Disclaimer: Anything that you recognize is not mine. Anything that you don't is.
Note: minor swearing… ignore if you are easily offended. That's why this story is Teen not Kids.
Find Me, Help Me, Marry Me
Chapter 2
George reached into the throng of people and pulled a grinning Fred out. He dragged his twin out the door and onto the balcony. "Why the hell didn't you tell me?" George demanded.
Fred laughed. "Honestly, would you have told me if you wanted to marry Hermione?"
George was about to reply 'yes' but Fred continued ruthlessly. "I mean, she's so drab… and boring. Not like Angelina. Angelina doesn't mind talking about Quidditch or pranking. Hermione, on the other hand, broadcasts daily that those things that we- you like to talk about go against her principles!"
George's Weasley temper flared. "How dare you insult my girlfriend? Who the bloody hell do you think you are?"
"Your brother! And it's not like you're planning to marry her, are you?"
George turned red, half angry, half embarrassed.
"Merlin, you do want to, don't you?"
George paled. "Yes."
"Have you asked her?"
"No, she's not ready yet."
"Because of the divorce?" Fred asked, suddenly understanding.
George nodded. "It's changed her view on marriage in general. And I don't want to force her."
"Don't worry mate, you'll get her." He patted George on the back and led him back into the kitchen.
…………….
Hermione pushed open the door to the Ministry of Magic and Apparated to Level Four, right in front of her door in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. She had just received an owl that somebody was testing their potions on their house-elves. Today was going to be a long day.
Nearing lunch, she had more owl post, this time from Angelina.
Mione-
What say you and I get together after work? Meet me at the Three Broomsticks.
- Angelina
Angelina was a Chaser for Puddlemere United where Oliver Wood, a former Gryffindor, was Keeper and Fred was very proud of that fact. But Hermione knew George was proud of her too, continuing S.P.E.W.
She quickly wrote back her reply and waited for the day to end.
After work, she Apparated to Hogsmeade and walked to the pub. It was hard to miss Angelina with her dark hair and skin. Angelina smiled and waved her over. Hermione glided over to the cozy table. Angelina smiled again. "How was work?"
………….
Fred chuckled as he watched his brother stumble into a display of Puking Pastilles under the weight of supplies. It was time to close and the twins were cleaning up.
Currently, the Pranking Kings owned two shops in Diagon Alley, three in Hogsmeade and 15 more scattered around the world but concentrated in North America. They were about to sign the contracts for six more in France, Germany and Ireland each. You could say they were rich but most of their profits went to their employees, family, research and development and their products in general.
"Need some glasses little brother?" he asked.
"Not funny Fred. I just didn't get much sleep last night. I still don't know how I'm going to propose to Hermione."
"Ah, that again," Fred said, reaching out to help his brother re-stack the display. "I hope you don't mind, but I told Ange that you wanted to propose to Hermione."
"What?" George questioned, straightening from grabbing a lone box by the back wall.
"I told Angelina. Why, is something wrong?"
"Yes! Angelina's bound to tell someone, even Hermione herself!"
"And that's a problem how?"
"I told you I didn't want Hermione to know yet. If she hears it from someone else, she'll think I'm going behind her back!"
"Oh. Well don't shoot the messenger, but Ange and Mione are meeting at The Three Broomsticks today after work."
"What?"
"I said-"
"I heard you. How could you do this to me Fred? I trusted you! You're my twin. I poured my heart out to you and what do you do? Spill it to your fiancée! Do you have any idea how I betrayed I feel?" With that he Disapparated, leaving Fred dumbstruck.
………………
George Apparated to the Burrow into his room. He grabbed the box in his drawer and ran out the magical house. He picked some flowers from his mother's front garden. Daises, Hermione's favourite. He then Apparated to Hogsmeade. He ran to The Three Broomsticks. Bursting though the door, he immediately saw Hermione and Angelina.
……………...
"So has he done it yet?" Angelina asked excitedly.
"Has who done what?"
"George. Has he asked you yet?"
"Has George asked me what?" Hermione asked, getting very confused.
"Has George proposed yet?"
"Proposed?" Hermione squeaked.
"Yes, propose," a voice said from behind them. Hermione whirled around to see George Weasley, holding a bouquet of daises, He handed them to Hermione. "George…" she began.
But George wasn't listening. He sat beside Hermione, throwing an arm around her waist and pulling her onto his lap. "Angelina, I told Fred that I wanted to marry Hermione in confidence and he told you. He hurt and betrayed me. But then you told Hermione who I wished to tell on my own time. Now, I feel angry." He stood up and wrapped his arms around Hermione. George turned and the next thing Hermione knew, she was at the Burrow.
Even after they stopped moving, Hermione kept her arms around George. He felt the front of his shirt getting wet and tightened his grip on his girlfriend. "Hermione, don't cry. Please? It's okay if you don't want to marry me. I don't mind."
"Don't be ridiculous," Hermione scolded. "Of course you mind. And it's not that I don't want to marry you, really, I do. It's just… I'm scared. I'm happy with you and just to be with you and I feel if we get married, I'll be unhappy."
"Hermione, you know I'd never hurt you. You should know that by now and that I never do anything drastic without totally thinking it through. I know I want to marry you. I want to make you happy. I wish you could trust me."
"I do trust you! It's me I don't trust. I don't trust my feelings especially after…"
"Hermione, your parents' divorce has nothing to do with us," George said firmly. "The only people who have a say in this relationship is you and me."
Hermione pulled away and walked to the kitchen. "I know George. But my parents are still raw. What will they say? How can I be happy when it's so clear that they aren't?"
George threw up his hands in frustration. "God, Hermione! Is them who aren't over it, or is it you? It's been six years. They've had plenty of time to get over it!"
"But they haven't!" Hermione cried, whirling around.
George grabbed Hermione's shoulders, pulling her close to him. "Listen Hermione," he continued in a much softer tone. "I love you so much. I love you more than enough to spend eternity with you. I want to marry you!" He got down on both knees, taking her hands in one of his. Pulling a ring from his pocket, he said, "Hermione Jane Granger, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife? Would you become Mrs George Weasley?"
"George… can I think on it?" Hermione asked, visibly apprehensive.
"Of course," George said, getting up. He couldn't deny that he was hurt. He couldn't crack a joke – he was too disappointed- but he smiled brightly all the same. "Sure Hermione, you think on it."
"Thanks George," Hermione said, hugging him. "I really appreciate it."
"No problem. Don't even mention it." He walked her to her room. Making sure she got into bed before leaving.
………………….
George stretched, arching his back, in his bed.
Bloody hell! It's only four 'o clock. He tiptoed to Hermione's to see if she was still awake. Usually, George could sense when Hermione was awake and she hadn't been sleeping well the past month and a half.
He rolled his knuckles on the door. "Hermione?" No answer. "Love?" He pushed the door open. The first thing that consumed his attention was the lack of Hermione in the room. Then the fact that all her trunks and her new owl, Ariel, was missing. Lastly, a note on her bedspread drew his attention.
George, Harry and the rest of the Weasley Clan,
I am taking a small vacation. It's not that I want to get away from you, it's what I felt was right. I may or may not be back, I haven't decided yet. But I'm not staying in London, so don't bother looking for me; you'll most likely not find me.
Harry, get a girlfriend. The rest of you I want you to be happy. I'm sorry Mr and Mrs Weasley. And George, I love you and I didn't leave because of you.
Yours truly,
Hermione Granger.
George's mind franticly processed the information. Hermione –his Hermione- was gone and he didn't know where to find her. "She's gone!" he yelled, his voice echoing in the silent house.