Chapter 15
George is thankful for Bill being home and a really generous older brother. The eldest Weasley understands having to hide his correspondencewith a girl. Every timehe would floo or write to one, Molly would either eavesdrop or think he was going to bring her home as his wife.
"Don't worry, Charlie and I will distract Mum, so you can go tomorrow." Bill noogies his little brother.
"Thank you. She will only approve of certain people with us and unless my girl starts with Ron, Mum will put up a stink." Both older brothers wince. They've been there. Charlie's still there. He hasn't brought his other half home, because Molly would not approve. His father knows and all of the siblings other than Ron, mostly because he doesn't pay attention.
George hardly sleeps that night. He has been praying for this day for years now. He doesn't care about his mother's disdain, he loves Hermione and has his father's approval.
He finally gives up after the clock chimes seven. George dresses well, but not enough to tip off his mother. He covers himself with an impervious spell and goes out to shovel the yard out from the night's snowfall. Fred, Charlie and Bill join him after a bit. The four boys clear the drive and yard and go in for breakfast. George looks up at the clock, it's only nine. He hangs around with his brothers and ignores his mother.
At eleven forty-five, George walks through the floo to the Leaky Cauldron. Ten minutes later, the door opens and he sees the loveliest sight in his memory walk through. Hermione has a charcoal plaid wool pea coat, red muffler and a fur trimmed hat. Her long curly caramel hair is down and peppered with snowflakes. Below the coat, are tight jeans and fashionable, but comfortable dress boots. She had applied some makeup that brings out her golden brown eyes.
When he walks toward her in his short wool coat and hat, hands in his pockets, Hermione's eyes light up. They smile at each other.
George looks like he stepped out of one of her dreams. How could anyone else pull off that ridiculousski hat, she doesn't know. He reaches for her and swings her around, before pulling her into a tight hug. "Is it crazy to say that I have missed you and this?" He asks softly, pulling back to look at her again. She is wearing the earrings and necklace.
"No, I've felt the same. Thank you for my present. Let's go get something to eat. How long have you got before Molly sends out the hounds?" She asks, rolling her eyes. George groans at the reminder.
"I could fudge one night at Lee's, but beyond that, she would want all her "lambs" home. Bill and Charlie said that they would cover for me this afternoon and evening, but she would notice my absence at supper. So about six. You are welcome, they look great on you." He grins at the idea that his name is over her heart and nuzzles her nose.
"Alright, so we have time for lunch and to make a purchase in the Alley. Remus, Sirius and Harry went in together and got me gift certificates to the Alley. The same, plus some casual and formal robes for my parents. I plan to get an owl. It should make things easier."
George smiles and opens the door to the Muggle world. Once outside, he takes her hand. "Is this alright?" He asks, nervously. He hopes so.
"Yeah." She smiles widely at him. "More than." She admits shyly.
"Good. 'Mione, you do know that I was talking about you when was talking about the girl I want to be with right?" George asks. He suddenly has mutant bats in his stomach as she is just smiling and not speaking.
"I had a hope. It would have been cruel to ask me to the next dance, if not." They walk into a small diner. He allows her to sit in the booth first and sits next to her. This allows Hermione to snuggle under his arm and share the menu.
Once they order, George decides that this is the right moment. "'Mione, will you consent to seeing me? If you want me to court you according to the old ways, I will. I just thought you would appreciatethe choice." He stammers as he looks down into her tear-filled eyes. He can feel his own coming.
"I was beginning to think you wouldn't ask me. Yes George, I'll date you and the courtship? I would say has been going on since the summer before my second year. You got my father's blessing that day. All that was missing was the roses but that is fine. I like lilies better." She giggles at his dawning expression.
"You're right, aside from the flowers, we have been courting. I am so sorry about not going with you to the Ball. Even more so now. I've been yours since the night you were sorted. What do you think about what we tell everyone?" He looks like he could scream it from the rooftops.
"Let's keep it quiet until this summer. At least we are in the same house. I just don't need the beetle after me anymore than she already is." Hermione grumbles, not happy about having to wait.
George hushes her and smiles. "Don't worry, Love. I understand. We have plenty of chances to be around each other." He presses a kiss to her temple.
They eat and walk into Diagon Alley to purchase their first joint pet. The owl that best responds to their combined magic is a monstrousgolden eagle owl. They confer on his name, settling on Zetes, the son of Boreas, the northern wind. They buy him a cage, stand and treats.
George looks at the time over the desk of the book store. "Baby, we need to part ways for the day. You need to be getting home, so Zetes can get accustomed to the house. I should be going too." He whispers in her ear, wrapping her in his arms from behind.
"M mm." Hermione snuggles back. They walk past a couple of empty buildings. "It's too bad nothing ever has gone in there." Hermione says.
Isabelle recognizes her parents' stores and smiles.
Before they get to the Leaky, George pulls Hermione into an alley off the Alley. "I don't want our first kiss to be in front of a room of gits waiting to use the floo." He tells her as he pulls into his arms.
Hermione is pleasantly surprised that he started by pressing tiny kisses around her face and down her neck, getting her ready for the real thing. When he leans in and connects their lips, she gasps at the warmth and spark. George slants his mouth over hers and deepens the kiss.
It is simply the best, most amazing feeling that George has ever experienced. When Hermione's arms stretch up and anchor to him, he groans and wraps his hand around her neck to hold her head and the other holds her back. His tongue nudges her lips and sinks into her mouth when she sighs and meets his in a duel.
George breaks away and kisses down her neck, letting her breatheand to try and gain a hold on his attraction to her before he goes too far. Zetes hoots, bringing them both back to reality, with wild blushes.
"See you soon, Baby." George whispers to her and pecks her lips before going into the pub.