Hermione hadn't spoken to George in a week, but she found herself thinking about him all the time. She missed him especially when one of her students handed in a paper they claimed was written in invisible ink, and when Peeves had covered Professor Trelawney's enormous eyeglasses in chewing gum. No one would appreciate those stories quite like Fred and George. Hermione still didn't feel ready to talk to George. Fred never seemed to laugh much anymore, but she decided to try finding him anyway.
When Hermione came across Fred, he was fencing with a portrait near the Arithmancy classroom.
"Oh Granger. Fancy seeing you here." Fred said, lunging at the portrait with his imaginary saber. His unwitting opponent looked less than pleased at the disturbance.
"Who's winning?" She asked, leaning against the classroom's doorway and smirking at the amusing sight before her. "You know, it's not very nice to terrorize the portraits."
"Should I terrorize you instead?"
Hermione blushed at this comment.
"Merlin I am bored."
"I know Fred," Hermione sighed. "I just don't know what to do about it." She looked at him with a concerned expression. "If only you had something productive to do.
"I tried stealing parchment from the Slytherin dorm and making it smack them as they walked out the door, but that got old quickly."
Hermione tried to hide her smile. "Sounds very productive! Maybe you should do some exploring. Check out the room of requirements. It would probably help you find something to do."
"You know, that's not a bad idea Granger. I hadn't thought of that." Fred floated off before Hermione could tell him about Peeves and Trelawney.
At least Fred seemed in a slightly better mood, she thought. But she still felt a little lonely. Thinking she perhaps needed the company of a good male friend, Hermione visited Harry at Grimmauld Place.
Harry was in high spirits and he and Hermione passed the day away recalling old memories and sharing new ones. Still, when Hermione returned to her room that evening, she felt the same emptiness as before.
Weeks had passed without any contact between Hermione and George. Hermione wondered how George was doing and how the shop was faring. She decided to send Ginny a letter. It was met with a quick response from Ginny, saying that the shop was opening on Saturday. Hermione knew how busy George must be getting everything in order, so she decided to surprise him with dinner, butterbeer, and a well deserved break as a goodwill gesture.
Hermione nudged open the shop door which was met with a soft tinkling sound. George was tidying a shelf of Skiving Snack Boxes and had his back to the door. He turned when he heard the sound.
"Hermione! What are you doing here?" He said, with a surprised grin.
"Ginny let me know the shop was opening tomorrow, and I thought you could use a break from work. Plus I owed you dinner." She leaned against the entrance of the door, hoping he wouldn't ask why she hadn't spoken to him for a while.
"That's sweet of you. Just let me finish stocking this shelf." He turned back to his work and began working faster than when she had entered.
Hermione glanced around her. "It looks really great in here. You've done a lovely job."
"Oh thanks. Lee's been 'round to help a few times. It looks quite a bit different from the other shop, but I think that's a good thing. Gotta keep 'em guessing." He winked at her cheekily.
Hermione laughed and was suddenly struck by the realization that she'd really missed being around George.
"I've even started working on some new products aimed for students, although it's a bit harder without Gred here to help me."
"What do you mean by "aimed for students"? Am I going to have a repeat of 5th year?," she jabbed playfully.
"I just mean that they'll appeal to a younger crowd. I want this to be a kid-centric place now that it's so close to Hogwarts."
"You'd better not try anything like the stink pellets from Zonko's. They're wretched and I would have to confiscate them. They smell even when they're not activated."
"I have fond memories of using those in ickle Ronniekins room. Great times." He laughed. "Well, all finished here," he said, brushing the dust off his hands. "I suppose I can take a little break now."
Hermione pulled a picnic basket out of her little blue bag and placed it on the floor of the shop. She reached inside and retrieved a small blanket that she spread out for them to sit on. George sat down beside her on the blanket and began rummaging through the basket's contents for food.
"Did mum make this, or did you?" He asked, grabbing a corned beef sandwich and taking a large bite.
"I did. I'm not much of a cook so I stuck to something easy enough for me to manage."
"Anything would taste good right now. I didn't think to bring any food along when I came to work today. I haven't eaten since 8 this morning and I've been too busy to get something to eat."
"I bet you've been so busy with all of this. It looks fantastic." She looked around and better took in her surroundings. As in the other store there were bright colors everywhere, but this one didn't seem as chaotic. Perhaps because it wasn't yet filled with children, or because Fred wasn't around to help with the design.
The two ate in companionable silence for a while, simply happy to be in one another's presence again.
"I've been meaning to ask. Would you mind checking out the wards I've set up to stop shoplifters? They've been having a few problems with the other shop and I want to be sure I've sorted that out before anyone comes. It's a Hogsmeade weekend tomorrow so there's bound to be loads of kids in here."
"Of course." Hermione stood up and began mumbling some spells. "Most of them are good but I am going to strengthen your latro wards."
He raised his wand and performed another spell to strengthen the anti-theft wards already put into place. As he was lowering his wand Hermione stepped behind him and grasped his hand. "You have to put a little more flourish in there," she said, moving his arm to do the correct motion. Hermione held George's hand for a few moments longer than necessary, her heart suddenly beating rapidly. He sighed and turned around to face her, closing his eyes.
"You're not making this easy for me Hermione. Look. You know I like you and I promised I would keep it to myself from now on because I know you don't feel the same. But I'm really struggling right now. I know you're just being friendly, and I don't trust myself to take it as a friendly gesture quite y-" He was cut off by Hermione kissing him soundly.
George instinctively pulled back. "What are you-?"
"I was wrong George. I've really missed you and you mean a lot to me. I want this. Really. Now."
They embraced, and then shared a kiss, this time more passionate than any time before.