Being Assertive by WeasleyForMe
Could Hermione be the demanding, bossy, assertive woman of George's dreams?
Thanks to Grande.Vanilla.Skim.Latte for beta reading for me and for baking very tasty pies!
For the rest of the weekend, George floated around on an invisible cloud of lovesickness, while Fred went about his usual business of rotating his dates. When Fred arrived home on Sunday night after taking Angelina out to lunch and Luna out for dinner, he collapsed on the couch next to George. "Dating is hard work," he muttered.
George turned slightly toward his twin. "You know, I should be upset with you for suggesting Lustre de Cristal, but I just can't seem to be angry. Did I tell you about how she took my hand in the park?"
Fred rolled his eyes dramatically. "Yes, yes, you've told me at least fifty times, Forge."
"Well, how about the kiss? I don't think I've fully explained how great the kiss was. It was-"
"George! I've heard all about it! Just relax, and wait until she sends you an owl or something. Honestly," Fred murmured, "if she knew how insane you were being, she'd start avoiding you."
George snorted. "At least I'm not dating the whole of our graduating class from Hogwarts and then some. So, how was dinner with, Angelina was it?"
"No, Angelina was my lunch date. I had dinner with Luna, and it was fine, but I can't decide which one of them I like the best. I should probably get to choosing one by now. Angie is really something; she gets free season tickets from work to see the Tutshill Tornados, too." George rolled his eyes. "But Luna is so damn cute, and Katie is the funniest. Oh, and Alicia is probably the sweetest person I've ever met. Gods, how am I supposed to choose one?"
"Toss a coin?" George said sarcastically.
"Well, you're not help are you, you lovesick buffoon. You're got to get a grip. Hermione obviously won't want some tosser who's just going to flower her with mushy gifts and googly eyes." Fred dramatically thrust his hand over his heart and imitated that type of scenario. "'Oh, Hermione! I've been thinking about you nonstop like some silly twit, and I'd love to take you out on my yacht. Here's the ruby necklace I just spent a thousand galleons on for you, darling.' She'd probably vomit and then die of boredom."
"Thanks for your vote of confidence, but I'd never be that bad."
"I hope not, for everyone's sake. Oh, bugger, I'm supposed to send a 'goodnight' owl to Katie," Fred said, jumping up to write a letter.
Hermione was very pleased to note that Fred was true to his word. It was Tuesday afternoon, and she hadn't received a single complaint about Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes in days. This was convenient, because she'd been much too busy thinking about George to do any work while she was at the Ministry anyway. It was time for her to clock out, and she was debating whether or not to stop at the shop and see George. Her curiosity won out, and she found herself traipsing down Diagon Alley on her way home. She had come up with the perfect second date for George and herself, but she needed to make sure he was still interested. She wanted to take him somewhere that she could find out if he was interested in her culture enough to appreciate that she was raised in a muggle home. She didn't need a man who was going to show off his money or status; she wanted someone who was self-assured and fun. She thought that George fit into that category, but she wanted to make sure.
As Hermione entered their store, she noticed Ginny was there as well. "Hermione!"
"Ginny! How are you?" Hermione asked, receiving a hug from her friend.
"Great, just picking up some Canary Creams. It's fun playing pranks at work," Ginny told her with a grin, very similar to the ones Fred and George wore while misbehaving. "What brings you here?"
"Oh, um, I'm just here to see George."
Ginny's eyes narrowed. "George? Why would you be here to see him? Fred's the one dating everybody."
Hermione was becoming more uncomfortable with each passing minute. "Well, I… you see, I went out with George as part of a bargain, and then I asked him out again."
Ginny noticed Hermione's rosy cheeks and they way her eyes kept flicking to the floor. "Oh! It's you! You were the one!" Ginny said happily, clapping her hands. "George seemed extra happy to me, and now I know why! I never imagined the two of you together, but it seems just perfect." Hermione closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead, wondering how Ginny had gotten the wrong idea.
"Ginny, he's not my boyfriend, it was just one date."
"Well I've never seen him so happy. Look, he's whistling while he's waiting on that grouchy looking man!" Hermione looked to the front counter, and George was in fact whistling quite jovially. Then his eyes met hers, and the butterflies were back in Hermione's stomach for another round. George smiled brightly and waved to her, increasing his speed with the customer so he could go talk to her. "Told you," Ginny said. "So, are you going to start coming to Sunday brunch at the Burrow?"
"Ginny! I just told you, it's really nothing. Just one date. Now will you please put a sock in it?"
George sauntered over; he wanted to talk to Hermione, but he didn't want to interrupt his sister. "Hey Hermione," he said quietly, almost reverently, causing her heart to skip a beat.
"Hi George," she replied in much the same manner. "I just stopped by, because I just wanted to check to see if you were free on Friday?" Ginny looked on in amusement.
"Yeah!" George replied too quickly. He cleared his throat and added, "Yes, I think I am."
Ginny snickered, earning two glares. Hermione continued, "Well, if you want to, I was thinking we could go to a pub in muggle London. It's one that I really love."
George was thrilled that she wanted to take him somewhere that was special to her. "Sounds wicked. Meet me here again?"
"At eight?" she asked. He nodded before something exploded in the stock room, drawing the attention of the trio and the few remaining customers.
"George!" Fred hollered. "Get your arse back here, now!"
"Um, I guess I should go help him. See you on Friday," George told Hermione, who was urging him toward the back room. "Bye,Gin."
When he was gone, Ginny dragged Hermione out of the store. "Come on, I'll buy you a cup of coffee, and you can tell me all about your date!"
Kind of a short chapter, but I hope you'll still review!! The next one will be another date which I'm very excited to write about!! I'm really trying to use everyone's suggestions, so let me know if you have one! Thanks!!