Amalgamation

meeker

Story Summary:
After she accepts Ron Weasley's proposal of marriage, everything Hermione Granger knows and holds dear is challenged as two men she considered as nothing more than friends begin to play startling new roles in her life. [DH compliant, George-Hermione, Ron-Hermione, and Harry-Hermione.]

Chapter 01

Posted:
08/13/2007
Hits:
1,758

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Amalgamation

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Prologue

"Will you marry me?"

Omigod.

Since the moment she met him, Hermione Granger had always known that Ron Weasley was crazy (sometimes bordering on complete insanity). But this particular moment in time, as she leaned against the wall of the local French café with her longtime boyfriend kneeling in front of her, a glittering engagement ring sitting quaintly in his large pink hands, absolutely had to take the cake.

It was one, possibly two degrees above freezing, but with the wind chill she was certain it was something like fifteen under. The first snowfall of the season had just covered the ground last night, and was now glistening in the sparkling holiday lights sprinkled across the small town's streets. Hermione had spent the better part of the early evening complaining about work and the colder than expected weather patterns of the year. She had initially protested when Ron had suggested an night out in town to relieve some of her stress, but had given in simply because Ron had been so insistent (and because he looked positively adorable when he begged). Initially, the night had seemed no different than any other since the two had begun dating. They walked hand in hand down the streets of the quiet town of Hogsmeade, stopping occasionally to remark on the beautiful Christmas decorations.

But as the evening progressed, Hermione noticed that Ron was becoming more and more tense. During dinner, he compulsively complimented her appearance, commenting on something as small as her choice in nylons (which had really only served to convince her that he might have hit his head at work). The restaurant, which was dimly lit and extremely romantic, seemed to make him panic even more. They had finished their dinner in almost complete silence, Ron's eyes occasionally flickering over her face before he went back to eating his salmon en cruet.

After Ron paid for their meals (he had rather loudly yelled when she attempted to do so), they had stepped outside into the wintry air. It had started to snow lightly, and Hermione had shivered, slightly annoyed with Ron, who had started fumbling around for something in his coat's pocket. Clearly feeling as if Ron needed space, she had hastily said her goodbye, kissing him softly, and then reminding him that they were expected for lunch at her parent's that weekend.

But before she had started to Disapparate, she had felt a warm hand grab her and turn her around. Ron had pulled her against him there, right in front of the café, and kissed her, hard this time, and mumbled something about hating the way her parent's house smelled of coffee grounds and stale pastries.

And then, right there in front of an entire café filled with nosy patrons, Ron Weasley had dropped to one knee and held out his hand, and asked the one question that had been more than twelve years in the making.

Currently, Hermione was still trying to process the situation in front of her. Her eyes were wide with surprise, and her breathing had slowed to a considerably lethargic pace. Ron touched the snow beneath him nervously, his face growing pinker and pinker by the moment. "Hermione? Love? You haven't said anything for a bit. Are you...?"

The red-haired man never got a chance to finish his sentence before Hermione was on her knees in the snow, and pushing up against him, kissing his mouth soundly.

"Yes. Yes," she said in between kisses, pushing him down onto the cold sheet of white snow. "Of course Ron, yes!"

---


"CONGRATULATIONS!"

Hermione barely had time to pull off her scarf and cap before she was drowning in a mob of arms, most of which belonged to Weasley family members. The entire Burrow was filled to the brim with people, many of whom were clapping and cheering as Ron and she entered the room. The family room had been spruced up, banners of congratulations hanging from the ceilings and streamers strew over the furniture.

"How did you all know?" Hermione asked breathlessly as she was tackled by Charlie and Bill respectively. "And how on earth did you get all these people here on such short notice?"

"Ron told us he was finally popping the question this afternoon!" Molly exclaimed, pushing her eldest sons out of the way as she hugged the young brown-haired woman to the point where Hermione had problems breathing properly. "So we simply primped the place up and called over a few of our family friends. And Hermione dear, we're all so happy for you two!"

"We all know you could have done better, but we're thrilled you've decided to settle for our little brother," Charlie announced slyly. "Or course, if you do happen to change your mind, I'm currently single again."

"Could you try to not flirt with my fiancée on the night of my engagement," Ron said, turning distinctly pink.

"Hermione, let's see the ring!"

Hermione put her left hand forward, the diamonds flashing in the lights of the room. All the women in the room gave a collective gasp and sigh at the sight of the stunning piece of jewelry. "I'm afraid the band's just a bit too big, but I'm planning on going into town tomorrow evening to get it resized."

"It figures you'd go and botch it up someway, Ron," Bill chuckled. "Can you get nothing right?"

"Bill, stop giving your brother such a hard time," Arthur warned as he began passing around drinks to all the guests. "I seem to remember that it took you four tries to ask Fleur to marry you. At least your brother got it right on the first go around."

"So my stupid brother finally popped the question," a feminine voice from behind Hermione said. She turned around and caught Ginny Weasley in a hug, laughing as the red-haired girl shoved a wine glass into Hermione's hands. "It certainly took him long enough."

"But considering it took me almost eight years to ask Hermione on a date in the first place..." Ron replied defensively as he put his arm around her shoulder and squeezed lightly.

"Oh Ron, don't look so proud of yourself," Bill scolded, messing with his younger brother's hair, much to the shorter man's dismay. "You shouldn't ask for a pat on the back for something you should have done years ago."

"Here, here!" said Percy, who was being uncharacteristically jovial that evening. Hermione strongly suspected it had something to do with the scotch in his hand that his brothers kept refilling. "To Hermione Granger. Welcome to the Weasley clan!"

Everybody in the room raised their glasses.

"To Hermione!"

---

"Hermione?"

Hermione turned around, peering over the side of her wine glass to see the sparkling green eyes of Harry Potter. She smiled and held up the glass, droplets flying out and splashing everywhere.

"Oops," she whispered, giggling as she pressed a finger to Harry's lips. "Don't you dare tell anyone, Mr. Potter, or I'll curse you into next Tuesday."

"Your future mother-in-law won't appreciate that mess you've gone and made," Harry replied heartily, eyes gleaming with amusement. "I'll have you know she's been cleaning the house since this afternoon."

"Oh, don't try and make me feel guilty. Not tonight, anyways."

Harry shook his head. "I really couldn't care less about the carpets, Hermione. It's my new dress shirt that I'm a bit more attached too." He pointed to a large red stain on his shirt's pocket. "And I thought this thing was supposed to be stain repellant."

"Sorry," she apologized quickly, feeling a stain of red covering her cheeks. "I suppose this is what I get for drinking. I've never really been able to hold my liquor well, as I'm sure Ron's told you."

"Well, I suppose a little drunken disorder is in order," Harry replied, refilling Hermione's glass and conjuring a mug of mulled mead for himself. "It's not everyday that my two very best friends finally get engaged."

She laughed, and kissed him on the cheek. "You make is sound as if it's some sort of grand accomplishment."

Harry flushed horribly and rubbed the back of his head in earnest. "Honestly? It's sort of a miracle that you two have made it this far."

Hermione feigned abhorrence at the comment, but then shook her head and laughed. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel exactly the same way."

"It's even more of a miracle that you haven't tried to hex him in almost a full month."

"Yes, that's miraculous indeed."

They spent a few moments in an awkward silence. "I really am so happy for you both," Harry spoke softly, breaking the tension. "I can't wait for the wedding."

"Well it'll be that day for you and Ginny soon enough," Hermione replied, punching Harry lightly on the shoulder. "Though you've gone and taken even longer than Ron has in proposing."

Harry laughed quietly, and fiddled with the glass of mead in his hands. If she hadn't known him for so long, she probably would have dismissed it altogether. But something in his body language had ever so subtly changed as soon as she had mentioned Ginny.

"Harry. Is something...wrong?"

Harry's slightly pathetic look immediately disappeared, and melted into an absently large grin. "Of course not. Just a bit tired from work. I'm sure Ron's told you all about the unrest in the goblin colonies lately, and the negotiations have positively been keeping me up at night."

"Harry, you don't have to lie to me," Hermione said quietly "I thought after all these years that you knew that."

"It's nothing, really. I'd prefer not to talk about it."

"Harry..."

"Leave it alone, Hermione." His voice had suddenly become cold. "Please."

She shook her head, and picked up her glass again. "Fine. I'm...I'm going to find Ron then, I suppose. I'll...see you later."

Hermione left without another word, searching for Ron in the sea of red hair and wondering exactly why Harry appeared so alone in a room of so many people.

---

"I wouldn't do that if I was you."

Ron's baritone voice floated into her ear as she stood with one hand against the table, making a half-hearted attempt at balancing her drunken form. One of Ron's hands came to rest upon her back while the other affectionately pulled away the raspberry pastry she had every intention of eating to lull the rumbling in her stomach.

"And why ever not?" she replied, pretending to pout as she kissed his cheek.

"Because George has been using the party as testing grounds for our newest line of products."

"My newest line," a smooth voice interjected. George Weasley, seemingly materializing out of thin air, slid his body between Ron and Hermione, purposely ignoring Ron's annoyed look as he spoke to the brown-haired woman. "Just because your new fiancée has been helping out a bit with the financial side doesn't mean that he's suddenly become my new business partner."

"You know..."

"My baby brother tends to forget too easily that I'm still the brains behind the operation," George interjected before Ron could retort, popping a cracker in his mouth and smirking. "Just because I'm absolute crap at balancing books and you've developed some strange affinity for it, does not make you a full-fledged WWW affiliate, Ronald."

"Yes, but it does give me a bit of leverage in your business, seeing as how I have the power to transfer funds from your account to my own without your knowledge simply because you refuse to learn to handle your own income reports..."

"Ron?" Arthur's voice drifted from in the din, cutting Ron's speech short. The eldest Weasley male appeared moments later, holding a newly opened bottle of scotch and a few small glasses. "Come on son, help your father pass out the celebratory round!"

Ron gave an apologetic look to Hermione, and followed his father into the crowd, leaving Hermione alone with George.

"So Ron tells me you're opening a new shop in downtown London next week."

George nodded enthusiastically, taking a long sip of his drink. "For once my baby brother had it right. It was always Fred's dream to expand across the city."

"But not yours?" she asked quietly.

He shrugged. "I'm honestly content with the four shops I've got, but I figure I owe my twin that much."

"Have you gotten the shop approved by the Ministry yet?" she inquired curiously. "I've been hearing nightmarish stories about the time turnover between permit response and final inspections."

George groaned. "They're probably all true. I've got all the permits for sales in the new shop, but the final inspection hasn't been done yet. The two blokes who were supposed to come in and do the inspections cancelled out appointment at the last minute. They owled to try and reschedule the appointment for next Monday, but I'm supposed to be opening shop on Wednesday, and Monday's really cutting it a bit too close for my comfort."

"If you'd like, I could come in and help out with the necessary paperwork. I can probably sign off on the shop as well. It's not exactly my field of expertise legally speaking, but I'm quite certain an inspection conducted by me would fulfill any legal requirements on behalf of the Ministry."

The distressed look on George's face seemed to dissipate. "That would be absolutely perfect. Would you mind terribly?"

She flashed a bright smile. "Not at all. I'm more than happy to do it, especially not for my future brother-in-law. I thinking I've got a bit of time on my hands tomorrow afternoon actually," Hermione started, pulling a small planner out of her purse and flipping to the correct page. "Yes, yes. I've got to go into the Ministry building in the morning to close a couple open cases with the Minister, but after that it looks like I'm absolutely free."

"I'll be in the shop until six or so, so anytime before that would be great."

"Is your Floo network point set up yet? I'd prefer not to Apparate into London when I'm not quite sure where your store is."

He nodded. "I set it up just yesterday. I've tested it from here, and the connection works just fine."

"Brilliant. I'll just..."

"Love, it's getting quite late."

Hermione turned around. Ron had returned, looking thoroughly red from drinking a bit too much. She noticed that he was having a difficult time standing up straight. Surpressing a well-deserved giggle, Hermione propped Ron up on her shoulder, and kissed his cheek.

Hermione hadn't noticed how truly late it was until she checked her watch. "My goodness, it's almost one in the morning."

"Time flies when you're having fun."

Hermione blushed lightly. "Yes. Well, we'd best be off. George, I'll be around tomorrow at two or so, but no later than three. Make sure to have the building plans out as well as the permits and any other legal documents you've procured from the Ministry."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Until tomorrow," Hermione called back to George, waving as she began saying her goodbyes and well-wishes to all the Burrow guests. "Good night."

---

"She may be slightly on the obsessive compulsive side, but my mum really does know how to throw a good party when it suits her," Ron commented as they walked down the snow-covered lane outside of London. "Though I suspect Dad had something to with all the alcohol. He's always been one to liven up a party with liquor."

"I love your entire family," Hermione replied sleepily, putting her head on Ron's shoulder as they walked hand-in-hand up the stairs to her apartment. "They really are the loveliest people in the world. This evening was simply amazing. Do remind me to bring something nice for your mother next time we're over there."

"You know, they'll be your family too soon enough," he reminded her, tucking a brown lock of hair behind her ear and kissing her temple fondly.

"Tonight has been so wonderful," Hermione murmured as she touched Ron's cheek affectionately. "I don't think I've ever been so happy in my life."

"Why don't we celebrate properly?" Ron whispered, his voice softer than usual as his arms slipping around her waist. He bent his head down, and kissed Hermione, gently at first, until he heard her moan ever so tenderly. Her subtle response urged him on, and suddenly the kiss was anything but mellow. He pushed her against the door, his hands finding the bottom of her sweater, and wickedly slipping beneath the cashmere fabric.

"Ron," she mumbled almost hoarsely, clutching at the front of his jacket. Her heart raced as his hands continued to touch the skin just above her navel. "Ron, please..."

The red-haired man pulled back, blushing intensely in the darkness. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I... I didn't mean to push. I suppose I just thought...well, never mind what I thought."

Hermione kissed him understandingly. "We'll be married soon enough, Ronald. And then you can have all of me. Forever."

"Is that a promise?" he replied, breathing dangerously close to her neck. He nipped her ear playfully once more, and then pulled back.

Hermione groaned in annoyance, thrusting her key into the key lock and then opening the mahogany door. "Ronald Weasley, please tell me you didn't propose just to get into my knickers."

"Well that was obviously quite close to the top of the list..." Ron replied coyly, laughing as Hermione rolled her eyes. "Right up there with the fact that you're the only person I want to spend every moment of every day with and the fact that I'm completely and totally stark-raving madly in love with you."

She tapped his nose with her wand. "You're not nearly as charming as you think you are, you know."

Ron pushed open the door, and held it back in a gentlemanly manner. "Allow me to be of a different opinion, Miss Granger."

"I love you, Ronald Billius Weasley" she stated resolutely as she kissed him one last time before stepping inside her apartment. "And I absolutely cannot wait to start spend the rest of my life with you."

Hermione turned on her heel, making a beeline for her bedroom, and pushing the door shut behind her. She was almost halfway down the hallway before Ron's voice and the absence of the sound of a closing door stopped her. "Hermione. Wait a second."

Hermione turned around curiously, setting her purse on the tile floor. She slowly walked back to him. "Ron, what..."

"I just want you to know...to know how much I respect your decision to...put off...," Ron stumbled over his words, not quite meeting her eyes with his own. "Well, I just want you to know that you're worth the wait."

He felt her hand under his chin, and he looked up into her chocolate eyes. She was smiling. "I know it frustrates you terribly, and I hope you know how much it's meant to me that you've respected my wishes. Not every bloke is willing to do that."

"I'm not every bloke."

She giggled and kissed him one last time, the moment lingering. "No, Ron, you certainly are not. And that's exactly why I'm marrying you."

End Prologue