Chapter 2

"George, where are we going?" Hermione asked as George lead her through the corridors of Hogwarts. George turned and winked at her, making her blush. Her hand felt so soft in his, George never realised how soft a girl's hand was, but he was enjoying the feeling nonetheless. He led her quietly through the deserted corridors and up several staircases till they reached the fourth floor.

"Why are we at the library?" Hermione asked as he discreetly tried the handle of the door.

"Shhhh," George replied as he produced his wand from his dress robes. "Alohomora" he whispered and the door clicked open. "Come on," he grinned pulling Hermione into the library and closing the door behind them.

"George seriously, why are we here? We cannot be here after hours it's not allowed," she persisted putting her hands on her hips.

He laughed slightly at the sight of her, "because you don't deserve to be sat at the bottom of a staircase on Christmas day crying your eyes out because of what my stupid brother did. And besides, the library is your favourite place."

She looked a little taken aback "How… how did you know?"

"Hermione, you spend most of your time here, it is rather obvious." He laughed.

She smiled and walked over to one of the bookshelves.

"What happened with Ron?" He asked watching her peruse the shelves.

"He got jealous of me and Krum. Said I was fraternising with the enemy. Just because he ignored Padma all evening and had to go with her instead of me. It's not my fault Viktor asked me to the ball, at least he didn't treat me as a last resort."

"Don't listen to Ron, he's a prat, I should know I'm his brother. He's not worth you crying over." George smirked still keeping his eyes on her.

She played with the hair that had fallen out of the knot. "I know I just. I thought that tonight was going to be different. Tonight was going to go the way I thought it would and I would go to bed smiling rather than crying on the staircase. This has been my worst Christmas." She sobbed burying her face in her hands.

George got up at her reaction and walked over to her. Unsure of what to do he placed his hand on her shoulder. "Come on Hermione it hasn't been that bad. You have a lovely dress, everyone couldn't take their eyes off you, you had the best seeker in the world on your arm and you looked gorgeous." He said warmly in an attempt to cheer her up.

She sniffed and looked up at him. "Really?"

"Really. Speaking of Krum what happened to him?"

"Oh he disappeared after we had drinks, I tried to find him and that's when I ran into Ron. He's probably off with someone else by now. I don't mind really." She said still looking sad.

"Hey," George said pulling her into a hug, "Don't cry, Hermione. Ron's just jealous like you said and not worth your tears. You looked heavenly tonight, hell you're the brightest witch of our age, and everyone says it. You could beat his ass at an exam every day."

Hermione began to laugh, "Well everything except flying."

He looked down at her lifting her chin with his hand.

"Ah, couple of lessons with me and Fred and we'll have you playing quidditch in no time." He grinned.

"Thank you, George." She laughed.

"Come on, I'll walk you back to the common room." He said taking her hand again and leading her out of the library.

"What happened to your date?" Hermione asked as they walked up the staircases towards Gryffindor common room.

"Umm I think she went off with a Durmstrang, no big loss to be honest I think she was more interested in Fred and settled for me."

"Why would you think that she asked curiously.

He sighed. "Fred's always been the ladies' man, but they settle for me because we're identical and they think our personalities are too."

She stopped "You're not identical! Fred acts before he thinks which is why he is more of the leader of you two, but you are more diplomatic and empathetic as just demonstrated. Also, Fred is a lot goofier than you, although you are equally funny. Also when people are upset you try to cheer them up whereas Fred makes a big joke about it. And you're right, Fred is always around a few girls. Also, you have a little bump on the top of your nose." She replied smiling a little at the bump comment.

"You seemed to have studied us very well Granger." He laughed. They continue walking for a few moments in silence "Am I really all those things?"

"Of course you are! Making me feel better tonight proved it. George, you are a kind, funny and wonderful wizard. You're more than just Fred and George."

Before too long, they had reached the common room and climbed through the portrait hole and stood in the middle of the empty common room. "Thank you for cheering up my evening George." She said leaning up and giving him a light peck on the cheek.

He blushed, "Anytime Hermione," And she disappeared off to bed.

George snuck up to the fifth year dormitory to bed. Most of the boys in his room were already tucked up in bed asleep. Despite how tired his body felt his mind was awake mulling over the events of the night. He thought about how angelic Hermione had looked as she glided down the stairs in her ruffled blue dress highlighting her pale porcelain skin. He had watched her dance with Krum and there was a small part of George that actually wished that it was him who was holding her in his arms and twirling her gracefully around the dance floor. This feeling was unfamiliar to him, especially when it came to Hermione who he'd always known as just one of Ron's friends. Sure he was friends with her, but this evening he like many others had seen Hermione in a completely different light.

Hermione pulled the drapes around her four-poster bed and snuggled under the covers. Some of her fellow fourth years were still gossiping about the night's events in the girls' dormitory. George had been right, despite her little argument with Ron she had a good evening. She danced the night away with Krum, she had been the belle of the ball and not even Malfoy had been able to make a bad comment about her. George had made her feel better, told her things that no one had ever said to her. She thought about all the times she had spent with the Weasley's and realized that she was right George had always been kind to her and stuck up for her whenever Ron or anyone else had hurt her. Especially when Malfoy called her a 'mudblood', George was shocked. According to Fred and Ron, he had a rant saying how he was going to curse Malfoy for saying that. But Hermione had always thought they were joking until now. George was different from his twin, he was different from everyone, and as Hermione fell gently to sleep she longed to get to know George better.