"YOU were bloody phenomenal," said George as Anna jumped into his arms after her performance. He handed her a bouquet of flowers.

"Thanks Dad!" She exclaimed as he hugged her tightly. Hermoine was busy taking pictures, but she also managed to get a hug in. "I'm going to go get changed," said Anna with a grin.

"We'll go out to celebrate your very successful opening night," said George happily. She ran off to change and chat with her friends. Hermione squeezed his hand as he suddenly groaned.

"Its Persnickety vonUpperstink," he said softly in Hermione's ear. She spit out the small pastry she was eating into her napkin as Grace's mom arrived.

"Why hello Mia dear," she said pretentiously. Hermione smiled.

"Hello Greta," she said with a wide grin George suspected was not all that genuine.

"And you are—"

"George," he said, holding his hand out, "We met on Saturday."

She pursed her lips and nodded. "Oh yes, you are Georgiana's father." She said. George nodded.

"Why yes, I must be," he said, getting a sharp jab in his side from Hermione.

"The kids were lovely," she said, "Although I do suspect Grace will be getting the leading role next year, she is a very lovely dancer. Oh yes, and your Georgiana was lovely too. She was Clara?" Hermione and George nodded, unable to say anything for fear that both would break out into laughter. After a few more minutes of awkward conversation, she found more productive members of society to mix with.

"Oh my god," he said softly to Hermione, "How can you stand Uppity vonKillmyself?" Hermione giggled.

"Shut up," she said slapping his arm playfully, "I'll explain tonight," she said under her breath.

"Are you excited to go to London?" Hermione asked, re-folding all of the clothes in the suitcase.

"I am," said Anna honestly, "I do want to meet everyone. I hope I remember all of their names." She stretched her arms out and yawned.

"You should go to bed," said Hermione.

"Nah its okay, I'll wait up for Daddy with you," said Anna. Hermione grinned.

"Don't worry about it," she said, as Anna walked towards her bedroom. Anna turned around and smiled, clearly both nervous and excited. Hermione grinned as well. Only moments later, George entered the apartment carrying his many bags.

"Laundry," he admitted rather shamelessly, "Mum insists or else she always worries that I go into the boardrooms smelling like musk."

Hermione scrunched her nose up in mock disgust. George grinned and joined her on the floor. They looked at the tree that they both had hauled in after their ride through the countryside, decorated and happily standing in the cozy living room. Christmas carols played on the radio and wafted over to where Hermione and George sat across from each other, enchanted by each other, talking about their days as they had been together for years and not for a few days.

"I still don't understand why we're flying," said George honestly.

"I just don't want to overwhelm her," said Hermione, "I'll give her a little normalcy and she'll learn slowly." George nodded.

"Wanna dance?" He asked as a slow soft Christmas song came up. Hermione laughed a little.

"George, I still have a lot of packing to do," she said. He pulled her up to her feet and held the small of her back and began to sway, with little protest on her side.

"Shh," he said softly, "Just enjoy the music."

She finally clasped her hand into his and leaned her head onto his chest, enjoying just staying in his arms. She was amazed at how she felt in his arms; she never thought a relationship could be this easy, filled with such joy and laughter. Usually this time of the year was tough for her, being alone on Christmas. Her parents hated the city in the winter so she practically had to force them to take the vacation home. Because of her long hours at the hospital, she would never be able to join them, and so she would always spend Christmas Eve with a bottle of vodka and her friends in the resident's lounge. Anna would join her parents wherever they were. But this year she really wanted to be with her daughter, and Anna always missed her as well. She smiled softly, this was not only one of her first Christmases with Anna, but they were all together as family.

"What are you thinking?" He asked as the song finished and another began. She looked up at him as they stopped dancing.

"I'm just finally happy," she said. "I haven't been happy for the past 10 years, and if someone told me I was going to die tomorrow, I probably wouldn't mind."

"Well me and Anna would," said George with a grin, "But I see what you're saying." He resumed swaying back and forth. For the first time this did not end in a pure physical need for one another, they were both purely content in holding one another, letting the music tell them how to move. They knew they had forever to be with one another and they just allowed that to occur.

"I'm not scared," she said again. "About tomorrow I mean, I'm pretty nervous, but in some way I'm really looking forward to this. All this lying and hiding can finally end and—" George lifted her chin up and she looked up at him with a soft grin.

"I agree with you. But I'm pretty bloody frightened," he laughed.

After a few more songs, they both sat on her couch wrapped in a blanket watching the lights on the Christmas tree twinkle. A small train set magically circled the base of the tree, steam coming out of it periodically. It was the first bit of real magic Anna saw and George had brought it from his store just so that they could all experience it together.

Hermione saw something different in George that she noticed for the first time since they were together before the war. There was a brightness in his eyes, not only did he have a will to live, but he wanted to be alive and he loved that he was. He looked years younger, about to prank the living daylights out of an unsuspecting first year. She did not just see George, and neither did she see the ghost of his dead brother, but she saw the both of them, reunited and happy. She clutched a mug of warm apple cider and took a sip, relishing in her bliss.

"Harry!" Said Ginny, "It's time!" She came thundering down the stairs as Harry raced to feed both Albus Severus and James their dinners.

"What?" He asked.

"I'm—We're going to have our baby," said Ginny standing at the foot of the stairs.

"I'm full!" James cried from his high chair as Albus Severus took a spoon from the bowl in front of him, filled it with mashed potatoes and then promptly dropped it on the floor.

"Well lunch is over," said Harry, pulling out his wand and sending the dishes to the kitchen. Albus Severus began to cry as the spoon dislodged itself from his hand and went over to the sink. Ginny waddled over to Albus and picked him up, attempting to sooth him as Harry ran around the living room like a chicken with his head cut off. Ginny laughed a little as Albus calmed down and lay his head on his mother's shoulder.

"Are you sure we want to have another one?" She asked, helping James down from his seat and clutching his hand. Harry came back armed with winter clothes for the kids.

"Well it's kind of late for that," he said with a laugh. He leaned over and kissed Ginny softly.

"EW!" James yelled from the side. Harry sighed.

"Two and Three year old at the same time," said Ginny, "I knew we would regret having them so close together."

"Let's just hope that we have a girl this time," said Harry kneeling and helping Ginny zip her boots up.

"Thanks," she said. "Did you call Mum?"

"Sent a Patronus over to-everyone really," said Harry with a grin. "They'll join us at the hospital. Sorry we'll miss your Mum's for dinner tonight." Ginny shook her head.

"Bah, knowing her, she'll bring the feast over to—ah!" She clutched her stomach in pain as a contraction hit her. Harry made a note of the time so he could tell the healer how far apart they were. He sat her down at the kitchen table.

"Breathe," he said softly, "One, two, three," he counted off.

"Mommy?" James asked placing a hand her lap and looking up concernedly at her. Ginny smiled a few moments later as the contraction passed.

"When are we leaving?" Ginny asked as Albus Severus raised his arms to be picked up by her.

"Now, if you're ready, I called the ministry and they should be sending over a car soon."

"Harry I could floo," said Ginny.

"No risks!" Said Harry picking up her duffel back and lifting Albus Severus up off of the floor, beginning to wail as Harry took him away from his stuffed animals. Harry picked a polar bear up and handed it to Albus who immediately giggled and hugged the stuffed animal tightly. James now was insisting on being carried as well. Harry finally convinced James that it was cooler to hold hands, and with that they all piled into the car, ready to go off to St. Mungo's.

"Nik," said Ron sternly staring down at his son who had caused a small explosion in the middle of their living room. Parvati rushed down the stairs.

"What happened?" She asked staring at Ron. Ron showed her the scorch on the carpet and Nik yelped and jumped behind the sofa.

"Nik," said Parvati warningly, "What did I tell you about the firecrackers?"

"Bu-col-ouside," Nik whined. As she was about to yell further, Harry's patronus came and announced that Ginny was at the hospital. Ron sighed and looked at Nik. Neil was somewhere around, he knew it, Neil was usually the mastermind behind their plots, but Nik would always take the blame. He swore they were exactly like another pair of pranksters he knew.

Moments later, the entire family was ready to floo to the hospital, coats, gloves, and scarves in hand just in case. Harry was standing in the lobby, clearly exhausted, but he directed them to Ginny's room. Ron clasped his best friend's shoulder comfortingly and Harry smiled as they reached the room where Ginny was.

"How are you doing mate?" Ron asked.

"Hanging in there," he said as Albus Severus, James, Neil, and Nik treated the waiting area as an obstacle course.

"Do you know the sex?" Parvati asked as she kept a watchful eye on the kids. Harry shrugged.

"Nope," he said, "We wanted to be a surprise. Plus if it's another boy I think Ginny and I would actually have heart attacks." Ron laughed, both understanding the terrors of young boys. It was times like this when they were together they missed the third member of their group. Life just seemed empty without the golden trio. Ron still hadn't told Harry that he had seen Hermione merely a few weeks ago. He figured he'd still keep Hermione's secret. But he missed her and knew that Harry did as well.

"Did I ever mention that I hate flying?" George asked as they landed. Hermione grinned.

"Nope, so do I," she admitted, "But we're finally here." She stretched her arms out and stood up as the seatbelt sign turned off. Anna was going over her notes that she took when George described his family in full detail.

"So let me get this straight. I have Grandma Molly and Grandpa Arthur," she said, George nodded. "And then the oldest is Uncle Bill and he's married to Aunt Fleur and they have three kids, Victoire is my age, and Dominique is five, and Louis is 3, right?"

"Yes," said Hermione.

"Okay and next is Uncle Charlie, but he doesn't have any kids, and he's not married either," said Anna.

"Eternal bachelor," said George, chuckling.

"Next is Uncle Percy, and he's married to Aunt Audrey, and they have two kids, Molly and Lucy, Molly is five, and Lucy was just born."

"Correct," said George, with a grin, taking their carryon bags down from the overhead bins.

"And then its you, and mommy and me," said Anna.

"Correctamundo," said Hermione. George stared at her with shock in his eyes. "I will not be saying that again," said Hermione. Anna and George both laughed as they stood in line and got ready to get off the plane.

"Okay so next it's Uncle Ronald who is married to Aunt Parvati, and they have two kids, Nikhil and Neil, and they are both two," said Anna. George turned and nodded. "And lastly its Aunt Ginny who's married to Uncle Harry and James is three, Albus Severus is two, and she's going to have another one…?" Anna asked.

"You are absolutely right," said George. Anna felt both proud and excited to meet her giant family.

They went to the small flat that George kept in London whenever he would return. He had sold the one above his shop, instead keeping one closer to the Burrow so that he could go back to his family whenever he wanted. He could not stand staying in his old bedroom he used to share with Fred, it still haunted him. This flat was decorated similar to his large apartment in New York, the bare necessities. Hermione sighed and sat down on the couch, her stomach doing back flips and somersaults.

"It's going to be okay," George told her, his hand on her knee. "Okay, so there's a slight glitch in our plans." He said softly. Hermione looked up at him worriedly.

"What?" She asked.

"Ginny went into labor, so I suspect everyone will be going to the hospital today. I think everyone is taking shifts to go and it's going to be a real hectic night. So mum is at home now, so I think we should do it now. I asked Ronald to explain the situation to everyone else, we can answer questions later, but Parvati is coming by to pick Anna up soon if that's okay, and then we can just talk to Molly and then just ease her into everything. Of course if this is all alright with you. I talked to Anna and she said she's fine with it." He looked down at his feet. Hermione smiled and placed a hand atop George's.

"It's great," she said, as there was a rapping on the door. George left a dazed Hermione on the couch as Anna was mentally quizzing herself about her rather giant family.

"Hey," she heard Parvati's voice in the hall, "Is Anna here?" She asked. Hermione walked to the entrance and leaned on the doorframe. Parvati looked great, she had her hair held back in a bun and was still in her jacket.

"Hermione!" She exclaimed and rushed forward to hug her surprised former classmate.

"Hey," said Hermione. "How are you?"

"I'm pretty great," said Parvati, "But exhausted." Hermione smiled.

"I heard you have a set of two year old twin boys."

"Yeah," said Parvati letting out a giant sigh, "Neil and Nikhil, they're sweet as can be, but well, you know," she said laughing towards George. He smiled back.

"All downhill from here," he winked.

"And you must be Anna," said Parvati as Anna came out into the foyer with her overnight bag and her winter things.

"And you're Aunt Parvati?" She asked. Parvati nodded and grinned and laughed as Anna held out her hand to shake it.

"So your daddy tells me you've never used Floo before," she said. Anna shook her head. "Well it's not too hard, but I will show you how to do it, but remember you have to talk clearly or else it won't work." She said with a grin. She turned to Hermione and George who both stood by the door. George stepped forward almost immediately to show her where the fireplace was. Moments later after Parvati had used the floo to tell them that Anna was safe at the hospital, Hermione and George turned to each other. He enveloped her in a tight hug and they both made their way apparating to his household.

Now or never, thought Hermione as there was side splitting pain and she was transported in front of the house she had called a home for so many summers.

"So this has been where you've been for the past ten years?" Molly asked blankly after George had told everything there was to be said, including how he had forgiven her and had understood her reasoning. Arthur sat beside Molly, also dumbstruck by the revelation.

"Yeah," said George, speaking up because Hermione's eyes seemed to be glued to the floor. She hardly said a thing, tears streaming down her face onto her jeans.

"George, you may leave, I would like to speak to Hermione alone," said Molly.

"Mum—but—"

"No buts," Arthur said, "you may go to St. Mungo's, go see your niece."

"I really think I should—"

"Go to St. Mungos, now," said Molly with a severe tone. George gave Hermione a loose pat on the shoulder in support. She merely stiffened at this contact, unable to actually process anything going on. Everything seemed to occur so quickly, but she knew that in order for anything to move forward, this conversation was inevitable. The two women and Arthur sat in the living room in almost complete silence, save for the merry crackling of the fireplace.

"I'm insulted," Molly said after a while, tiredness evident in her voice. Hermione said nothing. "I'm only insulted because for seven years I gave you everything you ever wanted for, especially because you were new to our world. You were not like my daughter, you were my daughter. But after all these years I am only seeing that you never thought of Arthur and I as your own, so where did we go wrong?" She asked, her voice slightly breaking.

"I-I-I was an idiot," said Hermione, shaking. She began to sob a little bit. "I thought I could handle it." She cried. Molly turned to Arthur and asked him to bring Hermione a glass of water. After he left, she stood up and walked over to where Hermione was sitting and pulled Hermione into her arms.

"There there now," she said. "True, what you did was utterly idiotic, and insensitive, I also must remember how emotionally fragile you were at that point, so soon after the war, after everything that happened, after what Harry had described with what you went through, I suppose you could have handled everything a whole lot worse. But Hermione, I just sincerely wish you had come to me, or someone, even your own parents. There were better ways to handle this than running away."

"Are you angry with me?" Hermione asked. Molly pulled her into another hug.

"Yes," she said honestly, "But I will never stop loving you." She said parting from Hermione and looking her straight in the eye. She wiped away Hermione's tears as Arthur came in with a glass of water.

"Thank you," Hermione said, taking a grateful sip.

"Hermione," said Arthur, "I suppose you should know that you should never be afraid to come to either of us from now on if you have a problem. I mean I know we're older, but we'll always try and help, especially now that well, we're grandparents to a girl we've never met." Hermione stood up and hugged Arthur tightly. He hugged her as well.

"See that wasn't so terrifying now was it?" Molly asked Hermione. Hermione laughed. The three of them then decided to go to St. Mungo's and join the rest of the family (who had hopefully been briefed on the situation already).

"Everyone," said Harry walking into the waiting room," It's a girl." Smiles abounded as everyone jumped up at once to provide congratulations. As everyone filed in slowly to see Ginny and the baby, Harry noticed Hermione sitting at a bit of a distance from everyone else. He immediately sat beside her.

"Hey," he said softly.

"Hey," said Hermione equally softly.

"I'm sorry," said Harry. Hermione looked up, the same words about to emerge from her lips.

"What?" She asked.

"I must have been a rubbish friend. I guess for seven years it was about me and Voldemort, and I always thought of everyone else as supporting characters in the story of my life. I should have watched out for you," he said honestly. Hermione placed her hand on her friend's shoulder.

"No," she said firmly, "I should have come to you and talked to you. But I did not want to give you any unhappiness, seriously you were so much in love with Ginny and happy with her at the time, I didn't really want to get in the way of that." With that, the two of them hugged one another, hoping that this would re-open the channel of conversation between the two of them. While Harry loved that Ron was in his life, Hermione provided sanity and reason, something Ginny also provided, but well, she was Hermione. And that's what he told her.

Hermione was shocked at how drama-less this whole process was. Not only was she forgiven, but also she and Anna were accepted into the lives of the Weasley family rather easily. She had expected tears and shouting but was only met by disappointment in her lack of faith in those she called family. It seemed that—

"Well looks like we need you just as much as you need us," said George sitting down beside her in a chair a little distance from Ginny's bed. Everyone else was crowded around her. "Welcome home." He grinned and kissed her hand. Hermione giggled as Ron turned and looked at her in mock jealousy.

"Hi Grandma," said Anna as George introduced her to Molly. Hermione stood in the hallway a little behind them, nervously biting her lower lip. But the minute Molly laid eyes on the little girl—she fell in love.

"Georgiana Elizabeth Granger," said Hermione, "that's her name."

"It's beautiful," said Molly, "just like her." She leaned down slowly and pulled the young girl into a bone-crushing hug. Arthur stood beside Molly and patted Anna on the head.

"Well Georgiana," said Arthur, "Welcome to our family." Anna grinned shyly. She liked her grandparents, they were completely different from her other grandparents. She smiled as her Grandpa Arthur pulled her into a hug next. Hermione felt George's hand wrap around her waist, and she wrapped an arm around him, leaning on his chest.

"It's funny," said Hermione as she Harry and Ron sat in the hospital cafeteria eating dinner together.

"What's funny?" Ron asked stuffing his mouth full of pudding. Hermione laughed and pointed at him.

"How after 10 years everything can be so different, and still the same."

"Mental, that one," said Ron referring to Hermione and nudging Harry who sat there regarding the two of them pensively. The three of them began to laugh.

"You know," said Harry, "I think this is the first time we've all been together and had a laugh since the war, well since before the war…" He trailed off. The other two sat there and thought about what he said and then agreed.

"You're right," said Hermione, "I never realized how much I missed this." They sat there in somewhat silence.

"So you and George," said Ron. Hermione nodded.

"He's bloody lucky to have you," he said. Hermione smiled, she was afraid this would be a sore topic but Ron had matured in ways that mattered.

"Lily Ginevra Potter," said Hermione slowly, looking into the crib. It was late and Ginny had gone to sleep finally after she and Hermione spent a while catching up. Most everyone had left to go to bed; George took Anna back to the burrow, and would come back later for Hermione. Lily began to cry softly, unable to sleep, and unwilling to wake Ginny, she picked the little bundle up and held her close to her chest, singing softly.

Ginny was awake, she had drifted off for a couple seconds when she heard the baby cry. She saw Hermione slowly pick Lily up and cradle her back to sleep and smiled. She missed her friend dearly. Though they would only really chat over the summers, she did look up to Hermione and really felt as if they were sisters. She sat up slowly, she was still in pain and very bloated, but she knew it would calm down.

"Hey," she said softly looking at Hermione, who sat down in the rocking chair and finally got Lily to stop crying. Hermione smiled, standing up and putting Lily in the crib. A mediwitch came by a second later to take Lily into the natal unit to monitor her for the rest of the night. "Well," said Ginny, "I think we know who her godmother is." She grinned. Hermione's eyes widened.

"What?" She asked, "No, I mean, it would be an honor, but after all that happened, you want me?" She asked. Ginny chuckled a little.

"Of course I want you silly, you're like a sister to me. So what it's been ten years, if George and Ron can forgive you, I would be a bitch not to."

Hermione grinned and went to Ginny's bedside. Ginny clasped Hermione's hand tightly. Tears began to stream down her face again. Ginny cocked her head in confusion.

"It's just—I can't believe I got you guys so wrong. I through for sure you would disown me, and now I do not know why I was so scared to begin with."

"Well you know what happens when you assume," Ginny said as Hermione laughed, "But in all honesty, you can't take back what happened. Live your life with permanent quill strokes, you can put one down, but its tricky to take it back. You can cover it up with a charm, but it never went away."

"When did you become so smart?"

"Always have been," said Ginny.

"I'm going to do it," said George to Bill that night, sitting on the couch, waiting for Hermione to get back from seeing Ginny.

"I would say it's too soon, but this is just a weird order," said Bill with a grin. He was holding Louis in his lap and Dominique lay peacefully in the bassinet by his armchair. Louis periodically would jump down from Bill's lap and head for the fireplace and every time he would come back when Bill would snap.

« Louis, non, retourne! » He said. « Louis, je te parle que cette cheminée est très dangereuse. »

« Je suis très désolée papa, » Louis said sadly. He walked, or waddled rather, to the Christmas tree and sat in front looking woefully at the gifts.

"Do you guys even speak English in the house?" George asked. Bill nodded.

"They do everything in English pretty much, so we're trying to make sure they're all bilingual. Fleur says that it'd be good for them." He shrugged. George smiled. Charlie then came in followed by Percy and then Ron and they all sat down in the living room.

"Do what?" Charlie asked, taking a seat by George. His arm was wrapped in a sling.

"What's that from?" George asked.

"Norwegian Ridgeback. At least we think that's what it is, her scales are too big to be a Norwegian Ridgeback, and if the tests come back positive, it might even be an Argentinean Poisonclaw, which means we've found one of two in the wild." His eyes lit up.

"I read your article in the Prophet," said Percy after a while, "Heard you might become a columnist for them, congratulations. I hear that Dragon Week was incredibly popular."

"Only time I actually wanted to read the Prophet," Bill admitted.

"Me too," said Ron.

"Wait hold on, as much as I love you guys, why did we change the bloody subject?" Charlie asked turning to George. "What are you going to do?"

George grinned and reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. He opened it and a Tiffany's diamond shone out against a silver band.

"Blimey," said Bill, taking it from George and inspecting the ring.

"Muggle ring, got it from a store in Manhattan, but I had Madame Almaz in Hogsmeade do the engraving."

"The way you look tonight," said Bill slowly reading the engraving. George smiled, he hoped Hermione remembered the dance in the shop so many years ago, the first time he fell in love with her, the first time he kissed her. He was snapped out of his reverie when Hermione burst in through the front door, trying not to get any of the snow from the blizzard inside. Bill quickly popped the ring in his mouth as George hid the box.

"Hey guys," she said as she entered the living room.

"Hey," everyone chorused except Bill. To make it look less suspicious he went over to Louis and picked him up, waving at Hermione as he did.

"You look exhausted," said George shooting daggers at Bill. "Why don't you go to bed?" He asked. Hermione walked past him and sat down on the arm of the couch.

"Nah it's okay, I'd like to catch up with everyone," she turned to Charlie.

"So how are you?" She asked Charlie who was bursting, trying to hold in his thunderous laugh. George was livid under his seemingly calm exterior. Ron had to excuse himself, citing something about a bathroom as he left, completely red faced. Somewhere as Bill left to go to the kitchen with Louis in his arms, George heard the water tap running and then a sponge furiously scrubbing. He sighed a little hoping Hermione wasn't catching on. He was impressed, however, Percy managed to keep a still face the whole time.

"I'm good," said Charlie, regaining his composure, "Bit of a snafu with the dragons, nothing I can't handle." He grinned.

"Are you seeing anyone?" Hermione asked. Charlie shook his head, but an odd sort of calmness came over his face, as if he was thinking about something else.

"And what about you Percy?" Hermione asked turning to the former ministry man.

"Oh I'm good, Audrey and I just had our second baby Lucy," he grinned, "They're all sleeping upstairs." He pointed upwards. "I'm at the Ministry for Magical Education now, I'm the Minister of Education, wasn't that difficult, brought Hogwart's back to where it was under Dumbledore, made some minor changes, it's a fairly easy job." He grinned and yawned. "Well it was lovely chatting, but I'm afraid that I should tuck in. Good night all," he said.

"Why yes, it was lovely, I do hope that we have the chance of speaking about mundane every day activities another time," said George clearly mocking his older brother. Percy gave him a somewhat "mean" glare and then proceeded to retire.

Bill returned a few moments later as Hermione and Charlie talked about dragons. "Kids are asleep, so I should be off to bed soon," he said, pulling George into a tight hug. He then managed to slip the ring into George's pocket surreptitiously and then went back upstairs. Since Hermione's back was turned to the whole thing, George thought he was out of the woods.

"Goodnight Bill," she said as he kissed her on the cheek.

She George and Charlie ended up having a very enjoyable conversation that night about his life in Romania, her life in America, George's life in America. They even told him the whole story. After a while Hermione cocked her head.

"You are seeing someone, aren't you Charlie?" She asked him seriously as George went to brew some more coffee for all of them. Charlie grinned a little.

"Yeah," he said, "someone."

"Who is it?"

"Arnaud," he whispered, looking behind her and shaking his head.

"Oh…" she said with a moment of realization, "They don't…?"

"No," he said simply.

"How long?" She asked.

"Six years," said Charlie. Hermione put her hand on his and grinned.

"Why did you tell me?" She asked.

"I guess you just know how to keep a secret. And it's really not like I've wanted to keep it from them, its just—well, I don't know how they'd react. I know there's nothing wrong with what I'm doing, I love him, and I don't care what the world says, I just, I don't want to hurt my family with what I consider to be right." He said grimly. Hermione placed a hand on his.

"No," she said, "I had to learn that the hard way. Life isn't just some melodrama where everyone makes a big deal out of everything. I mean, you are entitled to be happy and I think that's what everyone cares about in the end. I kept the truth hidden for so long, and now I've missed out on so much, and George has as well. I'm sure your family would want to be included in your life, and if Arnaud makes you happy, then they should also be happy.

"I know how hard it is to come clean," Hermione continued, "But it's like ripping off some plaster, it could be difficult and painful, but the faster you do it, the easier it is."

"I don't know," said Charlie.

"She's right," said George entering finally.

"How long have you been there?" Charlie asked.

"If someone makes you happy, I don't give a flying bludger who it is. I mean I was kind of worried you liked dragons, but Charlie, you're my big brother. You know I'll love you no matter what." George sat down on the other side of Charlie who had his head in his hands.

"You love him right?" Said Hermione. Charlie nodded.

"That's all that should matter then," George said, finishing her thought.

"And anyways, all that being said—"

"You've still got us," said George, once again completing her sentence.

"I think I'm going to bed," said Charlie, kissing Hermione on the cheek. "You're right, both of you." He grinned and hugged George as well.

"We're alone," said George, grinning as Hermione leaned in to kiss him.

"Finally," she said closing her eyes.

"Wait, he said softly, I have something I want to ask you…" He said nervously scratching the back of his head. Hermione looked up as he knelt on the floor. Her heart caught in her throat.

"No," she said softly, in shock.

"Yes," he said with a smile, holding out a box. Her heart caught in her throat and she took the little box in her hand and slowly opened it, mouth slightly agape. Suddenly a stream of glitter came out and hit her square in the face.

"GEORGE WEASLEY!" She yelled looking around blindly for a towel as George began to laugh hysterically clutching his sides. He conjured up a towel and handed it to her and she wiped her face. When she put the towel down, George was back on one knee.

"Hermione," he said softly looking up at her.

"Yes George?" She asked.

"You've got some glitter on your nose," he said calmly tying his shoelaces and standing up. She groaned.

"I'm going to bed." She said.

"Wait," said George, "You dropped something." Hermione turned about to pick it up when she saw that George was on one knee again. This time was different, however; he was holding a ring.

"Oh George," she said walking over to him.

"Hermione, I know we've only been together for a week, but I've loved you forever. You are smart, brilliant, and the best mother to our daughter. You've never thought about yourself, and you've only thought about us. I love you and I want to be with you forever. I don't want this to be some rehearsed boring speech. The thing is, I've never believed in soul mates. I don't believe I was destined to be with you or we'd always end up together, but I think that we can work and have worked and you are the only one I want to be in my life for the rest of it. I want to wake up next to you every morning, and I want to spend every Christmas with you. We can live in New York, we can move back here, I just know that I want you and that's it."

"Shut up," said Hermione with a grin. "If you make me say 'you had me at hello' it may ruin the moment." George grinned.

"You mean?"

"Yes—yes, a million times yes," Hermione said as George rushed over to her and caught her in a kiss.

"I love you," he said softly.

"I love you," she answered.

(A/N) Omg thank you so much for reading this. There is one more epilogue left, but in terms of the story, its over. So thank you so much for reading. I'll have the epilogue up for before Christmas. Seriously, this past year has been phenomenal, thank you so much for sticking with me. I've wanted to write this story for a very long time now, and I'm so glad that I actually finished it. Keep me on your author alerts, I have a Draco/Ginny one coming up and another George/Hermione that should be VERY different from this one. I should start on those soon ish, so I hope you keep me in your alerts. AHH I can't believe there's one more part left. I love you all! :)