The days flew by and before George knew it Christmas was coming. He dreaded seeing Hermione, he had just gotten Fred off of his back about Hermione, the idea of having to face her made him sick. But upon arriving at the Burrow he didn't see her.

"So, where is Hermione?" George asked casually when his siblings arrived. Ginny glared her brother and brushed past him. Ron followed suit, sprinting upstairs to shower. Harry reached out, shaking George's hand saying a frosty hello.

"Hermione is Malfoy's" Harry answered his question before disappearing.

"You and 'ermione are no longer together?" fleur asked.

"No, we broke things off" George replied avoiding Fed's pointed glare.

"That's a lie," Ginny snapped coming into the kitchen to kiss the baby. "You broke things off"

George stared back at his sister refusing to be made the bad guy. "I am sure she survived it" George replied, "She had Viktor after all"

"Is that the problem?' Ginny screeched, 'you didn't even give her a chance to explain"

"Explain what?" George asked, his voice rising. "There was nothing to explain"

"Your right" Ginny told him as she turned away. 'I am glad you ended things, because if you are that much of a coward then hermione deserves better"

"Fine" George yelled after her, "Take her side"

Ron and Harry had just come into the kitchen and they stared at him. "You told me you wouldn't break her heart" Ron said quietly.

"Is it lost on the two of you that I am family?" George asked glaring at his youngest brother.

"No" Ron answered. 'But she was family once too, just not by blood"

"If her heart is broken don't blame me" George sneered, "Maybe you should blame yourself, she would have never needed me if the three of you had paid her any attention"

Ron just shook his head, "We were pretty foul to hermione, but we came around and gave her are all...you just let her down for nap reason. Don't make this about us; this is about you and your phobia of commitment. Admit it George she scares you"

Christmas wasn't good for George. His family was split between those angry with him and those who felt sorry for him and neither was pleasant. He was glad to get back to the shop. He spent the next few months completely wrapped up in his business. He rarely allowed himself to think about Hermione although her name came up quite a bit. Apparently his friends including Lee were keeping touch with her and were not sensitive to George on this matter at all.

He didn't see her until February when he went into Hogsmead on business and ran into Ginny and Hermione.

"Hey" George greeted his sister kissing her cheek. Ginny had warmed back up to her brother although she still seemed a little agitated about the whole thing.

"Hi" Ginny replied smiling awkwardly. Hermione kept her eyes to the ground and George realized he would have to make the first move.

"Hello Hermione" he said softly. "How are you?"

Hermione looked up and George almost melted, he eyes always did that to him. He ignored the butterflies in his stomach and plastered a jovial smile on his face. "Hello" Hermione replied politely. "I am good and you?"

George nodded and swallowed hard, trying to find his voice again. "I am good, busy but good"

Hermione nodded and he noticed she fidgeting nervously. "Where are the boys?" George asked.

"Shopping" Ginny, replied, "We have a Valentines Day dance and we had presents to buy"

"Oh" George replied, suddenly he felt sick, wondering if Hermione had a date. She must, George thought, she is one of the most desirable girls at Hogwarts, hell in the whole Wizarding world.

At that moment Harry, Ron and a slytherin George couldn't place walked up. Ron nodded at George curtly; Ron was still very sore with George and showed it. Harry shook his hand and they all stood around uncomfortable for a moment. Finally Ron got a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"George, this Theodore Nott" Ron introduced the young slytherin. "He's the new chaser on the slytherin team, he is sort of dating Hermione"

George's heart fell to the floor, he looked at his little brother shocked Ron could be so cruel.

"Were just going to the dance," Hermione corrected quietly and George looked at her. Did that mean she wasn't interested in this guy? George wondered silently.

"You guys have been studying together to all hours" Ron countered, "and you sit in the slytherin stands at Quidditch matches"

George fought the urge to punch Theodore Nott right in his smug little face. Hermione leaned over and whispered to Nott, he smiled as he took the shopping bags from her. "Were going to do some shopping on our own," Nott announced. He took Hermione's hand and started leading her away. She stopped and looked at George, "it was good to see you, good luck on your new store"

George couldn't trust himself to answer so he nodded and waved. He watched Hermione disappear down the road hand in hand with someone else and he almost went after her. She's better off, George told himself, and I am way too screwed up for her.

"Thanks little brother" George told him sarcastically. "I get the point"

"Good" Ron snapped before walking away. Ginny smiled at George and followed suit behind Ron. Harry watched George for a moment and then sighed.

"Ron goes about things wrong," Harry said. "But his intentions are good, we juts want her to be happy"

"So do I" George said before walking away.

The Valentines Day dance at Hogwarts was a lot of fun, well for everyone but Hermione. Theodore was wonderful and sweet but Hermione couldn't get George off of her mind. Since their break up Hermione had been good at avoiding thoughts of him but then she saw him and he world crashed down. He stood there looking fabulous and bored, Hermione had as usual felt inadequate.

"Hermione" Theodore called, waving his hands in front of her face. Hermione looked at him and smiled apologetically. She smoothed down and imaginary wrinkle in red silk dress, a nervous habit, something to keep her hands busy.

"Sorry" she answered, "What were you saying?"

"I asked about your plans after Hogwarts?" he repeated.

"Ministry" Hermione replied quickly, "hopefully magical law enforcement"

"An auror?" Nott asked.

"No, I had enough chasing bad guys" hermione replied, "I would rather be more administrative"

"I understand that" he said. Hermione stared off into the distance, wondering if George would have even come to this and if they would have had fun.

"You miss him. Huh?" Theodore asked looking chagrinned. Hermione broke her trance and stared at him questioningly. "George" he clarified, "You miss him"

Hermione sighed and stared at the floor. "I do" Hermione adnitted,"That's the first time I have admitted that."

"Yeah" Theodore said softly.

"I am really sorry" Hermione told. "Your very nice and I have enjoyed spending time with you"

"But just friends right?" Theodore cut her off.

Hermione smiled ruefully and nodded. "I guess I should go" She stood up and started to leave but he grabbed her arm.

"The dance isn't over" he told her. "I don't want to lose you as a friend, it's not your fault you love someone else."

Hermione couldn't believe how good he was being and suddenly felt horrible. Why can't girls love guys like him, Hermione thought as she sat back down, why do we love guys who leave us alone and hurt,

After the dance Theodore bid Hermione goodnight with a kiss on the cheek. He walked away feeling a little resentful George Weasley. He doesn't deserve someone so wonderful, Theodore thought bitterly. But he knew Hermione loved George and he wanted her to be happy. He found Ron and Harry in the corridor.

"We need to talk" Theodore said softly, leading them out of the public eye. "It's about Hermione"

"What's up?" Harry asked looking concerned.

"We need to get her back with George, if it's the last thing we do" Theodore told them.

"What?" Ron asked looking incredulous. "He broke up her with her, he doesn't deserve her back"

"I agree" Theodore replied, "But it's what she wants and I want her to be happy"

Both Harry and Ron stood there silently for a moment taking in what Theodore was saying. "Is that really what she wants?" Ron asked.

Theodore nodded.

"You got a plan?" Harry asked breaking the silence.

Theodore smiled and simply replied, "I am slytherin, aren't I?"