Chapter 2
George had exiled himself to the flat above the shop since the funeral. He made it clear that he wanted to see no one; not family, not friends, not her. He even charmed the locks on the shop and flat to keep away any visitors.
"Well George. It's going to take more than a few ruddy charms to keep me from getting thru this door" said Angelina more determined than ever.
She was a cleaver witch who had excelled in Charms and Spells.
"Clearly someone's forgotten I received high marks on both my O.W.L.S. and N.E.W.T.S in charms."
She made quick work of both the shop and flat doors.
When Angelina came over the first few days he didn't even acknowledge she was there. The visits were brief; she'd pick-up some about the flat to busy herself. She would talk to him but he never answered. The one sided conversations weren't about anything in particular, sometimes about the weather…sometimes about the latest Quidditch match. She'd prepare lunch which was nothing elaborate mostly breakfast foods but it didn't matter he never ate. He either lay in bed or on the couch the whole time.
George looked awful, he was way too thin; his hair was dirty and uncombed. He had stubble growing on his unwashed face and he hadn't changed his clothes in days. This was not the George she knew but this was the George that was here now.
Every day she came.
Every day.
Finally after the first week or so he began to look at her. No eye contact but she knew he was watching her. After another week he finally spoke.
"How long are you going to do this?" he asked rather callously.
"Tired of my cooking already?" Angelina quipped back jokingly. There was silence. She proceeded to set the table for lunch.
"You don't have to do this. I don't want you to do this. I don't need or want you here" he said bitterly.
"Well…what about what I want Mr. Weasley? Do I not get a say in this?" she asked.
He gave no reply, he just leered at her "I'm here because I want to be. If you ask me to leave I will but I will be back. You're my mate and I'm worried about you" said Angelina in a matter of fact tone. "I know you don't need me here but have you ever thought that… maybe I need to be here. I miss him too. We all do. George …I already lost one mate I won't lose you too. "
Again silence.
Angelina finished setting the table, sat down and began to eat. George got up from the couch and sat across from her. Nothing else was said that day but he did eat a little lunch.
Every day Angelina came by and slowly he began to resemble at least in appearance the young man she knew before. He shaved the stubble from his face. He began to bath regularly again and dressed more like he did before. Although his hair was longer at least now it was clean and combed. He eventually began to talk to her, not conversations only one or two word replies. He would eat lunch with her and in time he actually started to clear the table after they ate.
"Nice to see you clearing the table, it's the least you can do seeing how you've been getting my magnificent cooking and extraordinary cleaning all for free, eh!" teased Angelina.
A small smile briefly crept across George's face then quickly dissipated. Angelina felt as though she had won the Tri-wizard Tournament, it was working.
George was slowly improving but Angelina realized she needed reinforcements; enough time had now gone by so Angelina headed to the Burrow. She explained to Mrs. Weasley and Ginny how she was spending time with George and he seemed to be a bit better. They both thought it was wonderful what she was doing to help him. Angelina encouraged the family to drop by George's flat. Yes, he was still sad, withdrawn, even angry at times because of course he was still grieving but she knew his family loved and missed him deeply. They needed him and whether he would admit or accept it he needed them too. His family knew how George could be and they agreed to allow him to come around at his own pace, they were prepared to be patient.
A few days later Ginny came by the flat shortly after they finished lunch. George managed a weak hug. Ginny and Angelina did most of the talking but George actually added a few words to the conversation. However after about ten minutes he got up, went in his room and closed the door. Ginny was hurt of course but understood, he was still coping as best he could. The days passed and various family members and eventually friends came by the flat. Their visits got longer and more frequent. George even surprised his parents by coming to the Burrow for their anniversary dinner later that month. He asked Angelina to come along with him which she did, it was the first time he had been back to the Burrow since the day of the funeral.
Shortly after the visit to the Burrow, Angelina began the task of slowly cleaning the shop; she did a little every day. Harry, Ginny, Alicia, Lee and Katie came over and joined her in tackling the enormous job of sorting out the shop below and little by little they made progress. Ron and Hermione joined in as well once they returned from Australia. It took time and many tears were shed but their effort paid off, the wonder that was Weasley Wizarding Wheezes was almost as good as new.