Author's Note: I thought this chapter would be fun from both perspectives, just to see what each is thinking. Let me know what you guys think! Enjoy! (Not Rowling.)

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PS: Let me know if you catch the AVPS reference!

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George woke up at his usual time and got ready, making sure to put on some extra layers because of the frigid temperature outside. He made sure everything was in order in the shop before opening, knowing today would be a ridiculously busy day, as it was both a Hogsmeade trip, and only a few weeks before Christmas. As he sat on the desk that held the register, he looked outside and saw a dense line of black dots moving towards Hogsmeade on the path that led from the castle.

The door, which did not have a bell like every other store in Hogsmeade, mostly because his door was being opened and shut so often that it would have gotten ridiculously aggravating, announced its first opening of the day with a gust of cold wind that stirred the objects and displays that hung from the ceiling. He looked over and saw his best friend, Lee Jordan, pulling his hat and gloves off.

"Shut the damn door, Jordan!" he said, grinning. The tall boy grinned back, his bright white smile standing out against his dark skin and his all-black winter attire.

"Naff off, you pansy," he called over, forcing the door shut as a powerful blast of freezing air tried to make its way in, as though it was just as excited to come into the store as the students.

"Mate, why are you wearing all black? You look like a walking shadow."

"People with carrot colored hair shouldn't throw stones," Lee replied in a mocking sing-song voice. They both chuckled. "So, why the emergency? Why do you need help holding down the fort today? I thought this was my day off."

George hopped down from the counter and walked over to Lee, who was still trying to untangle himself from all his winter attire. "You can have three days off for working today."

"It's that important? What, got a hot date?" He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Err…well, kinda? Not really a date…" George said, blushing slightly and rubbing the back of his neck with his right hand, feeling kind of embarrassed.

"Seriously? Who is she?" Lee started, but seeing George's reaction, he halted, a sneaky grin making its way onto his face.

"George…," he said, teasing.

"What? It's nothing. It's-, c'mon, you know Ginny asked me to do this. It not for any other reason, it's just Gin-"

"You liar!" Lee exclaimed happily. "She asked you in mid-September. It's December now. There was no need to carry it on this long."

"Yes there is!" cried George, trying to maintain his composure all the while asserting his innocence. "It's Christmas! I have to do this because if I stop now and she goes crying to Ginny on Christmas Day because she's alone, Gin will have my head!"

Lee stopped and surveyed him, his eyes squinted as if trying to read his thoughts through his skull. "Hmm…well, if that's the only reason…"

"Lee," George said, warningly. "C'mon, stop."

"Because last time…," said Lee, the implications of that year filling his unsaid words.

"That was nothing! I told you and Fred. That was not anything more than trying to figure something out. And I was right, wasn't I? I was completely right. And that's why I'm in this position now."

"You were awfully observant that year. Some may say-," he paused for dramatic effect, "too observant."

"Piss off! I was not! And I was right, wasn't I?" said George, his face red from embarrassment and anger.

Lee chuckled and watched George, his eyebrow raised in amusement. "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, Loverboy."

…

Ever since that day that George had seen that odd look on Malfoy's face, he had become suspicious. It was true that he wanted to know why Hermione was such an enigma compared to other girls, but he was more curious about Malfoy's strange change in behavior. As he stared into the fire in the Gryffindor common room, he wondered why this would be. It couldn't be because of Umbridge's presence. If anything, that should make him ruder to her because he feels entitled and protected around the old toad.

"Georgie, would you like to come back to the present?" he heard Fred say next to him. He blinked a couple times and looked around to see Fred and Lee staring at him.

"Sorry, what did I miss?"

Lee spoke up while Fred watched his twin for reactions. "Well, we were just discussing your weird fascination with a certain overbearing Gryffindor prefect. Care to comment?"

"What?" George asked, confused.

"Hermione, you dolt."

"What about her?"

"You've been practically stalking her, George," said Fred.

"I HAVE NOT!" cried George, incensed.

"Anytime she's around, your eyes go all squinty, like they do when you're trying to study Arithmancy. Care to explain that?"

"Have you two not seen how Malfoy looks at her all the time? It's like he's just found a precious gem or something and he doesn't want anyone to know. It's creepy!"

"Oh, and you're not," muttered Lee. George glared at him.

"AND he's stopped calling her 'mudblood'. Now why would he stop that all of a sudden?" George looked about expectantly.

"I don't know, maybe he's finally gained a conscience. Honestly, I could give a rat's ass about Malfoy. You're the one that's off, George."

"I am not-"

"Shuttup," said Fred. "Yes you are. And you need to stop. I know it bothers you that you can't figure out why Hermione does her Hermione-ish things, and why Malfoy is staring at people-"

"Not people! Just-" interjected George, who was cut off by Lee.

"Yeah, yeah, we know, just Hermione. But here's the problem: why have you noticed?"

"Because there is something weird about that, you have to admit!" he argued.

Lee rolled his eyes as Fred spoke up. "George, give it up. Maybe one day, in a twisted parallel universe, they'll date or something, and then you'll have your reason, but in the meantime, stop stalking her."

"I AM NOT-"

"WELL," said Fred, talking over his twin, "Whatever you call this, stop. Seriously. This is not healthy."

…

George was prevented from replying to Lee by the door opening and a slew of Hogwarts students rushing in. As he said hello to some of his usual customers and answered some questions, Lee sauntered up behind him.

"So, Loverboy, when are you leaving to stalk?"

George turned around, furious. He held up two fingers in front of Lee's face. "Two things. First," he said, raising his pointer finger, "you call me that again and I will hurt you. Second," he raised his middle finger and turned his hand around, flipping Lee off, "I have never stalked anyone, especially Hermione, nor do I currently."

Lee laughed, pushing George's hand gesture away. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say."

George knew some of the shopkeepers thought his requests had been a bit odd, but they had all agreed to let him hide the letters, and in some cases, give her the letters. He knew they appreciated the extra business the shop brought to the street and consequentially their shops as well, so they didn't mind the silly favor. George was looking out the window about ten minutes later when he saw familiar curly brown hair poking out from beneath a knitted hat. He chuckled, seeing her determined expression and her quick gait. He knew she was headed right for Scrivenshaft's. He had made that clue purposely easy, but had timed it so that when she did get it and figured it out, it would be too late to go in the evening. So here she was, rushing off to the quill shop as if there were dogs snapping at her heels. He knew she would get to the Shrieking Shack quickly, but the next clue would be the one to trip her up. Less than ten minutes later, he looked over at Lee.

"Hey Lee, I'm gonna step outside for just a second. Be right back." He hurried outside, wrapping a scarf around his neck, missing Lee's knowing smile.

Perfect timing. There she was, walking aimlessly down at the other end of the High Street, her eyes fixed on the letter. She suddenly turned around and a huge smile suddenly lit up her face. She was right in front of Puddifoot's. "Oh come on!" he said quietly. "That was too easy!" He rushed back inside, knowing where the next clue led her, and hurried over to Lee.

"She's coming in here next. You say a thing about this or about me and I will kill you," he hissed as he hurriedly took off his scarf and jacket.

Lee looked over George's shoulder before saying, "Roger that, Loverboy." Before George could make any retort or move to strangle him, the door opened, and in walked Hermione. He turned around and helped a young girl who was at the register, ignoring Lee's laughter from behind him. She walked around for ten minutes, a grueling ten minutes in which George did everything he could to not look at her and ignore Lee's whispered taunts. A few minutes later, he heard a little ways to his left the voices of a handful of petrified fifth years.

"Professor Granger!"

He had to use all of his willpower to not laugh at the looks on the boys' faces when she said she had gone to school with the creators. "She forgot to mention she was the one who tried to confiscate everything," muttered Lee.

"Right?" George muttered back, amused.

"Aaaaand she's off again. I figure if you are just doing this to make her happy, I should help in any way I can," said Lee, adding in a mutter, "Though I doubt that's the reason."

George shook his head, ignoring Lee's jabs. He grabbed his jacket and scarf and pulled them on. "Lee, I need you to take over now. I've gotta run."

"Bye! Have fun! I'll miss you, baby!" Lee called after George as he headed to the door. George turned around and made a rude hand gesture before grinning and heading out the door.

"They grow up so fast," said Lee, clutching his heart in a good imitation of Mrs. Weasley.

George hurried over to the Three Broomsticks and headed to the back, where it was quieter, and picked a booth that would hide him from sight. After taking off his jacket and scarf so as to be more comfortable, he removed the unlit and scarcely used torch that was sitting uselessly in its bracket and transfigured it into lilac branches, putting a charm on it to make them stay perfectly fresh, since lilacs had a tendency to die the same day after being removed from their tree. He then sat down, thanking Madame Rosmerta when she came over with two butterbeers, and waited.