Hullo Hermione, George chirped, I've come to help out with spew.
She sighed, running a hand through her voluminous hair. You have got to be kidding me.
What's there to kid about? I happen to be very passionate about the rights of House Elves.
Right, and is this the universe where Ron and Malfoy take ballet lessons together?
Actually, Ronniekins used to be quite fond of the ballet. George grinned.
She grimaced.
But really, Hermione, I'm super-serious about this thing. Dobby can give you my
credentials.
At this, Dobby perked up, puffing his chest out self-importantly. He spoke eagerly, Oh yes, Miss Hermaphrodite --
It's Hermione, Dobby. Her-my-oh-nee.
George looked as though he were going to explode with restrained laughter. He was doubled over, hands on his knees, his face a bright shade of magenta.
Honestly, George, I don't see what you find so funny.
This only further upset George's giggling fit.
Please, Miss Herman -- Please don't gets mad at Weezey. He cares for House Elves like Dobby, Miss. Really, he does.
she said, giving George a once-over, I suppose I could use some help with the letter campaign.
***
Though it was a Friday night, she set him to work immediately, too wrapped up in her cause to ask him about the mystery date who had vanished into thin air. They sat across from each other in the library, a location totally foreign to George, each absorbed by their tasks. George was using a magiked pen to copy letters to send to politicians in the ministry, requesting that they do all in their power to bring an end to this barbaric slavery. Hermione was poring over a large book of wizarding laws, searching for a law that she could twist into declaring house elf slavery as a violation of human rights.
She let out an exasperated sigh, sinking down in her chair. The action had caused Hermione's legs to stick out more than they normally would, and her knees brushed against George's. He moved his legs away quickly, muttering and trying to ignore the peculiar tickle he still felt on his freckled skin.
He wondered why she even bothered, why she did this to herself. It was a lost cause, everyone knew that. Hell, the creatures she was trying to free enjoyed their enslavement. And if the house elves were to demand wages or go on strike, who'd make the food? Damned if he'd let ol' Albus hire someone like Percy do the cooking. He shuddered, thinking of the weeks of crunchy macaroni and cheese he was forced to endure over the summer.
And yet -- and yet, there was something incredibly endearing about her quest to liberate a group of people (were they people?) that no one else cared for or saw. It was perhaps the same dogged determination of hers that scared people that he most admired about her. Yes, he mused, there is something incredibly sexy about an empowered woman.
Despite his many efforts, though, she still regarded him with nothing more than vague indifference, which frustrated him to no end. How could this woman resist his Weasley charm?
She yawned, looking at her watch.
Wow, it's later than I thought it was, she said, You can go, if you like, George.
Aren't you coming to bed, too?
No...I've still got loads of work to do.
I'll stay till you're finished, then. He offered up a cheeky grin, well aware that his very presence vexed her to no end.
She shut her book, leaving a quill in the center as a bookmark. Looks like I'm done.
She stood, pushed in her chair, and motioned for George to leave his things where they were.
We'll be back right after breakfast tomorrow. No sense in lugging them all the way back.
George nodded, trying not to look disappointed that she was going to spoil his Saturday morning.
The walk back to Gryffindor Tower seemed longer somehow, the corridor dimly lit, the only noise the clip-clop of their feet on stone. For someone with so much to say, Hermione seemed very quiet -- the night had a way of silencing things, George supposed.
***
Well, George had sank to the lowest level of romance advisor short of Sevie Snape that he could think of: his younger sister Ginny. The girl had written the most atrocious love poem imaginable; perhaps, thought George, he wasn't quite the most lovelorn member of the Weasley family.
I don't understand it, Gin, he said, popping pumpkin seeds in his mouth, I've been taking an active interest in the plight of the house elf, and what has she given me in return? Nothing.
I think you're missing the point here. She glanced up briefly from her Transfiguration book. I mean, as far as guys go, you're really sort of a pig. Hermione's a smart girl, George. She wouldn't want you.
What do you mean I'm a pig? I happen to be a very sensitive kind of bloke. Why, just yesterday I helped Lavender out with a major decision. I told her that she should really wear a push-up bra with that rack of--
Ginny interrupted disgustedly, handing him a book.
The Feminine Mystique? What is this, some sort of feminazi propaganda novel?
Ginny rolled her eyes. I prefer the term womanist. And, like Gloria Steinem said, a woman can be one of two things: a feminist or a masochist.
George's eyes glazed over, his mind swimming in images of gorgeous women in black leather bondage gear. He wondered if there'd be naughty pictures like that in Ginny's book.
Somehow, he managed to compose himself. Why should I be taking advice from you, anyway? You're the one who told Harry the Hotter that his eyes were as green as a fresh pickled toad.'
Please, George. I was eleven years old! I'm totally over that. I mean, the guy rides with a broomstick between his legs and killed a giant snake with an oversized sword, for Merlin's sake. He's obviously compensating for something.
It wasn't quite the statement itself but the nonchalance with which Ginny delivered it that disturbed George. He would never have expected his little sister to casually analyze phallic symbols. It was probably that ruddy feminazi --womanist-- brainwashing that Hermione had done. He didn't know who this Gloria Steinem woman was exactly, but she was probably the leader of this crazy cult. He resolved to get to the bottom of this thing.
***
Special thanks to everyone who reviewed! It really meant a lot to me! Also, thanks to Jana B, who previewed the chapter for me and let me know that it doesn't suck.
Yunami the Dragon - I looked it up to make sure I wasn't crazy, and vermillion still means red.
Dark Devil - i ThInK pIxi sTicKs aRe nIce tOo.
Lil Green Alien - Although George resembles most guys I've known, he is based on my older brother! He thinks that Britney Spears is part of the feminist movement...
deedles - This is kind of random, but we all call my little sister Deedle.
Everyone else who reviewed - I love and worship you all!!!
