Yay more story!
The Other Malfoy
Chapter Thirty Four
As they stepped out of the fireplace and through to the Burrow, George inhaled deeply and knew the familiar smell of aromas from the kitchen like fresh bread and pastry and tea, and the smoky smell of the curtains and rugs, the dusty smell of the brick of the walls.
George put the bags he was carrying down by the couch. A second later, Aurelia stepped through, and George immediately took her hand. She glanced around, taking in her surroundings. There was a lot to take in, George supposed as he looked around. A lot of different colours, mix-matched furniture, strange paintings, random decorations and knick-knacks everywhere – the place stank of nostalgia.
"Welcome to the Burrow, Aurelia," said George. "This is my home."
Before he could say any more, Molly Weasley came rushing through from the kitchen, arms wide as she collected her son in a mighty hug. "George! Just in time for breakfast, too!"
George hugged Molly back, putting up with the kiss on the cheek before he stepped back and said, "Mum, this is Aurelia Malfoy. Aurelia, this is my mother, Molly Weasley. She's going to hug you now."
The last part was less of a warning and more of a fact, and Aurelia clearly restrained stepping backwards as she let herself be embraced by the Weasley matriarch. George smiled at her and gave her the thumbs up, and she managed a small smile in return.
Molly let her go, and put her hands on Aurelia's shoulders, saying, "I hope you know that you are most welcome here, my dear, and you can stay as long as you have to. This place feels so empty nowadays… can you imagine, seven children running around this house? Seven! And six of them boys! I don't know how I ever managed, you know…"
Aurelia followed Molly quietly to the kitchen, where Molly began asking her if she wanted some breakfast – the table was already set, with a large bowl of porridge, fresh toast with scrambled eggs and bacon, beans and sausages, with a pot of tea and a jug of orange juice standing patiently by.
If Aurelia didn't put on weight here, she never would.
George had explained to Molly earlier that morning, before bringing Aurelia around, all the things she had been through, and all of the minor details, too – like how she couldn't talk, how she couldn't eat too much or else she'd become sick, how she needed to be looked after constantly. Molly was a sucker for a sad story and had immediately offered to take her in, to keep her safe until she could return home.
The Aurors – that is, Harry, Ron, Gawain Robards and a few others – had weighed up the options (which included Malfoy Manor, George's flat, Harry's flat, Grimmauld Place, Hogwarts and a few random safe-houses available for Ministry use) and decided that Aurelia would be safest in a more familiar place, where she could be with someone at all times, be protected and be hidden. A number of factors including residents of the homes, knowledge of her whereabouts, her emotional state and her level of protection were considered.
The Burrow was the best chance they had at keeping her safe.
George was also made responsible for her secrecy – he was to keep tabs on how she was doing and provide necessary disguises, should she need to go anywhere or be seen by anyone other than the close-knit circle who knew where she would be. George knew he'd be going to the Burrow to check up on her most nights anyway.
And as for the situation with the Malfoy family, the Aurors had made the executive decision that they were not to go see Aurelia at the Burrow, but she would go to meet them either at George's shop or the Malfoy Manor. If the Malfoys were being monitored, their travelling to the Burrow would cause Aurelia's safety to be compromised.
That solved the awkwardness issue, then, thought George.
He sat down beside Aurelia at the table, watching Molly place food on her plate. A piece of toast with eggs, one piece of bacon, beans, a sausage – George could see Molly hesitate as though she were about to put another sausage on the plate, glancing at how thin Aurelia was – but George saw her and he shook his head. Molly smiled and placed the plate in front of the blonde haired girl, and said, "Don't be shy, dear, eat as much – or as little as you like."
Aurelia smiled, and picked up her knife and fork and began to eat. George poured her an orange juice when he asked her which she would prefer, and then he piled a hearty breakfast on his plate. He didn't get such good treatment at his own flat.
And judging by Ron arriving not long after, he didn't suppose Hermione made him breakfast like this either. It's hard to get out of the habit of being fed constantly. Hermione followed him through the door, saying she'd forgotten her keys, and they sat down to eat.
Arthur arrived not long after, and introduced himself to Aurelia. "Such a pleasure to meet you," he said. "George has told us all about you."
Aurelia paused and glanced at George, with a slightly concerned expression. George's lips twitched in a smile. "Only the good bits," he said quietly to her.
She smiled.
The conversation was light-hearted and casual, as George remembered it. Ron was busy trying to explain to his dad that Hermione and he were going to be deciding between hydrangeas and hyacinths for the wedding, and George could see he was struggling to remember the difference. Hermione and Molly talked for a while about clothes and shopping, before Hermione said, "I've actually got quite a few clothes I don't wear anymore, that might fit you, Aurelia."
Aurelia glanced up, and George could see she had her thinking face on. Hermione was quick to add, "Of course, you don't have to, but I mean if you were interested…"
George saw Aurelia grab out her notebook and write something to Hermione, who nodded and said, "Sure, I can do that. If you're settled in by tonight, I might drop past." She smiled and Aurelia gave a small smile in return before continuing to slowly eat her breakfast.
"Another long day at the shop, George?" asked Arthur, sick of talking about flowers with Ron who had become distracted by the bacon.
George nodded. "As always. But I've also called a favour in with Oliver Wood – his Quidditch team didn't make the finals so he's got a few weeks off."
"That's good," said Arthur. "Maybe take the load off a bit."
"Hopefully. But the last time I asked Oliver to help out he ended up taking Verity out for dinner."
Hermione giggled. "Of course he did. Oliver is charming." Her comment earned her an annoyed expression from Ron, who still had a mouthful of bacon, and she said, "Well, what do you want me to say? He is charming."
George rolled his eyes. Yes, it was a fact, Hermione was right. He just hoped he wouldn't find Verity kissing him in the storeroom again.
When George returned later that night, he found Hermione and Ginny in the living room, sorting through piles of clothes that both of them had bought around for Aurelia. They were smiling and giggling – clearly having far too much fun with another girl around.
George was pleased to find Bill and Fleur in the kitchen, Fleur looking exhausted – probably from having to carry such a ridiculously heavy stomach everywhere with her, even if she still had a few months to go. She wasn't fit for travelling, but George knew she always made effort to maintain her relationship with Molly.
Bill looked a little tired, too. George guessed it was about another week until the full moon, and though it didn't affect him nearly as much as other werewolves, his lycanthropy still did cause him some grief. George was collected in a hug by his older brother, who said, "You need a haircut, George. You're looking nearly as ridiculous as me."
George smiled at him. "It hasn't been this long since we were – since I was fourteen."
"And you used to wear those stupid beanies," Ginny called out as she wandered through the room. A few chuckles followed her teasing comment and George shook his head, grinning as he picked up a butterbeer from the table.
"Yes, but at least I haven't had the hots for Harry Potter since I was eleven," he retorted.
The friendly banter went back and forth for a while. George then saw, in the corner of his vision, Aurelia sitting out on the front deck with Andromeda Tonks, who sat in the rocking chair with Teddy in her lap. Teddy's wiggling fingers reached out to Aurelia, and then Andromeda picked up her grandson and passed him to Aurelia.
Aurelia was a little shocked but held Teddy gently and smiled as he cackled and gurgled. Aurelia was already wearing some of Hermione's clothes, a dark red skirt which fell past her knees, black tights, lace-up boots and a large off-white sweater to keep her warm. Considering how cold it was George assumed she was wearing a few more layers. He loved the way she dressed, even if she did cover up all of her skin. She was wearing a collared shirt again, with a light yellow scarf.
George could understand why she loved wearing such warm, cosy clothes. She had been, prior to the war, probably accustomed to wearing very prim and proper clothes, as she had been a Malfoy child, and throughout her captivity she would not have been given any new clothes at all. She found comfort and warmth in the clothes she was wearing.
She caught his eye through the window and instantly smiled as she saw him. Andromeda saw the glance they shared and she gave George a knowing look, which he pretended not to see. Aurelia stood up with Teddy in her arms and Andromeda opened the door for her to come inside.
George greeted them both, kissing Andromeda on the cheek and giving her a warm hug, and then he smiled at Aurelia and kissed her on the forehead. He saw her look a little surprised, but he simply grinned and then he gave Teddy a big raspberry kiss on his cheek, making the small boy giggle.
George wondered for a moment, why he had thought it was appropriate to kiss Aurelia, even if it was on the forehead. It reminded him of Tabitha – he had done the same thing to her. Maybe it was something drilled into him by Molly. She gave kisses out left, right and centre. But he tried not to dwell on it.
Andromeda went to say hello to Bill and Fleur while George stayed with Aurelia and Teddy.
"So when are you due, my dear?" said Andromeda to Fleur.
"Not till May," she said with a sigh. "I want it to be over with."
"Don't we all," muttered Bill, flashing Fleur a charming smile and a loving kiss when she turned to chastise him.
"Did you have a nice day then?" George asked, turning back to Aurelia, as he let Teddy play with the buttons on his jacket.
Aurelia nodded, and pointed at her skirt, and then at Hermione. George understood, and said, "Yeah, I did notice that – have they been making you try things on all day?"
Aurelia shook her head, but she smiled.
"All afternoon?"
She nodded. George laughed, and said, "Well, they aren't used to having another girl around. They're having far too much fun with you."
Aurelia glanced over to where the girls were standing in the kitchen, helping Molly with the potatoes. George would talk to her later about how she felt staying at the Burrow, but right now she was busy holding Teddy, so he continued to play with him and tickle him, taking him into his arms and spinning him around the room, watching Teddy's hair grow bright purple in his delight.
George smiled, watching the toddler's face morph as he tried to copy George. He got the nose almost spot on, and his hair turned a strange shade of ginger. "Is that what I really look like?" George asked with a gasp. "Merlin, am I ugly?"
The others laughed at him, and Aurelia smiled. George was pleased her transition from the shop to the Burrow had been smooth – and he hoped that she would stay there for a while. It made him feel better, more than anything, knowing she was safe, even if he couldn't be with her all the time. But that said, he wasn't able to stay with her at all times even when she was at the shop.
After Valentine's week was finished, it would be easier for George to see her.