Part One: Alicia Spinnet & George Weasley

Like Never Before…

As she sat curled up in a miserable ball against the wall of the deserted common room, sixteen year old Alicia Spinnet had never felt more alone. Rocking herself as she violently sniffed back tears that were threatening to fall; she resisted the urge to smack her head against the stone wall until she could get rid of the feelings that had engulfed her. Wiping away the hair that hung round her petite face in fawn coloured tendrils, she muttered angrily to herself, so consumed in her own feelings that she didn't notice the portrait hole open and close letting someone inside.

'Stupid dad… Stupid cancer… Should've known… Could've done something… Argh!'

Jumping in fright as someone touched her gently on the shoulder, she looked up to see George Weasley standing over her, a look of grave concern etched into his friendly and handsome face. Her cheeks going slightly pink, she muttered something inaudibly and made to get up, but he touched her arm gesturing that she stay seated. Sitting down beside her, he looked at her with a soft gaze of friendliness.

'What's going on Alicia?' he asked gently, startled slightly as she dissolved into tears, turning away from him to hide her sudden outburst of emotion. Reaching out, he pulled her chin around to face him, her green eyes sparkling with tears and her nose slightly red. 'You don't have to hide your tears from me.'

'But I look so ugly when I cry.' She sobbed, 'My nose goes all splotchy and oh, it isn't fair goddammit!'

Taken aback, George frowned slightly.
'Alicia, what's happened?'

Sniffing bravely, she looked at him through her tears.
'My Dad… He-he… He died this morning.'

'Oh.' George said stupidly, not sure on what else to say.

Nodding sadly, she turned away again, pressing her forehead to the stone wall as she cried.

'Hey… Hey, what did I say about the hiding? C'mere.' He said gently, gathering her slight frame up into his arms and rocking her as she cried into his lean chest. 'Shhhh... It'll be okay…'

'No it won't!' she wailed into his chest, her words somewhat smothered. 'He's dead!'

Mental note: do not say that it will be okay. George thought to himself, holding her tighter to him as she began to berate herself.

'It's all my fault… I should've known… Such an idiot…' she hissed angrily to herself, screwing her eyes up in an effort to control herself and to stop herself from crying.

'Hang on a minute, how is it your fault?' George asked bewilderedly.

'He was sick all summer and he told me that he was fine – just had the flu, but he was so sick and I didn't think twice!' she sobbed at top speed, making it difficult for him to follow, 'And I spent most of the summer with Ange and Kates, and hardly any of it with him and now he's gone! …And I never even got to say goodbye!'

'Oh Alicia, it's not your fault – he didn't tell you he was seriously ill: how were you to know?' he replied, still rocking her gently.

'But it was so obvious! I feel like such an idiot George!' she wept as a curl of her thick hair crept down her cheek again.

Reaching out, he tucked the hair behind her ear and held her away from him so he could look her in the eyes.

'Alicia, you are not an idiot: you're the smartest, most beautiful girl I know.' He said in all seriousness, making her smile slightly.

'Thanks.' She sniffled, resting her head back on his chest tiredly, her tears subsiding slightly.

For you, there'll be no more crying,
For you, the sun will be shining,
And I feel that when I'm with you,
It's alright, I know its right…

Merlin, she is so beautiful… George mused, leaning down and kissing her forehead without thinking. Gasping slightly, Alicia sat back up again and looked at him strangely.

'Oh, Alicia I'm sorry – I don't know what happened I sorta just did it without thinking and I'm re-' he was interrupted mid-sentence by the touch of her lips on his, grazing softly at first before pressing harder and turning into a full-scale kiss.

To you, I'll give the world
To you, I'll never be cold
'cause I feel that when I'm with you,
It's alright, I know its right…

Pulling back after a few seconds, she smiled shyly at him through her tears, laughing slightly at the look of incredulous happiness on his face, his freckled cheeks a little pink.

'Wow.' was all he could say, grinning goofily.

And the songbirds are singing,
Like they know the score,
And I love you, I love you, I love you,
Like never before…

'I've liked you for a very long time George.' She said quietly, her eyes catching the sunlight that streamed through the window and shining brightly at him.

'I've liked you for ages too.' He replied truthfully, leaning forwards and catching her lips with his again. 'You are so beautiful.' He whispered in between kisses.

And I wish you all the love in the world,
But most of all, I wish it from myself…

'You're not so bad looking yourself.' She giggled, pulling away and gaining a slightly more serious look, 'Thanks George.'

'What for? I should be thanking you!' he said with a grin.

'For making me feel safe.' She answered with a grateful look.

'I'll always protect you, you never have to be afraid,' He said softly, before kissing her again, 'I always protect the ones I love.'

And the songbirds keep singing,
Like they know the score,
And I love you, I love you, I love you,
Like never before, like never before…


Note: song lyrics were from 'Songbird' by Fleetwood Mac...
A beautiful song, i recommend you download it.

hey!
Well, thanks for reading... but you could do even more and review...? Haha...
Anyway, this is part one of a nine part collection of oneshots to do with "canon" relationships - basically all the "normal" ones...
ie: Alicia & George, Angelina & Fred, Katie & Oliver, Harry & Ginny, Tonks & Lupin, James & Lily, Bill & Fleur, Hermione & Ron, and Cho & Cedric. (i tend to like the canon ships better...)

Thanks!
Best wishes,
Ash xx