor to the house, they knocked then promptly let themselves in. Bill turned towards the door ready to shout at whoever it was that they should wait until someone came to the door and was surprisingly shocked when he came face to face with Charlie.

"I can't explain now but we need to get you out of here" Charlie said urgently rushing past his brother and addressing Jane and Harold.

"What is going on?" Hermione asked.

"Just pack, we need to get you to The Burrow and quickly" Seeing the worry and frustration in Charlie's eyes Hermione ran out the room stamping her feet on the stairs in her haste. With a flick of her wand a bag came down from atop the wardrobe and fell lightly on the bed. Hermione raided her parent's draws and threw whatever her fingers found into the bag not bothering to put them in neatly or see what she had packed. Bag packed and ready she threw it down to Bill who caught it with steady hands at the bottom of the stairs.

"Jane hold on to Charlie's arm, Harold hold onto mine" Hermione could hear Bill's tenor voice rubble in command as she flew down the stairs and picked up the bag waiting at the bottom, two pops sounding the safe travel of her parents; Hermione quickly locked the house with muggle and magical locks before doing the same thing. When The Burrow came into view Hermione rushed into the house bumping into everything in her path and into Den to find Jane and Harold meeting Molly and Arthur for the first time with tension hanging thick in the air.

"What is going on?" Harold asked Jane gripping onto his side with fear evident in her eyes; Harold put his arm around his trembling wife pulling her form closer to his.

"Something serious has happened" Arthur said looking at the other father in the house "One of our sons' works with the magical government and has come across a file regarding both you and your wife" Molly half filled in. Hermione looked to Bill who gave her a half shrug; Charlie had disappeared but had now returned with Percy and an old boot in his hand.

"Victor has put forth an A4995 which states that Harold and Jane have informed other muggles about the magical community, if this is proven correct…well lets just say it won't be nice" Percy stated looking up at the two in question.

"Percy is building a case in your name while Arthur is trying to backdate the file going though as much as he can and trying to change the laws at the same time" Molly said kindly. A tear ran down Jane's already pale face as she pushed herself closer to her husband. Hermione could not bare seeing her mum like this and it angered her, seeing what Victor was trying to get to herself by going though her parents.

"I had some work I had to hand into the magical creatures department and bumped into Percy on my way out. He told me what he had found and I came over as quick as I could as he owled mum and dad. We think the safest place for you right now would be out of the country, I work with dragons in Romania and that would be the best option for the moment" Jane whimpered her hands white from gripping Harold's top so tight.

"Please don't be scared mum" Hermione pleaded making her way towards her fearful mother "Charlie and Megan will take good care of you both, Bill and I can be there in a heartbeat if you need us all you need to do is call" Jane looked to her daughter for only a moment before Hermione could not take it anymore "I promise you mum…" Hermione put her hands on top of her mothers "…Krum will not get away with this"

"We know you will get him honey" Hermione could hear the pride in her father's voice "You're not our little girl anymore but a woman with a mind of her own, a fighters spirit and a wicked right hock" As Harold chuckled Jane reached out for her daughter and Hermione gladly reached back, Jane pulled her close kissing her on the forehead copied by Harold "You have always done us proud 'Mione"

Hermione could not hold back any longer tears of sadness, fear and worry fell from her brown eyes as they hugged; The Weasleys kindly leaving the family of three alone for the time being. Hermione never wanted to let go but the time came for her parents to go.

Charlie held the muddy old boot out to Harold and Jane, they held on tightly while they fingers interlocked with Hermione's, Bill held onto Hermione's waist keeping her in place. Charlie counted down and at the last second Hermione let go of her mum and dad watching them disappear before her eyes.

"They will be fine 'Mi" Bill whispered softly in her ear, brushing away the tears from her cheeks "Krum has no case against them and they will be free in no time"

"It's Krum who has to worry" Hermione said fiercely turning in Bills grip to look him in the eyes "He is going to wish he never crossed me. He will be begging me to stop as I drag him though the seven pits of hell…" Rage beyond anything he had ever seen before danced in her eyes. Bill was truly scared of Hermione for the first time in his life "…the whole time wishing he had never been born"

A.N. This is a note to all the readers of this story, if you are reading this for the first time or cheaking for another chapter I have some news for you. I'm working on the story again, YAY. I feel like I must expalin what has been happening so here we are. I have been working on this story for years, sadly two years ago my mum passed away and the story lost it's apeal, every time I would start to write another chapter I would stare at a blank screan with nothing coming to me. This is where it ends, i'm going though all the chapters I have written so far and updating them, correcting any mistakes etc, I don't know how long it will take me but I will finsih this story I can promice you that. Please bare with me for a little longer kitkathampster