There had been quite a few years between them, and that had prevented him from ever getting to know her. Looking back, Charlie Weasley had recalled how he had indeed heard her name mentioned far more often than any other of the twins'friends.
" - that new chaser, Katie Bell, I swear she's a natural - "
" – so Katie and George were in the common room, and I - "
" – Katie helped us with the charm, it's nearly finished - "
Charlie mused later on that if he had taken the time to actually think about it, the name Katie had always seemed to be mentioned in conjuncture with the twins. (Or by the twins) Even Percy had said at some point that Katie was "The only one of the twins' friends who had any respect for the rules." Although Charlie weren't entirely sure that was a compliment.
So when Katie had shown up to Fred's funeral clutching George's hand (like holding on to a lifeline, he thought absent-mindedly), Charlie supposed he really shouldn't have been too surprised. However, he was comforted to see that he wasn't the only one, his parents shot curious glances towards Katie, and did Percy and Bill.
George looks better. Charlie thought as he watched his brother (his favorite brother, though Charlie knew he wasn't supposed to have a favorite). George had hardly spoken at all in the last couple of days, trusting his family to handle the affairs of Fred's passing. What is perhaps even more worrying, George had barely eaten anything. Instead, he chose to confine himself to his room (the same one that he had shared with Fred, and anybody with half a brain could tell that was unhealthy). He had only came out voluntarily once, and it was to borrow Ron's owl to send a letter. (Errol had been out sending a letter to the funeral director at the time) Charlie had tried to read it over George's shoulder, as had Bill, Percy, Ron and Ginny.
[Katie,] the letter started [ - miss you - …-funeral- …-love-…] The few words that Charlie managed to glimpse did not make much sense, but he was glad George was at least keeping in contact with somebody (and at that point Charlie wouldn't have minded if that somebody was a Death-eater, as long as it meant George was talking to someone).
Charlie took a couple of steps forward, excusing himself when he bumped into Lee, who looked, for the first time that Charlie could recall, solemn and a little strange without his broad grin.
"I'm opening the shop tomorrow," George muttered just a Charlie stepped to stand next to him. Whether it was him or Katie being addressed, Charlie could not be certain.
Neither, apparently, could Katie, who remained still and stared ahead unblinkingly while holding George's hand in hers.
"It's probably going to be really busy considering now that it's just me." George said, and it suddenly struck Charlie how rehearsed the sentence sounded, as if George had practiced it many times, "sure would be nice if I had some help."
"I'll go." Charlie said at the same time as Ron, who suddenly appeared behind George as if on cue.
George scowled, which was more expression than he had shown in a while, "Not from you." He said exasperatedly.
"I have all the magical ability of a sixth year in Hogwarts, George." It was the first times that Charlie heard Katie speak, her voice was soft and comforting, "I doubt I'll be any help; but I'll be there if you like."
"Good." George nodded quickly, almost as if he was afraid she would change her mind. He sounds relieved, Charlie noted, but still no smiles came forth.
"I'll help too, George." Ron said, and put a hand on George's shoulder. It was shrugged off immediately as if the touch had hurt him. George didn't say anything, and Charlie would have thought he hadn't heard Ron but for his slight frown, and the tightening of his hold on Katie's hand.
Charlie glanced down, saw Katie give George's hand a squeeze. He let out a breath he didn't know was holding when he saw George's brows unfurrow.
"Thanks Ron," Katie whispered once George showed no signs of replying to his brother, "You'd save me from blowing up the store or something, I'm sure."
Charlie prompted himself several times throughout the day to not stare at George and Katie too much. They had gotten enough curious looks from the other members of the Weasley family (and the extended members, Harry, Hermione and Lee)
Katie never strayed from George's side the entire day. She stood by him holding his hand, only letting go to grab a drink or let George shake hands with a guest. She ended up being one of the people who stayed well past when most of the other guests had left, and had joined the Weasley family in the dining room.
Charlie noticed how she would glance at her watch inconspicuously, and then turn to look at George. He thought several times that she was going to stand up and announce that she'd be leaving, but she never did. For that Charlie was thankful, because George seemed a lot calmer with her here.
"You know, you could just stay here, since you're going to shop tomorrow." George said suddenly. The break from silence was so sudden that both Percy and Ron snapped their head to stare at their brother.
"Who, me?" Katie seemed equally startled.
"It makes sense." George said, and his gaze swept past his family as if daring them to say otherwise. But, Charlie noted with a degree of amusement, George had refused to look at Katie.
"I'll just floo in the morning, George." Katie smiled politely, though sounded somewhat strained.
"Don't be daft." George scolded, and Charlie paused for a moment to mentally remark how much he sounds like their father. What amused Charlie even more was that George sent a look filled with such imploration towards their mother that it would have been hard for anybody to think of refusing him. (Least of all Molly Weasley, who probably would have happily allow George to blow up the half of Hogwarts that's left to make him smile again)
"Well dear," Molly cleared her throat, "We can set you up something in Ginny's room with no problem - "
"She can stay in our room, mom." George said, and froze for a second after he seemed to realize what he had said, "My room, I suppose." He added a little regretfully.
"Oh, really George." Katie looked flustered, "I don't think - "
"Don't argue, Bell." George said affectionately. If Charlie hadn't known George as well as he does, he would have missed the pleading tone in his voice.
"Fine, you stubborn mule." Katie rolled her eyes, apparently she knows George just as well as Charlie does, for she smiled softly as she said it, putting her hand over George's.
"Well," George stood up from where he was sitting and stretched, "I'm beat. I think I'll go to bed. Come on, Katie." He then proceeded to pull her along without giving her a chance to say anything, or bid goodnight.
"You never said they were dating." Their mother turned to Ron and Ginny just as George and Katie disappeared up the stairs.
"I didn't know…" Ron's eyes were wide with surprise. "Nobody ever said anything…"
"Well, she seems like a nice girl." Arthur said as he put a hand on his wife's shoulder.
"She is." Ginny nodded, reassuring their mother, "We were on the Quidditch team together, and she looked after me, taught me a lot of tricks. She's got good grades and everything."
At that moment Charlie suddenly felt the need to go get something from his room, which just happens to be located by the twins' room. (George's room, Charlie mentally corrected himself) And if he just happened to hear something, well, it wasn't really his fault that the walls at the Burrow were so thin, nor was it his responsibility if they had neglected to cast a silencing charm. Bill, apparently, had the same idea and chose at the same moment to walk up the stairs along with Charlie, they shot each other a sly grin.
"I can't believe you said that." Charlie heard as he stopped just outside George's door. Bill stood just as silently next to him, eavesdropping unabashedly.
"What? That I'm tired? I am tired, Katie." George's voice floated out, sounding slightly amused. Charlie wondered if his brother was grinning again, and hoped he was.
"Everyone will think we're sleeping together now." Katie sounded like she was sulking, though her voice was muffled by the door.
"We are sleeping together, Katie." George sounds exasperated at this point, and Charlie thought he heard a dip in the spring of the mattress. He glanced at Bill, and the two shared a grin that promised much teasing of George in the future.
"Well you could have been more discreet about announcing it," Katie scoffed, "especially to your entire family."
"They're going to find out sooner or later Katie, " Charlie thought he heard another shift in the mattress, "I don't want to be alone tonight."
"Oh, George…" but before Katie could say anything else, the door to their room flew open. Charlie and Bill had the grace to look ashamed as both George and Katie started at them. Katie looking embarrassed and rather startled, while George had a look of mild annoyance mixed with smugness.
"You can tell mom I'm fine, then." George made a face at his older brothers, "Shame on you two, not even using the extendable ears I gave you."
Bill opened his mouth to say something, but Charlie took his arm and pulled him away. As he walked down stairs, he looked back towards George, who was smiling slightly Katie had gotten off his bed and walked over to kiss him on the cheek.
Charlie allowed himself a smile as well, knowing that his brother would be OK after all.