Chapter 43 – Goodbyes

GN

I haven't seen George in the great hall since our breakup. I haven't been in the great hall the rest of Saturday, but I've been there for Sunday lunch and dinner. Now it was Monday and classes were starting again. I changed my hair into wavy brown locks with a fringe that slightly covered my eyes, so I could glance around without anyone noticing or cover my eyes purposely. I saw Fred coming in the great hall snatch a few pieces of bread and headed back out. No sign of George.

I was relieved my first day of classes wasn't with any Gryffindors and since DADA wasn't much of a class, Cedric and I treated ourselves with one of the twins' candies to get out of it. The next day that I had classes with the Gryffindors for our Charms classes. I took in a deep breath before walking in the classroom. I wasn't surprised that the twins weren't there yet, as they always come in late or just in the nick of time. I sat myself down on the right side of the room, while Cedric planted himself next to me.

"Hey, Gwen." Angelina's voice came from behind us. I turned to look at her, her eyes careful and a tad sad. She knew.

"Hey, Angelina." I said, pushing my fringe back a bit.

"I - uhm – I don't want to pry."

"But you heard?"

"I did." She drawled out. "I heard them talking in the common room. I was crashing on the couch after practice, they didn't see me."

"Oh." I cast my eyes down.

"It's okay, I don't think anyone knows." She glanced around the classroom for a moment before looking back at me. "I don't know what exactly happens, but George blames himself."

"So, he should." Cedric grumbled.

"Ced, don't."

"Sorry." He mumbled with half of a smile. "You got to stand by your best friend, am I right?" He asked Angelina. Angelina chuckled as she looked between me and Cedric.

"Can't argue with that." She turned back to me. "I know we only started hanging out this year, but I'm here if you want to talk." She placed her hand on mine.

"Thanks, Angelina. Who would have thought a year ago you would say that to me." I grinned.

"I don't." Cedric and Angelina chimed. The three of us looked at each other for a second before we all started laughing. I didn't see the twins and Lee walk in, but they were standing in the doorway looking at us, surprised. It was when Angelina stopped laughing that I knew George had come in the room. I gave Angelina a last smile before turning back to the front. While I turned, George and I crossed eyes for a split second. And if I didn't know him, he would look like his usual bright funny self, but his eyes gave it away. The twinkle was gone, and you could see some red streaks in them, meaning he had cried. A little selfishly I thought, good. He was the one that pushed me away, that ruined our relationship for months. All during class I felt eyes on me, and it was hard to keep my attention on the subject matter. Cedric noticed my dilemma and took my hand under the table, giving it a squeeze. I gave him a small smile as I turned back to the professor.

GN

I arrived at greenhouse seven the next day and was surprised to see Fred already standing at our station. I walked over slowly as I took him in. I knew it was Fred of course, but the similarities didn't make it easier. I put on a smile as I came to stand next to him.

"Hey, Fred." I kissed his cheek, which by the look on his face, came as a surprise. "We still can be cordial with each other, can't we?"

"Of course, Guinevere." He smiled broadly at me as he nudged me. "How's the wedding planning going?"

"Good." I smiled as he took the conversation anywhere but George. "We got the suits and dress during break. I just got a message on where the wedding is going to be."

"Let me guess... the burrow." He grinned. "If it were up to my mum, every wedding is going to be there."

"Well, yeah." I chuckled as I put on the leather apron. "It was quite the discussion apparently. Bash and Charlie wanted to get married in Romania first, but your mother wouldn't hear any of it. So, they agreed to do it in the UK, and when they couldn't find the perfect venue, Molly suggested to do it in the garden. They already got a tent." I grinned wickedly at Fred. "Don't tell her, but it won't be a traditional white wedding tent."

Fred's face lit up like a Christmas tree at that. "Oh, I can't wait." He rubbed his hands together. "I won't tell, promise." He crossed his heart. "Care to give me a hint?"

"I already said enough." I clicked my tongue as I put the potted plant in front of us, and Fred pouted. "So, Hogsmeade is next month. Are you going to ask Hermione or what?"

"I was planning on it." He said with a slight blush. "But with everything that happened between -"

"No." I shook my head and put down my watering can. "You can't let our breakup stop you from being with Hermione."

"But George-"

"Is a big boy, Fred. He's going to be happy for you."

"Alright, I'll ask her."

"Good." I nodded my head and turned back to my plant. Fred put his hand on my shoulder, and I took in a deep breath before turning to look at him. "Yes?"

"He loves you; you know. More than anyone."

"Sometimes love isn't enough, Fred." I shrugged him off as I went to get the second plant in the front of the greenhouse.

GN

It was a week later since that day and I was sitting in Transfiguration, I was sitting next to Angelina as Cedric had a meeting about job prospects and just as I transfigured my tortoise into a trumpet, I glanced down when I felt something land on my lap. It was a wad of paper without looking for the possible sender, I opened it.

Guinevere,

Please meet me in class after Transfiguration in the workroom. Please

George.

I sighed, which made Angelina look at me. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." I let her look at the paper.

"I think you should go. Hear him out."

I looked back at the crumbled piece of paper and took my quill from the desk. Just after I wrote my answer down, the paper turned back in a wad and disappeared from my lap. I focused back on my trumpet and turned it back in a tortoise as I wrote down notes on my parchment. Class was over soon and after a good luck whisper from Angelina, I made my way to the twins' secret workroom. George was the first one out of the classroom while I took my time to pack everything up. But how much I delayed it, I was now standing in front of the workroom and tapped the painting in the right sequence. I was a bit shocked to see the room all clean and tied up.

"George?" I called out and he appeared from behind another door. "What's going on here?" I pointed around the room.

"I-" He came closer and grabbed my hands carefully in his and walked to the armchairs. My heart started to be fast, just by the simple touch. "I wanted to tell you that Fred and I are leaving."

I sat down in the chair while George took a seat on the coffee table in front of me, my hands still in his. "Leaving?" I repeated with a slight frown between my eyes.

"Yeah." He looked down at our hands as he rubbed slow circles on it. "With the pink toad here, no quidditch, no... you." He said with a trembling breath. "I think it's time for me and Fred to go out and realize our dream."

"And I know that the both of you will do great." I lifted my hand and cupped his cheek. "You are the Weasley twins after all."

George leaned into my touch, and he looked at me. His hand covered mine that was resting on his cheek. "I'm sorry about everything."

"Go make the world a happier place, George Weasley." I leaned forward and kissed him. My heart pounded fast as are lips moved together. George's hands cupped my cheek trying to keep me there, but I pulled back, nonetheless. "I love you." I whispered as we leaned our heads together. We both had tears in our eyes as this was our goodbye.

"I love you, so much." He whispered. "I don't want to let you go."

I breathed in deeply before pulling back and wiping my tears away. "Goodbye, George." I said with a trembling voice before I walked out of their workroom.

GN

It was on their birthday that they left Hogwarts in the most spectacular and typical Weasley way. I ran out of the Great Hall when I heard the first explosion and immediately knew what was happening. I saw the twins hanging in the air on their broomsticks that had large thick chains on it. Another piece of fireworks sprung in the air above the many staircases and my eyes followed the colours. My eyes clouded with tears again as this was the last time I was going to see him in a while. My eyes found his amidst the crowd, the fireworks. I forced a smile out of me, and he returned the same one, one of hurt, fear and love before I turned and pushed myself out of the large crowd, away from everyone. I didn't notice George's eyes lingered on me until I disappeared, even after that, Fred had to nudge him when it was time to fly out of the castle, and right to their new adventure.

GN

Cedric found me not that much later in my room. He hopped on the bed with me and pulled me close against him. We sat there for about ten minutes; Cedric's arms wrapped securely around me.

"Are you okay?" He finally broke the silence.

"I will be." I turned my head resting on his chest, so I could look up at him. "I have you, Lyra and Odin, that's all I need." Cedric kissed the top of my head with a smile. "Doesn't Hannah mind that you're here?"

"No, we're just getting to know each other. It's nothing serious."

"If you're sure..."

"I am." He said with confidence, and I rested my head back on his chest. "So, do you already know what you're going to do next year?"

"Travel. I think maybe a few months in Africa and then visit the different dragons and creature sanctuaries across the world."

"If you want company, you just need to ask."

I pushed myself of his chest again and put my back against the headboard as Cedric pushed himself up. "What happened with the conversation with Sprout?"

"Nothing, just more indecisiveness. They gave me a lot of pamphlets that would suit me, but I don't know." He shrugged.

"Ok, let's make a deal." I sat in front of him and crossed my legs. "If you haven't found anything to do when summer starts, you can come with me, I think I could squeeze you in." I grinned at him. "Maybe you'll find your passion on the road."

"You sure you don't mind?"

"Mind? Traveling with my best friend, why would I mind?"

"It's a deal then." He grinned and held out his hand. I took it as I shook my head laughing. The moment we shook, he pulled me in a tight hug. He must've felt the necklace hang between us. "Did you ever tell George about this?"

"I was going to -" I started as I pulled back and took the necklace in my hand. "But with being so busy with starting their shop and all, then his weird behaviour after Christmas break... I'm sorry by the way, that I didn't tell you."

"I understand." He smiled. "Sometimes you just need some girl talk, and I would've probably pounded on him, not that I don't want to do it now." He chuckled. "So, I understand." He crossed his arms behind his head and my eyes widened when I saw a blue/red shirt underneath his shirt.

"Are you wearing the Superman shirt?" I gasped, popping open a button.

"I am." He grinned. "I'm waiting for the right time to make the move."

"I hope I'll be there when it happens... with my camera." I laughed and Cedric lunged forward and pinned me to the bed before attacking my sides.

GN

I can't believe we are already over halfway! I really hope you all have been enjoying this story.