A/N: This one is a bit fluffy, I guess. And maybe a bit sad. But mostly cute. Written for a contest at The Third Corridor. Enjoy. :)

Brighter

"I'll wave goodbye

Watching you shine bright

(You shine bright, you shine bright)

I'll wave goodbye tonight..."
'Brighter' - Paramore

Chapter 3: The Truth

Hermione sat down at the table with the rest of the Weasley family. They were all present for Hermione's going away dinner. Charlie, Bill, Fleur, Percy, Penelope (Percy's wife), Fred, George, Ron, Harry, Ginny, Arthur and Molly, of course. Plus, Remus and Tonks had come to eat. Hermione smiled at her large extended family. She'd miss these dinners more than anything. She glanced over at Ron, shoveling food into his mouth. She would NOT miss Ron's awful table manners, she thought smiling.

"And what are you smiling at, miss?" George, who was sitting to her right, leaned over and asked her.

"Oh. Just noting how much I won't miss watching your brother eat like he's never seen food in his life."

George chuckled. "Yes, but he's a growing boy, you know."

"Growing! He's already 6 foot 3! If he grows anymore, I'll suspect he's part giant."

"He was always the odd one in the family." George stroked his chin as if in thought. "It could be possible."

Hermione shook her head and continued to enjoy Molly's cooking. When dinner was finished, she assisted in clearing the table. She was just finishing drying off the dishes when George walked into the kitchen.

"Need a hand?" He asked.

"No, thanks though. Just finished."

"Ah." He smiled. "Fancy a walk around the lake then? Harry and Ron are back to their wizard chess game."

"Oh, well in that case, sure let's go." She grinned at him.

George moved to the coat rack and took down Hermione's sweater. He held it out for her and she slipped her arms in. He grabbed a light jacket and followed her outside. They walked in silence for awhile. Hermione was taking in the nice view of the moon reflecting on the lake. George seemed to be transfixed on his shoes. Hermione noticed his uncharacteristic silence.

"Are you alright, George?"

"Hmm?" George looked up at her. "Oh, no, I'm fine. Just thinking."

"What about?"

George cleared his throat. "I'm, um, going to miss you, Hermione."

She raised her eyebrows in shock. "You will?"

"Yeah. Hermione, I..." George stopped walking, and turned to face her. "I think you're an amazing person. You're sweet, caring and brave. You're smart, and beautiful. I've fancied you for quite some time."

Hermione didn't know what to do or say. Sweet? Beautiful? George Weasley thought she was beautiful? This was a lot to take in. "George...I..."

He continued. "And I was going to let you go off to America and not tell you. But Fred told me something tonight that made me change my mind."

Hermione just blinked at him.

"He told me that he never told Angelina how he really felt. And all I could think was that if I never got to tell you, how much it would hurt."

Hermione's heart wrenched for Fred. She had never realized how upset he must feel about losing Angelina. She looked at the man standing in front of her. His long ginger hair was blowing softly with the wind, his blue eyes were pleading. Her mind wandered back to her previous thoughts on the Weasley twin. That feeling she couldn't shake about him, that couldn't be...no. She couldn't fancy him, could she? She surveyed him again. He was very handsome, she had always thought that about him. And, contrary to popular belief, he was a genius. The treats that he and Fred created for their shop were not easily made. He was also an extremely sweet and loyal person.

"Look, Hermione. I'm not expecting you to feel the same way about me, I just wanted to let my feelings be known, before it was to late. I'm sorry." He turned and started walking back towards the house, looking dejected.

"George, wait!" Hermione called after him, and began to jog to catch up. He stopped walking and turned to look at her. "George, I...I'll miss you too." She felt the tears welling up in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around his waist and cried into his chest. She felt his arms go around her, one hand softly stroking her hair. She pulled away and looked up at him. "Do you want me to be honest with you, George?"

George tried to smile. "Have you ever been anything but?"

Hermione smiled. "No." She wiped the tears off her face. "I can't say I fancy you, George. Not yet. But I'd like to spend some time with you."

George nodded his head. "Okay. I can accept that." He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Promise you'll write then?"

"Of course I will." She gave him another hug. "We better get back, they'll think I kidnaped you."

"You can't kidnap the willing, dear." George grinned cheekily.

They began the walk back to the burrow, both with silly grins on their faces.