George sat motionlessly at his kitchen table, slowly stirring his coffee which had most likely turned cold now. He tilted his head to the side as he stared into space.

It had been a week since George had found Malfoy at Fred's grave and discovered the big secret his brother kept and George hadn't quite got his head around it yet. George didn't understand why Fred would ever keep something so big from him. Something so important. He knew that yes, a relationship with Draco Malfoy would not have been approved by many people but Fred was his brother… his twin. It broke his heart to think that Fred didn't feel he could tell George such a thing and he found out this way.

Why didn't Fred ever tell him that he was into guys? It's not as if George was a homophobe; in fact he had even expressed his doubts about his own sexuality to Fred a couple of times and Fred had never said a word. George felt so hurt that Fred obviously didn't feel comfortable enough to talk to him about something like that. He thought he was the closest to his late twin but he realised that he was wrong. How it was hurting George to know that.

Strangely, it was not the fact it was Draco Malfoy his brother was seeing that annoyed George. It was the other secrets that he had kept that Fred had kept from him.

He sighed, resting his cheek on the table. Not only had he lost his brother, but he knew he could never talk to him about his secret now and find out why Fred really didn't tell him. But now it was just going to play on his mind for the rest of his life.

George heard the blaze from the fireplace stream through his flat but he didn't bother getting up. He knew it would be a family member coming to check up on him. His mother insisted he go back to the Burrow to live for a while but George refused. There were even more memories there than there were here at the flat. So many of them when they were younger, playing pranks on their siblings, laughing, joking… just being with each other.

George listened to the footsteps coming from down the corridor, raising his eye line to see who it was. His brother Percy stood there in the doorway, wearing formal work clothes, just his tie slightly loosened and jacket slung over his shoulder.

"Hey George," Percy smiled slightly, moving towards his brother, "How are you?"

George finally lifted his head, returning the small smile, "Not bad. Been better though. You?"

"We've all been better, George," Percy sucked in his breath, "But I'm okay I guess. What have you been doing?"

"I've not been doing much really. I went to help to clean up some of Hogwarts the other day. There's still a lot of work to do. It's wrecked."

"I know. I've been down there too. I'm thinking of going the day after tomorrow to help some more. Do you want to come?"

"Yeah, sounds good."

"So, how's the shop?" Percy asked, finally feeling comfortable enough to take a seat.

"Um, fine. Business is going well as usual. But it's been hard behind the scenes. Fred kind of handled all the costs and income and all the rest of it. I always made the products. But now I have to do both and it's getting harder and harder…" George ran his fingers through his hair.

"Well, would you like some help?" The older Weasley questioned.

George raised his eyebrows, "You're going to help?"

"No. I… there's someone who needs a job. He was involved with the death eaters, but wasn't sent to Azkaban for reasons… we can discuss later. He has to do at least six months community service instead but… no one will take him on."

"I don't blame them…" George huffed, tipping his head, "Who is it?"

Percy pressed his lips together, "Draco Malfoy."

George's eyes widened, remembering the events at the grave, "No way. No way on earth."

"George, try to be reasonable."

"I'm not having that scrawny little git work in my shop."

"You're his last chance, George. He'll have to go to Azkaban if you don't let him work at the shop."

"Let him. He deserves it," The younger man spat, crossing his arms.

"Listen. I know it's hard to forgive someone as obnoxious as Draco Malfoy but I honestly don't think he deserves to go to Azkaban. He was pulled into that war and into the dark side by the influence of his parents and the people around him. I was there at his court case and he did pleaded guilty but said that he knows it wasn't completely his fault and he was just a scared boy," Percy said softly.

"Well, I don't think the Dark Lord was scaring him into being a bastard at school, was he?"

"When he had his father as his influential male figure, then I'm not surprised he acted the way he did at school."

George let his head fall on the table, ignoring the sharp intake of breath from his brother. Should he take Draco in? Should he let him into his shop… into his business which he run with his twin before? Could he even deal with the arrogant prat around him so much? Fred did… and dealt with him as a lover. And in a way… George was curious to find out more. He wanted to know about what was obviously an important relationship to Fred.

But he also thought Malfoy deserved to go to Azkaban. Whether he was scared or forced into it, he's responsible for his own actions. But… if Fred really loved Malfoy… then he wouldn't want that to happen to him. And if he was truly in love with him, Fred would hate George for doing that to his lover, especially knowingly.

"Fine. He can come here," George groaned, "But maximum six months. I'm not sure if I could deal with him any longer."

"Wow," Percy said with wide eyes, "I thought I would have to persuade you more."

"Well… I know things you don't know about Malfoy," George mumbled in a huff, but all too loudly.

"…Like what?"

"It doesn't matter…" Came a mutter in reply, "Verity and Lee won't have to work as many hours now."

"I'll bring him over tomorrow, George," Percy said, standing up, "Thank you so much. You've saved me a lot of trouble."

George nodded slowly, "Sure."

"And George," Percy called, as he walked towards the door and George's head shot up, "Please visit mum. She's worried sick about you."

~X~

The next day came quicker than George thought it would. Before he knew it, it was the end of the day and Malfoy was due to arrive with Percy. George wasn't looking forward to it at all. He was regretting the agreement more and more by the second. Then he thought of Fred… and how much he would hate it if his lover, well ex-lover, were put into Azkaban. It made all the thoughts of regret slip from his mind. He just hoped that his brother was watching him and knew he was trying to accept Fred's relationship with Draco, even after Fred had died.

George said goodbye to the last customer, smiling weakly at them. He stretched his body and his arms behind his head, taking a deep breath.

"Oi George," Lee called from the top of the stairs, "I'm off. Got a hot date who apparently puts out on the first date. We will see."

George chuckled lightly at his friend, "Alright. Good luck."

"You need luck more than I do mate with Malfoy," Lee shrugged, "Mind if I use your floo?"

"No, 'course not. See you later Lee."

The clock ticked and George waited for Percy and Malfoy to arrive. He leant against the counter, opening the till to count the day's earnings but not having the energy to.

George couldn't believe that he was nervous about this. It wasn't like he had ever been nervous of Malfoy before, despite the boy's efforts to intimidate everyone in Hogwarts, no, this was completely different and new. Something about being around Malfoy… Fred's secret ex… boyfriend or lover? Who knows. George couldn't help but think he knew more about his twin than he did, made him anxious. The thought of their being someone closer to his brother… scared him completely.

He was still hurt that Fred didn't trust him with his secret. He was also… jealous of Malfoy that he knew more about Fred than he did. He was jealous that there was someone closer to his brother than him. Jealousy was a strong thing. He couldn't even stand the thought of Fred with Malfoy at the moment. The thought of the Slytherin being close to Fred made his blood boil.

The door suddenly flung open and George's head shot up immediately. Percy came through the door first, nodding at George in acknowledgment. It was the second person who walked through the door that caught his attention.

Malfoy looked almost as awful as George had seen him the week before. He was paler than he had ever seen him before and his hair still messy. The only different was there were no tears this time and he looked even more distant than ever. There had always been something icy about Malfoy's exterior but now he looked… completely emotionless. Not heartless like he used to be, but detached from the rest of the world.

"Hello George. How are you today?" Percy asked in a friendly tone, setting his briefcase on the table and starting to open it.

"Fine yeah," George shrugged, rolling his eyes at his brother's formality.

"Work okay?"

"Yeah. It was good. There was lots of people in today."

"Good. That's good," Percy smiled softly, "So, down to business," He pulled out a couple of sheets, glancing over at Malfoy who stood there vacantly, "Read through these contract and then sign at the bottom."

George carefully read through the contract, his eyes flicking up at Malfoy and Percy every once in awhile. He pulled out his quill, dipping it in ink when he noticed a point.

"He doesn't have to work the whole six months? If he does something I can chuck him?" George questioned, with a frown.

Malfoy pressed his lips together in distaste while Percy tilted his head side to side, "You didn't need to put it that way, but yes."

"And what would happen if I do?"

"He would go to Azkaban."

George pointed his quill at the blonde, "You better behave."

Malfoy opened his mouth to challenge him back but Percy interrupted, "We've already had a long conversation about it and he will behave."

George took a deep breath and quickly signed his name before he could regret it. He pushed the sheet across the table for Percy to take.

"So, will you two be alright now or should I stay? I assume you're just going to show him around and tell him what he will be doing?" Percy asked, closing his briefcase and preparing to leave.

"Yeah, I'll just show him around. We should be fine," George nodded.

"Alright. If there are any problems Mr Malfoy, come to me any time. You too George," Percy started to head towards the door, ready to leave the two alone.

"Perce," George called, "If you find me dead, you will know who did it."

"Don't joke about things like that, George," Percy said solemnly.

-x-

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