Second last chapter! I hope you're all enjoying my story!

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


The family was thrilled for them, and even more so when they explained the marriage magic being a solution to the bond. Ginny and Harry were really pleased to have a little of the pressure off of them, now that they weren't the only couple engaged. Although Fred was a tiny bit jealous, he and Angelina were not ready for that step yet. Winter passed them by quickly, and they enjoyed the snow, and the good feelings that came with the holidays. They found themselves at the Burrow for Christmas Eve that year, and it was extra special, as it was their first Christmas as a couple as well as engaged. Hermione was bursting with holiday joy. She sat in the living room, a cup of tea warming her hands. The twins were playing wizard's chess, while Harry and Ginny sat cuddled by the fire. Hermione could hear Molly tittering around the kitchen, getting things ready for the dinner Christmas day. She felt happy, content.

"Bloody hell, you must be cheating" Fred slammed his hand on the table while George chuckled.

"You're just shit at chess" He teased and Hermione let out a chuckle. Molly entered the room with a huff.

"Language please" She hissed and the boys ducked their heads. Molly headed towards the tree before addressing the room.

"Bill and Charlie will be bringing their wives tomorrow, so they'll get their special presents tomorrow, but should we open ours tonight then?" She asked, holding out a small box to Harry. The room nodded with smiles, taking their boxes from her. Everyone knew Molly spent a lot of the year knitting to keep the tradition of sweaters each Christmas alive. Hermione opened hers with excitement, holding up a blue sweater with a red 'H' in the middle. She pulled it over her head, a smile on her face, before turning to George. He was pulling the same coloured sweater over his head, with a red 'G' across the chest. Hermione's heart swam with love, as she realized Molly had made them matching sweaters.

"Oh Molly, I love them" She said, touching her chest. Molly nodded with a happy smile on her face. Everyone was chatting, enjoying each other's company when a loud bang sounded into the room. George grabbed Hermione's hand in surprise. It happened again and they realized it was the front door. Molly rose to her feet, heading to the door. She swung it open and sucked in a breath of surprise.

"Who is it Mum?" Ginny called, and Molly stepped back, letting the person into the room. They were followed by a second person, and Hermione felt her eyes widen. Ron and Anna stood in the doorway, snow covering their coats and hair. Molly stood there stunned, and Ron rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"I hope you don't mind us coming over…" Ron said quietly, and this seemed to break the spell, Molly pulling her youngest son into her arms. He chuckled, hugging her back. Hermione rose from the couch, followed by George, who still held her hand. Ron glanced around the room, his face devoid of emotion.

"Hi Ron" Harry spoke first, and Ron nodded with a smile. Hermione gave Anna an awkward smile. Anna smiled back, following Ron into the room. The tension in the room could have been cut with a knife. The two sat on the now abandoned couch, glancing around the room. Molly, seemingly unaware of the tension, quickly rushed over, handing Ron his present. She looked awkwardly at Anna.

"Sorry dear, I didn't know you'd be coming" She said, and Anna just shook her head.

"It's okay Mrs Weasley, you weren't expecting us" She said softly, with a smile. Molly nodded, heading back to the kitchen. The room was quiet and Ron nodded towards Hermione's sweater.

"Nice, you match George" He said and she nodded with a tight smile.

"Yes, Molly did it on purpose for us" Hermione said. Ron nodded with a weak smile. His eyes locked on the ring that was on her finger and he sucked in a breath, frowning. Anna narrowed her eyes at him. He didn't notice. Hermione stood up quickly, turning to George.

"Will you help me with something?" She asked and he nodded instantly, taking her hand and following her up the stairs to their room. Hermione sat on the bed in a huff, crossing her arms. George chuckled, closing the door and sitting beside her.

"I know love, but let's not let him ruin Christmas, yeah?" He rubbed her shoulder reassuringly. Hermione released a soft sigh.

"I know, but how can he just expect to walk back into our lives?" She huffed again and George nodded, a frown on his face. A soft knock echoed into the room and then the door peaked open, revealing the person that had just been talking about. Hermione and George stood as he entered the room.

"Hey 'Mione, can we talk?" He asked and before George could say anything Hermione held up her hand to him.

"Sure Ron, are you sure your girlfriend would be okay with that?" She asked and George grumbled beside her. Ron stuttered before speaking.

"We aren't- yes it's fine" He said, rubbing the back of his neck. Hermione could feel the anger radiating off George, and she turned swiftly, pressing her lips to his cheek. His frown fell from his face and he sighed, leaving them alone. Ron sat on Fred's bed across from Hermione, who was sitting on George's. The room was silent for a moment.

"I see you're engaged" He said, looking at her hand. She raised it, fiddling with the ring.

"We found out the only way to end the spell was to get married, although we would have gotten married regardless. We love each other" She stated and he flinched. She sighed, her eyes sad.

"I'm sorry Ron, I know you are taking this sort of hard, but you have to know that this isn't right. I love George, and he loves me. You're with Anna now anyway, it's not fair to her" She said sadly and Ron shook his head.

"We aren't really together, I just brought her here to see if it would make you jealous" He admitted and Hermione narrowed her eyes.

"Wow Ron, I am really disappointed in you" She said, crossing her arms with a frown. His eyes were filled with sadness, as he rose from the bed.

"We really have no chance?" He whispered and she shook her head.

"I'm sorry Ron but no. We will be getting married and I hope you can be there to support me. You missed our announcement to the family, but we will be getting married in the spring, in a few months" She said and his eyes filled with tears. He fled the room and Hermione sunk onto the bed, head in her hands. Someone sat beside her and she raised her head to see it was George. She leaned against him as he wrapped his arm around her.

"Well I think he finally understands…" She whispered and he grimaced.

"Well that's a relief I suppose. If only he hadn't ruined a holiday over it" He frowned and Hermione felt herself nodding.

"I don't think I am up to heading back down… I'm just going to head to bed I think" She whispered, pulling the sweater off her head. He nodded, doing the same. They slid into their bed, flicking the light off. George ran a hand through her hair, as she laid against his chest.

"Did he ask you to be with him again?" George whispered after a moment of silence. Hermione nodded, meeting his eyes.

"He asked if he had a chance and I told him no, and that we would be married in the spring" She told him and she heard him sigh. They fell asleep, a dark cloud hovering above their holiday cheer.

Hermione and George were the last couple to make it down on Christmas morning. The rest were sitting in the living room, enjoying some breakfast snacks while waiting for them. Hermione sat down in the large chair while George travelled to the kitchen to grab them some tea. She noticed Ron and Anna were there, sitting together on the floor. She felt sadness fill her heart, knowing Ron was lying to Anna. But it wasn't her place to get involved. George returned, lifting Hermione to slide beneath her on the chair, before pulling her back down onto his lap. She shifted uncomfortably, as everyone glanced at them. Fred shook his head with a teasing smile.

"Who's ready for presents?" Molly chimed, entering the room. Cheers erupted around them and the morning continued. Everyone chatted away happily, as Bill and Charlie arrived with their wives, the room became more full. Fleur was pregnant, and that became the talk of the room. Hermione felt her heart swim with new emotion, as she watched the blonde woman practically glow with happiness. Her eyes met George's across the room and he had the same look in his eyes as she did. One day. As everyone finished opening presents, and a few of them disappeared for a snowy quidditch match, George pulled Hermione aside.

"So, the real present I have for you isn't something I can physically hand you, I was wondering if you had a second to come with me" He said, his voice nervous. Hermione's eyes widened in surprise and excitement filled her heart.

"Of course" She said, taking his hand. His smile widened and they disaparated with a pop. They landed in an alleyway, and Hermione knew they were in a muggle town. She turned to him with confusion.

"It's a little bit of a walk, I didn't want to appear in front of any of the muggles here" He said, tugging her jacket closer together. She laughed, taking his hand.

"Lead the way then, darling" She teased and he nodded, pulling her out of the alley. They walked down the quiet neighbourhood that was lined with small cottage-like houses. Hermione was stunned by how beautiful it was. As they approached a house at the end of the road, George tugged Hermione to a stop. She looked around in confusion before meeting his eyes. He looked incredibly nervous, and Hermione gave him a reassuring smile. He let out a breath.

"Happy Christmas, love" He said, pulling her up the drive of the house. Her eyes widened and she finally realized what he had gotten her. She stood, staring at the small red brick house. It was lined with windows, and a small porch on the front, giving it a more homey look. There was a small yard in the front and the back she noticed before following him to the front door. He unlocked it quickly, tugging her inside. They stood in the entryway and Hermione's eyes flitted around the empty rooms, waiting to be filled with furniture and memories.

"George… I can't believe it…" She whispered, bringing her hands to her face. Tears filled her eyes. He let out a breath he had been holding, relief filling his face.

"I was so nervous you'd think I crossed a line, but I saw it one day and thought of you. Imagine us working in here" He led her through the rooms, telling her everything they could do and everything they could be. Hermione felt tears run down her cheeks. The rooms were all white, waiting to be painted and loved. He led her up the stairs into the first bedroom, and he turned, a soft smile on his face.

"Imagine a curly brown haired baby in here, learning for the first time that they can do magic" He said and Hermione threw herself into his arms, kissing him intently.

"I love it and I love you" She gasped through the tears. He chuckled, pulling her close. Her sadness from the night before was long gone. This was their home. Their home.

The holidays flew by, and with time, they filled their new home. They had a beautiful kitchen that Hermione was itching to use, a lovely sitting room, and even a work room for them to work on products for the shop. Hermione felt impossibly happy. She couldn't wait for the spring, and to be with him finally. The family had loved their small house, visiting through their own floo, much to Hermione's happiness. Everyone except for Ron, who still couldn't seem to accept that Hermione was marrying his brother.

Hermione wiped paint onto the large shirt she was wearing, setting her paintbrush down. She was in the middle of painting the second bedroom when George entered the room. He smiled down at her, noticing that she was covered as well as the walls.

"You know the paint is supposed to go on the walls right?" He teased and she narrowed her eyes, lifting the paintbrush towards him.

"Don't test me, Weasley" She said and he raised his arms in defence. He was holding a letter in his hand.

"You got a letter from the hospital, it was sent to the shop a month ago apparently, I thought you might want to read it" He said, handing it to her. She tucked the paintbrush under her elbow, opening the envelope. Her eyes read over the page, and then again. George watched as her eyes widened, panic growing in them. He stepped towards her.

"What? What is it?" He asked, worry clear in his voice. Hermione sucked in a breath, her eyes wild.

"George, it's about our link" She pushed the letter into his hands, her own shaking with emotion. His eyes skimmed the page, his eyes widening.

"What are we going to do?" His voice was quiet and filled with shock.