Chapter 39
Harry swore to Hermione that Ron's performance on the pitch was completely his own, even if he let Ron think he had the Liquid Luck in his morning pumpkin juice.
Gryffindor wins the match and the whole house celebrates with a huge party. Ron is carried in on the shoulders of their housemates. Lavender jumps up and kisses the foolish keeper.
The whole thing makes Hermione miss her man. She walks out to the balcony and looks out over the lake. The sun is setting giving the land and buildings a hue of an orangeyred. Even that reminded her of George. Harry finds her sitting on a low stone pillar, probably looking down.
"Oh, Sis. This must be painful. I know I miss them protecting me. It's too soon to trust the new beaters yet. The twins always had my back." Harry rubs her back. "Just remember, he's a owl away." He whispers to her.
Just as he was getting Hermione to calm down, Ron and Lav come tripping around the corner, looking for a nicheto hide away in. She pulls Ron along.
Harry huffs. "He's an idiot. Do you know that he was asking me about his chances when we went to the Broomsticks?" Harry pulls Hermione up.
" I don't care Harry."
"No, not with Lav. He wanted to know about his chances with you. I tried to tell him that you and George were still together, but he wasn't listening as usual." They walk into the common room.
"Thank you Harry. I'm going to write to George and ask him to the dance." She hugs him and goes upstairs.
George,
We had a match against Ravenclaw today. The good news is that Katie chose a good team, we won, thanks to Ron's many saves and Harry catching the snitch. There was a house party and it made me miss you. I miss you, George. I love you.
The Potions professor, Slughorn, has drawn Harry, Neville, Ginny and I into his "Slug Club" and he throws this party for Christmas. I am asking if you would like to be my date, Love.
I am going to sign off as I am tired from watching the game and trying to avoid McLaggan. Yes, he is still after me.
Love you more everyday,
Hermione
Hermione sends the letter with Zetes and goes to bed with a book. The large eagle owl wakes her with the return. She smiles and gives the owl a treat. He cries and takes off to the owlery. She sits up and reads his response.
Hermione,
I miss you too, Love. My arms and bed are very empty. I am glad that Katie was able to find some players. Hate to hear that Gred and I missed a good party.
Of course I will go with you to the party. I would be disappointed if you went with someone else, even Harry. Though we both know who he's going with. How formal is this party? Never mind, I will bring a suit and a pair of jeans and a shirt. That way I'm covered.
As for McLaggan, don't worry Love. He'll see us together. If he doesn't, then it's his problem. You have a man who loves you very much and I do.
I'll see you soon, Baby. I love you.
George
Hermione goes back to bed and sleeps better for the rest of the night. She gets up and is happy. Harry smiles when she tells him that he was right and she just needed to write George. When her flowers come that morning, it isn't via an owl. Instead, a giant bouquet comes through the doors of the Great Hall, obstructing the view of the delivery person.
"Miss Granger, these are for you." The person tells her in a jovial voice.
"Thank you." She gets up and sets the flowers down which blocks her view of Harry, who is sitting next to her. She looks up again to thank the delivery person and a slow smile stretches across her face. A tear trails down her face at the sight of her fiance. Hermione leaps into George's arms. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." She starts crying on his shoulder.
"Oh Baby, it's okay." He pulls her into him and holds her tight. "Yes, I'll go with you to the party." He winks at her and twirls her around, then hugs her close.
"George, what are you here for?" Ron calls out as he walks into the hall. George turns, with Hermione in his arms. "I brought my girl her flowers and accepted her invite to that party that is going on." He turns back to Hermione. "Honey, I need to get back to the shop, so I'll see you in a couple weeks. I love you." He kisses her cheek and her ring before pecking her on the lips.
Hermione is left to admire the large grouping of liliesand roses.
"Why would George bring you flowers?" Ron asks as he sits down. Hermione looks at Harry. "Is he for real? Did one of those stupid balls knock his brain around?"
She turns to Ron. "He sends and brought me flowers because I like them and he likes to make me happy. We've been together for years." She shakes her head.
George dresses to impress the night of the Christmas Party. He apperates to the castle and waits for Hagrid to let him in. "Thanks Hagrid." He smiles at the half giant.
"Good to see you, George." He gets thumped. He waves to Hagrid and walks up to the castle. George walks up to Gryffindor and into the common room as Hermione had given him the password.
Harry greets him with a hug and handshake. "I'll see you there, but I need to go down to Hufflepuff to get my Susan." Harry jogs out of the room as Ginny and Hermione come down the stairs to him and Dean. George is glad to know that his sister isn't hopping around still. He looks to see Hermione striding towards him and is breathless. Her dress is peach, floaty around her legs and hugs her body from her bust to her hips.
"Hermione, Love you are wondrous." He whispers as he gathers her close and kisses her neck. "I've missed you in my arms, Love." He growls in her ear. He can see that his sister is confused by their continued affection.
Hermione blushes and clings to George. "I've missed you too." She whispers quietly, clutching at his lapels. He chuckles down at her. "Come on, Baby. Let's see how this is going to work out." He kisses her ring and leads Hermione out of the room.
"It feels good to walk these halls again, even if I don't wish to come back to study." Hermione grins at him and leads him to the party room.
George holds his arm out to her. "Might as well do this properly, 'Mione." He smiles. She links her arm with his.
Professor Slughorn strides over to them as they walk in. "Miss Granger. How lovely to see you and who is this strapping young man? You remind me of young Mr. and Miss Weasley." Slughorn holds out his hand to shake.
"Professor, this is George Weasley, part owner of Weasley Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley, one of the older brothers of Ron and Ginny and my fiance." Hermione beams up at George, proud to be with him. It makes him happy to see her so happy to be together again. George shakes Slughorn's hand.
"Fiance, well you keep your cards close, my dear. I was wondering why Mr. McLaggan was making no progress in his pursuit." The large walrus like man chortles as if they told him a good joke and walks off to greet more guests.
George drapes an arm around Hermione's waist as they walk around the room taking in the decorations. At the refreshments table, George gets Hermione a cup of punch and one for himself. He leads Hermione to a secluded corner to talk quietly. When both cups are empty, he sets them on the passing tray and keeps on talking.
"So, the register is a huge success, Hermione. Both that and the inventory system are going global. Olivander is excited about getting a filing program for the wands. I should have a check for you by the break. You are so wonderful, Baby." George starts kissing up her neck. "I love this dress. It enhances your lovely figure." He groans and gently pulls her to him. He is a little worried about her reaction to him being more affectionate.
Hermione smiles and sinks into his arms more, slotting her head under his chin. "I'm glad you like it, I wasn't sure you would. It is something I don't usually even look at." She looks up into his eyes.
"Well, it's something you should look at." George twirls her around. "You could be wearing a grain sack and be the sexiest girl here to me. I'm also glad you left your hair down. It's so curly and shiny." He brings a curl out and twists it around his finger for a second before brushing it behind her ear.
George can see McLaggan cruising the party, most likely looking for his 'Mione. "Cormac is looking for you." He whispers and brushes her collarbone with his lips.
"Pompous gnat probably thinks that if I'm not here with him, I'm here alone." Hermione grumbles. George snickers as he sees that she was right once again. Cormac seemed to be trolling around the singles and not even bothering with the couples. "He's keeping an eye on Harry. Smart idea, aside from the fact that we've not talked to anyone other than your professor." He watches a few more seconds before deciding that her lips needed his attention more.
A few moments and hot kisses later, Cormac finally comes near them. "Hey Weasley, have you seen Granger? She told me she had a date for tonight, but the poor thing was probably too timid to accept my invite." George nods vaguely. Does that depth of shallowness and stupidity run in the family?
"Well Cormac, you see I have been catching up with my date and fiancee since we arrived. I don't get up here to see her as often as I would like, but I promised that we would go to all of her dances together, so here I am. Thank Merlin. it's only a week until Christmas Break so I can be around Hermione again." He smirks and turns back to kissing his girl.
McLaggan is still standing there when they break for air and George holds Hermione tight.
The music starts, signaling time for dancing. George leads Hermione to the floor to dance slowly to the bluesysong. She rests her head on his shoulder and he pulls her closer. It feels so good to have her in his arms again.
"Hermione, I'm coming up to bring you, Harry, Sue and Nev home next week. Don't let them go on the train. From what I've heard, Dumbledore and Mum are still trying to get to Harry. Ladies Longbottom, Bones and the Maraudersare meeting us at your parents' office." George nuzzles into her curls and sighs. "I really have missed you. I can't wait for your break."
Cormac watches as Hermione and the Weasley twin dance. He is angry that she was in another arms. She should be with him, dancing in his arms. Hermione's eyes are sparkling and her head is on Weasley's chest as the guy whispers to her.
He was surprised that she never mentioned that she was with someone. Or maybe he never listened when she did. From what Weasley said, they were engaged. Why hasn't it gone around the school? That was huge. Cormac decides to spread the word.