A/N: Thanks to everyone for your kind reaction to the first chapter. This next chapter begins the story, as told by George and Hermione. In the flashbacks, I will switch to an omniscient narrator who can see everything, even though the story is being told by Hermione and George. So, in some cases, you'll get more perspective than just the two main characters. Bear with me on that.
As always, I own nothing that you recognize.
Chapter Two
"Well, where should be begin?" George asked his wife.
"Well, I don't think we can tell this story properly without explaining my relationship with Ron." Rose turned her head to the side in confusion. Hermione sighed. "Like I said Rose, you haven't been told everything."
"You and Uncle Ron were friends since you were little, right? And you and Dad got involved after Hogwarts? You started dating after James' first birthday? But, wait," she turned to her father. "You said that your first kiss was when you were my age?"
"Slow down, Rose. It's a long story. First, you are right. Your Uncle Harry, Uncle Ron, and I became friends our first year of Hogwarts. The three of us were practically inseparable. Harry was like the brother I never had, and Ron was my first crush at Hogwarts."
"Which I'll never understand," George said with a frown. "He never treated you well."
Hermione gave George a placating smile before turning to Rose. "Your father is partially right. Ron was never graceful, and there were times that he was unkind. But he was loyal whenever someone really treated me poorly. "
"Your mother is the world's most generous soul when it comes to my brother. He was an absolute git to her when they were young."
"We were kids, George. We all had our moments."
December 1994
Fred and George sat at a table in the corner of the library under a Disillusionment charm. They didn't want to be seen in the library for many reasons. They were researching charms and spells for the development of their joke products, and Hogwarts' library was a wealth of knowledge. They didn't want any students to know they were there, as it wouldn't do for their fellow students to think they were studying. It was also better that the teachers weren't aware of their research, because very few members of the faculty would approve of their product development efforts.
George, however, was preoccupied at the moment. A few tables away, Hermione sat working. Seated next to her was none other than Viktor Krum. This scene had repeated itself several times over the last few weeks. George didn't like it. At first, Hermione had seemed mildly annoyed by Krum's presence, but now, they worked side by side in companionable silence. Krum would occasionally whisper something to her, and the two would whisper for a few moments. There was even a time or two when Krum would push an errant curl from Hermione's face.
"George," Fred whispered to his brother. "What are you so fascinated by?" George motioned over Fred's shoulder. Fred turned around and observed the couple for a minute. "It looks like Ron has waited too long. There's no way Hermione is going to look at him now, not with Krum giving her attention."
George's expression darkened. No, he didn't like what he was seeing at all. Viktor Krum was too old and too worldly for Hermione. As smart and bossy as Hermione was, she was still awkward with boys. She was well on her way to becoming a very pleasant looking girl; he knew that she would start getting more attention soon. The boys her age didn't see it yet, but George could see it. He knew Krum saw it, too.
"Do you think she's interested in him?" George whispered.
"Krum? Or Ron?"
"Either." George was getting aggravated. That wasn't like him. Generally, there was no bickering between the twins.
Fred looked at his brother quizzically. "Is there something you need to tell me, brother?"
George frowned and looked down at his book. "I don't want to see her get hurt. Don't you think Krum's a little old for her? Ron, well, Ron's just an idiot. He treats her like rubbish."
"You're mighty protective of our bossy little friend, George. Perhaps you should do something to protect her." Fred leaned back and crossed his arms.
"Don't be daft, Fred." George scowled.
"Why not?" Fred challenged his brother.
"Well, Ron for one thing."
"But Ron's an idiot who treats her like rubbish."
"Yes, but he's still our brother." George smirked. "It wouldn't be fair to make little Ronnikins compete with all this."
Fred chuckled. "Well, then who are you going to ask to the Yule Ball?"
"I don't know. Katie Bell?" George shrugged non-committedly. Katie was nice enough, and she was an attractive girl, but George didn't really think he saw her that way.
"Katie's a good choice," Fred told his brother. "But if you'd rather ask someone else, I think you should do it."
"Who are you asking?" George tried to change the subject.
"Angelina Johnson." Fred's eyes glazed over just a bit. George tried to hide his smirk.
"Excellent," George replied. "Now, can we get back to work? These listening devices need to be tested."
"Yes, yes, they do," Fred stated with a wry smile. "And I know just how to test them." Fred stood up, still disillusioned, and slipped quietly over to the table where Viktor and Hermione were working. He casually dropped the device on the floor between Viktor and Hermione, and then he snuck back over to the table with his brother. He adjusted the receiver on the table in front of him. He and George leaned in to listen to what Viktor and Hermione were saying.
"Hermy-own, you vill come with me to the Yule Ball?"
"Viktor…" she hesitated. Her face showed her mixed emotions plainly. She was clearly flattered that Viktor had invited her, but something was holding her back.
"Unless there is someone else you vould rather go vith?" Viktor sounded uncertain. George and Fred looked at each other with surprise. The international Quidditch star was insecure about asking a fourth year to a school dance.
"I, well, Viktor, you could go with anyone. There are girls throwing themselves at you non-stop."
"I do not like that. You treat me like person, not celebrity. It is better for me. I like to spend time vith you. Girls who try so hard are not interesting. You are interesting to me."
Hermione gave Viktor a glowing smile. She then nodded shyly. Viktor sat up much straighter. He leaned over and gently touched her hand. Her cheeks pinked up prettily.
George watched with narrowed eyes. Krum seemed genuine enough, but if he hurt her, he would have to deal with the Weasley twins, celebrity or not.
Fred tapped George's hand. "She's tougher than she looks, George. She can take care of herself. Didn't you hear about her slapping Malfoy silly last year?" George laughed, his mood a little lighter at the thought of Hermione handling the smug Draco so effectively.
Later that week, George invited Katie to the ball. Never one to miss a party, George knew that he and Katie would have fun together. Fred asked Angelina, who accepted happily.
"So, wait, you wanted to ask Mum to the ball all the way back in your fourth year?" Rose looked at her father. Hermione also looked at George, obviously a bit shocked.
"You never told me that," Hermione smiled.
"Viktor was nice to you, and you liked him. There was no need to interfere."
Hermione looked at Rose, "Viktor and I faded over the summer. With Voldemort returning, we all started worrying about bigger things."
"So what happened next?"
"Nothing much happened the following year," Hermione said. "Except for -," she paused.
"The kiss," George said with a smirk. "And it was some kiss."
Hermione blushed. "Yes, yes it was."
"But how did it happen? If you weren't a couple, why did you kiss?"
"Your mother was trying to make a point. And your mother never fails to make her point."
A/N: The next chapter contains the story of their first kiss. It will contain text from a one-shot I wrote a while ago. But there is more to this version than previously posted.
