Together through it all

Chapter three: Silly blush

Never time to be alone, never!

Just working, working, working.

Life at the Burrow had gone from quiet, serious, to a bit of panicky, but now all they ever did was to work. Bill and Fleur's wedding was in just three days, and things were extra stressful. It also seemed like Mrs. Weasley thought that if she kept Hermione and the boys separate, they'd not be able to talk, that was after all what they really needed and wanted to do. Well, by the exception of George. No one knew about Hermione and George but Fred yet, some of the more observant people had noticed a small attraction between them, but people such as Ron were completely oblivious.

They were just done with eating breakfast when the chores started to get handed out.

"Hermione, dear, would you mind re-painting the bench outside? Oh, and without magic, if you don't mind, like I've always said, you may not notice it, but it gets so much prettier done by hand!"

So, Hermione went outside and painted the bench, by hand. She sighed. Last time she'd be alone with George was days ago, and they'd only gotten a few minutes before Mrs. Weasley found out that the garden needed de-gnoming, for the third time that day. Hermione thought back on that day and what George had said, he'd been joking really, but she saw the seriousness behind it.

"We're at war Hermione, of course I want to kiss you as much as possible, you never know how my handsome face will end up, and then you'll regret the choice of never have experienced my kisses at their fullest." She'd just stopped him from getting a serious snogging-session. Hermione had laughed, and so had he, but then she had realised just exactly how right he was, this was war, and they didn't know how it would end. They were sitting in their window as they called it. She was leaning her head on his shoulder, and he was leaning his head on hers. "George, every night I'm talking with Ron and Harry in their room..." she started, nervous as to how she was going to tell him all this, but before she could continue, he cut her off.

"I know, Hermione," he'd said and she lifted her head to look at him.

"I haven't used the extendible ears," he laughed, but the laughter ended quickly, replaced by a tender gaze. "I know you have something to do... it's not that hard to notice, especially if you're like me, keeping my eyes on you all the time," he said and cupped her face in his hands. Hermione blushed like a silly schoolgirl, caught daydreaming about a famous quidditch player, but she kept her eyes on him. "Can you tell me what you're going to do?" he asked.

"No," Hermione answered and then she looked down. "But we're going away... after Bill and Fleur's wedding, we're going away, and..." she sucked in a breath, and closed her eyes. She bit her lip to keep from crying, it was all so overwhelming. George leaned his head down on hers, and was about to say something, but once again, they got interrupted by someone calling them.

"George? Where are you? I need you to de-gnome the garden!" they heard Mrs. Weasley's voice shout from downstairs. With a heavy sigh, they both got up, and headed downstairs. "I'll see you around, Hermione... I..." he'd stopped at that and looked at her weirdly, making her wonder if she had something in her face, but then he just laughed it all off and said something about how 'ickle Ronnikins' couldn't throw away the gnomes by himself.

Hermione put the brush into the bucket filled with paint and put another stroke on the bench, but her thoughts kept wandering.

George was winking at her and accidentally bumping into her at every opportunity they got, but she missed him. And then there was Ron and Harry, they'd spent a few nights talking in Ron's room, but Hermione didn't feel at all prepared to what they were going to do, she didn't know if she'd ever feel prepared at all.

She sighed again, and jumped when she felt someone wrap their arms around her. It's just George, her mind told her, but she'd already spun around and left a white stripe on his neck and jaw with the brush she had in her hand. Hermione stared at it, then up at him and blushed furiously, while mumbling an apology. George just chuckled, "No harm done," and took the brush from her hands and placed it on the bench. He smiled and brushed her hair back behind her ear. As a perfect boyfriend, she couldn't help but think, and then she smiled.

"We won't get much time, quick, kiss me before your mother comes!" Hermione joked.

George smiled, "This is not the time and place... I know you're usually planning something with Ron and Harry at night," he said seriously, and Hermione looked down and felt her whole body stiffen, what did he want to know? She'd known this would come, she'd know he wouldn't have just left it at that, not knowing, she knew-

"Relax, Hermione," she heard his soothing voice say, "I was wondering if you'd make this night an exception."

Oh... he hadn't asked her about it, she was relieved, but at the same time, she wanted him to know, even though she knew she couldn't tell him, just the thought was nice. Harry, Ron and her had come no closer to finding the answer by sitting in a bedroom and talk, so it wouldn't really matter if she wasn't there this time. "Yes, I'll make this night an exception," she answered and looked up at him, wondering exactly what he had in mind.

"Oh, there you are, George!" they heard Mrs. Weasley call out as she headed around the corner of the house.

"Meet me down by the lake at midnight?" he asked, and let go of her. She nodded.

"I've been looking everywhere for you, and don't make that innocent expression to me, young boy! I know perfectly well you have done nothing to clean the attic," Mrs. Weasley pointed her finger at him accusingly. "And, oh, what happened, why do you have paint in your face? What are you doing here with Hermione, anyway?" she asked suspiciously.

"Paint happened because I scared Hermione, and talking," he answered simply, and with a wave of his wand he'd emptied the whole bucket of paint on the bench. "Oops... oh well, now you're done with the painting Hermione! Care to join me in the attic?" he asked with a wink.

Hermione was just about to open her mouth to give him a cheeky answer, but Mrs. Weasley quickly said "Oh, no, I believe I need you to... to change the covers in the guest room," with a stern glance at George, and then she left, dragging George with her.

A sigh escaped Hermione's lips once again, now all she could do was to wait for midnight. It would be a long day.


A/N: Hello! I really don't like Hermione not getting any time with George, but that's just how it is. What do you think? Would you mind clicking the button with 'Review' on it? It would make me happy, and make me write faster!:)