A/N: Been ages but I'm back with more...finally.
George heard their raucous laughter before he saw them. The three Chasers eventually rounded the side of his house and he smiled to himself. They looked happy and at ease with each other. As much as he enjoyed having Alicia to himself he knew it was important for them to build up their friendship again. It mightn't ever be the way it used to be, but he could see that it was better than it had been only weeks ago. Angelina appeared to be thawing out…slowly but surely.
"Afternoon, ladies. How'd it go today?"
Alicia looked up and flashed him a toothy smile. "It was great. We managed a Hawkshead and all."
"Our timing is still a little off," Katie admitted. "But I think we'll get there before the match. Just need to keep at it."
"Yeah, so we're gonna need to steal her off you again tomorrow," Angelina said.
That was mildly irritating. He'd taken the day off work expressly to spend the day with Alicia while Jake was at school.
"You don't mind, do you?" Alicia skipped up the stairs and came to stand by his chair. "I know we had plans but tomorrow's the only day all three of us are free for the rest of this week."
"I don't mind," he said. "I know you need to keep training together. The team won't stand a chance if you Chasers aren't playing like you used to."
"I knew it. You're the best." Alicia dropped a kiss on his cheek and leaned her broomstick against the wall. "I'll go take a quick shower and you and I can go out for lunch or something."
"Sounds good," George said, smiling up at her.
"I'll see you girls same time tomorrow."
Angelina and Katie said their farewells then Alicia disappeared into the house. He got up to follow her but found the other two women hadn't move, they just stared up at him from the bottom of the stairs.
"What?" he finally demanded of them.
"She wouldn't stop talking about you all morning," Katie answered.
"It was sickening," Angelina added.
George could see the hint of a smile on her lips so he didn't believe her disgust for a second. "That's really nice to hear," he admitted as a pleasant tingle ran the length of his spine.
"She really adores you so don't pull your usual shit and ruin it by second guessing everything," Katie advised.
Angelina nodded firmly. "Or we're gonna have a problem with you, Weasley."
"You're worried about me breaking her heart?" George asked. "She's the one with the track record of disappearing into thin air."
"We know, love, but you don't exactly have the best dating history," Katie explained. "We're just trying to make sure neither of you get hurt. Alicia isn't as easy-going as Gwen, so don't expect her to stick around if you start being a twat. She said she's been there and done that with Warrington. As much as she fancies you, she's not going to waste her time if she thinks you aren't into this one hundred percent."
George was very tempted to tell them to mind their own business. He and Alicia had already had this conversation more than once. It was sorted; they were very much on the same page. But, ultimately, Angelina and Katie were his friends as well so they were looking out for his best interests too.
"I'm into this one hundred percent, okay," he replied, keeping his tone level and pleasant. "I'm really glad you're watching Alicia's back like this. It's a big relief actually, but I've got it under control. This already feels different to any other relationship I've been in. I won't do anything to cock it up – I promise you both."
"We've still got our eye on you," Angelina said curtly.
George grinned and tilted his head. "Aaw. You still love her. That's sweet, Ange. She doesn't think you do so make sure you let her know she's wrong when you see her tomorrow."
"Hold your Hippogriffs. I just don't want to be around if this thing implodes."
"We both love her," Katie said, slinging her arm around Angelina's shoulders. "And you as well. So just come to us first if you're ever having second thoughts, okay."
"I will," George agreed readily. "Now get out of here already. I have a hot lunch date waiting inside for me."
Katie blew him a kiss then pulled Angelina away with her. George let out an exasperated breath once they had disappeared around the side of the house. He was conscious of his bad habits now; he honestly didn't think he was going to fuck anything up this time around. It just wasn't helping that everyone else seemed to think he was destined to crash and burn. It'd be nice if someone believed in him for a change.
Alicia did though. She'd said as much to him the other day when he'd admitted that he was worried he'd fall back into old habits. She'd assured him that he wasn't going to let him go that easily. In the end, he had her unwavering support and that was enough to calm him down.
George just wished he had a way to let her know just how much this all meant to him already. But short of telling her he was falling in love, he didn't know what to do. Once again, his hopelessness at relationships shone through.
Then his eyes fell on the broomstick Alicia had left by the door. That would work. He hadn't planned on telling her the truth about it till right before the match. It was probably better that he came clean now anyway, before she went and mentioned something to Ginny and everyone became confused. Hopefully Alicia would take his gesture the way it was intended.
Only one way to find out. George snatched up the broom and went inside. The shower was still running when he walked past the bathroom so he went into his office to finish up some paperwork while he waited for her to emerge.
He was signing the last invoice for that month when he heard her out in the living room. He left the room and found her bent forward with her wet hair flipped over her head so that it hung down, long and dark. She pointed her wand at it and when she tossed her head back, her hair was instantly dry. She smiled upon seeing him.
"There you are. Everything all right?"
"Perfect."
Alicia came over and looped her arms around his waist and gazed up at him. "Where do you fancy going for lunch? You wanna try Edinburgh or head back down to my neighbourhood?"
"Whatever you feel like is fine."
"My favourite sushi restaurant in London it is then. Just give me a second to bring Ginny's broom inside. I'd hate for it to be stolen or damaged."
"Already taken care of," George replied, nodding across to the armchair he'd carefully placed the broom on top of. "How are you liking it so far?"
"It's brilliant," she enthused. "Probably not enough straight-line speed for a Seeker but it's agile and manoeuvrable – perfect for a Chaser."
George looked on affectionately as she went over to pick up the broom. She ran her hand along it reverently. "I really need to thank Ginny for letting me borrow it. I can't believe she let me use it before she'd even had a chance to ride it herself."
George hummed noncommittally and went to sit on the armrest of the nearby sofa. "So you'd use it for the match if you had the option?" he asked, crossing his arms and trying to suppress the smile that was threatening to give him away.
Alicia clutched the broomstick to her chest. "Absolutely! I was going to beg Angelina but she's sooo protective of her brooms. Katie offered to lend me one of the school brooms, but I'd rather just use the Cleansweep if it comes to that option. If you think she'd agree, I'll ask Ginny next time I see her."
"You don't need to ask her permission."
Alicia frowned at him. "Oh. You already asked her for me then?"
George shook his head. "You don't need to ask Ginny because it's not really her broomstick. I may have told you a slight fib there."
"What? Then who does it belong to?"
"You."
Alicia stared down at the shiny mahogany handle then back up at him. Her blue eyes were even wider than normal. "What do you mean, George? How can it be mine?"
"Because I bought it for you. It's never belonged to anybody but you."
Alicia slowly laid the broomstick across the armchair and put her hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry about the lie," George said quickly, "but I wanted to make sure you actually liked the broom first. I didn't want you to feel obliged to use it just because I got it for you. But since you clearly like it I figured it was time to come clean."
"You seriously bought me a broomstick?" she asked softly.
"I seriously did," George confirmed. "I got it the day after I saw you struggling on your old Cleansweep at the Burrow. I also didn't want to give it to you straight away because I thought the timing might be a bit odd. I didn't want you to think I bought you a broom all because you let me have sex with you."
"Oh Merlin," Alicia muttered. She tore her eyes away from the broom and a second later she threw herself at him.
"Whoa," George gasped out, as he managed to unfold his arms just in time to catch her. They still went careening back, dropping onto the sofa with her lying on top of him.
"You seriously bought me a broom," she said, her face pressed firmly against his chest.
"You needed one of your own. It's really no big deal."
"I know how much broomsticks cost, George Weasley! Wait." She pushed herself up, using his chest as leverage so she could sit back, straddling his hips. "Can you afford to buy me a brand new broomstick?"
"I might end up having to eat beans on toast for the rest of the month, but yeah." George propped himself up on his elbows when he caught the stricken look on Alicia's face. "I'm only taking the piss! Of course I can afford it. Dean Thomas runs Quality Quidditch these days and he gave me a good deal on it. I know the best broom on the market is the Nimbus Elite, but Dean reckons the latest Comet is a better fit for a Chaser."
"He's right – it's the best broom I've ever used. I promise I'll pay you back as soon as I can."
George shook his head quickly. "It's a gift. I'm not going to take any money off you."
"This is a lot," Alicia said softly. "I've barely been your girlfriend for three weeks."
"I know. But I can tell you've been anxious about finding a broom to use for the match and I'm in a position to help. And I honestly don't expect anything in return."
Alicia cocked her head and asked, "Really? Not even a kiss?"
"I wouldn't say no to one, but don't feel obliged."
She just laughed and leaned down. "I think you deserve a lot more than a kiss actually, but right now I'm starving. So sushi first, then I'll shag your brains out. How does that sound?"
George smirked up at her and said nothing. He placed his hands on her hips and pushed her back far enough to feel his erection, which had been growing ever since she settled her perfect arse on top of him.
She just frowned and shook her head. "Well, that's unfortunate. I don't suppose you should go out in public like that. Wouldn't want you getting pinched for public indecency."
"I'm too pretty for prison," George agreed solemnly.
It wouldn't hurt to ask, Alicia figured. Just a hypothetical question between…acquaintances? Hmm. She was really going to have to pinpoint her relationship with Chris soon. Whether or not they were actually friends was still a little hazy. He was polite enough during their short interactions that she was optimistic, but so far he hadn't exactly gone out of his way to spend any longer than was necessary in her company.
When she Apparated into his back garden on Sunday afternoon, she quickly realised that they weren't going to be able to have a private conversation. Chris was currently sitting at his outdoor table with Adrian Pucey.
"Maman!" Jake called from where he was currently jumping on a trampoline. "Look at me! Look how high I can go and I'm not even scared!"
"That's great, sweetheart." Alicia gave her son an appropriately impressed look and trudged up towards the house.
"Afternoon," Chris said amiably, raising his tumbler of alcohol to her in greeting.
"Seriously, Christopher. A bloody trampoline now?"
"He wanted one," he replied with an indolent shrug.
"Well he wants a pet as well. You gonna buy him a dog next time?"
"Fuck no."
Alicia rolled her eyes and turned her attention to the other Slytherin at the table. "All right, Adrian? When did you get back?"
He still looked the same – shorter and stouter than Chris, and much fairer. His close-cropped hair was a sandy blonde colour and his eyes were pale blue. Alicia hadn't seen him in a few years. He had taken a job teaching English at Durmstrang after graduating. He'd popped over to France whenever he had a break, so the three of them had spent a bit of time together. They made quite the odd trio really.
Adrian was submissive and unassuming where Chris was brash and combative. At first Alicia hadn't worked out why Chris had picked Adrian to be the only friend he kept in touch with from school. Then she slowly realised that Adrian was also a bit of an outsider amongst their housemates. He wasn't pureblood and didn't come from money; his quidditch skills were the only thing that kept him from being mercilessly ridiculed by every other Slytherin.
"Got back last night," Adrian answered. He gave her a tepid, obligatory smile. "You look…well."
Alicia supressed a chuckle. He really never had worked out how to handle her. Now things were even more complicated and he clearly had no idea how to navigate the new terrain. "Cheers, Pucey. I've been working out. I hear you're back home for good?"
"Staying in London for the time being but I'm looking to settle somewhere up north. I finally got a teaching post at Hogwarts."
Chris raised his glass and said, "Hence the celebratory scotch at three in the afternoon."
"Wow. That's great. What are you going to be teaching?"
"Arithmancy."
"Oh. Uh, fascinating."
That was about the extent of the small talk she could be bothered making with Adrian. Alicia looked back over her shoulder and found Jake still jumping happily, his dark hair flopping against his sweaty forehead.
"Let the boy play a while longer. Take a seat." Chris kicked out the chair across from him and nodded towards it.
"Fine." Alicia dropped down into the chair with a resigned sigh. "But we're not discussing Quidditch. The last thing I need is you two trying to get tactics and whatnot out of me."
"Never mind that. I already passed all your little Gryffindor secrets on to Adrian here."
"Oi! I never told you a single one of our tactics!"
"You didn't have to say anything. It's as much what you don't say. I was observant enough to pick up on plenty of your gameplays over the years."
"All right, Agatha Christie. Take it easy." Alicia narrowed her eyes at Chris and he smirked. At least she finally knew when she was being baited. "You wanna talk tactics? You can tell me how the hell Flint is even going to fit on his broom. I saw his picture in the paper yesterday and he's enormous!"
"Muggle steroids apparently."
"Good grief," Adrian muttered, slapping his hand to his forehead. "Can you at least try to keep your mouth shut?"
Christopher sipped his drink calmly then shrugged. "Why? I have no loyalty to Flint. I've heard that stuff shrinks your testicles. You think that's true?"
Alicia gagged at the thought of Flint's bollocks in any state. "Gross. Can we go back to talking about Arithmancy please?"
"Let's go back to Quidditch instead. Has Wood got you lot training everyday then?"
"Oliver's away at a training camp with the Scottish national team so we're going it alone for the moment," Alicia answered. She turned to Adrian. "What about you? Have you trained much yet?"
"Every single bloody day since I got back from Germany. Flint's really taking this seriously."
Alicia felt a little flutter of nerves in her stomach. She was nowhere near ready for a proper match. She was working out every other day with George and she met up with the girls as often as she could. But without Oliver around there really wasn't anyone pushing the team to train hard.
"Do you have a broom to use for the match?" Chris asked.
Alicia sat up a little straighter as she remembered George's generous gift. "I do actually. I have the latest Comet."
"The Comet's rubbish," Chris said dismissively. "My new Nimbus Elite arrived last week. I'll lend it to you for the match."
"I don't need it. And the Comet is far from rubbish, thank you very much."
"I'll take the Elite," Adrian piped up.
"I wasn't offering it to you, you muppet." Chris leaned across the table and narrowed his eyes at Alicia. "Why would you turn that down? I'm offering you a Ferrari and you're sticking with your Volvo."
"Well don't you sound like a regular old Muggle these days," Alicia teased. "The Comet's a perfect broom for a Chaser. Besides, I could fly circles around you Slytherins on a thirty-year-old Shooting Star if I had to."
"Maybe so, but it's ridiculous to refuse the best broom on the market," Chris insisted. "Unless…ah. Weasley bought it for you, didn't he?"
"That's really none of your business."
"That was more of a rhetorical question. It's obvious he bought it for you. There's no way you could afford it yourself."
"Stop acting as if you're my accountant." Alicia stood up and gave both men a polite nod. "I've officially hit my limit for Slytherin interactions today. You two enjoy the rest of your afternoon."
"Be stubborn then. But if hell freezes over and you change your mind, the offer stands till the day of the match."
Alicia shook her head and smiled serenely at Chris. "I don't need your fancy broom. But you may want to reconsider lending it to Pucey here. He can use all the help he can get."
She turned and walked away before either of them could say anything else. Not that Adrian would have stood up for himself; his erstwhile housemate certainly wouldn't have. She wrestled Jake off the trampoline and carried his wriggling form under her arm to the back corner of the garden. Right before she Apparated, she realised what had just happened.
Chris never let anyone borrow his brooms. Especially not a brand new, top of the line racing broom. It was unheard of.
It was…progress?
A/N: Hopefully I'll have more time for writing from now on. Longer, better chapters are on the way. Thanks for sticking around.
