Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Orange Monkeys

When Hermione woke up this morning she didn't expect that her day would consist of hiding in a cupboard with George, her white jumper with orange monkeys on was tickling George's bare arms as they hid from the intruders and eavesdropped on their conversation.

For a while neither of them could hear a thing, until they both heard the unmistakable booming sound of Charlie laughing.

"I can't believe you're still running on that broken record," said Charlie with disbelief.

"Please you just can't believe that they still aren't together," replied Harry.

"I told you once I'll tell you again, if they're meant to be they'll do it in their own time, not at your command," he said.

"Urgh, I know you're right but I want them together so badly, why can't they see how perfect they'd be for each other?" said Harry.

"Because my brother and Hermione are special creatures, they don't notice the obvious things that everyone else does; they're too wrapped in their own lives," said Charlie.

"Fine, I'll try to stop pushing them," said Harry, "Back to work?" he added.

"Yeah," replied Charlie.

Hermione and George stood as still as bricks for several seconds, each refusing to look at the other and each standing as far away as they could get. Overhearing something like that conversation was not going to be one they'd forget, you can't just ignore the fact that your friends would like you and the significant other to get involved.

"Well that was awkward," said George nervously.

Hermione was having problems speaking, her mouth had gone all dry but she managed to reply with a "yeah."

"So…" said George.

"We should probably leave this cupboard," said Hermione.

"Yeah," replied George.

Neither moved for a further couple of seconds before George finally clasped his fingers around the doorknob and pushed the door open. Light engulfed the two of them and there was now no hiding the red flush that dominated their faces.

"I erh," stuttered George.

"See you at dinner?" asked Hermione.

"Oh yeah, take out and a movie right?" replied George.

"Yeah but its Harry's turn to pick so who knows what we'll be subjected to' she said.

"Ok, see you later then," he said in response.

"Yeah later," she mumbled – talk about most awkward situations ever, she wouldn't be forgetting this one in a hurry.

"Oh em gee! You are kidding aren't you?" inquired Clara.

Hermione moaned her head resting against the table top in anguish, "No, it was so embarrassing."

Clara giggled at her friend's embarrassment before composing her face to look serious, "In light of that conversation though, how do you feel about George?" she asked.

"What do you mean by that?" asked Hermione completely on defence.

"I just mean you two are awfully close are you sure you're just friends or do you feel something for him?" asked Clara.

She watched as Hermione blushed a little, "Well?" she demanded.

"I do like George," said Hermione.

"As a friend or?" prompted Clara.

"I like him as a friend, he makes me laugh and we have great opinionated conversations. I love that when we watch a film or if I'm falling asleep he runs his fingers through my hair, strokes my face and tickles my neck. I like that he makes me feel safe and that I can be myself around him," said Hermione.

Though she didn't answer Clara's question exactly, the close friend wasn't going to be deterred from getting the answer she wanted, "How would you feel is George started dating someone?"

"Angry," replied Hermione quickly. "Sad and hurt," she added.

"Why do you think you'd feel like that?" asked Clara.

"Because he'd my friend, he should tell me if he's going to date right, friends before significant others right?"

Clara waited a few more moments not feeling that her friend had finished answering the question.

"George shouldn't be with anyone other than me anyway," whispered Hermione.

"Why is that," replied Clara equally as quiet.

"Because I love him," replied Hermione with unshed tears lacing her eyes as she realised what everyone around her already saw.

"So," said Clara slowly, "what are you going to do about it?"

"Harry told me time won't wait forever," said Hermione.

"Well then you better get a move on!" shouted Clara startling Hermione.

"You can fix my love life all you want," said Hermione, "I'll only return the favour!"

Now it was Clara's turn to blush.

Realising you loved someone wasn't like the movies. There were no slow motion running towards your love ones, no heartfelt moments, no big declarations of love and adoration. Yes Hermione had been corner by two close friends into admitting her feelings for George but that didn't bring her any closer to doing something.

Truthfully she was afraid. It's always more terrifying when ones feelings were so deep. Hermione couldn't work out when she started feeling this way towards George. Things had evolved so easily that it they'd moved from friends to something more without really realising it.

Their friendship or relationship was so strong and close that it baffled others. George was a very good looking man it stood to reason that he could get any girl he wanted and there were plenty out there who were blatantly ogling him.

Hermione wasn't a fool, she knew the friendship she had with George was a good one and she didn't want to risk losing it by admitting her feelings. Hermione wasn't naïve, she knew she was valued for being intelligent and for her part in the war but she knew she wasn't pretty like some of the other girls. She didn't have an obvious beauty, she wasn't stunning and she couldn't be called sexy. She felt that she was passable. The small insecure voice inside her head told her to stop her deluded fantasies for surely someone as great and wonderful as George would never pick such a boring and plain girl.

Except, Hermione was a fool she just didn't know it yet.