Healing the blind I promise to let the sun in
Sick of the dark ways we march to the drum and
Jump when they tell us that they want to see jumping
Fuck that/ I want to see some fists pumping
Risk something/ take back what's yours
Say something that you know they might attack you for
'Cuz I'm sick of being treated like I have before
Like I'm stupid standing for what I'm standing for
-Hands Held High
She used her key to open the door and silently slid up the stairs, where she used another key to open the door to the flat. As quickly as she could she slipped off her shoes and crossed the floor. George's bedroom door was open slightly, and she pushed it open the rest of the way.
George, even in sleep, looked terrible. A soft glow from the streetlights fell across his face, revealing sunken eyes and stubble that looked like it hadn't been shaved since Saturday. As she watched him he stirred and murmured before turning towards her and hugging a pillow.
It became obvious to her, when she laid eyes on him, what she needed to do. She carefully removed the pillow, slid into bed with him, and wrapped her arms around him.
"'Mione," he murmured in his sleep, hugging her to him. As if the motion made him realize there was someone else in the bed with him he cautiously moved his hands to her hair. His eyes fluttered open. "'Mione?" he asked in disbelief, studying her face.
"It's me," she whispered, reaching up and running a hand over his face.
"I'm sorry, 'Mione. I'm so sorry," he started crying.
"Shhh..." she pressed a finger to his lip. "It's OK. I talked to Amanda. I got the story. I'm sorry I didn't take the time to hear it from you."
"I love you, Hermione," he sobbed.
"I love you, too, George. And if it's okay with you, I'd like to pretend this whole thing never happened."
"That' would be fine by me," he smiled, before pulling her in for a passionate kiss. She wrapped herself around him as tight as she deepened the kiss. His hand started playing with the hem of her shirt.
"You certainly got over that fast," she murmured as he moved his lips to her jaw line.
"You said you wanted to forget it happened," he punctuated with kisses. "I haven't had sex with you in four days, which is the most since we started dating. I have to make up for lost time."
Hermione laughed, but her mouth was immediately engulfed by George's eager kisses. His hands entwined in her hair, holding her to him, making sure that this time there was no slipping away. His kisses became more eager, more insistent. She pulled his shirt over his head, breaking their kisses long enough to cast it aside. He pushed her to the bed and came to rest over her. He pulled her tank-top over her head roughly, as if he couldn't wait to return his lips to her skin. He attacked her collarbone, nipping gently, making sure his lips touched every inch of her skin.
His hand moved to undo her jeans, and he slipped a hand underneath to start massaging her lightly. She moaned and raked her fingernails across his back. He growled in response and ripped her jeans from her body. He continued to kiss her, moving lower and lower on her body, not missing an inch. She laughed as his chin passed over her side.
"What?" he looked up at her, smiling.
"Your beard, if you can call those pathetic wisps of stubble a beard, tickled me."
"Pathetic?" he pounced on top of her, and was inside her before she could protest. He felt so good with her that she realized for the first time how much she had physically missed him. By now he knew exactly how to move to please her, and he was willing to take his time and make sure he performed all his little tricks. The sun was rising by the time he finally allowed her to finish. Her senses dulled as he brought her to climax, and by the time the explosion inside her had died and they started coming back she realized that he had finished as well and was lying next to her, lovingly stroking her hair.
They stared into each others eyes for several minutes, feeling there was nothing that they needed to say to each other.
"You look like shit," Hermione broke the silence.
He chuckled. "Like your 'welcome back's don't you?"
"We may have to fight more often."
"No. Never fighting like that again."
"You're George Weasley. You think we're never going to fight like that again?"
"Nope. Because I'm never going to do something stupid like that again."
Hermione gave him a look that clearly read 'yeah, right'.
"Believe what you will, but I'm serious."
This time Hermione chuckled out loud.
"Don't make me tell my mother on you," George smirked, lying back, hands behind his head.
"No!" Hermione cried in mock horror. "Not Molly! Anyone but Molly!" she pleaded as she snuggled up to him.
He smiled at her, and rubbed his stubble. "I think I'd look sexy with a goatee. Give me that sort of rustic, manly look. What do you think?"
"I think you're delusional if you think you have the ability to grow a beard," she giggled.
"How about I take the day off, we go into Muggle London, have lunch, see a show or something, go shopping, maybe get dinner?"
She smiled at him. "I'd love to, but I have a meeting at ten."
"Skive off! You work too hard anyways."
"It's not a work meeting."
"Really? What is it for?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
She shook her head in response. "It's my little secret."
"I thought we agreed no secrets between us."
"If things go well I'll tell you all about it."
"Miss Granger?" the man in the blue Healer's robe beckoned for her. She stood, straightened her skirt, and crossed the room. The two shook hands and he led her into his office.
"How are you today, Mr. Price?" Hermione asked politely.
"Very well," the man replied, opening a file and crossing his hands over the content. "I can't tell you how pleased I am you contacted us. Your reputation precedes you, of course."
She nodded politely, smiling.
"Top marks in all your subjects, two years of Auror training after that, three years as an Auror. Can you tell me why you are thinking of leaving the Ministry?"
"I'm not feeling as challenged as I would have liked to," Hermione responded truthfully.
He smiled at her. "We never have a shortage of challenges here. What makes you interested in Healing?"
"I have a friend who is a Healer, and she speaks about how rewarding the job is, and how it changes day to day, and it made me think that it was what I was expecting, and really what I had at first as an Auror. I really want that feeling back." She smiled as she said it. She was never one to lie on an interview.
He nodded. "From what I've heard it's difficult for you, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Weasley to find much work to rival the excitement you had in past years."
"In some ways it's nice to not have to rival that excitement."
"No need to explain to me, Miss Granger. My wife is Muggle-born. I remember all to vividly the 'excitement' and how much she looked up to you."
"I'm flattered, sir," Hermione said, mouth slightly agape. Harry got all the attention, she had no idea that anyone could possibly look up to her as in the same league as the Boy Who Lived.
"Which makes me wish to waste your time no further," Mr. Price said, replacing the papers in his file.
Hermione's stomach dropped.
"Let me tell you what I'm thinking, Hermione, because it's somewhat different than what you applied for. I have an opening as a Healer in our Emergency department. While you told me your interest was in Experimental Healing, I'm most impressed by the stories of your quick thinking, both from what I've heard about your time with Mr. Potter, and also from the staff members of Hogwarts I've contacted. I need someone with the ability to think and act quickly in Emergency, and I was hoping that you would be interested in that position."
Hermione flushed, relieved that it sounded like her time in the Auror office was about to come to a close. "That does sound interesting," she smiled. She had never considered Emergency Healing, but giving it a quick thought it didn't sound half bad.
"You would, of course, need to go through our basic training rotation, though with your experience I'm sure passing that in a year would pose no challenge."
She shook her head.
"I'm willing to match your salary as an Auror while you are in training, and in your first year as a Healer, then we will meet to discuss your progress and an increase in salary."
"That's very generous, thank you," Hermione replied, unable to contain the smile on her face.
"I'm assuming you can start in two weeks?"
She nodded vigorously.
"We'll see you then," he smiled, extending his hand. She grasped it and shook it vigorously. In a daze she walked out of St. Mungos into the bright street, hearing the crowded Muggle street just a few blocks away. She stood outside the unassuming warehouse for a few minutes, soaking the quick and incredible job offer in, before she looked at her watch. She would stop by the Ministry to turn in her resignation, then take George up on his offer.
A/N: One more chapter after this. I'm not doing the bonus track, I think it'll be a good stopping point after the next chapter. Please review
