It Wasn't Meant to Be Like This

Summary: A George/Hermione fic. They have slowly become friends and they both want to be more, but with a jealous Ron and an angry Harry will it ever be able to happen?

Disclaimer: I find these silly, we all know if I owned Harry Potter I would not be writing fan fiction. I would be sitting by the beach sipping a hot mocha and eating pistachio ice – cream becoming very very fat but not caring because I could afford liposuction.

Authors Note: A strange couple they are but curious all the same. Think about it, they would be kind of cute together. This is a side project really. Oh, and one more thing, I have a C2 Draco Lover's group so go and check it out!

Paradise – Vanessa Carlton

Well all she wants and all she needs are reasons to survive,

A day in which the sun will take her artificial light, her light

And it's one more day in paradise

One more day in paradise

It's one more day in paradise,

One last chance to feel alright, alright.

Chapter One

He lazily leant against the wall, acting as if he owned the world. Shadows danced across his face, but from the small amount of light seeping through the window Hermione could see a smirk play across his lips. He was so sure of himself, something that Ron definitely wasn't. She stepped towards him, her legs quivered for a second as she felt the warmth radiate off him.

"Didn't know if you had the guts to come Hermione…" he drawled slowly, but grinning at her all the same.

Hermione shook her bushy hair and tensed her shoulders, "I probably shouldn't have come…we both know that"

He laughed. "You worry too much Mione…"

She stiffened. "Well it's not your life we're toying with!"

He laughed again, but this time it was short and harsh. "Not my life eh? So if my family found out it wouldn't matter? How do you think little Ronnie would feel knowing his older brother was having rendezvous' with his long time crush?"

She backed away. It always had to be like this.

Refusing to look him in the eye she replied,

"Sorry, I'm sorry George. It's just, I mean, I never thought that anything like this would happen, that I would feel like I do, but I just, you understand don't you? You understand that we can't keep meeting like this? For your sake as well as mine…" Hermione said slowly, saying the words as if she meant them but unsure herself.

Pushing himself off the wall George stepped towards her. Even though he didn't have the height of his brothers George towered over her, his strong body very capable of overpowering her. Placing his arms on either side of her he pressed her against the wall, leaning over her shoulder he whispered in her ear, "My mind understands Hermione, I'm afraid it's my body that refuses to."

Hermione shut her eyes. Whenever he was touching her she felt so dizzy and unaware of everything around her. There was little space between their bodies; she had always marveled at how well they fit together. She could feel a tingle in her chest as his stubble brushed against her cheek. He moved his hand around her back, pulling her in closer. Hermione placed her hand in his hair, knowing now that she wouldn't be able to stop herself from kissing him.

"BANG"

Hermione jumped away scared by a loud explosion. She had forgotten she was at the Weasley's house, and how easy it would have been for someone to catch them.

Hermione glanced at George, he locked eyes with her, and he was telling her not to do this. Tearing them away she ran down the corridor.

"It's not like there's even anything wrong with it…" George muttered to himself storming off the other direction.

Hermione avoided him as much as possible, at breakfast she could feel his eyes on her, urging her to look up. But she couldn't do it.

The feeling had begun after her 5th year. Everyone else was rushing around, worried about something or other and Hermione hadn't been able to cope. George had been there for her; he made her laugh, not like Ron did, but full-bellied laughs that could put anybody in a good mood no matter the circumstance. He hadn't just been a laugh though, it had surprised her immensely, how at times he would be serious and tell her how he was worried about the war, about his family, and about her as well.

'We're too young, we're supposed to be off chasing girls and drinking, and partying, and not worrying about the world being taken over by some evil dude. It's not meant to be like this, but if I start worrying who will be there to cheer everyone up? Who will be there to crack a stupid joke when nobody can see any hope? I have feelings too you know, I'm not always so stupid, I know what's going on."

Seeing a different side too George had made her view him differently, she no longer saw him as Ron's goofy older brother, but a real man, with feelings and personality, and ideas of his own. The best thing about him was how he cared for her; he always put her first. Like the time they went down to the lake last Christmas and it had started snowing. Even though it was freezing he had given her his jacket because it was the 'gentlemanly' thing to do. And how when Ron forgot her birthday he had been the one to cause a fuss, to spoil her and 'beat up' his younger brother for not remembering.

Maybe he had become more responsible after leaving school during her 5th year, running his own business with Fred…maybe he had realised that there was much more to life than jokes.

It was now the summer after her final year at Hogwarts, and she was finally relaxing with the Weasley's after the stress of exams, and the final battle against Voldemort.

Hermione closed her eyes and felt tears welling up. How could she even think that he didn't care? Who had come looking for her during the final battle? Who had protected her? She could still remember his face, full of concern and worry, and the relief when he found her. How he had wrapped his arms around her and just held her whilst she sobbed, how he had stroked her hair and told her everything was going to be all right.

"Hermione? Heeerrrr – mioooone"

Hermione lifted her head, realising she was still at the breakfast table and everybody was looking at her curiously.

Ron laughed, "Didn't get enough sleep eh?"

Hermione smiled weakly, "Yeah something like that"

She heard a chair scrape loudly and someone storm out of the room, she raised her eyes and saw it had been George.

Mrs. Weasley glanced out the door. "Don't know what's up with that boy this morning, acting all moody and such…"

Harry gave her an oddly furtive glance and answered, "Maybe Hermione should see, you're fairly close to him aren't you Mione?"

Mrs. Weasley gave her a side ways look, one eyebrow raised. "Are you dear? I can't say I've noticed you two talking much?"

Hermione could feel her face begin to flush so she stole a long sip of water to regain her cool. "We talk sometimes" she replied simply.

Harry glanced at her again, muttering something under his breath.

Ron looked from Harry to Hermione and shook his head. "Whatever, Fred can figure out what's up with him, I'm sure it's probably just some silly joke again, that's all he ever thinks about"

Hermione's stomach lurched. So that was how Ron saw George? He looked down on him! It sickened her to realise how little Ron knew his own brother, how he couldn't even be bothered to see how much he meant to her, and she was supposed to be Ron's best friend, god knew everyone assumed she was his 'soul mate'. It was at time likes this where Hermione really didn't like Ron.

"Hermione dear, are you feeling alright?" Mrs. Weasley addressed her, a look of worry on her face.

Hermione forced a smile on her face, 'Uhh…I don't think breakfast agreed with me Mrs. Weasley, would you mind if I just went back to bed for a while?"

Mrs. Weasley hurried over and placed a hand on her forehead, "Yes, yes, you've got a bit of a temperature, off to bed with you…" she gently pried her off her chair and turned to Harry, "…Harry dear would you mind taking Hermione to her room?"

Harry nodded and led Hermione to her room. She sat down on her bed waiting for him to leave the room. But he didn't. Hermione watched him standing at the door, silent but with something obviously on his mind.

"What is it Harry?" Hermione asked wearily, she really just wanted to be alone.

He stood still for a moment before asking, "What's going on with you and George?"

Hermione froze.

"What do you mean Harry?" Hermione said slowly, trying to figure out what he could possibly know.

Harry edged into her room and shut the door.

"Hermione I saw you and George last night. I saw how he was acting this morning, how you were, now tell me Hermione what is going on between you and George?" Harry repeated his eyes a bit hard.

Hermione rubbed her eyes. "You know Harry, this isn't even any of your business! Let me assure you there is nothing going on between us, nothing, ok? But even if there was it still wouldn't be any of your business!"

Harry pursed his lips.

"Well make sure there isn't. You know how Ron feels about you, and how much it would hurt him if there was"

Hermione sighed. "Look Harry, if Ron cared about me that much he wouldn't be so oblivious to me, he would have done something in the, what, say the past seven years!"

Harry stomped his foot a little bit. "You know what Ron's like Hermione!"

"Does that excuse him then?" Hermione spat back irritated at Harry's persistence.

Harry paused. "Yes, it does. Hermione this war has been hard on everyone, Ron has worked so hard to protect you an…"

Hermione interrupted him, "Worked hard to protect me?" she scoffed, "Ron's done jackshit to protect me! Half the time he doesn't have a clue where I am or what I'm doing or what I'm feeling and frankly Harry, if this is who Ron is I have absolutely no interest in starting a relationship with him anyway."

Harry glared at her. "Ok, whatever, Ron's my best mate Hermione and I'll be damned if I hear you talk that way about him!"

Harry stalked towards the door, flinging it open, but as he went to step out Hermione replied softly,

"Then what am I to you Harry? A bother? A pain? Am I not your friend too?"

His back stiffened, but acting as if he hadn't heard her he softly shut the door.

Scowling at the wall Hermione lay back on the bed and felt the tears come. Couldn't George see this is what would happen if they got together! Couldn't he understand? Why did she have to fall for him! Why did he have to fall for her! But most of all, why couldn't it be accepted?

As Hermione drifted off into a restless sleep a thin flesh coloured string was pulled back into George's room.

Authors Note:

This is my attempt at a short (6000 – 10,000) word Hermione/George fic but depending on your reactions and my motivation it might be longer than that. But, remember, if I don't think anyone is reading it I won't see the point in continuing. It's not going to be especially silly but more of an angst/romance. It will be updated by my will. Please tell me you what you think because I'm not entirely sure whether a Hermione/George fic will be getting many reviews! Ah well, I'm writing it because I want to, so I may as well just write it! I would also like to tell people about my C2 group; it is focusing on Draco/Hermione and Draco/Ginny relationship with a few odd ones chucked in as well. All stories I've recommend in there have been read by me (I've read a fair few…) and fantastic reads!