Mrs. Weasley was killing me.
I mean, she was having me give the chickens a bath in an attempt to actually keep me busy. You cannot bathe a chicken, it does not work well at all. They get mad and vicious, you get wet and cut. No one wins and you have to clean up the coop after your disastrous (and insane) efforts.
She wasn't trying to keep me busy because she was worried I was bored at the Burrow, I was very far from it. What with Tonks and Remus having gotten married, and Fleur's upcoming marriage, it was positively exciting. No, she was keeping me busy for very, very different reasons. All I wanted to do was spend some time alone with George, and make plans with Ron. That was all, just a date or two, and a moment alone with my second best friend. Merlin's beard, the woman was having none of it though. She had me and Ron constantly doing crazy chores, and poor George had to constantly work at the shop because of the quickly approaching school year. I hadn't even gotten to tell George (and by extension, Fred, because there was no way I would ask George to keep a secret from his twin) about the Horcruxes. I had asked Harry for permission to fill him in, insisting we could use some more minds and he had agreed to let me. All I needed now was a moment to tell him, which looked extremely unlikely.
It was July 15, I had been at the Burrow for 16 days and I hadn't gotten to go on one date with my boyfriend, the woman's own son. You'd think that would get me one night off, but no, it most certainly did not. She was determined that Ron and I would have no free time, intent on keeping us from making any sort of plans.
I was having to wash dishes right now. We'd had most of the Order over for dinner again tonight, so there was an indecent amount of them. I could have zipped through them by simply using a little magic, but I didn't want to know what else she'd assign me to, and I really didn't mind doing the dishes too much.
I was just putting a bowl onto the drying rack, wondering how I had become so trapped in Mrs. Weasley's schemes, when someone pulled the dish from my hand.
I started momentarily before a smile stole over my lips. "Hi George." I whispered as he came up next to me. He grinned down at me, the large toothy smile that made me weak in the knees and want more than anything to snog him senseless. He grabbed a bowl out the sink and washed it off, handing it to me when he was finished so I could dry it off. We did that for a while, washing and drying dishes, he told me jokes and pranks they had pulled, and I laughed, loud and carefree. I was just enjoying the fact that we had each other's company.
"Do you remember the last time we washed dishes together?" George asked suddenly. I froze momentarily before placing the plate next to the bowls.
"The last time we washed together was when you asked me to date you." I said, a reminiscent smile lighting my face as I recalled the way he had asked me.
"Who would have thought, a year and a half of dating later I'd have trouble getting you out for a date?" He said, chuckling as he handed me another plate. I giggled myself before glancing over my shoulder to make sure Mrs. Weasley was nowhere near us. I set the plate down and turned to face him. He looked over at me, raising his eyebrow. I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"I also remember wanting to snog you senseless at the way you smiled when I said yes." I whispered to him before rocking forward onto my tip toes and smothering him in a kiss. He smiled into the kiss, deepening it eagerly as his arms found their way around my waist. We broke off a few minutes later, breathing heavily and happily. He leaned down and rested his forehead against mine, letting out a happy, satisfied, sigh.
"It has been far too long since we have done that." He said, closing his eyes and smiling contentedly. A happy grin stole across my face and an idea occurred to me.
"How do you feel about a jail break?" I asked, grinning mischievously. His eyes popped open, alert and excited.
"Do tell."
"I'd much rather show." I said coyly, unwrapping my arms from his neck and stepping back. I took my wand out of my back pocket and waved it at the sink. The dishes flew around, cleaning themselves before settling back into the pantry. Once satisfied that I had done the spell correctly I turned back to George and grabbed his hand.
"Let's get out of here."
He smiled eagerly, gripping my hand tightly. He snuck to the back door, pulling me along behind him gently, and opened it. We walked out the door slowly, shutting it softly so as not to make any noise, and then we ran across the yard to the trees that surrounded the lake. We didn't stop running until we were right in front of the lake, surrounded by trees and completely alone. We had done it, we'd escaped unnoticed, and we were free! I fell to the ground laughing in jubilation, out of breath and excited. It was exhilarating, being out in the open air alone with George, not having to worry that Mrs. Weasley was going to come around the corner and catch us.
George was standing in front of me, a smile on his handsome face as he saw my obvious excitement. A wild, wonderful idea occurred to me and I spoke without giving it any further thought.
"Let's go swimming." I said, standing up and shedding my robes. I was wearing a pair of shorts and an old t shirt underneath, so I was perfectly suited to swimming. George stared at me for a moment, his eyebrows raised and a look of surprise on his face before his smile reappeared, larger and more excited than before. He shook off his robes and pulled his Gryffindor t shirt off after it, exposing his chest to my very appreciative gaze. Another smile stole across his face at my open ogling and he reached for his belt, undoing it and dropping his jeans. He now stood facing me, completely bare save for his bright blue boxers. A giggle escaped me at the sight of his big grin, his excitement making me feel light.
At the sound of my giggle he stepped forward, making me pause. An evil grin stole his lips, and he ran for me, grabbing me up in his strong arms and tossing me over his shoulder. I squealed as he turned around and ran for the water, stopping at the edge before jumping into the deep lake and pulling me with him. The frigid water covered me head to foot, and I had to fight back a scream as he pulled me under. I had not expected it to feel that cold in July. I broke away from George and pushed myself to the surface, coughing a bit and mock glaring at him as he broke the surface next to me.
"You are going to pay for that." I said, already growing used to the temperature of the water. Then, without further warning, I lunged at him. George let out a loud laugh and tried to swim away, but it was too late, I had him in my grip. I pulled myself closer to him, splashing him with one hand while I wrapped my other arm around him. He laughed loud and boyishly, making me grin all the wider as I continued to assault him with splashes. He splashed me back, using both his arms to attack me, causing me to splutter and laugh just as loud as he was.
George's laugh was intoxicating, it made me feel light and airy, while making me want to snog him senseless at the same time. The feel of his bare chest against my arm also was making me distracted, and his hair, all wet and stringy, seemed to call to my fingers, begging to be felt and played with.
I moved my arm from around his waist to his neck, gripping him tightly as he tried to escape my hold. I moved my legs from the lake floor and wrapped them around his waist, holding onto him even tighter as I looked into his vivid eyes. He stopped laughing when my eyes locked onto his and he grew quiet, his face growing still, love and tenderness filling his eyes. He wrapped his arms around me, holding onto me in the chest deep lake water. I closed the distance between our faces and kissed him hard. George returned the kiss with just as much passion, just as much need. We hadn't kissed like this in a long time, his birthday if I remembered right. We'd been too busy, and always in front of people. He moved one hand from my waist, moving it up to my head, holding me securely and pressing our faces closer together as though he were trying to merge us. He held onto my waist with one hand, holding me up and close to him.
This was what I had been wanting most these last few months, just to be with George. To hold him, to hug him, to kiss him, to let him know how much he meant to me-to let him know how much I loved him before I left with Harry. Because if something happened to me and I died with out ever letting him know just how very much I loved him, just how very much he meant to me, I'd never forgive myself. My emotions became too much to bear as I held him in my arms, and I began to cry. Great big tears filled my eyes and ran down my cheeks, wetting my face even more. George didn't notice at first, probably thinking it was just the water from the lake, but he did notice after a minute.
"Hermione!" He gasped, breaking the kiss and staring at me with clear worry. He moved his hand from the back of my head to my cheeks, brushing the tears off as he looked at me with tender care and love. "What's wrong?"
I actually started to weep, I couldn't stop. I dropped my legs from around his waist and moved my arms to his chest, holding him in a tight hug as I cried into his chest.
"I'm sorry, Love," he said, rubbing my back and holding me tight. "Please tell me what's wrong."
"I'm scared!" I answered honestly, pulling back so I could look him in the eyes.
"What about?" He asked his voice tight with worry.
"About the upcoming war. Dumbledore gave Harry a mission." And I proceeded to tell him everything I knew. He didn't interrupt, just listening and holding me as I spoke, his strong arms making me feel safe, secure.
"You want to go off with Harry and Ron to hunt these things?" He asked when I finished, his voice and face going blank. I nodded my head slowly, feeling fearful at his lack of emotion.
"Do you seriously think I'm going to just let you disappear?" he asked quietly, putting his hand against my cheek, stroking my face with his thumb. My eyelids fluttered at the touch and I leaned into it, savoring the feel of his warm hand against my cool cheek. "You have to know that I'll follow you, I couldn't do anything else."
"What about Harry?" I asked softly, though I desperately wanted him to come with me.
"He'll need the help. He's like another little brother to me, I'd hate to see him in danger too." He pulled me closer to him, holding me firmly as he continued. "He'll need all the help he can get. Fred and I won't tell anyone what you are planning, but we will come with you. He'll accept us; we won't give him a choice."
"Oh George," I whispered as he held me. I couldn't even think of any words to describe what his promise meant to me. The thought of having him with me was wonderful, better than I could have ever hoped. I looked up into his eyes and let myself get lost in there depths before I leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. He pulled me closer to him, holding me tight as he deepened the kiss. We went at each other, I ran my hands up and down his back, letting my nails lightly scratch him, earning myself a moan from him. He ran his hands up and down my side, stopping at my waist. My shirt had risen up a little, leaving my waist bare, and he laid his hands on the skin. My mind went hazy at the feel, and I kissed him even harder. He ran his hand up slowly, pushing my shirt up further. I didn't try and stop him, I wanted him to continue. I needed him desperately right now, and I couldn't refuse him myself.
He broke the kiss off, his lips swollen and his eyes dark as he looked down at me. He was holding my shirt, looking at me questioningly. I gave my head the slightest nod and he continued, pulling the t shirt up and off of me. He tossed it over his shoulder where it sunk into the lake. I wasn't paying attention though; I was far too self conscious. I'd never been this exposed to a boy before, and I was worried about what he would think. My arms moved up unconsciously, crossing and blocking my bra covered chest from George's gaze. He moved his hands to my arms, gently pulling them down as he locked his gaze with me.
"Don't," he whispered his voice low and husky. I shivered at the sound of it and allowed my arms to drop. He moved closer to me, running his hands down my arms, not touching me yet.
"You're beautiful," he whispered, "perfect."
Perfect? I'd never been called perfect, that was a first for me.
He didn't give me time to retort, he pulled me back to him, holding me tight and pressing me against his chest. I gasped at the feel of the skin on skin contact, instantly feeling a flood of warmth fill me. He raised my chin gently, tracing the contour of my jaw before claiming me in another heated kiss. He ran his hands up my back, lighting a trail of fire as he touched the newly exposed flesh. I kissed him hard, feeling myself grow warmer as he moved his hands up my side finally settling on the fabric of my bra. My heart beat tripled and my breathing grew ragged at the feel.
"George?" a familiar voice called from the trees. I squealed in surprise and dove under the water, grabbing at my shirt that had fallen somewhere behind George. I resurfaced a moment later, holding the soaking wet material to my chest as I turned to look at Fred. He was bright red when he saw me and quickly averted his eyes.
"Umm, Mum's looking for you two." He said, trying not to laugh as I hid behind George.
Yes, Mrs. Weasley was definitely killing me.
A/N: okay, were getting more serious relationship wise, and we are about to seriously change the story. I haven't done any truly major change up to this point, but get ready for one more of a change after the wedding. I hope no one thinks I'm making Hermione out of character, and please let me know if you think I am!