George stood at Hermione's door, looking confused but very, very happy. His head was still spinning, but what did that matter? He knocked on Hermione's door softly, not wanting the other Weasleys to wake up again. He was too dizzied by his fall and the forces of love to realize that Ron and Harry were still watching the scene.

Sounds of hushed sobbing came from inside the room. George pushed open the door and looked in warily. Hermione was sitting on her bed, reading a thick book fiercely, trying to ignore the tears running down her cheeks.

I can't believe that Ginny let that slip. Of all the things to say at that moment… What was he doing at my door anyway?

George stood there, not knowing what to do. Hermione finally looked up and her eyes filled up again.

"I'm sorry, okay? Ginny was just…" Hermione tried to explain.

"What? Hermione, why are you crying?" George was really getting confused.

"George, just go away."

George strode over and sat on the bed beside her. He pushed some strands of loose hair away from her eyes and looked at the ceiling, embarrassed.

"Hermione…"

Hermione was too shell-shocked to understand. Why is he trying to comfort me?

"Look, Hermione…I've had a crush on you for ages. I just always figured that you thought of me as Ron's older prankster brother."

Hermione could not find anything to say to this. Her tears slowed.

Instead of replying, George looked at her. "Hermione, I really like you. In fact, if Ginny wasn't sitting right there, I'd show you how much I like you."

At this, Ginny began to snore loudly and obviously. She turned over and started to snargle in her sleep. Hermione smiled weakly through her tears.

"Oh, what the …" George leaned over and kissed her.

"George!" Hermione felt that she should at least attempt to admonish him, although it was the last thing she felt like doing.

"I'm going back to bed. Go to sleep, I'll see you in the morning."

Hermione could not speak as she watched him leave.

Harry and Ron had been watching from the doorway. They stood with mouths open. Ginny sat up and joined them in gaping at Hermione's love-struck face. The book, suddenly ignored, had started whining in a pitiful voice, bouncing around the bed. Their gazes were distracted and Hermione laughed. She grabbed the book and placed it under her bed.

"Well!" Three mouths commented knowingly. Ron snorted and moved to go to his own room. Harry followed, but not without a parting glance at Ginny, who winked back at him.

Hermione tried to sleep but could not. Thoughts of George in his boxers stayed in her mind. After several hours, Hermione drifted off at last and awoke to light streaming in through the curtains.

She dressed and went down to breakfast. The whole table-minus Mr. and Mrs. Weasley- smirked at her entry. Harry and Ron nudged each other, Ginny beamed, and George blushed. Fred looked up and looked at George, shaking his head with a small smile.

Hermione sat at the only empty place at the table- in the middle of Ron and Harry. She avoided looking at George.

After breakfast, the younger group decided to go for a swim by the lake. George caught up with Hermione and walked beside her. Hermione smiled but said nothing.

In the water, George paid attention to nothing but Hermione. He splashed her frequently, finally causing her to scream and chase after him. To his surprise, she was an excellent swimmer and soon caught up with him. He was spared the oncoming fight when Mrs. Weasley called them to lunch.

Hermione debated whether to let George's mother know about their new relationship. She didn't say anything, but Mrs. Weasley's eyes widened in happy surprise when George led Hermione by the hand to a seat next to him.

During lunch, Hermione rapidly became involved in a debate between Harry and Ron as to the value of their new careers. Harry had decided to go into Auror training, while Ron was working for his brothers at "Weasley Wizarding Wheezes". Hermione had finally opted for a position at the newly-remodeled Daily Prophet as a manager. She figured she could keep an eye on Harry at the same time, as he would be close by. The trio spent most of lunch discussing their futures.

George noticed this and frowned in disappointment, but said nothing. Hermione squeezed his hand at the end of lunch and they headed outside to sit under a tree and talk.

When they had settled down under a willow tree, smoky letters suddenly appeared in the sky over the lake.

Hermione and George stopped talking and watched as symbols lit up the sky. George could not read the lettering, but Hermione narrowed her eyes in disbelief. She had specialized in a certain Muggle language in her last year at Hogwarts… a language few other wizards- not to say Muggles- took the time to learn. She set to work deciphering the strange symbols. After a few minutes, she realized the meaning. She gasped and rushed towards the house.