Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: Written for Ravenclaw Homework at the Hogwarts Online Forum.
At Her Doorstep
It's the first birthday he's had since it happened, so of course it's hard, the kind of day that erases all the moving on they've done. She's alone in her flat when he comes, as she knew he would.
"George," she says when she opens the door. She tries to smile, but it falters when she sees his tears. She'll never get used to seeing one of the Weasley twins cry.
For a moment, they only stare at each other. Then he falls limply onto her doorstep. "I'm sorry, Angelina."
"For what?" she asks. It comes out sharper than she intends, but she can't deal with stupid guilt. Not today.
"When you opened the door… your face…" Sobbing renders the rest of his words incoherent.
She sighs. "You're not making any sense –"
He takes a deep breath, collecting himself. "Sorry. But – when you opened the door, were you… were you looking for…" his lips start to form the 'F' sound – Merlin, she knows it too well – then give up "… some other boy?"
"Was I looking for some other boy?" she repeats angrily, suddenly not caring that it's his dead brother's birthday, that it's his birthday. He can't just say something like that. "Were you looking for some other girl, when you knocked on the door? I wasn't. I don't wish for Fred when I see you; I don't love Fred when I tell you I love you." She takes a shaky breath. "I've told you this before. You can't give me this crap."
He stares at her blankly, and Angelina wonders if she has gone too far. Then, so softly she'd have missed it if she hadn't had her eyes trained on his lips, he says, "I appreciate the sympathy."
She gives a weak chuckle, and he starts to laugh. Before they know it, they're rolling on the floor, and Merlin, she can't remember laughing so hard since Fred died.
"I just miss him," George says finally.
"I know," she says. "He was my best friend, remember? But you…"
"I know," he says quietly, adding, "The answer's no, by the way."
"What?"
"I don't look for other girls. Not when you're around."