'A Momentary Lapse of Reason'
By evil-broccoli
Disclaimer: Everything you recognize belongs to JKR.
Summary: After leaving Ron, Hermione finds help in the most unlikely of places.
Pairing: HGxGW.
Warnings: AU since DH – I decided to ignore the deaths and the children (epilogue). WIP
Rating: T (for safety measures)
A/N: This is my first fic and although I've been reading HP fanfiction for almost five years I'm still quite uncertain about writing it. However, I do find the quality and amount of HermionexGeorge fiction a bit unsatisfying, therefore I decided to try to ignore my doubts and see if I'm any better.
I do have a favour to ask though - I'm in dire need for a BETA READER since English is my second language and I suck at punctuation. Tell me if you're interested.
One more thing – Since this is my first fiction and I'm an inexperienced author I would really like it if you'd let me know what you think in reviews. Thank you in advance.
Chapter I
"What have you done, Ron?" Her voice was dangerously low. She was furious.
"Her... Hermione, I... I can explain! It's... It's not what it looks like!" Ron was so nervous from being caught in the act that he stammered violently while trying to put on his boxers.
"Oh yeah? What does it look like then?" Her arms were crossed over her chest, jaw clenched and a muscle on the side of her face was visibly twitching. That's what Ron was currently looking at. The nervous twitch was never a good sign, it meant that the chances of mollifying here were less than likely.
"Well it... Shit, look, Hermione, I'm sorry... I never meant to, it... it just, just happened." He finished lamely, head down and hands in the pockets of his boxers.
"Just happened? Just happened? Well, it just so happens that it's over, Ron. We're over." She uncrossed her hands and started to walk out of the room when her eyes fell on the naked witch in their bed. "Lavender Brown? Seriously Ron, Is THAT what you wanted to compare me to?"
"Wait! Hermione! Look, I'm really sorry, I'll never do it again! Please! Please, give me another chance! Just one more! I'll be good! I'll buy you roses!" He tried to catch her arm but his feet got entangled in a pink, lacy bra that was laying on the floor.
"You're pathetic Ron. Roses? I'm allergic to roses, and as my husband you should be perfectly aware of that! You had your chances, Ron. And you blew them. All of them. I'm not going to tolerate your behaviour anymore. I'll be sending you divorce papers in few days." With that she walked out of the room slamming the door loudly behind her.
"Di... Divorce? Hermione! Hermione, wait! WAIT! What do you mean divorce?! You can't divorce me! You won't embarrass me like that!" He ran after her only to realise that she had already apparated out. "Shit"
Hermione apparated into the middle of the Diagon Alley. She looked around and thought about the hopeless situation she found herself in. She was in the middle of a street with no place to sleep, no money, and no clothes. I can't really take my clothes now, I'll have to apparate there tomorrow while Ron is at work. Shit, what'll I do till then? She couldn't contain her sadness anymore and felt silent tears making their path down on her cheeks. How could he do this to me? Aren't I pretty enough for him? Isn't my love enough for him? Aren't my tits big enough for him?! She haven't realised she said the last part aloud until she heard a silent chuckle behind her.
"I think your tits are just fine Hermione"
She turned around startled only to find herself face to face with George Weasley. Great, it just had to be Ron's brother who found me, hadn't it? She tried to dry her tears with a sleeve and forced herself to smile at him.
"Why hello George. Been looking at my tits much, haven't you?" She let out a nervous laugh, and he noticed that it didn't quite reach her eyes. Will have to do something about that. He thought and decided that first he has to talk to her and find out what's going on.
"As much as I would love to stand here and talk about your tits all day I have to meet Fred at lunch in..." He looked at his watch "ten minutes. Care to join me? My treat." Only then did she realise how hungry she was. Actually, she was starving. Do I dare impose on him so much? Shut up. He invited you, and you have no money for food anyways. Well in that case... She smiled slightly and nodded her head. Being the funny bloke he was he made a good show of making an exaggerated bow, kissing her on the hand and entwining their arms together. "M' lady."
Even in her situation she couldn't stop herself from laughing. "Don't 'M' lady' me George. I'm Hermione. Just Hermione."
"Well then, 'just Hermione', let's get going, shall we?"
"Of course"
They walked towards a small, newly opened cafeteria at the end of the street. It was really cosy, with tables covered with handmade tablecloths and with unmatched pieces of furniture scattered around the place. They walked over to the smallest table which was already occupied by Fred and...
"Hello Angelina, Fred. I hope you don't mind I brought someone over. Angelina, you remember Hermione, don't you?" Angelina smiled and nodded at her.
"Hello Hermione. Long time, no see." She moved her chair a bit so Hermione could fit hers between Angelina and George.
"Thank you, and yes, it's been awhile. How are you holding up?" Hermione was glad for a distraction. She didn't really want to think about Ron right now and talking to Angelina seemed to be a good way of avoiding it.
"Glad you ask. Perfect opportunity to tell George why he had to meet us here today."
"Yeah, I was wondering about that. What possibly do you have to tell me that you have to do it in a cafe and not in the shop where we see each other every single day?" George inquired.
Fred took a deep breath. "George, Angelina and I are getting married. I'm moving out. The flat is all yours now." George sat silent for a few minutes. Then after a while he finally decided to say something.
"That's... really great bro...I'm very happy for you. I can't say I didn't see it coming for some time now. It'll be lonely without you though." Fred let out the breath he's been holding. Hermione suspected that he didn't expect such calm reaction from his twin. After all they've always stuck together and it was something new for both of them.
"You'll manage. Besides, you're going to see me every day at the shop." Fred was trying to soothe his brother's feelings. It was quite obvious that even though he wasn't angry he was very disappointed if not devastated by the news.
"Yeah, I guess so. It'll take some getting used to, though."George smiled. Even though he didn't want Fred to move out he was really happy for his brother. He was dating Angie for quite some time now and it was only natural that they'll get married some day.
"Speaking of marriages. How is yours going Hermione? I heard you were married to Ron for three years. Is that right?" Damn you to hell Angie. You just had to ask. Fuck. What am I supposed to say? It's all wonderful? Ron's the perfect husband I've always dreamed of? We just bought a barking Labrador? I'm pregnant with triplets? She didn't notice that everyone was looking at her, patiently awaiting her answer. "Hermione?"
"I'm sorry, I... I have to go" She hurtled out of the restaurant and continued up the street. Silent tears were falling from her eyes again. I hate you Ronald! I HATE YOU SO DAMN MUCH! Suddenly she felt a hand grip her arm. She was yanked back from the force and felt herself fall back onto the person that grabbed her.
"WHAT THE... Oh, hello again George"
"Hermione, what's the matter. If it's something about Ron than tell me one word and I'll beat my damn little brother to a pulp for hurting you. What did he do this time? Forgotten your birthday?"
"Leave me alone George, you'll take his side anyway. He's your brother." She yanked her arm away from him and started moving again but the annoying hand grabbed her again. She prepared herself to argue again but the look in George's eyes stopped her.
"Percy's my brother too and you don't see me talking to him often, now do you? Look, I know Ron's been a prat to you since the day one. Everyone knows that, but no one has ever said anything because you seemed to put up with it just fine. We thought that it's because you loved him so we didn't want to interfere but he's taken things to far this time. Tell me what has he done." George was holding her by her shoulders now. Hermione thought that he'll start shaking her any minute now just to get his point across.
"No, he didn't forget my birthday George" She made a pause here, contemplating whether she's doing the right thing or not by telling him of Ron's little bed adventures. The thought of Ron with Lavender in their marital bed triggered something off deep inside of her and she finally decided that telling someone might not be such a bad idea after all. She wasn't to blame anyway. "He... He cheated on me" She felt arms envelop her in a warm embrace.
"How could you ever think I would take his side" He whispered in her ear. She felt her arms going around his waist and she let herself cry, right there in the middle of the street, oblivious to the stares they were getting.
"What will I do now, George? I have no money, no clothes, no place to stay and I can't bring myself to go back there and face that bastard yet" Her face was red and her eyes were puffy and filled with tears. She sniffed. And he knew, just by looking at her in state of distress, that he had just found the perfect solution.
"Why don't you move in with me? Just for a while, until you can get back on your feet and find yourself a new place to live."
"Wha... What?"Is he mad?!
"Look, I know it's sudden and all, but think about it. You have no place to go, and I have a free room now that Fred's moving out. Not to mention that I could use some company, after all never in my life had I lived alone. First it was the burrow with so many people, then Hogwarts, then the flat with Fred... I'm not that used to solitude you know. Especially since Fred gave me no warning. " Now that he thought about it more the idea seemed even more becoming. "Look I know that we weren't exactly the best of friends and that I'm probably nothing more than an immature prankster to you, but I believe we could pull this off. And just imagine the look on Ron's face after he hears of it." That seemed to do it. She looked up and smiled at him.
"Are you sure? Ron hated living with me. Said I was too bossy. Are you sure you're ready for that?"
"Would I offer this if I wasn't sure?"
"For all I know you could be planning on using me as the test subject for all your pranks"
"I wouldn't dare." He said feigning seriousness.
"Wouldn't you?"
"You'll have to wait and see for yourself. Come, I'll show you to my flat." He took her by the arm again and led her into the direction of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. After a while they came to a stop before a huge, yellow and magenta flashing sign. George invited her inside and they went to the backdoor. She found herself walking upstairs right after him and suddenly they were in the flat.
"It's nothing much but it suits my needs just fine. The kitchen is over there. Fred's r... Your room is on the right, mine is across the hall if you need something. The bathroom is just down the hall. Watch out when you take a shower, the water tends to turn ice-cold from time to time. So... yeah..." He finished and waited for her reaction.
"It's really cosy. I'd never expect something like this to be in your ownership. No offence. It's just that I always imagined your flat to be more... how do I put it... flashy, and bright and... colourful. Not to mention your pranks lying everywhere. I see none." The flat was really not what you would expect from Fred and George. The living-room was really nice and modest with a small fireplace surrounded by two claret couches and some mahogany furniture here and there. The walls were light gold and the room was really Gryffindor-like.
"None taken. We took the business to the shop, we keep the pranks in the backroom so no one stumbles upon them while visiting us"
"It's good to know you think about people's safety sometimes"
"Oh no. It's not for safety. We just didn't want people discovering our secrets." George grinned at her and she just couldn't be angry with him. Not after what he's done for me anyways.
"May I see my room?"
"Yeah, of course" They went to the room and saw that Fred's already packed. George looked sullen all of a sudden. "I wish he had told me sooner. It's not like him at all. I... I sometimes hate what Angelina's doing to him. It's like he's not even my twin anymore. I really am happy for them and I have nothing against him having a life of his own but he should've told me." Hermione didn't know what to say to that so she just kept silent."I'll be in my room if you need anything"
She sat on the bed and thought about how lucky she is. Not only did she have a place to stay but she also had one of Ron's brothers on her side. George. He did tell her he wanted her there but she still couldn't help herself from thinking that she was an intruder. Especially since he still isn't too well after Fred's news. He didn't even move out and I'm already taking his place. I wonder what'll he have to say about this. I can only hope for him to be as understanding as George is. Her neck felt sore from all the stress she was subjected to that day so she decided she could use a shower. Fuck. What the hell am I supposed to sleep in?
George went to his room and shut the door silently behind him. He approached the window and looked out to see happy families shopping in the Diagon Alley. Soon Fred and Angie will be one of those families and I'll be here, pathetic and alone. Not THAT alone – Hermione's here. But only for few weeks... A quiet knock on the door brought him back from his musings and he called for her to come in.
"George.. Um... Can you... Err... Perhaps lend me something to sleep in? I have no clothes with me. And a towel please."
"Oh yeah, certainly." He went over to his wardrobe and took a white button-up shirt from it and a pair of boxers from a drawer. "Here you are. I hope it's alright with you. The towels are in the cupboard over the toilet. Pick whichever one you like" She blushed a bit when he gave her his boxers. "Don't worry. This pair is new. Never worn before" He said with a small smile.
"Thanks George. For everything."
"That's what big brothers are for"
"I'm not your sister George"
"You've been an unofficial family member since you were eleven. And official one since you were twenty. It's only natural that I see you as one."
End of Chapter I
A/N: Sooo... What do you think?