It Wasn't Meant to Be Like This
Summary: A George/Hermione fic. They have slowly become friends and they both want to be more, but with a jealous Ron and an angry Harry will it ever be able to happen?
Disclaimer: I won't pretend that I own anything, I don't own the plot, the characters, and the situations. I would get annoyed if some ripped off my plot word to word but there isn't much I can do about it, so go ahead! I would like to give credit to J.K.Rowling, because without her many people would be living such …unfulfilled…lives. Nah, but yeah she rocks!
Authors Note: Thankyou to those who review, I hope those who don't review but are reading this story feel guilty and review this chapter. Thankyou to those who put me on your favourite stories list it always makes me a little giddy. It's nice to know people are reading what I put time into creating. All the song lyrics are from fantastic songs and bands I strongly suggest you listen to. Powderfinger is a fabulous Australian band who I'm telling you that you will love if you give them a go!
Roll Right By You - Powderfinger
Are you in the situation to decide whether you really care?
Come on you know that it's hard to complain about the way you live
So please don't let it roll right by you
Just think if the same thing happened to you
Last time:
Scowling at the wall Hermione lay back on the bed and felt the tears come. Couldn't George see this is what would happen if they got together! Couldn't he understand? Why did she have to fall for him! Why did he have to fall for her! But most of all, why couldn't it be accepted?
As Hermione drifted off into a restless sleep a thin flesh coloured string was pulled back into George's room.
Chapter Two:
Hermione gently drew the blinds open, clipping the material together so it wouldn't fall back again. It was early, probably only 6am on a Sunday morning, nobody else would be up, and Hermione knew this. The sun was beginning to rise, she could see it begin to light up the rolling green hills surrounding the Weasley's home. As a light breeze touched her face Hermione could feel herself begin to tear up again, she just couldn't stay here. She hadn't realised until last night how deep her feelings for George were, she had just figured she'd had a little crush you know, a hero worshipping of the man who had been there for her. But last night confirmed that her little 'fairy tale' wasn't going to happen, that it wouldn't and couldn't be accepted. In her dreams she had come to a conclusion, if she couldn't stay here, then she would simply leave.
It wasn't that big of a deal really, The Burrow wasn't even her home. Hermione's parents had seen her briefly before she came to the Burrow and to tell the truth, Hermione missed her parents. She missed the whole part of muggle life, the simplicity, and the casual, relaxed feel.
She missed being a nobody, being just a normal person who could walk down the street, and smile and smell the flowers and nobody would notice or care. In the wizarding world everybody knew her face, and even though the war was technically over there were those who would never accept her. And even those, like the Weasley's who did accept her could never accept what, who she wanted.
Hermione heard someone stir in the room next to her and felt herself smile as she recognised a soft moaning noise that signaled that Ginny was waking up. Ginny was the only person who knew about her feelings for George, other than George, and the one Weasley who would accept their relationship. It was stupid really…why couldn't she and George have a relationship? It's not like she fell in love with Draco Malfoy or anything! Everybody expected her and Ron to get together, they were the 'sweetheart' couple, representing good, and hope. What they didn't realise is that it would be absolute rubbish if she and Ron were together.
Hermione dragged her bags down the stairs and apparated out, taking one last look at the Burrow.
"Has anybody seen Hermione this morning?" Ginny Weasley asked everyone at breakfast that morning. She watched a brief look of mystification over everyone's face, but was especially surprised by Harry's whose face darkened at the mention of Hermione.
"Weeelll?" she repeated, buttering her toast.
Ron glanced up from his plate of bacon and eggs, dropping his fork onto his plate with a 'clunk'. "Yeah…Ginny's right…where is Hermione, she's always first down here!" Ron answered slowly, looking around the room as if to see if she was hiding from him.
George kept his face blank, aware of Harry staring at him, but his insides were churning quite horribly. George wasn't usually the serious type, if it hadn't been involving him he would have thought this situation quite funny, but the fact remained was that it did involve him, and his feelings. Apart from a few flings back at Hogwarts George had never had a serious relationship. He had always wanted, like all male Weasley's, a beautiful girl to hang off his arm, but when presented with the opportunity last year he refused. He refused because he realised he wanted somebody else.
It wasn't supposed to happen. When he befriended Hermione a few years ago it was honestly more out of boredom than anything. She was his little brother's best friend, his crush but he had always found her quite conservative. He'd seen her crying quietly one morning, and he couldn't help but try and help her. Hermione had always stood up to him, reprimanding him when she was a prefect, and doing it with the complete knowledge that he would prank her as 'payback'. As he got to know her he realised she wasn't like every other girl. She wasn't interested to romance, or make – up, or having a big happy wizarding family. She had a broader view of the world, she loved knowledge and wisdom, and nature. She was realistic in her dreams, but more than anything she saw him as a person, not just as somebody who cracked jokes every now and then, or not as one of the 'Weasley twins'.
George blinked and realised Harry was still staring at him. Looking up he glared at the boy and returned to his food.
"SHE'S GONE"
George's head shot up as he heard his sister scream from upstairs; he'd never even notice her leaving the room.
George waited as everyone else bolted up the stairs, Harry obviously knew about them but it didn't mean that the rest of his family had to be suspicious.
He heard everyone run down the steps again, stopping right in front of him. Harry stepped forward from the group and poked him in the chest,
"OK, where did she go?" he demanded angrily.
George glanced at his family who looked as confused as he felt.
"What are you going on about Harry!" George replied casually. "Where has who gone?"
Harry scowled. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. Where did Hermione go?"
George felt his chest flutter. So she's left. She's bolted, run away, couldn't handle being around anymore. So he'd be that type of guy then? The one who got close to people but before anything could happen they would get a reality check and leave.
"She's left? How the hell would I know where she went?" George hissed back, with more venom than intended.
Harry looked slightly taken aback for a second. The rest of his family looked completely puzzled.
"What are you going on about dear?" Mrs. Weasley intervened, "Why would George know where Hermione has gone if Ron doesn't?"
George almost laughed to himself, by his mum saying that he was almost positive that Harry would blurt out whatever assumptions he had jumped to.
He was right.
Harry scoffed and turned to Mrs. Weasley.
"Why would George know…hmmm…let me think, maybe because he and Hermione have been secretly been meeting! Behind Ron's back and everything!" Harry replied sarcastically, his usually cheery eyes looking as if a cloud had been brewing over them.
George closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, wished they had remained shut. Harry was standing there, hands firmly on his hips glaring at him, his mother's eyes were wild in confusion, Ron looked partially confused, partially angry, and his dear little sister stood there laughing at him.
"GEORGE" his mother wailed at him, 'What on earth is Harry talking about?"
Ignoring all the faces a small dam burst inside of him, it wasn't any of their business, besides, as much as he wanted it there wasn't anything going on between Hermione and him.
"I told you, I don't know where Hermione is" George bit back pushing past Harry, and as he began walking up the stairs he called over his shoulder, "…and nor do I care!"
George slammed his door shut, he knew his reaction would quite clearly show something was up with him, but he suspected that the only people who believed it had something to do with Hermione were Harry and Ginny. Picking up one of his heavy boots George flung it across the room and stared at the huge dent it made in the wall. He had never felt this angry in his life, how dare she be allowed to just pick up and leave? Didn't she care about him at all? Didn't the past few years mean anything to her?
"She didn't even have the guts or enough respect for him to tell me to my face…she's a coward, that's all she is…a coward!"
They'd been playing 'the game' for months now, avoiding each other only to meet up, and pretend that there wasn't anything between them. She felt it, he certainly felt it, what was making it so difficult? His brother.
FLASHBACK
George was sitting at the kitchen table sipping a glass of orange juice, and Hermione sat opposite of him reading the morning newspaper. When they both realised nobody else was coming down for breakfast in the immediate future they looked up and caught each other's eye.
"Did you have a good sleep last night?" George drawled, watching the colour drain from her face.
She spluttered angrily, "So that WAS you? You know I'm deadly afraid of bugs! You bastard!"
George laughed. "I know…but you can't say you didn't enjoy it!"
Hermione threw the paper at his head, "Don't be so stupid! I hate you…you…you….argh!"
George smirked, edging a bit closer to her, "Nah…I don't think you hate me, in fact, you love me coz I did that!"
Hermione blushed and George smiled at her, he loved it when he managed to embarrass her. She didn't reply to his words, so he continued…
"Stumped? Can't think of anything to say? That's not like you Hermione" he joked, waving a finger in her face.
Hermione opened her mouth to reply but stopped, looking at something over his shoulder. George whipped around, fiercely aware of the compromising position they had moved themselves into. He spotted Ron standing in the doorway, his mouth open, eyes dark and narrowed at him.
"What are you doing to her! Get away from her!" Ron shouted angrily. Hermione quickly stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder, "We were just talking Ron…" she soothed, refusing to look George in the eye.
Ron muttered something and then turned to George, "You leave her alone you hear me? I don't want you pranking Hermione, she doesn't like it!" He then proceeded to drag Hermione out the door.
George smiled as he saw Hermione look back at him and mouth; "I do like it"
END FLASHBACKThey had been caught together so many times since then, each time Ron had become angry and suspicious, but with the forgetful nature of his younger brother it was never remembered.
Glaring at his wall George growled to himself,
"What's it matter…I don't need her, not now, not ever!"
Authors Note:
I've just got to give a big THANKYOU to everyone who reviewed the first chapter; I was delighted with the response. I want to continue doing a few flashbacks so you can get an idea of the kind of relationship that Hermione & George actually did have. Please, continue REVIEWING because it only takes a couple of seconds and it makes me so happy…don't you want to make me happy?
SOthankyou to - dolface546, luna luck, Alanna, Antanaqui, Debra Wilson, Free2style1026 and navala, plus someone else who reviewed but just called themself 'reader' - not like that wasn't obvious. But anyway, cheers are extended you guys, thankyou very much. OH, and also to Pauly - 85 who just reviewed as well!