Chapter 7

The laughter died down in the room once Ron and Hermione had left. Though the happiness remained. Neville and his gran said their goodbyes and set out in to the snow filled night. Soon after they has said good bye to the Longbottoms, Bill and Fleur excused themselves to turn in for the night and climbed the stairs to Bill's old room. On her way out of the room, Fleur may or may not have mentioned something about getting away from the music. Mrs. Weasley then grilled the remaining members in the room on what had happened with Ron and Hermione. Harry told her it had all been in the holiday spirit but that something might have been let out of the box. She gave Harry and the others an understanding nod. Though neither one of them had ever spoken a word about it, everyone knew that there might be something more than friendship between Ron and Hermione.

When Mrs. Weasley asked about the shriek she had heard, another shriek issued from the sitting room as Fred told her that he and Angelina were engaged. She gushed over the both of them, hugging and exclaiming her happiness when Angelina showed her the ring. She grabbed the couple then and pulled them to the kitchen to share the excitement with Mr. Weasley. Ginny and Harry followed after them to sneak one last cookie before heading upstairs. This left the room empty except for George and Alicia.

They sat together again on the couch by the tree. George placed his arm around Alicia's shoulders. She gently laid her head on his shoulder, enjoying the peaceful quiet and joy of the lit tree, crackling fireplace, and each other's company.

"I suppose Angelina and I should be going soon. It's really late and I'm sure your mum and dad want to get to bed." Alicia said breaking the silence.

George nodded. "Probably. I'll miss you though," he murmured with a smile. She looked up at him and smiled too.

"Me too. Do you think they will be long?" Alicia asked.

"Probably. I don't know about you but I wouldn't mind the extra cuddle time." He grinned playfully at her, giving her a squeeze. She smiled too and put her head back on his shoulder. The quiet fell again, with only the dim of the holiday favorite, "Zapping away the Holidays with you", playing from the wireless radio.

"Thank you for the new jacket Alicia." George said breaking the silence after a few more moments. He kissed her gently on the top of the head.

Alicia smiled. "You're welcome, George. The perfume smells really nice," she replied snuggling a little closer to her boyfriend.

"I'm glad you liked it. I was having a bit of a hard time figuring out what to get you this year." George admitted, taking a deep breath of Alicia's scent. "I know you like light flowery scents and this one reminded me of you." The silence fell between them again. Alicia, however, began to fidget in her lap.

After a few moments, George noticed and looked down. "Is everything okay?" Alicia didn't reply at first, so George turned to look directly at her and her head slid off his shoulder. "What is it Alicia?" Concern was in George's voice. He was worried that he had gotten her the wrong gift, that she didn't like it.

"If you don't like the perfume, I will take it back and get you something else. Maybe some new gear for quidditch or maybe some Wonder Witch products?" George suggested, trying not to show his disappointment.

Alicia looked up at him. "No, George. It's not that. I love the perfume. I really do." She replied honestly. She looked away for a moment before continuing. "Did you know he was going to propose?" she asked quietly.

George noted a slight sadness in her voice and cursed his twin. "I had an inkling. I knew he was thinking about it but I didn't know he had bought a ring." He replied taking up her hands into his. "You're not upset about it are you?"

She shook her head. "No. Not really. I'm happy for them. But…" she trailed off.

As twins, they did pretty much everything together. They had started dating the girls in the same week, kissed the same day, and said I love you almost the same hour. They didn't plan things to be that way, it just happened. It was a twin thing.

"Alicia, you know I love you, right?" George asked tipping her chin up with their clasped hands to catch her eyes with his. She looked deep into his eyes, saw his love there and nodded. "Then you should know that someday I want to marry you."

"You do?" She gasped.

George smiled and nodded. "Yes." He said simply. "And when I do propose, it will be romantic and sweet and make you want to melt."

She smiled as she embraced him in a hug. "I know you will make it special, George. You always make me feel special."

As they hugged the clock on the mantel chimed ten times. "Is that the time?" Alicia exclaimed, breaking apart from George. "We have got to be going. I better get Angelina." She moved to stand up and head for the kitchen. George stopped her from leaving the room with a hand as he stood up.

"Why don't you get your coat and things?" he suggested as she turned back to him. "I'm sure they will be along any moment." She looked at him a little suspiciously but agreed. She reached down and picked up her bottle of perfume while George retrieved her coat and hat from the coat rack by the door. George moved with big steps nonchalantly toward the hallway and held her coat out for her to put on. She slipped the perfume bottle gently into her purse and slipped it on over her head to sit across her body.

When she had her coat on, George took her by the hand and spun her around, making her land just under the mistletoe. He pulled her in tight and kissed her soundly upon the lips.

Alicia smiled as they broke away, assuming that George would let her go. But he did not. He kept her close and leaned in.

"Alicia," he breathed.

"Yes, George?"

"I have something I want to tell you or rather ask you, I guess."

"What is it?"

George took a deep breath and swallowed. He didn't know exactly what to say as he hadn't exactly prepared to do what he was about to do tonight but deep down inside he knew it was the right moment. It must have been that twin thing.

"Well I'm not really prepared for this as I don't have a ring," George began and Alicia's eyes widen. "And I don't think we should tell anyone right away. I mean Fred and Angelina should have their moment. But my heart is telling me it's the right time and I really don't want to wait any longer to ask you." He paused from his babbling and looked down into Alicia's eyes. He took another deep breath, leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "Will you marry me, Alicia Spinnet?"

Alicia gasped but her heart beat quickened with excitement. He had surprised her. George moved his head back quickly to look at her directly. He searched her face for any sign of an answer.

She grinned secretly and leaned in close to George's ear. In a whisper voice, so as to keep their secret to themselves, she said, "Yes."

George pulled back again and looked into her face that was bright and happy. She nodded. George broke into a smile and pulled her into a passionate kiss.

Just then Fred and Angelina came down the hall from the kitchen holding hands.

"Come on Alicia, it's late. We've got to get going." Angelina said as the couple broke apart. She and Fred walked past and made for the door to retrieve Angelina's things.

"I know, that is why have my coat on." Alicia replied as Fred helped Angelina into her coat. "I was just passing some enjoyable time with my boyfriend as I waited for you and your fiancé." She gave George a small wink. He grinned and returned it with one of his own.

The twins then walked the girls out on to the landing. They each kissed their girlfriends one last time and then waved them off as the girls marched into the snow to disapparate at the end of the path.

"It's been a good night, hasn't it, George?" Fred commented as they waved the girls off.

"It has," George agreed, smiling widely. "I'm definitely looking forward to New Year's."

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One last chapter coming soon! :)