Chapter 14 

Pov George

George was woken up in the middle of the night by Professor McGonagall. It took him a moment to comprehend what she was saying, but when he did, he was immediately wide awake. As he saw the shocked look on his brother’s face, he knew that he hadn’t misheard what Professor McGonagall just said. He felt how his chest tightened. He was speechless and followed Professor McGonagall to Dumbledore’s office.

It was only when he read his mum's letter hours after he had been suddenly woken up by Professor McGonagall, that George was able to calm down a little. It was strange how the mood suddenly changed after the letter. Before it was a really tense atmosphere but now all that was left was exhaustion. It was also the first time he was able to think about anything else than his father being hurt. He thought about Hermione. She was now alone at Hogwarts, and he wished she was here with him. He couldn't even say goodbye to her. Now she would spend the Christmas holidays with her parents, and he wouldn't be able to see her again until next year.

Pov Hermione

The last few Hours had been hard for the whole family Weasley. Even though she felt a bit guilty that she cancelled on her parents Hermione was happy that she was able to be there for George. It was already quite late when she finally put her book down. They have been sitting on the couch in the library. She was leaning against George’s chest. She had just realized that he had fallen asleep. He looked so calm it must have been the first time since the incident that he got some sleeps since there were dark circles under his eyes. Hermione thought back on this day.

--- Hermione’s backflash ----

The day started out with her ride with the Knight Bus. Even though it wasn’t Hermione’s first time travelling with the Knight Bus, she was still fascinated by it. She had seen some strange things since she became a part of the magical society, but this bus was on her top ten list. She was happy when she eventually arrived near Grimmauld place. She was really looking forward to seeing George and her friends again. These last few days must have been really hard on them. But besides her excitement there also was some worry about how she would act around Mr. and Mrs. Weasley she didn’t know if George had a chance to tell them about them or not. And besides that she hadn’t told anyone that she would come. Which was something she just realized now that she was already on the way to Grimmauld place. It was really unlike her to just go somewhere without thinking it through but all she could think about was that she wanted to see George and be there for him.

Hermione realised too late that she probably closed the door to loudly as she entered the house. Since the first thing she heard was Mrs. Black’s screams about Mudbloods and so on. It didn’t take long for someone to come into the entrance hall to close the curtains over Mrs. Blacks painting. To Hermione’s relief it wasn’t Mrs. Weasley, it was Sirius.

“I’m really sorry Sirius I didn’t think about her. I hope it’s okay if I spend the holiday’s here too.” Hermione said with a bit of guilt in her voice and an unsure look on her face.

“It’s no problem, Hermione. I’m happy that you are here.” He replied with a smile.

“So where is everyone?”

“We just started eating dinner, do you wanna join us?”

Hermione nodded at that and followed Sirius down into the kitchen.

“Look who I brought” Sirius said as they entered the kitchen.

Everyone looked confused at Hermione. George was the first one who got out of his confused paralysis.

“Hermione” he said as he got up to greet her first. To her surprise he gave her a quick kiss right in front of his mother. And before she could ask him anything George got shoved out of Hermione’s arms by his mother, and Hermione got pulled into a thight hug by Mrs. Weasley.

“George had told me about you two, I’m really happy that you are here dear. I wasn’t aware that you were going to spend Christmas with us, what about your parents?” Mrs. Weasley asked her.

“Well it was a change of plans but I hope it’s okay when I stay here with you.”

“Sure dear.” Mrs. Weasley said with a short smile on her face.

After greeting the others, Hermione had time to look around the room and realized that Harry wasn’t around.

“Where is Harry?” She asked confused.

“He’s hiding with Buckbeak in Sirius mother’s room.” Ginny answered with a dark look on her face. “He’s been there since we’ve came back from the hospital.”

“Do you have an idea why?” Hermione asked with a confused look on her face.

“Not really” Ron answered.

“Well then it’s time to get him out of there.” Hermione said determined.

Hermione turned around and went back up the stairs. As she stood infornt of Mrs. Black’s room she quickly knocked and tried to enter but the door was locked.

“Come on Harry, I know you are in there. Open up. It’s me Hermione”

She received no answer.

“If you don’t open now I’m gonna get George to open the door for me.” She tried again.

“But I don’t want to see you or anyone for that matter.”

Hermione was relieved that he at least answered her. Now she knows he wasn’t dead or something.

“What a way to greet a friend.” Hermione answered with a bit of sarcasm in her voice.

“Come on open up, you can’t stay in there forever.” Hermione said with a bit more anger in her voice.

Then she finally heard Harry’s steps coming closer and he opened the door. As soon as the door was opened wide enough, she pulled him into a tight hug.

--- end of Hermione’s flashback ---

Since Hermione didn’t want to wake George up she was afraid to get up. So she decided to just take a short nap till he would eventually wake up. It surprised her how tired she was all of the sudden.

POV George

George was surprised when he woke up in the morning still on the couch in the library. That in itself wasn’t surprising since he didn’t remember getting up from it. What was surprising was that Hermione was still lying on his chest. Her leg intertwined with his. He kissed her lightly on the top of her head. She slowly opened her eyes. 

“Good morning” George said with a smile on his face.

“morning” Hermione mumbles back.

“How did you sleep?”

“Pretty good, even though I didn’t expect to be spending the whole night on the couch. Do you have an idea what time it is?“

“I don’t, but why don’t we get up and find out over a cup of tea.”

“Even if I would rather like to lie here for some more time, I think that’s a good idea.” Hermione said and she started to get up. She stretched and yawned. “I’m surprised no one came looking for us.”

“Mhh” George replied and sat up too.

Later that day they went to visit his father again. George was way more relaxed now. Firstly, because he knew his father was only getting better and secondly because he had Hermione who sat right next to him and held his hand. Even though everyone at Hogwarts knew that they where together Hermione never was a big hand holder. Which was something George respected but he was also a bit sad about it. He enjoyed holding her hand very much.

The rest of the Christmas holidays wasn’t much different. Until his father was discharged from St. Mungo’s they went to visit him daily. He spent most evenings with Hermione in the library and when neither of them fell asleep before they each went into their own bed.
It was a nice time that was over way too fast. And before they even realized it they had to go back to Hogwarts.