"About my Christmas gift, George…"
"Yes, Hermione?" His voice was smooth and amused as he stacked shelves. Hermione fell into the subconscious rhythm of passing things to him with her wand as she addressed the issue that had been at the back of her mind for nearly two weeks now. She had twice seen him – and his allegedly identical but in her opinion slightly more gorgeous brother – at Sunday dinner at The Burrow since his announcement and twice found herself going home without saying anything. But today work had been quiet and she had vowed to come to the shop in her lunch hour and have a serious conversation with the man whose words had got her worrying.
"Well I was thinking … couldn't you just get me some chocolate for Christmas? I love Honeydukes' new chocolate truffles. That would be an excellent present. Or perhaps a book voucher? I adore having book vouchers to spend in the new year!"
George looked shocked. He leaned down again, in that annoying habit he had of speaking right into her ear in the voice that sounded oh so much like the one she really wanted to be whispering into her ear. And he full well knew it. "Don't you know it's terribly rude to refuse a holiday gift, Hermione? And this one's like a Weasley jumper. It comes from the heart, and I've been working on it all year." He chuckled a bit at his own joke before continuing. "No, you'll have the gift I want to give you and you'll love it."
He straightened a bit, and then leaned down again, having thought of something else. "It's non-returnable, too. You can't give it back. Once I've given it to you, this is a gift for life. Like a Pygmy Puff, but taller and slimmer." He tipped his head and scrunched up his nose, as if considering. "And a bit more orange than pink."
When he straightened up again this time, Hermione was pleased to see that he stayed there, unable to think of anything else he needed to add. She was going to have to tell him the truth. "I'm worried, George…" She bit her lip. She was afraid that he was going to do something that would change the friendly relationship she had with the boys, or even with the Weasleys in general. That was the main reason that she had never acted on her feelings towards Fred.
Long arms went around her waist and a face was pressed to hers. "You think too much, lovely. Don't worry. This isn't scary. It's a lovely thing. It's the Christmas present you'll tell your grandchildren about."
"Just don't embarrass me too much, please? Or threaten my relationship with any of your family? You're all I have now…"
Her eyes were wide and sparkling and George realised that action was needed. His casual hug turned into a fierce cuddle. "Oh bugger, is that what you're worried about, love? I would never do that. This is a happy gift, love. It's not going to threaten anything. How about if I promise to run it all past Angie and get her approval on everything? She won't let me do anything terrible to muck things up or hurt you? Mmmmm?"
He felt Hermione nod into his chest and gave her body one more squeeze before kissing the top of her head and releasing her. "You're very special to me, love. To all of us. I want to do something nice for you, not hurt or upset you."
"I know, George." Hermione reached for his hand. "I just feel quite … tender, still." She wrinkled her nose.
"Yeah, I know, love. That's why you need your present. You're not the only one."