For the Through the Universe Challenge at The Golden Snitch Forum (Beauxbatons, Guinefort, 6. ecstatic).
For MC4A:
Shipping War:
Ship (Team): Angelina Johnson/George Weasley (n/a)
List (Prompt): Summer Big List (laughing)
Individual Challenges:
Gryffindor MC (x2), Ethnic & Present, Shipmas, Times to Come, Yellow Ribbon, Yellow Ribbon Redux, Themes & Things A (New Beginnings), Themes & Things B (Joy), Themes & Things C (Swing), In a Flash
Bonuses: none
Word count: 545
Swings and Smiles
"Higher, George," Angelina urged, tucking her legs beneath her as she sat on the old wooden swing.
The swing had come with the house they had bought together, and after a few enchantments to ensure that it would hold, they had taken to pushing each other on it during evenings spent outside. Mostly, however, Angelina was the one sitting, and George was left to do all of the pushing.
George grunted. He was putting all of his weight into propelling her skywards, and apparently it still wasn't enough. "I'm trying, Ange. You're just so bloody—"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence, George Weasley," she warned.
"Beautiful, of course," he said hastily. He knew better than to say what he was really thinking.
She turned and smirked at him. "That's what I thought."
They continued in this vein for a while—George pushing Angelina with all his might as the two of them bantered back and forth. Finally, his arms grew sore and he begged her to let him stop. She agreed, but remained perched on the swing.
He wrapped his arms around her from behind and nuzzled her neck briefly. This was one of his favorite ways to hold her because he could rest his chin on top of her head. He loved the way their bodies fit together like two puzzle pieces. It just felt so... right.
"George?" Angelina murmured.
"Mm?"
She pried his arms away so that she could twist and face him. "You want to start a family someday, right?"
"Of course," he assured her. The thought of mini Angelinas running around brought a huge smile to his face.
She took a deep breath, her chocolate brown eyes flitting over his face. "What would you say if I told you 'someday' might be sooner than we thought?"
He stared at her. She looked perfectly serious. Still, he didn't want to get his hopes up. "Ange, if you're joking..." he said, his voice suddenly hoarse.
"I wouldn't joke about something like that, George," she whispered, squeezing his hands. "You know I wouldn't."
He did know, and yet he could scarcely allow himself to believe that what she was saying was true. Bill had been so happy after his children were born, and ever since then, George had longed to be a father, too. But while he and Angelina had discussed the topic numerous times, he had always gotten the feeling that she wasn't quite as enthusiastic about parenthood as he was.
"So you're...pregnant, then?" he asked. He held his breath as he awaited her reply.
She nodded, and a huge smile broke out across her face. "Yeah."
George exhaled and started to laugh. "Merlin, Ange, that's fantastic!" He drew her away from the swing and pulled her into a tight embrace. Exhilaration enabled him to lift her up and spin her around as he hugged her close. "Bloody hell, we're going to be parents!"
"Yes, but you can't swear like that in front of the kid," she giggled, kissing his nose.
"Oh, right." George realized that he might have a bit of work to do in that department, but he didn't care. He couldn't wait to tell his family and friends. He knew that they would be just as thrilled as he was.
