3rd Person P.O.V.
Having just gotten home from an extremely stressful day at SHIELD, Steve Rogers normally liked to sit down, turn the tv on, and possibly read a book. Keyword: normally. Now, though, he wasn't sure if he wanted to do any of those things. He'd been so tempted to stay for a day or two is Stark, but he refused to let these 'random energy surges' keep him from his home. And so once he had gotten to his apartment, he pulled out some leftovers from the fridge, heated them up, and sat down at the table to think things over.
Steve didn't get to relax for very long, however, before he heard a scream followed by the name "George" or something along those lines. Instinctively, the super-soldier grabbed his shield off the couch and ran out the door only to stop in front of the door belonging to his new neighbor. What was her name? Ariel? Ariana? Arielle? Yeah, that was it. Arielle.
Careful to not make any noise, the man put his ear to the door in an attempt to hear what was going on (which, of course, he did).
"Sorry, Ari. Thought I could try to get your mind off things. I know that you're still having nightmares." An unfamiliar male voice said sadly. A brit? Friend of Arielle's, maybe?
"How? How could you possibly know about my nightmares? I haven't told anyone!"
Technically, Steve thought, I know too. Maybe not what they're about but… I still know.
"I've known you since you were an ickle first year – even if we did hate each other back then. I can see it in your eyes; you haven't been sleeping well, have you?"
"And if I haven't? I've already tried getting Hermione to wipe my memories of those things but she refuses! I know that Harry and Ron won't either. Neither will you?" She paused, and Steve could only assume that the male had shaken his head. "I can't forget it. Every damned night I watch Cedric die. Every night, I watch the people I care the most about fighting for their lives! I see Harry, limp and dead to the world in Hagrid's arms. Do you know what that's like? And to top it all off, I was just told that the Death Eaters may be planning a comeback and that everything Harry and I worked our asses off for to protect everyone may just end up amounting to nothing. So no, George. I haven't gotten much sleep. Would you want to go to sleep every goddamn night and see that? Live that? I just…" Arielle trailed off at the end.
Cedric? Who was that? And Hagrid? Steve was sure that he could remember Arielle mention a 'Harry' before. Wasn't that her brother? And the nightmares… they were because she had seen much more than she should have. Of course, Steve could relate. However, he was a soldier. That tended to happen. He saw people die; friends, comrades, enemies. PTSD. But he couldn't help but wonder what event caused it in her. The blond could easily tell that she wasn't a soldier. What were death eaters? Whatever happened, they had something to do with it.
Silence. No one said anything for a few moments. It was as if both parties were stunned.
"You know I do." Came the male – George's – response.
Arielle was taken back. "Excuse me?" She asked.
"You asked me if I knew what it was like to see my brother dead. You know I know what it's like. I wish I didn't, but I do. I left Fred for a few minutes during the battle… during the break I came back to see him lying there. I KNOW." George choked out. To Steve, it sounded as if he was struggling to breathe.
"Did… I really say that?" She breathed. "I… oh my god, I'm so sorry George… I just… I went on a tangent…"
Silence. Again. "It's fine." He said finally. "I think that you need to talk to someone about these things, Ari. You've got to let go. None of that was your fault. Cedric didn't die because-"
"Don't you dare tell me that Cedric's death wasn't my fault!" Arielle exploded. "Who do you think suggested that we all three go and take the cup? We would all three just have won the tournament for Hogwarts?"
Even though Steve was not in the room, he could hear it in Arielle's voice that she was getting ready to cry. That was, if she hadn't already begun to do so.
George snapped. "Would you let me finish a sentence, Potter?" He yelled loudly, and Steve thought he could hear a soft whimper from within the room. He bit his lip to keep himself from barging in the door. "S-Sorry… I didn't mean to yell."
"I-It's okay." She said, but her voice was soft this time. Calmer, in a way.
"Listen, it was Voldemort that killed Cedric. Why can't you understand that?" George asked, frustration making itself evident in his voice. "You didn't know that the cup was a portkey. No one did. And the war? It's over with now. Voldemort is dead. You watched Harry kill him. He can't hurt you anymore… I won't let him."
"I don't know…" Arielle began, speaking so softly that it was almost difficult for Steve to hear through the door, "These nightmares… they're so real. It's – it's almost like I'm there again. I'm not my brother, George. I-I'm not Harry. I can't do this anymore."
Captain Rogers felt his heart shatter at the girl's words for a reason unknown to him. They hurt him. He wanted nothing more than to hold Arielle, maybe rock her back and forth in his arms. He felt protective. He didn't want anything to hurt her. Not anymore.
What am I doing? He wondered, stepping back from the door slightly. I barely know this girl… she could be dangerous.
But she might not.
Before he could process what he was doing, Steve had placed his shield along the wall and out of view. He slowly brought up his hand, put it into a fist, and quickly knocked at the door.
Arielle's POV
I slowly changed my gaze from the floor and looked up toward George, before directing my attention on the door to my apartment. I took a deep, shaky breath and stood up, wiped my eyes, and got my wand out of my pocket. I gulped nervously and hid it behind my back. Hesitantly, with my free hand, I opened the door.
"S-Steve?" I took a small step backward and put my wand in my pocket. "What are you doing here?"
Behind me, I noticed George curiously poking his head around the corner, trying to see the man at the door from where he was sitting on the couch. "Who's Steve?" He asked with a familiar mischievous grin. "Your boyfriend?"
"G-George Weasley! He's not my boyfriend!"
Steve, hearing the redheads comment, felt his cheeks immediately growing red. If I had seen it, I might have teased him lightly about it. But sadly, I was too busy trying to hide my own tomato red cheeks.
"We're just friends!" Steve added quickly.
George raised an eyebrow as if he didn't believe us. "Are you sure?" he asked. "Man, Ickle-Arikins already has a boyfriend Wait 'till Harry hears about thi-"
"George! We're not – Where would you even get that idea?"
"I have my reasons." The Weasley crossed his arms stubbornly and stood up before taking a few steps toward us. He gently pushed me out of the way and held his hand out to Steve. "I'm George, Ari's honorary brother when her actual brother isn't around. You are?"
"Steve." The blond nodded, taking the ginger's hand. "Rogers. I live down the hall, so I guess technically I'm her neighbor."
George nodded and flashed Steve and I a grin. "A pleasure." He concluded. Then, he turned around and walked toward the kitchen. I rubbed the back of my neck nervously, apologizing for George almost immediately.
"He's a bit protective." I admitted. "Sorry if he bothered you… he does that a lot. And he really enjoys embarrassing me."
Steve shook his head and laughed. "I know what it's like. You know. When you have someone ou care about." Don't most people know what it's like? I mean, I know that I'm that way with Teddy. Sometimes even Harry, even though he's an adult and can take care of himself. Sisterly instincts, I guess.
"Yeah." I paused, looking in the general direction of the kitchen before snapping out of my trance. "Anyway, what're you doing here?"
"Heard screaming." Steve admitted. "You know, it's beginning to become a regular occurrence." The blond smirked playfully and crossed his arms, choosing to lean against the doorframe. "So I decided to check to make sure everything was fine."
From behind me, I could hear George McAsshat begin to chuckle. What the – when did he get there? After a sharp look from me, he turned away and walked toward the couch. I mentally nodded toward him in a 'that's right' type of way. George loved messing with me, but he knew when he became too much for the time being.
"I'm sorry." I quickly apologized – again. "But in my defense, the first time was a nightmare!" I laughed, "And this time it was him!" I added, pointing directly at George. He immediately put his hands in the air in defense.
"Hey, woman," he said, "Don't go bringing me into this. All I did was start a little tickle fight, I mean-"
Steve nodded, a grin on his face. "I'm sure she means the best by it… maybe."
I smiled triumphantly and tuck my tongue out at George playfully. From the corner of my eye, I saw Steve look around uncomfortably, almost like he was scanning my apartment for something. Maybe he's just… uncomfortable in different surroundings? Who knew. I shrugged it off and decided to focus more on his attitude. From what I could tell, he was acting normal. At least, from what I could tell that is.
After a moment or two of awkward silence, Steve coughed awkwardly. "Well," he said, "I should probably get home. It's pretty late, and I've got work tomorrow."
I nodded. "Me too…" I drifted off, leaving it at that. "Thank you for checking up on me." I smiled to show my appreciation. "It really does mean a lot."
Steve nodded. "No problem, ma'am. It's fine."
Without saying anything else, Steve pivoted and walked away. Once he was gone and I had heard his apartment door close, I turned around to face George. I thought back to the conversation we had previously been having, and nearly froze on sight. The wizardling world – Hogwarts – Voldemort. What if… oh merlin. Had Steve overheard that? God, I hope not.