Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.
Part Seven- Mr. and Mrs. George Weasley
The next morning passed in a hurried blur for Hermione. Her mother arrived very early and immediately began working on her daughter's hair and make-up, though Hermione insisted she didn't want a big fuss. Ginny showed up shortly after breakfast, beaming and glowing like a newlywed. She teased Hermione that soon she'd be glowing too.
At noon, the rest of the Weasley wives, except for Molly, arrived. Fleur and Cassie managed to distract Hermione's mother long enough for Hermione to wash her face and let Ginny redo her hair. Katie and Luna made sure Hermione's gown was fitted perfectly. Tonks and Angelina kept popping back and forth, making sure George was under control. Angelina insisted he was quite nervous.
Finally it was time to go to the Burrow for the ceremony. Hermione's father walked her down the aisle and shook hands with George. Hermione smiled nervously at George.
"You look beautiful," he whispered, squeezing her hand, before they turned towards the minister.
The rest of the ceremony seemed foggy to Hermione. All she knew was both Molly and her mother cried through the entire thing. When George slid the band onto her finger, Hermione looked up into his eyes and noticed that they were slightly misted over. She smiled weakly at him, her heart clinching.
Finally the minister pronounced them husband and wife, and Hermione's breath hitched as George kissed her. It wasn't the short, familial peck they'd "practiced." Instead, he kissed her passionately and deeply. There was nothing Hermione could do but close her eyes and enjoy it. It was in that kiss, their first as husband and wife, that Hermione knew that Bill had been right, that George loved her.
When he finally broke the kiss, George whispered, "Sorry about that. I guess I got caught up in the moment."
Hermione merely blushed and nodded. George took her hand and led her back up the aisle to the back paddock, where Molly had the reception tables set up.
After toasts had been given, Hermione's parents still believing that she and George were madly in love, and everyone was enjoying their cake, George pulled Hermione aside to apologize again.
"I'm really sorry about the kiss," he said earnestly, "especially the open mouth and all that." He smiled sheepishly. "I hope I didn't embarrass you."
"It's okay, George. You didn't, actually. I enjoyed it," she replied with a genuine smile. "It was a nice ceremony, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, what I remember was anyway," he replied. "I was in a daze really." He reached over and took her left hand in his. "You really do look beautiful," he said softly. "I didn't think you were going to do the fancy dress thing."
"Your sister can be very persuasive," she said simply. "It's your mother's veil. She gave it to me to wear." She paused nervously. "Maybe our daughter can wear it one day."
He was slightly taken aback by her words, but he smiled at her just the same. "Hopefully," he said. He cleared his throat and said, "So you'll be glad to know that I thwarted Fred's plans."
Hermione laughed and asked, "What was he planning on doing?"
"Oh, nothing, just charming your dress to change colors as you walked down the aisle," he said nonchalantly.
"How'd you stop him?" she asked incredulously.
"Two simple, yet effective, words," he said with a grin, "Counter charm." They laughed, and George got thoughtful. "You know, we could have a dance, like Ginny and Remus." He waved his wand and soft music began to play. He bowed formally and extended his hand. "Madame?"
She took his hand, and he expertly twirled her into his arms. Hermione never would have thought George to be very graceful or suave, but he surprised her. They danced for several moments in their own little world before Mrs. Granger's laughter floated over and brought them out of their reverie.
"Thanks for the dance, Hermione," he said.
"If you don't mind, I prefer Mrs. George Weasley," she said cheekily.
He grinned at her and kissed her hand. As he leaned up to a standing position, Hermione grabbed his head and kissed him quickly. "Thank you for a wonderful day," she said earnestly. "It wouldn't have been perfect without all your help."
"Yes, I didn't fancy getting slapped by my wife because my brother turned her into 'Hermione and the amazing technicolor wedding dress.'" They laughed, and then turned to look at the crowd still gathered.
"How long do we have to stay?" she asked.
"Not too much longer," he replied, "I'm ready to leave as well. Thank goodness we're the last. I don't think I could take another wedding."
Hermione giggled. "I know. I don't want to go to another one for a long time. Though I imagine christenings will be here before too long."
"Perhaps, Ginny and Remus or Fred and Angelina first," George said thoughtfully. "Of course, I think I caught Percy having an extra spring in his step this morning. But when Charlie asked him why he was so giddy, he just ignored him."
Hermione nodded. "I'm going to go speak to my parents before we go. Come get me in a bit?"
"Of course," George promised before kissing her swiftly on the lips.
She walked away quickly as Fred strode over to his twin, drink in hand. "Should I trust this drink from you?" George asked.
"Never know, do you?" Fred asked with a wink. "You got the better of me today. I'm impressed you thought of the counter charm so quickly." He took a sip from his drink and thought for a moment. "So, did you tell her?"
"Tell her what?" George asked innocently. He hesitantly took a sip from his own cup and swallowed it slowly.
"You know bloody well what," Fred retorted. "Have you told her that you love her?"
"I can't do that! She's my wife!" George hissed.
"You can't tell your wife you love her?" Fred accused. "Are you afraid? I would have thought Percy for a coward, maybe Ron, but never you, George."
"No, I'm not afraid," George replied. "I just don't want to scare her or push her away. She's just starting to get close to me."
"Forge, look," Fred said seriously, "you've got to produce one child within the next year. Don't you think Hermione would prefer to go to bed with someone who loves her rather than someone she thinks is just doing it because it's required by law?"
"What? I don't even know what you just said," George replied angrily.
Fred gulped the rest of his drink down in one swallow and glared at his twin. "Just do it, all right?"
George scowled at him before going off to find Hermione. The bid their good-byes to their family, and Mr. and Mrs. George Weasley Apparated to their new home.
Hermione said she was going to go pack for the honeymoon, so George went down to the basement. He and Fred had been working on a special product for a while, and they couldn't get the charm right. He worked on it for about an hour before he went back upstairs.
He heard Hermione in the bath, so he went to the kitchen intent on getting something to eat. Molly had felt it necessary to send food over to the house that morning. She figured they wouldn't be up to cooking for a few days. George was surprised to see that Hermione had already fixed a plate for him and put a warming charm on it.
Just as he was finishing his dinner, Hermione came into the kitchen, looking relaxed and refreshed.
"Thanks for dinner," he said. "I guess I lost track of time downstairs."
"You're welcome. How's it coming down there? Figured out the kinks yet?" she asked, sitting down next to him.
He sighed loudly and Banished his empty plate and fork to the sink. "Almost. I know what the problem is; now I just have to fix it. But it can wait until we get back," he said. "Have you packed yet?"
She nodded in ascent. "I think I'm going to go get ready for bed," she said. She stood, kissed the top of George's head and rubbed his shoulder.
"Me too," he replied. "Good night, Hermione." She didn't respond but disappeared into her room, closing the door tightly behind her. He looked wistfully at her closed door before heading off to shower before bed.
As George went into his bedroom after his shower, though not cold this time, he was quite surprised to see Hermione's clothes hanging next to his in the closet. He was even more surprised when, after he'd climbed into bed, Hermione came into the room, closing the door behind her. And George nearly died of shock when Hermione rounded the bed and climbed in next to him.
"I thought we should just get used to it," she said with a sheepish smile. George, still in shock, just nodded in reply.
Hermione extinguished the candles with a wave of her wand before settling into the bed and pulling the covers up over her. She tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable position. She finally settled on her side, facing her husband. George, meanwhile, sunk down into the bed and stayed flat on his back, not moving a muscle.
"Are you comfortable?" Hermione's voice broke through the darkness.
"Mmm," George replied. He never thought he'd actually be lying half-naked next to Hermione on their wedding night.
"George?"
"Yes, Hermione?" he replied, his voice a touch higher than normal.
"Could you...I mean, if you wanted to...would you..." Hermione stammered.
"What is it?" George prodded, turning on his side to face her.
"Kiss me goodnight?" she asked in a small voice.
Without hesitation, George found Hermione's lips and kissed her as passionately as he had early in the day, leaving them both breathless. When he finally pulled away, he quickly whispered, "I love you." He thought he would regret saying it, but he found himself quite relieved to voice his feelings.
Hermione replied, just as quietly, "Thank you." She kissed him once more, then settled into his arms and fell asleep. Not long after, George fell asleep, enjoying the feel of his wife in his arms.