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 don not own this. But I do recommend listening to Sting.

Authors Note: Ah, next chapter! I stayed home from school today and it was good, I got English work done. I don't think the next chapter will be able within the next 2 weeks because I have trials next week which are quite big exams – oh oh I'm in trouble! If anyone who reads this happens to be an expert on Egyptian History do you want to contact me? Please?

Cigarettes Will Kill You – Ben Lee

Last time:

George laughed at her narrowed eyes and slight clench of her knuckles, replying cockily, "Oh but you know it's true Hermione, what's the problem, don't you like our ickle Ronnikins?"

Hermione stalked out the door and turned back to look at him, a huge scowl on her face. As he walked over to her, a big grin on his face she smiled sweetly, grabbed the door handle and slammed it shut in his face.

"Well…" George spoke indignantly to the shut door; "…That was rude"

Chapter Six:

George didn't end up following Hermione down to breakfast that morning, he thought it would be a good idea to stay out of her rode for a while. From what Fred told him their mother had scolded Hermione whilst trying to 'fatten' her up with bacon and eggs. Apparently the interrogation squad (Harry and Ron) had questioned her all morning,

"…And your name came up quite a lot too…" Fred continued slowly, avoiding his eyes.

George made an indistinct noise trying to give the impression that what he said hadn't effected him.

"…Harry seems to be under the impression that something is going on between you and Hermione…" Fred probed, now looking at him. Seeing that George wasn't going to reply Fred continued, "…and then it got me thinking, you and Hermione are close, in fact you have been for some time…and then it hit me, you do like her don't you?"

George accidentally dropped the glass he was holding, watching it smash on the ground. Fred laughed. "That's all the answer I really need…"

"I can't believe I didn't see it earlier…all the time you'd spend with her, the reason you got so grumpy when she left, and why you also avoid her when Ron is around, your in love with her aren't you George?"

George shut his eyes. This could not be happening. He wasn't an idiot, he realised some day some person would figure out he had feelings for her, and to tell the truth he was surprised Fred hadn't realised earlier. But it didn't make it any better. He knew Hermione liked him, she had shown enough interest, but she was not willing to make it work, she would not sacrifice her friendships for him…she'd made that quite clear…

FLASHBACK:

"George! George!" Hermione screamed at him from across the grounds. George turned around and felt a huge sweep of relief as he saw that she was ok, dirty, tired, but in one piece.

"Oh thank god!" George murmured into her hair as she hugged him tightly. "When Fred told me that you'd gone after Harry I feared the worst!"

Hermione wrapped her arms around him, not giving him any sign that she was going to let go.

"You didn't go after Harry did you?" George asked suspiciously seeing Hermione hesitate.

He pulled away from her and narrowed his eyes – "Did you?"

Hermione looked down at her feet, "I had to George. I've known Harry most of my life, he's like my brother and I couldn't let him go alone."

George heaved angrily. "You promised me…you promised me you wouldn't go" George whispered more to himself than anyone.

Tossing a piece of bark on the ground Hermione flushed a bit, "Sometimes George friends take priority…"

"Then what am I!"

Hermione froze. "You…you… I mean, George…"

"See…a promise to me means nothing then?" George ranted.

He immediately regretted his words as a tear began rolling down her cheek. Pulling her closer George patted her back, "I'm sorry Mione, I didn't mean to get angry, I was just worried!"

She sniffled and something occurred to George. "If you're back here then, does that mean…has Harry?"

A small smile broke upon her face, "Harry's done it. He's gone for good this time"

Grinning maniacally George held Hermione tightly against him and twirled her around in the air, ignoring the strange looks they were getting from battle weary people heading towards the castle.

"Ron…? Is Ron alright then?"

Hermione paused. "Ron didn't come with us"

Frowning George replied, "Why not? It was always the three of you…"

"Apparently not anymore" Hermione replied slowly, a touch of bitterness in her voice.

A thick silence filled the air for what seemed like hours before George spoke again, this time in a more gentle tone.

"I was wondering…Hermione, if, if sometime, now that he's gone and all, if you'd like to you know…go out with me?"

Hermione didn't return his gaze. She was looking out at the Great Lake, which was tainted by debris and a couple of floating bodies.

"You know how I feel about you George" she answered softly. Turning to look him in the eye she continued, "…but I don't think it is a good idea, not yet anyway"

"Why not!" George demanded, fearful of sounding like a whinny brat.

"Because Harry needs me at the moment"

"I need you too" George rebutted.

"…He needs me more" Hermione finished, she held a hand against his chest, "And as his friend it is my duty to help"

END FLASHBACK

After that incident George had avoided Hermione like she was a rapidly spreading plague with no cure. This had only been a few months earlier, and once she had moved back to the burrow he couldn't help but talk to her, and she hadn't seemed to mind his attentions. He couldn't exactly pin point why but without Hermione around he had a hollow sort of sickness swarm through him. Not only was she a wonderful, intelligent, beautiful person, but Hermione was something close to his best friend, a best friend which he was head over heels for.

"But what can you do…" George muttered incoherently

George had forgot that his twin was still in the room until he answered him, "It was funny though George…I could have sworn Hermione's ears perked up whenever you were mentioned…"

George kept ignoring him. He then felt a firm hand on his shoulder, "Just remember your feelings won't be hidden forever, and when everything blows up you may want to make sure you at least have her on side""

Hermione seriously debated taking a sledgehammer to Ron's head, but with the watchful eyes of Harry on her she didn't believe she would get away with it.

"…And what was George doing in that sort of place anyway? I bet he was following you or something, he always seems to be following you, probably trying to you know…oh…I don't know…" Ron ranted ignoring the exasperated looks she was sending him.

"Crack onto her?" Harry suggested in a drawl, never taking his eyes off her.

Hermione purposely didn't react to Harry's comment. She was perfectly aware that Harry knew about her feelings for George, and his for her, and she knew he'd done or would do something about letting everyone else know – he had just turned into that type of person. It wasn't that Harry was a bad person but he had changed, he'd become more serious and those close to him meant everything, and Harry would do everything within his power to protect them. She knew he was like this but it did make her wonder why he never considered what was best for her.

"I think I might love him" Hermione had told him earlier that day.

Harry had looked her straight in the eye, a hardened glint in them and replied, "Well then your just going to have to change your mind."

She could still see him contemplating this and it bugged her, it bugged her more than she let on. She had only been back at the burrow for a couple of days and she couldn't stand the tension between her and Harry, between her and Ron and mostly, between George and herself. She would pass him in the corridors and even if he wasn't touching her she could feel the heat radiate off him. She would always instinctually know where he was, or if he was watching her. She felt like a giddy schoolgirl too embarrassed to approach a crush.

Ron gave Harry an odd look before continuing…"Quit all that joking Harry…Fred mentioned something about George meeting up with some girl there anyway"

Hermione froze. "George meeting up with some girl?"

"What," Harry asked curiously.

Hermione was on the other side of the room pretending to be deeply involved with a bug crawling across the ground.

"Yeah, well from what Fred said George met up with this really gorgeous girl some time but she's left England which is why he was moping but he saw her at the club…or something…I wasn't really listening you know…" Ron babbled

Harry fidgeted and Hermione knew he was looking at her.

"What's up?" the cheery voice of Ginny interrupted from the doorway.

Harry glanced at the girl and replied arrogantly, "We were just talking about how your brother…" catching the wry look on Ginny's face he continued, "…your brother George, about how he is cheating on Mione here"

"CHEATING?" Ron spluttered.

Hermione felt a flush of annoyance towards Harry, he just had to push issues, he just had to do it…was it because he liked the conflict? Or did he just want to make her feel guilty…She didn't have to take this crap from harry, especially since not being with George was the reason she was so unhappy, and not being with George had been directly linked with Harry and her friendship.

"Would you just quit it" Hermione snarled at Harry.

Ginny and Ron exchanged looks.

"Why should I?" Harry rebutted angrily.

"Because it is none of your god damn business!"

Harry puffed at his chest slightly. "I've told you before Hermione, it is my business"

Hermione stalked towards him. Standing defiantly in front of him Hermione hissed back, "And I've told you to stop butting into my life"

Hermione was satisfied until Harry roughly grabbed her arm and drawled, "Why don't you make me!"

Hermione had always regretted punching Draco Malfoy in her 3rd year, her fist hadn't felt right for weeks, and although she'd considered the possibility it was just that Malfoy had a stone face, she knew after punching Harry it was just the general impact of punching someone. Hermione jogged up the stairs aware of the shocked looks Ron and Ginny were giving her.

BANG!

Hermione ran straight into something solid. She groaned as she landed on the tough wooden floorboards, it was times like these she wished her bum had more padding.

"Watch it!"

Hermione glanced up and immediately regretted it because she was looking straight at an amused George Weasley. Her emotions were passionate at that moment, it was all because she had hit Harry – yeah…it was only the adrenaline that made her want to leap into his arms, snogging him senseless.

She wasn't aware of it but she had been sitting on the ground staring right at his nether region.

"Ahh…that's enough for today" George snickered gently pulling her off the ground. His hand paused on her's as he examined her hand. "Who on earth have you been punching? Your hand looks like shit!"

Hermione shrugged, "Harry deserved it"

George laughed. "I'm sure he did…"

George still hadn't let go of her hand.

Hermione was in two minds, at these times she knew they had something together – they were just perfect. But Ron had said something about George having a girl…someone that wasn't her – was it all a joke? She and George were friends, she knew that…and they had kissed a couple of times but maybe to him, maybe it was just a joke… a bit of fun? He was just using her whilst his girlfriend was away… Of course that was it…how could he like her anyway? Hermione was just a stuffy bookworm. It all made sense – his unwillingness to commit to her, why he hadn't told his family, his friends, and his goddamn twin brother – he wasn't serious. Taking him by surprise Hermione angrily ripped her hand from his, "Don't touch me"

"Hermione…? Hermione what?" George called after her retreating figure. He stood, stumped for a moment before chasing after her.

"What did you mean by that?" George demanded, standing in front of her to block the way.

Hermione hissed. "I meant I don't want to be some game to you George, and I know I am so I don't want you touching me!"

George narrowed his eyes as she brushed past him. Why on earth did girls have such mood swings?

Authors Note:

OH NO Hermione, don't take other people's words for George's feelings, you silly silly girl! Anyway, how did you guys enjoy Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince?