Disclaimer: I do not own anything Harry Potter related. No characters, no ideas, not even the fire in the Gryffindor common room. I own nada.
The Talk *Dun dun dun...*
"We need to talk."
Oh, why didn't she like the sound of that? Hermione shrugged off her sudden fear and anxiety, cursing the adrenalin that had pumped through her system, and laughed nervously.
"Harry, don't say things so seriously. You'll get people worried. Now, what did Hagrid say?"
"Hagrid? I - oh, right. Hagrid. Look, Hermione, Hagrid never spoke with me. But I need to speak with you. About a certain red-headed twin."
And Hermione had thought there was enough adrenalin in her system. It seemed as though she was most assuredly wrong there! Her stomach clenched and she could feel the color drain from her face. But she once again laughed, averting her eyes quickly.
"Wh- Whatever do you mean Harry? Nothing's happening between me and George."
"I never said George."
"..."
"Or Fred. There's nothing between me and George or Fred. Either of them. Nothing."
"Hermione, I saw you two. Not to mention your sudden absence from the common room all the time."
"I - I'm studying! In my dorm!"
"And when you were in George's room?"
"I- I was..." Oh, she was losing this battle royally. Really, could she have done any worse? "Oh, alright, so...so we happen to be seeing each other. Is that a crime or something now?" She was keeping her voice low, thanking whatever God happened to be listening that Parvati and Lavender weren't in the common room tonight.
"And why didn't you tell us? Me and Ron were kept in the dark this whole time."
"What does it matter who I happen to be with? You know now, Ron will soon enough, solution found. Now, we can get to studying, yes?"
"No, we most certainly can't. Hermione...I don't think you quite understand the situation."
"Oh really, I don't understand? Well I'm not the one who's...suddenly barging in on someone else's love life, which is personal by the way." Harry was taken aback by Hermione's sudden switch towards anger
"I'm not barging! And... aren't I a close enough friend to know what's happening with you? Look, the problem doesn't lie with you, anyway. It's Ron."
"So I'm seeing his brother. Big deal. Not like other people haven't dated George before. Perhaps this will remind Ron that I am, in fact, a *girl*."
"Oh, he knows that well enough, trust me." Harry sighed and rubbed his temples. Why did he have to be the one to tell her? "Hermione, Ron... likes you."
"Yes, we've established this, being friends since first year."
"No, I mean likes you. As in, 'buy-her-gifts, God-I-hope-my-breath-doesn't-smell-bad, let's-see-if-I-can-get-up-the-courage-to-ask-her-to-go-to-Hogsmeade-with-me likes you." Hermione laughed. This had to be a joke.
"Ron can't like me. Not like that, at least. It's absurd. I doubt that he even believes I can find a guy, let alone want it to be him." Harry rolled his eyes.
"Well, you can't hear him in the dorm. 'Hey Harry, do you think Hermione would like one of these chocolate frogs I have left?' 'Hey Harry, do you mind if I try to partner with Hermione in Herbology?' Or, this morning's edition, 'Hey Harry, do you think Hermione likes long or short hair on guys?'"
"Oh, he does not say that! He can't...and why would I ever like long hair? Ugh, no, guys need short hair."
"What's wrong with long hair on guys?"
"Oh, Harry, it just looks so girly!"
"Not always..." Harry stopped and shook his head to clear away his slightly off-track thoughts, getting back on subject. "Look, I know you don't mean to, but you can't play with Ron like this. George and you might be having fun, but Ron is serious."
"And me and George can't be?!" Hermione's defensive attitude evaporated. That was most definitely uncalled for. Sure, she hadn't told them. But she and George weren't...just having fun. She really liked him! She liked being with him, and talking, and just sitting there with him beside her, her head resting on his shoulder, and just feeling relaxed and happy. And he felt the same back!
"*You* might be serious, 'Mione, but George doesn't seem the type to be serious to me. What's the longest relationship he's ever had? And, no offense, but did you ever think he might just be in this for the fun of the secret? I mean, I like Fred and George well enough, and they can be great guys, but I wouldn't trust them to stick around when something brighter and flashier walks along and distracts their short-attention spans, or to stick around after they're caught!"
"Brighter and flashier?! Harry, first off, watch what you say about things you don't understand! George wouldn't drop me like that. He appreciates me, just the way I am! And second, George's past relationships aren't important. We're together now, and that's the only thing that matters! And, for your information, we've been together since Christmas!"
"Christmas?" Harry blanched, realizing how long this had been going on, but then felt anger rise again. "Hermione, have you been keeping this secret that long? I thought you trusted us!"
"I do! Or at least, I thought I did. I didn't know you'd come and start insulting me and my boyfriend!"
"I didn't insult you! I'm concerned! For you AND Ron! Or did you forget him when George suddenly stepped into the picture?"
"I didn't FORGET him! OR you! Though now, I think I could probably find more understanding friends. Study by yourself!" She collected her books and stomped out of the common room, through the portrait and off into the castle, leaving Harry sitting there by himself and the center of attention in the Gryffindor common room. As soon as their voices had started to carry, most people had decided that it was time for entertainment. Now the whispers that were flitting back and forth were making Harry wish there was a hole he could crawl into. Preferably deep and dark. He hated whispers and rumors and...well, most things that Parvati and Lavender enjoyed.
Most.
"Hey, Harry...where's Hermione?" Harry looked up into the oblivious face of Ron. Why was it that Ron could always pull of that I-have-no-clue-what's-happening,-dontcha-just-love-me? look?
"She's gonna study in the library. Let's go up to the dorm to study, ok?" Harry picked up his things and headed up the stairs to their dorm room, Ron a few steps behind him, confused as ever.
*****
Hermione wasn't sure where she was going. She was just walking, trying to stop from tearing up. When that didn't work, she tried not to sniff and sob. Next, she was just trying not to cry fullout right there in the corridors.
It was about then that she heard a couple of familiar voices in front of her. She looked up and saw the tops of a couple of red-headed heads rise as they came to the top of the stairs. George stopped when he saw her, and Fred halted a few seconds after, looking between them warily.
She couldn't stop from crying now. She dropped her books and ran forward, burying her face into the front of his robes, hiccupping and sobbing.
"Hermione?! What happened?" George wrapped an arm around her as he handed the books in his hand to Fred, and took in their surroundings. There was an empty classroom on their left, and he swiftly guided Hermione inside.
"Fred, could you make sure no one pops in here for a visit? Thanks." And with that, he closed the door, leaving Fred with a huge pile of books and papers, and a visible scowl on his face.
Fred collected all the books together in a pile on the floor, not much caring who's were who's. Then he slumped against the wall, muttering about twins and their stupid girlfriends.
*****
"Hermione? Hermione, can you tell me what happened? Why are you so upset?" George hugged Hermione to him, swaying back and forth slightly as her sobbings became more controlled and quieter. Her sentences were still short and disconnected as she spoke though, her voice muffled by George's robes.
"Oh, George...it was awful...Harry found out about us..."
"...Well, he was bound to eventually, I suppose. He and Ron really aren't that stupid, in the end." 'Well, perhaps Ron is...' he added silently.
"I know....but we fought...we never fight, not really...normally we understand each other alright...perhaps a small argument...but never like that..."
"You two never fight?" George was starting to feel apprehensive now. But Hermione seemed to be ignoring him, enjoying the chance to use her voice.
"I mean, he said some awful things....and I suppose I did too....but Ron will side with him, because they always side with each other, they always do! ...and then it'll be just me in classes, trying to find a partner...and sitting by myself...oh, and we won't talk like we had! I have missed talking to them, recently...."
Hermione suddenly realized that George wasn't holding her as he had earlier. It was less warm now, more like support rather than the caring embrace she was used to. She stepped back and looked up, wondering what was wrong.
"What is it?...oh, wait, you can't think...." Hermione stepped back and away from George. "Me and Harry? No!!! He's sweet and all but...something about that just seems wrong... How could you believe that?"
"I'm sorry! I just..." George sighed. Time to give up. There was no explanation at hand, and fighting with Hermione right now did not look like a good idea. "Look, if Harry and you are such good friends, then I'm sure he's feeling upset too. You two will make up sooner or later. Until then though,... you have me."
Hermione started sniffling again, wiping her face on her sleeve. He was much too sweet to her...
He just came over and hugged her again, kissing the top of her head.
"By the way, the short hair? Very cute." Hermione smiled despite herself, leaning her head on his shoulder.
"George, what did I ever do without you?"
A/N: Major apologies on the wait. I kept looking this over and over...I still think it bites, but I don't think I can keep from updating much longer. Hermione turned out way more emotional then I ever intended...erm, she's stressing due to OWLs...yes....OWLs... .; Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
The Talk *Dun dun dun...*
"We need to talk."
Oh, why didn't she like the sound of that? Hermione shrugged off her sudden fear and anxiety, cursing the adrenalin that had pumped through her system, and laughed nervously.
"Harry, don't say things so seriously. You'll get people worried. Now, what did Hagrid say?"
"Hagrid? I - oh, right. Hagrid. Look, Hermione, Hagrid never spoke with me. But I need to speak with you. About a certain red-headed twin."
And Hermione had thought there was enough adrenalin in her system. It seemed as though she was most assuredly wrong there! Her stomach clenched and she could feel the color drain from her face. But she once again laughed, averting her eyes quickly.
"Wh- Whatever do you mean Harry? Nothing's happening between me and George."
"I never said George."
"..."
"Or Fred. There's nothing between me and George or Fred. Either of them. Nothing."
"Hermione, I saw you two. Not to mention your sudden absence from the common room all the time."
"I - I'm studying! In my dorm!"
"And when you were in George's room?"
"I- I was..." Oh, she was losing this battle royally. Really, could she have done any worse? "Oh, alright, so...so we happen to be seeing each other. Is that a crime or something now?" She was keeping her voice low, thanking whatever God happened to be listening that Parvati and Lavender weren't in the common room tonight.
"And why didn't you tell us? Me and Ron were kept in the dark this whole time."
"What does it matter who I happen to be with? You know now, Ron will soon enough, solution found. Now, we can get to studying, yes?"
"No, we most certainly can't. Hermione...I don't think you quite understand the situation."
"Oh really, I don't understand? Well I'm not the one who's...suddenly barging in on someone else's love life, which is personal by the way." Harry was taken aback by Hermione's sudden switch towards anger
"I'm not barging! And... aren't I a close enough friend to know what's happening with you? Look, the problem doesn't lie with you, anyway. It's Ron."
"So I'm seeing his brother. Big deal. Not like other people haven't dated George before. Perhaps this will remind Ron that I am, in fact, a *girl*."
"Oh, he knows that well enough, trust me." Harry sighed and rubbed his temples. Why did he have to be the one to tell her? "Hermione, Ron... likes you."
"Yes, we've established this, being friends since first year."
"No, I mean likes you. As in, 'buy-her-gifts, God-I-hope-my-breath-doesn't-smell-bad, let's-see-if-I-can-get-up-the-courage-to-ask-her-to-go-to-Hogsmeade-with-me likes you." Hermione laughed. This had to be a joke.
"Ron can't like me. Not like that, at least. It's absurd. I doubt that he even believes I can find a guy, let alone want it to be him." Harry rolled his eyes.
"Well, you can't hear him in the dorm. 'Hey Harry, do you think Hermione would like one of these chocolate frogs I have left?' 'Hey Harry, do you mind if I try to partner with Hermione in Herbology?' Or, this morning's edition, 'Hey Harry, do you think Hermione likes long or short hair on guys?'"
"Oh, he does not say that! He can't...and why would I ever like long hair? Ugh, no, guys need short hair."
"What's wrong with long hair on guys?"
"Oh, Harry, it just looks so girly!"
"Not always..." Harry stopped and shook his head to clear away his slightly off-track thoughts, getting back on subject. "Look, I know you don't mean to, but you can't play with Ron like this. George and you might be having fun, but Ron is serious."
"And me and George can't be?!" Hermione's defensive attitude evaporated. That was most definitely uncalled for. Sure, she hadn't told them. But she and George weren't...just having fun. She really liked him! She liked being with him, and talking, and just sitting there with him beside her, her head resting on his shoulder, and just feeling relaxed and happy. And he felt the same back!
"*You* might be serious, 'Mione, but George doesn't seem the type to be serious to me. What's the longest relationship he's ever had? And, no offense, but did you ever think he might just be in this for the fun of the secret? I mean, I like Fred and George well enough, and they can be great guys, but I wouldn't trust them to stick around when something brighter and flashier walks along and distracts their short-attention spans, or to stick around after they're caught!"
"Brighter and flashier?! Harry, first off, watch what you say about things you don't understand! George wouldn't drop me like that. He appreciates me, just the way I am! And second, George's past relationships aren't important. We're together now, and that's the only thing that matters! And, for your information, we've been together since Christmas!"
"Christmas?" Harry blanched, realizing how long this had been going on, but then felt anger rise again. "Hermione, have you been keeping this secret that long? I thought you trusted us!"
"I do! Or at least, I thought I did. I didn't know you'd come and start insulting me and my boyfriend!"
"I didn't insult you! I'm concerned! For you AND Ron! Or did you forget him when George suddenly stepped into the picture?"
"I didn't FORGET him! OR you! Though now, I think I could probably find more understanding friends. Study by yourself!" She collected her books and stomped out of the common room, through the portrait and off into the castle, leaving Harry sitting there by himself and the center of attention in the Gryffindor common room. As soon as their voices had started to carry, most people had decided that it was time for entertainment. Now the whispers that were flitting back and forth were making Harry wish there was a hole he could crawl into. Preferably deep and dark. He hated whispers and rumors and...well, most things that Parvati and Lavender enjoyed.
Most.
"Hey, Harry...where's Hermione?" Harry looked up into the oblivious face of Ron. Why was it that Ron could always pull of that I-have-no-clue-what's-happening,-dontcha-just-love-me? look?
"She's gonna study in the library. Let's go up to the dorm to study, ok?" Harry picked up his things and headed up the stairs to their dorm room, Ron a few steps behind him, confused as ever.
*****
Hermione wasn't sure where she was going. She was just walking, trying to stop from tearing up. When that didn't work, she tried not to sniff and sob. Next, she was just trying not to cry fullout right there in the corridors.
It was about then that she heard a couple of familiar voices in front of her. She looked up and saw the tops of a couple of red-headed heads rise as they came to the top of the stairs. George stopped when he saw her, and Fred halted a few seconds after, looking between them warily.
She couldn't stop from crying now. She dropped her books and ran forward, burying her face into the front of his robes, hiccupping and sobbing.
"Hermione?! What happened?" George wrapped an arm around her as he handed the books in his hand to Fred, and took in their surroundings. There was an empty classroom on their left, and he swiftly guided Hermione inside.
"Fred, could you make sure no one pops in here for a visit? Thanks." And with that, he closed the door, leaving Fred with a huge pile of books and papers, and a visible scowl on his face.
Fred collected all the books together in a pile on the floor, not much caring who's were who's. Then he slumped against the wall, muttering about twins and their stupid girlfriends.
*****
"Hermione? Hermione, can you tell me what happened? Why are you so upset?" George hugged Hermione to him, swaying back and forth slightly as her sobbings became more controlled and quieter. Her sentences were still short and disconnected as she spoke though, her voice muffled by George's robes.
"Oh, George...it was awful...Harry found out about us..."
"...Well, he was bound to eventually, I suppose. He and Ron really aren't that stupid, in the end." 'Well, perhaps Ron is...' he added silently.
"I know....but we fought...we never fight, not really...normally we understand each other alright...perhaps a small argument...but never like that..."
"You two never fight?" George was starting to feel apprehensive now. But Hermione seemed to be ignoring him, enjoying the chance to use her voice.
"I mean, he said some awful things....and I suppose I did too....but Ron will side with him, because they always side with each other, they always do! ...and then it'll be just me in classes, trying to find a partner...and sitting by myself...oh, and we won't talk like we had! I have missed talking to them, recently...."
Hermione suddenly realized that George wasn't holding her as he had earlier. It was less warm now, more like support rather than the caring embrace she was used to. She stepped back and looked up, wondering what was wrong.
"What is it?...oh, wait, you can't think...." Hermione stepped back and away from George. "Me and Harry? No!!! He's sweet and all but...something about that just seems wrong... How could you believe that?"
"I'm sorry! I just..." George sighed. Time to give up. There was no explanation at hand, and fighting with Hermione right now did not look like a good idea. "Look, if Harry and you are such good friends, then I'm sure he's feeling upset too. You two will make up sooner or later. Until then though,... you have me."
Hermione started sniffling again, wiping her face on her sleeve. He was much too sweet to her...
He just came over and hugged her again, kissing the top of her head.
"By the way, the short hair? Very cute." Hermione smiled despite herself, leaning her head on his shoulder.
"George, what did I ever do without you?"
A/N: Major apologies on the wait. I kept looking this over and over...I still think it bites, but I don't think I can keep from updating much longer. Hermione turned out way more emotional then I ever intended...erm, she's stressing due to OWLs...yes....OWLs... .; Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter.