A/N: Here's the second chapter of this story!

Please take the time to review the story! It keeps me going!

Enjoy!

Chapter Two

"Please, George! Just cooperate. It's only a bit further."

After some convincing to Aberforth that he should let Harry handle George herself, she now found that she wasn't quite sure what to do with him. She had never been put in the position of taking care of someone who was off their arse drunk. She had easily revived him by casting an augamenti right into his face, but that had proven to be the only easy part. Harry had decided to take George back to his flat above Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes by side Apparition, which turned out to be just as graceful as George's entrance to the Hog's Head, as Harry had found herself flat on her back with George sprawled out next to her hurling onto the street. After helping him to his feet Harry didn't feel up to levitating a grown man up the stairs which is why she found herself presently supporting a swaying George Weasley the remaining way to his quarters.

"It's just a bit further...I hope."

"You know -hiccup- Harry -hiccup- you don't have to-"

"I know, I know."

Thankfully, Harry thought for she was out of breath, they were finally at George's flat. She led his to his small couch where he laid face down with a thud.

"I have -hiccup- a sobering up potion -hiccup- in the cabinet -hiccup- in the kitchen."

The kitchen, if one could call it that, was a very small space in the back of the apartment. It was covered with dirty dishes and several empty bottles of Firewhiskey. One the third try, Harry found the sobering potion. It was warm to the touch, as if it had been freshly brewed before George had gone out in preparation for the night ahead.

"Here you go."

Harry observed as George downed the potion. Although he was still slightly toned from years of Quidditch, George seemed thinner to Harry than the last time she saw him. His face was scrunched in a grimace (Harry assumed from the sobering potion) but Harry noticed, perhaps for the first time, how good looking his features were. As quickly as this thought entered her head, Harry chided herself. She shouldn't be thinking of her best friend's brother in such ways. She shook her head and closed her eyes in hopes that it would cause the thought to leave her.

"Alright there, Harry?"

George was staring at her with a concerned expression on his face. The sobering potion must have worked quickly as he seemed more aware and alert. His eyes, less glassy. He pushed himself into a sitting position and scooted closer to where Harry had sat down on the arm of the chair. Collecting herself, Harry offered him a small smile before responding.

"Yes. I'm alright. Just- just a long night you know?"

"Technically it's 1 in the morning," responded George glancing at the clock on the wall behind them.

"So it is," said Harry although she didn't turn her gaze towards the clock. She was having a hard time looking away from George now. He appeared so broken. So unlike himself. There wasn't even a ghost of a smile on his face.

He caught her gaze and quirked an eyebrow at her.

"Having a hard time adjusting to my lack of ear after not seeing me for so long?"

"No. Just having trouble adjusting to seeing you in general, I suppose."

The answer was honest and surprised even Harry.

"I'm sorry I missed your birthday party," started George who looked, for all purposes, truly ashamed. "It's just-"

Harry cut him off by sliding down on the couch so they were sitting side by side now, their knees touching.

"I'm not upset about that. I understand."

George looked up at her in surprise. He appeared smaller than Harry could ever remember seeing him. How lost he must feel, she wondered, without his twin. He must be questioning his place in this world without him.

"I just feel like-like I can't do it yet, you know?"

"I do."

"I just...it's just that I miss him. So fucking much."

"It's okay to not be okay, George."

And then he was sobbing and Harry did the only thing she could think of in that moment. She hugged him close and tight in a way that she wished someone would have held her when she had lost Sirius. When she had lost nearly everything. He gripped her shirt and sobbed into her shoulder. Harry gripped him back just as tight saying nothing because there was much to hear in the silence.

Harry wasn't sure what time she left George's flat and started her trek back to Hogwarts but by the time she settled into bed it was nearing five in the morning. George had cried himself to the point of exhaustion and Harry had conjured a pillow and blanket for him before leaving his flat. She had charmed the teapot to go off in a few hours when he would have to get up for the store in hopes that it would revive him for the day.

Harry dozed in and out for the next two hours unable to fully fall into a good sleep. The sight of George, broken before her, was a hard thought to push out of her head. Had he been going out every night like that? That couldn't be healthy she thought. And yet part of her understood. She had been unable to process her losses for the past few years because so much was expected of her. And now she felt as though the time for mourning had passed and she had missed it. George, she thought, was brave for diving head first into the pain. Even though he was trying his best to numb it.

"Harry?"

Startled, Harry's eyes flew open. She had been so lost in her drowsy thoughts that she had missed Hermione's alarm going off.

"Harry, it's time to get up. We don't want to miss breakfast."

"Alright I'm coming," she replied sitting up and rubbing her eyes. "I'm coming."

"Oh my, we went to bed last night without setting up a showering schedule. I hope-"

Harry stopped listening and instead made her way to the mirror in their dorm. Her appearance would do for the day, she thought, as she charmed her hair into a bun ("Nice wand work deary," the mirror had complimented her). Her hair, while full of volume thanks to her father and waves thanks to her mother, was nowhere near the state of Hermione's which was currently sticking up in every direction. They were sharing a suite with Parvati and Lavender and apparently one of the two was taking their time in the shower. Hermione's routine was already being thrown off and Harry was certain she would be nagged to death by dinner.

"Oy! We need the bathroom!" Harry screamed banging on the door.

"Sorry!" Parvati's response came floating out as the water shut off.

Hermione turned towards Harry but before she could voice her thanks Harry shoved her into the bathroom.

"We don't have all day, and I'm starved."

Harry walked out of her room but heard Hermione's giggles before the door was shut all the way.

"Morning, Harry!"

Lavender was exiting her room just as Harry was heading out of her own. Lavender's face bore some scars from her battle with Fenrir Greyback but they did not seem to take away from her beauty. Harry noted that there was a change in Lavender's aura. She seemed more confident in herself, happier, and less competitive. She had taken both Harry and Hermione by surprise when she had suggested they share a suite with her and Parvati.

"Morning, Lav. You seem in a good mood for seven in the morning."

"Well, you know, each day is a gift. We have a second chance here, Harry. To do the things we almost lost a chance to do and to be with the people that we love."

Harry nodded. She had to agree with Lavender even though she thought it was entirely too early in the morning to be cheerful. Harry couldn't think of a response to Lavender but was saved from doing so when they reached the common room.

"I can't live this way, Neville!"

Ron was still in pajamas. Harry assumed he was unable to change out of them due to the vines that were twisted around them tightly. Ron and Neville had decided to share a room together and were suite mates with Seamus and Dean. Ron seemed to be hesitant about the whole arrangement, but seeing as his only other option was Draco Malfoy he seemed to make due. Or at least that had been the case when they had all gone their separate ways last night.

"It's just a bit of Flitterbloom, Ron. It's harmless. It must have just taken a liking to you last night."

Neville was trying and failing to pull the vines off of Ron.

"If I'm not ready in the next fifteen minutes Hermione will skin me. Do you realize I haven't gotten a good snog with her since she came back from her parents. I swear if you mess this up for me-"

Lavender giggled beside Harry. Harry shared an amused look with her before deciding to step forward and help her best mate.

"Harry! Harry thank Merlin! You have a saving people thing. Save me!"

"Hermione's in the shower so we probably have another ten minutes," Harry said tugging at the vines. "Is there a spell or something we can try, Neville? For Devil's Snare-"

"No! Absolutely no fire! I don't want to kill it!"

"Okay, okay."

"Maybe a tickling charm will loosen it," this came from Lavender who already had her wand raised. "Rictusempra!"

Harry watched as the vines wiggled and loosened retracting down to Ron's ankles. Neville breathed a sigh of relief.

"Nice one, Lav." Harry said truly impressed.

"No problem," Lavender responded with a genuine smile.

"I'm free!" Ron stretched his arms up and jumped. "Bloody hell, that feels amazing."

"What's going on?"

Hermione had returned looking fresh and pressed for the day. She had her bag full of books and some quills sticking out.

"Nothing, love. I'm going to change and then we can head to breakfast!"

Harry grinned as Ron darted towards his dorm. Hermione, red from the public affection, avoided Harry's eye contact.

"See you at breakfast," Lavender said as she departed.

Harry glanced around the room briefly and was caught off guard by Draco Malfoy sitting in the corner studying his text books. It was strange, she thought, to see him in the same common room as her, not surrounded by his lackeys. Even stranger was the company that he was keeping at the moment was that of Moaning Myrtle. He had his book opened and was pointing to a passage. He appeared to be asking Myrtle a question, as she floated over his shoulder and nodded and gave him an answer.

"I almost feel sorry for Malfoy." Hermione had startled Harry out of her obvious staring. "He's having to room alone. He hasn't any friends here. He must feel terribly lonely."

"Yes," Harry agreed. "I imagine so."

"Good morning class!"

"Good morning Professor Slughorn."

Professor Slughorn had decided to stick with the Potions professor position after the battle. Harry was thankful because he made having Potions first thing in the morning a little less dreadful.

"I am thrilled to have each and everyone of you back. Because this is such a small group and you have hand your hands in potion brewing for several years now I thought we would try a different sort of method to our madness so to speak."

The class said nothing but looked at the Professor wearly.

"What I'd like to propose is a sort of independent study. I will be pairing you up for the first half of the year and you and your partner will choose a potion to brew and write a 5 page essay on. The potions will be mostly familiar to you," Slughorn said as he began to write on the board in front of them. "Love Potion, Shrinking Solution, Felix Felicis, Amortentia, and Polyjuice Potion."

Harry was less sure of which potion she wanted to attempt than who she wanted as her partner.

"Since this will be an independent study you will not be required to meet every Monday and Wednesday at 8. Instead you and your partner will choose to work around your schedule. However, the potions class will be open during this time for you if you need it. All I ask is that the week before we let out for Christmas break you arrive with your essay, potion, and a short presentation with your partner."

Judging by the nodding of heads going around the room everyone seemed pleased by this.

"The second half of the year will be more rigorous as far as course work, but I'm sure you'll do just fine. Now, let's see who gets partnered with who."

Harry heard Hermione whisper "Whom" behind her and silently prayed that she would not get her for a partner. Harry loved Hermione but the girl would not allow this to be as relaxing of an experience that Slughorn was obviously going for.

"Alright...lets see. Granger why don't you pair up with Brown for this."

The girls shared a glance. Hermione looking slightly afraid and Lavender looking just as content as she had been earlier in the morning.

"Parvati and Finnigan. Weasley and Thomas. Malfoy and Potter."

Harry heard Malfoy groan and shared his disdain over the situation.

"Padma, Longbottom, and Abbott. You three will work together. Alright! Everyone get with your partner. Decide on a potion and let me know. The rest is up to you to figure out!"

Harry grumbled and glanced back at Malfoy. He clearly wasn't going to come sit next to her. He probably wouldn't even meet her halfway. Picking up her bag and rolling her eyes she started back towards where he was sitting in the back corner of the class.

"Potter," he greeted as she took a seat next to him. "I suppose you're as happy with this as I am."

"I'm thrilled."

"Alright, let's get this over with. I say we focus on Amortentia."

"The love potion?"

"Yes, Potter. We've done it before and I don't want to risk you screwing this up for the both of us."

"Isn't that one of the more difficult ones though?"

Malfoy looked her dead in the eye.

"For some, yes."

And without another word, Malfoy stood and walked to the head of the class. Harry saw Slughorn nod and say "Excellent!" before crossing Amortentia off the board. Without looking in her direction, Malfoy left the class and so Harry assumed that was that.

Once again night had fallen on the castle and still Harry could not sleep. She found herself laying in her bed, staring at the ceiling and willing for Hermione to pass into slumber. Folded in her hand was a note she had received at dinner.

Harry,

I'm sorry for the state you found me in last night. Thank you for returning me home and putting me back in order and for the tea this morning.

I hope you can also forgive me for the display of emotions.

If you're ever wandering about at night again let me know.

I owe you a drink.

George

Harry didn't understand why but her heart had done a particular flutter when she read his name. She also didn't understand the strange pull to go to him. But it was there.

And that was how she found herself descending the tunnel yet again once she was certain Hermione was sound asleep. He would probably see her as a desperate, sad little girl to come find him so quick after his offer. But it didn't will her feet back in the direction of the castle.

Only when she was nearly at the Three Broomsticks, after recalling that was where George had said he had gone first the previous night, did she stop and wonder if perhaps she was being foolish. Before she could ponder the idiocy of the situation any farther she heard her name being called behind her.

"Harry?"

Before she turned she knew it was George. She was partially surprised to find him sober. He looked more put together than the night before. He had on a clean pressed shirt and some dark pants. Harry assumed he had just came from the shop.

"I was- I just-"

Come on, Potter.

"I owe you a drink."

He didn't give Harry a chance to argue before he started walking. He walked completely pass Harry before she regained her senses and rushed to catch up with him.

"I couldn't sleep," she said finally. They were at the Three Broomsticks and George was holding the door open for her as she spoke. "I thought I'd take you up on your offer."

"You must not have been able to sleep last night either," he said as they approached the counter. Rosmerta glanced wearily at George. "Two Fire Whiskeys."

"I'm cutting you off after this George. I don't want a repeat of the past few nights."

George looked unperturbed by this but Harry raised her eyebrows. She said nothing though as they took their drinks to a booth towards the back. They sat in silence for a moment sipping their drinks before the awkwardness became too much for Harry to bear.

"I was surprised to see you last night, you know."

"Were you, now?"

"Yes. I've hardly seen you all summer. I had almost forgotten what you looked like."

George smiled down at his drink. This made Harry feel more at ease. This was more like the old George.

"Well, it's awfully hard to forget what you look like."

If that was a dig at her, Harry was not sure.

"It's the scar," she said instead. "It's my identifier."

George looked at her and Harry found it hard to look back so instead she looked around the room. The pub was not as crowded as it normally was during the daytime, but it still had a healthy crowd. Witches and Wizards were gathered in communion all around them. Harry supposed that with Voldemort gone they had something to celebrate again.

"It's funny isn't it," George said bringing Harry from her thoughts.

"What is?"

"How life just seems to go on for everyone else," said George after a moment's pause. "But for some it just seems stuck. Stagnent."

"I don't know," she said taking a drink of her Firewhiskey. "I think the sad part is that life can go on either way. Even when you wish it would stop or slow down. Or when you lose something. It doesn't stop for you. It doesn't let you off or let you catch your breath."

George pondered this for a moment. He kept his gaze down at his drink and Harry wondered if she had said too much.

"Yes," he said finally not meeting her eyes,"I suppose that's true too. It kind of feels both like it's stuck and yet going on too fast."

Harry could tell George didn't want to talk any further about the subject and didn't want to push him more than he could stand.

"Let's change the subject. Let's play a game or something."

"A game? What kind of game?"

"When I was little," Harry said racking her brain. "My cousin and his mates used to play this game called truth or dare. Do wizards play that?"

George shook his head taking another sip of his drink.

"Well, it's pretty self explanatory," she continued. "Someone asks you truth or dare and you have to pick and answer or do whatever they say."

"Sounds like that can be dangerous."

"I think it got heated some with Dudley and his friends. I don't think I'm ready for the dare part with you though just yet. How about we just play truth for right now? I think it might be safer. If you refuse to answer something you lose."

"Okay, Potter. You're on. You go first."

Harry smiled and pulled her coat around her more. She got a sudden shiver with him looking at her. She racked her brain for questions and decided on a simple one to ease him in.

"Alright, what's your favorite color?"

"What? That's so boring!"

"Answer the question, Weasley."

"Red and gold of course."

Harry rolled her eyes. Gryffindor through and through.

"Of course. Your turn."

"Why can't you sleep at night?"

The question came so fast as if he had been ready to ask it the whole time that Harry was caught off guard. She stared at him wide eyed for a moment before answering.

"Because...because if I fall asleep I'm afraid I'll have more nightmares."

George's expression was unreadable and for a moment neither one spoke. It felt strange to voice aloud that she was afraid. Afraid of something as simple as going to sleep. She knew she could get dreamless sleep potion but that would require her admitting that she wasn't dealing with everything as well as people had assumed she was.

"Your turn," George said finally.

Harry nodded.

"Why do you think drinking will help?"

It was George's turn to look startled and Harry felt bad for a moment for giving him a hard question as he had her. She wasn't sure if the rules allowed for retracting a question but George answered before she could bring it up.

"I don't think it will help, but for a moment it helps me to forget how bad things are. It helps numb everything."

After that the questions grew easier and the two fell into an easy conversation unaware that people were coming and going all around them. Unaware that their drinks sat empty and cold. Harry asking George who his first crush was (a flirty 5th year Ravenclaw), George asking Harry what she daydreamed the most about (flying), and so on and so on.

"Alright, I've got one." George said. "What's the most impressive accidental magic you ever did as a child."

Harry bit her lip to keep herself from giggling like an idiot girl.

"What? Tell me!"

"Okay, okay. So when I was 10 almost 11 my aunt and uncle had to take me to the zoo with my cousin for his birthday-"

"Had to?

"They couldn't find anyone to watch me. Anyway-"

"Why would anyone need to watch you? Why would they not take you?"

"You're only allowed one question!"

"This is important information that goes along with the original question."

"No it doesn't-"

"Harry."

Harry sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Fine, fine. Normally they left me with someone during stuff like that. No one could watch me and they didn't trust me at home. So anyway my cousin and I are looking at this snake and-"

"Why wouldn't they trust you?"

"- I let the snake out on my cousin."

"What?"

"You didn't let me explain my story well with all your questions!" Harry said exasperated.

"There is so much fucked up with that whole situation."

"Yes, well, I didn't get to do a whole lot when I was a kid. I was actually pretty excited that day to go out. It was turning out to be a pretty nice day until the snake incident happened."

The way George was looking at Harry made her want to shrink down in her seat.

"What do you mean you didn't get to do a lot as a kid?"

"My aunt and uncle didn't like to include me on much. I was dumped on their doorstep and they didn't want me to burden them anymore than I already was."

"How were you a burden? Did they ever take you the park? Push you on a swing? Teach you to ride a bike-"

"How do you-"

"My dad loves muggle stuff, Harry. One year for Christmas we got a set of bikes."

"No."

George blinked.

"No?"

"No," Harry started slowly. "They didn't do any of that stuff with me. The zoo trip was the closest thing to a childhood memory I got and even that ended with me being locked away for accidentally setting a snake lose on my cousin."

"Locked away-" George was standing and pulling on his coat. "Screw this."

"Where are you going?"

"We are going to the goddamn zoo. We are leaving right now and breaking into the nearest zoo and getting your fucking childhood back."

And with that George grabbed her hand before she could protest and the next thing Harry knew things went black and she felt as though she was being pulled in different directions.