*I don't understand why so many people are opposed to the pairing of Angelina and George. It was never actually clear that she and Fred dated, aside from attending the Yule ball together, and even if that had been the case, I disagree that it makes her a slut or a bad person because she ended up with George. It takes two to tango, which implies that George took a liking to her as well. Fred died; both George and Angelina loved him, and his death broke everyone, I'm sure. I think that George and Angelina found solace in each other, which I hardly consider abominable. Even if she had been dating Fred, it's not like they were married. It saddens me to think that so many people would rather her have ended up alone and for George not to have recognized that they shared something in common, thus bringing them together. Alas, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and writing their own stories. I'm feeling somewhat inclined to make this story end sadly just because I find it irritating when people bash the idea of George and Angelina together. Who knows? She may end up with no one at all. I write for the people who honestly enjoy what I do. But I also write for myself. All of that being said, this is not a George/Angelina story, it is a Draco/Angelina story. And now I'm done talking about that.
Bell, Book and Candle – Eddi Reader
George's lips on mine felt somewhat unsure and I could understand why. He sat up carefully, lifting my head off the floor.
"Angie," he started, blinking at me.
"It's okay," I said, beginning to stand up. George's eyes followed me but he stayed put on the floor, until I walked over to something that was covered and started to pull the dusty sheet off of it. George and I didn't speak again until Ron and Hermione showed up, Harry and Ginny a minute or so later, and finally Bill with Fleur, Percy, and Charlie. George had asked us to help him out in the store. When we were all standing in the same place, George cleared his throat and called us to attention.
"You're all here because you think I want to reopen Weasley's Wizard Wheezes," he began, and a pang filled my chest as I knew I was about to hear some bad news.
"George, what do you mean, think?" Ron asked, taking a few steps towards his brother, who closed his eyes slowly and just stood there for a few seconds. He looked down at the floor, folding his arms.
"I can't reopen this store so long as Fred isn't here to help me with it."
I heard Ginny gasp, and then start to cry.
"Wh-what?" Ron asked fretfully.
"Hang on, George. What are you saying?" Bill put in.
"I can't," said George firmly, angrily, although I knew he was just trying not to break down again.
"It wouldn't be the same," he said, turning away and walking towards the register. I looked over at Ginny who had her face buried in Harry's chest where she wept.
"George…it was his dream, too. How can you go and throw it away like this?" Ron asked, his eyes blazing with rage, and also tears. Hermione stood there unsure of what to do or say. George wasn't facing us. He had his arms crossed and was staring ahead at the wall.
"But you can't!" said Ron, hurrying around the counter to face George, who merely shook his head.
"It's too soon, that's all," said Ron, raising his shoulders.
"No, it's not," said George, turning to face Ron.
"It was our store. It's not possible without Fred…It reminds me too much of him, and I can't handle it," he admitted, before starting up the stairs to the flat he'd once shared with his twin and slamming the door shut. Ron stared into space angrily. I couldn't believe George would just give up like that, on everything he and Fred had worked for. I shook my head, starting up the stairs. I was going to talk some sense into him. When I reached the flat door, it was locked. I used my wand to get it open and found George standing only a few feet inside the door, staring at everything, thinking of Fred.
"Just go away, Angelina," said George quietly. I wondered how he'd known it was me; he hadn't even turned around.
"How'd you know it was me?" I asked, saying aloud what I was thinking.
"You're stride. It's rather unique," he said blankly.
"George, think about what you'd be throwing away—"
"No!" he said angrily, spinning around to reveal his tear stained face.
"Just get out of here and don't come back if you're not going to help me get rid of all this stuff," he spat. I felt my heart crumble a bit as I fell back against the wall, surprised by George's outburst. His eyes totally glazed over and I knew he would start to cry again. But I turned my back and hurried down the stairs before I had the chance to see the tears fall, nearly crashing into Ron on my way down. I went outside into the alley, wiping my eyes and taking deep breaths. I couldn't go back there, not merely because I couldn't help George pack up the store, but because it hurt so much to think that Fred was actually gone and wouldn't be coming back. I stopped around a corner in the alley, not even sure which way I'd turned. All I knew was that I was overcome with grief, so much that it stopped me and my heart literally hurt as the tears flowed out of my eyes. I blinked and was glad to find myself alone. No one had to see me like this. Once I was able to regain my composure, I realized that I had stalked into Knockturn Alley. I hadn't even realized where I was. The place was utterly deserted. I slid down the wall, feeling a sense of complete hopelessness. I was all alone and I just wanted somebody to be there for me, somebody to tell me it would be alright. Draco popped into my head, as he occasionally did. I realized at that moment with extreme pain how much he still meant to me, and then it hurt even worse when I realized that I had no idea what had become of him. I closed my eyes, trying not to think. I heard somebody walking towards me. Whoever it was paused.
"Angelina? Angelina Johnson?" said an unfamiliar pleasantly deep, yet soft voice.
I looked up to find Blaise Zabini staring down at me.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"…I suppose that's hardly any of your business," I said carelessly, quickly wiping my eyes.
"Are…are you alright?"
"Why would you care?"
"Hey, I'm not the enemy," he said abruptly.
"What side were you on?" I asked, leaning up off the wall. I didn't have the patience to deal with any more Slytherins, but then it occurred to me that this was the first time I'd ever directly interacted with Blaise. It was new to me. All I knew was that he had been a Slytherin, and friends with Draco.
"You know, not every wizard out of Slytherin turned out rotten. Did you ever get the memo about Snape?" Blaise asked me sarcastically. I sighed. No use in fighting, I thought. The Armageddon was over; good had triumphed.
"Look, I should get going," I said unsurely, but stopped when I started in one direction, not knowing where the hell I was headed. I turned in the other direction and realized I was equally as lost. Blaise looked at me, waiting for me to ask him for directions. I stopped and sighed, thinking it would probably be best to apparate.
"Would you like some tea?" Blaise asked. I looked up at him.
"You look like you could use refreshment."
I was curiously intrigued by his kindness.
"…I guess it couldn't hurt," I shrugged.
"I know a place," Blaise said, and I followed him deeper into Knocturn Alley, totally unknowing of where I was headed.