Chapter 14

Chapter 14

George awoke in his bed just before dawn, Hermione's warm back spooned up to his front. It was incredibly tempting, but given that their last coupling had occurred less than two hours ago, he decided to ease away from her warmth rather than into it. He hadn't really realized he was capable of recovering five times in a single night, and he wasn't quite sure he had another go in him, no matter how willing his spirit was.

George went to the bathroom to take care of his bladder. He caught sight of himself in the mirror and almost laughed. He was a mess. He had leaves and twigs in his hair, dirt under his fingernails (the result of clutching reflexively at the ground when Hermione had taken him into her mouth), and though he couldn't see it, he could feel their joint bodily products covering much of the lower half of his body. Shower. Now.

Once he adjusted to the heat, the water felt delicious on his aching muscles. Some of the things they'd done last night, well, let's just say that it's a good thing he kept himself fit. He dunked his face into the water and let out a sigh of contentment.

"Not bad, lover boy. Not bad."

George grimaced, and replied silently.

"I'm glad you approve. Enjoyed yourself, did you?"

"Well, it's better than a hole in the head, that's for certain."

"Ha, ha, very funny."

"Wonder how Hermione would feel, knowing she got a twofer last night…don't you think you should tell her?"

"I will, I will. But not today. No dead people today, okay?"

At that moment, George heard the shower door open, felt Hermione slide into the shower with him.

"Well, sleeping beauty awakens!"

"Mmmmm….kiss?"

And so, he lowered his head, met hers for a long, slow kiss beneath the spray, and felt his body respond as if it had been days, not hours since the last time they'd mated.

"You sore?" he asked, when they came up for air.

Hermione nodded, and reached for the soap. "Pretty much everywhere. What the hell did you do to me?"

"What did I do to you? Counselor, I believe that the appropriate question would be what didn't we do to each other. Look at this one."

Hermione gasped. "Did I do that? I bit you that hard?'

George reached for her. "Worth every ache and pain. Here, let me do that for you."

George took the soap into his hands, and spread it gently over the surface of Hermione's body. He used the exercise to take stock of what areas were particularly sore, and which were still available for his amorous attention. By the time Hermione slipped a soapy hand between his legs, he was well prepared for the happy side effects.

XXXX

They took their breakfast at the table in the garden. Hermione smiled fondly at the willow. It was now officially her favorite tree.

Her gauzy bubble of contentment popped when Molly Weasley walked in from the back door.

"Now George, I've…oh, Hermione, dear. How lovely. You and George working late last night?"

George looked at Hermione with a broad grin on his face. "You could say that, Mum."

"I could?" She looked at the two of them with keen eyes, and her face exploded into a smile. "Well then, isn't that nice. Hermione dear, I'm so pleased. Here, both of you, some scones I baked this morning. Now, I'll pop away so the two of you can have your privacy."

After she'd gone, Hermione turned to George. "What just happened there?"

George smiled, and poured out the tea. "Well, Mum came by to reward me for sitting for the evil hoard last night, and discovered the two of us looking very sated at an early morning breakfast. After some initial confusion, she came to the correct assumption that we'd spent the evening shagging like wild ferrets, which pleased her very much, as she'd begun to despair from my ever contributing to the grandchild pool."

"Wow. That's dizzying."

"Yep, that's my family. They'll be planning the wedding by noon. Which brings me to a question. When you said you loved me last night, does that mean you're signing up for the whole package?"

Hermione smiled and sipped her tea. "George Weasley, is that the world's lamest marriage proposal?"

George, looking suddenly sheepish, nodded. "It does appear to be, doesn't it? I could try it again if it increases my chances of success. Or we could wait an unspecified length of time, and then I could spring it on you, like a surprise."

"I must be crazy in love with you, George, because neither of those options hold much appeal. Yes, I signed up for the whole package."

George sighed. "Good. That is so very good."

End Chapter 14

AN: Short, but sweet. Marriage isn't something that you do, it's something that grows between to people over time. And that's exactly what has happened between these two. No rings or big parties necessary. But this is not the end of the story...not quite yet, anyway.

Thank you thank you thank you to all of you for reviewing. It means so much to me.

Theolyn