Chapter 12 - George
[ A/N Okay, thanks for reviewing on the last chapter! I was thinking of writing in someone else's perspective for a while, and I got the push I needed from arachnidsGrip88. Also, there might be a twist coming up. It may or may not be in this chapter. You'll have to see. ;)]
Fred and I trudged up to the Burrow. I preferred to stay quiet, and I guessed Fred did as well. We were all in shock from Hermione nearly drowning. I don't know why Fred didn't immediately jump in to save her. He was in love with her. But it wasn't just that. Fred was a people person. He should have dived in. He never lets anyone get hurt if he can help it.
We went through the back door and picked up the towels we had left there earlier. Fred dried himself quickly. He was only in the lake once and he had dried off mostly on the way home. I, on the other hand, was drenched. I wrapped the towel around my wait and dropped my trunks. Fred and I were the only ones here. Harry, Ron and the girls were upstairs. Fred went back outside and sat in the grass. I sighed. Fred was so sad. I didn't know why. He was spending his summer holidays with Hermione! I was trying my best to get him closer to her. I set up the trip to the lake, so he got to check out Hermione. I didn't know why I was trying. She wouldn't get with him. She loved Ron. Beside, after last summer, I couldn't let them get together. I wouldn't.
Ron and Ginny came down the stairs, arguing over who they thought would win the Quidditch League. Ron, of course, was insisting that the Chorley Cannons would win, whereas Ginny was telling him that the Holyhead Harpies would smash them. Ron had pulled on a t-shirt with a hippogriff on it, while Ginny had put on some weird dress. "Hi George. Where's Fred?" said Ginny, pouring a glass of pumpkin juice. "Yeah, he was acting really weird at the lake." said Ron. "Outside. He just wants time alone" I said, joining Ginny up on the counter. Just then, Harry and Hermione entered, their heads bowed together, discussing something. Something twanged inside me. Lately, they had been spending a lot together. Fred was getting really jealous. Though I hated to admit it, he wasn't the only one.
They suddenly stopped and looked up. They looked startled. Harry ran his hand through his hair. Hermione smiled warily. "Hi guys." she said. She had a pair of shorts and a t-shirt on. "Hey. Where's Fred?" said Harry. He had a loose shirt on with some cropped khakis. "Outside" I repeated. Harry looked confused and cocked his head slightly. I shrugged a shoulder. There was no point in trying to explain Fred. Harry understood and leaned against the counter. Hermione poured herself a glass of water, which is stupid because she probably coughed up a gallon earlier. I suddenly realised I was just wearing a towel, and left to pull on some clothes. I didn't really care. These guys were like my family, except for Ron and Ginny, who were actually my family. I climbed the stairs and pulled on my clothes. Mum and Dad were visiting the Lovegoods, and Bill was in Gringotts, so we had the house to ourselves. I went back to the kitchen. Fred was back, still in his trunks, lounging against the sink. He was eating a chocolate frog that he found in Ron's room. Hermione was just beside him. Surprisingly, they both looked fine with it, if not comfortable. Everyone looked tired, so I decided to annoy Fred, "Let's play a game." I said, glancing at Fred to see his reaction. He narrowed his eyes, frowned and shook his head slightly. Hermione seemed unfazed and asked, "What game?" she asked, putting the glass in the sink. She jumped up onto the counter. I smirked at Harry, who looked alarmed. "Truth or dare" There was an universal groan. Except for one person. Someone who surprised me more than anyone. "C'mon, guys, it'll be fun" said Ron, straining to talk over everyone's moaning. Ginny stood up off the counter, and reached into the counter. She pulled down a bottle on Butterbeer. She drained it in a couple of gulps. I raised my eyebrow but didn't say anything. She was that sneaky she could be drinking Firewhisky in her bedroom without us knowing. Just to rebel. She led the way into the sitting room. We plopped down in a circle, the empty bottle in the middle. "I'll control the bottle" said Ginny, leaning forward. Once everyone was settled, me between Ginny and Fred, she spun the bottle. It spun round in a blur. It crept round past Fred, then me, and came to rest on Ginny, the end pointing to Ron. "Top of the bottle dares," I said "C'mon, Gin." "Allritey, Ronny" she said slyly, resting back on her elbows. "How far have you gotten with a girl?" Ron blushed. "Umm…none" he said, blushing. Fred rocked his head back and laughed. Harry raised an eyebrow and said without any shame. "What's wrong with that?" Hermione looked at Harry. "Didn't you kiss Cho, Harry?" I looked at Harry in shock. I didn't know he kissed anyone. "Yeah, but still. It doesn't matter, does it? Lavender Brown will be snogging the face off him this year." He said lazily, leaning back slightly. He flicked his hair off his face. Ginny was staring at him in awe. I murmured in her ear, "Gin, you're drooling" She blushed and smacked my arm. Both Harry and Ron looked confused. "Huh? What about Lavender Brown?" Harry shoved Ron and told him not to think about it. "What about you, 'Mione?" said Fred suddenly. He was chewing on a piece of grass from outside. Hermione hesitated, then said, "Fourth" her hair covering her face. Everyone's jaw dropped. We were all silent for a while. Fred was the first to talk. "You mean… a Home Run?" his voice was unnaturally high. "Who was it?" Ron said angrily. "It was just a summer fling…you wouldn't know him." she said, her face on fire. Hermione Granger, getting a Home Run? Fred and I had, of course. Well of course I had. And all five of us knew her "summer fling".
It was June last year. Hermione and I were in the sitting room in Grimmauld Place. Everyone had gone to bed. Hermione was drunk. She was upset about her parents fighting, so she had stolen the Firewhisky from Fred and I's room. I had come down for some water. She was swaying around the room, humming the waltz. She had the half drunken bottle of Mum's cooking sherry. Empty bottles littered the floor. She spotted me and hiccupped. "Freddie?" she said, squinting slightly. "No, George," I said, walking up to her, "Give me the sherry, 'Mione." I said, reaching for the bottle. "Nooo, stop Fred-d-die" she slurred, shoving me in the chest. "It's George," I said, picking up the empty bottles around her feet, "You have to sto-" I was interrupted by her diving to the ground and popping her head between my arms. She giggled and crossed her eyes. I had to smile at her. She burped. She smelled of a mixture of all different alcohols. Her face suddenly turned green. I hauled her to her feet and rushed her upstairs to the bathroom. I held back her hair as she threw up noisily into the bathroom. She wiped her mouth as tears streamed down her face. She stumbled up to the sink and brushed her teeth. She seemed to sober up a little. She looked into the mirror and groaned. She wiped her face and tucked her hair behind her ears. Our eyes met in the mirror. I shoved my hands awkwardly into my pockets. I had seen her in one her worst moments. She turned around, squinting slightly. "T-thanks Fre- George" she said, smiling warily. "It's okay," I said, pushing off the wall, "What are friends for, eh?" As I past her, I heard her murmur "Friends…" I was about to open the door, when she turned me around roughly and pushed me back against the door. I felt her hand against my waist as she locked the door behind me. The smell of alcohol had eased a bit. Now, her natural smell came through. The smell of books, obviously. But something else. Something…fruity. She lifted her hand and ran it through my hair. For some reason, it kind of turned me on. I knew it was wrong. She was –and is – two years younger than me. "Hermione?" "Mmmhm?" "Ah…this..I have to go." I said, trying to unlock the door. I couldn't turn around, because I was wedged between Hermione and the door. She realised and backed away. "Ah, but George… do you want to?" she said slyly. I didn't. Hermione wasn't exactly ugly. She was kind, loyal, and smart. I'd be mad not to like her. But I couldn't take advantage of her like that. She was shy, innocent…without being full up with alcohol. Now, she was bold and forward. Now, I really didn't want to leave. I walked forward towards her a couple of steps. She also walked forward. She looped her arms around my neck. I didn't pull away. I brought my hands to her waist. She leaned closer to me, hesitating just beyond my mouth. I grabbed the back of her head and pulled her to me. Her small mouth was soft, moving with mine. I knew she had kissed someone; she was too experienced for this to be her first time. I savoured her touch, her scent. It felt like a dream. Her hands crept up my shirt. She spread her hands, her silky hands roaming over my chest. A small growl formed in the back of my throat. She chuckled, "Easy there, tiger," she said, pulling my t-shirt over my head, "I mean no harm." Our eyes met, "I know." I said, softly. She launched herself at me again, this time she was more… heated, desperate. I unbuttoned her shirt quickly. She let go of me just so she could shrug off her shirt. She pulled back once again. "No string attached, George." she whispered, unhooking her bra. I nodded. "No strings attached."
We woke up curled together in the bath under loads of towels. Clothes were scattered all throughout the bathroom. I looked over at Hermione. She looked so peaceful. Suddenly, her eyelids fluttered and she opened her beautiful eyes. Her eyes widened and she looked horrified. She looked down at both of us. She stood up suddenly, wrapping a towel around herself. She started mumbling to herself, "Oh no, this is not good, this was a bad idea." I decided to step in, mostly because my feelings and ego was getting hurt. "I didn't think it was that bad. I thought it was quite good actually." I put my hands behind my head. She glared at me murderously, then winced. "Oh, George… my head!" she sat on the toilet and put her head in her hands. She suddenly snapped her head up. "George!" "What?!" "Were you safe?" she said, her eyes widening. "Of course! I'm not an idiot!" I snapped. Standing up, I pulled a towel around myself. Hermione stood up as well, and she stopped me. "Look, George, it was amazing last night! Yes, I remember." She said, responding to my shocked face. "Thank you." She reached up and pecked me on the mouth. I picked up my clothes and unlocked the door. As I was leaving, I turned around, "Me too. No problem, 'Mione. It's what I do best."
[A/N DUN DUN DUUUN! I told you there would be a twist! Please review and favourite! It means a lot! Btw 2000 VIEWS! YAY! I love you all! Merry late Christmas, and I hope you have a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year J x]