All Over the Place

Chapter 11: I Love You Too?

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Two days after Fred had attempted to talk to Hermione, George decided to try again.

He came up to her in the hall after Ancient Runes, a class he knew she had alone without Harry and Ron.

"Hermione, you can't keep ignoring me like this." He pleaded.

"Watch me." Hermione answered, and kept walking.

"We're making progress," George attempted a grin, "That's the first word you've spoken to me in weeks! That's good!"

Hermione turned to look at him, a cold stare on her face. "And these are the last eight you'll hear." Not noticing the group of Ravenclaws in front of her while she was talking, she made contact with the back of a few and all of her books fell to the floor.

George instantly went down, picking them all up. "Here," he handed them to her.

"Thanks." She turned to walk away.

"Hermione," George took hold of her arm gently. "Please?"

"Hermione turned around, shrugging him off with a sigh. "I can't keep doing this George. I can't. Please leave me alone."

"Will you please just hear me out?" George asked with the saddest eyes Hermione had ever seen. She was silent for a moment before she answered.

"Alright." She agreed reluctantly. "Let's go outside."

George followed Hermione out of the corridor, out of the building, and out of Hogwarts onto the grounds. They walked silently for a few moments, both staring at the lake.

"I miss these walks with you," George said softly, brushing his hand against hers.

Hermione moved hers away. "George, just say what you need to say."

He took a deep breath. He didn't know how to say it all but he could try. He would try to tell her how he felt, how badly he missed her and how he wanted to be together again. And if she rejected him, then he would be heartbroken and miserable. But at least he would have tried.

"I know it might have started out being a prank. But I really actually liked you after it was all over. When you kissed me under the potion, I-I…I-felt-like, I felt like I had never felt before. No one has made me feel that way ever in my life. Except you. The prank started out all as a joke, a prank to get Ron and nothing more."

He glanced at Hermione. She wasn't saying anything, only staring at the ground as they walked on. She looked sad, but he continued.

"I knew Ron had a crush on you, but I did too. Hanging out with you made me like you even more. And when we finally became a couple, I wanted to keep our relationship a secret for a while. Because I knew Ron would be upset. But everything was so confusing. I really liked you, and so did he. I knew you liked me and not him. I knew you wanted to be with me. I had you as my girlfriend and I didn't want to let you go. I was so glad you were my girlfriend, and I was the happiest man at Hogwarts, being with you. When I am with you, I still am the happiest man at Hogwarts. Nothing could make me happier than being with you."

Hermione was looking at him now, but showing no expression.

"All I can is that I'm sorry Hermione. It was a cruel prank and I AM sorry that it happened. I'm sorry I betrayed your trust and didn't tell you sooner. I'm sorry you had to find out that way, and I should have been the one to tell you in the first place. If you want, I'll apologize to Ron. Right after this is over."

He looked at Hermione; she was simply staring at the lake, in deep thought. He took her hands in his, pulling her a little closer. She let him, but still did not reply. After a few minutes, she looked up at him, directly in the eyes.

"George," she whispered. "Even though we-even though we had something-even though we still have something-I don't think I can do this anymore. I'm not sure if I can come to trust you again. Saying you like me isn't enough. I know you like me-I like you. I really do. Through all of this, I've liked you even though I shouldn't." She paused, angling her head to get a better view of him. She drew back from him, and tried to let go of his hands. But George wouldn't let her.

"This is all too confusing." She muttered under her breath.

"No Hermione, no." He said pulling her to him. "You want something more than I like you? How about I love you. I love you Hermione Granger. Being apart from you all this time has showed me that more than ever. I think I've been in love with you since that stupid prank. That silly prank that brought us together in the first place! These last few months have been so wonderful when we were together…I don't know what I would do without you. When you wouldn't look at me, when you wouldn't speak to me, it was driving me insane. It felt like you were breaking my heart in two. Being with you makes me whole. Hermione Granger, I love you."

Hermione was baffled. Her mind was swirling with thoughts and things George had said. George loved her? He was in love with her? She didn't know what to say. She liked George. But she knew she didn't love him. When they kissed, it was pleasant. It was nice. It felt good to make out. But it wasn't fireworks, head over heels, reach for the stars, love. What do you say to someone who has just said that they love you? To someone who has just proclaimed their love for you?

He was looking at her so admiringly, so adoringly, so fondly. She couldn't break his heart, not now. He was too kind, too sweet. Ron may be her best friend, but she couldn't hurt George anymore. She couldn't stand to let him down. She liked him a lot, and the eyes staring into hers were more important than anything else at the moment. They were so full of hope, so full of…love.

George was wondering what was going through her head. She had said nothing-she had actually looked shocked when he had come clean about what he really felt for her. Yeah, he loved her. Originally, it hadn't been his plan to admit it. He hadn't known how much he did care for her until just now. But when George thought about it, he had to admit to himself that yes-he did love Hermione Granger. He loved her more than anything else. He would do anything for her. Now he had to wait and see how she felt. This was the worst part: Waiting.

This was the moment where Hermione had to make a choice: Be with George or not.

Looking into George's eyes, she knew she would be happy saying yes. Yes to George. Yes that she wanted to be with him. Ron would be really upset, but given time, he would get over it. All of her other friends would support any decision she made. She was in awe that George could feel that way about her. That he could be in love with her. She was touched, honored, and flattered. Hermione forgot about the problems the prank had caused, Ron's anguish, and her own hate of George Weasley. Not saying "I love you" would hurt him so much. And this moment only came once, when two people said those three special words to each other. Normally, she liked to take things a lot slower. After all, they had only been seeing each other for a few months, but she could make an exception.

Hermione hesitated. Her morals were telling her no. That she shouldn't do it. She was about to tell a lie. A very big one.

"I think-I…oh George-I-I think I love you too." Hermione sputtered out.

George was overjoyed with happiness. He hadn't heard the way Hermione said I love you. He had only heard the words. She loved him too. SHE LOVES ME TOO!! He picked up Hermione with ease, spinning her around.

Hermione laughed, enjoying the moment too. She didn't love him yet…no. With time, she figured, she would learn to love him too. But for now, this was okay.

A/N: Let me know what you think! Thanks!