"Weasley, for two," George said to the host. After leaving Gringotts, they had apparated to downtown London to a small wizard-friendly restaurant. They were guided to a small table in the corner of the dimly lit restaurant. There was a flame lit in a jar that was sitting on the table, providing some mood lighting.

The table was small and George's long legs were so cramped that his knees were gently grazing hers.

"This is nice," she said, looking around the small restaurant. The atmosphere was warm and cozy, which was only enhanced by a man playing guitar and singing cover songs for the patrons.

"Have you been here before?" George asked.

"No, I never knew this place existed."

"Wish I could take credit but Fred recommended it. This is his go-to date spot."

"And where's your go-to date spot?" she challenged.

"Eh that would be Dans le Noir," George replied, referring to the spot where they had shared a meal in complete darkness.

She laughed, "No I'm serious."

"I don't think I really have one. Every now and then I'll take someone to one of the bars in Diagon Alley, but truthfully I don't go on many dates."

"That surprises me," she replied.

"Why's that?"

"You're very likable and easy to be around. And you're not too bad to look at either."

He blushed ever so slightly, "I think I can get along with anyone, but I'm more interested in finding someone I have a connection with and that's a bit harder to find."

"Do you feel like there's a connection between us?"

"Do you really need to ask that question?" He responded

"Hey, I'm entitled to ask that! As of an hour ago I had no idea you were even interested. This has all been very unexpected."

"That's fair. Well for the record, you're the first person I've felt a connection with in a long time."

She let out a small smile before asking, "So what happened that night?"

George sighed, "I still haven't been able to figure it out. I think I wasn't expecting to meet someone like you so it took me by surprise when you were so…incredible. And then I got nervous because I wanted you to like me and I wasn't myself. That's never happened to me before."

"Well don't let it happen again," she replied with a smirk. They were briefly interrupted by a waiter who came by to take their drink orders. Molly continued the conversation, "I want to call you out for taking me on a proper date only after seeing me for the first time but it seems like you had this all planned out."

"This was one of many plans."

"Oh yeah? What were the other plans?"

"The original plan was waiting for you to come into the shop, but you didn't want to cooperate."

"I thought about it. A few times actually. But I convinced myself that you had someone else in your life, which is why you were so quiet that night. And I thought seeing you might be difficult."

George hadn't thought about her perspective before and it made perfect sense. He wasn't sure what he could say to make things better, and luckily Molly interjected and said, "So how did you get to tonight's plan?"

"I considered writing to you at the Prophet, but that just seemed so impersonal. And then I thought about just coming to your workplace to ask you out, but that didn't seem quite right either. And then Fred found the invitation in the mail. I wasn't positive you would be there, but it seemed like a real possibility. And now here we are."

"You're very impressive, you know that?"

"All for you, darling," Molly blushed at his comment and George called her out, "Oh, don't tell me you're going to be all nervous now?"

"Of course not," she replied.

"Then why are you blushing?"

She smiled, "It's just nice to be pursued."

"I have a hard time believing that guys aren't throwing themselves at you."

She considered her words carefully, "There are a lot of guys that are interested in sleeping with me, but romance appears to be a bit of a lost art."

"Lucky for you, I am quite the romantic."

"I bet you are," she smiled. By this point, they had finished up their meals and were working on the last of their drinks. As they closed out the tab, Molly asked, "Do you want to go for a walk?"

George smiled, "I'd like that." He finished paying the bill as Molly sucked down her last few sips. They gathered their things and walked out together.

It was a beautiful night, perfect for a walk through the town. George had his hand in his pockets and Molly took this moment to make a move of sorts.

"Wow, you aren't even going to try and hold my hand?" she commented.

George looked at her and smiled, "You didn't strike me as the PDA type."

"Normally I'm not, but I'm willing to make an exception for someone special." He took his hand out of his pocket and scooped up her delicate hand in one swift motion. He quickly interlaced their fingers and swung their hands back and forth. She chuckled at his enthusiasm.

"So I have an idea for our next date," George said.

"And what makes you think there's going to be a next date?" she teased.

"Because I know you can't resist my effortless charm."

"I won't confirm or deny that. But hypothetically speaking, what sort of date are you planning?"

"I'm thinking I'll get us some tickets to the Weird Sisters," George felt butterflies in his stomach thinking of their first concert experience together.

"So you're going to wait two weeks before taking me out on another date?" she challenged. George was crafting a response but before he could say anything she added, "I'm surprised, I thought this date was going pretty well."

"Ah so you do want a second date," he grinned.

"I would like a second date, but please don't make me wait two weeks. The concert can be our fourth or fifth date."

"Now Molly, I know you couldn't possibly be getting attached," George said.

"Come on now George, you know I'm way too cool to admit to that."

"Ah, but you also didn't deny it." Molly rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the smile growing on her face.

They continued walking along the cobblestone street, passing by storefronts that were dark and the occasional pub with a boisterous crowd. George didn't have a destination in mind, but it didn't matter. He wanted as much time with Molly as he could get.

"So Molly, I know you're from the States, but whereabouts?" he asked.

"I'm from Chicago."

"Oh I've actually heard of Chicago. And how did you like it?"

"It's a great city. Part of me thinks I could've had a happy life living in Chicago. But I wanted to explore new places and that wasn't going to happen in my hometown."

"Well for the record, I'm glad you decided to venture across the pond."

"And where are you from?"

"I'm from Devon," he said.

"Oh nice," Molly replied.

"Are you familiar with Devon?" he asked skeptically.

She shook her head, "Not at all." George laughed and she added, "Can't say we learned much European geography in school."

"So Devon is on the Western coast. It's close to Cornwall which you may have heard of."

"Yes, Cornwall I know."

"Yeah so we're a bit further north. And our town is rather small, mostly farms. Muggles primarily inhabit the area so we keep to ourselves for the most part."

"And how did you like that?"

He sighed, "I loved my upbringing, but there's a reason I moved closer to the city. I needed a little more action and excitement."

"Now that I understand."

"What's your favorite part about London?" he asked.

She thought for a moment, "I love everything about London. I can't quite put my finger on why. When I first came here when I was younger, I just had a feeling in my stomach that this was where I wanted to be. I'm a very logical person and I had never really experienced a feeling like that. So I followed it and never looked back."

"Do you think you'll stay here long term?"

She nodded, "I miss my family terribly and I would love to be closer to home, but I can't imagine leaving London right now."

"Well good. I had to make sure you weren't planning to up and leave."

"Nah, not my style," she joked.

At this point, Molly had slowed her walking pace and came to a halt. George took a few steps ahead and turned around.

"What's wrong love?" he asked.

"Well we've reached our destination," she said. He looked at her with a puzzled look. "This is my apartment," she said, directing her attention to the window situated on top of the teashop where they were currently standing.

"Did you just trick me into walking you home?" he asked with a chuckle.

"Maybe," she smirked. "But I'm hoping you'll come upstairs with me for a nightcap."

Molly noticed him perk up ever so slightly as a small smile spread across his face. "I couldn't possibly turn that down." Molly smiled and gently dropped his hand as she fished her keys out of her pocket. They walked up the narrow staircase that led to her tiny one bedroom apartment. Before unlocking the door, Molly pulled out her wand and muttered a quick spell that George recognized to be a charm to tidy up.

"I wasn't exactly expecting company tonight," she explained.

"Does that mean you're messy normally?" he challenged.

"Well...it's more clutter than anything. Does that…bother you?"

"Not at all. I'm one of six dear, I'm used to clutter."

Molly sighed with relief as she opened the door to her magically cleaned apartment. It was kitschy and cramped, yet very comfortable.

"Make yourself at home," she smiled, as she walked over to the bar cart to pour a couple firewhiskeys. George took off his suit jacket and laid it carefully over one of the kitchen chairs. He slipped off his shoes and placed them neatly by the front door. Molly padded over barefoot to the couch and George followed with ease.

"Cheers," she said, as they clinked glasses. Molly took a generous sip from her glass to combat her nerves. She hadn't expected any of this and she was surprised at how bold she had acted around George. She liked him and she was sure about that, but she wasn't quite sure what her next move was.

Molly placed her glass on the coffee table and slid in a little bit closer to George. "Thank you for tonight," she said genuinely, as she placed a delicate hand on his leg.

"Thank you for giving me a chance," he replied. George shifted and put his arm around her shoulders. "Did you enjoy yourself?" he asked.

"I had a wonderful time with you."

"Can I take you out again next week?"

Molly simply nodded and smiled at him. George sighed and cupped her cheek. "Have I told you how absolutely stunning you are?"

Molly giggled and said, "Flattery will get you everywhere."

"It's the truth, I'm not just saying that."

She blushed, "I didn't think you were. Your eyes said it all."

"Now that is not fair."

"What's not fair?"

"My eyes say it all yet your eyes aren't giving me anything," he joked.

"Really? You aren't getting the message that I'm trying to send you?"

"You're going to have to try harder darling because I'm not getting anything."

"Oh, you know what…I'm better at sending messages with my lips than my eyes," she flirted.

"Is that so?"

"Only one way to find out."

That was all the encouragement George needed. He leaned in towards Molly, planning to tease her a little but as soon as he felt her breath he couldn't help himself. He gently placed his hand on the back of her neck and through her hair as his lips connected with hers.

The electricity was unlike anything he had ever felt before. If he thought she was the one before, now he was certain.

"Wow," she breathed, catching her breath for a moment.

"That good, huh?" George joked.

"Can we do that again?" Molly asked, tugging on George's tie.

"As you wish," he said, enveloping her lips in his. It wasn't long before the two were horizontal on the couch. Molly felt like a giddy teenager and couldn't get enough of George. His musky scent was driving her wild.

George slowly kissed up her neck to her ear, where he nibbled on her ear lobe. That set her over the edge.

"We should…move to the bedroom," Molly suggested.

George popped up to look at her, "Are you sure?"

Molly nodded enthusiastically, "I'm sure." George stood and scooped up Molly in his arms as she giggled and he carried her into the bedroom where the festivities would continue.

X

"Wow," George said, as he collapsed in bed next to Molly.

"Wow is right," she said, struggling to catch her breath. She curled into George's chest as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"I never do this," Molly stated.

"Well you could've fooled me," he said.

She lightly smacked him on the chest. "I'm not talking about sex," she chuckled, "I mean that I never bring guys home on the first date."

"Technically that was our second date, love."

"Okay well I don't usually bring guys home on the second date either."

"Are you trying to tell me you like me?" he joked.

She laughed and said, "I'm trying to tell you that you're special."

George felt fuzzy inside. This was the first time that she had been direct with him about her feelings. He was starting to see a future with her.

"So what are we going to do tomorrow?" he asked.

"We could go to brunch…or we could make some breakfast here. And then if it's nice we could go for a walk in the park. If it's not nice we can go see a movie."

"All I want is to spend the day with you darling."

"Will you take me to your shop tomorrow?" she asked.

"You want to see the shop?" he looked at her with a smile.

She nodded, "I want to learn everything about you."

George kissed her temple and pulled her in closer to him. "I would love nothing more than to share that with you."

Molly smiled and pecked him a few times on the turned and pulled George around her so they were spooning. George kissed her shoulder and wished her good night as she drifted off to sleep.

George was soothed by her steady breathing and felt himself grow tired, but his mind was reeling which was preventing him from falling asleep. He couldn't believe how perfectly things had gone and that his patience had actually paid off. His instincts were spot on and he knew that this girl was the one for him. George recognized that they were in the early stages of something special, but he knew he had found his soul mate.