A/N- I am so sorry I did not update sooner. I've had a hard time with this chapter. I think I rushed Fred waking up. So I'd say about half of this chapter was finally written as of this morning. I was in the shower and one idea popped into my head. I read through this story and knew it wouldn't fit because Ron's attitude and personality was completely different. That story is already almost 4 pages. This chapter's just over 2. I knew I wanted to do something with Ron. Just not what. Until now.
This chapter kicks off where the last one ended, fyi. Thanks for all the favorites, reviews, and whatnot. I felt quite guilty not updating sooner.

"Everyone knows that we're attracted to one another," George told her as they walked toward a Wizard's park, "I think we should do something to them."

Hermione smiled, "Tease them?"

"It would be hilarious," George told her. "Imagine, us pulling something over all of them."

She frowned in thought, "But what do we do? Date other people?"

"Pretend to date other people. We can see how long until the family tries to shove us together."

Hermione did see the humorous potential of that, actually. She kissed him, "I have a better idea. We don't announce we're a couple, we just act like nothing's changed. It's not like you don't frequently have your arm around me or we don't smile at one another anyway."

George grinned, "Then if they say anything we just act like nothing's changed. Oh that's wicked!"

"I'm glad you approve," she rested her head on his shoulder.

With Fred and Angelina sworn to secrecy (and placing bets on who would call them out first) the new couple went on two dates in the coming week. Both were in the Muggle world, but they both had loads of fun. George enjoyed every moment he was alone with her, but he really enjoyed cuddling with her. Hermione just felt so good in his arms, be it clothed or otherwise. Hermione's work at the shop was now involved in designing items for the store since Fred was working there again.

Fred and Angelina (okay mostly Angelina) told them things they'd done before they were dating that made everyone think they were more than friends already, and George and Hermione decided to keep that up. Long walks together, sitting next to each other, leaning against one another; before they left for the Burrow's traditional Sunday dinner George kissed her and ran his hands over her rear, "You look so good."

"Down boy," she scolded, though there was a smile on her lips. "Thank you George. You look very alluring too."

"Enough to stay here and shag with?"

"Your mum will never forgive us missing out on two dinners in a row," she smiled.

"That's true," he admitted. "Don't tell her about my idea?"

"Might have to bribe me with more kisses." George grinned. Such good blackmail from his girlfriend.

Hermione, now because she understood that everyone thought they were together, noticed immediately the glances their way every time she and George touched or leaned in to say something to one another. But she also could see something was wrong with Ron. He seemed distant. When she was watching the boys, Angelina, and Ginny play a game of Quidditch she noticed it, "Penelope, do you know if Ron's okay?"

She and Fleur both looked up at Ron, "He does seem rather sullen lately," Penelope said. "Actually I think Percy said something last week about Ron being quiet. We all thought it was joy that Fred was coming home and realizing that he'd almost lost him."

"Ronald never visited Fred in ze hospital," Fleur said. "Bill was most unhappy with him."

"Percy too," Penelope nodded. "Was George mad? Or maybe Angelina?"

Hermione shook her head, "Angelina spent her time at the hospital or in their bedroom. Actually most of the time it felt like George and I basically were just living together. Sometimes she'd cook dinner but mostly I would. She'd eat and then go to the hospital. I made George start talking to me more about his feelings but he never really said anything about who was or wasn't going to the hospital. I don't think he really knew. He didn't know I was going until he saw me there one day."

Penelope looked up at Ron, "I wonder what is troubling him. I've never known the Weasleys to keep quiet."

"About their feelings they do," Hermione said. Fleur nodded in agreement.

At dinner Hermione sat on one side of George while Fred sat on the other. This put her right across from Ron. Once everyone else was talking she whispered, "Are you okay Ron? You seem…upset."

He looked at her in surprise. "I-I'm fine," he answered. Hermione clearly didn't believe him, but then Ron hadn't thought he sounded all that convincing anyway.

When dinner ended and everyone was starting to leave Hermione talked to George, "I think he needs to talk. I'll meet you at home?"
"Sure," he wanted to kiss her, but knew he couldn't. He instead waved goodbye and winked at Hermione (something Angelina said he did alot to her) before flooing home.

Hermione looked at Ron, "You, me, outside. Now." They walked a good distance from the Burrow before Hermione spoke, "Now, talk. A surly Ron is only slightly more annoying than an utterly clueless Ron."

"I uh, I might have done something stupid."

"Get a girl pregnant?"

Ron stopped walking, "No! I was always careful!"

"Was always careful," she repeated, "so you've stopped humping anything that moves?" He flushed and she smiled, "Those were Charlie's words, I believe."

"Yeah. And there was this girl I really liked but she heard about my exploits and thought I was after a one night stand."

"Do I know her?"

"Susan Bones," he answered.

Hermione nodded, "She splinched herself, if memory serves. So you screwed yourself over. Oh dear Merlin living with George has altered my vocabulary," she looked annoyed with herself. "Okay look if you really are serious about this girl," she looked at him and he nodded eagerly, "tell her you were stupid and trying to distract yourself from almost losing your brother, and that you know now why you did what you did. You just want a chance, and she gets to control the intimacy of the relationship. You won't initiate even a kiss unless she permits you."

Ron had often been lectured by Hermione, but he'd never paid attention as intently as he had during her advice. The fact was, she was a woman. And she wasn't judging him. "Thanks Hermione," he hugged her, "I really, really appreciate this."

"I don't think you were doing anything wrong Ron; if you want to have sex without meaning that is your business and no one else's. But you weren't doing it for the right reasons. You were just trying to avoid things."

"Yeah I know. Thanks for this. I know you don't have to."

"Well Harry is clueless when it comes to women and I'm the only other person not family in your life."

"He's doing okay with Ginny."

"And we both know that Ginny instigated that relationship," she pointed out. Ron smiled. "I should go home. Angelina and I promised to never leave the other alone with the twins. Have to have someone on your team against the ultimate team."

"It's a wonder you haven't killed them," Ron chuckled.

Hermione smiled, "It's easy when it's one on one. If it's just me and George I don't have any problems, and Fred is okay on his own too. But if they're together it is hell."

Ron laughed as they walked back into the house. "I'll let you go back. They're probably driving Angelina crazy."

"Good luck Ron," she smiled. "Let me know how it goes."

"I will, thanks again," Ron saw her to the floo and she called out her destination before stepping in. She vanished in a whirl of green flames.

A/N- In each long, multi-chapter story I've written, I've had writers block at some point. The only difference between this and any of my Hermione/Voldemort stories is that George/Hermione is a pairing I've been intrigued by only recently (like late July) and so I'm uploading as I'm writing. I try to update every other day. I hope you liked this chapter. I wanted to give Ron a break. He deserves it, even if I loathe him. In alot of George/Hermione stories she and Ron aren't friends anymore or had a horrendous breakup (or both). So I'm giving him a break in this story.

P.S. I have no qualms with sex without attachment; I just think Ron doing so would be out of character for him.