This chapter is kinda crappy... Sorry about that, I was hungry TT____TT
***
The next few weeks found a very confused George trying to find stable ground with Ash. However, Ash was having none of it. She was devious, teasing George constantly and treating him like a little kid, and soon George longed for the kind, caring Ash, who fussed about and worried too much.
Luckily for George, the change in Ash didn't go unnoticed. Fred stood by, watching and waiting, for the right moment to strike. One day, he confronted her in the study, the same place where she had kissed George just a few weeks before.
"So. Ash," he said.
"Hm?" Ash turned to face him.
"You've been acting strange lately."
"Really? I hadn't noticed."
In one swift movement, he had her by the wrists in an iron grip.
"Why?" he asked. Ash stared defiantly up at him, her eyes hard.
"Why not?" she said. "Maybe I needed a little change."
He stared at her, waiting. The hardness in her eyes flickered, and she dropped her gaze. When she looked up again, the hardness was gone, replaced by sadness and pain.
"I'm sorry. I know I've been horrible."
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to," Fred said, smiling. Ash stared at him, finally realizing just how horrible she had been. Fred hugged her once, for luck.
"He hates me now, doesn't he?" Ash asked.
"He doesn't hate you. He could never hate you. He loves you too much," Fred said kindly. Ash looked at him, eyes doubting but trusting at the same time.
"I have to talk to him," she said, and ran from the room.
***
Ash found George in his room, looking out the open window.
"George?" she called softly. He turned, and when he saw her, something like fear appeared on his face, then vanished quickly. A pain went through Ash's heart. She had made her best friend fear her. How?
"Come to antagonize me more, I suppose?" he said dully.
"No. Not at all," Ash said. He looked at her.
"Sure. Whatever."
"George. Please," she said, walking over and sitting across from him. "Please."
He looked at her again, then turned away. He doesn't trust me anymore, she realized. He thinks that it's all a trap. She bit her lip to keep from crying. I can't cry. I'm through with crying. I have to make this right again. Crying won't help.
"What do I have to do to prove to you that I'm serious?" she asked. He stared out the window, deep in thought. When he turned and looked at her again, she knew the answer. Ash leaned in and kissed him gently.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I was terrible. I'm sorry."
George stood up, and made as if to leave.
"Don't go, please!" Ash cried, jumping up and grabbing his arm. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry!" Slowly, he turned to face her. He was smiling.
"Don't be thick," he said, pulling her to him. "I'm not gonna walk out on my best friend." Ash was frozen with shock and happiness, not sure whether to cry or to laugh. When George broke away, he asked,
"What about… what happened in the study?"
"Let's not talk about it," Ash said. "Let's not talk about it ever. It's not worth the risk."
"Look, I'm really sorry about that," George began. Ash shook her head.
"Let's not talk about it… ever," she repeated. George grinned.
"Fine, fine."
Just then, Fred burst into the room.
"You two've made up? Good, grab your wands and hurry!" he said.
"What for?" Ash asked.
"You-Know-Who's attacking Hogwarts!" Fred yelled as her ran from the room.
***
Augh! Too much kissing!! DX Sorry, couldn't think of anything better. I guess it's good that there's so much GeorgexAsh here, because you won't see any of that for a looooong time. Xp Now if you'll excuse me, I have a heart-wrenching death scene to write. Gotta get my game face on.