They worked all night formulating a plan to get the turner out of the house. Mason came up with a plan to officially invite them to the masquerade Halloween party at Agatha's house. They had to wait a couple of weeks but they didn't want to rouse suspicion if they came over unexpected or asked to meet out of the blue. George took out their notebook and started writing down ideas and problems. Mason was very interested in the notebook and George promised he would make one for him when he had the time.
After they planned the evening, Hermione and George apparated back to the hotel after promising Mason to be in touch soon to discuss the protective wards on the turner; if they could get it out of the house.
"I can't believe it." Hermione sighed in disbelieve as she sat on the bed in their hotel room.
"Me neither. I feel so bad about his mum.." George said as he laid down next to her, his gaze on the ceiling.
"Me too. Can't imagine what he is feeling right now. First his mum was murdered, likely it was his own family but then to find out she was dying?" Hermione exclaimed as she turned to George. "George?"
"Yeah?" George turned on his side facing her.
"We've been writing letters for Fred yeah? And we are planning to keep them safe in the journal?"
George furrowed his eyebrows giving her a nod, not sure where this was going.
"Wh-Do you think it is possible to do it for Mason?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, if it works, this time line will be erased, only we would know. But I think it would be unfair to Mason. If he is 100% on board, he's the reason this is going to work. He risks his live, his family for this Georgie. I think he should know what he did. What he did for us."
"Okay.." George started slowly. "I get where you are coming from but how do you plan on doing it? If we contact him out of nowhere, he wouldn't believe us, he wouldn't know us Mione."
"I know.. maybe we could write letters like we write to Fred. Or he can write it himself so he would recognize his handwriting."
"That could work.." George furrowed his brows again. "But it's a big possibility he would think it's a fraud. Maybe... maybe we could try collecting his memories and see if we can bring them to the new time line."
Hermione's eyes went big as she pushed herself a bit up from the bed. "George! That's brilliant!"
"I know!" George said grinning putting his hand behind his head, legs crossed. "I'm George Weasley after all."
Hermione chuckled as she slapped his chest and laid back down. "We could start researching tomorrow. Don't tell Mason just yet. Let's see if we can get a hold on the time turner and if we have a chance to bring his memories to the new timeline, we could tell him and see if he wants to do it."
"Oooo-kay." George said in a yawn. "But let's turn in. It's been a long night."
George flipped the covers over them as Hermione snuggled at his side, stifling her own yawn. "You're right. Goodnight Georgie."
"Goodnight Mione." He kissed her hair slightly before almost instantly falling asleep.
- FWHGFWHGFWHGFWHGFWHGFWHGFWHGFW -
The next few weeks were full of research. While Mason's house was full of books on time turners, protective wards, dark magic and spells, Hermione and George's hotel room was full with books on memory charms, pensieves and time travel. George and Hermione ate dinner at Mason's every night going over the books. They were slowly getting to know Mason better and it looked like he couldn't have fallen further away from the family tree as he was kind, generous, funny. All but his looks reminded Hermione of the Weasleys. George got along with him great, during study breaks they talked about his shop and products he and Fred invented while Mason talked about his bar and other investments. Hermione watched them with a small smile on her face as she saw George laughing so hard at a joke Mason told, holding his side.
In the daytime the fake Lovegoods spent their time flipping through numerous books, collecting information they might need. They send a weekly owl to Molly (that includes all Weasleys and Harry) telling her they were fine and still searching for Hermione's parents. George received a letter from Angelina, telling him she will always be there for him and hopes he can get closure from his time away and even gave her best to Hermione. George made it very clear in the letter that Hermione was like a sister to him and she was helping him through it all.
"Mione!" George yelled and Hermione sprinted out the bathroom in only a towel pointing her wand.
"What? What happened?" Hermione looked frantically around the room, looking for any trouble.
"Euhm -I -Eu" George stuttered before blocking his eyes with his hands. "Sorry! I just found something for the memories. Could you.." He gestured one hand to her.
Hermione looked down and laughed. "Merlin George, it's not like I'm naked!"
"No, but still... if Fred ever found out I saw you like this he would kill me." George said still holding his hand in front of his eyes.
"Fine." She chuckled. "Let me get dressed. Next time don't scream bloody murder then!"
"Yeah.. that was my bad."
"That it was." And she disappeared back in the bathroom. A couple of minutes later she was dressed in muggle jeans and an oversize sweater. "Better?" She asked gesturing up and down her body with a cocked eyebrow.
"Yes, now come here and look this over." He pushed the book towards her as she sat down next to him on the ground in front of the bed. Hermione looked down and read the page thoroughly, her eyes widening with every paragraph.
"Great!" She cried as she finished reading the page. She looked up to George smiling. "So, we need to enchant the vials with the memories in them with these four spells and keep them on us when we use the time turner."
"Yes. Never heard any of those spells though. We best practice them and see if we can pull it off."
"I think that's best. Those are some complicated wand movements."
George took the book and placed it on his lap before turning back to her. "If anyone can do it it's you. THE Hermione Granger!" She chuckled as he waved his arms in the air.
"And you, THE GEORGE WEASLEY!" she laughed as she made the same arm movements. George looked at her wide-eyed before falling to his side on the ground laughing, Hermione soon followed. After a couple minutes, the laughter died down and they sat back up catching their breath.
"I love your laugh. It reminds me so much of him." She gave him a soft smile as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
"That's why it was so hard for me to even laugh. It wasn't looking in the mirror that was the hardest. It was laughing. I think 90% of the times I laughed was with or because of him and like you said we laughed the same way. I – I just miss him."
"I know." She sighed as she wrapped her arms around him and held him close. After a while she slowly released him and looked him in the eyes. "I'm glad you and Mason get along so well. I haven't seen you laugh like that with anyone but me."
"Hmm." He hummed in agreement. "It surprised me to be honest. I didn't like him at first because I knew he fancied you. But what he's doing for us and not going after you. I started talking to him you know. And he's a funny bloke."
"Maybe after you could be friends. I think Fred would like him too."
"Yeah, if he doesn't find out he'd fancied you."
"Oh Gods no." Hermione's eyes wide before laughing softly. "That wouldn't go over well."
"No. He could get pretty jealous." He chuckled lightly before looking serious at her again. "He never was the jealous type until you came along."
"What?"
"Yeah, I think it was because he was never serious about other girls and the fact you were away at Hogwarts after we opened the shop. It wasn't easy for him."
"For me neither."
"I just wanted you to know Mione. I think that says a lot about how he felt about you."
"I know how he felt. It's how I still feel about him." She said smiling to herself.
- FWHGFWHGFWHGFWHGFWHGFWHGFWHGFW -
"Come on let's go!" Ginny pulled Hermione down the stairs a week after she arrived in the burrow. Hermione arrived earlier than planned as her parents were busy at work. She hadn't seen Fred or George since her arrival.
"What? Where are we going?" Hermione tried to tug her handbag. Ginny stopped in the middle of the stairs and looked up at her grinning.
"Shh, don't want mum to hear us." She said glancing over her shoulder.
"Hear what?" Hermione dropped her voice to a whisper.
"George and I have it all figured out. We say to mum we are going shopping together in Diagon Alley. But I'm going to help George at the shop and you can have a full day uninterrupted with Fred."
"But what about the shop, doesn't Fred have to work?"
"They just hired help. George is going to give him the day off. Fred doesn't know either. It's a surprise. George said he's a bit mopey lately." Ginny grinned before pulling her back down the stairs before she could answer.
"Mum?"
"Yes dear?" Molly turned as they entered the kitchen.
"Hermione and I want to go shopping. Don't worry, it's in Diagon Alley. We'll make sure to check in with the twins. We could eat dinner there and they will floo us over tonight. Is that alright?"
Molly looked between the two girls, contemplating on what to say. "But what if something happens.."
"We'll come straight home, but the twins are there so we are going to be fine."
"Alright fine, be careful will you."
"We will mum." Ginny kissed her cheek.
"Thanks Molly." Hermione gave her a hug before following Ginny to the fireplace. Ginny was waiting in the fireplace with her hand full of floo powder.
"We'll floo in the backroom of the shop, Fred should be upstairs. Then you can go surprise him." Ginny smiled as she walked in the fireplace next to her. Hermione began to feel nervous and started fumbling with her sleeve. "Are you alright?"
"Just a bit nervous. It's been a while since we had some alone time."
Ginny placed her hand on her arm smiling. "It's going to be okay. You two need some time together."
"Ok. Let's go." Hermione put on her best smile and a moment later they stumbled out of the fireplace. Right in front of them stood one of the Weasley twins smiling down at them.
"Welcome to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes." George grinned gesturing around him.
"Hi George." Hermione walked over and gave him a quick side hug.
"Morning Hermione. Why don't you go upstairs and surprise him? I would show you around the shop but I think he wants to do that." He winked and pushed her to the stairs of the flat, he flicked his wand to the door upstairs."You can just walk in. Morning Gin, let's get the tour started."
Hermione slowly made her way up the stairs feeling more nervous by the second. When she reached the door; she took in a deep breath and pushed it open. It was the first time she visited the apartment and was looking around, taking everything in. It was bright with lots of sunlight coming in. Two sofas stood in the living room with a semi-open kitchen to the right. A small table with four chairs stood in the corner. On the right was the hallway that would presumably lead to the bedrooms and bathroom. The door clicked shut behind her and she heard Fred yell.
"I'm coming George! Be there in a sec." Fred yelled as he came out of the bathroom wearing only a towel around his waist. His hair still wet from the shower, the drops falling down on his broad chest. Hermione stood there watching him, taking in his appearance. Fred toweled his hair dry and glanced over to the spot he thought George stood.
"Hermione!" He cried covering his chest with his second towel. "What are you doing here?"
"Ginny and George thought it would be a nice surprise but if I have to leave.."
"No! It's just unexpected."
"That's the point of a surprise you know." Hermione chuckled walking closer to the handsome red head. "Never thought you would be the shy one." She teased playing with the towel that was still in front of his chest.
"Not shy, you just caught me off guard." He grinned dropping the towel in front of his chest. "Come here." He pulled her in his arms and kissed her deeply before she had time to process it, he was pressed against her only separated by the towel. "I missed this, I missed you."
"Me too." She smiled up at him.
"Let me get dressed. I'm sorry love but I have to work."
"No you don't." She grinned as he turned towards the bedroom. "George is giving you the day off, Ginny is covering for you. But I would like a tour of the shop."
"You got it." He gave her a quick peck before opening the door. "I'm going to owe them big time for this aren't I?"
"Probably." She chuckled.
"You can come in and give me hand." He wiggled his eyebrows at her as he entered his room. Hermione leaned against the door frame.
"I think you can handle it." She laughed as she pushed herself up and walked to the living room. "Better hurry up or I will find another handsome Weasley!" She called out.
A second later Fred came sprinting out of the bedroom fully clothed. He pulled her up from the chair and twirled her around before stopping her in his arms. "No, you won't. You're mine."
Hermione chuckled before pulling him down from the nape of his neck and kissed him soundly.
