Hieroglyphic Hearts

CHAPTER 3

On Thursday morning the girls were left to their own devices without Bill or Ali-Reza.

"Did you have a good time with Ali-Reza last night?" Hermione asked as they were getting ready for a day trip to the Valley of the Kings.

Mary Frances smiled brightly. "Yes! I'll be having a good time with him tonight, too."

Hermione looked truly happy for her friend. "That's great."

"Yes," she beamed, "and what about you and Bill?"

Hermione mentally listed everything she could remember from last night. "I found out he's single and not dating that veela anymore."

"That's good to know! I mean, he was sleeping with his arm around you."

"What?" Hermione stopped dead in her tracks.

Mary Frances gave her a look full of mischief. "When I came home last night, both of you were asleep on the bed--fully clothed, unfortunately, so it didn't look like anything really interesting happened."

Hermione gave her a look of disbelief.

"Yes," her friend said, "and his arm was around you, and he was snuggled up tight. So if he's single, you'd better do something while you can. It's like my Canadian friends say: 'you snooze; you loose.'"

If Hermione were given to frivolity, this would be the moment for it. The idea that Bill had slept most of the night with his arm wrapped around her made her feel positively giddy. She was in such the distracted mood that she could barely think straight to enjoy the Valley of the Kings. She was a disciplined person, though, so she didn't let thoughts of Bill become all consuming. Hermione did, however, wish to spend the evening with him when she and Mary Frances were done.

~*~

Bill was not in his flat when they returned. Mary Frances quickly readied for her date with Ali-Reza and left Hermione alone. Instead of waiting in the flat idly, Hermione went again to the cafe where they had gone on Monday and indulged in another serving of baklava and coffee.

When she came back, she found Bill hunched over more work at his table. He looked so cramped and uncomfortable that Hermione went immediately over to him and without asking permission, started rubbing his shoulders. He moved his shoulders and rolled his neck as she was touching him. While her hands were on Bill, she took the opportunity again to play with his long hair.

When she had finished her ministrations, he stretched his arms above his head and then reached backwards behind him to give Hermione a strange sort of hug. "Thank you," he said softly.

"You're welcome," she said as she smiled down on him.

He looked up at her and observed, "You went and had more baklava."

"Yes. How did you know?"

Bill smiled and touched the corner of his mouth, indicating to her that she had some tell-tale sign of it in the same place. "I've told you, Hermione. Their baklava is good, but I have had better. I'll have to get you some before you leave."

Bill stood up to stretch the rest of his body. "What are your plans for this evening?"

"I don't have any, but Mary Frances is out again with Ali-Reza."

An idea came to Bill suddenly. "If you want to go out dancing again, I'll buy you a new pair of shoes. If that's what you really want to do, I'd be happy to get them for you."

She blushed at his kindness. "No, Bill! I couldn't possibly accept."

He looked at her directly in the eyes. "Are you sure?"

"Yes! I was actually thinking of doing something else. I heard there was a laser light show by the Sphinx."

He licked his lips as he thought, then suggested, "Why don't you do that on Saturday night? Then the four of us could all go together."

"Fine. I don't really need to do anything tonight anyway."

"How about this," he suggested. "Let me finish this work I have, and then we can go to this jazz club I know for a quick drink."

"Sure! That sounds great."

"But, Hermione," he said with a warning tone in his voice, "no ouzo!"

~*~

He finished quickly and took her to the club that was only a few blocks away from his flat. They listened the music being played by the trio on stage while enjoying a drink and trading stories about their day. It felt as easy for Hermione to talk to Bill as it was for her to talk to Ron or Harry.

When they were done there, they took an easy stroll home. Upon entering the flat, Mary Frances was already there sleeping.

"Maybe her shoes are starting to wear out, too," he jokingly said to Hermione.

She laughed in response and then bid him goodnight.

~*~

The next two days passed in a rush. Hermione and Mary Frances had taken yet another day trip on Friday, and they went to Luxor Palace. The evening had a date for Mary Frances and Ali-Reza with Hermione left to Bill's company. He took her to see a black and white movie with a stunning story. Briefly in the dark he held her hand, but Hermione didn't dare hope it signified more than Bill's easy friendship.

On Saturday both Bill and Ali-Reza were occupied with work, but they were finished by mid-day. In the afternoon they went to an outdoor play. Bill provided Hermione with the translation of any parts she did not understand. In the evening they went to see the laser light show at the Sphinx.

The lights showed across the plain, so it was a treat to see it. It seemed so much of a tourist thing to do that Bill had not gone to it before.

"It's breathtaking," Hermione gasped in appreciation.

Bill looked at her instead of at the lights and agreed completely. "Yes, it is."

When they walked away at the end of the night, Bill had his arm around Hermione's shoulder guiding her least she should stumble. Ali-Reza begged Mary Frances to accompany him once more, and she accepted with a giggle. She waved goodbye to Bill and Hermione and went to whatever adventure they had planned.

Upon entering the flat, Hermione immediately sat down on the sofa. Before long she was falling asleep while sitting upright. Bill sat beside her and nudged her.

"Go to bed, Hermione," he said softly.

"And you?" she asked.

"I have something to do before I go to sleep," Bill said and then kissed her forehead.

Hermione sighed at his kiss and then sleepily walked to the bed.

~*~

She woke up late on Sunday morning, the last full day that she would be in Egypt with Bill. Maybe she didn't want to wake up so she could pretend her visit would last longer, but her practical mind took over. If she slept away the day, she wouldn't be able to spend any time with him at all.

When she walked out into the main room, she saw Bill in the kitchen putting items into a covered basket.

"Where's Mary Frances?" she asked with a yawn.

"She's with Ali-Reza, of course. I don't think she came back last night."

Hermione looked worried.

Bill noticed and said, "Don't fret. They're getting along splendidly. He already has plans to visit her in Spain. So while they are busy, it is up to us to entertain ourselves today."

"There isn't really anything I want to do. I feel so over stimulated, I can't choose."

"I have it under control. Let's go for a picnic in the park. It's a lovely day to enjoy being out in the weather and relaxing." He smiled winningly to her across the room.

She agreed and soon they were on their way to the park. Before they got there, Bill stopped in a bakery and he bought some wine at another shop. While at the park, Bill spread a large blanket out on the ground and revealed the assortment of food in the basket. There were several of Hermione's favorites, but he saved the best for last. He pushed a small cardboard box in her direction.

"What is it?" She eyed both him and the box.

"You'll never know if you don't open it," he teased.

Hermione untied the thread that held the box closed. Inside was a delicately prepared example of baklava. Her mouth started watering in anticipation as she looked at it. She portioned some for Bill and then for herself.

It was love at first bite as she tasted it. This must have been that better baklava that he had told her about.

"Oh, this is so good it's sinful!" Hermione murmured while devouring her portion.

"I'm glad you like it," Bill smiled indulgently back at her.

"Did you buy this at that bakery?" She was licking her fingers, even if it wasn't the best example of manners that her parents had taught her.

"No. I made that." Bill nodded at the remains of the delicious dessert.

"No!" she said in disbelief at first, followed by, "Really?"

He nodded nonchalantly. "I told you I was a wizard in the kitchen."

"You are!" she praised.

"And in the bedroom. And everywhere else," he humorously listed.

"Bill Weasley, do your talents never end?" she asked, still in amazement.

"No. I am that good!" he chuckled.

~*~

Upon finishing the rest of their lunch, Bill leaned back to the ground with his elbows supporting him at right angles. He stared off at the distance with a pleasant smile on his face as he watched the people in the park. There were young and old, healthy and infirm, mothers and children, lovers, people walking their animals, people rushing to and fro even on Sunday, and a number of other varieties of humanity.

"What are you doing, Bill?"

"People watching. I find it infinitely interesting how different yet the same we all are." His voice trailed off as he mused. "Of course, solid powers of observation are vital in my work. I'd be a dead wizard many times over if I didn't know what was happening around me."

Hermione looked at his profile and again admired his face. He was handsome without being intimidating or untouchable. Still she liked him best with his hair falling free, so she gave in to temptation and took out his pony tail again.

He looked at her with his changing hazel eyes. "Why have you continually tried to undo my hair this week?"

"I don't know why. I just like it." She blushed and tried to cover up her embarrassment.

When a moment of silence had passed, she thought it better to tell him the truth. "That's not really true. Actually, I think it looks beautiful when it is free like that."

"You mean effeminate," he said with a snort. Bill knew perfectly well what his mother thought on the subject of his long hair.

"No! It's not effeminate at all. It's like the mane of a regal lion, and it looks so good on you." The awe she'd been feeling resonated clearly in her voice

Bill chuckled and reached over to muss Hermione's hair. "If I have a mane of a lion, you must be the lioness with this wild bush of hair."

"I must like you, Bill, because I wouldn't normally let someone tease me and live to tell about it." She was laughing at him and then stopped when she realized how close their faces were.

"You don't like me well enough, Hermione," he teased back.

"Why do you say that?" she asked with a worried tone.

"Because you haven't tried even once to kiss me yet. You're supposed to be a modern woman. You can make the first move, you know."

She was completely taken by surprise. "Well, maybe I am a traditionalist!"

He shrugged, saying, "If you wish."

Bill leaned over and brushed his lips softly against Hermione's, teasing her with the barest touch. When she began to respond to him, he pulled away while his kissing lips formed into a smile. She decided to forego the teasing and kiss him hard. She suckled on his lower lip until Bill opened his mouth to caress hers with his tongue.

It was a wonderful kiss in Hermione's opinion, and she didn't want it to stop. If she kissed him the rest of the day and all the way up until she had to leave for Spain, that would be perfectly acceptable to her. She was severely disappointed when Bill stopped and pulled her away from him.

"I just have to ask you one thing to be absolutely and completely sure."

"What? Ask me!" Hermione was disoriented and it showed.

"Have you ever kissed Ron?" His eyes searched hers.

"Well, sure," she said and noticed how immediately disappointed Bill looked. "But only on the cheek and never like this."

"Good! I don't like competing with my brothers, especially for a woman's attention. Been there; done that."

As he said it, Hermione thought of Fleur and Charlie. Well Bill certainly didn't have anything to worry about with her and Ron. He would always be her dearest and best friend, not boyfriend or lover or anything else.

"There is no competition, Bill." Hermione blushed prettily as he smiled at her again.

Bill released her and was again in his relaxing pose, leaning on his elbows while watching the people. Hermione, on the other hand, was extremely desirous to be kissing him again. The corners of his mouth were twitching with mischief as he was making her wait.

"Hermione?" he finally asked her slowly.

"Yes?"

"Grrr!" he playfully said as he pounced on her and proceeded to kiss her more than he had the first time. He held her head in his left hand and with his right he let his fingers explore. Bill didn't cross the line or propriety because they were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing his throat.

Ali-Reza was standing above them holding the hand of Mary Frances who was smiling so widely it felt like her face was going to fall off.

"It's nice to see things are going so well!" she said to them with pride.

"I knew it was only a matter of time," Ali-Reza smiled at them.

Hermione reached over to hug Bill happily before smiling up at the pair. She then drew the blanket over their shoulders and continued kissing Bill, unashamed in front of the eyes of their friends that watched them.

~*~

The rest of the day was spent in similar manner. In realizing that the feelings were mutual, Bill and Hermione were touching each other with hands, hugging, kissing, cuddling and many other varieties of physical contact that the newly in love offer each other. The time rushed away from them, and soon enough it was Monday and time for the girls to leave.

Bill and Ali-Reza accompanied Hermione and Mary Frances on Monday morning to their port of exit to say their goodbyes. Each couple separated to themselves for the opportunity for a more personal farewell.

"Hermione," Bill whispered to her after several kisses, "gracias por visitarme. Ha sido estupendo."

"Gracias," she said with surprise. "So you've decided to learn Spanish?"

"No, it's a translation charm I bought just in case I have a reason to go to Spain." Bill paused and looked at her. "Do I have a reason, Hermione?"

"¡Sí, por supuesto!" she cried out in happiness.

"Entonces... besame. Besame suavecito, sin prisa y con calma."

Kissing she could do. "Con mucho gusto," she answered him before kissing him all over.

With the possibility of Bill coming to visit her in Spain, her next university term was already off to a smashing start. More importantly, it meant that her connection with Bill was more than a summer fling. Unlike anything that had happened with anyone before him, this relationship had the possibility to be lasting. She finally stepped away from him and waved shyly before leaving.

At Hermione's side, Mary Frances whispered, "I was right you know."

"About what?" Hermione asked without taking her eyes off Bill.

Her friend poked her in the ribs as she said, "That curse breaker broke through your defenses!"

"Yes, he did!" Hermione said as she beamed in complete satisfaction.