The characters of the Harry Potter universe belong to Ms. Rowlings, and I'm borrowing them for my own imagination.

Chapter Two

February 14, 1999

She cleaned the now ruined dinner off the table by hand while tears stream down her face. She had sat at the table for two hours waiting for him to arrive, but he didn't show. He was often late for their dates, and she had come to expect it, but she thought that he knew how important this day was to her.

She knew he would become so engrossed in the shop when he was there, but she thought that he would at least remember it was Valentine's Day, even if he forgot it was her birthday as well.

She didn't hear him when he apparated into her apartment. When he looked up at the clock and realized the time, he immediately apparated directly into her flat. He knew she was probably mad at him anyway, and this small amount of rudeness would not make it worse.

He saw her as she tossed the dinner in the trash and felt awful seeing the tear tracks down her face.

"I'm sorry. I was working on a new product and lost track of time." He said and she jumped upon hearing his voice.

"You know it isn't polite to just apparate into someone's apartment." Katie said not turning to face him.

"Katie." George pleaded approaching her slowly from behind. He frowned when she stiffened when he wrapped his arms around her from behind. "I didn't forget. I just lost track of time. I rushed over here as soon as I realized I was late. You how important the shop is to me."

She shrugged out of his hold and walked into the living room of her small flat. As she sat and curled herself up in the corner of her couch she said, "I don't ask for much. I don't want to be your whole life – just your favorite part."

George scrambled on to the couch taking her face into his hands, "You are. I know I am not good about showing it. Yes, I love the joke shop. It is mine and Fred's dream, and all I have left of him. But, I love you as well. I know that I need to show that better, but you need to know that I never want to loose you. I can't loose you, you matter too much." George said ,and he knew she could hear the fear in his voice.

"Oh, George." Katie said allowing him to pull her into his arms and kiss her.

"Reach into my pocket." George said as he sat back and pulled her to curl up in his arms against his chest.

"What?" She asked.

"My pocket." George repeated nodding to the left pocket of his robes.

Katie reached in an pulled out a wrapped package. The wrapping paper blinked 'Happy Birthday' and 'Happy Valentines Day' alternately.

"You remembered." Katie gushed as she began to unwrap the gift.

"Of course I did. It is very convenient of you to be born on Valentine's day. One less date to remember and gift to buy." George said.

"I'm glad you approve." Katie said then tears sprung into her eyes as she opened the silver heart shaped locket. "It's beautiful." She gushed as she opened it to find a picture of her and George from when they played Quidditch at Hogwarts. She fastened it around her neck then hugged and kissed him.

"How about I take you to the curry place you like so well." George said.

"I think I would rather call for take out and just stay here." Katie said as she snuggled up against his chest. George quite agreed with that idea as well.

TBC