Disclaimer: I own nothing from the Harry Potter universe, that all belongs to J.K. Rowling. Non Llewellyn however is mine.

Chapter 4

I started my Saturday morning by rushing to the toilet and vomiting.

If there was a more apt greeting to this dreaded day, I couldn't think of one.

Since Hermione had visited me to go over the law on Thursday my panic had kicked in to overdrive, culminating last night in my subconscious making me think I was going to have to marry Professor Slughorn. That explained the vomiting.

It was now approaching nine o'clock and I had sufficiently calmed down to remember that Slughorn was vastly older than forty five years of age and therefore it was impossible to be matched with him. My Hufflepuff mug sat at my side on the kitchen floor, its contents of tea abandoned as I couldn't keep my hands steady enough to drink. I'd sunk to the floor on wobbly legs after I'd opened the back door so I could wait for the delivery owl. Why I thought the floor was the best place to wait I couldn't tell you but there was something comforting in feeling the cold from the slate floor seep into me.

As the kitchen clock chimed the hour I tried to focus my eyes. I couldn't tell if there was a black dot approaching or whether this was a tell-tale sign I was about to faint. Fighting to keep my breathing steady it became apparent the black dot was moving closer; it was the delivery owl. My stomach quivered.

Not five minutes later the owl came swooping in to land on the kitchen counter. I scrambled to stand, legs still shaky, as I attempted to untie the letter. My fingers trembled so much it took far longer than it should of and the owl getting grumpy tried to nip at my fingers. I had scarce removed the item when it took off immediately. I suspected it would be quite busy over the course of the day.

I glanced at the envelope in my hands, swallowing down what felt like bile. This was it; this slim envelope would contain the words for my doomed future husband. I honestly felt sorry for him. I felt sorry for me too. My heart was beating so hard I could hear the blood rushing in my ears and sweat had started to break out on my brow. I hadn't realised I'd been stood staring at it so long until the kitchen clock chimed again. An hour, a whole bloody hour.

Get a grip Non. Just open it. Get the worst bit over.

I inhaled deeply, turned the envelope over and ripped it open. The parchment within got slightly stuck but I was finally able to extract it and with shaking hands I opened it up. My eyes were jumpy, I couldn't take in the words properly I just desperately searched for the name. I froze. I could feel something bubbling up inside of me and as I stared in disbelief a laugh burst forth. It seemed that as soon as one laugh left my lips I couldn't stop. Hysterical laughter broke free from my mouth completely uncontrollable.

I think I've finally gone insane.

That thought managed to flit through my brain before my stomach gave a heave and I slapped a hand over my mouth before rushing to the sink and retching. There was nothing much left to throw up after my earlier trip to the bathroom and I giggled weekly as I slid back to the floor. Perhaps I'd read it wrong. I glanced back at the letter but no; the name hadn't changed.

I was going to have to marry George Weasley.

I started laughing again.

George Weasley.

His name kept flitting across my brain and I shook my head to clear it as I scurried down the corridor to the auror department. It had taken me until Sunday evening to stop bursting into fits of laughter but I had determined to get in to the office early, pick the earliest case that needed investigating and then scarper. I couldn't bear having repeat conversations with people as to who we had all been paired with. I'd heard nothing from my friends over the weekend so I presumed that no disaster had befallen them and felt the knot of worry I'd been carrying ease slightly.

The room was blessedly empty when I arrived and I quickly rifled through the memo tray. A couple of items of misfiling, a maintenance report from Azkaban – another bloody one – and at last I spotted one that looked promising. A port near Newcastle had experienced an influx of undocumented goods and attached were witness accounts of abnormal noises and lights in the sky. Suspicious enough for us to go and investigate to see if it qualified as magical.

Perfect.

It would involve muggle interviewing so I made sure to leave my auror robes behind, they would only draw questions. I signed out the muggle police identification badge that I could use to interview the muggles, double checked that my wand was in its holster at my hip and I made my way back to the atrium point so I could floo to the closest building we had linked to the area.

I stumbled out of a fireplace to note I was in rather a dingy pub. A clatter of glasses brought my attention a depressed looking barmaid, the only perky thing about her being the breasts that were squashed into an over tightened corset. She was pouring a shot of firewhisky and I was amazed to see there were patrons in the pub at this early hour. A fine establishment indeed.

George Weasley.

I huffed quietly as I gave the barmaid a slight nod of my head and made my way to the door to exit on to the street. The August early morning sunshine was dazzlingly bright compared to the dusky lighting in the pub and I fumbled with my bag to take out some sunglasses. Shoving them on my face I glanced up at the sign. When I'd flood here I'd just requested the nearest building from the floo assistant so I hadn't heard the name.

'The spread-eagled witch'.

Delightful.

The wording was clear enough but whatever the picture on the sign was supposed to be had long lost its battle against the elements and no one appeared to have thought to put a charm on it to preserve it. Thankfully.

I glanced around the quiet street I was on and seeing no sign of life I surreptitiously withdrew my wand to quickly use the 'point me' spell. I needed to go east and my wand pointed directly to my right. Slipping my wand back into its holster I made my way down the road. I hadn't walked long when I saw a road sign stating I was ten miles from my destination. I stepped between building so I was out of site and taking my wand out again I quickly apparated now that I was confident of my destination. It was easier to do it this way than having guessed distances to start with.

I appeared with a crack near the docks and took the opportunity to step behind a building as I gathered my thoughts. We didn't often go on investigations on our own but as this was a preliminary case I knew that I was fine but I was still nervous. I could feel sweat starting to form on my lower back so I took a few minutes to steady my breathing and gather my thoughts and I was thankful that I was on my own so I had the time to do this. When I felt as though the worst of my nerves had passed I readjusted my sunglasses, double checked my wand and police badge and then stepped on out to the docks.

George Weasley.

I sighed deeply as I walked along, scanning for any signs of life anywhere for me to talk to. I supposed now my hysteria was subsiding I should start thinking about my own situation more seriously. George Weasley had been an individual I had actively avoided for two years due to irrational hangover guilt after the night out in north Wales and the worry he might possibly have seen me do something embarrassing. That was how ridiculous a person I was. It had however led me to associating both George and his twin with an irrational feeling of apprehension and my anxiety wasn't being helped when every time I thought his name I felt a surge of nerves in my stomach. All I knew was that I didn't want to see him.

I pushed thoughts of George to one side as I clocked a figure moving three buildings down. I slowed my walk to scan my surroundings and keeping my hand at the ready near my wand I approached the individual who I could soon make out to be a man. He was wearing work stained jeans and an old grey t-shirt and I could hear him muttering to himself as he shifted old fishing tack and wooden crates to attempt to clear an area. It rather looked like he was simply spreading the mess around. I gathered my nerves and then cleared my throat. He whipped around to look in my direction.

"Alright love? Can I help?"

He was looking at me a bit suspiciously so I raised my sunglasses briefly as I smiled before I squinted into the sunlight again and dropped them back into place.

"Hello there, just here from the police," I quickly flashed the badge at him, "I've been asked to follow up on some reports of undocumented goods. Only routine, but you couldn't point me in the direction of who's in charge could you?"

He snorted lightly in response as he straightened up fully.

"Well that would be me miss. Not too many able to get work here these days. The name's Bob Task."

"DC Llewellyn." I replied as I stuck a hand out for him to shake.

"I figured you couldn't be a normal copper, you'd have been in the uniform."

I nodded in agreement as I took a note pad from my bag and made a show of writing his name. He didn't seem dangerous himself so I wasn't too paranoid about keeping a hand free for my wand.

"So we've had reports of the goods but also err 'noises' and 'funny lights'" I exaggerated the words to make it seem I was a bit dubious.

I got rolled eyes in response.

"Aye well love I can tell you about the goods alright, don't know too much about them noises but there sure were some strange lights. Talk of it being a funny lightning storm but I've never seen any lightning like it before."

He'd started to walk further down the harbour side and I followed, carefully noting that he looked to be about in his fifties.

I let him talk on, making notes as I went about the small boats that were now frequently showing up with boxes being unloaded but nothing being noted in the port office to state what had arrived. It was clearly smuggling but it had been seen by too many people for it to go unreported so it was even worse; it was sloppy smuggling.

I could see at the very end of the harbour side an old disused warehouse and I gently pointed in that direction.

"Tell me Mr Task, what's in there?"

I saw the strangest thing. Bob Task looked in the direction of the building but his eyes completely passed over it. He didn't see it.

"Oh, nothing…" he waved at it vaguely before directing me to the port office. "Here, let's show you the itinerary of what's come through."

I spent a further twenty minutes with the muggle, making a note of his comments and magically copying the port itinerary and time table when he wasn't looking. We shook hands as I exited the port office and I bent down to pretend to fix the buckle on my ankle boot as he made his way back down the harbour side. As soon as he was out of sight I straightened and made my way to the abandoned building. He couldn't see it but I could which made me immediately think there were charms on it to deter muggles.

Sure enough as I got to the doors I felt the hairs on my arm raise slightly as though there was a faint charge in the air. There had been magic here and strong magic by the feel of the place. The door opened easily enough and I slipped through, wand at the ready. A quick spell revealed there was no other life here and I relaxed my shoulders slightly. The warehouse for the most part was empty but there were disturbances on the floor that showed that something had been recently stored here. There were also scorch marks. I delved back into my bag and took out some clear jars and took some samples from each spot. I spent another few minutes using spells to check for what activity could have taken place but they revealed nothing substantial just that magic certainly had been here.

I sighed heavily. This meant more work. We would have to make a note of the timing of the unloading of the undocumented goods and see if anyone could trace when they were moved. Without that we were clueless as to what had been brought in and just as importantly why. At least there were no inside out fish which I took to be a blessing. My unsettled stomach I don't think could have handled it.

I stepped back out into the sunlight and apparated back to the Ministry. I peered around the door to see that the office was still quiet and after hurrying to deposit the muggle police badge back I scuttled to my desk and hunkered down at my desk so no one could see me. I'd already deposited the samples for testing so I set about writing up my notes.

"There you are!"

My arm jerked in surprise, a spurt of ink ruining half of what I'd written. I scowled in annoyance at the individual who had so startled me.

"Oh thanks a bunch Percy!" I tried siphoning off the excess ink. "I might have to start over now."

"Sorry Llewellyn. We've been looking for you all morning, it's an emergency."

I glanced up in concern but he just gestured down at my parchment.

"Please just finish that as quickly as you can."

It was hard to concentrate with Percy hovering by my desk, clearly agitated, but I did my best to ignore him although I couldn't help but wonder what was the emergency. My notes were not as detailed as they should have been but they would do. I capped the ink and chucked my quill on to the desk.

"Right, what is it?"

"Hermione needs you."

The words sent a chill through me and I stood in alarm.

"What?"

"Ron didn't get paired with her. Ron got Luna."

Percy's face looked grim as I struggled to take in that information.

Ron and Luna? How will they ever work?

"Percy…who did Hermione get?"

I felt like I had a lead weight in my stomach. For this to be the reaction...Merlin what if it happened to be someone like Zabini or Malfoy?

"She got Fred."

I sat back down heavily as my jaw dropped.

"No."

I can't believe it.

"Please Non she's been asking for you, they're looking to appeal and she says she needs you."

I stood up on slightly wobbly legs.

"How – how can they have done that? That's awful. For all of them, that's just awful."

Percy nodded his head in agreement, a clear frown on his face.

"She's distraught. Ron is, well I think he's in shock. And Fred is furious. Not that he shows it clearly but…" he trailed off helplessly.

My heart felt heavy just thinking of the three of them. Ron and Hermione had been destined for each other, had faced all sorts of ups and downs and were finally together even if they were still ironing out issues in their relationship. Ron had never loved anyone else. Hermione had never loved anyone else. Fred had considered Hermione as a sister for years, how could he even possibly marry her let alone knowing she was the love of his youngest brother's life? I shook my head in disgust. The Ministry had a lot to answer for.

"Of course I'll help. Where is she?"

"She's at The Burrow. We've all been looking over as many legal texts as we can but I think she needs a friend more than help. Non…I don't think their appeal can win."

I bit my lip in concern as I gathered my things before I released a heavy sigh.

"Right. Lead the way."

It seemed in no time at all I was back outside The Burrow.

We'd only taken one step before a thought flashed across my mind and I stopped and grabbed Percy's arm.

"Percy did…did Ginny get Harry?"

Oh please say she did.

"Yes."

"Oh thank Merlin."

"I know, one other disaster avoided anyway. Right come on then Non, we're all out back at the moment as we needed the space. Not sure how much Ron's been helping but the twins have been here all morning too. Non why have you stopped?"

The twins.

George.

George Weasley.

I'd frozen in my tracks again as I heard Percy and I had to bite back a laugh that wanted to escape. Merlin I'd actually managed to forget that I'd been paired with George but at the mention of the twins my stomach had flipped with the standard nerves again and I felt a shooting pain in my chest. At this rate I was going to have a heart attack. I shot a glance at Percy's face. He seemed genuinely confused as to why I wasn't moving.

Could it be he doesn't know?

I wondered at that. Perhaps the shock of Hermione and Fred being paired together meant that no one knew yet that George had been paired with me. Satisfied Percy didn't seem to know I waved him off. If he didn't know yet I certainly wasn't ready to say anything.

"I just thought I'd forgotten to do something at work…nothing important."

"Oh good, right here we are then." He bundled me through the front door quickly shutting it behind me before ushering me down the hall way in front of him. The Weasley's hall was cluttered with an overflowing coat rack and a mound of shoes lined up near the back door. I quickly moved to take off my boots as Percy did the same, balancing on one leg as I tugged at my right boot.

"Oh by the way Non, welcome to the family."

I fell over.

"What?"

Percy was looking down at me in clear amusement and I narrowed my eyes at him. The git knew about George.

"You…you…"

He ignored my sputtering as he grabbed hold of my arm to pull me up. He kept shooting me amused glances as I removed my second boot.

"Come on then they're all out back."

He tried to tug my arm but I remained unmoving.

"Percy I can't."

I did not want to see George Weasley. I wasn't ready.

"Well I can't say I blame you, being stuck with one of the twins for life is bound to send you barmy but honestly, I'm sure you'll find a way to cope. Just give him things to blow up and he'll be happy."

It had come to something that Percy Weasley was trying to make a joke to make me feel better but I couldn't even manage a smile.

"Hermione really needs you."

I hadn't really needed his soft reminder but I nodded my understanding anyway and squared my shoulders.

"Right. Yes of course. Lead on."

"You know Non you aren't going in to battle."

"Well it bloody feels like it…"

I trailed off as we got to the back door to reveal a glimpse of the garden. There were three tables set up covered in books. Hermione and Ginny were at one end. Fred and George were at the other. My stomach lurched. The sun was shining here although not as brightly as it had been near Newcastle and while I knew it would be slightly rude I couldn't stop myself. I put my sunglasses on. They helped me feel far less vulnerable where I could read other people's expressions, okay George's expression, without them really seeing mine. I also surreptitiously looked around for Mrs Weasley but was thankful I couldn't see her. I'd only met her once very briefly and didn't want today to be the day our acquaintance was renewed with me set to be a future daughter in law.

I slapped a hand over my mouth to stop another laugh and tried to cover it up as a cough and kept my eyes focused on Hermione and Ginny.

"Non!"

Hermione cried out in relief as she rushed over to me and I could see one of the twins jerk upright at the sound of my name but I studiously ignored glancing in that direction for now.

"Oh Mione, I've just heard, oh lovely I'm sorry."

I kept my voice low so it wouldn't carry. I didn't think Fred would appreciate it and as Hermione hugged me I used the opportunity to look over her shoulder and study the twins. I had to fight against recoiling at Fred's expression. He wasn't looking at us but gazing dead ahead and he was pissed. His jaw was clenched with what I could only assume was suppressed anger and even from this distance his eyes looked stormy. It was so strange to see one of the twins angry it was highly unnerving. I chanced a quick look at George. I couldn't read him at all. He was sat ramrod straight in his chair and was looking at us but his face was completely expressionless. My heart beat furiously and I quickly turned my attention back to my friend.

There were pink spots on Hermione's cheeks and her eyes were bright and slightly red rimmed. She'd clearly been crying.

"Percy said you were appealing?"

At my question Hermione snapped straight back into action and dragged me across to the table trying to update me on what they'd done so far. I listened patiently as she listed of the points they would be contesting on. There was only one point I thought might possibly work.

"Okay I think your strongest argument is that you and Ron were in a good relationship so this new one shouldn't usurp it. Have you managed to get the report from the Ministry to show their workings?"

"Yes, yes it's here. I got it yesterday as the appeal is tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?!" I spluttered. "But that's ridiculous, that's not enough time."

"It's because it's them. Two of the Golden Trio, there's going to be a huge stink over this publicity wise and the Ministry can't afford it."

Ginny ground the words out as she stabbed at a piece of parchment that contained Hermione's scribbled writing and she reached out to grab my hand.

"Hi Non."

"Hi Gin."

I squeezed her hand back rather harder than I meant and she shot me a contemplative look before glancing down the tables at the twins. She was just opening her mouth to say something else when Hermione found the report and shoved it at me.

It was ugly reading. I now understood why Percy thought their appeal couldn't win. As far as the formula the Ministry had used to calculate successful relationships went… Hermione and Ron's results were awful and my face dropped. I mean yes they argued a lot and Ron wasn't always the most thoughtful when it came to Hermione's feelings but I hadn't ever thought they were so badly matched as this report said. I opened my mouth to say something but I shut it as I watched Hermione desperately flip through legal texts. She was too clever to not know this appeal was hopeless but she knew she still had to try. There really was nothing I could say.

I sat back heavily in my seat to read through the report again.

George Weasley.

My heart leapt unpleasantly at just the thought of his name. I pretended to read the report keeping my face looking downwards as I used the cover of my sunglasses to look at George out of the corner of my eye. It took me a few goes as my nerves rocketed every time my eyes landed on him before I took a deep breath and tried again. He was leant forward slightly left arm flat on the table as he read the book in front of him while his right hand tapped out a rhythm against the table's edge. His short cropped red hair stood slightly on end as though he'd run his hands through it. There seemed to be a slight tension across his broad shoulders but I didn't know him well enough to tell that for sure and that really was the crux of it, how was I be supposed to marry this man I didn't even know?

The next couple of hours passed in similar fashion, with us all reading through books and reports, knowing it was hopeless but not wanting to say so to Hermione, whilst I continued to observe George as much as I dared. We were all abnormally quiet.

Fred finally pushed back from the table in headed back into the house and George followed him without a word.

"So, you and George hey?"

Ginny's murmur startled me and I snapped my head around to look at her, unaware that I had been so obviously following George's movements and I felt a light blush cross my face.

"Er, yeah. Apparently so."

I fiddled with my sunglasses before pushing them up to sit on my head so I could look at Ginny properly.

"Were you actually going to say anything?"

"I don't know Gin. I'm still processing it I think. I think I'd have preferred a few more days before having to face up to it."

I bit my lip nervously as she took in my answer but she thankfully had a soft smile on her face.

"I figured. I don't blame you either. This is all going to take some…adjusting."

I released a heavy sigh and catching movement at the back door of the house I quickly pushed my sunglasses back on to my face.

"Subtle Non, really subtle."

"Well, I do try."

"I'm glad he got someone like you."

My breath froze in my chest at Ginny's words and I grabbed her hand and squeezed before she continued. I hadn't realised how worried I'd been about her reaction until I'd heard her reassuring words.

"And I'm glad you got someone like him. Sure I'm biased, but he's one of the good ones Non."

I squeezed her hand again in thanks before I let it go and sat back, glancing to my right to see who had sat back at the table and couldn't stop a snort of laughter escaping before I clapped a hand over my mouth.

George Weasley had sat back down at the table having turned his chair to face us, with the most oversized pair of polka dot framed sunglasses on his face that were at a wonk given the fact he only had one ear to support them. My laughter died when I realised he was apparently staring right at me and I flushed red. Shit. I really hadn't been subtle.

I ignored Ginny's light giggle while Hermione bless her was completely oblivious. I stared at the page in front of me furiously trying to get my blush under control.

This is mortifying.

I was such a prat. I should have just done the mature thing and gone to say hello when I'd arrived after I'd spoken with Hermione. Then again he could always have come over to say hello to me. It wasn't easy for either of us I decided and I would always chose the option of avoidance where I could.

After half hour of pointedly not looking in his direction I felt a soft nudge at my foot and I looked up to see Ginny point to her brother. I risked a glance to see that George had now stood and appeared to be waiting.

"Just go talk to him. I'll stay with Mione."

I started chewing on my lip before I took a deep breath. I surely couldn't leave him standing there for long. Taking a deep breath and praying my legs weren't visibly shaking I walked around the table. As I started to move George walked slightly ahead of me to lead up to the back porch. I made it to the top of the wooden steps and leant back against the bannister, nonchalantly placing my left arm out on it trying to disguise I was holding on to it for support. George leant back against the opposite bannister with his arms folded.

I took a few moments to gather myself before I braved looking at him, ridiculously pleased he couldn't see my eyes. My lips twitched into a smile at the sight of the wonky sunglasses on his face and a small answering smile appeared on his face.

"Hello."

My stomach lurched at the sound of his voice.

"Hi."

This was painful. I hadn't been able to talk to George properly even before this stupid law. I desperately wanted to be anywhere else.

"Alright?"

I could see him wince slightly and felt an absurd need to put him at ease.

"Ye-yeah, I mean I guess. A-are you?"

My lip was going to face permanent damage at the rate I was chewing on it. I could see his eyebrow furrow before he took off the sunglasses he levelled me with a serious stare. It was strange for him not to be smiling or grinning down at me.

"I think so." The corner of his mouth quirked slightly. "It was certainly a surprise seeing your name."

I didn't dare ask if it was a good or bad surprise.

"I know that feeling."

He snorted softly before unfolding his arms and straightening to stand up properly. He must have about four to five inches on me in height. He wasn't exceptionally tall but then I was myself on the short side. I didn't have to crane my neck up to look at him like I normally had to do with Percy and Ron.

"Look my mum is due back soon and I didn't know if you wanted to meet her?"

No I most certainly do not.

But I couldn't say that out loud.

"Um.."

What on earth could I say? How could I say no without causing offence, Merlin did George want me to meet her now?

"Non Non…"

"What? Oh!" I flushed, recalling our last conversation outside The Burrow. Oh crap I'd even told him I thought any witch would be lucky to get him. George appeared to take pity on me as I stood there unable to hide my embarrassment.

"It's just that my mum can be, well, I'm not sure how to put this politely, over-bearing? Over-zealous? Really she's just a bit mum. I wasn't sure if you wanted to go through that today."

"Well, I-I'd prefer not to meet her just yet if-if that's alright with you? Unless you want me to?"

"I would never be so unfeeling as to put you through it before you had to."

There was a twinkle back in his eye and I felt a surge of relief that he was getting back to what I supposed was his normal self.

"I'm sure your mam's not that bad."

"Oh trust me, she is."

I smiled softly before I looked around and cought sight of Hermione and I frowned.

"I should probably stay for Hermione though, she's well…"

"She won't notice you've gone Non."

Hermione had a fevered look on her face and she looked like she'd started muttering to herself and she desperately flicked through another book. I supposed he was right.

"Where's Ron?"

I hadn't seen him since I'd arrived but I hadn't wanted to ask Ginny when Hermione was right there.

The twinkle left George's eye and whatever smile was lingering on his face disappeared.

"He's in his room, hasn't left it all day. He just says Hermione will fix it."

"That sounds like Ron. H-How's Fred?"

George's grimace and shake of his head in response said more than any words could I was sure.

"Right. What a mess." I scuffed my shoe on the floor before I too straightened up, letting go of the bannister. "I suppose I should be going then?"

"I'll walk you out, spare you an encounter with your soon to be in law while I can."

He'd tried to joke but we both visibly cringed.

"Well, at least you'll never have to go through that ordeal."

"Why, you going to keep me hidden from your parents forever? I hadn't thought my reputation was quite that bad."

George grinned over his shoulder at me and I stumbled slightly.

Well shit, I thought he'd known about my parents.

"Erm no, not quite…" I bent down to put my shoes on once we reached the hallway to try and buy some time.

"My parents, are um, they died in the war George."

His grin froze before it slid off his face and he looked sick and I rushed to continue.

"Sorry I just thought people knew, I wouldn't have just said it like that if I knew you didn't know, shit George I'm sorry."

"You're sorry? Merlin Non, I should be apologising not you that's…well I'm sorry."

He ran a nervous hand through his hair as he rocked back on his heels as I stood up and I fiddled nervously with the strap of my bag.

"There's no need George."

The silence stretched awkwardly until George cleared his throat and opened the door.

"Well, I am sorry anyway, even if it means I don't have to face a scary father."

There was the slight hint of a tease in his voice and I bit on my lip trying to stop them smiling. Smiling probably wasn't appropriate right now. George opened the door and gestured for me to step outside as he followed me.

"Well my father was a very scary man, he was an Unspeakable, so I'd say you've lucked out."

I kept my voice light to show I wasn't upset. I didn't often speak about my parents, it had been near enough six years since they'd died and whilst I often felt the weight of grief settle on my if I thought of them too long I found speaking in a deliberately care free or detached manner made it bearable. I ducked my head slightly tucking my hair behind my right ear and caught my fingers on my sunglasses. I bit my lip again before taking a deep breath and pushed them up to sit on top of my head. The day had clouded over, I really didn't need them and really I supposed I'd been quite rude enough.

I heard George release a huge breath of air and I glanced up at him quizzically to see he was staring intently at me.

"You aren't upset."

"What about my parents? No, please don't worry about that."

"No I meant, well yes about themtoo, but I meant about – about us."

My confusion must have been obvious.

"I thought that's why you were wearing the sunglasses. To hide that you were upset."

He thought I'd been crying.

"Oh! Oh no, I'm just more in shock actually. I-I don't think I'm going to be very good at this."

"This?"

I took a breath wondering how to explain what I was feeling when I myself couldn't make sense of my emotions clearly.

"I mean, what's happening to us. I'm not good at relationships", I cursed the blush that spread over my face at the word, "I tend to prefer to avoid situations that make me feel…" I trailed off not sure how to finish.

"I'll bear that in mind."

There was a crooked smile on George's face but I couldn't read the emotion in his eyes, more due to the fact that I couldn't maintain eye contact with him. I ducked my head again fighting another blush as I realised we'd come to a stop the same place where he'd kissed me last week. Merlin, I'd even forgotten about that. In my embarrassment I stuck my hand out to say goodbye before I realised what I was doing.

My horror must have shown on my face as George bit back a laugh as he grabbed hold of my outstretched hand. His was much larger than mine and I could feel callouses on his skin.

"Oh Merlin", I closed my eyes in mortification. "I've turned into Ernie Macmillan."

A proper laugh burst from George at that and he started to shake my hand vigorously.

"Well it was absolutely splendid to see you Non, I must say I can't believe the Ministry have foisted this ridiculous law on us but us Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs always stick together and we have been through worse eh?"

His impression was so spot on, right down to the puffed out chest Ernie was so fond of when he finished one of his pep talks that I creased over laughing. It was a true laugh, not one of my hysterical outbursts from recent days for which I was thankful.

When my laughter died back I drew my hand back as George allowed his arm to swing to his side. I fiddled with the strap of my bag again unable to meet his gaze.

"Well I'll be going then."

"Will you be at the appeal tomorrow?"

I had half turned to go but his question made me pause and I glanced over my shoulder at him and nodded.

"Alright. See you tomorrow then."

"Yeah alright. Bye George."

"Bye. Non Non."

I shot him an irritated glance at that but he just grinned at me before turning to head back to The Burrow. I watched him for a moment but quickly spun around as he turned his head. I took out my wand and with a resounding crack I apparated to my home in Wales.

I sank into a kitchen chair and rested my head on the table and let out a heavy sigh. That hadn't been as unbearably awkward as it could have been although there had been plenty of bad patches but I found it difficult to focus on George. My mind settled back on to Hermione, Ron and Fred and my heart felt heavy for them.

The appeal tomorrow was going to be unpleasant but I knew even as I grimaced at the thought that I would have to be there for both my friend Hermione and my colleague Ron. I wondered if the powers that be in the Ministry truly understood the damage their law would cause regardless of their ultimate aim. Somehow, I didn't think they did.

A/N: hello. Welcome to my new followers, glad you're along for the ride. How did you all like it? I'd love it if you could let me know by a review. This is the first story I've tried writing in first person so I'd appreciate any feedback you guys have over how well I'm doing or where you think I could improve. Thanks again for reading!