This story is totally unrelated to any of my other stories, including my other George and Hermione stories. The events in this story reflect everything JK wrote up to book 6. After that, the story follows my plot line. I don't own HP!

Chapter 1: Being Stood Up

If it hadn't been for Ron, Hermione wouldn't have been in this mess. Sure, his stupid ideas had gotten them into trouble before, but never had they landed Hermione a blind date with the person of Ron's choosing. Although, as Hermione readily admitted to Ginny, she had started it. You see, Ron had a girlfriend. A very attractive and familiar girlfriend. And Hermione hated it.

Hermione swore she wasn't in love with him, and Ginny would have believed her if Hermione hadn't openly admitted it recently at a party celebrating a key victory against the Death Eaters. Hermione had been crushed several minutes later when Ron showed up with the girl he'd been secretly dating for four months, Lavender Brown. "Lavender Brown!" Ginny could clearly remember hearing Hermione scream at her brother the next day. Ron hadn't understood why Hermione was so angry about his reunion with his "longtime love," as he had put it.

"Aren't you happy for me?" Ron had said, unaware of the fact that Hermione had just confessed her feelings for Ron to several of the Weasleys, including Fred and George. Hermione had remained silent, and Ron misinterpreted this as something else. "Oh, I get it… you're lonely! I'm going to set you up with someone… I'm sure I can find someone who is willing to go out on a date with you, Hermione!"

So, on a perfectly good Saturday night, Hermione found herself sitting alone at a table in the Leaky Caldron. Her date was at least a half an hour late by her watch, and it didn't look like he would be showing his face any time soon. The sweat on her butterbeer bottle dripped onto the table, creating a ring. Sighing, Hermione cleaned the ring with a flick of her wand. A ruckus at the door caused her to look up, but quickly, her hopes were dashed. Not only was it not her date, it was Fred and George Weasley, accompanied by a woman that she did not know. Hermione slid down in the booth, hoping to be ignored, but Fred strode right to her table, unknown woman on tow.

"Oi, Hermione! Your date stand you up?" Fred asked cheerfully, unaware of the arrangements that Ron had made.

"Actually, yes," she snapped, finishing her butterbeer in one chug, slamming it back down on the table, and standing up to leave. The shocked and regretful expression on Fred's face brought a chuckle to her lips, but she did not allow it to escape. She was glad that he looked insensitive in front of his female companion. As Hermione slipped between them to leave, George stepped in front of her.

"Now Hermione, we can't have you leaving here sober. Come sit with us and we'll make your night worthwhile," George said, steering her over to the bar. Hermione grudgingly climbed onto a stool, taking the butterbeer that George shoved in front of her. Fred and his female companion joined them at the bar, Fred's face still red.

"Hermione, this is Candace Mason. She was in my year," Fred said, gesturing to the woman who sat down next to Hermione. Hermione nodded in acknowledgement, taking a sip of her butterbeer. This night was getting worse by the minute. Fred and George launched into an hour long conversation on their new products, which would be debuted at their newly renovated Hogsmede location.

"Hermione, you really ought to stop over. We've got a few new love potions," Fred said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"You might be able to slip one to our dear little brother and make him forget about that annoying…" George began.

"…whining…"

"…simpering…"

"…baby talking…"

"…Lavender Brown," Fred and George finished in unison.

"Well, speak of the devil," Hermione said angrily, seeing Ron and Lavender slip into the pub, "You made me stay because you knew they were going to be here."

"Honestly, we didn't!" George said, standing up to follow Hermione, who was storming out the door of the pub.

"How'd the date go?" Ron called after her, Lavender giggling.

Just as she was about to disapperate back to her flat in London, George was able to catch up with Hermione, grabbing her arm. "Let go, George. I want to go home," she said, irritated yet resigned.

"Listen, why don't you let me set you up with someone? I know tons of eligible bachelors that you would love," George said, his grin impossible to resist. Hermione stared at him for a few seconds, thinking about Lavender hanging on Ron's arm, and the two of them thrashing about like eels as they used to do in 6th year.

She sighed and said, "Alright, fine."

"Really?" George said, clearly surprised.

"I've got to move on with my life, and I'm never going to meet anyone new unless I have some help," she said.

"You won't regret this, I promise! I'm going to find you a great bloke, just wait!" George said, slinging his arm around her shoulder.

The next morning, Hermione and George met for breakfast in Diagon Alley to discuss Hermione's preferred qualities in a man. George was holding a bright blue sugar quill, taking notes on a piece of parchment.

"…and eye color?" he asked, looking up at her.

"Honestly, I don't care. I just want someone who is interesting, brave, and intelligent enough to have a conversation with," Hermione sighed, buttering a piece of toast.

George took the toast out of her hand and took a bite before continuing, Hermione staring at him as if he'd lost his mind. "What about his career?" George continued, his voice muffled from the toast.

Buttering a piece of toast stolen from George's stack, Hermione shrugged. "I don't care, so long as he has a job," she replied, finally getting to eat a piece of toast.

"You're not giving me much to work with here," George said, studying the parchment, "But I think I have the perfect guy for you. I'll send you an owl tomorrow to set up the time and place, okay?"

Hermione nodded, knowing that she was making a huge mistake.

To be continued…