Mature content warning, implications of sex, language :) This is sort of a filler chapter but bear with me!

I don't own the characters or setting they belong to JKR


George dropped the glass he was holding, and it shattered across the floor. Fred stuttered, quickly casting a spell to clean it up.

"Sorry, what" George whispered, and Hermione quickly stepped over to him, handing him the notes she had written. Fred watched from across the room, surprise on his face. George read the notes quickly, before staring down at Hermione in astonishment.

"It makes sense doesn't it! The magic seems to be affected by our feelings, and now thinking that it's actually our souls that are bonded!" She spoke quickly, and George nodded, though he looked hesitant. Fred grabbed the notebook with a frown, hating to be left out. He read it quickly and looked up in surprise.

"Bloody hell, the only way you two can be separated is if you get married?" Fred asked, his face filled with shock. Hermione nodded, glancing at George. He was quiet, with a distant look on his face. She gripped his hand and tried to smile.

"This is good news George" She whispered and he nodded, looking away. He mumbled about forgetting something upstairs and he disappeared out the door. Hermione gave Fred a confused look. He looked uncomfortable.

"I think he's upset that it won't be something that you two do because you want to, it'll be something you have to" He said, rubbing the back of his neck. Hermione sucked in a breath in surprise.

"What? That's ridiculous" She said, glancing at the door George had left from. Fred nodded awkwardly.

"He really loves you, and he wanted everything to be done right" He said and Hermione frowned. She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Does he think I don't want to or something? He knows I love him too" She said, exasperated. Fred just shrugged. Hermione stomped back up the stairs, searching the flat for him. He wasn't in any of the rooms, and Hermione sighed in sadness. She slid down onto the bed, her shoulders hunching. It was something that should have made them happy, the information that they could have a normal life finally. She wanted to marry him, maybe not as soon as they might now, but she did.

Hours passed and Hermione decided that if George wanted to run from their problems that's fine. He didn't take a potion for the distance before leaving so she knew he'd have to be back soon. She was already starting to feel a little weak, so she knew he would be too. She could feel his unhappiness and it broke her heart. She sat with Fred in the living room, watching a movie he had picked, when a pop came from the kitchen. Hermione froze, anger rising in her chest. He stepped into the room, a gloomy look on his face. Hermione could picture a dark cloud hovering above his head. He opened his mouth to speak but she stood angrily. She pushed past him into the kitchen and he followed her.

"Listen Hermione-" He started but she cut him off, roughly pushing a potion into his hand. She drank hers quickly before speaking.

"All the men in my life seem to think they can run from their problems. I think it's my turn. Have a nice night, I'll be sleeping at the Burrow" She hissed and his face froze, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Wait, 'Mione, let's talk-" He tried but she held her hand up.

"No George, it's not fair to me. You seem to assume how I'm always feeling or you just don't think about my feelings at all. I need a break" She said, tears rising in her eyes. She disappeared with a pop, and he stood there in a stunned silence until Fred stepped into the room.

"Really mate, I agree with her" He folded his arms. George turned to his brother, pulling out a small velvet box. Fred's eyes widened.

"I've had this for a little while, but I had left it with Dad, I didn't want Hermione to find it.." He trailed off, opening the box to reveal a sapphire in the middle of a thin gold band. Around the gem were small diamonds, almost giving it a halo effect. It was exactly what Hermione would love. Fred gave his brother a serious look.

"If you've been holding onto this for so long, why are you so upset?" He asked hesitantly. George sighed, sitting at the table. Fred joined him, looking at the ring.

"I wanted it to be a surprise first of all, but also I wanted to do it my way, in the future when we were both ready" He said, a sad smile on his face.

"Now it's almost a chore, the only way to break the spell…" He looked away, emotion filling his voice. Fred patted his brother on the shoulder.

"Probably could have done this in a better way, so she wouldn't have run off" Fred teased and George sighed again, with a nod. He stood, grabbing his coat again.

"I'm going to go see her. I know it's late, and that she's still mad, but I don't want us to go to sleep upset with each other" George had a determined look on his face and Fred smiled.

"Good on you mate" He chuckled and watched as George disappeared with a pop. He was quiet, trying not to wake the house. After searching the few rooms he knew she'd be, he ended up finding her beneath their tree. She was shivering, as she sat in the wet grass. She watched him approach slowly, sending him a glare. He rolled his eyes, sitting down next to her, and sliding his coat over her shivering shoulders. It was a moment before either spoke.

"I don't want you to think I don't want to marry you…" He started and she scoffed. He sighed, standing up and pacing in front of her.

"Damn it Hermione, I want to marry you more than anything! But I wanted it to be on my terms, because we were both ready and both want to. Not because we have no other choice. It was supposed to be special, not after a few months of dating" He said, tears lining his eyes. Hermione sucked in a breath, this was the first time she'd seen him cry since Fred was hit by the wall. She stood, crossing to stand in front of him, and he stopped pacing. His eyes were filled with sadness as he met hers.

"George, I know this isn't what we wanted, well not really. But we don't have to get married right away! I would wait forever for you. We're happy now, and we have a solution. We have all the time in the world" She reassured him, grabbing his hands. He wove their fingers together as he took a breath.

"I wouldn't want you to be stuck to me like this, not for longer than you have to" He said with a sad smile. Hermione laughed, sending a tingle down his spine.

"George, I am not stuck to you. You're my best friend believe it or not, and I enjoy spending all my time with you. We have the potion, we have each other. Don't worry darling" She said and his eyes widened, as she had never called him something so sweet before. Her cheeks reddened, in embarrassment. He swooped down for a kiss, and she smiled against his lips.

"You're my best friend too" He whispered, and she laughed again. They sat back down under the willow, watching the stars dance across the sky. Neither spoke for a long time.

"I was thinking, maybe we should go somewhere, away from all of this. Just me and you" He said into the night and Hermione looked at him, excitement lighting up her face.

"Really? Where" She asked, her tone light. He chuckled at her eagerness.

"Wherever you'd like darling" Her face lit up again, and she was practically bouncing on the spot.

"Well… I've always wanted to travel to Paris, or Italy… But do you think the shop will be able to manage with us both gone?" She asked and he nodded.

"Fred is in the process of hiring someone, so they should manage alright. I'd much rather be creating than running the shop anyway" He chuckled and Hermione nodded, leaning her head on his shoulder. A beautiful night, under a beautiful tree, and Hermione couldn't have been happier in that moment.

Months passed by quickly, and soon they sat, sipping tea in the view of the canals. Hermione couldn't have been happier, sitting in the little cafe in Italy, with her favourite person. He smiled at her, and set his cup down.

"I am glad I could talk you into another week out here, it's been so nice. It's a shame we have to go back tomorrow" He frowned and she chuckled.

"I do love it here, and the time away was really nice, but I miss your Mum" She teased and he chuckled with a nod. They stood, walking hand in hand down the canal. Hermione chatted away, content to be with him.

"I actually got a letter while you were out yesterday. Ginny sent me a letter, you won't believe this, Harry proposed, just as she had predicted" George's eyes widened at the news.

"Really? Wow, well good on him huh. I am happy Ginny landed someone like him" He said with a wide grin. Hermione's heart sang, at the compliment towards her friend.

"Harry would be really glad to hear that you know" She smiled, touching his arm. He pulled her in for a tight hug. They wandered around, enjoying each other's company. Hermione glanced around at the faces and suddenly she froze, tugging George to a halt. He stumbled and let out a grumble in confusion, but Hermione didn't even notice. Her eyes were locked with a familiar blue pair across a courtyard. The red hair was stark against the darker colours and Hermione sucked in a breath.

"Ron's here…" She heard herself whisper, and she felt her feet start towards the estranged Weasley she once knew. He saw her, but he didn't move. His eyes looked sad. She heard George stumble behind her, trying to follow. She was feet from him when suddenly there was a woman in his arms. She was short and blonde, wrapping her arms around him. He was distracted, momentarily, but as the woman parted from his arms, he stepped towards them. He looked nervous.

"Er hello Hermione. George" He said awkwardly. The woman stood behind him, confused.

"Hello? That's all you have to say Ronald Weasley" Hermione hissed, crossing her arms. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly before grabbing the woman's hand and pulling her forwards. She smiled at them with confusion clear on her face.

"This is Anna, we uh, we're together" He explained and Hermione smiled at the girl. There was an uncomfortable silence before he explained further.

"Er, Anna is actually an Auror with me, we're here doing some work but today happens to be a free day…" He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Does Mum know you're here and well? Since you disappeared like a thief in the night months ago" George asked, looking serious. Ron scoffed and Hermione frowned at him.

"No, although I'm sure she knows I'm alright. Anyway it was nice to see you both but we've got to go" He said gruffly, leading Anna away down the street. A tear travelled down Hermione's cheek, and she turned into George, wrapping her arms around him. She sunk into his comfort, and he wrapped his strong arms around her.

"I don't know him anymore. He was my best friend and now he's…" She trailed off and she felt George nod.

"Well I know Mum's cooking will make you feel better" He teased and she let out a wet chuckle. She quickly wiped away her tears and stepped back.

As they laid in bed on their final night in Italy, Hermione brushed her hand through his hair. She knew he was awake, and while they sat in a content silence, she broke it with a quiet whisper.

"You know it's been almost a year, well a few months from now" She said into the darkness. He shifted beside her, and she looked up to meet his eyes. He was smiling, his eyes shining.

"I know, I'm surprised you do actually" He teased and she laughed, shifting closer to kiss him softly. His hands grazed her hip and she released a quiet sigh into his lips. The sound spurred him on, and suddenly she was pulled on top of him. Her bare legs rested on either side of his hips, and the knickers she was wearing grazed him beneath her. He sucked in a breath, and she smirked. In this position Hermione always felt a rush of confidence. She shifted again, and when he sucked in another breath, she smiled innocently at him.

"Something wrong?" She whispered and he groaned, she felt him twitch beneath her.

"You little minx" He groaned with a smirk, pulling her down for a heated kiss. She dragged her fingers down his chest until they reached the waistband of his boxers. His broad chest heaved with anticipation. She raised up onto her knees, and slowly inched the material down his legs. She was teasing him and he hissed as one of her fingers grazed him. She had a smirk on her face. She slipped further down the bed and before he had a moment to realize, her lips wrapped around him. His hands laced themselves in her hair and his back arched.

"Fuck me, Hermione" He moaned, and she hummed around him. He shuddered at the feeling. She worked her way up and down and his mouth hung open. Her heart pounded in her chest with pleasure and excitement. She loved watching him come undone at her hand. His moans got louder and he pulled her up towards him.

"Fuck, I won't last to enjoy you if you keep it up" He whispered wolfishly. She chuckled, sliding down onto him. They both sucked in a breath, and Hermione whispered his name. Their last night in Italy was something she'd always remember.