Together through it all
Chapter two: I'm safe now
Fright, fear, frustration.
He was there, just there, but he was there for his twin, not for her.
When Hermione arrived, she could see at once that something was wrong. Not the fact that they had been chased by Death Eaters, but something else. Someone was hurt. "Who is it?" she half yelled, with panic in her voice. "George has lost an ear," Ginny whispered. Hermione ran into the living room, and wrenched the glasses off. She stopped in the door and took a shaky breath before slowly walking towards Mrs. Weasley who was tending her son. It looked awful, he was covered in blood, and he was apparently unconscious. "Is he, will he… will he be alright?" Hermione asked, and kneeled down beside Mrs. Weasley.
She quickly turned her head as she clearly hadn't noticed Hermione at first. "Oh, Hermione dear, I'm so glad you're safe, yes… yes, he will be okay but… this… he won't get his ear back," she said, and turned her focus on George again. Hermione reached over to take his hand, but then Fred stormed into the room. It was either move, or get pushed away, so Hermione quickly stood up and went over to the others. All she could do was to watch, she couldn't just claim a spot by his side. He probably didn't want her there anyway, people would begin to ask questions. After all they weren't that good friends… or were they? Maybe they were more than friends after what had happened?
That thought confused her. She hadn't had much time to think about what had just happened before they left. They weren't good friends, she though. But he kissed her. They'd never had any serious conversations besides that one who happened some hours ago. But that conversation was pretty serious! He probably didn't like her. Hermione, he kissed you! But! Did she want him to like her? Of course, but that didn't mean he did. Did she like him? Did she? She guessed she did... or maybe not? She shouldn't jump to conclusions just because he kissed her. But that's not everything to it, is it? No, but... "Argh! Why is everything so confusing!" Hermione suddenly yelled out, making everyone jump and turn to look at her quizzically, making her blush.
"Hermione?" the voice startled her.
"George?" she asked, and moved forward to the sofa.
Hermione could already feel curious eyes follow her every move, but didn't care. "You promised to be safe, remember?" she whispered.
"Actually I didn't," he answered, "I never got that far before it was time… and besides, I'm safe now, Hermione, and so are you, and that's what matters."
Did he really mean that? Of course he cared about the others, but did he really care that much about her? Hermione looked at his handsome face. How could anyone be handsome when they were pale as a ghost and was covered in blood? "George, are you alright? Does it hurt?" she asked worriedly and grasped his hand.
"I've never been better," he said with a wink, making her frown, and at the same time try not to smile.
She looked at him sternly, "Don't lie, George, I know perfectly well you've been better," she said, and moved her gaze to where his ear should've been. Carefully, she brushed away some of his hair and looked at it. Hermione pursed her lips and swallowed hard. She moved her gaze back to his eyes, but used her hand to stroke his hair back, uncertain if he thought it nice or just plain creepy. Apparently he thought it nice, because he closed his eyes and sighed, a little smile playing on his lips. "I wasn't joking," he whispered. "It's not every day I have a beautiful witch at my sick bed," he said and opened his eyes, staring intensely into her eyes.
His blue eyes were searching her brown for such a long time that it almost became too much for Hermione, and she gasped.
Suddenly Fred cleared his throat with an amused grin.
Hermione jumped and got on her legs. "I- I… I'm going to get some air," Hermione stammered out, feeling her face go red. She had completely forgotten the others, and just had eyes for George.
After a quick walk down to the tree by the lake, she decided that a walk was not what she needed. Thoughts about George kept ruining her walk, so she decided to go up to the Burrow again. When she peeked into the living room she saw, not unexpectedly, Fred sitting by his brothers side. He was holding George's hand and talking quietly. When he saw Hermione he sent her a grin and got up. "I think I'll leave you two to it," he winked and added in an undertone "don't want to watch his pathetic tries at snogging." Hermione glared at him.
"Hi, Hermione," George smiled, and propped himself up on one elbow. Yes, he was smiling, but something about it made it seem a bit false.
Hermione went over to him and sat down on the floor with a frown. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing's wrong," he assured her, but after seeing Hermione lift her eyebrows disbelievingly, he sighed. "I have a hole in my head Hermione, what do you think is wrong?" he growled.
Oh, just the right thing to do, ask him if anything's wrong when his ear is cut off. "I'm sorry…" "No, it's not your fault," he answered. "…George," Hermione said, and shifted a bit in her position on the hard floor. "You know no one will care about it right?"
"It's ugly," he explained.
"And since when did you care? Besides you have your hair to cover it up and… as you said," Hermione smiled, "You're still the better looking twin."
George snorted, "yeah, true… but the girls won't… or this specific girl won't start fancying me when I suddenly have that, or rather don't have it," he said and motioned towards his head.
Hermione didn't like the thought of him and other girls, she'd thought that maybe… but no. She still tried to make the best out of this situation though. "If this girl likes you, she'll like you for who you are, not how you look."
George reached out for her hand, and she more than willingly gave it to him. "Do you like me for who I am?" he asked quietly. Hermione stared at him, that girl was her.
"Of course," she breathed out.
"That's good… I'm not allowed to move much, would you mind to kiss me?" he asked boldly, grinning at her surprised look. "Yes, I mean no, I don't think I'd mind…" Hermione swallowed, and watched as his eyes fluttered shut. Then she moved her gaze to his lips. Slowly and carefully she kissed him lightly, and gasped as he moved his hand to her hair, and dragged her even closer. It was something like she'd never experienced before, not that she'd had very many chances either, but this was literally breathtaking. He moved his lips against her, passionately and wanting. When Hermione gasped for breath, he reluctantly pulled away, and looked at her. "Hermione, I er, would you… Hermione, I like you. I have for a long time, and, well you're brilliant, beautiful and I… do you want to be with me? Be my girlfriend?" he asked.
Yes! Her mind screamed yes, but at the same time, this was probably a bad time to have a boyfriend. Of course she liked him and wanted more than anything to be with him, but they were soon leaving. A war was at hand, and when she went off with Ron and Harry, she'd probably miss him very much. But then again, if she said no, she'd still miss him and she would regret her decision. George watched nervously as Hermione leaned a bit back and frowned. That was not the reaction he was hoping for, but then she smiled and leaned closer again. "Yes, I'll be your girlfriend, George," she whispered, and kissed him again.
The kiss turned quite heated very fast, and George dragged her halfway up into the sofa with him. Hands entwined in each other hair, fast breathing, and amazing feelings. George traced his tongue along her lips, and just as Hermione was to part them, eager for new sensations, they heard a chuckle behind them. They quickly sprang apart, making Hermione tumble down on the floor again. Instead of looking up and see who it was, she stared embarrassedly at the floor. She'd just been caught snogging George! Snogging George… Hermione smiled down at the floor. She was his girlfriend now. With a quick glance at him, she stood up and straightened her clothes.
"Knew I should've come back later, by the way Hermione, Harry and Ron are waiting for you in Ron's room, they think you're still outside, walking," she looked up to see Fred grin, "But, if only they knew…" he added.
A/N: So, this was… interesting? Was it good? Please, please review and tell me what you think!:)
