Disclaimer: Not JKR

"I saw that!"

George rushed to a small freckled boy as he stood frozen against shelves of Skiving Snackboxes.

"Empty your pockets," said George calmly.

He watched as the boy produced a bunch of Puking Pastilles out of his pockets and placed them guiltily back in their boxes.

"Where's your mum?" asked George, gazing at the boy through wary eyes.

"Gringotts," the boy mumbled under his thick brown hair.

George rolled his eyes. Another child who'd snuck away from their parents to steal some of his products.

"I suggest you go back to her, before I give her a visit."

The boy nodded and scurried out of the shop as George made his way back behind the counter. He was finding it harder to sympathise with young pranksters, probably because of his encounter the previous day. Zoe Spinnet strutting – actually, it would probably make more sense if you replaced the word with another that sounded similar – around his jokeshop, taunting George about Fred. That was how bad it had seemed, no matter what her actual intentions were.

Today was going to be another rough day in the shop, George thought. Not only was it Easter holidays, but Verity had taken leave and only the new assistant Alita, the cashier and George were taking care of the shop. George watched as Alita carefully stacked a few WonderWitch products on the shelves. He decided to go and help her.

"Need a hand?"

Alita jumped, dropping a few bottles of Patented Daydream Charms in her shock. But George was quick with his wand, Summoning them in an instant.

"Sorry Mr Weasley," said Alita, blushing crimson. She reached out and took the Patented Daydream Charms from George and turned to put them on the shelf.

George stared at her wavy black hair with raised eyebrows before helping stack the bottles.

"Verity explained everything then?"

Alita nodded. She looked to be only in her teens, and seemed very shy. George wondered why Verity had hired her, and why Alita had even looked for work in a jokeshop.

"Right, well, Alita, we have a lot of pickpockets during the holidays," said George, certain that Verity had not explained this bit. "You've got to be alert. See that kid there? He's looking around; you know he's going to do something. Now, I want you to watch him for a moment, but still keep an eye on everything else and keep stacking. If he takes anything, be right on him. Get him to put it back and go back to his parents, escort him to them if necessary. You've got to show authority."

Alita nodded, a little overwhelmed at how much her job involved, and George walked back over to the counter, though not retreating behind it.

"Excuse me?"

The soft child's voice made George look down. He didn't ask the girl to turn out her pockets, or whether she needed help finding her mum, but instead bent down to look her full in the face. She had her hair, falling down to her elbows, as well as her face in general. But she had his eyes. And George knew, as he silently embraced the child, that she wasn't lost, but both of them were found.

George and Cleo broke apart and stared at each other for a moment, before Zoe stepped forward. Before anyone had time to say anything, however the bell above the door tinkled and Alicia walked in, clearly angry.

"Zoe, how could-"

She stopped when she saw George with her hands still gripping Cleo's shoulders, but couldn't bring herself to be angrier. It was George. She'd forgotten just how much he attracted her. It was like a force of nature, trying to pull her towards him. But she had to resist.

"C'mon Cleo, let's go," said Alicia, holding out her hand for Cleo.

"But Mum."

"C'mon, we'll get macaroni and cheese flavoured ice-cream, your favourite."

"Mum," said Cleo, wriggling free of George's grasp. "You can't win me over like that when this is the first time I'm seeing Dad."

"You're not supposed to be seeing him," said Alicia with a glare towards Zoe. She stood as casually as ever, inspecting her shiny blue nails.

"You said you love him," shouted Cleo suddenly, gathering the attention of the customers. Alita froze from her position reprimanding a young girl. "Last night, before you went to sleep. I heard you."

"I-I."

Alicia wasn't prepared for that, especially since she didn't even know herself. She looked at George, eyes sad. She gave in to the voice inside her head, the one that had been there the past six years telling her she loved George.

"I'm sorry," whispered Alicia.

George stood up and held his arms out. Alicia ran into them, knowing he was expecting nothing more than a hug but surprising him with a kiss.

"Miss Spinnet, you really know how to torture a guy," whispered George. But he placed a soft kiss on Alicia's forehead.

George Weasley's life was going to turn out okay after all.

AN: Well, that wraps up George's problem. Now, the others…