A/N: You guys are great. I'm glad you all like this story. I think before long you may hate me, but that'll be OK, too… I have had some people mention that this is a touchy subject. I want to say that I agree. My BA is in Women's Studies with a specialization in violence against women. I worked in a crisis center for a while (a long while….).

One of the things I noticed was that when women were raped, especially in a really violent context, they'd often have one of 2 responses. Either they would never want to be touched again, or they would go the other route in an attempt to regain control of their sexuality. I haven't decided yet which route our Hermione is going to take in the story. Either way, there will be trouble for poor George…

I would also like to ask if there is someone who would be willing to be a beta for me? I don't always catch my own gramatical errors...please email me if you're interested...

The usually disclaimers apply; I don't own the characters…

"I think she's worth waiting for." This last was said very quietly. "I think I'm falling in love with her."

There was a moment of silence at this.

"Take it slow, George. Real slow."

"Yeah, I already figured."

"She'll get through this. We'll get through this."

"Thanks Fred."

I heard the floor creak, and decided I didn't want to be caught eavesdropping. I hurried to the bathroom and shut the door, turning on the water.

Now I had even more to think about.

George was falling in love with me?

Oh God, now what am I going to do?

He'd been sleeping in the same room with me for a week. He and Fred were becoming my best friends, even more than Ron and Harry.

Granted, he'd been a perfect gentleman to me. He certainly hadn't tried anything….inappropriate.

I wonder what it would be like with George? He was certainly popular at school...

Hermione! What are you thinking! It's GEORGE! Besides, what the hell would RON say!

I sighed. Why the hell did I care what Ron said. We both had to move on. Maybe then we could be friends again... Quietly opening the bathroom door, I snuck across the hall to the room I had been sharing with George. Another week and I'd be heading back to school. Back to Harry and Ron and Ginny. Away from the twins. At least Malfoy wasn't at school these days. But his friends were...I'd have to be extra careful around the Slytherins...slimy bastards...

I opened the door to George's room and walked in. Pulling the covers down from the bed, I fluffed up the pillow. Seeing that the bed was ready, I walked to my trunk to select pajamas. I pulled out a pair of boxers and a tank that I had found so comfortable over the summer, although it was a lot less than I had been wearing lately. I quickly changed, dropping my worn clothing into the hamper. At least I knew George would knock before coming into the room. He had gotten really careful about that since the shower incident. Pulling out a brush, I sat on the side of the bed and proceeded to brush my hair, noticing it was getting pretty long.

A few minutes later I heard a soft tap on the door.

"Hermione? You decent?" I heard George calling through the door.

"Yes, George, come on in."

The door creaked open and George entered the room. He looked at me as I was sitting on the bed and I noticed a faint blush creeping over his cheeks. Turning his back to me he began to get his stuff ready for bed. Within a few minutes he had the cot set up and grabbed his own pajamas. He turned to me and smiled. "Be right back, I'm going to change." I noticed his blushes had faded a bit.

"OK. I'm ready for bed whenever you are" I answered him.

I got up and put my brush back in the trunk and was just getting back to the bed when he returned.

"So, Hermione...ready for me to turn out the lights?"

"Yes George" I said as I slid my legs under the covers. I could barely feel the three small boxes under the mattress.

George used his wand to put out the light.

"Goodnight, George" I said into the sudden darkness.

"Goodnight, Hermione. Sweet dreams." George replied with a yawn. It had, after all, been a long day for the twins in the shop.

I as lay awake thinking about my day of shopping and eavesdropping, I became aware of George's soft snores coming from the other side of the room.

What was I going to do? Was George really falling in love with me? Did I want that? I mean, he was kind and gentle. Under other circumstances, my answer would have been an unqualified YES! But now? With everything happenning? Everything I needed to sort out? I don't know if I wanted that.

Could I trust him not to hurt me? On the one hand, this is George. George who has taken care of me. Healed me. Seen me at my worst and most vulnerable... On the other hand, this is George, half owner in a practical joke shops, whose pranks are legend at school...

After awhile, I noticed my thoughts were still very random and confused. Well, I'm not deciding anything like this tonight.

And with George's soft snores as background, I was gently soothed into sleep.

A/N: This chapter is very short, I know, but I wanted to get my request for a beat out there. The next chapter is going to deal with Christmas. I have the polt figured out through New Years, and since my Mom is leaving tomorrow (she's been helping me move...) I should have more time to write...