Yea a new chapter! Standard disclaimer from chapters one and two apply here too. Not mine.
Well Thanks again to my reviewers. That makes me giddy. This is very odd, another chapter already although they're relatively short so they're easy to crank out. I hope that this chapter is okay. I like it but I like them all because the story is in my head just screaming to come out. We shall see how it all turns out.
Righty O! On to the 3rd chapter.
When you're gone chapter 3
George hurried through the darkness, silently giving thanks that Gringotts was open all the time. He had made a clean escape from the Burrow, but he needed to move swiftly. He didn't know how long he had until his absence was noticed, but he planned to use that time to put as much distance between himself and home as he could. 'Home,' George thought, 'it hasn't felt like that the last little while.' George knew he was being unfair – only Fred was treating him poorly – but he couldn't help it. Home without Fred didn't feel right.
George shook his head to clear his thoughts; he didn't have time to think about the past or the hurt. Looking first to the shadows on his left, then to the shadows on his right, he pulled out his wand.
'Need to change this hair,' George mused 'can't hurt to use just the bit 'o magic – not like I'll be coming back for them to expel me.' With a flick of his wand, his hair had become a dark brown, highlighted with ashen streaks. No longer sporting his telltale flaming hair, George continued on his way towards Gringotts.
The goblin behind the counter eyed him strangely, but refrained from asking any questions not pertaining to the transaction at hand. George let out a sigh of relief as he exited the marble doors, fingering the muggle money he now possessed. Panic struck him as he realized that he didn't know anything about muggle money and the panic increased as he realized he didn't know if two thousand dollars was a large sum or not.
'Calm down George! What would the others say if they knew how silly you were acting? Honestly, panicking over nothing!' George mentally berated himself, 'You'll figure it out.'
Passing through the archway between Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron, George felt some of his tension melt away. He had made it past the greatest obstacle. Leaving behind everything he knew had been the hard part, now he just had to begin his new life.
He was still walking as the sun rose over the skyline, ghastly tired but determined to put as much distance between himself and George Weasley as he could. 'I'm really not him anymore am I?' He thought sadly, 'Where am I going to go?'
George felt like he had been walking for years, the memory of placing his broomstick into the trash bin outside of the Leaky Cauldron seemed distant and fuzzy.
Looking up George noticed a small restaurant ahead amidst a cluster of shops, and decided to stop for a warm drink and a spot of breakfast. As he neared the shop, he noticed a group of boys gathered near the entrance to a dark side street. Quickening his pace, he hurried past the group and tried to block out the sneers and snickers that followed him. He cursed himself for looking meek and afraid. Jerking open the door he seated himself in a booth in an out of the way corner and picked up a menu to shield his face from view.
"What can I get for you dear?"
George's head snapped up startled as a female voice rang out from his right side. His eyes focused on the waitress. She was an older woman, with a messy bun keeping all but a few wisps of honey colored hair back from her face. George relaxed; she had a very motherly air about her.
"Sorry to startle you luv," she smiled kindly at him with laughing eyes.
"Erm, sorry. Wasn't paying attention." George muttered keeping his eyes downcast.
"Well no harm done then I suppose! Have you any mind of what strikes your fancy?"
"I'll just have the English breakfast and some tea, thanks." George decided. 'Maybe being a muggle won't be so bad if more of them are like her.'
"Alright then, I'll be right back with your tea." The waitress flashed him another motherly smile and bustled off to get his order ready. Turning to look out the window, George noticed the gang of boys was still present. He repressed a shuddered as he hoped that they would clear off before he left. 'I don't need trouble my first day as a muggle!' George decided, secretly afraid that he wouldn't be able to handle himself without Fred's constant back up.
The waitress once again startled him as she placed his meal down in front of him and began to speak. "Now you enjoy your breakfast luv and if you need anything at all, my name is Laura." She placed an extra biscuit on his plate and disappeared back towards the kitchen.
George ate until he was stuffed, stopping only as a nervous knot developed in his stomach when the time drew near to deal with the bill. Laura brought the bill and noticed George worrying a twenty-pound note between his fingers.
"That'll be eight pounds luv, I'll bring you some change." Laura sing-songed as she plucked the money from between George's fingers and shot him a quick wink.
Placing his change on the table along with a peppermint candy, Laura asked him if he needed anything else. George summoned up his courage and asked her if there was a place near by that he could stay.
"Are you a tourist dear?" Laura inquired.
"Err… actually, I just moved here and sort of need a place to spend the night until I can find a job and a place to live." George managed to reply, twisting a napkin through his fist.
"Well dear, there's an inn at the end of the street, where rooms are pretty cheap. You can stay there for the night. Ask for Carl, tell him that I sent you and he'll treat you right. As for a job, you look like a nice kid; come back tomorrow and I'll see what I can do for ya." Laura smiled again and ruffled George's hair.
George grinned as he gathered his belongings and left. Things were definitely looking up for him and he hadn't thought about home for the entire meal. Feeling the urge to whistle as he opened the door he stepped into the sunshine, noticing the boys were gone he turned left and started off towards the inn.
When he passed an alleyway a little ways up from the restaurant street that the boys had gathered at earlier, he felt a sharp tug on his arm. He stumbled into the darkness and hit the cold pavement beneath him. Regaining his senses, he pushed himself to his feet taking in his surroundings. As his eyes adjusted to the dark he could see that leering faces, which he immediately recognized as the boys from earlier, surrounded him. He opened his mouth in confusion, shutting it again quickly. Movement to his left caught his eye. Turning he saw a rough looking boy about 18 or 19, dressed in ripped jeans and a studded jacket, step forward cracking his knuckles.
TBC. Hope you liked the chapter! Tell me what you thought if you have the time J. Until the next time, happy reading.
