March 1997 (1 YEAR, 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE BATTLE OF HOGWARTS)
"Alllright, that's quite enough for you." George said with a chuckle, taking an almost empty wine glass from Nya's hand. She had gotten up and almost immediately fallen back down unto the shabby sofa. "No reason to let it go to waste, I suppose." He muttered before chugging the remains down.
"Well, I'm off." Fred announced, clad in a traveling cloak and one of his mother's knitted scarves.
"Ahh, me as well." Nya said, attempting once again to stand up. She succeeded, but swayed violently before George caught her.
"Absolutely not. You're in no shape to apparate. Merlin knows where you might end up." George said, holding her small frame securely. She struggled futilely against his arms. "Just tell Mum I'm spending the night here. Don't let her worry…much." He added with a wink. Fred grinned back and skipped down the small wooden staircase.
"Just let me know when you're done trying to escape and I'll let go." George said to Nya, amused by her attempts. She adjusted herself so they were face to face.
"But my Mum-" Nya protested.
"Was already sent an owl saying you were safe and staying here. Relax." George interrupted. He loosened his grip on her shoulders. "It's not like it's the first time." He added with a smile, planting a kiss on her forehead. She smiled up at him.
They waited for Fred to leave before they did anything that could possibly be considered intimate. Fred knew about their relationship of course, what didn't one twin know about the other? However because they all worked together the two avoided any public displays of affection. Nya even went as far as to call the twins "Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley" in front of customers. Especially in troubled times any contacts or links between wizards could become a target for Death Eater manipulation. Besides… being the affectionate boyfriend seemed out of character for everyone who knew George, so they kept it quiet.
The two sat down on the faded couch. With a flick of his wand George lit a fire in the small grate, pulling Nya closer to him.
Nya rested her head on his shoulder and let her eyes close. George watched the flames burn the wood with tired eyes.
He secretly enjoyed moments like this, quiet times where he could simply sit and think. That was the thing about having such a big family. It was both a blessing and a curse. Growing up at the Burrow there were days when you couldn't get a single peaceful moment alone. Especially being a twin George always had Fred there. Of course he loved Fred, they were the closest and best of friends, but Fred's extroverted, playfulness sometimes became too much for him. Underneath his whimsical persona was a thoughtful quiet person, someone much like his father.
These were the times he liked to spend with Nya, who understood that he, contrary to popular belief did not always want to play jokes.
More than he wanted to admit Nya brought out a more compassionate George, one who was touchy-feely, who could openly talk about anything or nothing at all, one who did all the things a younger George swore to his brothers he would never do.
Fred teased him mercilessly of course, and mocked Nya occasionally for not choosing him…because of course as Fred claimed he was better looking, but they both took it in stride.
Worst of all George knew this would not last long… what with more people disappearing and the Order getting into more dangerous assignments, Death Eaters using the imperious curse on numerous witches and wizards. These were probably the worst conditions to begin a relationship.
George heard the riot act months ago when Fred let it slip to Mrs. Weasley. Something about rushing into decisions because you feel your life is in danger, nonsense about an unprofessional workplace. Once he got her to stop babbling, tears filled her eyes and she hugged George, saying she was happy that he had found someone and that she hoped it would all work out once the war was over, but if he eloped with Nya without her knowledge he had better hope a Death Eater got to him before she did.
On this particular night, sitting on the couch and holding Nya's hand in his George thought of Bill and Fleur's upcoming wedding which lead to him thinking about the possibility of his own. A year ago you would have never heard him mention the word wedding in reference to himself.
George was a very content wizard. He had never felt a love other than the platonic relationship he had with his family and friends. But something about Nya flipped a switch inside him.
It was not just a physical relationship, it was a new kind of intimacy and warmth that he felt when they were together.
His gut told him he would probably never feel that way ever again, so he should take advantage, especially in such chaotic times.
He would never go against his mother's wishes and marry Nya in secret. He knew that he would want his family there on his wedding day.
He also knew that if and when the war ever ended he would be more than happy to live the rest of his life with Nya.
February 1999 (NINE MONTHS AFTER THE BATTLE OF HOGWARTS)
George sighed loudly and stopped short in front of the wooden gate leading to his childhood home. Nya walked back towards him in the thick snow.
"What's wrong?" She asked, concerned. Instead of answering he kissed her hard on the mouth. "What was that for?" She asked, surprised.
"An apology." George muttered. Nya looked at him, unsure of what he meant. "I'm apologizing in advance for my mother. She is going to be…herself. I swear I'll make it up to you." Nya rolled her eyes.
"George…" Nya said, her voice barely above a whisper. She gave him a quick peck on the lips. "We can do this." She said with a wink.
…
Mr. Weasley wore a look of apprehension on his lined face, he looked from his wife to his son with curious eyes. George looked expectantly at his mother, slightly amused at her expression. Nya clutched George's hand tightly underneath the antique table.
"…so the two of you want to get married?" Mrs. Weasley's voice rang in her cluttered kitchen.
"Yep." George said with a serious face. "On July 2nd. Here, with the whole family."
Mrs. Weasley's eyes filled with tears. "Oh George!" She lunged herself across the table at her son, crying into his shoulder. "And you…." She mumbled turning to Nya. "Welcome to the family!" Mrs. Weasley grabbed her soon to be daughter in law in a bone-crushing embrace. When she let go she had tears in her eyes. She cleared her throat, slightly embarrassed.
"Now, you'll need to give me a guest list, oh and I'll have to plan the dinner menu. Oh! This is so exciting!" Molly said without a breath, hustling and bustling around her newly renovated kitchen. "Four months is hardly enough time to clean the place."
"Mum, we have money, we can hire people to clean and cook-"
"No, no. I won't have any of that nonsense. It's my son's wedding, I'd like everything to be perfect." Molly said, pulling out a quill and parchment. Arthur shook his head at his wife's madness. He stood and hugged his son (in a manly fashion, of course) and then hugged Nya quickly before mumbling something about the office and disapparating.
While Mrs. Weasley was babbling to herself about floral arrangements George embraced Nya. "I told you she would be like this." He mumbled in her ear.
Nya smiled up at her fiancé. "She just loves you." He did not respond but kissed her forehead.
"We're not going to be able to stop her now. The only thing we really have a say in is the guest list." George grumbled. "I don't even need a real list. It could just be family…of course that is a decent amount of people."
"How many?"
"Well you and I of course. Mum, Dad, Bill, Phlegm…I mean Fleur, Charlie, Percy and dates if they can muster them, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Harry. Mum will have to invite Aunt Muriel, unfortunately" George furrowed his brow. "I suppose Lee Jordan, Hagrid, Angelina Johnson, Luna, and Neville…why are you crying?" George asked, noticing Nya's glossy eyes.
She shook her head. "I'm sorry." She tried to avert her eyes but he placed his hands on either side of her face and tilted it up to meet his gaze. "It's just that you mentioned only inviting family and that was still 11 people."
George instantly realized why she was upset. He embraced her again. "Don't be sorry. They're your family now too."
(A/N: Bear with me.)