Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything Harry Potter, this is my take on another Potterverse. JK deserves her name in history books for her geniusness!

This story takes place right after Voldemort's downfall. This is my interpretation of a Bill and Hermione relationship!

Chapter 1: Lone Wolf

The war was over but the heartache kept coming. Harder and harder with each passing breath. All those we knew and loved, gone. Fred, my sweet brother, he didn't deserve this… None of us did and yet, I have to bury my younger brother. I was told when mum brought them all home,

"Bill, these are your little brothers, you are responsible for their safety. You help take care of them and show them love, they are Weasley's like you"

I hope he knew I love him… I hope they all do.

May 4, 1998 – Fred's Funeral

Nothing special, nothing spectacular, exactly the way he wanted it… Who are we kidding he is… was a Weasley twin. There were fireworks and sweets and fantasticals all around! George made sure his brother was buried with pride.

"Beel, sweet 'art, let us go 'ome now. I am so t'red and woood leek to get sum r'st befor' we leave t'mmorrow." Fleur said nuzzling into her husband.

"I need to stay with my family tonight, you go home I'll see you soon." Bill stood and kissed her cheek but never looked at her.

Bill sat in the living room of the Burrow surrounded by a sea of red heads and felt so alone. Until he caught a whiff of something. The Full Moon wasn't for another week so he wasn't quite sensitive yet but…

What is that intoxicating aroma…?

Bill looked up and noticed Ginny with Hermione who was holding a very squirmy Teddy.

Who is it that smells… smells…

"Bill are you okay mate?"

Charlie came up behind Bill and pat him on the back. He knew exactly who he was looking at, working with dragons had made him more in tune with different mating rituals amongst the species. Now Bill wasn't a dragon but werewolves have similar tendencies. The females produce pheromones that only certain males pick up. Some dragon species mate for life like werewolves, but werewolves seldom find their mates, and sometimes when they do, some of mates don't accept it, it really is tragic.

Bill made a noise of acknowledgment as his brother plopped down next to him on the couch.

"Sorry mate didn't catch that…"

"I smell something…" Bill said under his breath a little louder.

"I noticed, now let's think rationally about this shall we?"

"What do you mean Char?" Bill grumbled

"You're a wolf, under a time of distress and feeling alone. Of course your mate's scent will rear its head now. You need her."

"My mate?"

"Think logically… You're wife just left… You're in a.."

"My wife didn't leave me, she just went home after I told her to."

"Stop. Look around… Do you see anyone in here that isn't a Weasley or Prewett?"

Bill looked around and saw only read heads, minus Teddy. He was changing his hair color to the crayons Hermione was handing him.

Hermione? No.. she's too.. She's…

"What does she smell like Rudi?"

Not long after Bill's accident they found out that Bill had an inner wolf that would come out during intense events and around the full moon. They named him Rudi – short for Rudolph. He hadn't shown up in a while, so the new scent must be intoxicating.

"Oranges, limes, lemons, anything citrus… It's bloody intoxicating." Bill practically growled inhaling more and more of the scent.

"What are you going to do?" Charlie looked at Bill and was surprised at the golden eyes staring back at him, Rudi was in total control.

Bill shook his head and the golden eyes darkened back to their normal mahogany color.

"I can't Charlie… She's not for me," Bill strained to speak, he nodded towards their youngest brother who was currently stuffing his face with treacle tarts and puff pastries.

"And also, if you can't remember dear brother… I'm married." Bill practically spat out, as the word "married" came out his eyes flickered gold.

"Damn Bill… Rudi has really taken a shine to our dear Hermione." Charlie said with a smirk which earned a growl from his older brother sitting next to him.

"Easy Rudi… I was only teasing…"

"I just have to forget about her, I'm with Fleur and I love her…" Right? What do you mean Bill! Can't you smell her? She wants you. Go to her. Smell her, take her!

"TEDDY LUPIN! I swear to Merlin!" Just then a high pitch shrill came from the girl he was just looking at.

Teddy was sitting in Hermione's lap only a couple months old, remember the crayons? He now had some of Hermione's hair in one hand and a crayon in another, he was not only changing his hair to match but hers too!

The entire Weasley clan was looking onto the scene and couldn't help but laugh. On such a crummy day they all needed a good laugh.

"Go save your mate… mate!" Charlie said with a wink.

"On it." Bill grumbled as he stood up to cross the room to Hermione. The aroma only got stronger, her scent more profound and amazing. Bill had to do everything in his power to not attack her right there. Now he and Hermione had a fairly good relationship, he never saw her as a sister but a friend the older they got, not to mention a confidant. There were many nights, late nights at the Burrow before his wedding he spent with the witch talking more in depth about his wolfish tendencies and how he thought Fleur would react. Bill was one of the only family members that had worked out what the Golden Trio were going off to do. Bill being a curse-breaker, he told her all he knew about horcruxes, he had encountered a couple before but those cases were quickly taken away due to the severity of the act in order to create them. They had formed an unspoken bond and familiarity with each other.

"Here Teddy boy, come to Uncle Billy…. There's a good lad!"

"Bill! Thank you! I don't think I enjoy my hair being cyan or cerulean…" Hermione said handing the wriggling child to the eager waiting Bill. And straightening, or trying to straighten her hair.

"Nah love, but I'm sure a nice magenta or maroon would be just fine!" Bill winked as he sat on the floor in front of Hermione with Teddy between his crossed legs. Teddy proceeded to grab more crayons and change his hair again.

"Here Teddy, try my hair, it's always been red why not go for a nice lime green or purple?" Bill offered his hair to the baby who giggled happily and took the hair and a crayon and turned his hair and Bill's a nice bright neon purple even the blind could have seen.

"I don't think Fleur would appreciate that shade…" Hermione whispered into Bill's ear making his pupils dilate immediately. He shook his head in response to her but also to regain his control.

Rudi get a hold of yourself! We can't have this girl!

"We can. And we WILL! Just you wait…" Rudi said to himself.

"You okay Bill?" Ginny asked in concern, considering Bill hadn't opened his eyes for a while.

"I'm fine sister. Here…. I think I'm going to say goodbyes and head home… I love you Gin." Bill said handing the redhead Teddy and kissing her on the head.

"Good night Hermione." Bill said softly kissing her cheek slowly. As he did his eyes shone bright gold again as Rudi in haled her citrus aroma, he relished in her touch and memorized her scent.

Hermione placed her hand where Bill's lips had just been and saw those beautiful golden eyes staring back.

"Goodnight…" She spoke then mouthed, "Rudi."

Which made the wolf grin and retreat, allowing Bill to regain himself, the smile never faded.