George told Hermione that he would pick her up on Friday for a special date. She was still getting ready when he showed up. He cringed when his mother asked him to have tea in the kitchen.

"I was hoping we would get a chance to talk alone" Molly said as she poured her son a cup of tea.

"Yeah" George replied avoiding eye contact.

"So, how's business?" she asked.

"Business is good" George answered. "Were opening a shop in Hogsmeade soon"

"Well, that juts sounds lovely" Molly told him, smiling in a way that frightened George.

"Go on" George finally exploded. "Just say whatever it is that you want to say"

"Ok" Molly told him. "George Thomas Weasley, how long have you been seeing Hermione?"

"A couple of weeks" George replied.

"Is it serious?" She shot back.

"No" George answered truthfully. "I mean, I like her and she likes me, but were taking things slowly"

"She's been through a lot" Molly told him. 'She's a sweet girl with a promising future, I don't want you breaking he heart or corrupting her"

"Corrupting, mother, what are you on about?" George asked.

"I am past trying to keep you and Fred on the straight on narrow" molly admitted. "Your life is your own and truth is it works for you, but Hermione is delicate and serious and I don't want you changing her. Just be careful son, please?"

George looked at his mother and nodded.

"I already promised Ron as much" George told her.

"Good" Molly replied.

"George" Hermione called as she came into the kitchen. She was wearing a Red strapless calf length dress and her hair was up. George couldn't take his eyes off of her.

"You kids have fun" Molly told them, kissing Hermione on the cheek. She shot George one last warning glare before they apparated to Diagon Alley.

"George?" Hermione asked, "What is going on?"

"Would you, or more accurately, could you stop whining for two minutes?" George asked, laughing as he steered blindfolded Hermione through Diagon alley.

"Well, I don't appreciate being kidnapped" Hermione pouted.

George stopped in front of the stairs and thought for a moment. "It's the only way" George said aloud.

"What?" Hermione asked her voice a little anxious. "Only way to what?"

George picked Hermione up and threw her over his shoulder.

"George she screamed, he climbed the stairs, her swatting him the whole time."What do you think you are doing?"

"Waiting for you to run out of breath and shut up" George teased.

George put Hermione down and forced her onto a barstool; she crossed her arms and put on a scowl.

"Are you ready for me to take the blindfold off?" George asked.

'Please" Hermione sighed. George reached around and pulled the scarf off, and Hermione was completely shocked when she saw a room full of people jumping out and shouting,

"Surprise!"

"What?" Hermione asked, tears forming in her eyes as she looked at George.

"Happy birthday" George told her kissing her on the cheek.

"My birthday is a month away" Hermione said.

"Yeah, but you are going back to Hogwarts" George countered. 'I wanted to spend your birthday with you, this is a compromise"

Hermione reached up and hugged George, he kissed before pushing her in the direction of the crowd.

"Now, go mingle" He ordered her, playfully swatting at her but. She smiled coyly over her shoulder.

"You're amazing" she told him.

Ron watched in amazement as Hermione danced on the bar with Alicia and Angelina.

"I have never seen her drink this much" Harry mumbled to Ron. Ron grunted in response and shrugged non chalantly. The truth was this did surprise him, Hermione was changing, she wasn't becoming a totally different person but she seemed to loosening up and having fun. Ron wasn't jealous and he didn't want anyone to think he was, it just worried him to see Hermione get attached knowing what Viktor did to her. Ron loved his brother but George tended to be a little out of control and a little careless with woman. He knew George wouldn't want to hurt Hermione but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to go very wrong here.

"Hey you" Hermione said slipping her arms around George's waist. He paused his conversation with Charlie, Fred and Lee to smile at her.

"Having fun?" George asked then he chuckled, "That's a dumb question, of course you are, so much fun in fact you have ignored me all night"

Hermione knew he was kidding but played along.

'Oh, do you feel neglected" she teased. "Let me fix that" She moved in front George and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed. As his tongue slipped in her mouth, his arms snaked around her waist.

"Gross' Charlie mumbled turning to Fred and lee, who were both pretending to gag.

"Grow up" Hermione scolded them when she released George from her grasp. His hand settled on her waist and she leaned on his shoulder.

'Hey were just kidding" Lee teased.

"Yeah" Fred agreed. 'Were used to it by now you guys are always all over each other and God forbid I walk into my own flat, I see ungodly things"

Everyone laughed including Hermione, who didn't even turn red at the insinuation.

"Speaking of which" Hermione told Fred. 'You might want to sleep somewhere else tonight.'

Lee made a cat calls, Charlie whistled and Fred jabbed George in the ribs.

'I will have no trouble finding someone to take pity on my poor homeless soul tonight" Fred replied, "All for my brother getting some"

George turned red and slapped Fred on the back of the head.

"Dance with me" Hermione commanded leading George out on the dance floor.

For a moment they swayed quietly to the music. Hermione brushed his ears with her lips and whispered.

"I wasn't kidding"

"About what?" George asked.

'About tonight, being alone?" Hermione replied coyly.

'You mean...?" George replied

"Yeah" Hermione answered. "I am ready"

"Ok" George said pulling her closer." Just let me know when you want to leave"

"Well" Hermione started. 'Pretty much everyone is gone now"

"Yeah, it's just Fred and the gang" George commented. 'It looks like Charlie is heading out"

"Goodnight" Charlie whispered as he passed. "Happy birthday"

"Thanks" Hermione replied kissing his cheek. When Charlie was gone, Hermione smiled.

"I think I am getting tired" Hermione told George. He picked her up and carried her unceremoniously to the door.

"Goodnight" he called to his friends as he let the door slam behind him