Chapter 35
LB
When I stepped off the last step from the staircase of the girls' dormitory, I bumped into someone. One of the chasers of the Gryffindor team stopped and looked at me. "Hey, Alicia. Congratulations."
"Thanks, Alec." She smiled as she swayed on her legs.
"You okay?" I chuckled, my hands coming up just in case she goes stumbling down. Not that we had become close friends, but we were friendly towards each other.
"Uhu, I just needed a little liquid courage."
"For?" I asked, but she just grinned and stumbled over to the other side of the room. She pulled on Fred's shirt to make him turn around. Fred turned away from Lee to see who it was. He smiled at her, and that was apparently all the encouragement she needed. Alicia lunged forward, crashing her lips against Fred's, her hands coming around his neck. Fred who was shocked for a moment, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. From the moment I met the twins, I encouraged them to have some fun, but now seeing him kiss with so much intend, it made something in me clench together.
I felt an arm coming around my waist. I looked up sideways to see George standing there, again with a frown in place as he looked at his twin.
"Didn't expect that." I gave a dry chuckle. I saw the girl Fred had been kissing at the previous party glare at Alicia and Fred.
"Me neither." He scrunched up his nose, before looking at me with a lopsided grin. "Wanna dance?"
"With you? Always." George eyes sparkled as he pulled me to where the others were dancing. It wasn't a slow dance now. George had one hand of mine in his as he twirled and twisted me around the room. I couldn't help but laugh loudly at his antics. I was getting out of breath after a few songs, so I was happy when the music turned to a slow one. I wrapped my arms around his neck while his came around my waist.
"So, you guys already know the favour?" I asked. When George frowned in confusion, I leaned up and whispered in his ear. "For missing the game."
"Well, we had."
"Had?"
"We wanted -" He said as his bit his lower lip, which was kind of cute. No, stop thinking like that. I smacked myself internally on the head. George glanced to his brother, who was dragging a tipsy Alicia up to his room. He looked back at me. "To get a kiss from you."
"A kiss?"
George looked at his feet, as he shuffled nervously. "Yeah, a kiss."
"What kind of kiss?"
"Not a peck on the cheek, that's for sure." He chuckled dryly. "But we would never ask you to cheat on Nott. And besides, Fred seemed to have other plans."
"Why a kiss though?" I asked. "So many things you could ask for."
"Curiosity?" He offered, but I knew it wasn't that, but I didn't press the matter as he looked a little nervous.
"Hm, okay." I nodded before looking back up at him. "If you still want a kiss at the end of the party, then come find me. Fred didn't look like he wanted a kiss as a favour."
"Believe me, I'll find you." He winked. I blushed a little and avoided his eyes, I could see the Weasley smirk in place in the corner of my eyes. The music changed again, and suddenly I was being pulled out of George's arms by Angelina.
"Sorry!" I called over the music and looked over my shoulder to see George was laughing.
"My turn." Angelina pursed her lips at George before dancing extravagantly with me.
LB
It was one-thirty at night, and the party was finally dwindling down. I had a few drinks that night but wasn't drunk, not even tipsy. I was laughing at Ron who was trying to get up the stairs to his bed for the last five minutes. Harry came to stand next to me, a little buzzed himself.
"I should probably go help him, or he'll fall asleep right there."
"That's a real possibility." I chuckled.
"I'm sorry I kissed you."
I looked away from the stumbling red head on the stairs to Harry. "Are you?" I asked with a lopsided grin.
"No." He looked down blushing. "If I'm honest, I'm a bit confused myself. I've had a crush on you since the start of the school year. But then there are other feelings." He frowned a little.
"First, you don't have to apologize. You were celebrating." I nudged him with a chuckle. "Second, you're thirteen, you have lots of time to figure out what or who you want."
"What if I don't know if I want a girl or a boy?"
That statement took me by surprise, but I hid it quickly as I saw his head turning towards me. "You'll figure it out. No rush. As long as your happy, I'm happy. You're like my family."
"I like having a family who wants me." He said barely audible. My heart broke at that statement. "Please don't tell anyone about this." He mumbled, looking down at his feet.
"My lips are sealed. And if you ever want to talk, just come find me, cousin." I laughed as he scrunched up his nose, because the word cousin probably reminded him of Draco. "Off to bed now, Harry."
"Night, Alec. Thanks for everything." I kissed the top of his head before I pushed him towards the staircase where his best friend was already sleeping on. I laughed as Harry tried to wake up the sleeping boy, and when he finally succeeded, he supported him as they climbed the stairs.
I looked around the room and saw that the seventh- and sixth-year prefects were starting to clean up. Angelina and Lee were huddled together on an armchair as George sat on the couch. With a wave of my wand, I helped the others clean up. They said I didn't need to, but I waved them away, and within minutes we had cleaned up the entire common room. The prefects thanked me and bid me goodnight as they climbed the stairs. I dropped down tiredly next to George. George who had his arm around the back of the couch, wrapped it around my shoulder and pulled me close, my head resting against his shoulder. I kicked off my boots and tucked my feet under me and made myself comfortable.
"So, what are you going to do?" Lee asked George. My eyes already feeling heavy as they talked.
"Don't know yet. Probably wait a little, see if she comes down or not. You?"
"I'll stay with Ange tonight. We'll close the curtain and put on a few charms for... privacy."
Even in my tired state, my eyes already dropping to close, I chuckled. I was fully aware that George was starting to rub circles on my waist softly, it felt nice.
"I think someone is tired." I heard Lee chuckle. "How is she going to get back?"
"If I knew that Alicia would stay out all night." My stomach clenched, but I didn't let it show. "She could stay in our room, or in my bed, but with Lee..."
"I'll take care of her." George warm and soft voice vibrated through his chest.
"I'm sure you will." Lee snickered, and I heard Angelina punch his arm. "Aren't you afraid of Nott's wrath, if he finds out that she stayed in the tower?"
"No." His answer short, but sure. "You two go ahead. It's getting late."
"Are you sure?" I heard Angelina ask as she stood up. I felt his body move as he nodded, he never stopped tracing circles on my waist.
"Night."
"Night, George."
After their footsteps receded, I felt George move a little. I heard his shoes fall to the floor, and I heard him mutter something under his breath and felt the couch move. "George?"
"It's okay. Just enlarging the couch." I felt him move and he laid down on the couch, he pulled me close against him. My head found a resting place on his chest, feeling his chest heave up and down, and the fast heartbeat under his shirt.
"Oh, I need to send a message to my uncle." I said as I barely lifted my head from his chest.
"Let me do it." He whispered in my hair. I smiled as I rested my head back on his chest.
"How?"
"Fire message." He said as he conjured a piece of paper. "Sleeping over at the tower, see you tomorrow. Alec." He said as he wrote it down, I nodded that it was okay and with a wave of his wand the paper disappeared.
"Need to teach me." I murmured.
"Tomorrow, okay?" He chuckled as he kissed the top of my head. I looked up from his chest his eyes already on me. His hazel eyes were kind, and normally full of mirth. But now they were just kind, warm and a bit tired.
I cupped his cheek with one hand, and I saw his eyes flicker between my eyes and my lips. I leaned up and kissed him. The kiss at first was fairly innocent, but his grip became tighter, and he pulled me closer. The pressure of our lips became more intense, and soon our lips parted, and our tongues danced with each other. When I became lightheaded and George moaned in my mouth, we parted, both breathing heavy. "What was that for?" He asked breathlessly, which sounded like music in my ears.
"A favour." I winked, and George chuckled as he traced circles on my waist again. I let my head rest on his chest again, his heart beating even faster now. Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.
LB
By the time we woke up, a lot of students had passed us and had seen us sleeping together on the couch. George was lying slightly on his side; my head lay on his shoulder. His arm wrapped underneath my head, while the other held me close around my waist. Our legs were intertwined, while my hand rested over his heart. When I heard a few young girls giggle, I woke up and I lifted my head to look up to a still sleeping George. I smiled as I whispered. "George, wake-up."
I grinned as his grip on my tightened, pulling me even closer, if possible. "Not yet, Alec." I was happy to note he knew who he was curled up with. Not that he was drunk yesterday, but still. I hid my face in his chest and chuckled.
"People are gossiping already."
"Let them gossip." He murmured in my hair.
"You know we're lying in the common room, right?" I said, resting my chin on his chest to look at him. George eyes opened quickly; he looked around the common room before his eyes landed on me.
"Like I said, let them gossip." He closed his eyes again, a smile resting on his lips.
"No matter how nice this is, I better get back to my chambers, take a shower and change my clothes." I pushed myself a little straighter. "Do you think the others are awake yet?" I asked, and once again his eyes shot open.
"They are." I looked to see Hermione walk back in the common room. "Fred, Lee and Angelina are already downstairs."
"They saw us?" George squeaked a little.
"Everyone saw you." Hermione chuckled before she turned to me. "Thanks for getting my into bed."
"Better asleep in your bed than on a hard table." I smiled as I sat up straight, pulling George with me. Hermione smiled again before she headed up the stairs. "Meet me in front of the great hall?" I asked to George. "In twenty minutes?"
"Yeah, okay." He rubbed his eyes tiredly. I kissed his cheek before I stood up and walked out the common room.
LB
After a quick shower and a change of clothes, I headed to the great hall. When the large doors came into view, I saw George pacing in front of them. With a small scowl, I walked closer to him.
"George? What's wrong?" I asked as I tilted my head. My hand went to rest on his upper arm to stop him from pacing.
"Nothing, nothing." He said looking inside the great hall before he looked back to me. "I was just waiting for you."
"Alright." I frowned a little. "Can we go in then? I'm starving." I groaned and George chuckled.
"Yeah, let's go." He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and guided me towards the great hall. Just as we were about to step in, he let his arm drop to his side. I looked up to George, again with a frown at his weird behaviour. The twins were never shy from touching or showing affection, so for George to drop his arm so suddenly was weird. I looked to the table and saw Angelina waving us over. Lee and Angelina were sitting across from Fred and Alicia. Alicia was clinging to Fred's arm, like he would float away if she let go. We walked over to them, and George guided me to sit next to Angelina, his hand lingering on the small of my back.
"Morning." I said as I sat down, George took the seat next to me. My eyes went from Angelina and Lee to Fred and Alicia. Fred had a weird look on his face as his eyes flickered from me to his twin. I cleared my throat as I looked to Angelina.
"Hello, snuggle buddies." Lee snickered. George blushed a little, while I rolled my eyes at him, feeling my cheeks heat up themselves.
"So, -" I started, changing the conversation. "A Hogsmeade weekend is coming up, are you two planning on going together or can I come with?"
Angelina lowered her spoon full of cornflakes. "Aren't you going with Nott?"
"I'm not." I said, looking at my plate as I filled it. I felt George move to look at me better, and I dared a glance at him. His eyes were soft and confused when he looked at me. In the corner of my eye, I saw Fred's eyes on me too. "We kinda broke up yesterday."
"What!?" Angelina cried out behind me. I turned slowly to look at her, and when I moved, I saw several students look in our direction.
"Shh." I hushed her. "I don't need to whole castle to know and start gossiping."
"Sorry." She muttered, looking a little ashamed. "What happened?"
"Nothing, really." I shrugged. "He's a great guy and we have fun." Angelina wiggled her eyes at that, and I nudged her with a chuckle. "We like each other, but we don't like, like each other, you know."
"I'm sorry." Angelina rubbed her hand over my back.
"It was mutual, and we decided to keep it casual."
"Casual?" I looked up when Fred spoke, his voice contorted. Fred's gaze on me felt like a bucket of ice had thrown over me.
"I - yeah." Turning my head to George. "Until one or both of us interest shifts." George, who had a funny look himself, started to smile wide, making my heart flutter. "So." I turned to Angelina. "Can I come?"
"That would be great." Angelina beamed.
"We can make it a group thing." Lee said excitedly, clapping his hands together. "George?"
"I'm in." He grinned.
"Fred?"
"Oh, no." Alicia shook her head, answering in his place. "Fred and I are going on our first date."
Angelina and Lee looked surprised at that but shrugged. "Alright, the four of us then." Lee smiled. When I started on my breakfast, I saw George glare at his twin from the corner of my eye. When I looked up, I saw Fred's eyes still on me, unreadable. George turned my attention back to him as he started telling us that we should go to Zonko's first. No surprise there.
LB
For those who were wondering about the tattoo. It will be explained in a later chapter. We're close to end this year at Hogwarts!