Chapter 33
George leaves the lab around five and walks upstairs to the apartment that he shares with his brother. Fred hears the shower turn off fifteen minutes later when he walks in. George is dressed in black jeans, a button down long sleeved white shirt, a dark navy suede blazer and black oxfords. His short hair is brushed back. He smelled of their newest cologne "Flame", it was a mixture of sandalwood, vanilla and wood smoke. Their other "signature" scent was called "Surf". It had a crisp, clean smell.
The females were not excluded. The boys asked their girls, sister, Susan and other friends what they liked. The twins were introduced to knock off scents and decided to attempt their own. Now, there is a whole line of their knock offs and two originals as well. "Holiday" is a fun, fruity scent and "Amour", a sensual, spicy scent. Hermione has taken to wearing "Amour" exclusively.
The quiet twin ambles his way through Diagon Alley, on his way to the Leaky and through to Muggle London beyond. He waves to people he knows on his way.
A couple of former classmates wave him over at the Leaky. He smiles and waves. "Not tonight. I've got plans with my girl. Good seeing you though." He calls over as he walks through the door to the muggle world.
Hermione taught him how to navigate in London, so he is able to hail a taxi and give the right change to the driver when he arrives at Hermione's door. The car waits for George to retrieve his lady.
He knocks and Dan answers the door, chuckling. "Evening Son, come in. Hermione will be down in a moment. Janet's making up your room as we speak. Ah, here she is." The younger Granger girl walks down the stairs to the two men.
George smiles, this time she is walking to him. "Hello Hermione, you look gorgeous tonight." She was dressed in a short red wrap dress and heels. Her curly hair is pulled back at her temples and tumbles down to her mid-back. The whole effect takes his breath away.
George holds out his hand to his girl. When she takes it, he beams at her. "Thank you George."
"Have fun you two. See you both later tonight." Dan calls as he shuts the door. He turns to his wife. "You do know what he is asking her right?"
Janet smiles at the door behind him. "Yes dear. When they come back, if everything goes right, he is one step closer to being our son."
George lets Hermione out at the restaurant in the center of downtown London. The host leads them to a table next to the window. It is dressed simply with a white cloth and a small vase of lilies between the setting for two.
Hermione looks at him and smiles at her escort. "Thank you for this, George. It is lovely."
"If you haven't figured it out yet, Love, I would do anything for you." He returns, reaching out to hold her hand. They discuss their days and Hermione's upcoming return to Hogwarts for her sixth year.
"To tell you the truth, I'm not looking forward to it. I know that Harry, Nev, Susie and Luna will be there, but you and Fred will not. Then there is Ron. He's still trying, you know. We've been "together" for a year and a half now, you'd think it would sink in a bit."
"Ron's always been slow on the uptake, love. I heard a rumor that Albus is switching it up again as professors go. He is to hire Slughorn back for Potions. You know who that frees up for DADA." George tells her as their meals are served. His beef burgundy is delicious. Hermione comments that her Chicken Marsala is also.
The waiter asks about dessert with a slight wink to George. "Yeah, we'll have a look at the menu." He tells the man.
George gets a simple slice of peach pie, while Hermione orders the cherry cheesecake at George's urging. Her slice has a special addition when it comes. Sitting on top, away from the sticky cherry sauce, is a sparkling two carat diamond ring with an antique platinum setting. When she looks up, Hermione sees George on his knee next to her.
"Hermione Jane Granger, you have filled my daily thoughts since that night at school. You are my reason to keep following my dreams, my muse, my greatest ally and my only love. Will you allow me to hold your hand for the rest of our days? Hermione, will you please marry me?" He is staring into her eyes the whole time he is speaking.
Hermione is silently crying, because if she opens her lips, she will be sobbing. She nods and falls into his arms, crying into his shoulder. George plucks the ring out of the cheesecake and slides it over her knuckles. "The ring is beautiful, George." She whispers, staring at it.
"I didn't want, nor did I think you would want a gaudy ring. When I saw the setting at the store, I bought it as soon as I could." He tells her as he smooths back her hair. "I love you and I always will." He whispers. "Now, eat that cheesecake." He comments and pays the bill.
She laughs and dives into the dessert. They finish and he slyly charms her heels to feel like slippers. "Let's go for a walk, there is so much to this city." He tells her as he slips on her coat.
They walk along until they reach a place where you can see the London Eye. It is huge. Hermione hails a taxi and they ride back to her parent's house. Dan and Janet are waiting for them.
"Alright, let's see the ring." Janet cries when they sit down in the living room. Hermione holds out her hand. Both parents' eyes widen. "It's not as big as Hermione deserves, but we both are private people. "George explains, thinking that they disapprove of his choice.
"No George. That is the most beautiful ring. I've ever seen. The stone is perfect and I love the scroll work on the setting. Wherever did you find this?" Janet jumps in to save him from a misunderstanding.
"There is a little estate jewelry store in the Alley. According to the owner, this was one of the few pieces that the Gryffindor family has sold over the years. Harry, Sirius and Remus might be able to tell us more, but that connection to the founder was enough for me. I had the usual spells applied to it; anti theft, anti loss, cloaking when she gets nervous, it can't be taken off by anyone but me. Lastly, there is a healing spell and a portkey for three embedded in it." He smiles at their faces.
"So no matter what, she'll be safe?" Dan asks. When George nods, he gets up and hugs the man. "Thank you, Son. Well, you two are engaged. I can't keep you apart. All I ask is please no grand kids until everything is done." Dan and Janet go to bed, leaving George and Hermione to decide how to go about the sleeping arrangements.
He smiles indulgently down at her. "Nothing needs to happen tonight, Love. How about we get ready for bed and just sleep in the same bed. I didn't give this to you, as a down payment." He plays with his ring on her finger.
Hermione leads him upstairs and they take turns in her bathroom. He walks out and sees a sight that will be repeated over their marriage. Hermione, sitting against her pillows, reading a huge tome. George chuckles to himself and whips out his book, a copy of Lord of the Rings. They read companionably until Hermione starts to fade. George quickly shuts the lights off. He gathers the dozing woman in his arms and holds her to him as they sleep.