Chapter Fourteen: Plans for the Future

Hermione watched as George stirred a potion that was bubbling away in a large cauldron. She had agreed to help him in the backroom of the joke shop today. He'd already promised that she wouldn't be testing any of the products. Especially after what had happened the last time.

Embarrassing herself in front of George was apparently becoming a regular occurrence. But George was always kind. Even when he made fun of her. It was the kind of good natured teasing that never made her feel ashamed of herself.

She watched him now as he leaned over the cauldron. George's brows lowered over his dark eyes in concentration. Hermione had never really noticed how adorable he was when he was working like this.

It was almost unfair just how handsome he was. And he was all hers. Her heart was doing flips in her chest at just the thought.

"Why are you staring at me?"

Hermione blushed slightly at getting caught ogling him red-handed. "Sorry. I was just admiring the view."

George took on a playfully offended expression. "Hey! Don't make me write you up for inappropriate behavior in the workplace."

"You're right. I am so sorry," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Good. Now that that's over with, there's something that I wanted to get your opinion on."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Since the shop has been doing so well lately, Fred and I have been thinking about expanding the business. Maybe open another shop somewhere. We've been discussing buying Zonko's in Hogsmeade. What do you think, Hermione?"

"That sounds amazing! I'm so proud of you and your brother. Honestly, what you two have accomplished in this shop is just incredible."

"Well, I wouldn't been able to do it without you by my side. Thank you," George said, his hand cupping her cheek gently.

Hermione placed her hand on top of his. "I'm actually a bit jealous of you. You seem to have it all figured out. And I am still so lost. The things I saw myself doing as a student just no longer interest me," she said.

George released her to pace the floor. His lips pursed thoughtfully for a moment. "Have you considered opening your own shop?"

"But I don't know anything about running a business."

George turned to face her, a smirk coming to rest on his lips. "Well, its a good thing that you're dating a devilishly handsome genius that could teach you anything you need to know."

Hermione's nose wrinkled. "I don't know. Do you think I'd be any good at it?"

George snorted. "Of course I do. I wouldn't have suggested it otherwise. You're ambitious, responsible, and good with people. You're amazing."

"Hmm … Maybe a bookstore?" she said, smiling wistfully.

Hermione would have been lying to herself if she'd said she'd never daydreamed about having her own bookstore before. It was never something that she'd put serious thought into though. But now it seemed more tempting than ever.

"I wouldn't expect anything else from Miss Hermione Granger."

She beamed at him as the thought began to take hold in her mind. "I'll think about it."

The next Sunday dinner at the Burrow was filled with wedding chatter like nearly everyday since the letters had come. Percy and Audrey's wedding was later this month. Time was running out and with so much still left to prepare for and plan, the entire family was anxious.

As the conversation droned on, Hermione leaned over to whisper in George's ear, "I need a break from all of this wedding stuff. Do you wanna go outside for a bit?"

He nodded enthusiastically, taking her by the hand to lead her outside to the garden. They sat next to each other on a stone bench. Hermione shivered when the cool stone touched her exposed skin. Almost instantly, George wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. She tried to hide her smile at this small act of chivalry.

George let out a large put upon sigh. "I don't know about you, but I don't know how much more talk about which tablecloths go with which flowers I can take."

She nodded. "I don't know how your mother does it. Planning five weddings in just a few months."

He merely chuckled in response. They fell into a comfortable silence. Hermione watched as a patch of sunflowers drifted back and forth in the cool breeze. It was nearly fall now. The summer days had blissfully slipped by them. She wouldn't have wished to spend them with anyone else though.

"So, have you thought anymore about my suggestion?"

Hermione raised a brow. "Which one?"

"The bookstore? I did some more research into it. There are plenty of bookstores in Diagon Alley, but none in Hogsmeade. I think that's where we should focus our efforts."

"We?"

"Yeah, just think about it. We could get a little house in Hogsmeade after our wedding. I could manage the second joke shop and you'd have your bookstore. We'd wake up in the same bed, go to work, and then come home to each other."

She turned to face him, noting that for the first time ever that he seemed nervous. Hermione, grasping his face gently between her hands, pulled their lips together for a soft kiss. She pulled away after a long moment, blinking away joyful tears.

"That sounds wonderful! Let's do it."

George's nervous expression broke and a relieved smiled washed over his face. Taking her into his arms again, he pulled her back for another long kiss.