An: So I realize I didn't put one of these up on my last chapter…my biscuit. Any way here's the next chapter hope you guys like it. Let me know R&R thanks.
I
don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
"So Hermione who is this mystery man?"
"What mystery man?" Hermione asked looking over at Ginny as she made herself comfortable on her cream sofa.
"The one you're obviously smitten over," Ginny said sipping her wine.
"You always did have quite an imagination," Hermione chuckled, "Enough about the mystery man that doesn't exist tell me about your honeymoon, did you leave Harry in one piece."
"Funny," Ginny snorted, "don't worry bout your friend he is fine he may not be able to walk straight but he is fine."
"Oh my God Ginny never mind," Hermione snorted, "How's the family?"
"Mum is already asking when to expect grand kids as if the ones she has isn't enough," Ginny rolled her eyes, "I think she just wants more to forget bout the twins you know."
"Well not forget," Ginny said rolling her eyes at Hermione's raised eyebrows, "But somewhat making amends to what has happened."
"I guess," Hermione said standing up slowing avoiding Ginny's glaze, "Come on I'm hungry and there's a new café in town I've been dying to try."
"Hmm," Ginny said eyeing her distant friend, "She still asks about you too you know?"
"I know," Hermione said looking out her window, "I'm come to Sunday lunch ok."
Ginny stood and grabbed her coat and followed Hermione to the door. Something was on her friends mind but she knew better then to push.
"So who is this new guy?" Ginny asked winking at Hermione as she walked passed her out the door.
"Ginny," Hermione said with a sigh, "There is not mystery man why can't I just be happy."
Ginny laughed and looped her arm around Hermione's, "Alright alright lets go lead me to the le petit café."
"That's not the name of the café," Hermione said her eyebrows brunched in confusing.
Ginny rolled her eyes, "Let's just go woman."
Words
fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
It had taken half her lunch with Ginny and another two hours of walking around to convince her to do this. Swallowing the large lump developing in her throat she pushed the door of the store open. She hoped he was working today, maybe she could get his schedule if he wasn't. She spotted him in the back folding shirts. Gathering her nerves she walked over to him quickly.
"George?"
He turned at the sound of his name, "Hermione?" He put the shirt he was currently folding down, "What are you doing here?"
She bit the bottom lip and twitched her hands. He took a step to her and tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear, letting his finger caress her cheek. She closed her eyes and moved into his touch. A soft sigh released from her lips when he pulled his hand away, her eyes opening barely hiding her disappointment.
"I know this may see a little forward," She paused as if trying to gather the confidence to finish her statement, "But do you want to catch a movie and get dinner after work?"
Smiling he took in the blush that had creep on to her face as he closed the distance between so he was standing directly in front of her, "On one condition."
She looked up at him her lips parted slightly, "Yes?"
He dipped his head so his lips were a mere few centimeters from her, he could feel her warm breath caressing his face, "You have to let me pay."
Hermione laughed and stepped away. She knew her face was flushed and was mentally scolding herself for indulging in the thought that perhaps he wanted to kiss her again. She said her goodbyes quickly scurried out of the store.
He smiled as she left the store, a part of him feeling as if it had wakened. She was the ray of light that had been missing in his life. But to accept her would mean eventually going back. Was he ready for that? Could he face his family after all these years?
"Who's the hottie?" Tim asked never taking his eyes off of Hermione's legs breaking George from his train of thoughts.
"An old friend," George grunted not really liking the fact that Tim was looking at her, "Don't you have a wife at home?"
Tim laughed as he walked away, "Seems more then a friend."
George tried not to let the thought of Hermione more then a friend get to him, but the thought of her soft lips pressed to his wouldn't leave him. He couldn't wait to see her later tonight.
And
games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play
themselves out
Hermione fidgeted with her bracelet she had to meet George in an hour. Wait where was she meeting him? Smooth Hermione she thought to herself way to forget to ask where to meet. She took a quick glance at the clock and knew if she hurried she could catch him before he left work because of course getting his phone number would be to much to remember.
As she walked the two blocks to his job she still couldn't believe he was right here all these years and she never noticed. Maybe he was new to the store but for some reason she didn't really believe that. Part of her knew that he had been there for some time. It was her who wasn't ready to see him. She wasn't ready to come face to face with her past for a while, so why now?
What is done is done; she thought waiting by the light to cross the street. She couldn't dwell on this, and god did she wish she hadn't worn heels. Or at least wish she hadn't forgotten to put a charm on her shoes.
"George!" She called when she saw him leaving his store. She rushed towards him waving.
George looked over his shoulder in shock. Was that Hermione running to him in a white dress and heels? She looked gorgeous her curls bouncing behind her and her long legs seemed to go on forever she looked like an angel running toward him.
"Oh yeah definitely more then an old friend," Tim snickered behind him.
"Shut up Tim," he growled never once taking his eyes off her.
"George," she said letting out a gush of air resting her hand on his shoulder grabbing her side, "Sorry I thought I missed you."
"Hermione why are…." He was interrupted by someone clearing their throat behind him, "Tim don't you have a wife to go to," he said with a sigh.
Ignoring him Tim stuck his hand out grinning at Hermione, "Tim it's a pleasure to meet you."
Hermione took his hand and gave him a firm handshake, "Hermione I assure you the pleasure is all yours."
George threw his head back and laughed. Tim calculated what she said for a minute wondering if she meant that in a nice way or not but had the decency to look taken back anyway.
"I was just playing," Hermione joked giggling a little, "It was a pleasure to meet you a friend of George's?"
"Actually he is a coworker who is leaving to go home," George said giving Tim a little shove in the right direction, "Going home to the wife who is probably slaying in the kitchen making him a nice hot dinner," he added when the other man didn't budge.
Take
this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
"Hey I hope you don't mind," George said after Tim walked away, "But I was planning on going home and changing I only live a block from here."
"No its not a problem I just I forgot to ask where we were meeting earlier so I figured I could catch you before you left," she said quickly.
"You could have just called," George said his eyebrows knitted together.
"Right," she nodded. Why the hell didn't she think of that? Sure she was the smartest witch in her year but common sense seemed to have passed by her. "I thought this method would have a better effect," She joked.
He laughed, "It sure did."
"Well come on then to my place it is," he chuckled he wrapped his arm around hers leading the way.
"George do you think you could put a cushioning spell on my shoe when we get to you place I left my wand at my home in my rush to get out?" She asked flexing her toes in her shoe.
"Ergh….I don't really do magic anymore," he said avoiding her eyes.
"What do you mean?" She asked amazed.
"I haven't used my wand since I left."
"You haven't used any magic since you left home," her mouth open slightly in disbelief.
"Nothing intentionally at least," He cleared his throat uncomfortably not sure how to take the silence that had fallen over her.
He lead her to a cute building that had three floors, and she was guessing an apartment on each floor. She dreaded going up stairs and was happy to see the lift. Oh course seeing as though he hadn't done magic in five years she highly doubted his floo network would be connected. She hoped he wasn't oppose to taking a cab to the restaurant she wasn't quite sure she could make it on foot even though the place was only a block away from here.
"Hey Hermione?" he asked after a few minutes of silence when they stepped off the lift.
"Yes."
"Do you think that dress would look as good on my floor as it does you?"
"George!" Hermione screamed slapping his arm laughing following him into his flat, "The dress stays on me."
Raise
your hopeful voice you have a choice
You'll make it now
Hermione curled up on George couch and watched a show on the tube. Something about London has talent pretty lame show if you ask her. But the little children singers did get to her. She smiled as a five year belted out the tune to blue moon. The image of a small boy with red curls and brown eyes popped in her head. It was gone as fast as it came but she had felt it. Felt him. How she wished for it to be reality. Her eyes strayed to the door where George was currently behind probably naked.
What was getting into her? First she was seeing images of their son and now she is thinking of him naked. Biting her lip she contemplated knocking on the door. Maybe he would open it naked. Get that thought out of your head, she scolded herself quickly. But she was thirsty and she wasn't sure where the cups where, of course she could just open random cabinets but maybe he didn't like people poking around his kitchen. Well she could just ask him. Yes, she would ask him. She made her way to the door slowly. What if he didn't like being disturbed when he was getting dressed. She heard the shower turn off and knocked once on the door.
She regretted it the minute her fist hit the wood. To bad you can't take back a knock because that was one Hermione would have took back in a second. She turned and started back to couch hoping maybe he didn't hear it. After all she had really just heard the shower turn off he probably wasn't even out the bathroom yet. And she hadn't really hit the door hard. Finally convincing herself that her knock had gone unheard she sat down on the couch and tried desperately to focus on the tube.
"Hermione?" Damn.
It was a good thing she was already sitting because there stood George Weasley at the door wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. Low on his waist. The man obviously spent some of the five years away in the gym. Muscles rippled his stomach and toned his chest. Her eyes traveled the line of hair under his navel as it dipped into his towel. She gulped. His eyebrow raised in question, "Did you knock?"
"Yes," her voice squeaked she cleared her throat quickly, "Um, Yes I was wondering where your cups are I could really use a drink of water."
She could feel the blush rise on her face and prayed he didn't noticed. Judging by the amuse expression on his face that pray did get answered. Shaking his head he moved from the door way and motioned for her to follow him. She did so on shaking legs it's a good thing he had a no shoe rule in his place because she was sure she wouldn't have been so successfully in her heels. He lead her to a small kitchen and opened the cabinet over the sink. He walked to the fridge and grabbed a pitcher of water from inside. After he pours her glass he put it back.
"Your welcome to more if you finish that glass before I get out," he said a soft smile playing at his lips.
Hermione nodded her head before taking a gulp choking slightly on it, "Just go and get dressed," she said mid choke.
Falling
slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Thankfully he wasn't oppose to the idea of taking a cab. But he did walk around his flat with just his dress pants on for a good five minutes claiming to be looking for his shoes, even though she knew better, he was just trying to tease her and see her blush. So now one cab fair, and two wine glasses later they now were seated at this over priced but highly recommended restaurant.
"What?"
George took a bite of his pasta and smiled at her. Hermione had been staring at him for the last ten minutes as if lost in a daze.
"I'm sorry," she said breaking out of her reverie.
He had not changed one bit. The only difference was his hair his once bright hair now reached to the tips of his shoulders in waves of deep auburn. However, his eyes, those gorgeous blue eyes that shown bright when he was happy, or brimmed with tears when he was sad, now lay dull in their sockets. She wanted nothing more then to bring life back to them.
"No, but you will be."
"What?"
"Nothing just always wanted to say that," he threw her another smile before taking another bite of his pasta.
"Want some?" He asked as he watched her follow his fork with her eyes.
A slight blush creeps across her cheeks. She looks so beautiful when she blushed. It was one of the things he used to love doing, making her blush. How different things are now.
"How did you…no, where have you…wait what have you…why?" she sputtered out.
"Which one is it?" He asked with an amused expression. He knew it would come to this. He just wasn't sure he was ready to answer.
"Why?" She said lowering her fork. "Why did you go away?"
George stared down at his food the pasta he was just eating with gusto was now forming a large lump in his stomach he was definitely not ready to answer that question, "I don't know."
She looked at him as if he just sprouted three heads after five years that was the best he could come up with, was an 'I don't know'. He didn't miss her shocked expression; cringing inwardly he knew that wasn't the best answer when it came to Hermione Granger.
"Your mother needed you, you know. Did you know she used to wait up all night by the door of the burrow just incase you decided to come home. Your family needed you, Ginny and Harry got married, Bill and Charlie both have a child, and Ron is in love with Fleur's cousin Bella. And you don't know why you left."
He shrugged nonchalantly, but his eyes burned with regret.
"They all miss you, you know."
"What about you," He mumbled taking a sudden interest in the white linen spread across the table.
"What?"
"Did you miss me?"
He stared deep into her eyes, Hermione felt as if he could see deep into her soul. Her heart skipped a beat. For a second she let herself believe there was more in those blue eyes then regret for a second she willed herself to believe she saw longing.
"Yes I missed you to," She whispered lowering her eyes. She felt a lump develop in her throat and willed herself not to cry.
"How?" he asked grabbing her hand using he other one to lift her face so he could look her in the eyes.
"How what?" She mumbled.
"How did you miss me?"
She closed her eyes as if trying to recreate the barrier that had been knocked down between them, "What do you mean?"
"Did you miss me like a brother, or friend, or…" George started to feel a slight unease praying to all who are holy that she didn't say like a brother.
"Or?" Hermione asked trying to avoid the question. The truth was she wasn't sure how she missed him. Certainly not like a brother and not really like a friend they had to much chemistry to still be considered a friend, and the man was never a lover. So how did she miss him?
"Just tell me." The slight edge in his voice caused amused her vaguely. She felt the corners of her mouth pull up faintly before she could stop it.
"I just missed you, not in any certain way, I missed you." She willed him to understand her. Willed him to know she missed him not as a brother but as a partner, an almost lover. She stroked the hair around his face tenderly before she could stop herself.
"Come home George."
He sighed and looked away, "No."
Moods
that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
"I had a great time tonight," Hermione said softly as they walked to her door, "Maybe we could do it again?"
George smiled and chuckled, "Of course we are still friends Hermione."
"Right just friends," Hermione said stiffly how could she have been so dumb to assume more he still wasn't interested, "How silly of me."
With a shake of her head she turned and unlocked the door. He grabbed her arm, "Hermione…" She pressed her head to the door and closed her eyes; she didn't want to hear it she knew what was coming. She didn't want to hear the reasons it was better they stay friends.
"Good night George," She said pulling her arm from his grasp, "Once again I had a great time tonight I hope to see you around."
"Hermione look at me," George begged at her retreating back. He couldn't lose her now not when he just got her back. Curse him for his chose of words. Mentally kicking himself he willed her to turn around.
She turned her eyes down cast. Cupping her face with his hands he kissed her forehead. Her soft brown eyes looked up into his; eyes that always seem to see deep into his soul,
"Give me time," He whispered softly, begging her to understand.
With a nod of her head she turned and closed the door. He stared at that door for a good five minutes before he walked away. Hoping to god he didn't mess it up before it even began.
You
have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that
you won
George slammed his cup down. He hated himself for being messed up. He hated himself for the mess he was making with Hermione. He hated Hermione for coming back into his life. He looked around his apartment noticing the coffee table had begun to splinter breaking in half.
Great now not only did he hate himself and Hermione he as also throwing off magic that was destroying his home. Grumbling to himself he walked into his bedroom pulling off his shirt. He would sleep on it maybe tomorrow he would feel better. Maybe tomorrow he would only hate himself. Though he knew even now he only really hated himself.
The picture of her smiled at him from his bed stand. She blew him a kiss. With a sigh he turned his lights off with a clap of his hands he vowed that tomorrow he would call her and fix it. What ever it was he had to fix because he wasn't quite sure if what it was.
Take
this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise
your hopeful voice you had a choice
Hermione groaned rubbing her eyes, wondering who in the world lost their mind calling her before nine am. Grabbing the phone she croaked out an Hello praying to god it wasn't an emergency.
"Hermione?" a male's voice asked uncertain.
"Yes?" she answered annoyed not only was this man calling at a ridiculous early time he didn't even know if he was calling the right number. She did a quick tally of all the guys she had given her number to recently and it was only one guy. Dear god it was George.
"George?" she asked in shock.
"Yeah…listen is this a bad time?" the uncertainty in his voice growing.
"No not really its early but not necessarily a bad time," at least not for you she added silently to herself, "What's got you up so early?"
He didn't really seem like an early riser to her well she didn't remember him being one but people change.
"Well egh…You."
"Me what?" she asked confused not sure how she woke him up early.
"Do you want to get breakfast?" He asked with a little more confidence.
"Sure what time?" She asked pulling her covers down.
"Now," he said, 'I'm outside."
"Oh."
You've
made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along
They had arranged to meet in the little coffee shop under her flat. They saw each other every day since that first date. It was Sunday and she was due to be at the Weasleys at one. She hoped during their breakfast she could convince him to go with her. Hoped was the key word there, because the more she tried the more he denied the idea.
"Please," she begged and damn did she hate begging.
"No," he replied his lips in a tight line, "And the answer will stay no."
"You're being completely irrational," She huffed folding her arms across her chest.
"Quite the contrary love I feel as if I'm being entirely too rational." He chuckled at her annoyed stance she was stubborn he would give her that.
She huffed and stared down at her espresso, she was annoyed, and the man was insufferable.
"Don't call me love," she mumbled trying to ignore the fact that it sounded childish.
"What?!" He exclaimed with wide eyes.
"I said don't call me love." She mumbled again regretting she had said in the first place.
"Hermione," He whispered nudging her cheeks with his fingers, "There are a lot of other things I could call you trust me love is the best, unless of course you wouldn't mind being called sweet buns."
She scrolled at him.
"Fix your face," he laughed, "I'm not ready love when I'm ready I'll let you know."
She ignored the fact that he called her love because he said he would eventually see them. And eventually was definitely better then never. She just hoped eventually meant this year and not ten.
"So you will go and see them soon."
"I'll see them, when I'm ready and don't go telling them you found me the last thing I need is mum banging on my door."
She chuckled at the image she could see his face now. "That would be pretty funny."
"Sure what ever you say honey buns," he laughed and ducked to avoid the biscuit she threw at his head.
AN: Thanks guys now be a friend and review
