Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the story plot, JKR owns all of this, and yes I am extremely jealous.
Summary: Hermione is given the advice to write a memoir. She reflects on her past telling us the story of what her life was like after the downfall of Voldemort. No longer a little girl, the woman of 24 tells us her story. How she hid from the world but at the same time found herself falling in love. Even if she denied it from the start. ~ A glimpse into the life of 24 year old Hermione Granger as she tackles the obstacles of friends, family, work, luck, mistakes, challenges, lessons and love. Prepare yourself, you have no idea what you have just gotten yourself into.
Note: Thank you in advance for taking the time out to read this. It's a work in progress, which basically means I have no idea how often I can post. But hopefully with your support I'll find the strength to get at least one chapter up per week. I hope you enjoy this story and please when you're done review. The beginning of the story is told in first person and then it changes when we get to the actual story. Sorry if its confusing but I think you will catch on.
Chapter 6 ~ Absolutely Nothing …Nothing At All
My heart had stopped for a moment as I took in the scene. I blinked hard hoping that when I opened my eyes again he would be gone. Perhaps this was all a manifestation of my dreams. Or perhaps not, because when I looked again he was still there…sleeping. Could I have really been so drunk as to not realize I brought George home with me? No it wasn't possible; I never did anything like that. I was proper…not some trashy girl who went tromping about. But then why was he here next to me? I lifted up the blankets a bit and sighed relief when I saw he had his clothes on. Perhaps he just fell asleep her…too drunk to wander home. I was scared…completely terrified. How on earth had everything come down to this? I remember peering over George to look at the clock on my dresser, it was 7:30, and I had work that day at 9:00. It was going to be a difficult day; I knew that right away.
" Um-er-a George? " Hermione whispered. He tossed a bit and them slowly opened his eyes." Hello George?" she tried to form a smile on her face to ease the shock.
" Hermione? What are you doing here? " He sat up a bit and rubbed his eyes.
" I live here…this is my house. "
George looked around the room, his lips curled into a giant letter 'Oh'. His facial expression was confused but finally he smiled. Throwing his legs over the side of the bed he stood and stretched.
" Well it was a fun night don't you agree? " he yawned
" What do you mean- ' it was a fun night '? I can't remember anything…I told you I don't mix well with alcohol. "
" You don't remember anything? Not even when we left the café? " Hermione shook her head, " You invited me back here, you said Ginny was out with Malfoy for the night. " she still shook her head. " Oi, Hermione…" he slapped his hand to his forehead. " You do remember that we slept together right? "
" You mean you fell asleep in my bed…" her voice was shaky.
" No silly, I mean we slept together. " he stretched his eyebrows up hoping she would understand. " You see what Im getting at? " he moved closer to her but Hermione took a step away.
" That's not possible, I would never do such a thing. It was a mistake. " By now her heart had begun to pound so harshly that she thought it might jump right out of her chest.
" Don't call it a mistake, I thought it was wonderful, I haven't felt so amazing in such a long time. "
" George we were both drunk, Im sure I was compensating for my lack of a love life, and your excuse must be the alcohol. Its ok really, I don't blame you at all, but honestly Ginny will be up soon and I don't think it would be safe if she found you in here. "
" Hermione are you listening to yourself? Your acting like this was such a terrible thing…so we slept together, so what. People do it all the time, Ron does it, Harry does it, Im sure Ginny does it, the only ones who lack in the love department are you and me. I can't find anyone worth my time and you just have issues with commitment. " After seeing the expression on her face he regretted everything he just said. " Im sorry Hermione…it's just that I think last night was- "
" Don't try and make up for what you just said. That hurt George, it was really low. I have no problem with commitment; it's just that everywhere I look I always end up finding someone like you! " She stormed towards her bathroom. " When I get out of the shower I trust that you will be gone. " Slamming the door behind her she let the tears fall.
She couldn't believe what she had done. She had slept with her best friend's brother, and she couldn't remember a thing. It was disgusting, how could she let herself go like that? It made her sick, literally. She felt the queasy feeling churn in her stomach and before she knew it the hangover kicked in and she regurgitated everything that resided in her stomach. Turning to the shower she ran the warm water, she needed to relax, calm down, everything around her spun in circles. The water spilled slowly over her body, pounding down on her like thousands of tiny massagers. It was exactly what she needed.
When she finished she pulled her hair back in a bun and applied her makeup. Large dark circles sat under her eyes and she stuck out her tongue. Everyone would know she was out late, now all she had to do was make up the perfect lie. She stepped into her dress robes and smoothed a few wrinkles, although she felt terrible she didn't look to bad. Placing her hand on the doorknob she held her breath, hopefully George was gone, she didn't feel like seeing him. Sticking her head partially out the door she looked around the room. He was gone, the bed was made and there was no sign that he had even been there.
" Perfect " she muttered out loud, " No evidence. "
***********
Strolling into work, Hermione felt her eyes droop with tiredness. She had managed to get some work done before she went out with George but she still would be tied down today. Taking quick strides towards her office she avoided Arthur Weasley who was heading straight towards her. Slipping down a side hallway she picked up her pace, unfortunately she ran right into Ron.
" Morning Mione! " he smiled and gave her a hug. She stood there with her arms limp at her sides.
" Hello Ron, nice seeing you this morning. " She tried to act cool and remain calm but there was an obvious tremor in her voice.
" You all right Hermione? You seem a bit distracted. "
" Im fine, everything is fine…nothing to worry about, nothing at all." She smiled and tried to push past him.
" Wait, how was your night with George, he didn't give you much trouble did he? " Ron questioned and leaned against the wall.
" No everything was fine, nothing to worry about…nothing at all. " she fidgeted with her hands and her hands in the pockets of her robe.
" Are you sure your ok, your acting all funny, " his face was puzzled and then transformed into a huge smile, " I know he tried to kiss you didn't he…he hasn't had a girlfriend in so long, I bet he tried to make a move on you! Am I right? "
" Ron how dare you come up with absurd assumptions! George and I? That's ridiculous! " She pushed past him quickly before her face gave away the fact that she was lying.
Hermione felt the sweat dripping down her face, and her hands were moist and cold. What would have happened if Ron had found out? She couldn't think about what he would say. But she was safe now; she didn't have to worry about talking to anyone for the rest of the day.
" Hello Hermione. " Chimed Percy from across the room.
' Oh great ' she thought, ' Here we go again. '
After literally running away from Percy Hermione headed straight for her office and slammed the door behind her. Emily gave her a worried look and put down her quill.
" Gee Herm, you ok. " she rolled out from behind her desk and leaned back in her chair. " Seem a little bit stressed. "
" Emily if I tell you something do you swear on Merlin that you wont open your mouth. " Hermione walked over to her chair and plopped down in her seat.
" Yeah Herm…what's up? " Emily loved gossip, but when it came down to it she would keep a secret until the day she died.
" If I don't tell someone Im going to burst…" she took a deep breath, " I went out last night, and well I had a little too much to drink and…" her voice dropped down to a whisper, " I slept with Ron's brother. "
" PERCY! " Emily shrieked and Hermione tackled her to the ground. Clamping her hand over Emily's mouth she shook her head.
" No you twit, George, one of the twins. " she let Emily off of the ground and went back to her chair.
" Oh my word…he is rather good looking, Ive seen the pictures. So are you dating now? " A smile formed on Emily's face and she clapped her hands together. " It's about time you started dating! I was beginning to think you were lesbian. "
" No we are not dating Emily, and Im definitely not a lesbian. I can't believe I would even do that, I mean…honestly…me? "
" Well it is a bit shocking " Emily agreed, " Especially when its you…but come on, you must have enjoyed the attention..."
" I don't remember anything…" Hermione felt her face turn a bit red, " I was too drunk, and when I found George in bed this morning I went mad, I started yelling and screaming…I feel awful. "
" So why not apologize? Ask him out for dinner and talk things over. " Emily got up from the floor and sat back in her chair.
" No way! I wouldn't know what to say; I feel like an idiot to begin with…" Hermione looked nervously away.
" Oh I see…" Emily rubbed her hands together and smiled again. This time her smile was devious.
" You see what? "
" You fancy him…your embarrassed because you fancy him and wouldn't know where to start. " Emily gave herself a pat on the back. " Your amazing Emily…did you know that…so smart! " she said to herself.
Hermione rolled her eyes, " I do not fancy him." Emily gave her a stern look and Hermione sighed, " Okay maybe Im attracted to him…but only a tiny bit…ok he is rather good to look at…All right maybe I do fancy him…what's your point? " she threw her arms up in the air. " After I yelled at him today Im sure hes trying to forget we were ever together. "
" You will never know unless you try Hermione. " Emily turned back to her work.
Hermione rolled her eyes again; she hated when Emily was right. Opening her desk drawer she pulled out some parchment and a quill. Maybe speaking to George would help.
George,
Meet me at the Leaky Cauldron tonight at 9:00, it's important! We must talk.
Hermione
She folded the parchment and walked over to the window, " Emily Im using Serenity to send this letter. " Emily nodded and continued reading. " Here Serenity, " she said to Emily's owl, " Take this to George Weasley as fast as you can, hes at the new joke shop by Knockturn Alley. " Serenity hooted merrily and flew out the window. Hermione went back to her chair and grabbed the first file in the pile of cases she needed to look at. She turned and looked back out the window, hopefully George would agree to meet her.
" Good night Hermione, see you tomorrow" Emily smiled and headed towards the door. Hermione grunted something and remained in her seat facing the window. " Don't worry Hermione, Serenity hasn't come back yet, he had to have received it, maybe he's writing back to you? " she suggested.
" For seven hours? " Hermione mumbled
" Just relax Herm, everything will be fine. " Emily opened the door and let it close softly behind her.
" I guess I should get going too " she sighed and rose from the chair. A hoot came from the window and Hermione spun around. Serenity sat on the window ledge with parchment attached to her leg. " Oh Serenity I thought you would never come back." She ran over and untied the parchment, " Lets see what George had to say. "
Hermione,
After the way you yelled at me this morning I would rather not see you, but since I am sincere about what I said...I will meet you at the Leaky Cauldron at 9:00.
George
Hermione felt her heart sink, he was mad at her, and he had a right to be. She was rather mean to him and if he had yelled at her she would probably be mad as well. Grabbing her bag from her desk she opened the door to her office. Ginny was standing on the other side.
" Hello Hermione, I thought I might drop by and we could walk home together. "
" Sure Ginny. " Hermione locked the door with her key and they headed to the front of the building.
" So I heard you come in late last night…were you out on a date? " she swooned the last words and giggled.
" No Ginny…I was out with George…we were discussing the new shop. " Hermione answered.
" George? As in my brother George? Eww you're dating George? " She made a face
" No we went out to discuss work related material. " Hermione shot back
" So there is nothing going on between you and my brother? " she asked
Hermione hesitated for a moment," Absolutely nothing…nothing at all…"
Special Thanks:
Arafel: Thanks for the review.
Gwen Potter: I always forget about the search option too! But anyway I hope this chapter gave you enough insight as to what happened between the two. I promise next chapter will have the exact details….and it's a surprise on how they find them out.
Beryl11196: Im glad your still here! Thanks for the review!
JoeBob1379: Thank you so much for reviewing each chapter! Your reviews mean a lot to me! They make me feel all happy :) Maybe it was McGonagall..maybe it wasn't….maybe you will find out soon. Who knows :) Im glad you got to read chapter 5!
AngelGurl: I know how it is as well, sometimes I feel the same way as Hermione. Thanks for reviewing
slinky: I know cliffhangers are evil….but sometimes they make the readers keep reading :) Thank you!
Shady: I know…I love Draco…and that's why the next chapter is very important! I can't give it away but Draco will be in the next chapter! Im excited :)
Thank you all for reading my fic. I have been posting more often than I thought I would be…YEAH!! Well please review when you're done here…all flames will be used to vanquish my evil Professors at school!
