I know! I know, and I'm sorry. -.- But thank you, for staying with me. You guys are the very best! I wanted to thank every single one who has ever read, reviewed, put me or my story on their favourite and alerts or pressed that 'follow' button :D It means so much to me, so, THANKS! :)

DISCLAIMER: Yeah right.

Chapter 10

Hermione Jean Granger wasn't very good with relationships. In fact, the only other relationship – even if hers with George was Ministry-forced – she had ever had, had turned out very badly. She had never been good with working out what she had said or done wrong, because she was always straightforward, and appreciated honesty. Sometimes, honesty was just too blunt though, and had to be softened, an art Hermione had yet to learn.
This time though, Hermione knew exactly what had made George so upset. It was the same thing that had made her upset, the day they had gotten the letters. George thought Hermione didn't think he'd be a good father; that she didn't want to raise a family with him. The truth was she was scared. She had no doubt in his fathering abilities; he'd be brilliant – it was herself she was worried about.

She wanted more life-experience and time to observe and learn, before she passed on her gene. She wanted to be the absolute best mother she could, and she was uncertain she was able to take on that responsibility at her current age. But she'd have to put those thoughts aside for later, because at the moment, she had to focus on her upset fiancé. She hurried along the track, and soon found him standing in the field the Weasley's used for Quidditch. She slowly walked up beside him. He didn't acknowledge her, other than stiffening. Hermione sighed; she had never meant to hurt him.
"I really didn't mean it like that," She started softly. He didn't even turn to look at her.
"What I meant, George, is that I'm not sure if I am ready to start a family yet. I want to make sure I am the best possible mother, and frankly, I think I am too young at the moment. I am terrified I'll be a horrific mother. George, I have no doubt you'll make a most wonderful Dad, in fact, I think our children will adore you. I've never been great with children. I'm scared I'll raise them all wrong, I'm afraid they'll hate me." She sunk to the forest-floor, folding her knees and tugging them up to her chin. She wrapped her arms around them, and let silent tears stream down her face. She'd never been so vulnerable in front of anyone; not even Harry and Ron.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, George sat down beside her, and wrapped an arm around her.
"Sorry I stormed off like that 'Mione. The truth is, I have much the same fears as you do, Hermione. I'm damaged goods; ever since I nearly lost Fred, and Percy, I've been a wreck. I'd hate to see how I would have been, if you hadn't been there, and I had survived. I'm afraid I could never be a good enough dad. You deserve better, you really do. You don't have anything to worry about, Angel, you'll be a terrific mother." He trailed off, and they sat there in silence for a while.
"Huh, look at that, we just had out very first spat!" George finally broke the silence. Hermione laughed and swatted his shoulder.
"Really now, Goofy!" George raised an eyebrow at that. Hermione blushed just slightly.
"What? It actually fits you! I like it" she huffed. He just grinned, and pulled her into him, placing a kiss low on her forehead. Her breath caught in her throat at the feel of his warm lips against her brow.

He started to lie down, and pulled her with him. They watched the clouds float by in the sky, as they talked about anything and everything. They shared dreams and goals, fears and nightmares. George told her about how he frequently revisited that moment where he almost lost his twin. Though in his nightmares, the wall crushed them, and George held his lifeless twin, and screamed out, until he woke up. He told her about his schooldays, the many pranks he and Fred had pulled, along with Lee Jordan. He told her about how sometimes it hurt that their own mother couldn't tell them apart, but how amusing it really was. He told her of his childhood, how wonderful it had been with so many siblings, but also how it had been a struggle for approval and attention. Hermione told him the details of what really happened in Malfoy Manor, and when she had been caught by the Snatchers. She told him about those weeks in the tent, getting to know Harry and Ron, her surprise at how intelligent they really were, and all the adventures they had been on. She told him about growing up an only child, and how she had struggled to make friends in school, because she was so much smarter than everybody else, and on top of that, odd things always happened around her.

Eventually, they came back to the topic of finding a house to raise a family in.
"I don't want it to be too far from the shop, nor should it be too far from here. I know we can always apparate, or floo, but I like knowing I have my family near," George confessed.
"Also, I'd like to live near Fred. Angel, I can't stand being too far away from him, not after what happened at the Final Battle. I know he feels the same way" George looked at her with such a panic in his eyes, like she would tell him to get over it, and split him and his twin up.
"Goofy," she whispered softly, placing a hand on his cheek. He smiled equally softly at her, as she brought his gaze up to meet hers.
"I'd never dream of keeping the two of you apart. As long as we can live in two different houses, we could live on the same bloody piece of land!" He smiled at her. There was something in his gaze, and for one terrifying yet thrilling moment, Hermione thought he was about to kiss her. Oh how she wished he'd kissed her! Instead, he wrapped his arms around her in a tender embrace.

The days following their first disagreement, Hermione and George continued to grow even closer. Hermione found herself intrigued by George, so appropriately nicknamed 'Goofy' by her, and she wanted to know even the most insignificant details about him. She wouldn't call herself in love, at least not yet, but the possibility of her falling in love with him was there, and it was very likely.
When they couldn't talk face to face, mostly when George had to spend some time in Hogsmeade, to look into a possible expansion of his and Fred's shop, they would owl each other. At first, George had seemed a little puzzled, when the first owl from her arrived; delighted but puzzled. She had explained that she at least wanted to know how he preferred his breakfast before marrying him. She told him, that she wanted a friend she could spent the rest of her life with.
"My Mum used to say, that married couples are friends – best friends – first and foremost, before lovers," Hermione had said as a way of defending her actions. And as they both knew they would become lovers eventually because of that damn subsection of the Marriage law that stated that children were to have been produced within the specified timeframe – as well as the subsection that said the Marriage would be invalid if it wasn't 'consummated' within twenty four hours of the wedding – they both decided they wanted to be friends first. Hermione hoped it would at least make it a little less awkward; she didn't particularly fancy bedding a relative stranger.

In the days that George was away, Hermione thought about the night of their almost-kiss. She was a little startled to realize just how badly she had wanted to kiss him. He had looked at her with those intense blue eyes of his, and Hermione had been helpless to the feeling that overwhelmed her. And now, her stupid brain was trying to analyse every aspect of that night. Sometimes she wished she could turn off her brain.

Mrs. Weasley proved to be an excellent distraction for her overly hyperactive brain. She was in a right state with all the weddings; ecstatic but stressed. Hermione had secretly been plotting with Ginny and Angelina to take the frantic woman to a muggle spa; they were sure she would enjoy it. Hermione had already taken the two once, and they'd absolutely loved it. Out of all the Weasley-women-to-be Hermione was closest with Angelina. She'd shared a dorm with Cho Chang for 7 – long – years and had hoped not to have to listen to her endless girly-girl talks. As fate would have it, she wasn't so lucky; she certainly wasn't envious of Ron for having found a match in her.
Lisa was still rather awkward with the whole thing and kept mostly to herself or near Charlie. She and Ron hadn't quite come to terms with everything yet, but Hermione hoped it wouldn't take long. Audrey was a very likable person, but she was very busy at St. Mungo's. Fleur was nearly only around for Sunday dinners, so Hermione wasn't very close with her. That left Angelina, Hermione and Ginny to become great friends – even with Ginny being two years younger than Hermione, and three years younger than Angelina, but Hermione supposed it didn't really matter. Maybe it would have, at some point, but war really made you grow up; age wasn't the problem.

Hermione was freaking out slightly. She and George had yet to set a wedding date, and they were nearing the end of August. Of course, all the details were nearly worked out; this was Hermione Jean Granger, and Hermione Jean Granger was always, always ahead of schedule. It wasn't as if George had had no say in the wedding whatsoever; she'd run everything by him first, and if he disagreed, then she'd find something else, or maybe compromise. Mrs. Weasley had been a huge help, and Hermione was sure she'd never have finished if it wasn't for her.

"We need to find a date for our wedding, Goofy," Hermione said quietly, as they once again lay quietly side by side in the Quidditch clearing. They were pointing out shapes in the clouds, and having a grand time. George could make the silliest thing appear, and Hermione found that there was never a dull moment when she was with him.
"Yeah, I guess so Angel. Maybe we should root for October. It's within the limit, and gives us a little more time," Hermione nodded, deep in thought.
He was right, of course. October seemed to be a good choice; they'd have to be married before the year was out, but they also knew that the more desperate people, who would like to get out of the law, would wait until the last moment possible. It made Hermione sad to think about how many people were suffering from this law.

It was like some sort of epiphany happened for her right there; she was extremely lucky. Not only had she been paired with someone from a good family, she'd also been paired with something she actually liked, and could see herself eventually fall in love with. Many others weren't so fortunate. Look at Cho and Ron; she nearly drove him nuts. Granted, it could be just the pre-wedding jitters that caused Cho to be – even more so than usual – irritating. Look at Charlie and Lisa; Charlie was marrying the girl Ron had been in love with for so long, and knew he was in the way. Lisa wasn't marrying the brother she wanted. She'd heard of so many cases where the couple was unhappy, and it made her really grateful to George.
"Angel?" his voice brought her from her thoughts. She smiled up at him gently, and turned so that she could put her head on his shoulder.
"October sounds good. I'm really lucky, you know," She whispered. His lips grazed her hair, and with a sigh, she closed her eyes and relaxed.
"Why're you lucky?" He murmured.
She didn't open her eyes as she answered: "I have you. I actually like you; I don't have to marry someone I can't stand. This law might be wrong and infuriating, but at least I get to marry you; I'm not suffering because of it. I'm so lucky." Finally she opened her eyes and looked up at him. His gaze was intense, and she couldn't seem to tear her eyes away.
"I feel lucky, too" his head lowered towards hers, and Hermione could feel her heartbeat frantically quicken. Her eyes stayed locked with his, until he was merely an inch away. Shutting her eyes, she closed the gap between them, and let out a tiny sigh as their lips finally met. All thoughts went out of Hermione's mind, and all she could concentrate on was the feel of his soft lips against hers. They kissed gently, but with passion. Her hands were gripping his shirt, and his were placed on her hips. One travelled up her back and made its way into her hair. She was halfway lying on top of him, but neither seemed to care much at the moment. George tentatively ran his tongue along her lower lip, and with another sigh, she allowed open her mouth, making the kiss all the more passionate. Hermione had never been kissed like this before, but she loved it. She wanted more of him. Before she knew it, her hands had travelled to his shoulders, where one stayed, while the other gripped the hair at the nape of his neck, playing with it.
George's hand started to rub circles on her hip and she let out a small moan. They soon pulled away for air, both panting heavily.
"October 10th sound okay to you?" Hermione asked breathlessly. George laughed and nodded, pulling her in for another kiss.

Yay, first kiss!
So now we have answers, we have a wedding date, and we have their first kiss... Maybe that will keep you happy 'til next time? ;)

Cheers!