Chapter 9 – Heart to Heart
George and Hermione slept well that night in the Gryffindor common room, sleeping on the sofas by the fire. The Fat Lady who guarded the common room had promised to alert George and Hermione if someone was trying to get into the room. They both hoped that no one would be wanting to go into the common room, although they did think McGonagall might make an appearance at some point.
The castle had emptied as everyone went home or to St Mungos to get treatment for their injuries. The ghosts, portraits and house elves were the only things left in the castle. Breakfast had been sent to the common room by the kind house elves which George and Hermione were grateful for.
"What should we do today?" George wondered.
"We could take a walk around the castle, if it's safe enough." Hermione suggested.
"How much time do we have left?" George asked.
"We have about a day and a half." Hermione answered.
"You could maybe help me come up with some new product ideas for the shop." George suggested. "We could sneak down to the potion's supplies cupboard and get some ingredients."
"I don't mind what we do." Hermione said with a small smile. "I think I'll go and get washed."
"Yeah I think I'll do the same." George answered.
Both parted company to pay the dormitory bathrooms as visit to get themselves washed and dressed. Both wished that they could both return to the burrow and join in the celebrations but they had to hide out until the correct time. For once they were limited on what they could do around Hogwarts too due to the fact that there could still be death eaters hiding in the castle or even one of the professors.
Hermione really wanted to go and get herself a brand new wand since she loathed Bellatrix's old one and couldn't wait to get rid of it. Once washed and dressed, they both returned to the common room where the sun was beaming in through the windows.
"Do you think we could sneak a trip to the burrow just to see what's happening?" George wondered.
"We could but your family will still have the protective wards around the house and if we were to go beyond them they'd think we're imposters." Hermione answered.
"Oh shoot, I didn't think about the wards. So I guess that's that out of the question." George said, sadly.
"I'm sorry George. I wish we could go back and see everyone but we just have to wait." Hermione answered, patting George's knee. "It'll all be worth the wait."
"I know. I'm sorry Hermione, I just want to see Fred and see everyone to see if they are all ok." George said, placing his hand on top of Hermione's.
Hermione moved from her seat across from George, to sit beside him. He placed a supportive arm around her shoulder while she rested her head on his chest. He was pleasantly surprised at her need for comfort from him, of all people. Hermione had never been exceptionally close to Fred and George, although they were good friends. Hermione was seeing a completely different side to George that she really liked, a kind and sensitive side and she was enjoying being in his company. There was something about George that she really liked, something that she was drawn her but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
"A sickle for your thoughts?" George asked a deep in thought Hermione.
"Oh, it's nothing." Hermione answered back blushing.
"You're not day dreaming about that idiot of a younger brother of mine?" George laughed.
"No, no not at all." Hermione answered.
"Someone else?" George pushed.
"Nope, I don't even know what I was thinking about to be honest." Hermione lied.
"Well if you ever want someone better than Ronald, you know where to find me." George flirted, elbowing Hermione in the arm.
"I'll keep you in mind." Hermione answered, elbowing him back. "Do you think I should tell him that I just want us to be friends?"
"Well it all depends on how you really feel about him." George answered. "Can you see yourself being happy in a relationship with him?"
"That's what I don't know, would I really be happy in a relationship with him? Would we be better off as friends?" Hermione wondered. "Maybe if we dated, it would ruin our friendship for good."
"And then there's his jealous nature too and his band tempter." George said. "Look Hermione, you're a beautiful young woman, who will get a lot of attention now after the war for being a war heroine and I don't think Ron will be able to handle you getting a lot of male attention."
"Don't be daft, George. I won't get any attention." Hermione scoffed.
"Oh yes you will. The Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly will both he itching to get their hands on you." George answered.
"Eurghhh. I don't want any silly attention from the press." Hermione said. "Especially if Rita Skeeter is involved.
"I don't think she'll want to mess with you after you threatening her the last time." George said.
"Yes or lets just say that I will accidentally on purpose let slip about her little beetle secret." Hermione stated.
"Wow, I must have been mental to let you tag along on this little adventure with me, goodness knows what you'll do to me." George laughed. "Slip a love potion into my tea or something."
"Yes, because I would really use one of your own products against you." Hermione giggled. "Especially not a love potion."
"So you don't like the love potions then?" George wondered.
"It's not that I don't like them, but I just don't think people's feelings should be meddled with, especially not something as strong as love." Hermione answered.
"So you've never been tempted to give someone one?" George wondered.
"Nope, never and that is the honest truth." Hermione replied. "You?"
"Maybe when I was young and naive which is odd considering Fred and I sell them in our shop." George answered. "Fred did try and slip Angelina one once."
"I think I'm going to talk to Ron when we go back and tell him I think we're better off as friends." Hermione stated. "I just hope he doesn't go mental."
"Well if he does, then you'll have had a lucky escape." George said. "Don't worry though cos if he starts anything, I'll hex him for you."
"Thank you George." Hermione squeaked.
"It's Ron's loss and some other very lucky guy's gain." George said.
"What about you George?" Hermione asked. "Is there a lucky lady on the scene?"
"Not at the moment, Hermione. I was dating Katie Bell for a while but we broke up before Fred and I left Hogwarts." George answered.
"And Fred?" Hermione wondered.
"Nope, he's single as well." George answered.
"You're a great guy, George and have a very kind heart." Hermione said. "To think I used to find you and Fred, immature and annoying."
"Well that's usually the norm with people until they get to know the real us." George said.
"Have I got to know the real George?" Hermione wondered.
"Yes, I think you have Hermione." George answered. "What about you Hermione?"
"Yes I think so but there is a lot more to me than being a supposed know it all bookworm." Hermione answered.
"I already know that Hermione." George grinned. "You're beautiful, you've got as sharp as wit and you're passionate about the things you care about."
"Thank you George." Hermione gushed.
"Not to mention that you're very brave and loyal to your friends." George added.
Hermione was blushing a crimson red by now and could not believe that George Weasley was saying such nice things about her.
"That's very kind of you George." She gushed, hoping George didn't notice her blushing.
"Ron and Harry would be completely and utterly lost without you." George said.
"Maybe I spoon fed the two of them too much." Hermione said.
"Well there's that and they could do with using their own brains for once but you're always so willing to help them and that is not a bad thing." George answered. "Harry would be more independent than Ron would be."
"Yeah Harry never pestered me to do his homework for him the way Ron did." Hermione said. "Although I did read over his for him."
"Maybe it's because Harry is so used not having people looking out for him and doing everything himself, he hates being a burden on people." George said.
"Yeah that's probably why. I guess that's partly the reason why my learning here was so important to me, because my parent's aren't magical and didn't know or understand anything that I was doing." Hermione said, sadly. "It's like I had so much to prove, not just to myself but to other people that I had just as much right to be at Hogwarts than everyone else."
"Then you came along and ended up being one of the smartest kids in the whole school." George grinned. "Beating even the pure-blood witches and wizards."
"I didn't want to be seen as a failure or be kicked out because they didn't think I was good enough to be here." Hermione admitted.
"Dumbledore or McGonagall would never have kicked you out Hermione, unless you had done something seriously wrong." George answered.
"Which I also did. I could have got thrown out on so many occasions for what Ron, Harry and I got up too and we didn't." Hermione said.
"Did Fred and I ever get thrown out for the mischief we got up too?" George questioned with a laugh.
"Nope you didn't." Hermione answered. "You're were both very lucky."
"There you go then." George said. "Although Umbridge would have loved nothing better than to chuck us all out."
"Erughhh." Hermione shrieked. "If she had done, she couldn't have been left with many students other than her Slytherin friends."
"Yeah. All our mates said they would have walked if she'd thrown Fred and I out." George said.
"Seriously?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah. It was one evening after Fred and I had detention with her and Lee said if we got thrown out, he'd leave then Angelina and Alicia said the same." George replied. "Though I really can't see them just walking out."
"I don't get Umbridge at all. She's all for pure-blood witches and wizards, yet was going to throw out you and Fred and possibly Ron too." Hermione said.
"Dad actually told us a little secret about the pure-blood loving Umbridge." George grinned.
"What?" Hermione asked, her brown eyes wide.
"She's not actually a pure-blood witch." George grinned, clapping his hand together.
"No way?" Hermione gasped.
"Yep. He overheard her telling someone at the Ministry one day, ages ago." George replied. "How she managed to lie about it for so long, I'll never know."
"That horrible, horrible, lying witch!" Hermione shrieked.
"I know but she'll get what's coming to her now that the war is over and Kingsley is taking over at the Ministry. He's already said that one of the first things he does is get rid of her." George answered.
"Good. It's been a long time coming." Hermione answered.
"He wants to give Dad a promotion too but I don't know if he'll take it or not and he's offering to give Percy his old job back." George said. "Personally I think Dad should go for it."
"I think he should too. Especially with Kingsley in charge, things might be different and better now." Hermione answered.
"What are you plans now Hermione? Are you going to come back here?" George asked.
"I'd like to come back here and complete my NEWTS." Hermione answered. "What about you?"
"Get the shop opened again of course. I've missed working in it so much." George answered.
"Hopefully you'll get it open again soon." Hermione said. "If you are needing any help with anything, I'll give you a hand."
"That is very kind of you Hermione. Fred and I would love to have your help. You can even come and work for us if you'd like." George said with a huge smile.
"I'd actually quite like to come and work in the shop. I can help you make new products and brew potions and stuff." Hermione offered.
"Well see yourself hired." George grinned, holding out his hand for Hermione to shake.
"I'll look forward to it." Hermione smiled.
"And anything you want in the shop, you can have for free. I owe you big time for helping me with this." George said.
"It was the least I could do, George." Hermione said, bashfully.