I'd like to dedicate this chapter to two beloved women. My grandmother, who I lost one year ago today (miss you, Shirl!), and Wizards-Pupil's grandmother, who is hopefully on the road to recovery :)

School's been back in session for a few weeks now, and I just got out of my first detention of the new year. As I walked into the common room, I spotted Harry, Ron, and Ginny – but no Hermione. No Fred or Lee, either...

"Hey guys," I called over to them, "have you seen any of my best mates?"

"I'm pretty sure Fred and Lee are hanging out in your dorm; dunno about Hermione, though," Ginny replied.

"Thanks, Gin," I said, and then nodded at the other two before making my way up the stairs to my dorm. Upon entering the room, I happened upon a scene I wasnot expecting; Lee was sitting on the edge of his bed, facing Fred's, and talking to my brother – and Hermione, whose lap Fred's head was pillowed on. They were laughing hysterically, and it took a minute for them to notice my arrival.

"Georgie!" Lee called, sounding slightly breathless from laughing. "Where've you been? You just missed Hermione's great joke!"

Hermione called out, "George!" just as I started to reply.

"Oh I did, did I? I had detention with Flitwick. Care to share the joke again?"

Fred sat up to allow Hermione to turn and face me. "Not until I get a hug hello," she replied with a cheeky grin.

"I think that can be arranged..." I said, making my way over to her. As I hugged her, Fred and Lee both let out a groan and rolled their eyes. "So, how about that joke, then?"

Hermione smiled, and started to tell her joke again. "So a hag, a goblin, and Minister Fudge walk into a bar..."

-oOo-

A few hours later, Fred and Lee had gone to sleep, and I was cuddled up with my girl on my bed with the curtains drawn, just catching up. "So it seems like you had a fun evening with Fred and Lee, then," I said, eying her casually to see her reaction.

"I really did!" she replied, smiling. "I'm finding that I really enjoy their company; they're great guys."

I grinned really widely, showing my obvious happiness at hearing that my girlfriend was getting on so well with my best mates. "I'm glad. I've been eagerly awaiting the day that you found you could happily hang with them without me there."

She smiled and leaned over to kiss me. "You should know by now that I'm likely to trust anyone that you do, because I trust you and your judgment; so it only makes sense that I'd find myself spending time with Fred and Lee."

I nodded. "And on that note, speaking of you trusting me...I have a proposition for you."

"Do you, now?" she asked, curiously.

"I'd like to take you out for a fly tomorrow after we get back from Hogsmeade. I'd really like for you to experience flying like I do at least once, so I can share my passion with you. I promise to stay lower to the ground than I normally would, and not pull any tricks or stunts. What do you say?" I finished off my request with my best puppy dog eyes.

Hermione sighed and thought it through. Finally, she nodded. "Oh, alright. But no stunts! And we land immediately if I feel too scared. Deal?"

I grinned widely and nodded. "Deal."

-oOo-

It was a quiet, uneventful day in Hogsmeade...you know, aside from the three different blokes that tried to hit on my girlfriend. THREE! Let's see...there was the Bulgarian, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and some fifth-year Slytherin. Clearly, they were shot down by the ever-feisty Hermione, but it was still annoying to have to deal with.

While we were in Hogsmeade, Lee managed to procure some Firewhiskey for us. He just came of age yesterday, and we're planning on having a party in the common room for him tonight; after I take the lovely miss Granger for a ride on my Cleansweep, that is.

Speaking of broom rides, looks like Hermione's ready to go! "All set, love?"

"As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose," she replied, a look of apprehension on her face.

"Oh, don't worry your pretty little head one bit, Hermione. I won't let anything happen to you; you know that," I reassured her.

She nodded slowly. "I know, I know."

"So what are we waiting for? Let's go!" I exclaimed, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the portrait hole. She just laughed and followed me out. I led her out to the quidditch pitch and mounted my broom, seated a little further back than I normally would. "Climb on in front of me, love," I instructed as I patted the handle. She visibly gulped, but still climbed on – a testament to her trust in me. I showed her where to grip the handle, and wrapped my arms around hers to reach the handle myself to steer. "Ready?" She just nodded, stiffening a bit. I pulled up on the handle slightly, and we made a gradual ascent into the air. It was taking all my patience and willpower to go this slowly for her, but I knew I had to if I ever wanted her to trust me again.

Once we were high enough up, I started steering us back towards the castle. "Open your eyes, Hermione, you need to see this."

"How did you know my eyes were closed? I'm in front of you," she asked.

"I'd like to think that I know you pretty well, yeah? Not exactly a shot in the dark, I'd say. Now please, open them. You won't regret it."

I could tell she had given in and opened her eyes when I heard a soft gasp. "George, it's absolutely beautiful from up here! Why didn't you tell me how lovely the view is from the air?"

"No offense, but you never actually would have listened had I tried. One mention of flying and you stick your nose in a book, usually."

She put her hands on top of mine and gave them a light squeeze. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize that I did that; must just be a reflex. I may be a Gryffindor, but I'm still afraid of heights, so I guess I just tend to steer clear of discussions about flying. I really am enjoying this right now, though."

"What made you change your mind and agree to come up here with me?"

"You do so much for me, and seemed to really want this, so I figured it couldn't hurt to try it at least once. Besides; I knew we'd be on the same broom, and you'd never let anything happen to me. Well, that and I enjoy having your arms wrapped around me..."

Grinning like a nutter, I slowed us down to a hover and took my hands off the handle. Wrapping them around her waist, I hugged her from behind and planted a soft kiss on the side of her neck. "I think that's the sweetest thing you've ever said, Hermione, and it took every ounce of my masculinity to even admit something was sweet. You're the best, you know that? I'm the luckiest guy in the world."

She leaned her head back onto my shoulder and snuggled her face up into the crook of my neck. "Mmm, no, I'm the lucky one."

-oOo-

After a bit more flying, I landed us on the astronomy tower; Hermione wanted to cuddle somewhere private. We just lay on the stone floor together, watching the clouds pass by and trying to name their shapes. Eventually, she looked at her watch and sat up quickly. "Merlin! Dinner's about to start!" She stood up and extended a hand to me, helping me up as well. We started heading towards the stairs when she put out a hand to stop me. "George," she started, "thank you for an absolutely lovely day." She smiled widely at me, and reached up to kiss me on the cheek.

"My pleasure, Hermione." I shrunk my broom and put it in my pocket, and then we headed down the stairs to the Great Hall.

As we walked in, I spotted Lee and Fred sitting together, and stopped short. Bollocks! I forgot to help them set up for the party! I quickly made my way over to the table and started apologizing profusely. Lee cut me off, though, with a "don't worry about it, mate. We knew you were with Hermione. It's all taken care of." I sat down, thanking them in the process.

"No problem, bro," Fred replied. "Just hurry up and start eating. The sooner we're done, the sooner we can start partying!"

Posted: 27 September 2011
Word Count: 1490