I had been split into two sections.
Here is my heart and here is my song.
There are too many prophets here.
I was a silent partner,
I know the part of the forest where you shouldn't go.
Now out of the woods and out in the day,
I see there's too many prophets here.
Strike on, zero.
A. C. Newman "Prophets"
Hermione lowered herself to George's couch gracefully. She crossed her leg over the other one and leaned back in the cushion. She had two pictures in her hand and the corner of her mouth was quirked up in a small grin.
George loved it when she grinned.
This was the second week they'd been dating. They'd been on a total of three actual dates, and had spent several evenings in together. Just writing and reading. It was something George would have considered the epitome of lame a few years ago, but now he just enjoyed the peace and quiet.
"So," Hermione asked as George sat down on the cushion beside her. She propped her feet up on his lap and he took them quite happily. Hermione had learned, and accepted the fact that he desired and enjoyed her touch at all times. Rover just enjoyed feeling her warmth and inhaling her scent. The touch didn't have to be sexual or romantic.
"So?" George hummed as he rubbed her socked feet.
"So, how did you-oh that's nice- how did your session with the others go?"
George had spent the morning working with the other werewolves. He was practicing simple commands on them. So far it had gone off without a hitch. They were going to try something a little more difficult tomorrow. It was a week until the next moon. George could already feel it in his skin. They'd decided on a location already so they just had to make sure that George could control all of them.
"Brilliantly. I made Terry sit still while I levitated Michael around the room. I was worried he'd panic with that one but he maintained himself very well." He paused and tickled the bottom of Hermione's foot, relishing the laugh she gave. "It's still kind of weird to have them obey my commands. I thought Rover would get power hungry but he doesn't. He mostly feels responsible. He really cares about each of them."
"Of course. They're his own kind. He's also part of you." Hermione stated before writing. She was onto his senior year now. George hadn't gotten to read a lot of it, but what he had read was quite well written. It was funny but cut to the heart of a lot of real issues they'd been faced with.
"Meaning?" Hermione looked up over her papers and wiggled her toes. George grinned and resumed rubbing them. Hermione nodded her head in approval before returning her attention to the papers.
"Meaning that anything that was part of you would obviously feel protective of others."
George silently rubbed Hermione's feet for a few moments before shaking his head. "Nope. Still not getting it."
Hermione set her papers aside and sat up fully so she could look at George more clearly. "George, you are a very caring person. If you deem someone important you look out for them. If someone is in your protection? You do whatever it takes to keep them safe." Hermione shrugged and leaned back, picking her pages back up. "It's something I've always admired about you."
And George had nothing to say to that.
They dropped back into silence for a few minutes before Hermione wiggled her toes again. George raised his eyes to see Hermione staring at him with a small frown. "May I ask a question?"
"Of course."
Hermione dropped her eyes and bit her lip before looking up at him slowly through her lashes. "Why haven't you kissed me since that night?"
George didn't have to ask what night she was referring to. He'd only kissed her once. He couldn't again.
George knew he had a possessive streak. He'd always had one. He was very protective of what he considered 'his.' Now that Rover had joined the party, he was terrified of what would happen. Rover already got incensed whenever Hermione sat next to another guy. What would he do if she broke up with them and kissed someone else? He might go on a rampage.
George was certain that once he had Hermione, well that would be it. Nobody else would ever be allowed to have her. He would allow no one else to do the things George would do to her. Every inch of Hermione's smooth, soft, pale skin would be his. He'd prove it with marks. He'd mark her with his teeth, with his tongue, with his hands, it didn't matter. Hermione would be his and the world would know it.
And no matter how much Rover wanted it, wanted her, there was no way that Hermione would be prepared for him. He'd overwhelm her. They would have to deal with it some other time. For now he simply had to take it slow. Because he'd be unable to stop if he let go. He'd have her, forever.
It would start with a kiss, but it would end with a severely jealous and over-protective boyfriend.
George decided honesty would be the best policy. He wouldn't have Hermione thinking he wasn't trying to kiss her because she was unattractive. She was very attractive. To George and Rover. "Because I'm worried how Rover will react."
Hermione's brow furrowed. "You think he'll dislike it?" George squeezed Hermione's foot and smiled.
"Quite the opposite, actually." Hermione mouthed the words. 'Opposite?' and then her face turned a bright red. Her mouth dropped open in a tiny 'o' of surprise and understanding and she instantly averted her gaze. Her ears were even red. George grinned at that revelation. She was really too cute. "Yes. I want to make sure I can control him before I pursue anything further. Physically at least." Hermione blushed even redder.
"Come on. I'm going to take you to get a chirro. It's sunny out so that bloke should be open."
"If he's managed to stay in business." Hermione added.
George laughed and helped her into her jacket. She slipped on a pair of shoes and they made their way out the flat.
"Hermione, George. It's lovely to see you two together. Are you going to watch the dinglehoppers dance tonight?"
Luna and Neville stopped right in front of the couple. Neville smiling at Luna like she had just told him how to solve world hunger.
"Not tonight, I'm afraid." Hermione said calmly. George grinned.
"You'll have to record it for us." Luna shook her head.
"I'm afraid they're quite camera shy. Perhaps another time?"
"That'd be lovely." Hermione assured the blonde. She smiled pleasantly and tightened her hand around Neville's hand.
"Well, we have to be going. Enjoy your date!"
"See you later, Hermione." Neville called over his shoulder.
"You know," Hermione said quietly as she watched Neville and Luna disappear around the street corner. "I have never seen the two of them fight."
"To be fair, I've never seen Luna fight with anyone." George replied, watching them walk away as well. It made him long for something, he wasn't really sure what.
Mate. Rover informed him. They smell the same. We want that. George kind of had to agree. He did want that.
"She yelled at Harry once. It was rather incredible."
George turned towards Hermione with wide eyes. "She yelled? What did he do? Kill a wrackspurt?"
Hermione laughed, a sharp, quick sound and shook her head. "No. He wouldn't listen and there wasn't time for him to be his stubborn Only-I-Know-What-To-Do self. So she told him: Harry Potter, you listen to me right now!"
George turned back to look at the empty street where they had been. "Incredible."
Hermione nodded her head sagely. "Yes. Harry can make anyone yell."
It was George's turn to laugh now. They walked across the alley and out onto the main road. George spotted his vender and gave Hermione a beaming smile.
They ordered the fried donuts and George led them to a bench. Hermione took a bite and instantly grinned.
"Oh, that is gorgeous." George grinned and brushed a bit of powdered sugar off her cheek.
"Told you. You would do better to just take my word as irrefutable fact." Hermione laughed.
"I would, would I?"
"Why if it isn't miss Mangey-Grangey. Hermy the bookwormy." Hermione stiffened under George's hands at the drawling voice. George sat up straight and turned around to flatten who ever it was that had just insulted his date.
"Excuse me?" He growled. Hermione gripped his arm between both her hands, holding him in place.
"Still the same chubby cheeked girl we knew and loved back at Hogwarts, ay?"
"What do you want, Terrance?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, am I interrupting a date?" The man-apparently Terrance- asked. Hermione glared and George had to bite his tongue to prevent another growl. "Who am I kidding. No one would ask a fang-toothed, squinty-eyed, loser like you out on a date." He laughed harshly and Hermione stared back at him with a shocked expression. "You've been reduced to hanging out with werewolves! You're their bitch!"
And then, with a screeching laugh the wizard twisted into the air.
"Who is he to try and make you feel so damn small?" George asked the question with a fierce frown. The growl was clear in his voice and he didn't care. That boy had reeked of Slytherin.
"He doesn't." Hermione took her left overs and tossed them into the trash before dusting off her jeans. "His name is Terrance Dosenger and he was in the same year as Ginny. He disliked me because I beat out his sisters score regularly." Hermione straightened her robe. "Besides, my mother has informed me of how plain I am since the day I was born. He simply reminded me of the fact." Hermione closed her eyes and pulled her hair back in a quick knot. George knew she could feel his gaze on her. She probably thought he was judging her. Reevaluating her because of what that chubby wannabe had said. She was wrong. So very wrong.
"He said you're chubby cheeked and squinty eyed."
Hermione grit her teeth and swallowed. Apparently those particular words had hurt. "Yes, he did."
"That is a complete farce. I've never seen someone with a nicer figure. You have high cheekbones, not chubby cheeks."
Hermione flushed, she hadn't expected that. George felt a warmth in his stomach at the sight.
"And you're eyes are brown, a rather fetching shade of it actually."
"So?" Hermione asked, her cheeks turning a rosy shade.
"How could I tell what color they are if you were squinty eyed?" George stepped closer and lifted her chin up.
"You are foxy and unbelievably attractive. Remember in the flat? I want you so badly I'm scared I won't ever stop. Merlin, if you could just see yourself like I see you. Hermione, you're beautiful." George had a quick chat with Rover and then made his decision. He brought his hand up a little so he was cupping her cheek and kissed her.
There was a second of stillness, then Hermione brought her arms up as George drew her closer by wrapping his arms around her waist. It was just as wonderful as George remembered. Hermione was simply a good kisser. He smiled into Hermione's mouth as their lips continued to dance together for another moment before breaking away and giving her a soft smile.
"Anche la luna non può brillare fuori voi." (Even the stars can't outshine you.) He whispered in her ear before offering her his arm. She took it with a shy smile and they walked back to the flat. He'd just kissed Hermione, and the world hadn't gone crazy.
There might be a little hope out there for him after all.
A/N: Kudos to the girl who caught the language thing. ;) I can speak French and Gaelic. My grandfather insisted each child learn a different language in case we ever needed to move to a different country. We have German, Spanish, French, Italian and Japanese covered in my family. Plus English, of course. ;) I also am quite adept with ASL (American sign language) I had a deaf friend for several years.
I've added a new poll. I think it should be fun. It's not Harry Potter exclusive ;)