The students were heading back to Hogwarts now for the resume of the school year. Everyone enjoyed having time off, but they knew that they had to buckle down and work hard, since exams were in a few months. Ashleigh sat with Hermione and Ginny on the train ride back.
"Excited to get back to school and loads of homework?" Ginny asked.
"Yes", Hermione said, causing the two to laugh.
"Better than having nothing to do", Ashleigh said. They nodded in agreement.
"So how are you liking your new found relationship?" Ginny asked Ashleigh, who stayed quiet and looking out of the window.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked.
"I dunno, ask him", Ashleigh mumbled.
"Do I have to hex him?" Ginny asked. Ashleigh shook her head. "If you don't wanna talk to us about it, that's fine. But don't be afraid to talk to him about things, that's part of a good relationship".
"I know. I'm working on opening up. You two are the first I've ever opened up to about things. And a little bit to your mom Ginny", Ashleigh told them. They nodded in understanding. Ashley just stared out the window, thinking back to New Years. That was the only night they kissed, he also didn't talk to her much since that night. She thought maybe George was playing with her feelings and was dared to do it or something. Hermione noticed the look on her face.
"You alright?" She asked.
"Just thinking. I dunno if it was real", she admitted.
"If what was real?" Ginny asked.
"His feelings", she whispered, looking down.
"What on earth makes you think that?" Hermione asked.
"Well after that night, he never really came near me or spoke to me for the last three days we were there. Let alone kiss me again", she told them. "You never noticed?" They both shook their heads.
"Maybe he was just embarrassed about the way he did it in front of everyone", Hermione said.
"I dunno. It seems that maybe he was dared by Fred or something", Ashleigh told them.
"I know they're pranksters, but I don't think they'd go that far, as to play with an innocent girl's feelings", Ginny said.
"I'm doing it again", Ashleigh whispered, putting her head down.
"Doing what?" Hermione asked.
"Trying to find the fault in someone and making myself believe it was just a prank on me. I do it all the time", Ashleigh told them. They looked at each other and Hermione got up.
"I'll be back in a bit", Hermione told them and left. Hermione walked down the hall and to Fred and George's compartment. She didn't care who found out about them now that the Weasley family knew. "Fred, can I speak to you alone please?" She asked. He nodded, getting up and following her. They found a corner of privacy and she looked at him.
"What is it?" He asked.
"I need to ask you something. And you have to be honest", Fred nodded. "Did you dare George to kiss Ashleigh on New Year's to prank her?"
"Why would I do that?" He said.
"Just answer me please".
"No. I would never go as far as playing with someone's feelings. And George wouldn't either. Why?"
"Because Ashleigh just told Ginny and I that that's what it feels like. Because the last three days, after that night, he hardly went near her or spoke to her, and still hasn't", Hermione told him. He looked shocked.
"I never noticed", he said.
"This is how she always feels. We didn't even notice something so simple. We're terrible friends", Hermione sighed.
"Look, I'll talk to him and find out what's going on. And we're not terrible friends. Things just slip by", Fred told her. He kissed her and went back to his compartment where Lee and George were.
"Snogging session?" George laughed.
"Not exactly. Lee can you leave us alone for a minute? I feel bad, asking you to leave, but I need to talk to George about something private and that's easier than us finding a private spot", Fred asked, feeling so guilty.
"No problem, I can go bug other people. I'll see you guys later", Lee said and got up to leave.
"Thanks", Fred said. He made sure the door was shut tight.
"What's up?" George asked.
"Did someone dare you to kiss Ashleigh that night?" Fred asked seriously.
"No, of course not. Why?"
'Because it has come to my attention that after that night, for the last three days, you hardly went near her or spoke to her, up to right now. What's wrong with you?" Fred said. George looked guiltily to the floor. "I'm waiting".
"I know what it looks like. I think I jumped into it too fast. That was totally heat of the moment", George explained.
"Yeah, well now she thinks that you were just playing with her feelings. And I don't blame her!" Fred whisper shouted.
"I would never do anything like that. You know I wouldn't", George said. He was surprised by what Fred had told him and knew he had to fix it.
"I know, but I still don't blame her for feeling like that. For all you know, that could've been her first kiss and you took it from her without the intention of being with her", Fred told him.
"I know. I'm gonna go talk to her", Georgesaid, and left.
"Where were you?" Ginny asked.
"I went to talk to Fred. Is that a problem?" Hermione asked jokingly.
"Not at all", Ginny said. They looked at Ashleigh who had gotten her muggle Discman out and was listening to her muggle music.
"Fred said he didn't dare George and that neither of them would go that far. I just feel terrible that we didn't notice and talk to her about it". Hermione said.
"Me too. Especially since she has depression, who knows what she might do", Ginny whispered as George opened the compartment door.
"Can you two go bug Fred for a bit? I need to talk to Ashleigh", George asked. They were more than happy to oblige, if it meant getting this straightened out. Ashleigh hadn't noticed the girls leave or hear George come in as she had her music on loud and was staring out the window. George sat down across from her. She still didn't notice he was there, or if she did, she was ignoring him. He tapped her knee, making her jump a bit.
"What're you doing here?" She asked quietly, taking her headphones out.
"Same as you, going back to school", he joked. She just kept looking out the window. "Please look at me". It took her a few minutes before she finally looked at him. "Look, I know what you think. But I want you to know that I would never play with anyone's feelings like that, but especially yours. I know I haven't really come near you or spoken to you since that night, but it's not because of you".
"It's not you, it's me? Really?" She said.
"I know it sounds corny and over-rated. But what I meant is that… I think I jumped into it so fast, that it frightened me of how kissing you made me feel. I've never had these feelings before, so I got scared", he told her. "And I've never opened up like this with anyone but Fred, so your silence is frightening", he told her after she didn't say anything for a few minutes.
"I don't know what you want me to say", she finally said.
"I don't want you to say anything", he said moving over beside her. "I want you to kiss me back", he said, closing the distance between them. After a few seconds, she kissed him back. "Thank you', he mumbled. "And I'm sorry", he added, pulling away from her.
They heard a couple low screams from the hall and George turned around to see Ginny and Hermione there. He shook his head and laughed. Some people got up to see what the scream they heard was, but was told it was nothing and to mind their own business.
