Author's Note: Things are about to get bumpy. Also, George gets sweary, and people talk about sex in a frank nature. Enjoy!

Epiphany: Chapter 3

"How could you not tell me that Angelina was seeing fucking Adrian Pucey!"

George stomped past Lee into the flat he shared with Alicia. The whole thing with Angelina and that Slytherin had been awkward. They'd stood around staring at each other and talking about the bloody weather. Pathetic! But George had thought if he stuck around long enough, Angie would offer him tea. It's not like he wanted to leave her there, alone, with that git, now did he? George had been wrong. Angelina had nearly kicked him out the door. Or maybe it was more of a "see you tomorrow", but it felt like a kick in the arse.

"George," Lee said, and shook his head. "It's damn near ten o'clock. You can't just show up unannounced—I have to work tomorrow. And, frankly, I was getting it on with the old lady."

"Nice, Jordan," Alicia said. She walked into the lounge wearing a blue dressing gown, her dark hair falling nearly to her waist. "What's this about Angelina and Adrian Pucey?"

"You didn't know?" George asked. He ignored the part about interrupting the two of them. Was everybody getting laid but him?

Alicia shook her head. "Tea?"

"Don't make this wanker tea," Lee shouted.

"Where are your manners?" Alicia replied, putting the kettle on.

"Yeah, Lee." George smirked. "Where are your manners?"

Lee glowered at him.

"Now, what's the matter, George?" Alicia asked.

Over tea, into which Lee had poured a tumbler full of Firewhisky, George explained about his night. Starting with the horror of the Live: Ron and Hermione Get It On show to the utter shock of finding Angelina cozied up with some Slytherin, and how all of that resulted in George cock blocking his old mate. The last part was said with a smirk.

"Angelina Johnson is seeing a Slytherin?" Lee asked, spitting out the last word. "And an old Quidditch rival? Is she under the Imperious?"

"Say," George said, sitting forward in his chair in the lounge. "I hadn't though of that. Of course! That explains it. I'll just go back and show that—"

"Stop it, the both of you," Alicia hissed with a withering glare for each of them. "Angie is a grown woman more than capable of making her own choices—even romantic ones. Besides, Pucey's not a bad guy."

"How can you say that?" George demanded. "He-he's a snake!"

"George, you played against him at school, you know that Adrian Pucey isn't like the others. He never took cheap shots on the pitch, and he didn't bully us in the hallways like the rest of the Slytherin team. I mean, I always thought he was snooty, but a nice bloke. I'm a bit surprised that he would date a half-blood though."

"See, he's a dick."

"Oh, stuff it, George. You're just jealous."

George flapped his lips. "I am not! You-you take that back."

"I'm torn," Lee said, looking from George to Alicia. "On one hand, George looks like a bloody trout right now and that's hilarious. On the other hand, Angelina is seeing a Slytherin, and that's foul."

"Grow up," Alicia said. She stood and walked into the kitchen. "We aren't in school any more, we have to get past these petty House rivalries."

"Petty?" Lee exploded. "Excuse me, but I seem to recall a whole boat load of quite grown up Slytherins trying to murder us last year."

"And Pucey wasn't one of them, was he? In fact, he fought on our side in the Battle, didn't he? And McGonagall trusts him enough to make him the new Defense professor, and that's all I need to know about him."

George squirmed in his seat. Damn, he should have known better than to take this to Lee and Alicia. Obviously, Lee harbored the correct amount of outrage and bullshite, but damn Alicia. She was always so level headed. Leave it to her to punch holes in all of George's arguments by actually being reasonable. Maybe Ron would have been a better choice. George could depend on his ickle brother to be justly irrational about all things Slytherin. But then there was Hermione. Bloody hell, but the number of females in his life was really messing up George's ability to be a stubborn git.

"Alright," George said. "If there's nothing wrong with Angelina dating a Slytherin, then why didn't she tell you about it?"

Alicia flinched, then looked away. "I don't know."

oOo

"Sorry I'm late," Katie said breathlessly the moment she tumbled out of the Leaky Caldron's Floo and staggered to the table where her two friends were sitting. "Bobby is teething and I couldn't get him settled. Oliver said he has it covered, but I think that means he'll just Floo-call his mother and I know that's a good thing, but I feel terrible for leaving him and—"

"Katie," said Alicia, and smoothed a wayward strand of the other woman's golden hair. "Don't worry yourself, we just got here."

"We were going to order the brunch special," Angelina said.

Katie sighed, slumping in her chair. "Banging idea."

Trying to find time when all three of them could get together had taken a month's worth of planning. Angelina was due to report to camp with the English national team in two days, Alicia was running her parents's beauty salon, and Katie and Oliver had just come back from a quick holiday. This grown up business was getting harder and harder to negotiate.

"George came around the flat in an utter tizzy the other night," Alicia said as she handed their menus back to waitress. "He said you're seeing Adrian Pucey."

Angelina blushed.

"Ooohhh, how is that going?" Katie asked. "Have you shagged him yet?"

"What? Katie! It's been three dates. What kind of slag do you take me for?"

Katie shrugged. "I'm just saying that a good shag would do you a world of good."

Angelina gaped at her friend.

"So you knew about Pucey?" Alicia asked Katie, then turned to Angelina. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Once more, Angelina found herself at a loss for words. Why hadn't she told Alicia? Merlin, there were so many excuses. Maybe because Alicia had fancied Adrian a bit at school, or because Angelina wasn't sure where this thing with him was going, but in truth Angelina was just out of the habit of telling Alicia about every part of her life. Over the last year, they had all taken great pains to protect Alicia from things that might upset her.

"It's just," Angelina started, but stopped. Reaching across the table, she covered Alicia's hand with hers. "I should have, but it's been such a whirlwind I haven't known what to think."

"But you must like him if you've gone out on three dates already," Alicia said with a smile, placing her other hand on top of Angelina's.

Angelina felt herself blush again. "I-I reckon I do. He's such a gentleman, even when he flirts. He has a way of making me feel excited and desirable instead of…harassed."

Like George did.

"Oh, and the way he kisses," Angelina continued.

"Finally, we're getting to the good part!" Katie said and leaned forward.

Angelina rolled her eyes, but was happy to continue. "He's even a gentlemen when he kisses. He's careful not to take any liberties without my permission, which is a nice change."

"And what have you permitted?" Katie asked with a giggle.

Oh, it was all too easy to get carried away with Adrian. His lips had a magic all their own, and the next thing Angelina knew, his hand would be on her ribcage and he was whispering in her ear. His fingers were rather magical, too. Sometimes Angelina worried that she wasn't moving fast enough. This was an adult relationship, and despite the easy access to liquor, and the fact that their snogging sessions happened in the rather clean and comfortable environs of her sitting room rather than some dark alcove, it still seemed like they were just reliving their teenage liaisons. That was another thing Adrian was good at, easing away her fear and awkwardness. He didn't expect too much from her. It wasn't just that he was reserved, he was holding back.

"You are such a bad influence," Angelina told Katie, wrinkling her nose.

"I am a respectable wife and mother," Katie replied with a smirk.

"And a year ago you were a teenager up the duff."

Katie giggled. "I still think you should shag him."

"Can you believe this one?" Angelina asked Alicia.

"Actually," Alicia said, "I agree with her. It's been a long time since you've been in any kind of relationship."

"Ugh, not you, too! Fine. Let's talk about something else. What are you going to do with the salon when you go back to St. Mungo's?"

Both of Angelina's friends went silent, and Alicia's eyes slid away.

"Did I miss something?" Angelina asked in a low voice.

"Um, well," Katie started.

"I decided not to return to the Healer program," Alicia said over Katie's mutterings. Alicia's voice came out with an edge to it as she stared Angelina directly in the eye.

Angelina's fingers tightened painfully around the edge of the table. "Why? We talked about this just—" She stopped. When was it they talked the Healer program last? "You were getting your paperwork together."

"I've thought it over," Alicia said. She shook her head like they were talking about buying the blue frock instead of the pink one. "It's been two years since I dropped out of the program, three since I've been in school, I'll never catch up with the other apprentices."

Twisted, confused emotions whirled around inside of Angelina. She glanced at Katie, who wore a pained expression, her arms wrapped around her middle. Angelina was angry, but she didn't know at whom. She was frustrated, but again, she didn't know where to place that feeling.

"When has that ever held you back?" Angelina challenged. "You're brilliant, you're a hard worker, it's just a matter—"

"What?" Alicia cut off, forcing a smile. "I can bust my arse for the next two years to be bottom of the class? Or maybe they would make me start all over again?"

"Would that be the worst thing that could happen? Bottom of the class or not, you'll still be a Healer. It's all you've ever wanted!"

"Well, maybe I don't want it any more."

"Bollocks," Angelina spat.

"Angie," Katie started.

"No," Angelina snapped with a hard look at Katie. "Are you going to tell me that Alicia wants to stay in that bloody salon?" She turned on her other friend. "You've always hated that place."

"It's not so bad," Alicia said.

"You hate doing other people's hair. You hate customer service. You hate the gossip and pettiness."

"Oh, and St. Mungo's will be so different," Alicia returned.

"I don't understand why you are giving up on your dream!" Angelina fired back.

"Angelina!" Katie admonished.

"Life's been kind to you," Alicia said and stood up. "You got the career you always wanted, you can see your mum any time you like—even if she drives you mental. Now you even have the guy, and George Weasley waiting in the wings."

Angelina's cheeks stung as if she'd been slapped. All she could do was stare, open-mouthed, at Alicia. Inside, Angelina's mind was racing almost as fast as her heart as she tried to find the dignity to square her shoulders and talk Alicia out of this nonsense.

"I'm sorry," Angelina stammered. "I'm ungrateful. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry…but why does that mean you can't still have your dream?"

Alicia threw her napkin onto the table. "Maybe it's not my dream any more."

With that, Alicia walked out. For a moment, Angelina was frozen in place, utterly gob smacked. What had she just done? Her hands were shaking and there was a burning in her chest like a thousand shards of glass. Balling her hands shut, Angelina shoved them under the table to keep Katie from seeing.

"Dammit," Katie muttered and pushed away from the table. "I'm not very good at being the lynchpin of our little trio."

"You knew about this?" Angelina accused. Her breath hitched in her throat. Not Katie's fault. "Why didn't you talk some sense into her?"

"What is there to say? She isn't ready to move on."

"What does Lee say about this? Why isn't he pushing her in the right direction?"

"Angelina." Katie shook her head.

"What?" Tears burned at the back of Angelina's eyes. "She hates that salon, Katie. Always has."

"And now it's the last bit of her parents that she has."

"So she should just cling to the past? That's not what Harold and Sharon would have wanted for her."

"Does it matter what they want anymore?" Katie burst out. "They wanted to show defiance to that bloody Commission instead of damn well going to the Continent like I did. All they got for their stubbornness is dead and now Alicia has no one left, except for us and ruddy Lee Jordan. I don't like that Alicia is wasting away in her parents' old salon, but I find a way to respect her decisions because she needs me to. And you're going to have to do the same."

Some terrible emotion that Angelina couldn't name clogged her throat. "I hate this."

"I do, too." Katie crouched beside Angelina's chair. "I'm going to go find Alicia. You take care of the food?"

Angelina watched Katie go.

oOo

After closing up the shop, George wandered up the stairs to his flat. It had two entrances, the one from the back of the building, but also one from inside. Quite handy really, especially at the end of a long day. All he wanted was a shower and a bottle of Butterbeer. Maybe later he'd get around to ordering take away and send an owl to Angelina at camp.

As it turned out, dinner was taken care of. His flat had been invaded, but at least the invaders had brought pizza and Butterbeer. Ron and Hermione sat side by side on the sofa with plates. Harry was on the floor with Ginny in his lap. Little Luna Lovegood was perched on the desk chair, her large eyes peering around the room as if she, and she alone, spied a rare animal flitting about, until they zoned in on George.

"Where's Longbottom?" George asked by way of greeting, slamming the door behind him. "One short of a regular D.A. meeting, aren't you?"

"Oh no," Luna said airily. "The D.A. is much larger than six."

"He pulled night duty," Ron answered, ignoring Luna altogether.

"George!" Ginny said with a bright smile. "I've hardly seen you."

"Don't get up," George said. "I'm sure your bum is all that hides Potter's hard on."

Harry, at least, had the good grace to blush. Not so much for George's devil of a sister.

"Since you've invaded my living space, I get pizza, right?" George snagged two slices before anybody could answer. "This isn't going to be a regular occurrence, is it?"

"We're flatmates," Ron said, and got another slice for himself. "That means I get to have my friends over."

"Common courtesy says you should inform me before you throw a party." George flopped into the chair.

"We'll remember that for next time," Hermione said.

"Ah, Hermione, cheers. Does that mean more than your toothbrush will be moving in?"

Hermione blushed, but Ron looked as if he'd like to kill George on the spot.

"As it happens," Ginny said. "We are celebrating."

"Oh?"

"Yes. You are looking at the newest Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies."

A genuine smile broke out across George's face. "That's great! They're a wild bunch up there, but Angie will love having you around."

"Hm," Ginny said with a knowing look. "I tell you my news and the first person you think of is Angelina Johnson. Interesting."

The tip of George's ear turned red.

"I've been thinking," Luna announced.

Bloody hell, George had completely forgotten Luna was there.

"I would like to lose my virginity to you, George."

Butterbeer came out of George's nose. Holy shite, that stung. He coughed, and pounded a fist against his chest. He stood up, then he sat down. Bloody hell, what had just happened?

"Um," George said. "Um." It bore repeating.

"Luna!" Hermione shrieked.

Ron was tittering like a schoolgirl beside Hermione. Harry, meanwhile, looked like he'd swallowed the Snitch.

"You can't just blurt out these things," Hermione said severely.

"You can't? I've given it some thought, and now seems an appropriate time. You and Ginny lost your virginities last summer. Most of the girls in the D.A. are having sex with somebody, and they all like it very much. Sex is a natural part of life, and I would like to experience it with somebody I know before I leave on the expedition to South America in August."

"But why George?" Harry asked.

"Neville was my first choice. He's always been so kind to me, but Ginny said Hannah would be quite upset."

"I should think," Hermione huffed.

"But why? It's just sex," Luna reasoned dreamily. "I don't wish to take Neville away from Hannah, I just want to share this experience with him."

"That makes no sense," Hermione argued. "Sex is an important part of a relationship between two people who are committed to each other."

"Not always."

"Getting back to Harry's question," Ron interrupted. The wanker had a shite-eating grin on his face. "Why George?"

"Ginny said I should choose somebody unattached. Somebody that I knew, and was attracted to. George is quite attractive."

"Cheers?" George squeaked.

"Well to each his own," Ron said, and smirked. "But you have heard about George's reputation, haven't you?"

"I've heard that he's a bad lover, yes," Luna said.

George sank down into the chair. For the first time in his life, he was glad that Fred wasn't there.

"I figure he needs some practice and instruction, just like I do. George, do you know where the clitoris is?"

That pronouncement was met with dead silence, followed by a burst of laughter.

That was it. George was dead, and he'd obviously gone to hell. There was just no other explanation for it. He could not possibly be living through this mortifyingly embarrassing conversation. The fates were simply not that cruel, were they? George remembered about his dead twin, and decided that they were, in fact, that cruel. Which meant he was probably alive, and that Loony Lovegood really had offered him her virginity.

"So, what say you, George?" Ron asked with a smirk.

"Ron, honestly!" Hermione scolded.

"Yes, George, would you like to have sex with me?" Luna said with such wide-eyed innocence that one would think she was asking for an ice cream from Fortescue's before the Death Eaters ransacked it and killed the old man.

"Um," George said. What did he say? "That's really…I'm honored…Let me think about it."

Then George sprinted for his room and slammed the door.

A/N2: See you next Tuesday!