Chapter 5: After the Raid
We had just arrived when the death eaters were retreating. Goblins from Gringotts Bank had heard the commotion which made them forget how many galleons, sickles, and knuts they had counted. It really pissed them off. One very important things Bill taught me was never piss off a goblin, especially when he's counting money.
Carly looked around, bewildered at everything that was around her. I grinned then as we were watching the goblins kick ass I had to ask her a question.
"My brother Bill will be coming in tomorrow… If you want to put your money in my vault it could all be easily arranged. If you want to that is."
Carly smiled at me, "I would like that very much George."
When we got back to headquarters Fred and I were informed that we would be patrolling tonight.
"I doubt anything will happen, but we can never be too careful." Lupin had explained.
So Fred and I kissed the girls goodnight and we promised to see them in the morning.
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Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, Bill, and Fleur arrived in the morning. Fred and George were still on patrol, so when I went down to breakfast I asked Bill about Gringotts.
"Gringotts is quite simple really. They put your money in a vault and give you a key. For the more valuable things they use their magic to keep them safe. Only really dark magic can open these vaults." Bill continued to explain. "We can go down there now and transfer you're money into George's vault and get you a key."
We were about ready to leave when Tonks came in looking horrified.
"What's wrong?" I asked worriedly.
"I gave you Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's room yesterday by mistake…"
Bill intervened in, "Why don't you have my mum move George's things into Carly's room and they can have George's room?"
Tonks looked relieved and tired. "I'll go tell her now."
"While you're up there, get some rest, Tonks." I added.
Bill and I walked out of headquarters and down toward Diagon Alley.
"You like my brother very much then?" Bill questioned. I nodded. "So how much do you know?" he asked.
"I know all about your family, Members of the Order, Hogwarts, Katie, and enough to know I love him." I slapped my hand over my mouth. I wasn't sure of my feelings but here I am blurting them out to a mere stranger.
Bill laughed softly. "Don't worry, Fleur Delacour-Weasley wasn't liked by my family, but she took care of me, especially after my face got cut up.
We went to Gringotts, transferred my money into George's account, got me a key, and then Bill took me out for lunch.
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"Hey who's your girlfriend with?" Fred asked.
We were coming back from patrol and boy were we exhausted. All we could see was Carly sitting with a guy laughing.
"I don't know." I really didn't.
I knew Dad, Mum, Bill, and Fleur were coming in, but I had no idea who Carly was with. We headed back to headquarters because I needed a nice long nap.
At the door, Fleur greeted us. We smiled at her warmly. Then she told us Tonks had made a mistake about Carly's room being my parents' room. So Carly and I now would be sharing a room.
Then the door opened and walking backwards was the man Carly had been eating lunch with at the Witches' Calling. Carly smiled at me and I snapped.
"So you're just going to go to lunch with other men and not tell me?" I demanded.
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"What is your problem?" I snapped back.
Fleur went and kissed Bill in the doorway. When George saw Fleur kiss his brother, he looked ashamed.
"Carly, I'm sorry."
I shook my head and handed him the key Bill had gotten me.
"Bill, please cancel that transaction." Bill looked from me to George.
I walked up the stairs into my room. On the stairs, Tonks informed me about the move. I went to the room I now shared with George and muttered a quick spell that gave me a daybed by the window. I just stared looking over the lawns, houses, and then I saw children playing with a dog outside.
That's what I've always wanted… To have a family and maybe a dog or two. I felt the tears form and for the first time since I got here, I just cried.
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I walked up to our room and opened the door. Carly was sitting on a daybed crying. Sitting behind her, I put my arms around her and sat down, stroking her hair to calm her down. Like I did when she had her nightmare…
Unlike Katie, Carly leaned into my chest. Katie would have fought me, being mad that I had accused her of cheating. But as I was soon realizing, Carly didn't fight dirty. And she challenged me, every step of the way.
"Do you want to tell me what's wrong?" I whispered, hoping it wasn't about our little fight over her having lunch with Bill.
Carly shifted so she could look me in the eye.
"Do you honestly think I would cheat on you? Do you honestly think I would want someone else? Do you honestly think I would hurt you like that?"
I knew I could only look ashamed and guilty.
"George, you can't keep pushing everyone away." Carly waved her hand and all of her things were packed.
She kissed me on the cheek and walked out of the room. Downstairs I could hear her telling everyone good-bye, promising to write to a few.
I sat there, on the daybed she had created with her magic staring at the room she had decorated, smelling her perfume of lilies and her soap.
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I went to the Leaky Cauldron and rented a room. George kept pushing me away and I knew deep down, I couldn't stay. Tomorrow I would find a new place to live, but for tonight I was here, to dream about George Weasley and his family, headquarters and the order, and Hogwarts a different school from my own.
I curled up and fell into a dreamless sleep, which is worse than nightmares…
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I was in a fowl mood. I yelled at my brothers and sister and I told off the other members. Then I went into the last place where I had seen Carly.
Mum followed me. "Do you love this 'American Runaway'?"
"I'm afraid to love her, Mum. What if I lose her, like I lost Katie?"
"George Arthur Weasley, if there is one thing I have taught you, it's that you never give up trying, especially on love, dear." Mum sighed. "Just because Katie died doesn't mean you have to act like you've died too."
I looked at her, "Carly said the exact same thing."
"A wise woman, dear. How long have you known her?" I couldn't look at my mum after she asked me that.
"A little over 24 hours… But Mum, I love her and I can't stand her not being her in my life and…"
Mum gave me a knowing smile. "Bill didn't need this neither did Fred, or Harry, and Ron already bought Alicia's ring… Charlie isn't really serious about anyone at the moment and Percy… Well, I decided you can have your grandmother's engagement ring to give to Carly."
I looked at my mother.
"George you and Fred have caused me gray hair the minute you both were born… I saw how you looked at her and when Bill asked her if she loved you she said yes. And in case I'm mistaken, you were in a jolly good mood while she was here… Now you're back to moping. Go!"
I kissed my mother on the cheek and went running down the stairs.
When I got outside I realized I had no idea where Carly was.
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THIS EXCEPT THE PLOT AND CARLY HAWKINS!