A/N: So the votes for continuation have won. "Congratulations. Oh dear! Surprise! Surprise! You raced the worst, so you came in first and you didn't win any prize!" Besides more chapters that is. :-P

Charlie and Angela huh? Well, we'll have to wait and see. There's more to George's involvement in this story than has been revealed. But who knows? It could happen.

I neither confirm nor deny the possibility of Charlie and Angela getting together. Let's just take it one step at a time, shall we?

I'm glad ya'll want me to continue. Makes me feel special (smiles happily in a warm glow). Righto then, on with the story. :-D

Chapter 11/One Year Later

I was working the front of the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes when Ginny walked in. There was a bounce in her step and I couldn't help grinning. Stepping around the counter, I greeted her warmly.

"Hello Ginny, and for what reason are you glowing today?"

She smiled widely. "Oh, Harry and I just finished our date." Her eyes were twinkling.

I should have known. Only Harry could have made her appear this happy. It had been a year since Fred's death, and the Weasleys were trying hard to make things return to normal. The only one who was finding it increasingly difficult to do was George. He still walked around like it was just yesterday that Fred lay under a pile of rubble in the middle of a Hogwarts hallway. It hurt me inside to see him so unhappy and I tried to comfort him, but how can you comfort someone who never opens up to you?

Charlie encouraged me as much as he could, but he had left for Romania. However, he promised he would be back for my twentieth birthday which was coming up in a few weeks. I was no longer living at the Burrow. With the money I earned working at the shop, I had rented out an apartment in Diagon Alley so I could open the shop early in the morning. George didn't get up so well nowadays.

Ginny was now actively dating Harry, and Ron and Hermione were still going strong. Fleur was pregnant (Bill was nervous yet jubilant). Percy had started working under Kingsley who was the new Minister of Magic. Percy also had started dating his old girlfriend Penelope Clearwater. I realized with a start how George must be feeling. Every single person in his family had someone. Bill had Fleur, Charlie had me in a way, Percy had Penelope, Ron had Hermione, and Ginny had Harry. George had no one.

I must have frowned deeply for Ginny started shaking my arm.

"Hey, Angela, you in there?"

I jerked myself out of my stupor. "Oh yes, I'm sorry Ginny. What were you saying?"

"I was asking about how George was doing these days."

I sighed. "I don't know; he doesn't talk to me. That's ten Knuts young man," I called to a boy who was trying to stick a fake wand in his pocket. He scowled at being caught and replaced the fake wand.

Ginny went on as if nothing had happened. "That's strange," she frowned thoughtfully. "Not at all?"

"Well, just things like 'can you close up shop tonight?' or 'where did I put those Pygmy Puffs?' He doesn't even call me 'Angie' anymore. Just Angela or worse, Barry."

Ginny chewed on her bottom lip. "Wow, I didn't know it was that bad. I'm so sorry Angela."

I blinked. "Why? I understand what he's going through, didn't I go through it myself when Cedric died?"

Ginny narrowed her eyes at me. "Speaking of which, how are you doing?"

I turned back and walked around to my place behind the counter. I gave her a small smile.

"Some days . . . I feel like I want to kill myself," I said quietly.

Ginny clapped her hand over her mouth. "Oh Angela!" She breathed. I shrugged.

"I won't of course, but it gets frustrating, you know? I need someone to talk to about it and with Charlie gone . . ."

"You need to talk to George. You both need each other to help you both get through this!"

"Yeah well, tell that to George. His mouth his more tightly shut than a clamshell."

Ginny nodded slowly. "Maybe I should talk to him."

I shook my head. The bell above the shop door tinkled lightly as someone walked in. "No, I don't think you should."

She looked grimly at me. "Angela, this can't go on any longer. He needs you. And he knows it."

I wanted to ask her what she meant by that, but before I could, I was suddenly surrounded by familiar faces whom I hadn't seen in a long time.

"Seamus? Luna? Neville?" I cried, hugging each of them. "What are you doing here?"

"Shopping for prank weaponry, of course," Seamus Finnigan said, grinning widely.

Luna Lovegood was staring out the window, looking, as always, like she had just wandered in by accident. Neville Longbottom was leaning over a box of Reusable Hangmans. Seamus noticed Ginny and gave an exclamation of delight.

"Ginny! How are you? How's Ron and Harry?"

She grinned. "They're doing well, thank you."

"Ron is here actually," I said. "Helping George out in the back room."

At that moment George came out of the said room. He froze when he saw his old school friends in the shop. I could hear Ginny suck in a sharp breath and I knew why. George was not eating as he should and it showed. He was thin, gaunt; his eyes were empty and lifeless and there were dark, heavy bags under them. Premature wrinkles could faintly be seen on his forehead. He looked much older than his twenty-one years.

The shop had grown silent. Ginny stepped forward slightly but he did not acknowledge her. After scanning the room his bleak, brown eyes rested on me. My breath caught in my throat. Was he actually going to speak to me?

"Angela, could you write down somewhere that we need more Ton-Tongue Toffees?"

I opened my mouth to answer but he was gone. Ginny frowned stormily.

"I have to talk to him soon." She muttered.

I sighed. "He's free after six, he'll be up in the apartment."

She nodded firmly. "He has some explaining to do."

0000000

I was quietly reading in my apartment when Ginny Apparated into the room, looking furious. It was around seven at night and her fiery red hair shimmered like fire in the candlelight. I calmly placed a bookmark at my place and closed the book, setting it aside and looking expectantly at Ginny. My hand went unconsciously to my chest where a golden locket lay. Inside the locket was a picture of my mother and father and Cedric. I hadn't been able to find a picture of Fred.

"That George Weasley is a bloody git!" Ginny spouted.

I raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"

Ginny flopped down on the bed in a most unladylike fashion. But then, Ginny had never been ladylike.

"I go up to his apartment and he was acting normal. Well, normal enough. He wasn't like walking around like Inferi or anything. He was just starting his supper (skimpy meal, it's a wonder he's still alive what how he eats nowadays), and I joined him. He asked about Bill and Fleur and Harry, and Mum and Dad, and Charlie and Percy (because he doesn't come home to see them anymore) and after a while I decided it was safe to bring up you."

"Let me guess, it wasn't safe."

Ginny frowned so hard I was afraid her eyes would be lost underneath her eyebrows. "I should say so."

"Did he blow up at you?"

Ginny's eyebrows shot in the other direction. "No! That's what's strange! He totally shut up. He wouldn't say a word. I asked him why he didn't talk to you like he used to and why he had trouble looking at you and he didn't answer, just stared down at his plate. When I persisted he got up and left the room." Ginny flung her arms up in the air and brought them down again with a hard slap. "What is wrong with him? He's wasting away and he doesn't even see it! I followed him, telling that he needed to talk to someone and he insisted that nothing was wrong with him. Can't he see himself? There's a mirror in his bedroom, why doesn't he look into it?"

I remained silent, letting Ginny cool off. She stood and started pacing back and forth, muttering expletives under her breath. I picked up my book and resumed reading. Every once and a while Ginny would fling a candle across the room and then repair it with her wand. I was reminded of three red-haired young men berating me in a hotel room after they had found out I was engaged to a certain ferret. . . . Finally Ginny calmed down.

She collapsed onto the floor and sighed heavily. I lay down my book and joined her, lying on my back and staring at the ceiling. A familiar ache welled up in my chest. I reached out and took Ginny's hand.

"Ginny?"

She grunted.

"How did you know? How did you know that Fred . . ." I trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

Ginny sighed exasperatedly. "Well, aside from the fact that he would stare at you when you weren't looking, would complain loudly about Malfoy whenever he could, and kept asking me questions about you, no reason at all."

I flushed. "What kind of questions?"

Ginny released my hand and sat up, pressing her back against the wall. I sat up also, sitting against the bed. I tossed her a pillow and held one of my own. I smiled inwardly. Our first sleepover.

"Oh, you know," she hugged her pillow to her chest tightly. "What your favorite color was, why you liked Malfoy, if he should tell you or not, things like that. I kept insisting he should tell you before Malfoy claimed you for good, but he kept saying he wanted to make sure he didn't force you into anything you didn't want to do."

She sighed and pressed her chin into the pillow, her long, fiery hair shielding her face from me. I fingered my locket. I really needed to find a picture of Fred. . . .

A longing filled my heart. I had not known Fred as long as I had Cedric, so the pain was not quite the same. However, Fred was someone special in my life whom I might have married. That pain was just as deep.

"Ginny?"

"Mmm?"

"Do you think you could find me a picture of Fred? For my locket?"

She glanced at the piece of jewelry hanging from my neck. "Keep this up and you're going to need a bigger locket."

I gave a short, harsh laugh. "I don't think so. I'm not planning on having any more of my friends die."

Ginny looked up completely then and smiled.

0000000

I looked up at the sound of the bell and groaned inwardly. Why did it have to be her? I glanced at Ron, his eyes widened as the young woman made her way to the front counter where I stood. Ron and I exchanged harried glances, both looking back at the store room where I knew George was restocking the shelves. He barely came out front anymore.

"Hi," the dark skinned young woman said. "Do I know you?"

I nodded. "Yes you do, I'm Angela Barry, we went to Hogwarts together. You were a year above me."

She smiled. "That's right; you were a Ravenclaw, yes?"

I nodded again. Ron stepped up.

"Hello Angelina," he said.

She smiled at him. "Hello Ron, it's been awhile hasn't it? Did I ever thank you for winning us the Cup that one year Harry, Fred, and George were kicked off the team?"

Ron flushed. He seemed surprised that she remembered that. "Y-yes. You did."

She turned back to me. "Where is George by the way? I thought this was his shop."

"It is; he's in the back."

Angelina Johnson made to follow my pointing finger. I held out my hand.

"Um, I'm sorry, but you can't go back there."

She looked surprise. "Why? I want to give him my condolences; I didn't make it to the funeral."

I remembered then that Angelina had been Fred's date to the Yule Ball. A pang of jealously entered my chest but I shook it off. That was before Fred had feelings for me. And that was way before I had feelings for him. I bit my lip. I still didn't think Angelina should see George. Seeing her would remind him of Fred. Not that every time he looked at his family or around the shop he didn't, but still. . . .

Before I could decide what to do, George came out of the back room, his arms full of more Ton-Tongue Toffees. I wondered how he had obtained them so soon. Had he stayed up all night making them? He froze when he saw Angelina, much like he had done before, only this time he actually had a reaction. His eyes widened and I thought I saw a ghost of a smile flicker around his lips.

"Angelina! What are you doing here?" He tossed the Toffees into Ron's arms and went forward to give Angelina a hug.

I blinked in surprise. How was it that he was glad to see Angelina, but not Luna, Neville, and Seamus? Or me for that matter? I glanced at Angelina and saw her purse her lips when she took in George's gaunt state.

"I came to see how you were doing. I'm sorry I didn't make it to the funeral."

A tender look entered her eyes. I suddenly felt like I was eavesdropping on a private conversation and that feeling made me uneasy. I glanced at Ron but he was placing the Toffees in their display. However I thought I saw him keeping an eye on George and Angelina. I waited on a costumer, my ears still perked towards the two beside me. I was very protective of George these days, Charlie told me to be there for him and I took that to heart. I didn't want anyone or anything to hurt him again.

"You didn't miss much," George said softly. I frowned.

There was an awkward pause.

"Well, it was nice seeing you; we should go out for a cuppa one of these days."

Again that phantom of a smile flickered across George's mouth. Why was it that he was willing to smile at her but not at me? Or Ron for that matter?

"Yeah, maybe."

Angelina left and George returned to the back. Ron glanced at me questioningly and I gave a bewildered shrug. More costumers trickled in however, so no more exchanges passed between us. In fact the rest of the day became very busy, for school had been let out by now, and children too young to go to Hogwarts were cramming into the store. I had to smile even as I felt a headache coming on.

I was glad when my work day was complete. Ron gave me a tired smile on his way out.

"I'm going to let you lock up tonight," he said.

I stuck out my tongue at him and he laughed. "Fine, but you owe me. This was you're night to do it."

"I know, but I've got a date with Hermione."

I raised my eyebrows. "In that case, go! Go! Forget the shop!"

"You're the best, Angela," he grinned.

"Tell Hermione I said 'hello.'"

"Will do!" He called as he left the store.

I locked the door behind him then went to the back to check on George and tell him that I was leaving for my apartment for the night. He wasn't there. I frowned. He must have left while Ron and I were herding the kids out during closing time. I opened the door that held a sign that read: "Weasleys Only" in Fred's bold lettering. As a loyal employee and close friend of the Weasleys, I was allowed into the apartment above the shop. The only others who were allowed were Harry, Hermione, and Lee.

I made my way up the stair, not stopping until I reached the top. I then knocked on the solitary door and waited. When no one answered I pushed the door open and stepped inside. I instantly had to smile. Why was it that single young men felt the urge to leave their clothes all over the floor and their dirty dishes stacked a mile high in the sink?

I stepped into the bachelor pad and looked around for George. I saw that the bedroom door was closed and figured he was on the other side. Since I was here already, I decided to just stay and wait until he came out. Then maybe I could talk to him about his personality as of late.

Almost involuntarily I started picking up the clothes from the floor and cleaning them with a flick of my wand. Then I folded them and piled them neatly on the floor near the bedroom. I then tackled the kitchen. I pointed my wand at the dirty dishes and said, "Scourgify!"

While the dishes cleaned themselves, I set about to make a hearty meal for George's supper. I believed what Ginny said about him not eating very well and made up my mind to do something about that as well. When the steak was tender and the potatoes were mashed and the green beans were soft, I laid it all out on the table and then sat down opposite George's chair to eat myself.

When I was halfway through my meal, George appeared in the doorway. He jerked to a stop, his eyes wide with shock.

"Angela?" His voice was a hoarse whisper.

I smiled at him. "Hello." I said with forced brightness.

His eyes were red and his face was blotchy, so I knew he had been crying. His flaming red hair was tousled so that he looked like a little boy. It was obvious he wasn't so little though, for he was shirtless and muscles from hard Quidditch playing as a Beater had toned his arms and chest. Freckles stood out on his shoulders and arms. However his body was thin and almost wasted from lack of nourishment. I frowned slightly. He was starving himself. What would have been a fairly nice body looked almost sickly. George noticed me staring at his torso and looked down. His cheeks flushed red and looked around at the floor for a shirt. I pointed to the stack of clothes.

"I put them over there."

He followed the direction of my pointing finger with his eyes and quickly walked over to the pile. Pulling a shirt out, he swiftly put it on. I continued eating. He turned back to me and approached the table, staring at me with a bemused expression.

"Eat," I said, jabbing my fork in the direction of the food I had prepared for him. "Before it gets cold."

George glanced around, but seeing no way out, he sat reluctantly. He glared faintly down at the food and I knew it was way more than he was used to eating. He glanced up at me then quickly down again. I sighed inwardly. What was wrong with him? What was with this shy George? He used to always look me in the eye and try to make me laugh. Now he could barely stand to look at me.

"George," I waited until he lifted his head. He kept his eyes on the tabletop. "Is there something you need to tell me?"

I crossed my fingers under the table then let out a sigh of dejection when he did not speak. He returned to pushing his food around. I growled softly.

"If you do not start eating right now, I'm going to force feed it to you."

I thought I saw a hint of a smile before George slowly cut up his meat and pressed a small piece through his lips. I finished off my meal and stood, adding my dishes to the ones being clean. Walking over to George I stared down at him and watched him eat robotically. I know he knew I was standing close to him for he shifted away slightly. My lips tightened but I didn't say anything about it.

"I'll see you later, okay George? You take care of yourself." I paused. "Get some sleep." I said as an afterthought.

He did not answer. I hadn't expected him to. Bending over I kissed the top of his head. He stiffened slightly but I chose to ignore it. Concentrating on my apartment, I turned on the spot and Disapparated.

Once I arrived in my apartment, I sent a letter to Ginny detailing everything that happened. Then I started another letter, this one to Charlie Weasley.

Dear Charlie,

I'm sorry I haven't responded sooner to your latest correspondence. George's condition has been worrying me to no end and since he will not manage the shop, the task has fallen to me and Ron. I will not say that I don't enjoy the work, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes is a fascinating place as you well know. The many children only give me a slight headache and I am always very busy. However I spend most of my time nowadays fearing for George's health as he rarely comes out of the back room and never goes to visit his family.

I'm almost at the end of my rope here. I know you told me I needed to be strong for George and be there for him but I don't see how I can. He doesn't speak to me anymore. Ginny tried to talk to him about his condition but he would not speak to her either. She came to me in her fit of rage and had to repair my candlestick several times.

Please come soon, you needn't wait for my birthday. Come as soon as you can. I need your help desperately if I'm to get through to George. By the way Angelina Johnson stopped by earlier today. George spoke to her just fine whereas when Luna Lovegood, Seamus Finnigan, and Neville Longbottom visited the shop, he barely glanced at them. Any ideas as to why he would do this?

Your loving friend,

Angela

P.S. I'm afraid I cannot visit you in Romania. The hat styles are not to my liking.

I smiled slightly as I folded up the letter and stuck it in an envelope. Charlie and I had been writing each other frequently ever since he left after the funeral and he always ended his letters with a P.S. asking me to come visit him some day. I kept giving ridiculous excuses that I'm sure made him laugh but never gave him the real reason I couldn't go.

I gave my two letters to Cornucopia, my owl. She ruffled her feathers, gave me an affection peck which made my hand bleed, and soared out the window. I leaned against the sill, my chin in my hands, watching her fly. I sighed and looked down into the street. Shopkeepers were locking up their various stores and bustling down the streets to the secret entrances at the back of the Leaky Cauldron. I looked over to where Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes stood, with the apartment above it.

I watched as the lights went out in a window. I straightened and closed my own window. Heading for the bathroom and a relaxing bath, I wished silently for this pain inside of both me and George to ease. I wished for reconciliation between us. I wished for peace.

Reviews make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. And Double Chocolate Dream Cookies to the person who can tell me what poem that quote came from in the A/N at the beginning of this chapter. ;-)