Chapter 17

George turns to Hermione and bites his lip. "Oh Harry, I am sure everything will out." Hermione peaks her brows at both men. George breathes easier. He knows that Krum knows about her love for another.

Hermione sits back between the window and George, her nose buried in a large book. He can feel her pulling back because Alicia still hasn't caught the clue. The lilies and card that will be arriving at supper will show her that he is serious about them.

He had gone back upstairs this morning and written the card. Bill and Charlie agreed to go into town and pick out the three dozen red lilies with one white and one sky blue at the center.

That night, George makes sure that he is sitting next to Hermione. The perk to being the former Head Boy's little brother is that they have perfect timing. Just after the feast began, the loud cry of a bald eagle is heard. The large eagle swoops in and deposits the flowers gently in Hermione's lap and lifts off, so she can remove the card. She gives the magesticbird a small fish for a treat and he leaves through the owl hatch.

Hermione's eyes flood at the thought that George put into this. She opens the card, amongst a room full of staring eyes.

Hermione,

At breakfast, my mother told me what she did to you. I want to assure you that No One will ever be able to tear me away from you, Love. You said you would rather have lilies over roses, so you now have your lilies. One dozen for every year of our courtship so far. I know we will have to deal with opposition from Mum, Ron and Albus, but we have what it takes, Baby.

Our's will be an unconventional courtship, but never forget that you and only you hold my heart in your delicate hands. Never forget that my goal is to call you my wife in the future. It will be a bit longer, but that is what I envision for us.

You know the tradition. If you accept the suitor, take the special flowers out and place them in your hair, so everyone knows that you are taken.

I love you, Hermione Jean Granger.

The quiet one *wink*

Hermione, tears falling down her face, pulls out the two odd colored flowers from the bouquet and pulls her hair up with them.

"Thank you, Love." She whispers as she reaches for some meat. "You're welcome, Baby." George whispers back reaching across to get a scoop of squash.

On Hermione's other side,Harry is beaming at the flowers. Not only are they lilies, but he is happy that his sister is happy.

Ron sitting away from the group, is still upset. George had stepped on his toes with Hermione, but he is sure that she will come around. The only thing he could do to destroy this, he can't. His father made it clear even to him that if he announced Hermione and George's relationship to even Dumbledore, he would be disowned.

Arthur had gone back to the Burrow to tell Molly that no matter what she did, he and Dan Granger had discussed it and will allow the children to do their own thing, but will not allow outside factors to interfere. Molly hits the roof. She thought she had gotten rid of the muggle-born bitch.

"Face it, Molly. She never did anything wrong. She was never with Ron. She and Harry are just friends, more like siblings. Our George has loved her for years and Dan says that she has been the same. He told me that George has never pressed his advantage. He kept it platonic until this year.

George and Hermione are now betrothed.

Dan and I agreed to put payments into an account for them, that way there is no bride price and no dowry involved. I revoked your banishment. Hermione and her family will be welcome at the Burrow. That is the reason that I was later coming back, we signed the contract at Gringotts. It was witnessed by Remus and Sirius."

"But Arthur, why does it have to be her? He has a perfectly good girl that is fawning all over him, but he wants the little know it all." Molly whines.

"He doesn't want the Spinnet girl. Hermione and he make sense. The twins are a lot more intelligent than they put off. Alicia is vain and superficial. Hermione is down to earth and is growing into a beautiful woman.

I know why you are being so hard nosed about her. You have never liked anyone that the boys bring home unless you set them up. You can't pick their partners for them. Bill and Charlie try to be here for the younger ones, but you drive them away with your nagging.

You are not the one that calls the shots. They all are getting older.

Ginny likes Neville. He is a good boy for her. He is safe, loving and kind. Will it last, who knows.

Fred and Angelina are still together despite your disapproval of her and them being on different sides in the George issue.

Charlie has a someone over in Romania. I met with them and the parents, but he knows how you would act and is protecting his love from you. He hasn't been single since a year into his job.

Bill has years ahead of him. He doesn't need to settle down anytime soon.

I would not be surprised if Harry gets together with Miss Bones. They have a lot in common."

Molly huffs at that. "He would be better off with Ginny. Hermione is perfect for Ron. She could help him get through school."

Arthur shakes his head drops the letter from the Grangers in her lap and heads to work, maybe until the summer break.

Molly opens the letter.

Mrs. Molly Weasley,

My wife and I have receivedyour letter. I am sorry that you are disappointed by our daughter's behavior. We are sorry that you are so domineering that you even think that you have a say in your near adult child's relationship.

We taught our daughter to keep her mind and heart open to any possible chance at love. We also taught her that it is only her and her partner that matters in their relationship. While we would help her through the bumps in the road, it is up to her to apply herself to any commitment that she makes.

I met George the morning that we all met in Diagon Alley. Arthur and I discussed George and his thoughts about Hermione. George himself, impressed us. He is very dedicated and genuine. The fact that he held out three years without trying anything is commendable to his raising by you and Arthur.

Hermione has made the commitment to help Harry. Hermione provides Harry a lifeline to our world, to ground him. She has saved Harry's butt many times. He has said many times that she has never asked for anything.

Mr. Krum asked Hermione many times to the dance, because she doesn't act like a fool around him. He liked being treated like a human instead of a celebrity.

I plan to tell both Arthur and George that he is welcome to come to us for any reason. My daughter has been very upset by your abrupt disapproval and I will not let anyone cause her to be that way again. She may be the only one that has the "special" abilities, but I am more trouble than my daughter. Don't push Hermione, because until she is an adult, it will be me pushing back. I am not scared of the Headmaster or that dumb assthat is after Harry. I did an experiment this year and was proven correct. Your little sticks are nothing against my tools.

Your future in-laws,

Daniel and Emma Granger.

George, Hermione and Isabelle pull out of the memory. The girl has tears in her eyes. That was the type of romance that she wanted. Maybe Scorpius is the right one, maybe not, but she is not going to settle for what she had with Corner again.

Her parents put the pensieve up and wish her a goodnight. She settles down to dream of the tall blonde Malfoy heir.