"You've been avoiding me."

It wasn't a question, it was a statement, Harriet knew that all too clearly. And in truth, she had been. Everything that had happened since their last kiss made her feel awkward to even be in George's presence. After witnessing the attack on Mr Weasley and feeling like she was Voldemort's weapon well she thought that perhaps she didn't need a reason to not be within his presence. Then of course Ginny and Hermione told her otherwise, that she had been in bed the whole time. She was not the weapon after all and so avoiding George Weasley had begun. They had been back at Hogwarts for two weeks and she had been successful until now. With no Quidditch practice with him to worry about, training with Snape Harriet crept into the Common Room of Gryffindor just before curfew on most weeknights.

"Of course, I haven't." Harriet tried to shrug him off looking at George for the first time since St Mungo's. She couldn't read his emotions when they had first heard Moody's suspicions, she certainly could make them out now. George looked annoyed and as though he knew better. Harriet's hand throbbed making her wince and look down at her temporary wrapped bandage. She sighed. It had been another rubbish night in detention with Umbridge

George sighed. "Come on let's soak your hand."

Harriet let herself be led to the sofa that was closest to the fire. Maybe avoiding George Weasley had not been the best plan she had ever thought of before. She felt out of sorts like she didn't know what to do with herself.

George hated the fact that Harriet was avoiding him. At first, he understood. The news that you may be Voldemort's weapon would surely play on a person's mind. George however knew Harriet or at least was interested enough to know her. And he knew that she was no weapon. Not with all the times, she had already fought Voldemort and lived to tell the tale. Then the avoiding truly began, he had not seen her for two weeks and it was driving him crazy. Considering he knew for certain he was damn crazy about her now, as he couldn't stop thinking about her, so, having her avoid him irritated him to no end. So he waited for her to return from her detention with Umbridge.

Harriet smiled shyly at him when he handed her the bowl of Murtlap Essence Hermione sorted out for Harriet's return. George took her hand and started unwrapping the bandage. He made no comment as Harriet's face flushed red in embarrassment. George couldn't help but smirk to himself. She was obviously thinking about the last time they had been this close. Even George thought about that kiss more than he thought he would. George noticed her eyes dart over towards the fire, to avoid eye contact with him.

George noticed the words etched on Harriet's hand. I must not tell lies. He kissed the back of her hand tentatively. This caused Harriet to stiffen.

"Harriet," he said leaning towards her, "look at me and relax." She gazed up at him and he saw the worry in her eyes. "I'm not going to harm you and I'm not going to do anything you don't want to." Even though from the moment her green eyes met his, George wanted to snog her senseless.

Oh, how she wanted to. She wanted it more than anything. It was just super risky. Harriet believed George when he said he wouldn't harm her. But he could break her heart. Then there was rule number nine. And there was his crush. She would be so heartbroken when he left her -

"I'm crazy about you," George said softly. "So, we can do this all at your pace."

Harriet's heart stopped. She felt stunned by his admission despite the fact they had kissed almost a month ago. The thought made her watch his lips.

"Would you like that? I'm not imagining this? What's between us?" George inquired.

Harriet shook her head, her heart beating so fast. George's face fell into a disappointed look. "You're not - I." Harriet felt her face heat up, unable to find the words. George waited patiently. "I want this. I want you." Harriet found herself saying. "I'm just not ready for everyone to know - especially Ron and Hermione. If we do this."

Harriet would just have to work on a way to break rule number nine. And make sure Ron was - well okay with her dating his brother.

"OK. We can do that. As slow as you want." he kissed her cheek. "No one has to know. Though Fred will figure it out. I can't keep anything from him. But he won't say anything if I ask him to." he reached his arm out, "do you mind if I hold you?"

"That, do that, talk with Fred," Harriet nodded, then she shook her head as she said, "and I don't mind."

George shuffled closer to her, wrapping his arm loosely around her frame, Harriet shifted herself so she could lean against George more comfortably.

"I'm going to make Umbridge pay for what she's doing to you," George murmured kissing the top of her head. Harriet's heart swelled.

They send notes in secret; Harriet and himself. They meet up in secret, often George would wait for Harriet to return to the Gryffindor common room just before curfew as she returns from training with Snape, though he is sworn to secrecy to never reveal that or upon her return from detention with Umbridge. George snogs her senseless in secret. He finds he would do anything for this girl. His girl. His Harriet. He keeps his relationship a secret from Fred and Lee for a long as he possibly can. Fred figured it out within two days of George being completely distracted in lessons, or with their conversations of setting up the shop in Diagon Alley. Lee figured it out a week later. Fred and Lee agree to not tell anyone. Even they know that Harriet likes to have her privacy, even if George wants to scream it to the world.