HERE WE GO AGAIN
Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter, just this story.
Author's Note: Ok, chapter 4! Thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far, it's motivated me to keep on writing! Enjoy
I squinted as the sun shone through the window and onto my tired face. I pulled the blanket to cover my face and groaned. I was in no mood to wake up. I'd had a few drinks last night and then SOMEONE suggested cracking open some firewhiskey and then everything was blurry and I passed out. Not my finest moment.
"Morning" I reluctantly pulled the covers off to sit up and see George grinning at me. I instinctively pulled the blanket up to cover myself.
"What time is it? How are you so cheery? You were pure drunk last night" I yawned.
"It's ten. Ah, anti-hangover charm. You should really learn it. Then again it was hilarious to see goody-two-shoes Granger drunk" George laughed.
I groaned and buried my pounding head in my hands.
"You better get up, Mum wants everyone up in ten minutes" George explained.
I nodded and looked around. I was in the Burrow, but I didn't know who's room. There was a bed across from mine with identical covers on it. Several Quidditch posters adorned the walls and various orange boxes with a large W printed on them were scattered about the room. I figured it was the twins old room. Then something dawned on me.
"George…we didn't…you know…" I started.
"What? No, no. Although just before you passed out you started attempting to strip. I had to stop you before you flashed half the wedding party" George laughed.
My face fell. "I'm NEVER drinking again" I sighed before swinging my legs out of the bed and standing up.
"Don't say that, you're a lot more fun when you drink" George winked before I pushed him out of the room so I could get dressed. I didn't have any spare clothes with me but I noticed a pair of jeans and a top that I remembered seeing on Ginny a few weeks ago on top of a chest of drawers at the other end of the room. I walked over and saw a note pinned to them.
'Mione, just in case you need them. Gin x
I smiled. She always was a lifesaver. I quickly got dressed and went downstairs. Molly was serving breakfast and everyone was sitting around the table. George and Charlie were whispering but stopped the second I walked in.
"Morning sunshine" Charlie winked.
I looked at George who just pretended to look away. I rolled my eyes and sat down beside Luna and Fleur.
"Dig in everyone" Molly smiled.
I felt a bit sick at the smell of food but I filled my plate as to not raise suspicion. I looked at Ginny and smiled.
"Thanks" I told her before she just smiled and went back to talking to Harry. They looked beyond loved-up. I wondered if I'd ever be like that with George.
I took a few bites of food and felt better. Percy came in and sat opposite Charlie who was to the left across from me.
"Morning dear. I was wondering if you'd thought anymore about the wedding?" Molly asked.
"Yes, I think it'd be nice to have it here. I'm sure Alicia will agree" Percy replied.
"Good, I'm looking forward to meeting her" Molly smiled.
We were nearly finished breakfast when Bill turned to Harry and Ginny.
"You two are the only ones, other than us, who don't have to go into this marriage law. We already started our family," He smiled and squeezed Fleur's hand. "And we were just wondering if you two were planning on having kids?" He asked.
Molly and Arthur looked at Harry and Ginny. Molly had an expectant look in her eyes.
"Well, we've talked about it, and we probably will have kids someday" Ginny started.
"But we just want to settle down and enjoy married life right now" Harry smiled and kissed Ginny's cheek.
"That's nice" Molly smiled.
"I better go, I'll see you all before the wedding hopefully" Luna smiled as she got up from her seat. Molly shot a glance at Ron, who immediately stood up.
"I'll walk you out" Ron smiled, taking Luna's arm.
I flinched a little but smiled. George must have noticed because he grinned at me.
"I'm going to get my things and head off, I have a few things I need to do" I excused myself and went back upstairs.
I was packing my dress and a few other things into my bag when I heard footsteps enter the room.
I looked up and George was standing in the doorway, a broad smile on his face.
"Hey" I sat on the bed.
"Hey" He walked over and sat beside me.
"Is everything ok? You seemed a bit, off when Ron went with Luna" He looked at me.
I fought a blush. "Everything's fine. I'm still adjusting to the idea of not being with Ron" I sighed.
"I didn't realise you liked the little git so much" George laughed.
"I loved him, I still do. But I have no choice but to marry you so I have to just accept I'll never be with him again" I fought back tears.
"I'm sorry. I feel rubbish now" George gently patted my back.
"It's ok, I'll be fine" I forced a smile.
"I'm not that bad" He grinned.
I couldn't help but smile. He was a good guy. I stood up and picked up my bag.
"I better get home, I have to go shopping to find something to wear to Percy's wedding" I smiled.
"I could go with you? I have to get measured for a suit anyway" George stood up beside me.
"Are you sure? I don't want you to be put out" I explained.
"You could never put me out" George smiled.
I grabbed my bag and we apparated to Diagon Alley.
"What time are you getting fitted?" I asked as we walked down the street, our hands brushed against each other and I pulled mine away to pretend to fix my hair.
"Three. Do you want to go look for a dress?" He asked.
I nodded and we went into a nearby clothes shop. There were a few other people wandering around the shop and music was playing softly in the background. I flicked through the racks and picked out a dress I liked.
"I better try this on, I'll be out in a few minutes" I told George before heading into the changing rooms. I slipped into a cubicle and hung the dress up on the hook.
I peeled off my clothes and put on the dress. It was yellow and fell just above my knees. It had a thin brown belt around the middle and it hand two thick straps. I looked in the mirror and smiled.
"Hermione? Are you in here?" I heard George call my name.
"I'll be out in a minute" I called, going to take off the dress and change.
"Wait, do you have the dress on? Can I see?" He asked.
He would see it anyway, so I didn't see any harm in showing him. Maybe I needed a second opinion.
I carefully pulled back the red curtain that was concealing me and smoothed down the dress.
"Well?" I asked.
"You look…great" George seemed lost for words. That was a first.
"Thanks, do you think I should get it?" I asked.
"Definitely, you look beautiful in it" He smiled.
I tried and failed to hide the blush sweeping across my cheeks. George just winked and left me to change. I pulled the curtain back and changed back into my clothes. I placed a hand to my cheek and it was slightly hot. I blushed further and took the dress before going back out to the shop.
I handed the dress to the sales assistant who rang it up.
"That'll be 45 galleons when you're ready" She smiled. I opened my bag and pulled out my purse before handing over the money. She placed the dress in a bag and handed the bag to me. I took it and smiled before walking over to George.
"Do you have to go to the fitting now?" I asked as we left the shop.
"Yeah, in a few minutes. I was wondering if maybe you want to go have lunch after?" He asked.
"Sure, that'd be nice" I smiled before we walked down the street and into the tailors.
There was a woman taking Hogwarts robes off mannequins in the window. I smiled as memories flooded back. George was talking to the sales assistant and then he disappeared into the back of the shop. I walked around the shop, looking around. I decided to go see what George was doing and went into the back room.
He was standing on a raised platform in the middle of the room while a tall, thin man with glasses perched at the end of his nose measured his waist.
"Now, sir, I have to ask you to please remove your garments in order for you to try on some suits we have in your size" The man told George.
I fought a blush at the thought.
George nodded and began taking off his shirt and pants, leaving him in a pair of light blue boxers. I pretended to look in my bag to hide the huge blush on my face.
"A little preview for the wedding night eh Granger?" George laughed.
"I blushed and stood up before briskly walking out of the room. I shook my head and took a deep breath. I left the shop and stood outside to calm myself. I spotted a familiar face standing across the street and walked over.
"Hey Neville" I smiled.
"Oh, Hermione, Hey, how are you?" He asked, giving me a hug.
"I'm good, how are you? It's been way too long since we've seen each other" I replied, hugging him back.
"I know yeah. I'm great, doing well. I'm guessing you heard about the marriage law?" He asked.
"That's good. Yeah, who are you marrying?" I asked.
"Lavender" He muttered. I patted his arm gently.
"That's…too bad" I told him.
"Oh well, it could be worse, who did you get?" He asked.
"George Weasley, we're getting married before the end of July, you and Lavender should come to the wedding, she'll be relieved I'm not marrying Ron" I smiled.
"George? Well that's good, at least he's a decent guy. I'm sorry about you and Ron though" He smiled.
"It's ok, I'm coming to terms with it. I'm sorry about you and Luna, you were great together" I smiled.
"Yeah, I miss her. Do you know who she's marrying my any chance? I haven't really seen her since the day I got my letter" He explained.
"She's marrying Ron" I nearly whispered.
"Oh, well at least it's not Malfoy" Neville grinned.
I smiled, it was true. "Exactly. So when's your big day?" I changed the subject.
"August 11th, you and George should come, I'd love if you could" He smiled.
"Yeah, that would be great Neville" I smiled.
"Great, I better go, it was good to see you again Hermione, we should get together sometime with the other guys" He smiled.
"That sounds good, I'll see you around" I smiled before we hugged goodbye. I went back over to the tailors and George was just coming out.
"Did you get a suit?" I asked.
"No, they'll send me one when it's ready" He replied.
"Ok, good. Where do you want to eat?" I asked.
"Leaky Caldron?" he suggested.
"Sure" I nodded before we headed there.
"So, why did you rush out?" He asked.
"I needed some air" I said a little too quickly.
"Riiight, ok then" he winked.
I rolled my eyes and we headed into the pub. There were a few people scattered around and we took a seat at an empty bench. We ordered and George looked at me.
"I was just wondering," He started to explain. I prayed he wasn't about to make another "witty" comment about me rushing out of the tailors.
"If, when we're married, you wanted to move in with me and work in the shop?" He asked.
A wave of relief washed over me.
"That sounds brilliant, but, why wait until we're married? I mean, I could move in sooner if you want?" I prayed I wasn't coming on too strong or sending the wrong message.
"Yeah, I'd like that. It's been kinda lonely living alone since Fred" He didn't say it, but we both thought it. I reached out and gently touched his hand. He smiled gently.
"Great, I can start working straight away too if you want?" I suggested.
"That would be fantastic, though, are you sure? Old bookworm Granger working in a joke shop?" He laughed.
I laughed and playfully hit his arm. "I think it'll be a change of pace, I'm looking forward to it" I smiled.
"Good, me too" He grinned.
"When should I move in?" I asked as our food came. I thanked the waitress and took a bite.
"How about today?" He suggested.
I nearly choked. "Today?" I asked.
"Well why not?" He shrugged.
"I suppose, it's just sudden. Still, I have nothing to keep me where I'm living now. Ok, I'll bring my stuff over this evening" I smiled.
"Great. By the way, who were you talking to when I was in the tailors? I saw you hug someone" He asked.
"Neville, I saw him across the street so I went to talk to him, he's marrying Lavender" I replied.
George nearly choked. "Longbottom's marrying Lavender? Merlin help him" He sighed.
"I know. He offered us an invitation to the wedding" I told him.
"Oh right, I'll go for Neville, not that annoying little blonde idiot" he muttered.
I hid a smile.
Chapter 4 up! Hope you liked! Reviews are very welcome :D Thanks to everyone who reviewed so far! Peace x.