Title: Let Love In

Author: h_weasley

Disclaimer: All characters are owned by J. . I'm not that creative.

Pairing: George/Hermione

Rating: M

Summary: George is grieving and Hermione feels out of place. What will happen when they are forced together? Will they open their hearts to one another or let this chance pass them by?

Warnings (if applicable): none

Genre: Romace/Drama

Author's Notes: It's been a while since I've written anything. I tried to be more careful of spelling and such. Bear with me I have no beta .

Chapter 1:

"It's not that I don't love you," He started.

"No, I know." Hermione assured him.

"Because I do. I do love you." He continued as if not really hearing her.

"I know." Hermione repeated.

"It's just things…" he trailed off.

"They changed?" Hermione offered.

"Right." He smiled appreciatively. "They changed. I'm not sure when they changed. I wish I could remember the moment that I stopped wanting it but I can't."

Hermione nodded. "It's ok." She said smiling through her tears.

"You're crying," He said miserable wiping a tear away from her cheek.

"I am but it's not what you think. It's just sad. I feel the same way you do. It's just sad." Hermione explained. "I'm ok. I'll be fine."

"I know," he chuckled. "You always are. Right?"

"Right." Hermione agreed.

They sat in silence for a long time staring at the stars. Finally he stood and looked down at her. Hermione couldn't meet his eyes. Ron leaned down and kissed her forehead gently. "I'm going in now," he said quietly. He paused and looked concerned," You coming in?"

"Not yet." Hermione replied. "It's such a nice night. I just want to enjoy it. You go on."

Ron nodded and disappeared into the darkness. Hermione wrapped her arms around her knees and hugged herself. Everything Ron said was true. She could feel it too. Since the last battle and the defeat of Voldemort everything was different. But it still hurt. For the first time in a long time she felt truly alone.

"Hermione?" Harry called coming up behind her.

Hermione wiped her tears away, "Yeah?" she asked.

"It's late." Harry said.

"I guess," Hermione said. "It's a nice night though."

"It is." Harry agreed. "But you can't stay out here all night."

Hermione laughed, "Actually, I could. Who would notice?"

"I would," Harry told her taking her hand. "So would Ron."

"Did you talk to him?" Hermione asked.

Harry nodded, "I don't get it. I thought what you two had was forever."

"We did too." Hermione sighed. "That's why this is so hard."

"Can I…Is there anything you need?" Harry asked.

"Yes, actually." Hermione said. "You can say goodbye."

"Goodbye?" Harry repeated.

"Yes, "Hermione said."I'm leaving in the morning to find my parents."

"Oh," Harry exclaimed in shock, "Ron didn't tell me."

"He doesn't know." Hermione said. "I don't want a big scene."

"Wait," Harry replied. "I thought Ron was going with you when you went to find your parents?"

"That was the plan but now I doubt he would want to go. Talk about awkward." Hermione said with a rueful smile.

"No. No. No." Harry said. "You can't go off alone. There are still some rogue Death Eaters hiding out there. No. Ron will go. He agreed. He can be bigger than that. You're still friends. You still care."

"I don't want him to go." Hermione said. She stood up, "I better go to bed. I have a long journey to start tomorrow."

"Hermione," Harry called but Hermione hurried into the burrow.

Despite the lateness of the hour the Weasley's were still awake when Harry went inside. They were sitting in the living room talking quietly.

"Did Hermione just scurry through here?" Harry asked.

"She did." Mrs. Weasley said. "Poor dear seemed really tired she barely said goodnight."

"Did she tell you about tomorrow?"Harry said.

"Tomorrow?" Ginny asked. "What about tomorrow?"

"Well, apparently, she is leaving tomorrow to search for her parents." Harry informed them.

"Alone?" Ginny asked. She looked at Ron. "Weren't you going with her?"

"Yeah," Ron said uncomfortably. "But…"

"But what?" Ginny asked sharply.

"Maybe Harry should go?" Ron suggested.

"He can't," Ginny argued.

"Why?" Ron smirked. "Can't live without your boyfriend for five minutes?"

"I don't want Harry to leave but if Hermione needed him I wouldn't try and stop him because Hermione is my friend." Ginny retorted. "No, the reason Harry can't go is because he has a meeting with Kinglsey tomorrow morning."

"Well, it helps to know people. I'm sure Kinsgley would be willing to let Harry reschedule if he knew the reason." Ron said.

"This is an official ministry thing, "Percy said. "Harry was called by subpoena. This can't be rescheduled Ron."

"I can't go." Ron said. "I just can't."

"You can and will. You made a promise." Ginny said.

"I won't" Ron said stomping out of the room.

Harry groaned and slid into a chair. "What should we do?" he asked.

"I'm suppose to back to work in two days but I will ask my boss for more time," Charlie suggested.

"You can't afford to take any more time off." Bill pointed out. "I'll go."

"You can't afford it either." Charlie argued.

"I never ask for time off. I will go."Percy replied. "I have some vacation saved up."

"You just started a new job." said. "Boys, I will go with Hermione."

"I don't think you should leave mom," Percy said.

"I will be fine dear." said. "Hermione can't go off alone."

"Maybe I can convince Hermione to wait until the day after tomorrow and I can…" Harry started.

"For the love of Merlin!" George yelled. "I will go with her"

Everyone stared at George not sure what to say. He rarely spoke since his twin died.

"What about the store?"Mrs. Weasley asked gently.

"If Ron will agree to run it for a while I can go." George said. "Then you can all shut up."

Ron shuffled back in and said quietly, "I can do that. I've been helping you for a few weeks. I can run it for a while."

George nodded,"Sounds good. I'm going to bed. Tell Hermione I will be ready to go at 6:00." George said and he left.

Nobody said anything for a while. "Maybe this will be good for him." Mrs. Weasley suggested softly breaking the silence.

"I'm not sure anything can help him." Mr. Weasley. "I think only time can ease his suffering."

"I suppose," Mrs. Weasley sighed.

The family soon bid each other goodnight and went their separate ways.

Harry knocked on Hermione's door. "Come in," she called. He opened the door and found Hermione packing a bag. She changed into her pajamas and her hair was wet from her shower.

"Did you draw the short straw?" Hermione asked frostily.

"Huh?" Harry asked.

"I heard you guys arguing down there."Hermione said.

"Oh." Harry replied. "Uh no. Not me."

"I guess it doesn't matter who." Hermione said. "For the record Harry I don't appreciate being treated like a child who needs a babysitter. I am a capable witch. I don't why you couldn't leave well enough alone."

"I'm sorry."Harry said. "I never intended to make you feel like a child. I know you're a capable witch. But I couldn't live with myself if I sent you off alone. Try and see it from my point of view, please?"

"I do." Hermione said. She sat down on the edge of the bed. "I just – this whole thing with Ron has been hard and it's only been a few hours. I feel awkward even being here now like I don't belong or something?"

"You do belong." Harry assured her.

"So, who drew the short straw?" Hermione asked with a grin.

"George offered to go." Harry said.

"Who will run the store?" Hermione asked.

"Ron." Harry answered.

"The idea of spending so much time with George seems weird." Hermione said. "We don't know each other that well- not really."

"Mrs. Weasley said maybe this will be good for him." Harry said. "I agree. Give him something to focus on besides his grief."

"Maybe." Hermione said.

"Well, I will let you get some sleep." Harry told her. "George said he would be ready to go at 6."

"Perfect," Hermione replied. She walked Harry to the door. "And thanks Harry. I do feel better now that I know I will have company."

"Good. And good luck Hermione. Let us know how everything goes." Harry said and he gave her a tight hug and they said goodbye.

The next morning Hermione put on a comfortable outfit and threw her hair into a haphazard ponytail and hid it under a hat. She grabbed her bag and quietly left the room taking care not to wake Ginny. She found George sitting downstairs drinking a cup of coffee. He had on shorts and a t-shirt. He had a rucksack on the floor beside him. He was staring off into space.

"Morning." Hermione greeted him. He looked at her and smiled. Hermione noticed how hollow his smile had become since Fred died. Both the twins used to have huge teethy grins that infected those around them. It was sad to see what George had become without his other half.

"Morning." George replied. He gestured for Hermione to have a seat. She sat down and pulled out a map.

"How will we find them?" George asked.

"They have been renting a house in Australia." Hermione said. She showed him on the map. "Here"

"So, we sneak in and reverse the spell?"George said.

"Yes. More or less." Hermione said. "We should be back by Saturday unless something bad happens."

"Morning Kids," Mrs. Weasley said cheerfully. "You kids are up early."

"We need to get an early start." George said.

"Well, do you have time for breakfast?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Thank you Mrs. Weasley, but no, we need to get going." Hermione said kindly. She let Mrs. Weasley fuss over her. George did not. He kissed his mum goodbye and walked out the door wordlessly. Hermione followed him to the edge of the property and they disapparated.

They apparated a few miles outside of the city where her parents were staying. They found the house her parents were renting pretty easily. It was a small house but it was pretty. It was a country cottage with frilly curtains in the window and garden out front. Hermione paused outside the gate trying to figure out what to do. George peeked through the window.

"No one is home, I think" he said. He crept around the parameter and peered in a few windows trying to ascertain if anyone was inside the small cottage. "It's empty." He confirmed a few minutes later. Hermione found an older gentleman sitting in the front yard of the house next door.

"Excuse me!" she called.

"Yes mam?" He asked with a quizzical smile.

"Do you know the people who live here?" she asked.

"I do." He said.

"I am a friend and there is a family emergency. Do you known when they will be back?" Hermione asked.

"Not for a few days I am afraid." He told her. "They went scuba diving. They will be back Sunday or Monday, I believe."

"Oh, ok." Hermione breathed. "Thank you."

"Want me to tell them you came by?" the man asked he seemed to be getting suspicious.

"No sir, that won't be necessary. I will come back. Thank you." Hermione replied and left quickly.

George was waiting on the curb. "I heard," he said before Hermione could tell him.

They started walking. "I need to find a place to set up camp. You can go on home. I will be fine."

"I'm not leaving," George told her. "I promised my family I would help you. I am going to stay with you and keep you safe."

"I'm perfectly capable…" she started rating.

"Yes, I know." George interrupted. "No one wants treat you like a baby. We all know you are a super witch. But there is strength in numbers so you're stuck with me." He paused and made a face. "Now as for this camp business… you're not running from Death Eaters anymore and we are not camping. We are staying in a hotel."

Hermione just shrugged and followed him into town.

"As I said a minute ago," the concierge told George. "We only have one room available. Would you like it?"

George looked at Hermione, "This is the third place we have been too and I am tired." He said.

"I'm sure somewhere here has two rooms available." Hermione said.

"Is it that big of a deal?" George asked. "I will sleep on the floor."

"Ok," Hermione relented. She grabbed her bag and took her wallet out.

"I got it." George told her quietly.

"You sure?" Hermione asked.

George rolled his eyes, "Yes, put your wallet away." He gave the man the money. "And I am paying for dinner and breakfast tomorrow."

Hermione crossed her arms and glared at him. "I can pay my own way."

George took the keys and handed one to Hermione. They walked to the elevator. "Just let me spend my money on you!" He snapped. "You are a lot of work."

"Fine," Hermione sighed. "I just want to eat and shower and sleep."

"Me too." George said. They got to the room and went inside.