(A/N 9th chapter coming through, make way haha! I want to quick thank all of my readers for reading and all the people who reviewed, it means the workd to me!! Okay here it is! Enjoy!)
The night that Harry, Ron, and Hermione stepped through the painting that led to theHogs head from the room of requirement was the day we fought. I knew then that a horcrox must be in the school. The moment Fred and George stepped through that very painting my heart leapt into my throat. There was no time to introduce them to Bree, let alone even say hello.
We fought side by side that night, just going from bad to worse in a matter of minutes as we lost Harry only to find that he had been killed, our last chance, only hope, dead.
But he wasn't really dead no he was very much alive; Neville managed to kill Nagini, the last horcruxes. Making the standings even just Voldamort and Harry; the stand off was painful to watch, everone's lives hanging on a thin string. Voldamort, in an attempt to kill Harry, cast the killing curse and, unknown to Voldamort at the time, he did with the Elder wand that belonged to Harry. The spell backfired killing Voldamort and ending this whole thing for good.
But something was very wrong; Fred was missing gone, not among the dead, or the living.
I saw something there on the floor, glinting the light of the torches, a sign and I knew what to do. I scooped it up leaving the Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, George, Ron, and Ginny, who were mourning the loss of Fred. Harry stood with them, Hermione next to him, watching the heart wrenching scene unfold; I managed to leave them all unnoticed.
I slipped the cool chain around my neck turning it twice and flew back two hours in time, to find that people were running out of the great hall. The bodies that were laid here after the battle, had yet to be placed there, and it was full of young kids running to escape.
I shadowed my earlier self, watching, my eyes never leaving Fred, waiting for the time that he disappeared. I had positioned myself directly behind him watching as we started fighting death eaters, then join by Harry, then the we were join by the spiders.
A spell backfired and the whole ceiling caved in, I saw it in slow motion. Fred was running trying to escape but the stone was falling fast. I lunged, grabbing Fred, pushing him away from a large tumbling rock. A second explosion pushed us out threw an already broken window onto the grounds where we landed behind the castle in the grass.
I heard voices and thinking fast I drug Fred's lifeless body into the bushes ignoring the pain that screamed from my left arm. After I got him well out of sight I quickly leaned over him, desperate to see if he was breathing. A rasping came from his throat and his pulse was faint but it was there. I cried I couldn't help it; he was alive, for now. I couldn't sit here and wait, I wanted to fight, and I lightly kissed his cheek, promising to be right back.
I ran across the grass to shoot death eaters down, one after another.
There Voldamort fell once again, I watched for the second time as his own spell backfired killing him. My thoughts went right to Fred, he had to make just had to!
I raced tripping once sliding in the grass only to jump back up again not, feeling the pain that throbbed up from my ankle. I found him just where I left him and collapsed on the ground to see if he was alive. I fumbled grabbing his wrist and desperately waited for his pulse to come but couldn't tell if it was his or mine. I gave up on his wrist and leaned over his open mouth were a trickle of blood streamed from. A soft flutter tickled my cheek, his breath, he was alive! I pushed him to the side making him sit up.
"Fred, Fred?!" I asked lightly patting his shoulder. Nothing, "Come on Fred, wake up!" his eyes fluttered open lazily and he took me in.(A/N sorry if you don't like that I made Fred live but George is nothing without Fred and I wasn't going to let that happen!)
"Tala…?" he whispered hoarsely and I kept talking.
"Yes Fred, it's me, try and stand could you? We have to get you help." I urged and he attempted to stand and after four fruitless tries he was standing on shaking legs falling against me.
"Go on, it is alright Fred, you can lean on me" I said and I felt his weight heavy on my shoulder, luckily it was my right shoulder and not the left on which my arm was throbbing. Step by step we stumbled up to the castle and into the hall.
Heads turned as we stopped in the door way and a cry rose from the people.
"Fred, Tala!" They all shouted. The Weasley's turned Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, George, Ron, Ginny, Harry, and Hermione all looked with disbelief as I stood there with Fred. Then in a flurry of movement they all ran, Mr. Weasley took Fred from my shoulder and I was hugged by Mrs. Weasley who sobbed her thanks into my shoulder. I looked up to see the indescribable joy written in George's eye the thanks. Into his arms I collapsed, after Mrs. Weasley let go, and in his arms was where I wanted to stay.
"You just disappeared, I thought you were de-" He couldn't finish.
"I'm right here" I reassured him. We pulled away only when Ginny shouted that Fred was speaking. I knelt by his side to see Mrs. Weasley lovingly wiping the blood of his chin.
"Tala" he whispered they all looked at me as I nodded, urging him to go on.
"You, you saved my life." He simply said. "I am forever in you debt." I cried, tears of joy running down my cheeks dripping on his chest. I leaned forward and hugged him tightly and as I let go, I planted a salty kiss on his cheek, then left him to Mrs. Weasley. As she knelt next to him Mr. Weasley grabbed my shoulders, tears glinting in his eyes.
"He loves you so much, we all do; I don't know how we could ever thank you enough."
"He is my best friend, practically my older brother, he was always there when I needed him and I am just happy to be able to do the same." He smiled and summed up his feelings in two words, I could just feel the love in the way he spoke them.
"Thank you."
The next few weeks were spent in the hospital were I rarely left Fred's side along with Angelina and George.
I sat there with arm in a sling, brace on my ankle, George's arm pulling me close and one of Fred's hands in my own. It turned out I did cut my left arm on the glass when Fred and I fell out the window, pretty deep too. When I was running down to Fred and I slipped, I did a number on my ankle, especially when I carried his extra weight back up to Hogwarts.
Now Angelina, Fred, and George we all smiling at me and I knew they were going to tell me something.
"What's going on?" I couldn't take their sly smiles.
"Well" Fred said grin playing on his lips as he lay in the bed "Weasley's Wizard Wheezes is opening back up and George and I are going to be moving back in, and Angelina of course" he added as she squeezed his other hand that she held. "We would love if you would move in with us."
"If you father allows it" George added and he pulled me even closer.
"Guys really?! Oh I couldn't say no!" I cried, hugging George with my right arm and brushed my lips over Fred's hand.
"Great I can get out of this place in a few days, so looks like you and George get a few days alone" Fred said slyly, winking at me and I blushed, giving Fred's leg a soft slap.
"Bye dad; thanks so much" I whispered into his shoulder as he hugged me.
"Only 17 and your already moving out, I knew it would come but not so soon." He whispered back looking at me sadly.
"Oh stop acting like you will never see me again, I am going to be working in the shop and if I am wrong, and I know I am not, you will be there getting some pranks." I smiled, eyes misting and I looked to George who held one of my trunks, shrunken down, with Kala next to him.
"I will go every day if I can." He said kissing my forehead lightly his well groomed short beard tickling my nose, he had been cleared of his sentence last week and I knew dad was ready to get out. I didn't doubt he would come every day.
I took George's hand then drinking in the chills his touch gave me, scooped up Kala, and after one last bye we apparated to the shop.
Being that there were only two bedrooms in the apartment over the shop I knew I would be staying in George's, something I might have purposely left out when I told my dad about staying with the guys. Kala, after entering in the shop down below, had run off to look for mice and get to know the place she told me.
I laughed as we passed Fred's room and George pointed out the mess that covered the floor and that poor Angelina would be staying in there.
We entered his room, which was clean and orderly, I set my bag on the queen sized bed and George set the trunk on the bed too. The room was painted gold and maroon, maroon on the walls with gold boarder. The bed spread was gold and the rugs on the wooden floor were gold and maroon. It was roomy with a desk and dresser. Two closet doors on the wall to the left, posters of quidditch teams on the wall to the right. I sighed and sat heavy on the bed, I had moved so many times between my home in gram's house, the Weasley's in Ginny's room, Hogwarts, Sirius's house, now here.
"Something wrong? If you don't like anything I can change it, the colors, the-" he asked sitting down next to me.
"No, no it's all great" I cut him off, really did love it, I also loved that he was so willing to do anything for me including change his room.
"What is it?" he asked taking my hand and I knew I couldn't lie and think I could fool him.
"I'm going to miss them." I admitted.
"Them?" he asked running his thumb over the top of my hand and its scars sending chills up and down my spine.'
"Sirius, Gram, Ginny, Hermione, Luna"
"Oh" he said and I knew he was searching for something to say that would comfort me.
"But it is my first day away really; it's not surprising for me to miss them." I pointed out.
"Naturally, but you have me" he whispered and leaned closer. Our lips met we kiss deeply. I felt the fluttering growing and smiled under his lips. He leaned even closer forcing me back and I knocked over my trunk with my elbow and it crashed to the floor with a loud thud. We jumped apart, looking for the source of the noise and laughing when we saw what had happened.
"I should unpack" I stated and he nodded lifting the trunk back up. He left me then to do so, going off to make sure everything was as it should be, he and Fred had closed WWW for the year.
I got everything in its place and then got dressed. We were going to be going out to eat at a restaurant as a welcome home party, George still wouldn't tell me where. I slipped on a cute knee length dress that was white with maroon and gold flower patterns on it; around the waist was a black strap that went up from the sides and around my neck. I just knew George would love it!
I went to look for George through the small living room and kitchen, he wasn't there. Down the stairs and into the shop I went, where I guessed he must be. It was dark in the shop but a little light was on over at the counter, I walked over to find him there looking over some papers, wait was he really looking at papers, was this the right George? (A/N Haha, is it the right George?) He looked up at me and his jaw dropped, looking the slightly short dress over.
"Ready to go I see" he smiled and stood, he had on a pair of black jeans, a dark grey button up shirt and a loose creamy tie with tiny black dots. He pulled his black jacket of the back of his chair and I slipped on my light wool black sweater.
He took my arm and led me out into the coolness of the night. Diagon ally was alive; businesses were reopening, people laughed again, and looked carefree.
He led me to a restaurant that looked newly reopened and we took our seats at a table for two outside under the stars. Happily chatting as we waited for our food, I loved how at ease I felt with him. Our food arrived and we ate in comfortable silence but ever now and then I peek up and catch him watching me. After our meal we walked around enjoying the lights of the shops he wrapped an arm protectivly around me and I loved every second.
I couldn't help but stop and look at the owls sitting in the window of an owl shop, there was one that's whole body was pure white and on her chest were little brown flecks, her wings where a beautiful brown gold and the outline of the heart around her face was the same light golden color. I looked at her dreamily and she looked back, her almond shaped eyes rimed with light gold giving her black eyes a brown tinge. I glaned back to George who watched at me and I blushed under the intensity of his gaze.
I let him lead me around a bit more and then we headed home. Kala was there to welcome us with a mouse tail hanging between her teeth. I saw George grimace.
"So there was a mouse in here" he exclaimed looking down at Kala.
"No, there were three" she retorted chin held high and I laughed. George looked at me wondering what Kala said and Kala darted away to look for more.
"What did she say?" he asked.
"There were three" I said and he winced and I climbed the stairs in the back.
He jogged after me and I headed for his room, grabbing my tooth brush of the bed where I left it. I also pulled out a pair of soft blue plaid pajama pants and plain black shirt.
George watched as I left the room and shut myself in the bathroom that was across from Fred's room. I changed and brushed my teeth then went back to find George in a pair of black pajama pants himself with a white tee shirt on, sitting on the bed, propped up against the backboard eyes on me.
I smiled at him as I threw my dress in the hamper that sat by the door, and then joined him on the bed. I cuddled up next to him curling my legs up close and resting my head on his shoulder. He was unnaturally quiet and I felt a little worried.
"Something wrong" I questioned.
"Not anymore" he said slyly and his left hand cupped my cheek and he planted a soft kiss on my lips. I looked up into his eyes smiled weakly.
"If its okay with you I am going to sleep, it's been a long day" I saw no judgment in his eyes at my words and he nodded kissing my forehead.
"Goodnight" he whispered against my skin and then turned the lights out.
I woke early, like I usually did and George was still sound asleep. I lay for a moment taking him in, his bright red hair on the pillow, his mouth open slightly and soft snores rumbled from his chest. One arm was wrapped protectively around my waist and I was afraid to wake him put trying to pry it off.
I twisted and tried to slide out from under it and as I struggled he moved. I froze hoping I didn't wake him but instead he just tightened his grip around me. Sighing and feeling just a tad frustrated I struggled some more, as I did found George was not, I repeat was not, and light sleeper.
I must have jabbed him in his stomach four times with my elbow and yet he still didn't move. I gave up on trying to squeeze out, and just ended up reaching around my back and grabbing his hand, I tried to lift it away from my body, in that awkward position, was not easly. I managed to pulled it up slowly and rolled out from under it, gently placing it back in the bed.
Smiling at my feat I took a quick shower, and put on a pair of worn skinny jeans, v-neck plum purple shirt, and my favorite pair of black converse.
I had just washed the last bowl when a sleepy looking George wandered out. His hair lay askew on his forehead and he rubbed his eyes like he didn't believe what he was seeing. He stumbled over and kissed me quickly on the cheek then looked back at the table where a plate of still warm pancakes sat with eggs, bacon and toast. Mrs. Weasley had warned me, when I helped her cook one morning, how the twins tended to eat like five grown men, so I had cooked it all just for him.
"What is this?" he asked finding his voice.
"For you" I said and pulled out one of the chairs to the table. He looked at me, searching for words but unable to find any took the seat and flashed me a huge smiled.
We opened the shop for the first time that day after George had given me the whole explanation of how everything worked, where they were in the back, and the different products. I was happy I remembered a lot of them from past years with the guys.
There was a crowd of kids within an hour of having the shop open, I couldn't help but laugh at how much the kids seemed to miss the twins, or even more their pranks.
That night we were both exhausted and we fell into bed, going out with the light after reciving a quick goodnight kiss from George of course.
I woke up early once more to cook breakfast but this time George was ready. As I slowly pried his arm off of me his eyes opened and he smiled warmly at me. I let go of his hand and let him pulled me closer.
"Morning" he whispered burring his face in my messy bed head.
"Morning" I answered laughing as he nuzzled my hair.
"Where do you think you think you were going?"
"I was going to go make some breakfast"
"Oh no you weren't" he pulled out of my hair and looked me in the face eyes sparkling, mouth smirking.
"Am I hearing this right, George Weasley doesn't want his breakfast made for him?" I asked not believing what I heard.
"Yes you are, you worked hard enough yesterday morning" he stated eyes serious now but his mouth was still smirking.
"I am a woman, isn't that what they do?"
"Not this one" and he pressed me up against his chest kissing the side of my forehead lovingly.
"Well I am not sure I trust you to do the cooking" I started and he looked pretended to look offended. "So we will make a compromise"
"Keep talking"
"We both will make breakfast together" I suggested.
"I like it" George mumbled and he hid his face in my hair again, I figured he must have fallen back alseep.
"What time are you planning on getting this breakfast made?" I asked when he didn't say anything more.
"In an hour or so" sleepily said from my hair.
"I don't think so" I laughed and he moaned.
"One more hour mum"
"George" I whispered.
"Just one more hour"
"George" I demanded.
"What?"
"Please let go of me so I can get up" I smirked at the death grip he had around my waist.
"No" he mumbled from in my hair.
"George" he didn't move, fine I would get him off me. I arched my neck forwards and let my lips meet his bare skin of his neck. I had his attention; I moved my way up the side of his neck and knew I found a sweet spot when a small shiver ran up his body. I pressed my lips gently against the sweet spot and I felt his hold loosen a little. I kissed harder and his arms went limp.
I slipped out of his grasp and jumped up before he could react. A smile of success playing on my lips, he looked up at me trying to be stern but obviously not wanting to move.
"Don't make me get up" he threatened. I shook my head and stuck my tongue out at him like a five year old. "Tala" he warned and I smirked at him noticing his body was tensing, getting ready to pounce.
I jumped just in time running down the hall as fast as I could. I heard a thud as he followed.
I had on a pair of black boxers and light, white tee shirt with the name Muse on it, my favorite muggle band. I was glad for the shorts leaving my legs free to run.
I turned to see George racing down the hall after me. He wore also wore black boxers and a plain white tee shirt. I ran through the kitchen with him slowly gained on me, around into the living room I went, stopping behind the couch and he faced me on the other side.
He was laughing, so was I.
He made a quick dive for it and caught me around the waist lifting me up over his shoulder. I weakly kicked my legs as he carried me back to the bed room and dropped me on the bed. Before I could do anything he was on top of me, grinning like crazy.
"I warned you" he laughed and I pouted trying to sulk. He leaned down and wiped the pout off my face with a deep kiss. He pulled back an inch from my face and our eyes met, smiles playing on our lips. His red hair hung down and tickled my forehead and my messy curls were sprawled out around my head from the force of the drop. Just then a growl broke the sweet moment and I laughed.
"Hungry, or are you trying to turn me on?" he joked.
"Hungry" I answered rolling my eyes at him.
"Well I guess we should get started on the breakfast then"
"We should" I laughed and he helped me off the bed. We went into the kitchen and I started to pull out bread, eggs, and bacon.
"So who is this Moose?" he was leaning against the fridge, milk in his hands. Moose, what was he talking about? Oh my shirt!
"Muse" I corrected.
"Yeah that?"
"It's my favorite muggle band, here I will show you" I answered and I ran into our room grabbing my ipod and speakers from my bag in the closet.
I plugged the ipod in putting on one of my favorite songs by Muse, Starlight. I danced around the kitchen like a maniac to the music and George laughed at me.
"I don't know if it's worth it anymore" I sang along slipping the bread into the toaster. It wasn't long before George started to dance with me as well. Then, learning the word quickly, he sang along with my favorite part, the coarse.
"Hold you in my arms" he sang wrapping his arms around my shoulders as I worked on making an egg. "I just wanted to hold you in my arms" he sang softly in my ear and quickly kissed my neck making me drop the egg shells on the counter.
A few other favorite bands like Foo Fighters, Greenday, and Creed. (A/N just a little FYI the bands I mention are Oliver Phelps', the guy who plays George, they are a few of his favorite bands, truthfuly I LOVE them too lol) The toast burned and the eggs got cold as we goofed off and danced around the kitchen but ever second was priceless to me.
We opened the shop a little later then we would have normally after being held up in the kitchen cleaning up the mess we made. As I worked the cashier every now and then George would sneak up behind me and grab my waist making me jump. I would smack him for good measure and he would run off like some five year old afraid of getting cooties.
That night was the last we were spending alone, Angelina had called saying they should be around sometime tomorrow. I fixed dinner by my self, even though George protested; I made him close up the shop, while I cook dinner.
After dinner George pestered me to learn how to work an ipod, it made me laugh but I obliged. We sat on the couch, me cross-legged and facing him ipod in hand showing him how you worked it and him sitting close, watching me intently.
When he finally got the hang of it I let him pick a song. The music started to pour out of the speakers and I recognized it immediately as Relient K's song Best Thing.
As I listen to the lyrics I felt my eyes mist over as I related them to my life at the moment. I looked into George's eyes just as Mathew the lead vocalist sang, "Cause when I looked into your eyes and you dared to stare right back, you should have said nice to meet you I'm your other half." He smiled at me and my eyes spilled over. "You're the best thing, the best thing that could be happening" played on in the back round as he wiped the tears with his thumbs, cupping my cheeks in his hands.
"I love you" he whispered and his lips pressed to mine.
"I love you too" I whispered against his lips.
(A/N AWIE!!! They are so cute! Sorry guys I do believe this is the end to this story although if you want me to write a sequel PLEASE review and tell me so!!!!!! Thanks soooooo much for reading!!! I know it probably wasn't the best you have ever read but it was my first and I am still shaping my skills as a writer!)