AN: I'm just borrowing the characters. I'll give them back when I'm done.
The bell over the door tinkled gently as someone walked in. Why they'd be out on a cold January night like this baffled him. Not that he could talk, though, after all, he was here too.
George Weasley looked up as the newcomer approached the bar. A young woman, though she looked like she'd known what pain and suffering were. He groaned, realising how stupid that was. They'd just come through a fierce war, after all.
"Can I get you a drink, miss?" She looked lonely, after all.
"Firewhisky. No water, no ice. And thanks." That voice, he knew it. Where had he heard it before? He peered closely at the woman's face.
"Katie Bell? Is that you?"
"Do I… know you?" She was slow, hesitant.
Of course, he realised. He'd been hiding in the shadows, and under a hood. He didn't like showing his face any more – the scars were horrific.
"George Weasley. Remember me?" He pushed back the hood a little, so she could see the distinctive Weasley red hair, but made sure to keep his face hidden.
"Of course I do, it's been years. How… how are things going, now?"
"The joke shop's going well, people trying to, you know, cheer themselves up. It's about the only thing that is, though."
Katie leaned over to hug him.
"I'm sorry about your family – I heard from Angie. I wished I could have been here then, but the war… I'm so sorry, George."
He could see tears falling down her cheeks, and reached out to gently wipe them away. He'd cried for months after his parents and all but one of his brothers were killed. He and Charlie were the only ones left now.
"I'm glad you didn't see it, Katie. I still have nightmares about it, sometimes."
She raised one hand to remove the hood of George's cloak. Before she could, however, he stopped her.
"It's not a pretty sight, Katie. I can't even work in the shop any more, that's how bad it is. Little kids scream at me."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"Do you think that matters to me? I know what you went through."
Determinedly, she pulled the hood back, and held his hands away from his face.
There must have been nearly a hundred scars, ranging from tiny criss-crossing ones to large knife wounds. One long cut down his cheekbone was still, even now, healing. She let out a soft gasp and he pulled away from her.
"I did warn you. I know it's awful, worse than awful, and I won't be offended if you turn around and walk away now."
Katie shook her head.
"If you want me to leave, then tell me, 'cause I'm not going otherwise. I came back to find you – I never told you before, but I'm in love with you."
George was stunned. She'd come back for him, she'd seen his horrific scars and she still wasn't leaving. He could hardly believe his luck.
"Katie, love. I… Are you sure?"
She pulled him into a fierce kiss, by way of an answer. George responded in kind, and then pulled away to whisper in her ear.
"I must be the luckiest man alive to have found you."
AN: Please leave a review. Please.