Sorry for the delay in uploading. I know i said i'd be adding chapters every day or so, but my household has been crazy this week and i have been in a pretty lousy state of mind. Getting there though. Onwards and upwards.
This chapter contains sex. Yep, just letting you know. As i said before, sex is a natural act between two consenting adults, such as these two lovers below. If you have an issue with it, please, do not let me know, just close the tab or the app and never look at this story again. There will be more. I can assure you :-)
~~OvO~~
The first weeks of Hogwarts flew by in a whirlwind of activity. Classes began with high intensity and didn't let up at all. Despite only having four classes, they were brutally exhausting. Charms and transfiguration weren't proving to be very difficult, as she had had to learn a lot during the war years, however the amount of homework that was expected of them barely left time for the requirements of her relationship with George. Potions and the new life skills class was causing Hermione so much grief that she contemplated giving up at least once per day. Every time she almost lost it, George would come to her rescue. He would come to the castle most days and play with her curls while she studied. She found that, just his presence was calming to her and she soon found them developing quite a strong bond. She wouldn't say that she was in love with him, although she did love the things he could do to her in the bedroom. George would always make sure Hermione was satisfied, even if he wasn't. For George, it wasn't about him, it was about her. For Hermione, she was quickly discovering that the best solution for stress and headaches, was multiple orgasms.
Things between herself and Ron were still awkward. She tried to avoid him, and him her, at all costs, despite agreeing to attempt to rebuild the friendship they had for so many years before they were anything else. It wasn't working. Hermione still felt something inside when she saw him in class, when he looked her way briefly or when she saw Lavender wrapped around his arm like a tattoo. She tried not to, she tried to bury it and for a while, she did. Then one day, she was running late for class after having slept in and Ron brought her some breakfast to class. Such as small gesture was enough for Hermione to remember how much they cared about each other. It affected her like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over her.
She became standoffish towards George for a few days after that, however, whenever she saw Ron with Lavender, she was brought back down to earth with a resounding crash, sending her spiralling into a draining state of confusion. George was amazing, remaining his reliable self throughout Hermione's silence and withdrawal, however, Hermione would often tell him not to bother coming to the castle. It hurt her to hurt hm as much as it was hurting her to want both George and Ron at the same time. For the first time, Hermione skipped some classes and spent a few days in bed, trying to figure out why her heart and head were completely at odds with each other.
After being dragged out of her depression spiral by the ever perceptive Ginny, the two witches coordinated with McGonagall to host a Hogwarts reception for those students who had returned to school. After much debate, all of the couples, except Ron and Lavender who Hermione still couldn't believe eloped, decided to get married on the same day, on the 11th of December. Ginny and Harry had initially began planning a garden wedding at the Burrow, but the thought of getting married alongside their best friends was enough for Harry and Ginny to join the Hogwarts group.
Much to Hermione's disbelief, she quickly struck an easy friendship with Pansy Parkinson and by extension, was civil with Malfoy. After his declarations at the ice breaker party, Hermione had come to understand a different side to the pureblood prince who had bullied her since their first year.
It was a Sunday in late November when Hermione, Ginny, Luna and Pansy were being fitted for their wedding gowns in an empty Hogwarts classroom by a very well-known robes designer.
"I don't want an entirely traditional muggle gown, but I would like there to be quite a strong muggle influence" Hermione said as she stood on a small podium while the French woman measured her and wrapped various white silks over her body.
Ginny opted for a black dress, Pansy chose white and Luna chose the brightest yellow Hermione had ever seen, but somehow, it suited her. It was several hours before they finished being measured and had their gowns designed and by the end they all had the perfect gowns designed to suit them perfectly.
On the morning of Friday the 11th December, Hermione woke feeling significantly less anxious than she thought she would. She attended classes as usual and at 2pm, she left her Life Skills class early to begin getting ready.
Pansy helped Hermione with her har and make up and Ginny assisted her into her dress. The women had formed a bond that Hermione felt would last a lifetime. The hair and make up charms that she so desperately wanted to have learnt throughout the years had been gifted to her by Pansy in a book that Pansy had especially made for Hermione. The gesture was incredibly personal and had it not been for their makeup, the women would have cried in each other's arms.
They adorned black cloaks to hide their dresses before flooing in a specially set up floo network to avoid getting their clothes dirty and arrived at the ministry with plenty of time.
Hermione stood with her friends in the bridal area of the ministry waiting to be called for the group ceremony to begin. She had always envisioned her wedding day and normally, what she saw, was herself and her parents, waiting anxiously in a dressing room while their family and friends gathered nearby. She always envisioned her groom waiting at the end of a long isle and herself, walking towards him with sheer happiness radiating from her body as her dad held her firmly to stop her falling.
Reality was much different. At exactly 5pm, a ministry official beckoned the brides through a door, and they walked down a short corridor to the same large room where they attended the engagement dinner. They hung their cloaks on a hook before walking down two side isles to where their grooms sat on chairs, waiting for them to take their places beside them.
Hermione's heels clicked on the floor as she walked, along with the majority of the brides, and she felt herself grow anxious at the people who were now staring. The room was occupied by 10 couples and each couple had 2 guests. Molly and Arthur sat in the front row of the guest seating arrangement, a deal that Hermione had made with Kinglsey. If they were to be marrying off 4 of their children this year before they were ready, Molly and Arthur certainly deserved front row seats to every event.
Hermione found George quickly and sat beside him. As she did, he leant towards her and kissed her on the cheek.
"You look stunning" he said.
"You don't scrub up too bad yourself" she returned the compliment, checking out his white muggle type suit. It was perfect.
"Hermione… I…" George began, but before he could continue, Kingsley began the ceremony.
He gave a speech about the benefits of aiding with the wizarding population and discussed the rewards that would be offered to those who committed to their marriages and to those who produced children quickly.
Hermione anticipated that the next generation of witches and wizards would be, by far, the most spoilt, entitled generation, due to the fact that they would be seen as 'saving' wizarding kind.
"Please stand as you recite your vows" Kingsley said, pulling Hermione from her thoughts. "Repeat after me… I, say your name…"
"I, Hermione Granger…"
"take you, say your spouse's name…"
"take you, George Weasley…"
"to be my spouse…"
"to be my spouse…"
"and these are the things that I promise you…"
"and these are the things that I promise you…"
Kingsley then instructed them to complete their vows, using ones that they had written themselves. Hermione was intrigued, the day they received their wedding instructions and she was advised that she could write her own vows. She hadn't expected to and contemplated for days whether or not she would just use the ones the ministry provided for those who simply didn't want to. She quickly reminded herself of who she was and wrote vows of her own.
"I promise to honour you as my husband, to care for you, to grow with you, in age, wisdom, passion, courage and love. I swear that I will value you and respect you in everything I do as my equal and in sickness and health, until the day that we part in death, these are my vows to you" she said.
George swallowed hard as she spoke, and she felt nervous as she waited for him to begin.
"I promise to you, Hermione Granger, that I will cherish everyday as your husband and endeavour to be the man you deserve. I vow to gain your trust and your love and to hold onto these with everything that I have. I will respect you as my wife, as my partner and as the mother of our children. You have freed me from a life of pain and for that, I will defend you, honour you and be faithful to you and only you. I will love you always, as I do now, and I will honour you for all of the days of my life. These are the promises I make to you" George finished with concern on his face.
Hermione caught his declaration of love in his vows, however, she had little time to consider it, as Kingsley spoke once again.
"Please exchange rings and hold hands" he said. The group obeyed.
"It brings me great pleasure to announce you, married for life" he said, waving his wand in front of himself. Golden bands appeared to erupt from their wedding bands and wrap around their hands and their wrists, as though binding them together. It was not something Hermione had expected; however, she didn't expect anything less. Kingsley had bonded each couple magically. As the bands wrapped strongly around their hands and wrists, Hermione felt a warmth come over her, starting in her hands and arms and travelling through her entire body. She looked to George and saw that he was calm and collected, staring back at her with a genuinely happy smile on his face. The feeling of warmth continued, and she looked around wondering if anyone else was feeling the same. Many people seemed equally as confused, however, others, like Pansy and Malfoy, looked non-perplexed.
"It's ok, it's the magical bond" George whispered.
"The what?"
"That feeling. The warmth? It's the magical bond. It bonds people's magic. Its ancient magic and I didn't think he'd actually do it, but there you have it" George said, as the warmth stopped at her toes.
"Grooms, you are now free to kiss your brides. Good luck and best wishes to you all" Kingsley said as he stepped off the stage.
George pulled Hermione to him and pressed his lips against hers, softly. The warmth she felt a moment ago, returned and settled somewhere deep in her stomach. As they parted, the confusion she was feeling was beginning to dissipate, replaced by an overwhelming urge to kiss George some more. She looked into his eyes and saw what she could only imagine was the same thing. In her peripheral vision, she saw other couples kissing with extra enthusiasm, clearly seeming to be affected in much the same way.
"What is going on?" she asked.
"Did you not read any of the books the ministry gave you? This is the bond" he said, shaking his head with a smile.
"Sorry, I've been a little preoccupied cramming school into my already overused brain" she said.
"The marriage bond is supposed to urge us to consummate the marriage as quickly as possible. Ancient magic, but powerful" George said.
"Quite"
"Do you want to get out of here?" He asked.
"I definitely do, but your parents are here and the other couples…" she said.
"The other couples want to shag senseless as much as we do right now" he said, leaning down and kissing her once again.
"Ok. Ok, we'll go say a quick hello to your parents and then we'll go" she said.
"Very quick?" he asked.
"As quick as humanly possible" she said, feeling an unrelenting desire to push George down on the nearest hard surface and straddle him just to have a little relief.
They found his parents in the crowd and exchanged their hellos.
"Mum, dad, glad you could make it" George said.
"Oh George, we wouldn't miss it" Molly said, pulling them both into a hug. "Hermione dear, I always knew you'd be part of our family somehow. Welcome, dear. Officially" Molly said, having let go of them both and then hugging Hermione separately.
"Thank you, Mrs Weasley," Hermione said.
"Nonsense, you call me Molly or mum, dear" Molly said.
"I will do that, Molly" she said.
"Well, mum, dad, we best be getting ready for the reception" George said, pulling Hermione towards him, causing her cheeks to flush.
"Oh Merlin, I know that feeling. Don't put it off dears, it will become too painful to bear" Molly said, causing Hermione's face to grow redder than it already felt.
"Right you are mother dear" George said, taking Hermione by the hand and following another two couples out the door and towards the apparition point.
"This feeling is insane. Its like I've been knocked over the head by a gallon of lust potion" Hermione said.
"Its really just me, isn't it? I'm more irresistible as a husband than I am as a forced fiancé" he said with a forced smile.
"Holy cricket, we're married" Hermione said, suddenly realising that the events that unfolded over the last twenty minutes, meant that they were now married for life.
"Caught up quickly, didn't you?" he asked.
She turned to him and stopped them in their tracks.
"George, I'm happy to have been matched with you. No matter what else has happened or will happen or could have happened. I'm glad its you" she said, kissing him on the lips without having to stand on her toes. An advantage of heels.
George wrapped an arm around her small waist and pulled her body flush against his as they embraced in the middle of the ministry lobby. Onlookers gasped and verbalised their disgust however, Hermione was completely lost to the moment. She felt George's arousal hard against her and she almost begged him to take here there on the floor of the lobby. The overwhelming need to consummate their marriage was driving her need to get to the apparition point as quickly as possible, which she did. Holding George's hand, she apparated them to her house in Hampstead arriving in the small unwarded area in the garage.
She pulled George into the living room and quickly freed him of his jacket and made a mess of his shirt buttons after removing his tie. She unstrapped her shoes as George removed his pants.
"You'll have to help me with the dress" she said to him.
"Leave it on" he said, reaching up underneath it and tearing away her underwear.
"I liked those knickers" she said with a smile.
"I like what's under them" he said, pulling her up the stairs towards her bedroom.
They barely made it to her bed before Hermione was panting with desire. She had never felt anything like it. She had to have him and if she didn't, she genuinely felt as though she may explode.
She pushed him onto the bed before climbing on top, not hesitating and not bothering with foreplay, she filled herself with his hard erection. It was like scratching an itch that has been unreachable for the longest time. The feeling of relief and pleasure, of bliss and utter contentment filled her as she filled herself with every inch of him.
"Oh god" she called out, as relief washed over. She felt her walls tremble and he throbbed inside of her. She couldn't move, she was completely trapped inside her own internal pleasure. She thought she had reached orgasm, but when it didn't recede, she knew there was more. She opened her eyes a moment later and realised George was feeling exactly the same as she was. She began to move, and the more she did, the more the desire for more intensified. With her dress pooled around them both, she ground her hips against his, searching for release. She was wet beyond belief and completely out of breath. She wandlessly banished her dress to the floor as her nails dug into his chest, searching for something to bring them to a climax. George pushed her gently, swapping their positions so he was on top and for that Hermione was grateful. While her motions were slow and calculated, his were hard, fast and rough. He knew exactly how she liked it and at this moment, he knew how she needed it. She gripped the sheets of her bed in her hands and cried out as he relentlessly slammed into her, again and again. The pleasure was unlike anything she had ever experienced. Her body felt on the edge for what felt like forever, as he kissed her neck and grasped her breasts. His thumb brushed over her tight nipple and he pinched it slightly as he rammed himself into her. She was all pleasure, all sensation. She pulled his body flush against hers, feeling him grind against her clit, just the way she needed him to. The feeling sent her over the edge, and she called his name as she clawed at his back, screaming into the heavens as she rode out the orgasm that had been building since she was pronounced Mrs Weasley.
When Hermione opened her eyes, George was lying beside her, watching her.
"Hello there" he said.
"Hey" she answered.
"Welcome back" he said.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"You've been out of it for a while" he said, brushing her hair off her face.
"A while, like a few minutes?" she asked, slowly sitting up.
"A while, like an hour" he said. "I was a little worried" he added.
"Merlin, the reception…" she said, trying to get up out of the bed.
"It's ok, it doesn't start for another 20 minutes" he said.
"Wow, ok good" she said as she laid back down.
"So… we're married" George said.
"Yes, we are" she replied.
"I meant what I said in my vows" he said.
"So did I"
"That part where I said I will love you"
"I heard"
"that I do love you" he said.
"I got that' she said.
"I do"
"I know you do" she said.
"But you don't feel the same?"
"I do, George, I do love you. I just think that it will take time for me to love you the way that you love me"
"That's good enough for me" he said, kissing her.
"Ok, enough of that, you just shagged me till I passed out, now I need a shower" she said, getting up from her bed and heading for the adjoining bathroom.
"Your room is different" he called through the door.
"I swapped with my parents"
"I like it"
"Well good, because its not MY room, its OUR room" she said. "Well, it will be, once I finish school, if you want it to be" she said.
"I will live anywhere in the whole world. I will live in a cave, as long as its with you" he said. The admission catching her by surprise. The intensity of Georges feelings towards her had grown so significantly over the last couple of weeks that she wasn't certain how she felt about it. Of course, they were now married, they were supposed to be in love, but she wasn't sure if she could ever really love him the way she wanted to, or the way that he wanted her to. The way she loved Ron. She would try. She had been trying. She would continue to try and love George, to fall in love with George everyday till the day she died.
~~OvO~~
"Ginny, Merlin, thank the Gods you're here" Hermione said, having arrived at their dorm just before the reception was due to begin.
"Did you get it too? The feeling? The crazy urge to shag like crazy people?" Ginny asked.
"Yes! What was that? That was full on" she said.
"Well, Harry and I, we didn't make it past the public toilets. I had to disapparate us to my bedroom at home" Ginny said.
"How did you do that? There are wards everywhere in the ministry and at your house" Hermione said, confused.
"I have no idea. But all I knew, was that if I didn't get us out of there, Harry would have shagged me senseless in the loos and the daily prophet would have had a fucking field day with it. Can you imagine it? 'The chosen one, chooses his bride and shags her in a toilet'?" Ginny said.
"I guess the marital urge was stronger than the wards" Hermione said.
"I'm guessing you satisfied the urge?" Ginny asked.
"Well, yeah, we went to my house. It was intense, let me tell you" she said.
"Its supposed to be. That golden band, it tied your magic together and the sex, it solidified it. You're properly bonded for life" Ginny said.
"Yeah, I know. Its pretty crazy" Hermione said feeling somewhat deflated.
"Don't"
"Don't what?"
"Don't you start doubting this?" Ginny said.
"Doubting what? Its done. I'm married"
"So is Ron"
"This isn't about Ron"
"Isn't it?"
"No"
"Why are you acting like your pet gerbil has just been eaten by a hippogriff?"
"I'm not"
"Yes, Hermione. I've known you since my first year here. We've shared a room forever. Something is wrong"
"Fine… I'll tell you" she said, relenting.
"George told me he loved me. Like, really loves me. He's in love with me"
"That's great"
"No, it's not"
"Why? He makes you happy, he's kind and considerate. He gives you stuff from the shop, Merlin, he's given you the deed to half the shop, and he wants to be with you. And guess what, you're married to him. What could be better?" she asked.
"I don't feel the same"
"Bullshit"
"I don't"
"You so do Hermione. You just don't know it"
"I don't feel it"
"Let me guess… Ron?"
"Well, sometimes. Its hard Ginny. You have no idea how hard it's been" Hermione said.
"You're right, I don't. But I've seen you around George. He's good for you. You're more than good for him. Don't waste this opportunity at real love with someone who is your intellectual equal, on the memory of someone you fell in love with in the midst of a war and can never truly match you for your intellect"
Hermione sat and sighed, placing her head in her hands.
"You're right Ginny, I know you're right" she said.
"Ok, well let's get out there and have the most amazing night of our lives"
Hermione plastered a fake smile across her face, stood up, took the hand of her best friend and left the dorm. They made their way out the exit to the grounds, down a stony path and towards a large enclosed marquee which had been erected for the occasion. It reminded Hermione of a circus tent. The grooms were milling around, outside of the entrance, apparently waiting for their brides.
As the two witches arrived, Hermione noticed the look on George's face. It was absolute happiness. He was more content than she had seen him in months, and it seemed to be all her doing.
Herry took Ginny by the arm and led her in through the flap of the marquee. Hermione herd an announcer's voice but couldn't make out the words.
"Ready to go in?" George asked.
"I think… can we just talk for a minute. Before things get crazy?" she asked.
"Absolutely" he said, leading her to a nearby stone bench seat.
"Take a seat, m'lady" he said gesturing grandly.
"I just wanted to tell you that I'm not sorry we were matched. I think I have given off the impression that I'm less than pleased about what has transpired. I need you to know that I'm glad its you" she said.
At this, Georges face fell. He seemed to contemplate things for the longest time. It made Hermione nervous.
"We've been over this. Neither of us could have expected it. Merlin, you were supposed to be with my pesky little brother. I can never be to you what he was, but I can be something different. Better, if you let me. I won't try and make you love me Hermione. I can only be myself and hope that its enough, down the track" he said.
"Me and Ron would never have worked" she said.
"Doesn't mean you don't still love him"
"I love you both"
"But you're still in love with Ron"
"I don't know. Its hard. I see him with Lavender, and I get jealous, but when I'm with you, I don't want to be anywhere else".
George leant in and kissed her. It wasn't the passionate, I need you right now kiss, it was more of a slow, soft, I want you to know how much you mean to me, kiss. Hermione almost melted.
"See, and then you do something like that and makes me all mooshy inside" she said.
George just smiled and gave her a chaste kiss before standing.
"Shall we go and enjoy our wedding reception?" he asked.
"Merlin, we're married. Yes, absolutely" she said, taking his hand and standing.
At the entrance to the marquee, Hermione linked her hand through George's arm, and they walked in to the oversized, incredibly decorated room. The lights almost blinded Hermione at first, as it had become dark outside now. As she adjusted to the light in the room, an announcement was made.
"WITCHES AND WIZARDS, PLEASE WELCOME, MR AND MRS GEORGE AND HERMIONE WEASLEY"
There was sounds of applause from all around and some whistles. George spun Hermione around, took her by the waste and kissed her full on the lips. She hesitated for a second before kissing him back. There were more whistles and a stern looking McGonagall coughed nearby, raising her eyebrows and inclining her head in the direction of the Weasley table, where there were two empty seats.
They took their seats and Hermione drank a glass of wine all at once, looking around for who was refilling the glasses. When she didn't see anyone, she looked back in disappointment only to find her glass refilled.
"Self-refilling glasses. Wicked" George said.
"Handy" she said, sipping the next one more slowly.
Within minutes, all the couples were seated at their various family tables and the reception could begin.
"Ladies and gentlemen…" began the voice of McGonagall, "… I would like to thank you all for being in attendance today. I know it has been quite a difficult seven months, however, we are more than pleased to see smiles on the faces of each one of our couples here tonight. Could we please all raise a glass to our new couples and wish them the best of luck into the future?" she finished, raising a glass into the air along with everyone else.
Hermione looked at the tables all around the marquee and noticed that McGonagall was right. The couples were all seemingly happy. Even Ron and Lavender, who sat across from Hermione and George appeared happy. Hermione was hit with a pang of jealousy which she quickly forced away with another swig of her wine. The Weasley table seemed to be that largest, and for good reason. Hermione had jut married into the largest wizarding family in all of Britain.
Beside Hermione, Ginny and Harry were holding hands under the table, looking at each other as though no one else existed. Hermione hoped she would have that someday. She didn't even have that with Ron, but she hoped that with George, she could find it.
Molly and Arthur were absolutely beside themselves with happiness. Their children were all married now, except for Charlie who was too old for the law. Hermione thought it was absurd to include those so young and exclude those who were the perfect age to be having children. Charlie would be 26 the following day and, in Hermione's opinion, that made a far better set of circumstances for child rearing than those of them still in their teens. Hermione looked to Ginny and realised that she was still only 17. She wondered how the marriage law could have included Ginny, however, it wasn't something she could contemplate now. She bottled up her rage and packed it neatly away in a compartment in her mind and decided that she would approach Kingsley about it in time.
Dinner was served and was delicious as always. Hermione laughed and bantered with George in a manner that felt completely natural. Every now and then she would look up to see Ron looking in their direction. It bothered her incredibly, because whenever she noticed him looking at her, he'd look away quickly. Lavender hadn't seemed to notice, but Hermione was becoming fed up. She was at her wedding reception. She didn't need her ex watching her al the time.
After the meals were finished and the tables cleared, it was time for dancing. The married couples took their position on the dance floor and when the music began, they all began to dance. Hermione tool the hand of her husband and allowed him to lead her is a slow circle. Initially, she looked around and noticed the other couples. Neville and Luna were laughing and dancing like no one was watching. Pansy and Draco were doing some sort of fancy waltz which was clearly a pureblood traditional type of dance, Harry and Ginny were circling slowly in one another's arms, a few other couples revolved around the dance floor and Ron and Lavender, who hadn't been married this day, were swaying in time with the music. Hermione smiled at the thought of them all seeming happy and turned to smile at George.
"Whare are you smiling at so sincerely?" he asked her.
"Everyone actually looks happy" she said.
"They are, 'Mine"
"Mine?"
"Yeah, Hermione is too long. First order of husbandly duties. Shorten my wife's name" he said.
"I guess its sort of sweet. Now that I am yours" she said with a smirk, getting back into the dance.
"I have something I want to ask you" he said after almost a minute of silence.
"Oh, sounds serious. Shall we sit?" she asked with a smile.
"No. Lets stay here. I like this. I like being close to you like this" he said.
"You mean to tell me, that you enjoy being physical with me without sex?" she asked.
"Of course, I do. I'm actually a very affectionate person" George said.
"I'll do my best to remember" she said. "So what do you want to ask me, mister affectionate?" she asked.
"Move in with me" he said.
"That wasn't a question" she said.
"I suppose it wasn't" he said.
"Ok" she said.
"Ok what?" he asked.
"Ok, I'll move in with you" she said.
"You serious?" he asked, grinning like a happy teenager.
"We're married. I want to really give this a chance. It's not practical for you to come and go to and from the castle after work every day is getting to be too much" she said.
George smiled at her and captured her lips in his.
"I will make you happy Hermione. You've made me whole. In September, I was a hollow shell of a person, but the knowledge that I was to marry you made me want to be better for you. I didn't love you then like I do now, but I respected you and knew you deserved better. I'm not perfect but I promise that I will try to be, for you" he said.
"George, you are perfect. You already make me happy and the more time we spend together, the more I see the logic behind our pairing" she said.
"Merlin…" George said, looking into her eyes.
"It's a little intense, isn't it?" Hermione said.
"We're married" he said grinning.
"And all without any tricks or pranks" she said.
"So far" he said with a wink.
They danced for a few minutes more before other couples made their way to the dance floor. Pretty soon, the floor was crowded and there was not a lot of room to move.
"Do you mind if I cut in?" came the voice of Ron.
"Uh, I… Ron, do you think its appropriate?" Hermione asked as they stopped, eyes of the closest couples on them.
"I just want to talk. As friends" he said.
George stepped back allowing Ron to take his place.
"If you make her cry I'll flush your favourite toy down the toilet" George said.
"Not the first time" Ron retorted.
George looked at Lavender standing to the side of the dancefloor.
"Yes Ronnikens, but now your favourite toy is a five-foot six curvy blonde" George said, leaving Hermione stunned in Ron's arms and making his way to Lavender, asking her to dance in an elaborate bow that only George could pull off.
"He won't" Ron said.
"Wont what?" she asked.
"He won't hurt Lav"
"Lav?"
"Lavender" Ron said rolling his eyes, leading her in a slow dance.
"You happy?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, I think I am. You?" he asked.
"I think I will be" she said.
"You're not now?" he asked, glaring over in Georges direction.
"No, I mean, George is perfect. He's lovely to me and he makes me laugh. I hadn't laughed Ron. Before. It had been a long time. I just… Its still bizarre. I had envisioned something different for my life. Children at twenty. What was the ministry thinking?" she said.
"You can have children and still have all the things you wanted" Ron said.
"Sure Ron, I'll just strap the baby to my chest while I go off to work in the ministry". She said, rolling her eyes.
"Mum has offered. She's more than capable" he said.
"I'm aware. But I'm also aware that Fleur is now pregnant and it's only a matter time before not only I fall pregnant, but Lavender, Ginny and Penelope too. That's five children, given none of us has twins, all roughly the same age" she said.
"You've thought about this"
"I'm highly logical Ron. You know this about me. I've considered the logistics of how this will all play out" she said.
"I wish it was us" he said quietly.
"I… I did. Before" she whispered back leaning her head on his chest. It was a comfort she wasn't aware she needed.
The two of them stood there, swaying to the slow music for a short while, allowing the rest of the room to fall away.
"I'm sorry" he said.
"About what?" she asked.
"We should have run away" he said
"Don't be silly, we would have been caught, stripped of our magic and obliviated"
"Us? We defeated Voldemort. They would never have done that to us. I should have fought harder. Maybe this dress would have been for me" he said, looking down at her perfectly fitted dress.
"Its done Ron. We both accepted it. As we should. You're happy with Lavender. George is an amazing man. Clearly, me and you were never meant to be. We would have killed each other in a matter of weeks, and you know it" she said, pulling away from him.
"Everything ok here?" Harry asked, appearing out of nowhere.
"Fine, just having a dance with Mrs Weasley here" Ron said.
Hermione looked over to George who was in the midst of telling a story to a small crowd that had gathered. He was certainly charismatic when he was genuinely happy.
"Everything's ok. Just reminiscing" Hermione said.
"Great, Hermione, care to dance?" Harry asked.
"Love to. See you, Ron" she said, taking Harrys hand and moving with him and his two left feet.
"I'm a rotten dancer" he said.
"I know, but I don't mind" she said.
"Is everything ok there?" he asked.
"Just chatting about what could have been or would or probably would not have been" she said.
"This has been really had for you both, but I think it's wise to remember that there were loads of things you were matched against. You and George are so perfect. You probably don't even see it" he said.
"Oh, Harry, trust me, I see it. George is amazing. He really is" she said smiling.
"Are you falling in love with him?" Harry asked.
"I really hope so. He told me tonight he loves me. The depth of his feelings is quite frightening. But also, really exciting. I really want to feel the same, but I think I'm scared of it all falling apart" she said.
"I think its safe to say that won't happen Hermione. You're married. There is no way anything can break you up now" Harry said.
"So, you think its ok if I fall in love with him? It wouldn't be too soon?" she asked.
"Is that what you're worried about?" Harry asked.
"I still love Ron" she said.
"The same as before?"
"I don't know. I get jealous when I see Lavender all over him and something inside me twinges when he is near me… but.. I don't know, Harry. George gives me butterflies. And he is the perfect gentleman" she said.
"You can love two people at once. Your heart doesn't necessarily follow your head" he said. "But you have to choose. Choose to let George into your whole heart and that tiny part the Ron still occupies, let it go" he said.
"How did you become such an expert in all of this?" Hermione asked Harry.
"Ginny" he said.
"Ginny's a great witch" Hermione said.
"That she is" Harry said.
"Can I tell you something?" Harry asked.
"Please… Take these two Weasley men off my mind" she said.
"Ginny's pregnant" Harry whispered.
"Oh Merlin, that's incredible Harry. Are you happy?" she asked.
"I am. I really am. Its fast and its years sooner than we ever wanted but we're just so happy" he said.
"Harry… you're going to be a father" Hermione said, a huge smile playing across her face.
"Ginny wanted to ask you herself, but will you be godmother?" he asked.
"Of course" she said, bringing him into a hug, which wasn't a great feat, as they were dancing quite closely anyway.
"Your turn next" Harry said.
"Somehow I think it will be a while. I mean, its been three months. Not a hint of pregnancy. Not that I have been trying, in fact, I've been trying not to" she said.
Harry's eyes narrowed, "Hermione, contraceptives are banned, you know that, right?" He asked.
"Oh of course, I mean, the timing. I've been avoiding George during the fertile days, that's all" she said.
"Well, good luck with that" Harry said.
"I think I need it. I'd like to finish school" she said.
Harry just shrugged then hugged her before heading back to the table. Hermione followed, feeling happier than before. She had danced with her two best friends, Harry and Ron. Things were different now, but she felt like, finally, everything would be ok. Her heart and her head were beginning to get on the same page.
~~OvO~~
AN -
Bonding thing hey? Any thoughts? There is so much potential for soul and magical bonding. I was never a fan, but now i think its great.
Uploading this at 11:23pm on the 22nd Feb 2020. I will be turning 33 in 37 minutes. I am a true Pisces through and through. Not liking getting old. SIGHHH... Oh well, they say with age comes wisdom. I'm yet to discover whether they tell lies.
Anyway, hopefully i can get some more chapters out throughout the week. Not much else on. Keep following.