Disclaimer: Harry Potter isn't mine; this story is.

A/N: Sorry this took so long. Talk about major writer's block for a change. I know this is short, but at least it's something. Hopefully it'll jump start the creative juices again. Oh, and the angst is back here in full force.

The shop was bustling that day, and it wasn't until mid-afternoon that Katie showed up. It only took her a quick look at George to see that something was bothering him, but she knew better than to ask him about it at that moment. Nothing made George shut down more effectively than being asked about his feelings in a crowd, and Katie now knew this better than anyone. It was closing time when they finally had the chance to talk.

As he shut the door behind the last customer, George let out a sigh of relief and turned to Katie with an expectant smile. It was weaker than it normally was, but she smiled back and wrapped her arms around him, kissing him deeply.

When they broke apart at last, the smile on George's face was a lot more genuine, and Katie giggled.

"What," he asked her innocently as he began to move around the store, straightening up the shelves and whisking random streamers out of sight.

"Oh, nothing," she said, watching him tucking a box of extendable ears back into its stack. "You just seemed kind of out of it when I came in; that's all."

He went quiet, and Katie winced. So she hadn't been imagining it. It was a while before he said anything, and when he did, he muttered, "Yeah, so Ron and Hermione got engaged last night."

Katie's face lit up, and she clapped her hands together in delight. "That's wonderful!" she exclaimed.

George nodded, but he didn't say anything more, and he avoided Katie's inquisitive eyes as he moved down the shelves, making every effort not to think about Ron or their conversation from the night before. He knew Katie could read him better than most anyone else these days, and he knew that if he allowed himself to think about it, she'd get it out of him somehow.

He didn't know why he bothered. He had his back to her and was running his fingers along the boxes, pretending to count, when she was suddenly behind him. She rested her hand lightly on his back, and he suddenly found himself blinking hard, trying to clear his vision.

Neither of them spoke for a few minutes, and George struggled unsuccessfully to control his breathing. Katie left her hand on his shoulder but didn't speak. She knew he would need to talk first.

Finally, he let out a deep breath and turned slightly. He still wouldn't meet her eyes, but she could see the slight tinge of red around his, and she swallowed hard.

"It's just… it's hard to do this by myself," he said, his voice hoarse. He stared straight ahead, seemingly oblivious to Katie's presence.

"But… you aren't," she said softly. "You have Bill and Charlie and Percy and Ginny…"

She trailed off as he turned to look at her at last. His eyes were pained, and she could see what he was thinking, that she didn't understand. And she realized something. She didn't.

"It's like… it's not real if Fred doesn't know about it," he mumbled as he looked away again, and she felt a pit lodge itself in her stomach. But she listened, and he continued to talk – and continued not to look at her.

"I don't know how to be happy about things if he doesn't know that they're happening," he whispered. He felt like he'd never swallow again, and he was about to completely turn his back on Katie when her grip on his shoulder tightened. It surprised him enough that he looked at her instead.

"Do you really think he doesn't know?" she asked softly, pouring all of the love and compassion she felt into the question. He stared at her, and she added, "if anyone were ever going to watch over anyone else, George… I'm sure Fred would do his level best to make sure to do it for you."

A tear slipped down George's cheek, and he wiped it away quickly. He shook his head.

"No."

Katie stared at him, and he finally looked her directly in the eye. "If he wanted to watch over me," he choked, his voice suddenly strained, "he would still be here. He could be a ghost. Like Nearly Headless Nick. But he isn't. He didn't stay. And now he'll never know about anything that happens here ever again."

His shoulders started to shake, and he covered his eyes with his hand. She slowly moved closer until she could wrap her arm around his waist, and they stood together, his hand over his face, her arms around him, until he calmed down.

After a few moments of silence, Katie said softly, "I guess I do understand now. But… I think you need to talk about this with someone else too. I … I don't know how to help make this better. If you can't be happy about Ron and Hermione, then I don't know what will make you happy."

George didn't answer. He knew she was probably right, but he wasn't ready to admit that yet. After a silence that convinced Katie that this conversation was effectively over, she decided to change the subject herself.

"So what are we doing tonight?" she asked, and now George sighed.

"Mum is making another celebratory dinner for the happy couple. Hermione's parents might even come. She told me I should bring you… if you want to come," he added hastily.

Katie looked at him questioningly. "Well, of course I'll come… if you want me to?"

He nodded quickly. "Yeah," he said, brushing his hand quickly across his eyes and breaking gently out of her embrace. His back to her, he mumbled, "Thanks."

Katie didn't answer. She simply watched him as he tried to busy himself, and she suppressed a sigh. She understood his sadness. She did. But she knew she didn't really understand why this was suddenly so hard. She wished she knew who would.