"What?" Hermione asked.

"Exactly," said George.

"She's going to murder me," said Hermione. George sighed.

"We have to sometime, the longer we wait the worse it's going to be." George reasoned. Hermione squealed and ducked under her comforter and turned into a shivering lump.

"What are you doing?" George asked with a bemused look on his face.

"Going into hiding," Hermione said, her voice muffled by the covers.

"But you've fought Voldemort," George exclaimed.

"That wasn't scary," said Hermione.

"But this is?"

"Yes."

"You're frightened of my mum."

"Yes."

"You're silly," said George, "I've done so much to warrant her anger at me. It's not that bad."

"You didn't hide her grandchild from her," said Hermione.

"True," said George. He chuckled and pulled the comforter over his head. He leaned over the edge of the bed and grabbed his wand from the back pocket of his trousers and whispered lumos. They were both laying under the comforter, face inches apart from each other.

"I'll hide with you," he said with a grin. "I'll talk to her first. But you just have to be there with me."

"I know," said Hermione, "I was actually going to suggest it to be honest. I'm scared though," she admitted. He shook his head.

"There's nothing to be scared about." He said, "It'll suck, but I think it'll be okay in the end. You know Molly, she'll hold a small grudge, but the moment she sets eyes on Anna she's gong to fall in love." He smiled and placed his hand under her chin and lifted her eyes up to his while rubbing it gently, "I know I did." She smiled and snuggled closely into him.

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

"The party is tonight?" Jenny asked drinking her coffee and sitting outside the fitting room as Hermione was trying on dresses. "You look like a cupcake." She said when Hermione emerged in a horridly pink and white dress.

"It looked so much better on the mannequin," Hermione agreed as the dress flared out in all the wrong places. She groaned and went back into the fitting room.

"Yeah the party is tonight," Hermione said from behind the curtain. She sounded frustrated.

"And you just forgot?"

"Well you remember this week, even if I remembered, then this would be the only day I could go shopping."

"I can't believe you quit the program."

"I had to," said Hermione.

"So you can, what, marry him and become a housewife?" Jenny scoffed.

"You won't understand. But no, I got accepted at another hospital, I'm just transferring over there so I can be closer to him. It's still in the city but the hours were better too, and they had a fellowship in what I want to do."

"Which is—" Jenny asked.

"Zip me up," said Hermione opening the curtain behind her.

"Funny haven't heard of that one before," said Jenny zipping the dress up. Hermione turned around and sighed. "Oh my god," Jenny said under her breath.

"What?" Hermione asked, walking towards the mirror. She was startled by her reflection.

"If you don't get that, I will never speak to you again," said Jenny. Hermione turned around while looking on all three sides. This was it. She smiled.

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

"I got a research grant from a training hospital in town," Hermione partially lied when they were both sitting at the hair salon later that day. Jenny decided to get a haircut while Hermione got her hair done for the party that night.

"That's pretty cool," Jenny admitted. Hermione smiled.

"Yeah," she said. "I'm pretty excited."

"What are George and Anna up to today?"

"Well Anna is just now getting out of her dance class," said Hermione, "So George just went to the office to pick up some things, tie up loose ends and then he's picking her up and I think they're going to the ice rink in Rockefeller Plaza."

"That sounds like fun," said Jenny.

"Yeah," Hermione said.

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

"How was dance?" George asked.

"The snowflakes don't know their part, but the candy canes were awesome," said Anna. "This was our first time dancing with the other ballet school. But I think the show will be awesome. Plus, we're performing at the Lincoln Center, she said holding his hand tightly. George smiled.

"I can't wait to see you," he said. Anna smiled. He took her dance bag from her hands and slung it over his shoulder.

"You don't have to," Anna said.

"I want to," he said. They both took the subway to Rockefeller plaza and rented skates.

"Do you know how to skate?" Anna asked. George shook his head.

"Not really," he said, "do you?"

"A little bit," Anna said lacing up her skates and standing up. "I can teach you," she said holding out a gloved hand. George stood up shakily, not expecting to be able to balance on thin metal rods. To his surprise, walking on the rubber pads was not all that difficult. Anna then stepped easily onto the ice rink and turned around and offered her hand to her father.

"Come on Dad," she said with a grin. George took a deep breath, stepped out onto the ice and landed on his butt.

"Bloody hell," he exclaimed, "This ice is slippery."

"No shit Sherlock," Anna exclaimed. George's eyes widened. Anna placed her hand over her mouth as she realized what she said. George chuckled.

"Mom doesn't mind usually," said Anna, "As long as she doesn't know." George shook his head and laughed.

"You cheeky little thing," he said clutching the side of the rink, afraid to fall down again. Anna skated slowly alongside him. She held her hand out.

"Come on," she said, "It's not that hard."

For the next few hours, she taught George how to move forward slowly and backwards and how to fall so that it didn't hurt. When they left, the sun was setting. They laughed and talked about everything, chattering endlessly.

"I had a twin, you know," said George as they were in the subway going back.

"Really?" Anna asked.

"Yeah, his name was Fred. The two of us would get into so much trouble at Hogwarts," he said.

"Really, like how?"

"Well, basically he and I were known as the school pranksters. We invented things, basically practical jokes to play on our classmates, teachers, people who worked at the school. We were the nightmares of the administration, and your mum," said George.

"Really?" Anna laughed.

'Yeah, she would try to keep us in line all the time. One time we got sick of this one teacher, really sick. And this was our last year at Hogwarts, we set off these fireworks that, well the other professors knew how to stop them but they didn't. Everyone hated this foul woman, in fact, Hermione actually turned her head for these pranks and let us set off these fireworks that would just go crazy. Or we built a swamp that took over one of the hallways." George laughed.

"Where is Fred?" Anna asked, "I mean what happened to him?"

"He died," said George, "Did your mum tell you about the war?" Anna nodded.

"A little," she said, "She said there was a really evil wizard that would have taken over the world. How it was basically like the fascist state we are studying in class about Hitler. She said that the wizard was like him, and muggle borns like here were like the jews basically. It doesn't sound fun."

"Yeah, well one of his followers killed my brother while we were fighting," George said. Anna placed her head on his shoulder in a comforting gesture. George smiled.

"He was a really really bad man," said Anna, "The man that could do that."

"They were all really bad men. Did your mum tell you that she was the one that led to his demise, that basically helped kill him?"

"No way…my mom was cool?"

"The coolest," George replied honestly, "She was a hero, and she saved all of us. When I was sad about my brother," he said while standing up as they approached their stop, "She made me feel better." Anna smiled.

"Do you miss him?"

"I do," said George, "But he's right here with me," he pointed to his heart, "And I see a lot of him in you." He said patting her head. She grinned widely. "So where is this friend's house at which you're staying over?" He asked.

"Oh it's just down here, Grace and her mom are meeting us downstairs."

"And she'll take you to rehearsal tomorrow?" George asked.

"Yep," said Anna as they stopped in front of an apartment building. The doorman opened the door for both of them and they stood in the decadent lobby waiting hand in hand.

"I had fun today," she admitted, "But I wish I could have met Uncle Fred. Do you think he'd have liked me?" George tousled her hat around a little bit, messing up the hair underneath with a laugh.

"He wouldn't have at all," he said kneeling down. At her disappointment, he lifted her little chin up and saw Hermione's deep warm chocolate eyes. "He would have loved you." Anna grinned and hugged George tightly as he felt his heart melt.

"Grace!" She exclaimed as the elevator doors opened. She untangled herself from George and ran over to where her friend was standing next to a woman George could only describe as uppity. He stood and walked over to her holding his hand out.

"George Weasley," he said, "Father." Grace's mother looked her up and down and raised her eyebrow.

"Yes, you are," she stated, keeping her hands firmly to herself.

"Bye Dad," Anna said hugging him quickly and running to join her friend in the elevator.

"Bye sweetheart," he said waving and smiling. "And you can take her to dance class along with Grace?"

"Yes, Florence, our maid, will escort them to the Dance Academy," she stated in a pretentious non-British almost-British type of way. "And I have not met you before. Only Georgiana's mother. I am Greta von Susserhoff," she said.

"

"Oh," said George mimicking her pretentious nature, "Oh my, well I am charmed to meet you, enchanté," he said dramatically kissing her hand. She scoffed and walked off.

"Well tally-ho and a pip pip to you ma'am," he said to himself faking a real pretentious English accent. He chortled to himself and mimicked the way she strutted off to wait for her elevator. He shook his head and laughed to himself the two blocks it took to walk to Hermione's place. Right on cue, his new secretary was waiting at the steps for him.

"Hello sir," he said excitedly, "I picked up your tux from the cleaners, your toiletries from your flat, and the corsage from the flower shoppe and also the—other thing" He leaned in close to George and handed him rectangular box which George quickly put into his pocket.

"Thanks Greig," said George, "And I know this is unconventional, but I know it is your first few day on the job, thank you for coming in on such short notice, but I digress. As you know, I'm taking a leave of absence for the next few weeks, not that long, only short, next week is Christmas, and then a few weeks after that to New Years. So you have a couple choices. You get one week paid vacation for Christmas anyways, and New Years Eve and Day off as well, but other than that, you can either just take the rest of the time off, or I can talk to Adam and have you work for someone until I get back."

"I just got married, and well, money is rather tight, so I would prefer to work as much as possible if you don't mind," he said honestly staring down.

"Not a problem," said George, "I will tell Adam tonight, and I will see you there won't I?" Greig nodded excitedly.

"And you'll be bringing the Missus?"

"I will," said Grieg.

"I will look forward to seeing you then, now hurry home and change!" George said shooing the young man away. He jumped up the stairs and checked his watch. Hermione said that she would leave the door open when he would be due to get there. Since Emma was gone for the holidays, she told him he could just use her bathroom and bedroom to change as she would be running around the city trying to do a whole load of last minute shopping. He showered and then fairly quickly changed into the tuxedo style dress robes, placing a cloak over and looking at himself in the mirror.

For the first time, he cast off the perception charm and allowed his scar to show through. If people were frightened, it was their problem, but he was rather proud of it. It was a mark of his contribution to society. He lifted his hair to stare at it, the scars still prominent. He sighed and rearranged his hair slicking it back with some gel Grieg had brought. He smiled as he looked at the tux, the jacket was black, but he decided that he'd bring a touch of himself back into his wardrobe. He turned around, it didn't clash too poorly actually, the red vest and bow tie. It looked rather nice. He could also charm it to match Hermione's dress. He heard her cursing in the next room to herself as she got ready, her friend fussing around her.

He smiled to himself and called out, "Whenever you're ready! Dinner starts at 7:30!" He sat down and checked his watch, 6:30, hopefully they had plenty of time.

vvvvv

"It took him fifteen minutes to get dressed?" Jenny asked as she hairsprayed Hermione's hair in place for the fifteenth time. Hermione sighed and nodded, trying to get her makeup on.

"I guess he's quick," said Hermione shrugging.

"Don't do that," Jenny pointed. "Don't move a muscle, I have about fifteen pins left to finish sewing you into your dress."

"Told you your design minor would come in handy," Hermione joked. Jenny rolled her eyes and resumed pinning the rest of her dress.

"This isn't design, this is alteration. Last minute shopping is the worst idea ever."

"At least entertain me while I have to stand this still," said Hermione.

"Well I broke up with Mark last week. You know that. But I started to realize that I can't really love Mark if I'm in love with someone else, and the reason I was so eager in the first place is because, well I don't kow."

"You're in love with someone else?" Hermione asked. Jenny nodded. "Not—"

"Yes"

"Him?"

"Yes."

"Still? After however many years?"

"Eight. And yeah, and Mark was this great older man that just picked me up at a down time in my life, and I thought, you know, he's cute and older and attractive. I thought I could do that, but he's not Michael. I did care about Mark and wanted to cling onto the relationship, but only because I knew that Michael would never feel the same way about me."

"Well never is too strong, he has been sending you mountain loads of mixed signals," said Hermione. Jenny scoffed.

"I know. All through college with his bullshit that I had to deal with. I just never thought we'd stay friends after college, and have him still remain as the guy that I go to about pretty much everything except—"

"Except the fact that you're madly and desperately in love with him?" Hermione asked teasingly.

"Right. So I figured, it hurts too much to not have him in my life as more, and although it would hurt a lot if or when he rejects me, I love him too much to let this continue. He's my best friend," she said putting the remaining pin into Hermione's dress, "I just can't take it anymore though. So I'm meeting him for dinner tonight and dropping the bomb." She stared into Hermione's face.

"No," she said simply, pulling Hermione's makeup bag, "Let me show you how a master does it—well at least a former dancer." Hermione sighed and sat down on her bed.

"It's 6:45!" A voice called out from the living room.

"In a minute!" Hermione yelled out.

"Aww how cute you're already an old married couple," said Jenny fixing her eyeliner. "Okay done," she said. Hermione looked at herself in the mirror and took a few steps back.

"Good job," she said. Jenny smiled with her hands crossed over her chest.

"I am simply amazing," she announced with a flourish. Hermione gave her a grateful look and sighed nervously.

"I'll go announce you," said Jenny leaving the room. Hermione sighed and followed her, staring at the floor. She looked up at George and felt her heart catch at her chest. He had removed the perception charm from his face so his ear was standing out, especially because he had gelled his hair back. But it only made him more handsome, if that were possible. Jenny tiptoed out of the apartment, waving bye as she went. Hermione waved with a small mutter of acknowledgement. She was too busy staring at George. He looked amazing, his red vest and bow tie stood out, but not in a bad way. She smiled and made her way over to him.

He was floored. He had never seen anyone so beautiful in his life. Her dress seemed to shimmer with every step, but there was no sparkle. It was a red evening gown that draped over one shoulder and was tight on the top but it flared out underneath. There was a black mesh netting over it which subdued the scarlet underneath. The shoulder had ruffles which got less prominent as it went around her arm. The black sash complimented the dress well. Nothing was overpowering, but it just made her look like heaven. Her hair was pulled up but loosely, and onto the other side of the shoulder strap. Loose curls hung down to her bare shoulder. Her earrings were simple, as was the silver she wore around her neck. He smiled and pulled a small box out of his pocket.

"Here," he said, "This is for Hermione. I think I saw her here earlier, could you just give this to her?" She smiled and swatted his arm.

"You shouldn't have," she said accepting the rectangular box and opening it up. Her heart was caught in her throat. The necklace was lovely, it was Y shaped with red Swarovski crystals. There were also earrings that matched, simple post ones that would not overpower her dress.

"Let me," he said softly taking the necklace and taking hers off. He undid the clasp of her chain and slowly traced his finger down her neck for a second. He picked up the necklace in the box and placed it against her neck, brushing his fingers against her skin. He was met with goosebumps as he clasped the chain together. She turned around and looked at him expectantly.

"Thank you, I love it," she said.

"Not to be outdone by myself, but I also got you a corsage, I saw that they actually had poinsettia ones and I just had to get one for you," he said handing her a white box. She smiled.

"Well I guess great minds think alike and all that," she walked over to her fridge and pulled a small box as well. They felt like silly teenagers placing matching flowers on each other, but Hermione felt warm inside. They stood there, her hand on his lapel and his on her wrist for a while.

"We should probably leave," said George, unsure if he'd be able to last another moment in her apartment without ripping her dress off. Hermione nodded, on the same wavelength as he was.

They arrived just on time to the office. There was already a rather sizeable crowd there and George guided Hermione over to the front where Adam and Lavender were standing.

"Hermione!" Lavender exclaimed, "You look absolutely delightful. Where did you get your dress? Was that on the latest fashion line?" Hermione's smile remained plastered to her face but she squeezed George's hand tightly. George held back his urge to laugh, but Hermione could feel him squirming uncomfortably as well. Hermione took one deep breath.

"Oh Lavender, you look absolutely so—so, gorgeous in that gown."

"Oh thank you! It was the latest addition in Bethany Bourgie's line." She said, "I know Bethany personally and she said I just had to have this gown." Before Hermione could respond, George placed his hand on her back and guided her to the table up at front.

"I will talk to you later, looks like they're starting now," Hermione said as nicely as she could manage. George pulled a chair out for her and she sat down as he pushed it in. He took the seat right next to her and apologized in her ear. The Master of Ceremonies welcomed them and began to go into his speech.

"So have you heard from Parvati at all recently?" Lavender asked from across the table. Adam sat down next to Lavender. Hermione shook her head.

"Well she and Won got married," said Lavender, "And they have—"

"Twins, I know," said Hermione, "I ran into Ron." She said this as more of an explanation to George who had raised his eyebrow. "I told you right?"

"Oh right yeah you did," said George, recalling one of their previous conversations.

"They're rather cute," he added to Hermione. "But not nearly as cute as—" He smiled and Hermione smiled as well.

"No one is as cute as her," she replied grinning. George winked and took a sip of his drink. Adam gestured over to George so that the both of them could go towards the podium as the Master of Ceremony began to introduce them.

"And now with further ado, the man who started it all and the man who made the magic happen, Adam Richards and George Weasley," he said. The room broke out into polite applause. Hermione barely paid attention during Adam's speech which was a first for her. She was entranced by George and everything about him. The way he stood, the way he would casually glance over to her and send her a wink. It had only been a few short weeks, but he had reverted so much from the George Weasley she had spoken to on the hospital bed. She sighed and grinned as he went up to the podium to accept his honor.

"Good Evening ladies and gentlemen. I am very honored to be standing here in front of you, I hope all of your are having a great holiday," he began, "I am very excited to accept this position at this company, and I am very excited to be in charge, and look forward to many successful years. Running this company, well not this one in particular, but, a company that brings happiness and joy to people around the world has always been a dream for me and my late brother. He died," he said strongly, voice unwavering, "He died in the battle at Hogwarts, the first Wizarding War. We both owned a shop in Diagon Alley and I'm glad that he could see the success that we had achieved in those dark times.

"But I'm sorry that he could not be around today to see how far this company has come, how far this company will go. So tonight I want to do a couple things, first, I want to stress how I will be running this company in my brother's memory, and secondly, I would like to start a foundation. I have spoken with Mr. Richards about this, and he has indicated his full support. I would like to begin in the Wizarding community and extend it to the rest of the world, but the purpose of the Fred Weasley foundation is to provide young mothers who have nowhere else to go a safe haven and a support system. Whatever they need, a place to stay, help getting to and from the doctors, counseling, early infant care, and help getting up on their feet. I will personally oversee it and make sure that it is a project that our company can back whole heartedly." He finished his speech to a round of thunderous applause. He looked over towards Hermione who had left the table. He craned his neck on the stage and saw a red shadow rush out the door. He handed the podium mike over to Adam and rushed after her.

She was in the powder room, dabbing her eyes, trying to make sure her makeup did not smudge. She had never been moved so much by a speech, and if it was possible, she felt she loved George even more. To think that after going through everything the both of them did, he would think of others in the exact same situation brought him to a whole new level in her eyes.

"Boy you sure do cry a lot," she heard from behind her.

"George," she said, "This is the girls room."

"I know," he replied with a smirk, "But you're the only one in here, right?" Hermione nodded, sniffling back some more tears. He pulled her into his arms and placed one arm on her back and one in her hair, careful not to mess anything up. He did not need to ask if she was okay, because he knew she was, and she did not have to express her gratitude. All that was left unsaid but implied and understood. A while later, he whispered softly.

"We should probably go back," he said, "New boss man should be there and all." Hermione nodded.

"Just give me a second, okay?"

"You hurry up now. I want to show off the most beautiful witch."

"I think Lavender has me beat," said Hermione. George crinkled his nose and grinned.

"She looks like a plastic doll," he said, "Brain of one too." They both laughed and George left Hermione alone. He waited outside, he did not want to be anywhere without her. Moments later, she came out, all evidence of tears gone from her face. He held his arm out.

"Milady," he said. She snaked her arm into the crook of his arm and leaned into his shoulder. They made it back to the banquet hall as the feast was starting. The rest of the evening passed in a delightful haze. Elves caroled in the corner, their little voices sounding like bells. The Christmas tree in the room would relocate depending on how it felt at the moment, usually wherever the best lighting was, so couples dancing would have to be extra conscious about watching out for it. Hermione grinned, truly feeling like for the first time she was having fun.

"Wait," said Hermione as George began to try and find a zipper to her dress as they entered the apartment later that night.

"I can't," he replied huskily, pushing her over to the counter and swinging one of her legs around his hips. She sighed as he kissed her neck and slowly moved up to her jaw.

"I'm literally sewn into this dress," she said.

"Good thing I have a wand," said George taking his out and muttering a spell that would take out the stitching not originally in the dress. He then managed to get the first hook undone and unzip the rest of it. His jacket had been thrown over the sofa and his shirt was in the process of coming off.

"Shower, counter, couch, floor by couch, kitchen floor, bedroom floor, bedroom bed, is there anywhere I won't be cleaning tomorrow?" Hermione asked as she and George lay on the ground by her bed. George groaned and stretched. Hermione laughed a little and sat up on her elbow looking towards him.

"Hey," she said.

"Hey," he said again.

"I marvel at your stamina," she said honestly. He sat up and pulled her so that she was straddling his lap.

"I may have a few more goes in me," he said. She put her head in her shoulder.

"Sleep," she moaned, "I have negative goes in me." George chuckled and stood up, carrying her princess style and depositing her on the bed. She giggled as he did, both of them feeling like love struck young adults again.

George knew what was next, but he wanted to come up with the perfect time for it. He wanted to make the family whole, he wanted everything to be perfect. He wanted his old life to mix with his new life. He wanted her. As her breathing calmed down to more even tones, George thought about how perfect she was. He watched her sleep, her chest moving up and down with every breath, her head snuggled onto his arm. He leaned down and kissed her hair tenderly and finally closed his eyes in utter happiness.

~8~

"Toast?" Hermione asked as George walked into the kitchen in nothing but his boxers. She was already dressed and seemed as bright and chirpy as ever. He shook his head and sat down at the bar

"So much alcohol," he complained, "How are you awake?" Hermione smiled and filled a glass with water and handed it to him. He downed it and then held his cup out for some more.

"Because I did not drink nearly as much as you last night." She grinned.

"Why are you dressed?" He asked after he had downed a few more glasses of water.

"I have to go to pick Anna up from dance practice, it's almost one," she grinned. George checked his watch.

"Oh wow, I have never slept that long."

"Well after our night last night, I was expecting you to be out the full day."

"Enjoy that did you?" George asked with a wink. Hermione shrugged.

"Eh," she said, shooting him a grin.

"Eh?" George asked standing up and rounding into the kitchen. "EH?" He wrapped his hand around Hermione's waist. "That's not what you said last night," he whispered huskily into her ear. She turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck as he kissed her deeply, lifting her up onto the countertop.

"I'm going to be late," she whispered, "Wanna come with me?" George sighed.

"I guess so," he said, "I'll go wear some clothes and shower." Hermione bit her lower lip and grinned. She was amazed at how utterly and delightfully easy this was.

(AN) I promised an update and you got one this week. I've loved where this story has come and now we're winding down to one final chapter that kind of mirrors the first one. It's going to be good, and I hope you guys will enjoy it. I will also have an epilogue so for you guys tech. two more chapters :D. Anyways, thank you for coming on this journey with me thus far. Also, review! I love you all!