Uninvited

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"Are you sure you want to run this place by yourself for two weeks, Minka?"

"It'll be fine. I want you to enjoy your holidays. Besides, Christmas is in three days. Most of the rush is gone."

Daphne had been offered to go to Australia with her friends for Christmas and Minka was determined that she go.

"If you need me at any time, I'll make it home as soon as I can."

Minka rolled her eyes.

"Just say you'll go before I change my mind." Daphne nodded and then hugged Minka suddenly.

"Thank you. For being such a great boss." Minka brushed Daphne's hair out of her face.

"Have you been drinking?"

"No." She let her go. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm glad to be working here. And I want you to know that you can talk to me about anything."

Minka gave a weak smile.

"In that case, what if I told you that George came by last night and kissed me?" She spoke so fast that she could hardly understand herself. Daphne's eyes practically popped out of her head.

"He did what?" Minka just nodded.

"What like a 'hey happy holidays kiss on the cheek'? Or-"

"Like a 'I'm about to go off to war and it's like I'm never going to see you again' type. Well, at least he tried." Daphne's jaw dropped. Minka walked behind the counter to ring up some of the customers.

"But wait, what did you do?" She followed her behind the cash, not willing to wait to finish the conversation.

"I shoved him off and told him to go back to his girlfriend."

"You had him in the palm of your hand and you let him go?!"

"It doesn't matter. We agreed to just pretend it didn't happen and are still friends." Daphne looked at her skeptically as did the customer handing her the money for their purchase. "What?" The customer shook their head and left.

"You seriously think you can go back to being friends after that?"

"We've done it before. And we shall see, he's coming by soon so I can give him his present."

"Well, in that case, I am going to take off a little early. He'll be here to protect you if anymore psycho protesters come by and I don't want to interrupt any steamy, passionate, raunchy-"

"Daphne!" She immediately stopped and shut her mouth tight. The next customer looked back and forth between them, a little weary of what to think.

"Sorry." Daphne muttered to the customer. Once everyone had cleared out, Daphne grabbed her bag and kissed Minka on the cheek.

"Good luck, and I will see you in two weeks! Remember, just send me a letter if you need anything. And you better send me a letter about what happens tonight."

Minka rolled her eyes and gave Daphne a hug before she left. She closed the till quickly and did all the paper work. She ran upstairs to get George's present, making sure it's wrapping still looked neat.

She heard the door open downstairs and she quickly smoothed out her dress and combed her fingers through her hair. She stopped herself abruptly.

'We're just friends.' She repeated over and over in her head. She made her way down the stairs and smiled.

"George I-" She stopped, her grin vanishing from her face. She slowly tucked George's present behind her back.

"George, why were you expecting George?" Killian asked, annoyance in his tone.

"Well, I was certainly not expecting you." She matched his tone as she walked over to the counter, placing George's present on one of the shelves behind it without him knowing. "I need you to leave." She walked past him and reached her hand out for the door handle. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him.

"I don't think so." He brushed his face against her cheek, inhaling.

"What are you doing? Killian, stop." She pushed against him and stepped back. "What the hell is wrong with you? How many times do I have to tell you this isn't going to happ-"

He slapped her hard and stepped toward her again. He held her head and began to kiss her lips forcefully. She pushed against him, trying to pry herself away. He growled against her lips and pushed her. She fell back, hitting her head against the counter.

Her vision sparkled with haze as she lay on the ground. She reached into her boot to pull out her wand, but he kicked her arm, sending her wand flying. She screamed as she felt the sting in her arm. Killian grabbed her legs and pulled her so she was lying completely flat on the ground. He then grabbed the end of her dress and began to tear.

"NO!" She swung one of her arms and wound up colliding with the side of his face. She felt her knuckles crack from the force and felt a few of her fingers throb in agony. It delayed him for a moment, and she quickly began to try and wiggle out from under him. He punched her across the cheek bone. Her mind went even fuzzier as she used her hands to push him off. She heard a sound ringing in her ears that was causing Killian to yell. She realized moments later that it was her own voice screaming.

He continued to tear at her dress as he leaned down to try and kiss her neck. All of his weight was suddenly lifted off of her, causing her to cough for a moment. She could hear movement in front of her and she sat up, trying to get her vision to focus.

George had Killian pinned to the ground and was hitting him repeatedly. Blood began to coat George's fist as he continued to punch. Killian's face became a bruised mess as his relentless attack continued.

"George." Minka's voice was soft and weak, but he heard her. George hoisted him up with no struggle and flung him out the door. George pulled out his wand and pointed it at Killian outside.

He must have left because George lowered his wand and shut the door. He locked it quickly and ran to kneel beside Minka. He pulled his coat off in one swift motion and swung it over Minka's shoulders. She flung her arms around George's neck and held him closely. She felt her breath becoming short and raspy. Small panicked noises escaped and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. She couldn't comprehend her reaction and simply tried to focus on George.

"It's okay. You're safe. Shhh, Minka. It's okay." He soothed as he held her close. He rocked back and forth and stroked the back of her head.

"It was all-happening-so fast…I didn't know…I couldn't-"

"Shhhh. Just breathe Minka." They stayed like that for a while. Her tears eventually subsided and her breath became even. She felt like she could fall asleep hugging him, until the pain in her fingers and face began to creep up and could no longer be ignored.

"He knows where I live." She said steadily. "He saw us outside my place. That night that we kissed."

She pulled away from him a little to look into his eyes.

"Who is he?" George asked carefully.

"He's the reason I left Ireland." She finally confessed. There was a long pause as George began to think.

"Okay, where's your purse?"

"Behind the counter, with your present." He nodded and quickly grabbed both. He put his present in her purse and swung it over his shoulder. He noticed her wand against the far wall and placed it in her purse as well. He picked her up, cradling her to his body and brought her over to his store. He managed to carry her all the way up to the apartment that sat on the top floor of the building.

"I used to live up here with my brother. I stay here every now and then if I'm late getting out of work." He explained, sitting her down on the couch. He left her there for a moment and came back with a pair of pajama bottoms and a collared t-shirt.

"It's all I really have, if you wanted to change. I'll make us some tea." He placed the clothes on the side of the couch and went into the kitchen. Minka quickly changed into the clothes. The pants were far too long and she had to roll them up several times. The draw string was tightened as much as possible. She couldn't do much about the shirt as it hung extremely loose. She did up the buttons at the front of the shirt as high as possible.

He came back in with two mugs and sat next to her. His hand was free from blood now, but bruising was already beginning to show.

"You look nice." He said handing her a mug.

"I reckon I'm ready for a royal ball." She muttered back, feeling protest in the side of her face from speaking. She took one sip and tucked her knees up close to her. She felt the throb in her fingers begin to dull slightly. She continued to drink her tea, letting the silence of the apartment fill her thoughts. There was a loud snap in her cheek, causing her to shout.

"Christ!" She screamed touching her cheek.

"Sorry, I put some healing potion in our tea. You're cheek bone was broken. It just snapped back into place." He then flinched himself, looking down at his one hand. She watched as one of his fingers snapped back into place.

"You broke your hand?" She whispered.

"The bastard had a thick head." Minka felt herself smile, a small laugh escaping.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be laughing. I don't know why I am." She took in a long breath and exhaled.

"I don't expect you to be acting normal right now." There was another bit of silence as they sipped the last of their tea.

"We're stopping off at your place so you can pack." George placed his cup on the table and stood up. He grabbed his jacket and held it out for Minka to slip her arms into.

"Pack for what?"

"You're coming with me for the holidays." Minka stood up and let George put the coat on her.

"But-"

"No, I'm not leaving you here. We'll get in and out of your place quickly and then head for The Burrow."

George kept an eye out in the hall as Minka packed her bag quickly, throwing in everything her hands could grab. Before she left, she changed into her own clothes and then headed back out into the hall.

They apparated from there and landed in the same field they had landed near The Burrow as before.

"Are you sure about me being here? Won't it be awkward to explain to your family?"

"I wasn't really worried about explaining it to my family. I'm more worried about explaining it to Angelina."

"She doesn't know what happened, does she?"

"No. But we're friends. And she should understand that you're my friend who I saved from being attacked and who is now staying with me so I can protect you."

Minka raised an eye brow in skepticism.

"Yeah…it doesn't sound good."

"Nope."

They knocked on the door and Molly answered with as much enthusiasm as last time. Although this time she was a little more confused.

"Minka, we weren't expecting to see you. But still, it's so glad to see you again." She gave her a hug. "For now it's just you two. The rest will be here tomorrow."

"Mum, can I speak to you?" Molly nodded. He led her off into the kitchen as Minka went to sit on the couch in their family room. She waited patiently, picking at a loose thread on her jeans.

Finally, George emerged, giving her a smile.

"I'll show you to your room." She stood up and followed him up the stairs.

"What did you tell her?"

"I'm sorry, I couldn't lie to her. I told her that you were attacked and it was safer for you to stay with us." He stopped on the first landing and looked into her eyes. "Please don't be mad."

"George, you saved me from Killian. Not to mention, you are still saving me by letting me stay with you." His face glowed in the candlelight of the landing. She leaned in and kissed his cheek softly. "I have nothing but gratitude." He smiled at her and continued to lead her up the stairs.

He opened the door to one of the bedrooms on the third floor and placed her bag onto the bed. Minka stepped in, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. She sat on the edge of the bed and looked around the room. It was warm and very cozy.

"Minka?" She turned to look up at him. He moved to sit in the chair across from her. He leaned forward and held her gaze. "I think it's time you told me what happened to you." Minka looked back and forth between his eyes. She owed him so much. She thought of telling him everything, and instead of fear, she felt nothing but relief if she finally confessed.

She took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly.

"Okay."