Title: True Love's Desire
Author: Snarky Granger
Summary: Stood up by Ron on their Anniversary for a Quidditch match, Hermione decided to take George out on a night for flirty fun of dinner and dancing. Emotions run high. Surprises await for the couple. How will the evening end for Hermione?
Author's Note: I would like to thank my alpha and beta for working with me through this whole process. I had fun writing this prompt with the multiple plot bunnies and my muse running away with it. Hope this meets the prompter's request. I wrote this for the Hermione Smut fest.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the music that I list throughout the fic. They belong to JKR and the musicians of the songs. Thanks.
Chapter One
Ron Weasley walked out of his bedroom in the apartment that he shared with George. He was wearing an Orange Chudley Cannons shirt with a pair of loose jeans. He had a Beat Falmouth Falcons pin on his shirt. George had just walked into the apartment and stopped in his tracks. He looked at Ron in confusion. Ron noticed and asked, "What's with the face?"
George shook his head and replied, "Don't you have a date with Hermione tonight? I could have sworn she said that she would see you Wednesday night."
Ron looked at him strange and said, "No that is tomorrow night."
George just shook his head and exclaimed, "RON! TONIGHT IS WEDNESDAY!"
Ron's eyes popped open when he realized that George was right and then he shrugged his shoulders and exclaimed, "It will be alright. Hermione will understand. She knows how much I love Quidditch. I will make it up to her plus I got free tickets in the mail to see the Chudley Cannons. They are playing Falmouth Falcons! I can't wait!"
George groaned at what Ron said and he tried once more, "Ron, you are going to lose that girl with that attitude. I don't know how she puts up with you to be honest."
Ron looked at George once more and retorted, "I won't lose her. She knows that I love her. She has known me for over ten years."
"Ron," George groaned, "true she knows you but remember how long it took you to regain her trust in you. You must have done something really stupid while you three were on the run for Harry and Hermione lose a little bit of faith in you. I know that Harry has forgiven you but you know as well as I that Hermione doesn't forget."
Ron waved him off and nonchalantly responded, "It was something stupid yes but it is old news, besides Hermione won't have gone out with me if she hadn't gotten over it. I am going to go now. I am going to meet Marietta Edgecombe at the gates." George's eyes popped wide. "Don't worry about it, George. I felt bad how she was treated during my fifth year. I remembered overhearing her argue with Cho between the Falcons and the Tornadoes. Did you know that she still has the scarring from the 'Snitch' word across her forehead? I don't know what Hermione was thinking."
George was shaking his head as he answered his brother, "You don't know what she was thinking? She was trying to protect Harry and the group from that deplorable teacher. Ron, she had the right idea and she will go bloody hell on you if you go with Marietta."
"No she won't." said Ron. He looked at his watch and looked at George with a smirk, "I have to go or I will be late. Have a good night, bro. I will be home late." Ron apparated out of the apartment.
George still shaking his head in bewilderment over Ron and started to think to himself. 'I wonder what time he was supposed to meet her.' The Floo flared green and out stepped Hermione looking absolutely smashing in her silky dark blue dress that stopped at mid-thigh and wore thick 8" blue heels that matched. The top almost looked like a vest with the buttons going down the front. She wore a simple gold necklace with a teardrop shaped sapphire hanging from it. She had matching set of earrings that her parents gave her when she graduated from Hogwarts. When Hermione came back from her last trip from Australia, where her parents decided to stay, she had come home with a make-over. She had her hair cut in a cute pixie style and had it straightened. He could tell that she loved the new look. George let out a soft low wolf whistle as Hermione brushed herself off.
Hermione looked up at him and blushed at his whistle. She started to look around and asked, "Is Ron here by chance? He was supposed to pick me up thirty minutes ago." George shook his head and started to look down. "George? Where is Ron?" Hermione started to stalk over to George as she asked the last question. She stopped in front of him and looked into his slightly scared face. "I am not going to like the answer, am I?" George shook his head. "GRR! That man drives me crazy and I don't think I even want to know the answer but I better find out before I blow my top!"
George gulped and took a slow breath before he looked her straight in her beautiful mocha eyes and whispered timidly, "He went to a Quidditch match. He was meeting Marietta Edgecombe there." He started to cringe when he said the girl's name. Hermione had a look to kill.
"WHAT?! He took that bitch with him!" screeched Hermione, "WHY?" Hermione poked George in the chest.
"OW! Bloody Hell, Hermione! Don't shoot the messenger. Actually I am not really the messenger. I tried to tell him that he had a hot date with you tonight," George said softly as he rubbed his chest. "He had insisted that the date with you was tomorrow until he realized that tonight was tomorrow but he wasn't going to pass up seeing his beloved team and said that you would understand."
Hermione snorted, "Of course, he did."
"I know. He is still a prat that he was in Hogwarts at times. I told him that he was going to lose you because your history of past issues especially during your run," retorted George.
Hermione's face started to crumble at that remark. She turned away from him and plopped onto the fuchsia overstuffed sofa that was in front of the fireplace. George could hear her to start to cry. "Oh, Hermione," George sat down and put his arm around her shoulder and he confided, "You know you shouldn't let that git get to you. He truly doesn't deserve you. You are the most loyal and kind person I have ever met. He is a fool."
Hermione looked at him with her tear streaked face and gave him a watery smile. "Thanks George," she mumbled, "Did you know that it was supposed to be our Anniversary date?" George's eyes grew wide as he shook his head. "Yeah, it was. I don't know why I even agreed to even date him."
"Convenience maybe," remarked George.
"Maybe but I am still slightly mad at him from the war run. Did you know that he left Harry and me alone?" Hermione shakily laughed at George's reaction. "Yeah he was moaning and groaning about lack of food and that we were supposedly ignoring him."
Hermione rolled her eyes and retorted, "Merlin help him if I ever see him tonight!"
George snorted at that remark because he knew what she could do to the poor sod. "Remind me to get out of your way when that happens," remarked George. Hermione laughed and nodded. "It is a shame to put that beautiful outfit to waste."
Hermione blushed again. "Thanks, George," Hermione softly replied as she squeezed his hand in thanks. "You know what?" He shook his head. "Sod Ron. I am so done with him." Hermione looked at George as she wiped her tears away and realized that he has been a great friend to her but she also realized that he was still in his work clothes. "Is the shop closed?" George nodded. "Good. Go take a shower. Let's go out for a night on the town."
George looked at her warily and asked, "Are you sure? I mean don't get me wrong I would love to go out with you. I always cared about you even when we were in school."
Hermione softly smiled at him and replied, "You know George, just so you know, I always did have a soft spot for you and Fred. I just didn't know how to show it. I was such a swot back then." Hermione growled out of frustration and got up to go to the kitchen.
George got up and followed her. He watched her get a highball glass from the cabinet and pour herself some Firewhisky. When she turned around, she took a long drink from her glass with a thought in her eye. George knew that he should wait for her before saying anything. He knew whatever she came up with will be great for him and hopefully for her. Hermione slammed her glass down and looked him straight in the eyes and declared, "Go take a shower and get dressed up. I am taking you out and I will show the prat that I can be fun. I just bet that he doesn't think that I am fun. HA! I will prove him wrong."
"Are you sure, Hermione?" asked George,
"Yes, George!" exclaimed Hermione, "We are going to grab a quick meal at the Leaky Cauldron, I will give Hannah a quick fire call to reserve a table while you are in the shower."
"Sounds good, Hermione," George amended.
"I am not done, George," retorted Hermione. George's eyebrow quirked. "Then we will go to the hottest ticket in town, The Howl. I love the fact that Dean named it in the memory of Remus and Lavender."
"Me, too," George murmured in agreement.
"Last time Ron and I were there, Dean had a picture of the 'Golden Trio'" Hermione remarked as she put up her hands to show quotes around the title. "It was just after the battle and the three of us were hugging each other. It was beautiful. I wonder what we will see this time around. NOW GO!" Hermione waved him towards the bathroom.
"Alright, alright, Hermione," exclaimed George, "I am going now. See you in a few minutes." George scurried out of the kitchen because he knew better to piss her off some more.
Hermione poured herself one more glass of Firewhisky to drink while she waited for George to get ready. She knew that he wouldn't keep her waiting too long since he was a businessman. She had to admit their joke shop was ingénue. She shook her head and remembered that she needed to call Hannah. Hermione crouched down in front of the fire after she grabbed a quick handful of Floo powder. She threw it in and yelled, "The Leaky Cauldron's office" Hermione stuck her head in to see if Hannah was there and she got lucky. "Hey Hannah!"
Hannah spun around at hearing her name just before she walked the room. She saw that it was Hermione and smiled and replied, "Hey Hermione! How are you? Did you need something?"
Hermione chuckled at Hannah's rapid-fired questions. It reminded her of herself when she was younger. "Yes, Hannah, I will be fine in due time but I am in need of a favor. I would like to reserve a table for two and I want it to be in the middle of the room or make it look like you are making a grand production of taking us to a special table for lovers," answered Hermione with a wink.
"Okay," Hannah said with a confused look on her face. "I should have a free table in a half. Would that be soon enough for you and Ron?" Hermione blanched at Ron's name, which shocked Hannah. "Okay, I take it isn't Ron so who are you bringing?"
"I am so pissed at Ron because he forgot our ANNIVERSARY date and went to a Quidditch match with Marietta Edgecombe instead!" exclaimed Hermione and laughed at Hannah's reaction to her news. "So I decided to take George out for night on the town. He was trying to convince Ron not to go to the match. He knows my wrath so I wasn't too harsh on him. He does look like he could use a night out so I decided we have dinner here and then go to The Howl for dancing. Hell I might even flirt a bit and don't care if I get caught. That is how pissed I am at the moment." Hermione laughed.
"Okay Hermione, I will see that you get what you requested. Anything for a friend and thanks for convincing me to pursue Susan. Merlin knows that I love her," Hannah whispered with a dreamy smile on her face.
"No problem, Hannah. I will see you soon with George and don't forget to play it up a little," giggled Hermione with a smile as she took her head out of the fireplace and canceled the call. 'Hmm… this might be a fun night to flirt with George.' Hermione got up and sat down on the couch to finish her drink while waiting for George.
While Hermione was Floo-calling Hannah, George was in the shower thinking about his 'date' that he suddenly having with Hermione tonight. 'Ron is an idiot. He has a beautiful girlfriend, who he has been taking for granted. I can see that Hermione is done with his lackadaisical attitude towards their relationship. I can see the hurt in her eyes and I hate that Ron upset her again. How many times have I seen her cry out in frustration even when they were at Hogwarts? I remember how hard her third year really was on her. The boys were ignoring her especially Ron because Crookshanks kept going after Scabbers. I wonder if there is story behind it.' George turned off the water and wrapped a towel around his waist to go into his bedroom.
George went into bedroom and thought very carefully about he was going to wear. He wanted to impress her. He took out a Navy pinstripe suit with a bright Green shirt with a Navy/Green striped tie that matched the shirt. He stuck a green handkerchief into the suit pocket. He put on black dress shoes and added a cushion charm on the soles since it had been a while since he wore them. He heard Hermione finish her Floo call as he was putting on his shoes.
He stood in front of the mirror brushing his hair and decided to give himself one more pep talk before going out to the living room. He looked to the right of his face into the mirror and advised to himself, 'Okay, Forge, this is your one chance to impress her so let her set the pace. On occasion, brush your hand against her to see her reaction. If it is positive, then start flirting with her a bit but not too much. Remember this is her idea. Don't be a git like Ron. You can do this and have a good time with a great friend. Then maybe in the future, after she gets rid of Ron, she will think of you.' George snorted at the last comment as he ran his brush through his hair one last time. He nodded into the mirror before he opened the door to go have some fun with Hermione.
When George walked out to the living room, he leaned at the doorjamb and gazed at her. She was just sitting there drinking her glass of Firewhisky. She just looked so beautiful tonight and he was going to make sure that she knew that whenever possible. "Okay Hermione, do I pass inspection?" enquired George as he walked further into the room.
Hermione got up and spun around so she could get a better look at him. As she walked around the couch, she was gave him a quick look over. She smiled beautifully. She walked around him once to get the full effect of his suit. She leaned in and gave him a small peck on his cheek. "George, you look fantastic! It suits you well. I just wish that Ron had some fashion sense," Hermione sighed. "Never mind that, we are going to try not to think about him tonight too much, okay?" Hermione begged George with her doleful brown eyes.
"Sure thing, Hermione, whatever you want. This is your night and you invited me out for some fun. Let's just do that, alright?" George assured her with a soft hug. "I am assuming that we have a table at Hannah's place." Hermione nodded. "Great! Let's get this evening started! Shall we walk to the Leaky Cauldron, my lady?" George held out his arm. Hermione smiled and slipped an arm under his elbow as they headed out the door.