Chapter 8

What's Going to Happen?

Everything was dark. Hermione could hear voices somewhere above her.

"She's starting to wake up."

"We should get her to St. Mungo's."

"Why? We've got a Healer right here."

"No. We shouldn't move her."

Hermione's eyes sprung open. "George," she cried out. She seemed to be lying on the Weasley's kitchen floor. Harry, Ginny, Fred and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley all looked down at her, a look of relief sweeping over their faces.

"Careful now," Harry said helping Hermione sit up.

"George is alive?" were the first words Hermione spoke.

Ginny and Harry's head swiveled from Hermione to Fred. "What?"

Fred and his father exchanged glances. "Maybe we should head to the living room," Mr. Weasley said, getting up from his kneeling position on the floor.

"We shouldn't move Hermione yet," Ginny touched Hermione's head.

"Listen to her. She happens to know what she's doing," Harry nodded to Fred.

"Looks like being a Healer finally paid off," Ginny laughed weakly.

The Weasley's started to speak in harsh tones to one another as Hermione's eyes closed.

-FLASHBACK-

The rest of the year was a blur to Hermione. Holidays ended and she headed back to Hogwarts to finish up the year. Hermione couldn't help but count down the days until summer, when she would see George again. She and Ron mended their relationship although it was never the same. Ron still loved her and they tended to keep their distance from one another, although they never strayed from supporting Harry.

The war hadn't yet been stopped. Voldermort and his followers had been laying low but everyone knew it would be a matter of time before they would strike and they would strike hard.

Hermione flew through her exams with ease. She was able to concentrate a lot better since Christmas. Summer finally reached and Hermione arrived at the Burrow, this time with a smile on her face.

It was late one night in July. Harry's birthday was nearing and they had just finished planning a brilliant surprise party for him. Hermione knew he would never expect it. Mrs. Weasley was even able to get Lupin, Tonks, Mad-Eye, even Dumbledore and other Order members to make arrangements to be their. Hermione and George sat out in the garden talking excitedly about their plans.

Hermione sat in the grass, George's head resting in her lap, each looking up at the stars. They chattering died down.

"It's so beautiful out here," Hermione breathed in the fresh air.

George reached his hand up and stroked her face. "It is."

Hermione's heart fluttered and she began to think.

"George, what's going to happen, with this war and all? What do you think will happen to us?" she asked running her fingers through his hair.

George sat up and looked into Hermione's eyes. "Nothing is going to happen to you. I promise you that."

"You can't make promises like that," Hermione shook her head. "You know I must follow Harry and Ron. You know I'm going to be there in the end of it all."

George knew this of course. "It doesn't matter. Just know that I will always protect you." He pulled her close to him.

"What about you. Who's going to protect you?" she asked, her lip trembling.

"I'll be fine," he whispered before leaning in and kissing her. Hermione knew that George meant what he said. He was going to protect her. She was worried though. As she and George continued to kiss under the stars Hermione vowed that she wasn't going to let anything happen to George.