Hermione leaned against the pillar holding up the rickety porch of the Weasley home. It squeaked as she put her weight on it, causing her to disbelieve Mr. Weasley's assurance of the porch's steadiness.

She gazed into the distance, not seeing any of the landscape before her. Although Ginny and Ron were zooming towards each other on brooms, the twins were in the process of throwing up exploding fireworks, and Harry was calling to her, Hermione could only think about her future. The seven years of Hogwarts were finished. She had several job offers, no steady boyfriend, and so many dreams. What would she do next? She couldn't stay at The Burrow all her life. At the same time, though, she wondered if perhaps it was more important to make sure Harry stayed safe. The Weasleys were excellent wizards, and Harry was planning to move soon to Sirius's house, but they still had one last Horcruxe to find and he needed all the protection he could get until he would be ready to fight Lord Voldemort.

A shout from Harry broke her from her reverie. She stepped lightly down the porch steps, joining the group gathered on the lawn. They watched the twins' fireworks as the stars appeared in the sky. Finally, it grew too late to stay awake any longer; Ginny was stifling yawns and Ron was eyeing the house. Everyone turned and started to walk back to the house.

Hermione wearily climbed the stairs to the room she shared with Ginny.

"Hermione!" George called her as she stumbled. "Here, I'd better help you."

He grabbed her arm and propelled her gently up the stairs. Hermione said nothing, but felt a tingle where his arm met hers.

Why haven't I got a boyfriend? Because the only guy I'm foolish enough to care for only sees me as his little brother's friend.

George deposited Hermione at her bedroom door, pausing.

She's out of school now, she isn't a child any longer. I should just tell her… No. What if she doesn't feel the same way? I can't.

"Hermione…" George trailed off.

"Mm?" She said sleepily.

"Never mind. Good night."

Hermione had to push back the urge reach out and tell him everything. Why, why couldn't she just tell him?

I don't even know if he has a girlfriend, she scolded herself. Be sensible.

"George!" Fred burst out as he watched his glum twin walk into their bedroom. "It's your own bloody fault if you can't even get up the nerve to tell her how you feel!"

"Oh, shut up." George was too depressed to realize the harshness of his words and tone as he spoke to Fred.

"Don't be a coward… You should realize you'll regret it later." With this parting sentiment, Fred turned over and dropped off to sleep.

As George lay in bed, attempting to sleep, he realized Fred's words. Ah, bloody…! So I'll tell her. The worst that can happen is she'll look at me like I'm a raving lunatic. Which I am, so what will it matter?

Disregarding the fact that it was past 1 o'clock in the morning, George jumped out of bed and headed for Hermione's room. He found himself at her door, raising his hand to knock.

"OOF!" The door opened and hit George in the nose. George fell squarely on his back. He dizzily tried to get up but the effort was too much. He noticed a presence over him, and squinted his eyes to see.

"George, I'm so sorry! I was just going to the bathroom, I couldn't sleep… What were you doing here anyway!" Hermione asked him in a subdued voice, with hints of hysterical undertones.

"I…" George left off. "um… Hermione? I feel sick."

Suddenly, George blacked out from the combination of lack of sleep and dizziness. Hermione tried to tug him away from her door but failed.

Quickly, Ginny appeared at the scene, rubbing her eyes. Just as swiftly, Ron's door opened and Harry and Ron poked their heads out. Hermione had to shove down a laugh at the sight of Ron's 'Muggle Mickey Mouse' boxers. The mice seemed to be dancing around, pointing their fingers at Hermione, and singing.

"What's…going…on?" Ron asked sleepily.

"Shh! Do you want your parents to wake up?" Hermione hushed him.

"Yeah, what's going on here, Hermione, having a midnight tryst with George?" Fred had discovered the commotion and was grinning at the sight in front of him.

Slowly regaining consciousness, George heard this bit and narrowed his eyes at his twin.

"Um… I'm not sure?" Hermione tried to escape the curious glances of all the viewers.

"Right, Hermione. We always knew you had a thing for George…" Ginny stopped speaking at the sight of Hermione's murderous glare. "What? I mean, if he's here… and you're here…obviously everyone knows? Oh… Okay, bye!"

Ginny dashed back into her bedroom, choosing not to stay. After all, she had just let Hermione's deepest secret slip from her so-called sealed lips.

Hermione began to steadily turn a deep, bright red. She sat down on the floor and started to cry. At this new turn of events, everyone's eyes widened.

Fred grinned knowingly, looking pleased. He nodded his head and slipped back towards the twins' room. He figured George would be all too happy to deal with Hermione… better not to invade on his territory.

Ron and Harry exchanged confused looks. They started to mutter.

"Hermione?" Ron said tentatively. "Everything okay there? Do you really like my brother!"

Harry sat down next to Hermione, just as George started to raise his head. Harry put an arm around Hermione, which only made her sob harder.

"Ginny! I'm-going-to-murder you!" Hermione wailed.

George opened his mouth to speak; promptly, his head lolled again and he fell back against the floor.

Hermione shoved off Harry's arm and raced into her bedroom. George finally sat up straight and looked around. He got to his feet wobbily and made his way to his room. Harry and Ron watched in utter astonishment.

Seconds later, the twins' door opened and George came out again. This time, he looked a bit less bleary, as though he had regained some sense of what was going on. He made towards Ginny and Hermione's room, looking shocked and confused.