Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and the kids.
Summary: George and Hermione's oldest son heads off for his first year of Hogwarts.
A/N- This is a sequel of sorts to my "Weddings with Weasleys." It is a collection of one-shots, capturing moments between each of the Weasley (and Potter) couples. Thanks to all who reviewed the last one, and please do the same for this.
Impatience
"Mummy? Daddy? Is it time to go yet?"
George untangled his arms from around his wife and turned towards the voice that had rudely interrupted his slumber. He then glanced at the clock on his bedside table. It read 4:30 a.m.
"No, Andrew, it's not time yet," George said sleepily. "Go back to bed, mate."
"All right," Andrew replied and padded back down the hall to his room.
"Hrumpf," George mumbled as his head hit the pillow again.
An hour later, Andrew came back into his parents' room and tiptoed to his mother's side of the bed.
"Mummy," he whispered, "Is it time yet?"
"No," Hermione replied irritably. "Go back to bed. We'll wake you when it's time to get dressed."
"But-" he began.
"Andrew," she said sternly. "Now."
"Fine," he said in a defiant tone. He stomped back to his room again.
"Was that him again?" George asked with a yawn.
"Yes," Hermione replied, turning over and snuggling against her husband. "Honestly, George, he's worse than I was before my first year."
George chuckled and opened one eye to smirk at her. "I find that hard to believe," he said. "And give back the covers." He jerked the sheets back over him, and Hermione sighed. "Don't you make that noise at me, Hermione Weasley. After eleven years, I would have hoped you'd learned to share."
Finally, at eight o'clock, George went to collect Andrew from his room. The boy was sitting, fully dressed, on his bed, reading and waiting patiently. George shook his head. Though the boy was often mischievous, he was his mother's son.
"What're you reading, mate?" he asked.
"Hogwarts: A History," Andrew answered.
"You know, I could strangle your mum for giving that to you," George said under his breath. He cleared his throat at his son's puzzled face and said, "Let's go have breakfast, alright?"
The pair headed downstairs and into the kitchen where Hermione was pouring coffee and juice.
She smiled up at her two men before her expression clouded. "Did you not wake Madeline?"
"I thought you did," George replied with a shrug. "I'll go get her."
He ran back up the stairs to his five-year-old daughter's room. He peeked in and saw that she was still asleep. He smiled to himself. If Andrew was his mother's son, Madeline was definitely a "Daddy's girl." She had probably stayed up late thinking up new pranks in her "Joke Journal."
"Maddy, it's time to wake up," he said softly, gently shaking her shoulders.
She stirred a few times before opening her eyes and smiling brightly. "Daddy!" she exclaimed happily. She sat up and threw her arms around his neck. "I was having the best dream!"
"You were?" he asked, taking a brush from her nightstand to comb out her hair, which was light brown and messy, just like her mother's. "What was it about?"
She clambered into his lap so he could brush her hair and sighed. "You and me and Mummy were eating ice cream in the park. Then a dragon came and you bought him some ice cream. Then it rained, and we all came home."
George chuckled to himself at her imagination. "Where was Andrew?"
Madeline scowled. "He wasn't there," she said simply.
"Well, that's about to be true, you know," George said softly. "He's leaving today and won't be back until Christmas."
"Good," she huffed.
George sighed and set the brush down, turning Madeline to face him. "Don't say that, Maddy. He's your brother."
"But Daddy, he's so…boring," she replied. "He never wants to have any fun. He's always reading or playing by himself."
"But he's still your brother," George answered. "Won't you miss him?"
She shook her head adamantly. "No," she said. "I don't care that he's going."
George shook his head sadly. The two kids were as different as he and Hermione. Yet, he loved her more than anything in the world. He decided not to fight a losing battle. Instead, he stood her up and took her hand.
"Come on, your mum's ruining pancakes for breakfast," he said.
Later that morning, the family was scurrying through King's Cross station. Hermione was struggling to keep up with Andrew, while George and Madeline followed behind at their own pace.
When they breached the barrier, they were met with a bevy of red heads. It seemed as though all the Weasleys and their various families had arrived at the same time.
George surveyed the group before him. Sure enough, everyone but Ron and Katie were there. They were still teaching at Hogwarts, so the train ride was unnecessary. George spotted his twin with his wife and four children. Fred was struggling to keep his own twins corralled, while Angelina held the hands of the two younger ones and watched with an amused expression.
Albus and Minnie were Fred's and Angelina's oldest children, and they were very much Fred and George made over. They were constantly in trouble at primary school and at home. According to Ron and Katie, several of the Hogwarts teachers were fearful of having these two in class. Rumor had it, that's what led to Professor Sprout's retirement.
Madeline quickly scanned the crowd and joined Albus and Minnie in their mischief while George and Hermione got Andrew's trunk onto the train. Andrew had found Sirius, and the two were talking quietly near Remus and Ginny.
Harry and Luna were putting James on the train. Luna was trying to hug her son, but it was awkward with her pregnant belly in the way. Charlie and Cassie had come up from Romania to bring their oldest, Timothy, to the train station. Percy had brought Theodore by himself, since Tonks was on Auror duty. But he seemed to be handling things okay by himself.
George glanced at Hermione to see her dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. He reached over to squeeze her hand.
"Alright, love?" he asked, pulling her into a hug.
She nodded against his chest. "I'm okay," she sniffled. "It's just, he's my baby."
He chuckled at her. "I know, but he'll be great, just like his mum," he said softly. She looked up at him with adoring eyes, and he couldn't resist giving her a long kiss.
A chorus of "Ewwww!" was heard from all the children gathered, and Hermione blushed. Andrew, however, thought it was brilliant.
"They're snogging," he whispered to Sirius. "Maybe they'll have another baby."
But Sirius shook his head. "My mum and dad snog all the time, but they're only three of us," he replied. "Come on, it's almost time. Let's go find a seat."
The two boys started off to the train, but their mums called to them, wanting to say good-bye again.
Ginny pulled Sirius into a tight hug, while Remus patted his back. Sirius, being a good boy, hugged his brother and kissed baby Margaret's cheek. He then stood patiently and waited for Andrew.
Hermione hugged and cried over Andrew, until George convinced her to let him go. She did, reluctantly, and George hugged his son. He'd never admit it, but he got a little choked up as well.
Andrew joined Sirius, and they waved to their parents from the train's steps. Suddenly, a scream erupted from the crowd.
"Andrew!!!" Madeline yelled. She pushed her way to the front of the crowd and ran towards her brother, who was hurriedly dismounting the train.
"What is it, Maddy?" he asked, concerned.
Madeline threw herself into her brother's arms and burst into tears. "Don't leave me, Andrew," she sobbed.
"Aw, Maddy, it's okay," Andrew replied. "I'll be back at Christmas, before you know it. And I'll owl you all the time, I promise."
"Okay," she whimpered, calming slightly. She kissed his cheek and returned to her parents, where Hermione hugged her tightly.
Meanwhile, George laughed to himself, watching his family. He relished every moment with them, though with the shop's popularity, work was more demanding of his time. Hermione had taken to working primarily from home, so she could be with the kids more, but George didn't have that luxury.
The shop, other than his family, was his pride and joy. And on more than one occasion, Madeline had expressed an interest in inventing some products. Perhaps he'd take her to work with him tomorrow, and give Hermione some peace. Yes, that sounded like a brilliant idea, he thought to himself.
As they exited the station, George put his arm around Hermione and kissed her temple. She was everything to him; she had been for the last twenty years, since he was sixteen.
Next to him, Madeline grasped his hand, still sniffling. He smiled and winked at his daughter. She grinned back.
Two days later, the George Weasley family received an owl from Andrew.
Dear Mum, Dad and Maddy,
Hogwarts is great! I got lost a few times yesterday, but it's brilliant here. Headmaster Snape isn't near as scary as Uncle Harry and Uncle Ron said. But Professor Malfoy is mean! He took five points from James yesterday because he didn't like the way he looked at him.
So far, my favorite class is Transfiguration, but I like Charms too. Actually, I like all my classes, even Potions, except for Professor Malfoy.
I have flying lessons with Aunt Katie this afternoon. I'm a little scared, but Sirius said I'll be fine.
Me and him and James got into Gryffindor. Albus and Minnie are in Slytherin, and I don't think Professor Malfoy was happy about that. Theodore and Timothy and Rebecca are in Ravenclaw. Uncle Ron wasn't too happy about that, but he said it was better than Slytherin.
Well, we're about to have lunch. I'll owl tomorrow and tell you about flying.
Love,
Andrew
P.S. Tell Maddy not to mess with my stuff. I don't want to come home and find it all covered in pink.
Maddy read the last line and got a devious glint in her eye. Ignoring the warnings of her parents, she darted upstairs to her brother's room. Hermione rolled her eyes and hurried after her. Meanwhile, George leaned back into his chair and smiled to himself.
Yes, George decided, for a thirty-six year old wizard, his life was good.