Disclaimer: The regular disclaimer still stays in place, I owe nothing but the AU and OC. The rest belongs to JKR.(ga)
I made Astoria Greengrass the elder sister and Daphne Greengrass the younger one, for the sake of this series. They will stick to their individual characteristics otherwise.
Chapter 17
George had walked in, but he really couldn't manage to say much about the Seamus was holding Daphne close in his arms. Perhaps it was the other way around. He was more drawn to the way Astoria had been standing beside Draco. They did look perfect together. He had tried to look everywhere but she did have a way to capture his attention without even saying a word.
Dean had mentioned how Greyback had fatally wounded the Greengrass parents, though that was not news to any of the Order members. But him getting matched with Astoria Greengrass was a miracle. He was sure she would have been happy to marry any of the pureblood rich bachelors. Not him, a blood traitor. Even in those shabby robes, she looked like an angel. For the first time, George had felt inadequate in front of her. How could one shine from within? He marveled at the way she had held herself up. Trying to be strong, just like he was trying to be strong. She was fighting with the world to keep her sister safe. He was doing the same, to ensure his sister's safety. Were they any different?
She had walked a step closer. He had then noticed, that they were alone in that room. Lowering his head, he had swallowed a bit, ashamed and self-conscious. Why did he have to drink so much last night? The Pepper up Potion that Ginny had forced down his throat in the morning might have helped him feel a little better. He had also gulped down some sober up potion, just in case. He wished badly; he could have dressed a bit better. What would his mother think? He had chuckled despite himself George, I taught you better, when you go out, you got to dress well, not like this… hair standing out, tie horridly knotted, robes draped clumsily. She would…Mum has gone, so has dad, so has Percy...Ron…now Ginny too…He had shaken his head a bit to free his mind of the sinking feeling that had been there like an iron ball chained to his heart.
Standing straighter, He had managed to smile. Extending his hand, he had managed to call for a truce. "Hi, I am George Weasley." When Astoria had simply stared back at him, he had clumsily brought back his hand, confused. Wiping his sweaty hands on his wrinkled trousers, he had decided to bow, as they do before a dance, or should I just take her hand and plant a kiss on it…
To say George Weasley was just amusing was the understatement of the millennium. He along with his twin, was the reason, behind the Slytherins, slightly tolerating the Gryffindors. Their pranks were innovative and surprising. They could have been passed away as the life of the castle. They all had to be extra cautious around those two.
Even without an ear he had a handsome face, sturdy, rough, boyish when he would smile, he should smile often, did he knew his eyes would shine with mirth each time he would manage to smile, Astoria had tried hard to remember all those several occasions when she had seen the twins laughing in the corridors, or flying on their brooms during a quidditch match. She was also trying not to smile. Here was a veteran prankster, failing to introduce himself to his intended wife. How fitting, to defeat your to be husband even without uttering a word…When he had honestly bowed low, she had giggled and then had burst out laughing.
When he had gaped at her like a fish, she had rocked on her heels and had held on her aching sides, he was funny, truly, genuinely a very animated man.
A shy smile had made its way up to his lips, he was surely blushing, beetroot red perhaps. He had tried to hold on to that dwindling composure, what would those waiting outside think of them? Hell, this was a serious matter! So, he had simply shoved his hands inside his pockets, and had spoken aloud airily to get the still giggling woman's attention, "Madam, find yourself lucky enough to have fun at his highness, George Weasley's expense." He did not know what came to his mind, just to add a flirting effect, he had winked at her.
That wink had done its magic, trying hard to get a grip on her still bubbling mirth, Astoria had simply added mimicking his airiness, "Sir find yourself lucky enough to have fun at her highness, Astoria Greengrass's expense." She had to bite on her lips to stop another wave of uncontrolled laughter. But George had barked out, laughing like a small boy.
Trying to get his mind of this silly exchange, George had simply nodded in defeat, "I will try to…"
But Astoria had beat him to it again, "I will try as well…"
"I would like to add…see Seamus is good, I am sure he would do his best to keep your sister safe…I mean if you would like to meet her…that can be arranged…"
"I can't thank you enough for that. It was thoughtful of you."
He had walked up to the door, placing his hand over the doorknob, he had turned to her and had given her a small smile, "Up! for a wager, I bet Ginny would drown Draco, or you know mime him badly…"
Astoria had walked up beside him...standing on her toes, she had whispered right over his lips, "I bet Draco will not mind, He is already head over heels about her." The moment she had stepped closer to him, he had fought hard not to do something stupid, he was already having a hard time breathing. He had felt her brush her soft porcelain hands over his ruddy ones, curl her fingers around to twist the knob. She had winked at him, then, holding her head high, she had stepped out in the corridor.
