Chapter Twenty-Seven
Author's Note: Thanks so much to everyone who is reading. An especially very big thanks to everyone who comments regularly! It's such a huge, massive encouragement to know that people are actually enjoying this story! Every time I check my email and see that I've gotten a story alert or a favourite story notification or a review I get so excited! – SJ [Still not mine, unfortunately]
"Hurry up Hermione! I bet everyone is there already, waiting for us," Ginny enthusiastically stuck her head into Hermione's bathroom, interrupting her friend as she applied the finishing touches to her recently straightened hair. Ginny had insisted on coming over to Hermione's so that they could get ready together before they left to meet the rest of Ginny and Harry's closest friends at The Golden Snitch, a popular Diagon Alley establishment for young wizards and witches.
"Don't worry Gin, It's early still…and besides, isn't it expected that the bride-to-be is fashionably late for her own hen party?" Hermione replied with a pointed smile as she set down her wand and picked up her glass of white wine to take a tentative sip.
"I suppose you're right," Ginny responded with a drink from her own wine glass. "I suppose I'm just overly excited…first Stag and Hen party after all."
"First and last you mean," Hermione corrected with a good-natured smile.
"Well I suppose so," Ginny smiled cheekily as she shrugged flippantly and took another sip of wine. "And, for the record, we're actually calling it a Stag and Horse party…because, well, you know,"
"Oh that's really sweet," Hermione gushed, taking another sip of her wine as she appreciated the obvious delightfulness of Harry and Ginny naming their party after their respective patronuses. "You look great, by the way, Gin," Hermione added. Her friend was clad in cocktail dress that appeared to be made up of overlapping strips of emerald green fabrics. The dress was form fitted, tightly embracing Ginny's figure from the shoulder-revealing halter cut at the top to the just-above-the-knee hem. Her bright red hair was piled messily, yet precisely, on top of her head and her makeup was more dramatic than it was subtle. A towering pair of beige pumps finished the look. The impressive heels almost brought Ginny to the same height as Hermione and Hermione hoped that her friend would be capable of dancing the entire night in the lofty, and surely uncomfortable, shoes.
"As do you, Mione," Ginny grinned in return, gesturing at Hermione's outfit. Hermione had opted for the same dress that she had worn to George's New Year's party, as she was particularly fond of the black and white, strapless cocktail gown, knowing that the bell-like shape, snug fit, and length was well suited to her figure. Her accessories were minimal – the only jewelry she wore were the diamond earrings that George had given her – choosing to let her natural beauty highlight the outfit as opposed to unnecessary baubles and trinkets.
"Thanks, Gin…Well I think I'm ready to go," Hermione said, completing the final touch of a subtle cherry-red gloss to her lips. She located her sparkly black pumps that had been stashed on the floor of her bathroom and slid them on her feet. Picking up her matching black clutch from the bathroom counter, she turned to Ginny: "You good to go?"
"Sure am," Ginny laughed excitedly, quickly downing the remaining liquid in her wineglass in a single swallow. "Let's get out of here," She added brightly, eagerly taking Hermione's hand in hers and pulling her giggling friend into the main part of the flat and out the front door.
-o-O-o-
Ginny was correct. When Hermione and Ginny finally strolled into The Golden Snitch, it was readily apparent that the establishment was already filled with their dearest friends. Hermione immediately saw that Harry and Ron had secured a selection of tables at the back of the sparsely filled tavern. She sucked in her breath quickly at the sight of George standing next to Fred and Angelina and Ron. In his muted blue shirt and dark trousers and dark tie, George looked as undeniably appealing as ever. Hermione desperately wanted to rush up to him and greet him with a hearty kiss, but knew that doing so would be unnecessarily shocking for his family and their friends, who they had still yet to inform about their still-budding relationship.
"Hi everyone," Ginny shouted as she and Hermione made their way across the shinny dance surface that covered much of the establishment.
"Ginny, you made it…we were getting worried," Harry smiled, his comment obviously in jest. Rising from the table where he had been sitting with Luna and Neville, Harry eagerly hurried towards the girls, picking his fiancée off the ground in an energetic and adorable bear hug. Hermione stared and the floor and fought a huge grin; everything about Harry and Ginny and their relationship made her feel decidedly warmed with bliss. One of Ginny's beige heels fell off from the force Harry's exuberant embrace. The young red head quickly returned the shoe to her foot when Harry finally set her down.
"I'm so glad you're all here," Ginny gushed as Hermione echoed her sentiment.
"It's so great to see everyone." Hermione glanced around, observing who everyone entailed. None who were there were particularly unexpected. Naturally, Harry and Ron were present. Fred and Angelina had evidently found a baby-sitter for the twins – likely Mrs. Weasley, Hermione concluded – as they were standing up, talking to George and Ron. Neville and Luna were sitting together at one of the small circular tables against the wall. Hermione nodded to the couple, although she wasn't certain if either noticed. The pair had clearly coordinated their outfits, as the shade of Neville's tie perfectly matched Luna's canary yellow dress. The party was completed by Lavender Brown who was hovering beside Ron as he talked to his two older brothers and sister-in-law. Hermione wondered if the eldest Weasleys were unable to attend because of family commitments or if Harry and Ginny had simply wanted to keep the affair reserved for their younger, more energetic friends; she presumed the former, knowing that neither Harry nor Ginny would be keen on precluding family.
"I guess not everyone is here yet," Ginny commented idly to Harry well within Hermione's earshot, thereby answering her unspoken question.
"No, hopefully some will be able to come and go throughout the night. Not sure if everyone will be able to make it though," Harry responded.
"Well…the more the merrier, obviously" – Ginny laughed – "But at least the people who are here are here." Hermione, yet again, grinned to herself because of her dear friend; Ginny's carefree attitude was always well received.
"Good to see you Mione…You're looking quite gorgeous,"
Hermione glanced up and saw that George had wandered over to stand next to her and was looking down at her with a sly smile brightening his face.
"Nice seeing you too, George," Hermione bit her bottom lip and grinned in reply.
"And?" George prompted with a cheeky smile.
"And?" Hermione responded coyly.
"Aren't you going to tell me that I look gorgeous too?" George asked with a mock woeful expression.
"Oh, of course," Hermione whispered impishly. "You do look quite gorgeous." She said in an even quieter tone, hoping that Harry and Ginny weren't capable of overhearing her and George's flirtatious repartee. A quick, sideways look at Harry and Ginny revealed that the couple was far too preoccupied in their own space to notice anything else, even things that were happening at a rather close proximity.
"Well…thank you," George grinned, leaning down to plant a stealthy peck on Hermione's cheek. "Care for a drink?"
"That would be nice," Hermione replied mischievously. She'd only had one glass of wine prior to leaving her flat and figured she could manage another. Gingerly, Hermione stepped across the dance floor, mindful of her heels, as George guided her with his hand at the small of her back.
"I know what you like already, I'm sure," George smiled when they reached the bar. Without having to stand on his tip toes or strain his back in any way, he leaned onto the counter and communicated something to the young wizard who was tending the bar. Hermione was unsurprised when the bartender filled two matching glass tumblers with bright pink liquid; she had expected George to order the beverages that they had enjoyed at Ginny and Harry's engagement party. "Cheers, sweet pea," George chuckled, playing with yet another pet name and passing Hermione one of the miniature glasses, which she picked up with a soft giggle.
"Likewise, George," Hermione replied jovially, clinking her glass against his before downing the sweet beverage. She set her glass down firmly once finished and smiled impishly at George: "Care for a dance?" She asked, realizing that she was being rather forward for her normal self, but not particularly minding. Her friends had already started to congregate on the dance floor and she was certain that sharing a dance with George would not be perceived as odd or uncharacteristic by any curious watchers.
"Obviously that would please me greatly," George responded with exaggerated chivalry and a wide grin, holding out his hand for Hermione with a superfluous but charming flourish.
"Lead the way," Hermione smiled, accepting George's hand in hers. George guided her to almost the very centre of the dance floor. Stopping, he quickly placed one hand on her shoulder while entwining the other around her waist to pull her closer to him. Hermione grinned as he held her tightly, enjoying the familiar feel of his touch. The music was upbeat, but Hermione and George ignored that fact, opting instead to move slowly, rather than match their movements to the quickness of the beat. Hermione was certain that those around them were moving energetically and erratically. At one point she was aware of Ginny bumping into her as Harry swung his fiancée into a rapid twirl. Hermione didn't mind; she was simply content to focus entirely on George and their shared simplistic movements.
The dance floor was slowly and steadily filling up, but Hermione wasn't sure if it was becoming crowded with her acquaintances or with strangers. With her head resting peacefully on George's chest, however, Hermione had no desire to move it in order to survey the establishment. Both of George's hands had long since moved to her waist and he held them at the small of her back, using the leverage to keep her snugly next to him. Hermione's hands remained around George's neck. Occasionally, she'd gently finger his longer strands of hair, but for the most part, she remained still. Happily, Hermione's surroundings dissolved as she and George continued dancing.
"Mione! Miione! Drink time!"
Ginny's energetic voice aggressively pierced Hermione's serenity. Hermione reluctantly lifted her head off of George's chest and met the eyes of her best friend with a wide smile despite her frustration at the interruption to the tranquility.
"What's that Gin?"
"Let's hit the bar," Ginny laughed, bobbing her head eagerly, causing the knot of hair piled atop her crown to quiver playfully. "You too George," She added, joyfully grabbing her beloved older brother by the upper arm.
"Alright Gin," George smiled, releasing an arm from Hermione to drape it around his youngest sibling. "Of course, I'd be honoured to accompany the two most gorgeous girls to the bar." With an arm wrapped around both Hermione and Ginny, George led the two off the dance floor and towards the bar.
"Oh George," Hermione tried to sound disapproving, hoping that Ginny wasn't too curious about their dancing, their nearness, or the compliments that George was paying her. The trio reached the bar and Ginny excitedly ordered beverages. Once again, a bright pink liquid was placed in front of Hermione which she drank in unison while George and Ginny downed their respective beverages. Almost the second they finished, a popular, crowd-pleasing tune reverberated over the establishment's sound system.
"Ah, I love this song!" Ginny shrieked. "Let's go Mione," She laughed grabbing for Hermione's hand.
"See you later George," Hermione called as Ginny eagerly pulled her towards the dance floor. The two girls giggled as they both started moving in time with the music as best they were able. While her movements and actions weren't quite as free-flowing and over-pronounced as Ginny's, Hermione easily became swept away in the enjoyment of the moment. Shortly, the two were joined by Angelina and Lavender; a development that only made Ginny's movements more erratic and encouraged her laugher to flow more frequently. Hermione chuckled and danced as her meticulously straightened hair grew frizzier. Her smile also grew wider and her heart raced faster as her dancing became more erratic. She grinned at the carefree Angelina, who was moving effortlessly in her striking, coral cocktail dress and laughed at the sight of the often-snooty Lavender spinning the in-her-element Ginny over and over again in tight pirouettes. Glancing to the side of the dance floor, Hermione noticed George standing beside Fred. Both the Weasley twins were watching the dancing, grinning affectionately at the antics of their respective girls. Locking eye contact, George smiled as he raised his glass to Hermione, nodding fondly in her direction. Without skipping a beat in her dance, Hermione lifted her hand and beckoned to him to join her and her friends. George obviously required little convincing, as he immediately placed down his glass and sauntered onto the dance floor, walking purposefully in her direction. Fred followed closely behind and Hermione noticed that they were being joined from the opposite direction by Harry and Ron. She laughed again as her friends surrounded her, all intent on continuing the merriment.
-o-O-o-
"Oh sweet Merlin…t-that was the best night ever," Ginny gushed with a slurred voice as Hermione and Harry assisted her out of The Golden Snitch and into the dark air of the very early morning moments before the establishment closed for the night.
"I'm glad you had fun, Gin," Hermione smiled sweetly, readjusting her grasp in order to assist her friend in remaining on her feet.
"I did. I did. I did have so, so, so much fun," Ginny mumbled, her body lurching forward as she stumbled on her impractically towering heels.
"Whoa, got you Gin," Harry gently encouraged, wrapping his arm tightly around his inebriated fiancée.
"Maybe a little too much fun?" Hermione suggested kindly. While everyone had been extremely enjoying themselves throughout the night, it was obvious that Ginny had been enjoying herself the most. The feisty red head had continually suggested to Hermione that they return to the bar and had evidently not wisely stopped visiting the bar at the same time Hermione had.
"Definitely too much fun," Ginny admitted sheepishly.
"That's ok Gin…it's not every day that you celebrate your Stag and Hen party…I mean Stag and Horse party." Hermione grinned, fondly squeezing Ginny's shoulder.
"Ok Gin…I got you," Harry said softly, holding Ginny up in a tight embrace.
"You're ok getting home?" Hermione asked, to which Harry responded with a confident nod.
"Oh definitely…you can go see the rest,"
"Alright…thanks for the great night Gin," Hermione replied with an additional squeeze of Ginny's shoulder.
"Bye, I love you Hermione," Ginny gushed, pitching forward to hug Hermione.
"Alight sweetie…I love you too," Hermione smiled affectionately, helping to steady Ginny. "I'll see you tomorrow…er…later today…if you're feeling alright,"
"Yes! Wedding planning!" Ginny replied in an excited singsong. She and Hermione had decided earlier in the day that they'd use their respective day offs to do some much needed preparation for the rapidly approaching wedding.
"Only if you're feeling up for it," Hermione recommended, guiding Ginny back into Harry's arms. "See you later Harry," She added, waving to her friend before joining the rest of the party's attendees, who were congregating at the front doors on the walk in front of The Golden Snitch.
"How is she?" George asked as Hermione approached her mulling friends.
"She's fine…a little drunk, but she had fun," Hermione grinned, hugging her arms to her chest to brace against the chill of the midnight air as she stood next to George.
"Really? Seemed more like right pissed to me," George laughed affectionately at the state of his younger sister. "Looks like we did our part, Freddie," He grinned at his twin.
"Yup, no respectable older brother lets his little sister stay sober at her own party," Fred replied mischievously.
"Fred," Angelina exclaimed, casting a withering yet good-natured stare at her husband.
"I mean, we're not to blame at all…are we, Georgie?" Fred jokingly corrected himself.
"Not in the least," George continued with adopted innocence.
"These two, eh," Angelina nodded towards Hermione.
"What do we do with them?" Hermione smiled in return.
"I have no idea," Angelina replied with mock exasperation as she accepted Fred's outstretched hand with hers.
"Guess you better take me home and give me the appropriate punishment," Fred suggested with an impish wink.
"Fred," Angelina reiterated, shaking her head reproachfully.
"I didn't say anything," Fred laughed.
"Ok then," Angelina said before turning to the rest: "Well we should go."
"Where are the twins?" Hermione asked.
"Oh they're staying over at the Burrow…so I'm pretty excited to actually get a full night's sleep," Angelina laughed.
"Alright, see you around," Hermione replied, returning Angelina's departing hug. Fred and Angelina waved goodbye before apparating into oblivion, leaving Hermione alone with George, Ron, and Lavender.
"We should go too," Ron added with his arm looped around Lavender. "Nice see you though,"
"Yah, it really was," Lavender said sweetly, sounding surprisingly sincere.
"Ok mate," George nodded.
"Take care you two," Hermione added. "Hey, where are Nev and Luna?" She asked, realizing the missing members of their party.
"Oh they left a long time ago…you were preoccupied by the dance floor," Ron chuckled.
"Hmm," Hermione groaned in disappointment. "I haven't seen Luna in forever…I should have hung out more with her," She said quietly, mostly to herself. Her rebuff was interrupted by Ron and Lavender saying goodbye.
"I'm glad we got to spend some time together, Hermione. You're a treat on the dance floor," Lavender whispered hesitantly.
"Yah, it really was. You're pretty impressive yourself," Hermione smiled. Lavender, in her vibrant pink dress with its heavily crinoline, had spent most of the party spinning in circles and joining the other girls in emphatic giggles on the dance floor. Hermione had been pleasantly pleased with how much she enjoyed her former classmate's presence throughout the night. The two girls maintained eye contact and shared an understanding nod. "Take care of yourself, Lav," Hermione said with nonchalant kindness, experimenting with a friendly nickname.
"You too," Lavender replied before leaving with Ron.
"My place?" George suggested the instance Ron and Lavender disappeared.
"Sounds good," Hermione grinned, taking George's hand in hers.
-o-O-o-
Already in the midst of an embrace, Hermione and George entered his flat and immediately found their way to the luxurious couch. No words were exchanged before he found her lips with his. As they kissed, it seemed to Hermione that every time she and George lost themselves to their passion, the result was more and more exhilarating. She barely noticed when George quickly altered their seated positions so that she was lying prone on the couch. Somehow he had managed to rotate their positions without ever breaking their kiss. Even though her head was strained at an awkward angle against the arm of the couch, Hermione didn't mind: the moment was far too exhilarating. Hermione's hands went to his back as their kisses only grew in intensity. She explored his broad back, enjoying the way it felt firm and strong and warm and inviting beneath the soft fabric of his blue shirt.
"Am I crushing you?" George asked as he leveraged himself beside her, not quite lying on the couch, but not exactly on top of her. Hermione only answered with a shake of her head before reconnecting their kiss. She sighed with excitement as George wrapped one if his legs over hers, pulling her in closer to him. She could feel George's chest rising and falling rhythmically beside her and felt the pounding of his heart through his shirt. George's free hand moved to her hip where he gently massaged her through the satiny fabric of her cocktail dress. His touch sent shivers through her body and Hermione didn't want him to refrain from continuing. She buried her hands into his hair as she desperately kissed him. Her delirious movements lacked precision and she kissed his cheeks, chin and nose just as much as she did his mouth. She held nothing back, fully exploring his mouth, often mixing bites and nibbles into her kisses. There was nothing chaste or controlled about the moment. Hermione knew that her rational side was rapidly waning in power compared to her basest urges, but she did nothing to attempt to reign in her passion. She didn't feel the need to in the least, trusting George with her entire being.
"George, ah, do you think we'd be more comfortable in your bedroom?" She questioned tentatively, but with purpose.
"Really?" George breathed excitedly.
Hermione nodded.
"We don't have to," George sweetly volunteered, obviously hoping that Hermione wouldn't agree to his offer.
"I'd like to," Hermione asserted.
"Brilliant," George leaped off the couch and held out both his hands to Hermione. She eagerly accepted.
Author's Note: Please, leave a comment, review, or encouragement if you get the chance! Always a huge pick me up!
I want to keep this overall story T and I hope I didn't cross any lines in that regards with this chapter. The rest of this chapter is going to be written up in a separate one-off story that will be quite smutty [M]. That way, people who are interested in reading an M-rated chapter can check it out and people who aren't can ignore it [Don't worry, it won't add anything important to the plot or anything]. I figured it was the best way to avoid having to rate my entire story M, but to also be able give a try to writing a smutty chapter. It will be rated M for good reason, so please avoid if you don't care for such subject matter or are uncomfortable with it – [PM me if you have any questions/concerns and I'll be more than happy to try and clear it up] - SJ