Thank you for reading! I had nothing to do last night and this morning, so I wrote this. Given that this is my last week before two weeks holiday I might not be able to upload super often, but hopefully at least by next Saturday.
Notes: George is taller than Ron, so he isn't short a stalky like in the books, he is like the movie George. Also please let me know if I should ever change the rating to M, just because of future things.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter, it's characters, places, and so on.
Chapter 2: Evening Plans
Hermione woke up on a couch in the Burrow's living room. She rubbed her eyes as the memories of last night came flooding back. She smiled as she remembered the previous night, ignoring the detail about Lavender's arrival. Hermione sat up and stretched her arms above her head as she yawned. She checked the clock that sat on the side table, it read 6:00 am, which surprised her because of how late they had stayed up last night, she was sure that she would have slept in more. Hermione got up from the couch and did a few more stretches to fully wake up, then decided to take a walk. Hermione thought that if she moved fast enough, she wouldn't be too cold. As soon as she stepped outside, the crisp morning air washed over her skin making her shiver. Walking towards the flying figure wishing she had a jacket on. As she got closer she noticed it was George speeding on his broom. She smiled and waved at him when he noticed her and started making his descent to the ground. He smoothly rode down and she walked forward to meet up with him, blocking the sun from her eyes with her hand.
"Hey Mione, what are you doing up so early?" George asked as soon as Hermione meet up with him.
"I could as you the same." She said. "New broom?"
"Yeah, Harry got it for me." He said gesturing to the Nimbus 2000 carved in gold on the end of the broom.
"Fancy." Hermione said not surprised, Harry like treating everyone to gifts, it was just a matter if they would take it or not.
"And Brilliant." A big goofy smile appeared on George's face. "So why are you out here?"
"I didn't want to wake anyone else up, you?"
"About the same." He noticed Hermione was shivering and her teeth were chattering. "Here, take my jacket."
George held out a red jacket with orange lettering from a Quidditch team that she didn't know, Hermione tried to decline, but he insisted and she was grateful he did. He returned to flying and Hermione took as seat against the tree she was at yesterday. She watched him fly and every now and then he would through in a few tricks. She laughed through the early morning until they could smell breakfast from the kitchen. They walked with each other inside where Fred was already up and sitting at the table along with Harry, Ginny, and Mr. Weasley, who was just about to go to work even though it was a Saturday. Fred noticed George right away, unlike Harry and Ginny who were deep in their own conversation and Mr. Weasley who was reading the Dailey Prophet. He got up and hugged his brother and said good morning to Hermione. They took as seat at the table, George sat next to Fred and Hermione took a seat next to Ginny. Hermione immediately jumped into conversation with Ginny and Harry about their days plans, but Hermione couldn't help but occasionally glance over at George studying him for a few seconds before looking back at her best friends. She noticed the differences between Fred and George. George had more of an angular face and was just a little taller than Fred. He also seemed a little more sensitive and caring, while his brother was into taking charge in a way she thought was reckless. Once Mrs. Weasley served the food, everyone dug into the eggs, toast, and fruit. They continued to talk, while Hermione snuck another glance at George. This time she met his mischievous blue stare; he winked at her then went back to his conversation. She felt heat rise to her cheeks and looked away.
"Sound good Mione?" Harry asked, snapping her out of her zone out.
"Huh, yeah…I'm sorry what?" she asked, confused at what plans were made.
"Well I was thinking we could go shopping today. You know for anything; books, clothes, just anything." Ginny said nibbling on a piece of toast.
"I don't know Gin…" Hermione didn't like the idea at all, but unlike Ginny she couldn't say that directly to her face.
"Come on Mione. We haven't has girl time in a really long time. Please. Please. Please. Please." Ginny begged and she kept repeating please.
"Fine, if you just shut up already." She said annoyed by Ginny's pleas.
"Yay and then you and me can have some alone time too." She said to Harry.
Even though Hermione was just in a relationship yesterday, she became disgusted when they started snogging right next to her. She focused on the strawberries which she had put on her plate. Then the whole room got quiet as Ron and Lavender walked into the kitchen. Mr. Weasley got up from the table to go to work which left a seat next to George and still one empty one next to Hermione. So Hermione got up without saying a word and moved next to George. Lavender and Ron sat down, Lavender not aware of the tension as she kissed his cheek and held his hand while they were serving themselves. Ron was much more awkward, not returning any other the affection. Hermione felt tears threatening to escape her eyes; she was also battling the anger swelling up inside of her. She felt a strong hand place gently right above her right knee, she looked up to see Georges blue eyes reassuring her that everything was going to be fine. She laid her hand on top of his in a way to say thank you. He spun around his hand so their palms met. She became self-conscious of her sweaty palms but George didn't seem to mind. She squeezed his hand just a little to prevent herself from blowing up at the couple across from her.
"Hermione can you pass the butter, please?" Lavender said, acting like she was innocent.
Without saying a word, Hermione passed the butter to the bubbly lavender.
"Thank you dear!" She practically screamed.
Hermione looked around the silent table. Ginny and Harry were obviously holding in their thought but still shooting Ron death looks, while Fred's mouth was open and he was rolling his eyes making it very clear he disliked Lavender. Lavender was too busy with herself and Ron next to her. Ron was begging with his eyes for all of them to stop and make her feel welcome. George remained the strongest, he remained calm unlike his normal self and he let Hermione squeeze all her anger out on his hand, so she could also look calm and in control.
"Ohmigosh! Have you heard about Neville and Luna? They are seeing each other! It's like, everyone was just thinking 'It's about time!' Right?" She said trying to break the silence with the only way she knew how to. "What do you think Won-won?"
Ron was picking at the eggs on his plate and mumbled something that satisfied Lavender enough to return to her plate of food. Everyone forgot about their own breakfast and just stared at the two that had appetites. Finally Fred couldn't stand it anymore he stood up scooting his chair back with his legs.
"Really Ron? Really? Or should I say Won-won. It's truly amazing that you can go from dating a genius to this bimbo." Fred yelled, shocking Lavender.
Ron joined Fred standing up. "I wouldn't expect you to know."
"Come on! It's wrong. You tell her you love her, 5 minutes later she learns that you have been cheating, and you don't even explain. You are a real arse!"
Lavender stood up too ready to defend her new boyfriend. "Shut up! You don't call Won-won an arse, if anything you are the arse. You are supposed to treat your guest with respect, not like this!"
"Sorry I didn't think one night whores were guests in this house." Fred turned to Ron for a final word. "You really screwed this up."
"I did not, you guys are just over reacting." Ron said trying to become the victim.
This was Ginny's last straw, so she stood up and gave him another piece of her mind. "Overreacting? You didn't even properly break up with Hermione and then you have another girl sleep over that night and we are over reacting? Ron you are messed up."
"Ron." Harry joined in with a quieter voice also standing. "I have to agree with them."
"Well." Ron looked around the table of his closest friends and family, he felt betrayed. "George you have anything to say."
George let go of Hermione's hand and slowly rose trying to remain calm. "You really want to hear what I have to say?"
Ron nodded, visibly a little more scared but trying to show he was brave.
"I think it was a pretty stupid thing that you did Ron. You could've told her, not in this way and you could've waited more than a minute to invite a new girl over. She saw the second letter. She has been miserable ever since and you expect us to be nice and welcoming to this girl that is the reason Hermione is broken. You are insane, a git, and I really would not like to see you or that girl for the rest of the day or even the week." George said with no profanity, which was quite impressive.
"How 'bout you Hermione, have anything to say?" Ron asked adding lots of attitude.
Hermione remained seated, staring into her lap; she shook her head as she tried to not make eye contact with anyone.
"Who cares what a little Mudblood has to say anyway?" Lavender sneered.
Hermione looked up to Lavender who had a hand covering her mouth. Hermione knew that Lavender didn't care about people blood type, but it took her back to the scar on her arm.
Mrs. Weasley jumped in as soon as she heard that. "Ron may you please walk Ms. Brown out?"
Hermione got up from the table and ran up to her room, not hiding her tears anymore. She could hear the faintest apology coming from Lavender down the stairs behind her. She ran into her room and buried her face in her pillow. Memories came rushing back along with pain. She felt the torture running up and down her body. The pain, she remembered, was excruciating as Bellatrix carved the word into her arm. She heard her own screams and Bellatrix's laughs as she scarred the girl. Hermione started pulling her knees closer to her chest and she whimpered. The tears ran down her cheeks. She hated the memory and everything that came along with it because it wasn't just her skin that was scarred. The door opened to the room and she didn't even check who it was. They sat at the edge of the bed and stroked her. It was a girl's voice so she immediately knew it was Ginny.
"We all love you and we will protect you." Ginny whispered in her ear right before leaving.
Then other bodies entered to room staying far away from Hermione. Hermione got up a little bit to see Fred, Harry, and Mrs. Weasley at the door.
"Are you okay dear? Would you like anything?" Mrs. Weasley asked not knowing what to do.
Hermione shook her head. "I would just like to be alone."
The group was leaving when she heard Fred's voice from the hallway. "Ugh, George is attacking Lavender. As much as I hate that slut, I better break it up."
A small smile crawled onto Hermione's face. She laid back down and looked at the scar as a few more tears escaped her eyes. She was comforted by the people that surrounded her. She stroked over the scar, she wanted to feel stronger from that experience and show that she could survive anything, but it was moments like these that she wished she had different parents. Hermione pulled the blanket up to her shin and silently cried.
George entered the room and sat at the edge of her bed, just like Ginny. He stroked the side of her. She didn't do anything but let him and allow the tears to continue to run from her eyes.
"I feel so weak right now. Watching you sink is killing me. If you need anything, just call me or anyone else. Except for Ron, cause he is an idiot." George said.
Hermione smiled a little as George walked out of the room and quickly fell asleep afterwards, no dreams or nightmares.
…
"Mione." She heard Ginny's voice calling her. "Mione, you up?"
"Now I am." Hermione answered sitting up in her bed.
"We are about to have dinner and since you skipped lunch you can't miss this one either."
"Is Ron going to be there?" Hermione asked still waking up.
"No, he is staying with Lavender." Ginny said.
"'Kay." Hermione got out of bed and put on her own hoodie, so she could give the other one back to George. She changed out of her jeans and put on pajama pants and wrapped herself in a blanket, Ginny stared. "What? If I am going to be forced to go to dinner then I will go on my terms."
They went downstairs together. As they descended, she noticed all the boys at the table were standing up looking at her. Once she made it into the table she found a seat next to Ginny and everyone took their seats as well. Mrs. Weasley walked over to Hermione and served her first then everyone else followed. When it came to the eating almost everyone was silent and looked at her in between bites. Hermione tried to act as normal as possible, she was guessing that they thought she was very unstable right now. Normally she would've been talking with Ron, Ginny, and Harry, while the twins planned pranks and joked around, and the parents would talk with each other, now she felt as if everyone was ready to comfort her if she started crying again.
"So Ginny can we move those plans to tomorrow?" Hermione said trying to break up the silence.
"Um, yeah…only if you want of course, only if you feel better." Ginny responded kind of startled.
"Yeah, I feel great." Hermione partially lied as she dropped the blanket from her shoulders. "We should all do something tonight, in fact."
"Yeah."
"Sounds good."
"I'll be there."
Everyone responded immediately. Hermione smiled at the fact that she could control almost everyone at the table because of her current state. She let it go on, she wanted them to feel like they were helping, which in a way they were.
"So anyone have any ideas?" Hermione asked to the silent table.
At this time, the table erupted with ideas and the noise level returned to the normal dinner sound. Everyone was planning what the best evening would be. They all finished their plates smiling and laughing. They cleared the table quickly and got ready for the night out. Eventually, they all had settled on what was going to happen, but didn't tell Hermione so it would be a surprise. She ran up the stairs with Ginny and went into their very neat room.
"Please let me dress you up." Ginny begged and after a while Hermione said yes.
Ginny sorted through Hermione's clothes and picked out stuff for her to wear. Hermione wriggled into a pair of dark blue skinny jeans she didn't even knew she had and slipped on a red, torso hugging V-neck. Hermione grabbed a black jacket before Ginny dragged her into the bathroom. Ginny made her hair into a side braid and put mascara and lip gloss on Hermione. Ginny then got herself ready, while Hermione took the down time to read her book. Just as she was about to finish, Ginny grabbed her hand and ran her down stairs. She saw Fred, George, and Harry were already downstairs with a newly arrived Angelina. They glanced at Hermione then returned to their conversation, except George who couldn't stop staring at Hermione. Once the girls met up with the other group Angelina hugged Hermione.
"I am so sorry to hear what happened. He never deserved you." She said still in the embrace.
Hermione thanked Angelina then they all headed out the door. Harry held Ginny's hand as they filed out the door and Angelina and Fred were laughing side by side. So Hermione took a spot next to George. They walked into the cold night. Hermione started shivering so George wrapped his arm around Hermione's shoulders.
"Thanks." Hermione said.
"I couldn't stand hearing your teeth chatter." He said smiling down on her. "Besides we are the only single ones here so why not?"
"But Fred and Angie aren't together, are they?" Hermione asked somewhat confused.
"Look at them, even if they don't say it out loud, they are a thing." He said gesturing to the two that were play-fighting. "Kind of disgusting actually. You know for being the brightest person here, I'm surprised you didn't notice that."
Hermione giggle. "Hey! I don't care about that type of stuff and I think it's rude to stare."
"Excuses, excuses. I never thought I would see the day when I became smarter than Ms. Hermione Granger." He teased.
"I wouldn't know about that." Hermione played back, not knowing what was coming over her.
"Is Hermione Granger challenging the notorious George Weasley?"
"And what are you notorious for?" She asked already knowing that he was well known in the prankster community.
George started chasing her as she ran away giggling. "Oh, you're gonna get it now." He called after her, slightly surprised at the girl's speed.
"Get a room!" Fred called back after them; his arm was now draped across Angelina's shoulders.
George caught up from Hermione and grabbed her from behind. Once he was sure she wouldn't run away he scooped her off the ground and carried her bridal style.
"Look who's talking!" George called back.
Hermione was thankful it was dark and there was cold air, because her pale cheeks were turning bright red. Once they reached the lake everyone stopped and Fred raised his wand. He flicked it and at first nothing happened, but then Hermione saw a lonely rocket shoot into the air and it exploded turning bright blue. Everyone clapped as a few more rockets were shot into the sky. Hermione back up a little bit so she could see more of the show and ran into George who was a few feet behind her.
"Oh sorry." She apologized as she moved to the side of him.
"Don't worry about it." He said watching his own creation. "Right now I am fighting myself not to say anything about the others."
Hermione looked around to see that Harry had his arms wrapped around Ginny's waist and he rested his chin on her head, Ginny laid her own hands on top of his. She glanced over to Angelina and George, who were snogging aggressively, not even watching the show.
"Let them have fun before it all crashes down." Hermione said still negative about her own love life.
"Positive thinking there Mione." George joked.
"I'm just saying it'll have to end one day." She said stared at the flashing colors in the sky.
"You are just making me feel so warm and fuzzy inside."
"Sorry, I should just shut up." Hermione regretted her earlier words.
"Hey, stop beating yourself up over everything, it's not your fault that Ron is stupid. The fault is all his." George comforted her as him placed his hands on her shoulders. He leaned down and whispered into her ear. "You are smart, kind, and perfect in every way, don't let anyone tell you different."
She nodded, feeling lots of comfort from the strong hands on her shoulders. The finally had just ended and Angelina and Fred stopped snogging. Fred looked back at George, both already taking off their jackets. George then pulled her shirt off over his head and placed both items in Hermione's arms. She couldn't help but noticed that he was no longer tall and awkward, but he had filled in with muscle. He was well defined and she couldn't help but stare. George and Fred then took off running to the lake and once they reached the end they jumped in. Harry soon joined them, taking off his shirt too. Ginny and Angelina followed only taking off their jackets. Hermione hesitantly took off her jacket and made her way to the edge of the lake. She decided to test the water and felt the ice cold lake surround her bare foot.
"Come on Hermione." Ginny called.
"It's too cold." She found an excuse, and then took a seat next to the lake.
"Oh, well, I guess then the brightest witch should also know never to get near a lake that has a Weasley twin in it." George said grabbing Hermione and pulling her in.
She shrieked and laughed. "Can't you at least make it a little warmer?"
"What fun would there be in that Granger?" Fred said swimming alongside Angelina.
"Nice, warm fun." She said.
"I'm sure George could also make that happen." Fred teased.
"Shut up!" George yelled jokingly.
"Too bad you girls couldn't take your shirt off too, it would make it even." Fred said.
"That's for tonight, Freddy." Angelina played along.
"I was mostly saying it for George, you know because of Hermione." Fred said to George who had his arms wrapped around Hermione trying to keep her warm, seeing that her lips were already turning blue.
She wasn't sure if it was just a cold night or if it was just that the water was freezing but she could've sworn she saw George starting to blush. George splashed his brother playfully which left Hermione and Angelina to get out of the line of fire. Eventually they just got too cold and got out of the lake; Fred refused to use his wand to dry anyone off but himself because he was the only one who brought a wand out. Hermione walked back with the girls soaking wet, behind them were the boys. They giggled and talked just loud enough so the boys would be curious about they were laughing about. Hermione cleaned herself up and got changed into clean clothes. She walked into her shared room and saw that George was sitting on Ginny's bed just wearing a pair of Pajama pants.
"Oh, Hello." Hermione said confused.
"Hi, sorry did they not tell you. Ginny and Harry are in Harry's room and Fred kicked me out, so I am here because I didn't want to sleep on a couch. I could always leave if you are-"
"No, it's no problem." She cut him off.
"Cool."
Hermione got into her bed. "Don't you want to put a shirt on, it gets really cold."
"I'll be fine besides I am trying to make you feel better and I think you really like it with it off." He winked at her and she started to blush. "Goodnight."
"Night." Hermione said, she turned off the lights and pulled up the covers.
It was silent, and then she heard a sweet, innocent voice. "Um, Hermione." It was George. She never knew he could sound so vulnerable. "Sweet dreams."
"Sweet dreams, George." Hermione said drifting into sleep.