Picking up the Pieces
By: Edna B.
Chapter 1
A/N- Just a heads up, this fic starts out at the beginning of DH. It's going to follow the story line, but mainly from George's POV. And since there is a new OC, there's going to be some new drama thrown into the equation. It's more about George and Elsie than anything, but will have all the characters in it. I hope you enjoy :D
Elsie's POV
My name is Elsie Messo, and I like to run.
The chilled September air whipped through my hair as my worn sneakers pounded against the shabby pavement of Diagon Alley. My lumpy backpack bounced against my back with each step, and the box cradled in my arms was dangerously close to disintegrating. A sly smile spread across my face with each step, each breath, each passing moment.
My name is Elsie Messo, and I like to run.
In the distance, I spotted the apartment. The sun was rising behind it, giving it an artificial halo. In a sense, it wasn't artificial at all. This apartment was my new life, my new me. I passed the dusty old shops with "For Sale" or "Closed" signs in the window. I couldn't help but hold my gaze for a moment longer in each window, eyeing the dusty shelves and the forgotten items, the lost hopes and dreams.
My eyes refocused on my apartment, which I would finally be moving into today. As soon as I step foot into that apartment, I would finally be one person. No more parents breathing down my neck. I would finally be free.
Angelina Johnson materialized out of nowhere on the front steps. She blinked in the morning sun and looked around before fishing a key out of her pocket and unlocking the front door.
"Oi! Angelina! Wait up!" I shouted above the morning hustle of Diagon Alley. Her head whipped around and her eyes lit up as they rested upon my growing form. She smiled and waved, waiting until I reached her. When I did, she gathered me into her awaiting arms and gave me a bear hug.
"I was wondering when you would get here," she said, her smile brighter than the midmorning sun. "You ready for life as an individual?"
"Of course!" I exclaimed. "Now help me unpack."
I shoved the box of belongings into her arms and she laughed. Instead of protesting, she opened the front door, and I stepped into my new life.
…
"I'm glad you're here," Angelina said, folding one of my shirts neatly, and messily shoving it into my dresser.
"I'm glad I'm here," I said, chuckling. "I couldn't stand one more day in my house. I love my parents and brother to death, but I'm an adult now. I need to learn to live on my own."
"Not really on your own. With me," she said. "This is going to be so much fun! It will be like a sleepover every night!"
"I know! This is great!" I adjusted the pictures of my family on top of the mantel in my new room. My mum and dad beamed down at me and I could hear their voices still ringing in my ears.
Make sure to visit us at least once a day!
Martha, she's an adult now. She doesn't have to tend to mummy and daddy anymore.
But-
Make sure you visit us at least once a week.
Alright dad.
You can call anytime.
We love you.
You're going to be fine.
My little baby all grown up.
We love you.
We love you.
We love you.
"I love you too," I whispered, softly kissing the tips of my fingers and pressing them to my parent's picture. My gaze wondered over to the picture of my brother and me. It was taken one day at the park when I attempted to teach him how to ride a broom. My mother insisted he was too young. Nonsense, I learned how to ride before I could walk. Jack was 4. He was old enough to mount a broom.
He had swung his short, stubby legs over the hilt, a broad smile stretching his face. Before I knew it, he was off. Before he knew it too. His terrified screams filled the late August air and without registering what I was doing, I was already in the pink and orange sky, racing after him. I can still feel his quaking body as my arm snaked around his torso, lifting him from his broom. I can still feel his arms wrapped snugly around my neck as his sobs racked my ears. I can still hear those sobs slowly transforming into laughter. I can still see the look of pure energy plastered to his face as he faced the setting sun, holding his arms out and letting the wind whip his hair from side to side. I vaguely remember my mum snapping the picture, but was so caught up in the moment, I barely registered it. The only thing I could focus on was Jack, and the way the wind carried his boyish giggles. It was the sound of pure joy, and it will forever be imbedded within my beating heart.
I smiled at the pictures, my heart aching. Maybe I should go check on them…
I shook my head. I only left about an hour ago. Not much could have happened.
I looked around my empty room, feeling a sense of accomplishment. Angelina was throwing my clothes into my dresser half-heartedly, chattering away. My parents were smiling at me, my brother was noiselessly laughing.
It was time for a run.
I sat on the bed, and grabbed my sneakers. Angelina ceased talking, a smile spreading across her face.
"If you must," she said as I quickly looped the laces. I smiled back. My best friend knew me well.
Before I knew it, I was flying through the front door, my familiar footsteps echoing in my ears above the light breeze once again.
My name is Elsie Messo, and I like to run.
…
George's POV
The early morning dawn broke through my bedroom curtains, casting a warm glow across my face. I awoke slowly, reveling in tiredness that consumed my body. I stretched, my long legs hanging off of my too-small bed. I opened my eyes, letting my irises get used to the sunlight. Across the room, Fred slept like a rock, not bothered by the sunlight pouring in from the window. His light snores filled the small room, reverberating off the silent walls. I quietly tiptoed to the door and slowly opened it, cringing as the hinges squeaked and the old wood creaked.
The bathroom light was brighter than the sun, and I squinted against its harsh glare. A gigantic yawn escaped my lips and my long, lanky arms stretched towards the ceiling, working out my nightly kinks and stiffness. Scratching the back of my neck, my hands trailed along the walls, into the shower, and gripped the knob, quickly turning the heat onto full blast. Steam quickly filled the small bathroom and I breathed it in, not ready to shake away the blissful drowsiness just yet. I leaned against the counter, seriously considering going back to sleep right there.
"Oi! Georgie!" Fred yelled from the other side of the door. "Hurry up! Store opens in half an hour and we have a new shipment to put up!"
I internally groaned before shedding my clothes and stepping into the delightfully hot stream of water. It cascaded over my stiff muscles, slowly loosening them. I stood directly under the warm waterfall, letting it run over my face.
Just another day working at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes with my partner in crime. Don't get me wrong. I love what I do. But every day, it's the same thing. Wake up, shower, Fred bangs on the door, open shop, work all day, get home and work on experiments with Fred (usually develop a strange rash or mysterious injury) and by this time, I'm too exhausted to do anything else.
I turned the shower off, blindly groping for a towel. I groaned as I realized I forgot to grab one. "Fred!" I yelled. Nothing. "FRED!"
Still nothing.
"Bloody hell," I muttered before jumping out of the shower. No one was here anyways. The store downstairs wasn't due to open for 20 minutes. I think I could walk to my room without anybody seeing me naked.
I flung open the door, and when I heard a surprised scream, I knew I was wrong.
A/N- Three guesses who it is. :D
A review would really make my day!
Edna B.