Hi all ye faithful readers! So, here's the next chapter! Hope you like it - there's nothing else to say really :)

DISCLAIMER: I do have to do one of these though, so let's get on with it: I do not, nor have I ever owned the Harry Potter Series. All rights go to JK. Rowling; I just have a weakness for messing around with her lovely characters...


Chapter 7

Hermione Jean Granger was glaring at the owl. The owl was glaring right back, though she wasn't aware if owls could actually glare. It was staring rather evilly at her owlishly, at least. Breaking away from her staring contest with the owl – really Granger, staring down an owl?, her brain scolded – she reached out, and cautiously poked the letter, as if it might burn her. In her opinion, it might as well. She didn't even dare open it. She didn't want to, and she was pretty sure she was unable to alone.

Quickly grabbing some clothes and throwing them on, she apparated straight to the Burrow, forgoing breakfast. She'd lost her appetite anyway. Her impending doom was approaching. She had to resist the urge to gag when she stumbled as her feet hit the ground. Fatigued, she made her way to the door, and she was greeted by a pale Mrs. Weasley.
Without a word, she was let to the kitchen, where all the Weasleys were gathered. Bill and Fleur were standing at the kitchen counter, Bill with his arms around Fleur as she rested her hands on his. Charlie was seated on the counter next to the stove; he looked just as bad as Hermione felt. As she brushed past him, she patted his shoulder apologetically, and he nodded at her, acknowledging her comfort, and offering her his condolences in return.
Normally, Hermione would have scoffed at the sombre mood – for Merlin's sake, they were acting as if someone had just died – but she felt it was highly appropriate for this.

The room was tense, and it unnerved her; things were never tense at the Weasley household. Ron, Percy and the Twins were sitting with Mr Weasley at the end of the table, with Harry and Ginny a few seats down from them. Hermione felt the need to join those who really understood her situation, and went to sit beside Ron. Wait, Ron?
"Ron?" her tone was confused, but she didn't even have to ask further. His face took on a darker look as he explained.
"Lisa and I thought we had enough time. She didn't want to be engaged, she wanted more time, time to date and such, before we settled. I agreed with her, but now it's too late." He scowled and glared at the envelope that lay unopened before him. The Twins were unusually quiet, and Hermione felt a twinge of sympathy for them; she knew them well enough to know this wasn't what they wanted. She hadn't interacted with them much, they had been busy with their shop, but she had talked a little with them, and she thought they were really funny, always the life of the party. Seeing them like this was chilling to the bone. Percy had a stony look on his face.
All had envelopes in front of them, and all were quiet. Hermione lay down hers, and she sat in silence, staring like the rest. Nobody dared break the silence, and nobody dared mentioning toward the pieces of parchment that would change their lives forever.

Finally Charlie broke the silence.

"Might as well dig up that Gryffindor courage I have buried down somewhere." His tone was bitter and angry, and his hands shook as he picked up the offending piece of parchment. His eyes grew with horror, but some relief, as he read through the text.
Hermione became curious as to what the Ministry might have cooked up for all of them.
"Blimey, at least three kids, and I have to get married within the next 3 months! Merlin!" Hermione's heart thudded with panic as she heard him. They had determined how may kids they were to have? Could they really do that? Ron and Percy were the next to open theirs; Ron more reluctant than Percy. It seemed to be an unspoken agreement that nobody would utter the name of their betrothed ones before everybody had opened their destiny. Ron grunted in annoyance but kept quiet, his mood darker than ever. Percy's eyes lit with curiosity as he read his. Mrs Weasley seemed to be teetering about, impatiently and nervously awaiting the answers. Taking a deep breath Hermione opened hers. She absentmindedly took note of the Twins doing the same, but she was too busy holding her breath and shakily read through the letter to really notice.

And then she just stared.

"Oh thank Merlin." She breathed, letting out the breath she'd been holding. A wide pair of blue eyes snapped to hers. She looked back at him, trying to smile, but failing. The words of her letter had been a relief, that's for sure. At least she knew she wasn't marrying some git with a pureblood superiority issue.
"You're okay with this?" It was George. Hermione frowned a bit, but shrugged.
"At least I'm marrying you, and not some git like Malfoy." His blue eyes became even wider as she said that.
"You're marrying who, again?" She looked at him confused. Then she looked down at the still folded letter in his hands, and flushed slightly. Looking away, she avoided answering, leaving him to read the answer on his own. She hadn't meant to say that. She really hadn't.
"Bloody hell, 4 kids?" he said and looked incredulously at her. More like stared. She frowned a bit. It was like he thought she wasn't good enough or something. She looked away, feeling her eyes sting.

George was still staring at her. Fred was running a hand through his hair beside him. Mr Weasley could hardly hold in the need to hear his sons' faiths, but he kept still. Ginny and Harry were staring at Hermione and George, gaping like fish out of water. With one glance at Hermione, Harry turned the stare into a glare directed at George. George flinched as he recalled the last few minutes, and realizing what his stare must have made her think. It was just a little hard to take in, that's all.
"Well, I'm marrying Angelina, thank Merlin. I think it might actually work out with her; we've dated before" Fred was rambling on, trying to break the awkward silence. Charlie glanced nervously at Ron.
"I- I'm marrying Lisa," Ron stiffened "Lisa Turpin." Ron dropped his head into his hands. Charlie flinched; he hated hurting his baby brother.
"Cho. Cho Chang." Harry cringed and shot a sympathetic look at his best mate. Cho was… difficult, he knew.
Hermione grimaced with him. Sure, she tolerated the girl, but only because they shared a dorm together. Hermione never had been one for girly talks or fretting about dates. Cho was one of those girly girls, and she thrived off of romance. Poor Ron.
"I am to marry a woman called Audrey. I have never met her, but I am certain we will figure something out." Percy stated. Mrs Weasley then broke out into sobs, hiccupping through sentences of her little boys growing up and getting married.

Hermione quickly slipped out of the kitchen, and only then, did she let the tears fall. So George didn't think they could work it out? She was almost sure that was what he had thought when he had turned that incredulous stare at her. It was almost like the thought of them being married and having children was laughable to him. She choked on the sob that she almost let go, but she held it in, wiping her eyes as she did so.
"Hermione?" A tentative voice called out. Quickly swiping her hands over her face to get away with the remaining tears, she turned to face him.
"Yes?" She inwardly cringed at how her voice sounded. He would be able to tell she had been crying for sure. She turned away again.
"What'd I do?" Hermione had only heard George vulnerable once, and that was on May 2nd, during the final battle.
"I- I don't want to talk about it" she whispered. It was stupid; of course the idea of them together was ridiculous to him. He probably wanted someone funny, with a passion for Quidditch and not some Ravenclaw bookworm, whom had rarely left the library.

He sat down beside her and waited in silence.

"You know, I'm glad it's you." He finally said. Hermione slowly raised her head and looked at him. Really looked at him. Hermione knew he had lost an ear some time ago, under a surprise attack when they were moving Harry to a safer location before he turned 17. But he and Fred had been growing their hair out; probably to be able to confuse everybody with their favourite joke again. But it suited him, the shaggy locks. They covered the missing ear, and the bangs fell into his blue eyes. The blue colour was very pretty too; though she would never admit it to him. It wasn't a pale blue; it was more- intense was a good word. The freckles made him look innocent, though the mischievousness in his eyes told another story. He was actually kind of cute, even if Hermione had never known him to be her type.
"Are you really? Or are you just trying to make me feel better?" Finally her voice sounded. It was small, and George had the feeling that what he said next might make or break their friendship. George owed her everything; he owed her his life. And if this was the way to help, then so be it. Anything to help his Angel.
"Yeah, I really mean it. I'm just a little shocked. It wasn't what I expected, I'll be honest. I didn't really know what to expect, but I'm glad it's you. You aren't some ditz; you can actually hold a conversation. You'd be surprised how many birds come into the store to try and get Fred and I out. It's ridiculous." He grinned at her, and she smiled slightly at the way his eyes lit up when he grinned.
"You just..," Hermione looked down again. She knew she would have to be honest with him; if they had to live together for the rest of their lives, they would have to have some foundation to build at least a friendship on. Honesty was the best way to go, she knew that.
"You just looked like the idea of me as the Mrs to your Mr was laughable. It hurt, I'll admit to that" she whispered to him. He pulled her against him, tucking her head under his chin. Hermione was overwhelmed with that calming smell she remembered from the Battle; newly mowed grass, fresh parchment and what she recognized as spearmint. The calming effect it had had on her then rushed over her, and she sighed, just a little.
"I'm sorry if you thought that was it. I was just thinking I could never possibly pay you back, Hermione. If anything, the idea of me being the Mr to your Mrs is absurd." He stopped and took a deep breath. But Hermione cut him off before he could say anymore.
"Then maybe it's just right. I'm glad it's you George; at least I know you'll treat me right." She smiled softly, still cuddled to his chest.
"I'll always treat you right. It's the least I can do. Even if this is Ministry-forced, at least it gives me a chance to try and repay you; not to mention Mum would kill me if I didn't" he grinned at her, and kissed her temple, and they just sat there in silence for a minute, listening to the birds chirping. The Weasley garden was a peaceful place, even if it bustled with life and strange creatures.

"Hey George?" he hummed to express his attention.
"Do you want to go out tonight?" George started to laugh.
"Of course I will Hermione. I was just about to ask you the same question." Hermione grinned and settled back into his frame. His body was very hard and lean, but she was comfortable. She felt kind of protected as he sat with his arm around her.


So! We can finally get this party started! :)
Tell me what you think?

Love,

MissH-95