A/N: Here's chapter four - I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter Four
September turned into October and in due course October turned into November. With it, November bought floods of rain and a bitter cold that froze everything it touched. By then Hermione was being treated like an actual member of the Weasley family, even more so than before.
George had moved into Hermione's flat, in an attempt to get some privacy from his brother. Unfortunately, Fred seemed to spent most of his time at the flat, so it sometimes felt as though as if he had moved in as well. Luckily for George and Hermione, Fred had to take an unavoidable trip to America in early November, letting the two be alone at last.
Fred went to America with Leah Wilkins, who had become a close friend of his. It turned out that Leah was the daughter of a company similar to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. The twins were planning on opening a chain of shops in America, though to make WWW more appealing to Americans, the US branches were to be named 3W.
When George received an Owl from Fred telling him that the business negotiations were a success, Hermione and George took a trip to the local Wizard pub to celebrate. The pub's name was the Weary Wizard, and it was a rather upbeat place, despite its name. Every Friday night there would be a kareoke session which everyone would be expected to join in with. Therefore, Friday was usually its quietest night. On Saturday, however, the pub was usually bursting with Witches and Wizards. This particular Saturday was no exception.
After a couple of rounds, they could take no more. The noise levels in the pub were incredibly high and Hermione felt as if she would go deaf if she stayed there a minute longer. They decided to walk home, seeing as it wasn't far and was a fairly nice night for November. Of course, when they were about halfway home it started to rain. Heavily.
"Whose idea was it to walk home?" asked Hermione, slamming the door shut. She and George were soaked through, due to the near-hurricane that was blowing outside. The rain had come over quickly, and before they had known it they could barely see each other through the rain that was lashing mercilessly at them. In these conditions it was dangerous to Apparate, so they were forced to walk home.
"That would be yours," said George. He shook his head like a dog, showering Hermione with water.
"Oi! Watch it!"
"Sorry, honey," said George. "Why don't you go and dry off - I'll make us a pot of tea."
"With biscuits?"
"With biscuits," promised George, and with a grin, Hermione ran off into the bedroom to change into clothes which weren't sopping wet.
Half an hour later, they were sat in front of a blazing blue fire and were halfway through their third pot of tea. "I can't believe they got married!" exclaimed Hermione. She was, of course, referring to Fred and Leah who, on their 'business' trip to America, had got married in a Las Vegas chapel.
"Mum blew a gasket when she found out!" laughed George. "She wanted to be there when all her children got married!"
"I bet she did," said Hermione soberly, looking into her empty mug.
"Oh," said George, spotting the empty mug. "Would you like another cup of marriage?" Hermione snapped her head up.
"What?"
"I, uh, I said tea, not, not marriage," stuttered George, looking horrified.
"Yes," said Hermione, looking just as shocked.
"Yes you want some more tea?"
"No."
"Yes, yes?"
"Yes," repeated Hermione. She grinned at him and he smiled back.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"One hundred percent."
Shaking, George refilled Hermione's mug with tea. He held up his mug towards her and said, "To the next Mrs Weasley, AKA Hermione Granger."
"To the next Mrs Weasley," repeated Hermione, smiling broadly as their mugs clinked together.
Upon Fred's return from America two days later, Molly Weasley insisted that the Weasley family and Harry (Hermione of course fell into the Weasley family category) had a 'get-together' to celebrate Fred and Leah's marriage.
The Burrow was swarming with people Bill and Charlie with their respective wives and young children, Percy and his wife, Penelope, who was heavily pregnant with their first child, George and Hermione, Ginny and her beau, Michael along with Ron and his fiancee, Elissa and Harry and his long term girlfriend, Lorelei. Molly and Arthur were there, of course and so were Fred and Leah.
George and Hermione had not yet told anyone about their engagement. To be honest, they were still getting used to the idea themselves. They planned to tell everyone at the party.
Molly had outdone herself when it came to the food - great mounds of it; plates that could feed entire families. After they had eaten, someone yelled "Speech!" It was probably Bill, though it could have been Ron. It was amazing how alike the two looked now that they were older.
With a grin, Fred rose from his seat. He cleared his throat and began to speak. ""What exactly am I supposed to say?" he asked. "I've never really been very... um, what's the word?"
"Eloquent," hissed George who was sat on his right. Obviously, Leah was on Fred's other side. There were a few chuckles from the group.
"Yeah, that's it. George was the one who got the talent with words, obviously. I was the one who got the talent with girls, however." He smiled good-naturedly at his twin. "Though he has had a bit of luck recently," he added, looking at Hermione, who blushed. He paused, obviously thinking of something to say. "Well, I suppose you're all secretly glad we didn't have a big wedding. I know that listening to a load of pompous long-winded speeches isn't everybody's cup of tea."
Someone in the crowd let out a cough that sounded suspiciously like 'Percy!'
Fred continued to speak. "Myself and Leah decided that we wanted to get married - so we did. We didn't hang around for months and months planning. We just did it. And I'm glad we did." He smiled down at his new wife and said, "I'm now going to hand over to George, who I'm sure wants to say something."
Fred sat down, allowing George to stand up. George looked around the room. There were many more people than he'd thought. He glanced down at Hermione, who gave a slight nod. "Well," he said. "Fred got married. I think I'm probably the most shocked of everyone. I mean, this is Fred. Always the ladies man, someone new on his arm every week. I'm glad someone has finally managed to tame him." Leah smiled, showing off her pearly white teeth.
"I doubt, however, that anyone warned Leah what she was getting into," said George, raising few laughs. "Life in the Weasley family is far from peaceful, as I'm sure we can all agree."
There was a shout of "Hear, hear!" from a couple members of the family.
"All I can say to you is Leah is good luck - you're going to need it," said George.
"And you're going to get to know the Maternity Ward at St. Mungo's very well," piped up Charlie's wife, the dark-haired Lucia.
"I propose a toast," announced George, "To the new Mrs Weasley - Leah!"
"To Leah," echoed everyone, raising their glasses.
George gave a sheepish grin. "I think that this is the right time to tell you that that's not the only proposing I've done in the last few days." There were a few murmurs from the Weasley family at this. "I'm pleased, extremely pleased to announce that Hermione has agreed to marry me."
There was a shriek from Molly Weasley as she leapt from her chair to hug Hermione, who had turned bright red. Ron fell off his chair in shock and Fred shook George's hand while everyone talked excitedly. "Congratulations, bro'," said Fred. "I always knew you'd find someone." To get some quiet, Fred tapped the side of his wine glass with a spoon. At the tinkling sound, a hush fell over the room. "Thank you. Now it's my turn to do a toast. To the next Mrs Weasley - Hermione!"
As they had done with the previous speech, everyone echoed the same seniments, then the noise level slowly built up again with people asking them all sorts of questions.
The next morning at home, Hermione said, "George, I've been thinking about what Fred said last night."
George rolled his eyes. "Look, Hermione, when Fred said that he could feel that we'd set the record for highest number of Weasley children, he was drunk!"
It was Hermione's turn to roll her eyes. "Before he was drunk!"
"He was drunk for most of the night, dear."
"When he was doing the speech after we ate. And don't call me 'dear' - it makes me sound old."
"Okay. What did he say?"
"He said that when they decided to get married they didn't hang around for months. They just got on with it. I think they had the right idea."
"You want to get married now?" asked George, raising his eyebrows.
"Not right this second!" exclaimed Hermione. "But soon. I can't wait to be Hermione Weasley."
"Neither can I," said George, embracing her in a hug. "That's why I booked a church about half an hour ago. December the 22nd at the church in Ottery St. Catchpole."
Hermione smiled. "Really?" George nodded. "Thank you!" she cried, and kissed him. "This is why I love you! Now I know I got the best twin!"
"What - weren't you sure before?" asked George, pretending to be hurt.
"Of course I was sure!" exclaimed Hermione. "It's just now I have proof," she added.
She hugged him again, then sat on a stool at the breakfast bar. She frowned. "Now I suppose we'll have to start planning the wedding..." and they launched into an animated conversation about what the wedding was to be like and whether or not to invite George's great-uncle Richie who had a tendency to fall asleep every fifteen minutes.
Saturday, December the 22nd came around all to quickly. The weeks between announcing their engagement and the wedding itself passed George and Hermione by in a blur. The church at Ottery St. Catchpole was a sweet little church, and was big enough to hold the entire Weasley family. There were around 140 guests altogether, though only a few came from Hermione's family as her family were all Muggles. Her grandparents on her mothers side did come, however, as they knew about Hermione being a witch. They were overwhelmed at the size of George's family, and almost left before the wedding, but Hermione managed to persuade them to stay.
It wasn't a lavish wedding, as both George and Hermione had decided against that. There were just a few bunches of white lilies in the church, as in Hermione's simple bouquet. As per Weasley tradition, there was also a sprig of lavender in the bouquet. None of the Weasleys could remember where the tradition came from, just that it was as old as the family itself, and every woman from, or who married into, the Weasley family had a sprig of lavender in her bouquet.
The ceremony itself went without a hitch, and when the congregation moved outside for the customary pictures, the newest Mr and Mrs Weasley felt that it had hardly taken any time at all, when in fact they had been in the church for a little under an hour.
The reception took place at the Burrow, which was full to bursting with Weasley's. Hermione's grandparents decided not to attend the reception, feeling that they didn't really fit in.
By the time it came to give speeches, Fred was well and truly out of his tree and poor Leah was trying numerous sobering spells, with little effect. All of the Weasley brothers and Ginny gave speeches, though George was sure that several people actually fell asleep during Percy's - even Penelope.
The main party took place in the garden, even though it was December. Several charms and spells had been put up to protect the Weasley's from the cold and any rain, as well as keep them all warm.
At one point in the evening Hermione found herself sat at a table with Leah, Penelope, Lucia and Victoria. Victoria was Bill's wife, and she was holding onto their youngest child, a three month old by the name of Alexandra. Elissa was also sat at the table. "Welcome to the Weasley Wives Club!" said Lucia with a wry grin. "Our latest member!"
Hermione smiled. "Thank you. We're a rather elite bunch aren't we?"
"Yeah," agreed Elissa. "I'm still on the waiting list!" Elissa and Ron had been engaged for just over a year, though the wedding was scheduled for the following June.
"Let's see," mused Penelope. "Well, you've known the family for a long time - longer than any of us actually, so you could probably tell us a few things about them. We don't need to warn you about the Weasley temper either, with you being friends with Ron for over fifteen years."
"I pity you," said Elissa, patting her on the arm, but Hermione could tell she was just joking. Elissa was extremely devoted to Ron.
"Be fair," said Victoria, smoothing the red hair of her daughter. "We all know George is probably the most sweet-tempered of the bunch."
"And the best cook," added Leah. "Fred can't even make a cup of tea without burning something!"
"Well, Hermione," said Penelope, holding out her hand. "Welcome to the club. All we can say is good luck and God speed. You'll need it." Hermione shook her hand and smiled.
"Thanks." She held up her wine glass. "To the Weasley Wives Club!" As their glasses chinked, Hermione turned her gaze to the night's sky where she could see a shooting star passing overhead.
A second later, Hermione felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to see the smiling face of Harry Potter. "Would you like to dance?" he asked.
"Certainly," said Hermione, getting to her feet. On the dance floor they danced slowly to the tune which was being played by the small band that had been set up.
"So you're now Hermione Weasley," said Harry.
"I suppose I am!" said Hermione smiling. "You know, six months ago I was still Elizabeth Mason. It's strange how quickly things have changed."
"I'm even more amazed that you married George!" said Harry. "At school if anyone had suggested you would marry one of the twins you'd have cursed them from here to Australia."
"I probably would have done that six months ago," said Hermione wistfully. "Speaking of getting married - are you ever going to ask Loreli to marry you?"
Harry blushed. "We've never really talked about marriage," he said.
"But...?"
"But I'm going to ask her on New Year's Eve."
"That's great!" exclaimed Hermione, hugging Harry.
Harry looked worried. "What am I going to do if she doesn't say yes?"
"Keep asking until she does," suggested Hermione with a grin. "But I don't think that'll be a problem. I'm sure she'll say yes - you make the perfect couple."
"What about you and George, aren't you perfect?" teased Harry.
"We're the odd couple," laughed Hermione. "Opposite's attract!"
"Any chance I could have my wife back, Harry?" asked a voice behind them.
"She's all yours," Harry told George, and he slipped away through the throngs of Weasley who were crowding the dance floor, presumably to find Loreli.
"So what was that about us being the odd couple?" asked George, taking Harry's place, wrapping his strong arms around her as they danced slowly around in circles.
"That was nothing," said Hermione, and she rested her head upon his chest. They danced for a few minutes in silence, just enjoying holding each other, oblivious to everyone and everything else around them.
I hope you liked this chapter - please read and review - I like to hear people's views. :)