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!

As Hermione sat at her desk on Tuesday morning, she looked up to see another letter drop onto her desk. "Again?" she asked out loud. George had been sending note after note, asking her if she wanted to go to a Muggle cinema with him on Thursday evening. She hadn't had time to answer him yet, and it seemed like he was having a slow day at work. She chuckled as she opened the letter.

Hermione,

You didn't answer yet! Do you want to go see a Muggle movie with me? I've never been to one! Please! Come on! Don't make me whine!

-George

She rolled her eyes and grabbed some parchment, quickly scribbling down an affirmative answer. She sent word off with one of the Ministry owls.

"Hey Fred," George muttered, sauntering up next to his twin. "What do you wear to the Muggle cinema? I'm taking Hermione on Thursday. I'm planning on making my move, you know, telling her how much I like her." He was grinning broadly. From what he'd heard, you just sit in a dark room and watch moving pictures; it would be the most perfect location for some snogging.

"I'm not sure. I've never been to one," Fred answered. "I'll be out on Thursday as well. With Luna," he said, winking at George.

"So, you've chosen Luna?"

Fred snorted. "Hardly. I'm going to lunch with Angelina tomorrow."

By the time Thursday had rolled around, George had to call Ginny in as reinforcement. "George, you can just wear what you have on right now," she told him. She thought it was cute that he was so worried, but she was amazed he needed help with this.

"This?!" he asked, pointing to his magenta work robe.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "What you have on under that! Honestly, Muggles always wear jeans and t-shirts. It's not really a big deal."

"Oh, I thought I was going to have to get really dressed up in a suit or something. That's what I thought Muggles wore to the theatre."

"That's a different kind of theatre, George. Why don't you just put on a clean shirt and go like that. Hermione isn't even that fussy," Ginny reminded her brother. She pointed at the clock on the wall. "And you'd better close the shop and get a move on."

Fred came sprinting around a shelf over to the front counter where his siblings were talking. "George! Help me! I've booked two dates for tonight!"

Ginny and George started laughing while Fred alternately wrung his hands and pulled at his messy hair. Ginny kissed him on the cheek. "I'm leaving, but good luck with that," she said brightly. "I'm actually surprised this didn't happen sooner." She shook her head and exited the store.

"What did you do?" George asked.

Fred groaned as he locked the front door and turned the sign to 'closed'. "I told Luna ages ago that I'd take her to dinner, but then earlier Alicia asked me if I wanted to go to a café later. I accidentally told her I'd go, because Luna slipped my mind for a moment."

"We've all been telling you to choose one girl. What the hell are you going to do about it now?"

Fred looked desperately around the store, hoping to find anything that would help him. "Maybe I can just take a Nosebleed Nougat and trick Alicia!"

"Are you dense, Fred? She knows all about the Nosebleed Nougats and everything else in here for that matter!" he said, gesturing to their products.

"Ok, ok, you're right," Fred muttered as he paced around in circles.

"You'll just have to cancel one."

"No!" Fred exclaimed as his face lit up. "I've got it! You can go out with Alicia in my place so she doesn't get too mad at me. The two of you are good friends!"

George shook his head furiously. "I've got plans with Hermione tonight."

"Oh, come on, George, please!"

"No, I'm going to the cinema."

"Please, you've got to help me!" Fred wailed. "Hermione already likes you! You can just cancel! I haven't chosen one of the girls yet, so I need to keep making good impressions on all of them."

George sighed. It pained him to see his twin and best friend so upset. Surely Hermione wouldn't mind if he rescheduled their date. "Ok, but if I go out with Alicia," George began, causing Fred's features to become hopeful, "you're paying for everything."

"Of course!" Fred exclaimed, hugging his twin. "You're the best, George! Thank you! Now, hurry up, because you have to meet her in ten minutes…."

"Ten minutes?!" George yelled. "Well, first I've got to let Hermione know that I can't go see the Muggle film!"

"No," Fred said as he pulled George's magenta robe off for him. "There's no time to owl Hermione. You've got to meet Alicia right now!"

"But-"

"I'll send her a note, ok? Just go, please!" Fred pleaded, as he handed George a handful of Galleons and flattened his hair.

"Fine, but make sure you explain what happened, and please tell her I'm really sorry," George ordered as he was ushered out of the shop into the traffic of Diagon Alley.

He turned toward the café, upset about missing the movie with Hermione, but at least he'd get to spend time with a good friend. How did Fred manage to get himself into these situations? He arrived at the café to find Alicia Spinnet waiting at a table for two. "George? What are you doing here?"

Meanwhile, Fred quickly grabbed a piece of lime green and orange parchment to send to Hermione. He glanced at his watch and realized he was going to be late to pick up Luna. "Shit," he muttered as he jotted down a sentence for Hermione.

Hermione,

Can't make our date tonight, sorry.

-George

Fred sent the owl off to the Ministry and ran to change his clothes.

I realize this chapter is kind of short, but it's important for the plot! Thanks so much for all of the reviews so far... I love to hear from you! Oh, and thanks to Panny for review number 100!! :D More of this should be posted soon!