AN: It has come to my attention through quite a few reviews that everyone thinks Harry should outright tell Hermione and Ginny both how he feels. Well, sorry everyone, but why he isn't going to will be revealed in this chapter. As the author of this FANFICTION, how I see things is how they will be written. If you don't like it, be welcome not to read it.

The Meaning of Love

Decisions

Winds of Autumn

The bland happenings of being Headmistress of Hogwarts during the summertime was just starting to wear on her. She rather liked the loud, boisterous happenings of the many students in the halls during the school term. She smiled fondly, thinking about all the years that she'd taught, all the beautiful young minds that she had helped shape for the future. Teaching was, in her opinion, the greatest responsibility and honor apart from being a parent.

With piles of parchment in front of her, lesson plans that needed to be looked over and amended according to the recent changes in Wizarding Law Cirriculum, Minerva simply, for the second time in her life, could not concentrate on the work laid out for her. Her mind was elsewhere entirely, dwelling on the most brilliant witch to grace Hogwarts since Helga Hufflepuff herself. Something warned her that the brilliant girls safetey was in grave danger, that the surreal image of safety that she had surrounded herself with was about to burst.

Her intuition could not have been more right, as moments later, Professor Sprout arrived. "Minerva, there is a Healer Botts here to see you. I get the impression that it is important."

Minerva nodded, sitting up straighter and shifting parchment on her desk. "Send the Healer in," she said softly, patting the strands of fallen hair back into the smooth bun she wore. She stood as the door opened once again, a squat man entering and nervously twisiting his robes with his hands.

"Healer Botts," she aknowledged with a tilt of her head. "Please, sit. Make yourself comfortable." As the man moved forward and took his seat, Minerva took hers also. Healer Botts had been a great help to the Order during the war, and still helped them in their endeavor to reform the crestfallen Wizarding world.

"Minerva," he aknowledged in return, taking his seat. "Its about the Granger girl. The Malfoy's know."

Minerva stared at the squat man, unsure if she could trust his judgement, and positive that she couldn't take the chance not to. Hermione was a special girl, and having just recently come to terms with the innocent baby growing inside of her, and willing to raise it as if it had been conceived in love and not hatred, Minerva had no choice but to heed the words of the man in front of her.

"You're positive?" she demanded, the famous 'look' she was known for giving students coming out.

"I'm sure, Headmistress. Young Healer Hungfried confessed to me that the Malfoy's bribed the information out of him." The man bowed his head, wishing that Voldemort had been dealt with long ago, with his first run-in with the Boy-Who-Lived. Such wishes weren't to be heeded, however, as there was no changing over seventeen years ago. A time turner, perhaps, but what good would it do?

"Thank you for your information, Healer Botts. Feel free to stay and enjoy dinner," she offered, standing quickly. The man nodded, and she led him from her office, turning him into the capable hands of Professor Sprout. Her robes billowed behind her in a fashion quite remniscent of Snape, fierce determination on her worn face as she moved down the familiar halls. Only one thing pressed on her mind; Warn Hermione.

The moment she was outside the grounds, she Apparated to the Burrow.

George slowly shifted the blankets back, tucking Hermione's feet beneath and pulling the blanket up over her. She was sleeping soundly, a red mark on her cheek from having fallen asleep in a book. He smiled as she turned onto her side, hugging a pillow and making soft sounds as she settled. He had come to care about her a great deal, though the feelings were far from romantic. He was going to be there for her, no matter what. She deserved that.

Leaning forward, he brushed her hair back from her face, making sure the blanket was snug around her before he withdrew from the room. Somehow, he had grown closer to Hermione than to his own little sister, and he felt bad for not feeling guilty. Ginny was a wonder, but she was much too manipulative for her own good. He could see it, even if others couldn't.

Sighing, he trudged slowly down to the kitchen, pulling up a chair and watching his mother putts around in her natural element. Something was happening tonight, he deducted, judging by the amount of food that she was making. "Mum? Who's coming over tonight?" he asked suspiciously.

"Oh! George! You scared me!" she cried, whirling around and pressing her hand to her throat. Taking a few breaths, she steadied herself and returned to work. "Well, I invited Andromeda and Ted over, and they're bringing little Teddy."

George stared at her a moment, then nodded. Hermione would love Teddy, and maybe the company would help ease the tension that had began to be tangible in the Burrow. Ginny no longer hid her glares from everyone, just from Molly and Harry. Hermione kept her eyes glued to her plate, scarfed down her food, and left without much conversation. She spent more time with George and Molly, hardly noticing as time passed. Ron had started bringing Luna over, and though the whimsical blonde wanted to speak with Hermione, Ron's grudge held her back.

In George's opinion, it was all pathetic. He saw it all, much more than anyone would ever have given him credit for. But he and Fred had always been that way, which was why their pranks had always been brilliant. He knew that Harry had it for Hermione, that Hermione had it for him, and Ginny was fighting a futile fight to keep them apart. Ron wasn't as angry anymore because he had Luna, though he still thought he was. It was all just a big mess.

"Do you think thats a good idea, mum? You know how Gin is to 'Mione anymore, and she isn't going to feel comfortable with little Teddy while Ginny's trying to play Godmother for Harry." He watched his mother's back straighten, then her shoulders slump. She knew just as well as he did, the only difference was she refused to acknowledge it or respond to it.

"I don't know what else to do, George. Ginvera is my daughter, and Hermione is like a daughter to me. I just can't turn my back on my own daughter when I know loosing Harry will crush her," she said softly, not turning to look at him. George stood, walking over to her and taking her in his arms.

Ever since finding Hermione, they had both been open and honest with each other, more so than they'd been with anyone else in their lives. "Shush, mum. Everything will be all right," he soothed gently. "I'll take her and Ron to the shop with me, all right?" It was the perfect solution, a way to leave Harry and Hermione together with the young boy. Maybe Harry would finally do something about what was so obvious.

Molly nodded, lifting her head and turning to finish her preparing. "Yes, thats a wonderful idea. Tell them you want to spend time with them, they should understand." And with that, it was settled. By now, with Hermione almost three months pregnant, and school starting soon, word would soon make its way to the Malfoy's. She needed someone there to protect her, to be with her at every moment. It couldn't be George, and it wouldn't be Ron, so he was electing Harry, whether he knew it or not.

Smiling to himself, the red-headed genius walked out into the backyard to catch Ginny from her flying with Harry and Ron. Luna sat under a tree, watching them with a whistful expression.

Luna's arm shot out to grab George's wrist before he could open his mouth, and she smiled. "I can invite them to dinner, if it would be easier. You can come too," she offered.

As always, she gave George goose-bumps with her scary accuracy. She had to be psychic in some way. There was no other explanation. "Thanks, but I'm dragging them to the shop with me. We can bond," he said with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. Turning to the flying figures, he called out and watched as they hesitantly landed, coming forward to greet him.

Harry's eyes were glowing, his face slightly flushed and his hair disheveled. Ginny was in much the same way, though she leaned toward Harry without him realizing it, silently laying her claim though there was no reason to. George certainly didn't want the boy. He shuddered at the thought.

"Ron, Ginny, I was wondering if you two would come with me to the Shop tonight. I'd like to spend some quality time with you two, and I don't want to go back alone for as long as I can help it," he explained. Ginny made a soft noise, then launched herself forward and into her brother's arms. George caught her, holding her close and closing her eyes. It may have come in use as an excuse, but it was the truth, too. Inhaling the scent of her hair, he closed his eyes too, glad to hug someone.

"Sure," Ron said, stepping forward and squeezing George's shoulder. "We'll come. Harry'll be all right here with Mum and Hermione, right Harry?"

Harry nodded, feeling excitement bubble up in his gut. He was free to be alone with Hermione, for the first time in weeks. No Ginny to ruin it, no Ron to glare at Mione, and most of all, no sneakiness. "Yeah, I'll be all right. I'm sure I'll be ahead of school work," he teased with a grin, making Ron chuckle and Ginny roll her eyes.

"Come on Ron, lets go get ready," she said, authority in her voice. Ron and George shook their heads; so much like Mum already.

Harry trudged along after them next to George, his broom over his shoulder. He opened his mouth to speak, but George beat him to it.

"Mum invited Andromeda, Ted, and little Teddy over for dinner tonight. We both figured that neither of them wanted to be bothered with little Teddy running about," George said softly, watching Harry from the corner of his eye.

"Teddy's coming?" he asked, excitement in his voice. Even better! He would see Hermione with a child, a dark haired child, and he could really imagine her with his baby now!

George smiled. "Sure is. Have fun, all right?" he asked as they reached the kitchen and slipped inside. Ginny and Ron were waiting for him near the fireplace.

Harry nodded. "You got it," he said with a grin, waving as Ginny stepped into the fireplace, followed by Ron and a waving George.

Because of the strict anti-apparation spells that had been set up around the house of anyone connected to the Order after the fall of Voldemort to protect them from retailiation from ex-Death Eaters, Minerva was only able to apparate within two miles of the Burrow. The floo networks were much the same, fireplaces connected specifically to other fireplaces that were chosen by the Head of House. The rest of the distance, she had to travel by foot. She didn't mind, it gave her time to think. She walked briskly, her robes pulled closely around her, one hand wrapped around the grip of her wand.

She could warn Molly and Arthur, or she could worry Hermione. The second didn't seem like such a great option, not when Hermione was still so early in her pregnancy. The Headmistress paused, indecision on her face as she skimmed the possibilities, much like Ms. Granger herself, weighing her options.

In the end, the choice was clear, and she grimly set forward to see to it.

AN: Sorry for my earlier outburst... Please review, make the ill feel better!