Felix Felicis- A George Weasley and Adrian Pucey Love Triangle

26. Alohomora

I sit in the common room, surrounded by Ginny, Ron, Harry, and Hermione. I wallow in my tears, recounting what had happened. Hermione casts some spells quietly, easing my pain.

"Why can't the git understand you've picked George?" Harry mumbles. Ron nods, but I shake my head.

"I don't know what got into either of them. They were like animals." I sniffle.

We talk quietly amongst ourselves, my friends trying to comfort me from the shock that had rocked through me. Suddenly, the door to the common room flies open. Lee runs in, looking around the room for me. He holds my books and wand, but throws them on the couch nearest to him when we lock eyes.

"Mira, are you alright?" He asks as he scoops me into his arms. "I was with Fred, in the infirmary. George came in, he was so upset. He said he hit you." He pulls back to examine my face.

"'Mione already fixed me up. It was an accident." I look to the ground.

"He was fighting Adrian." He states, matter-of-factly. I nod. "Are you upset with him?" I nod again. "Because he hurt you or because he hurt Adrian?" I am still as stone.

"I'm upset at them both, alright?" I pull out of his grasp, turning to the couch and sitting next to Ginny. She places a hand on my arm, comforting me from the thoughts that race through my mind.

Lee squats in front of me, silently. He holds my hand. We sit like this for a while, Ron and Harry starting a game of wizards chess next to us. We silently watch their game, but it quickly becomes the late night. George hasn't returned to Gryffindor tower.

Ginny begins to pull my arm so we can go to the girls dormitory, but I shake my head.

"I want to see Fred." If anyone knew George better than I, it was Fred. I had to know what he was thinking and what he thought I should do.

"Are you sure?" She eyes me wearily. I nod. "I've been wanting to go see him as well. I'll go with you." Lee asks if we want him to walk with us, but we shake our heads.

The walk to the infirmary is short and quiet. The doors are locked, but Ginny whispers the unlocking spell, "Alohomora", causing the locks to immediately open.

"Freddie!" Ginny cries, running towards the bed that holds her brother. They embrace, by the time I reach them they are pulling away from each other. We speak in gentle conversation, Fred eyeing me wearily. We talk for some time, until Ginny is barely able to keep her eyes open. She leaves for Gryffindor tower, leaving me alone with Fred.

"You're alright?" He asks, reaching out to touch my face.

"Not entirely." My eyes get hot, but I force myself to blink the tears away. Fred pulls me closer to him, hugging me tightly. I force myself to dry my tears.

"George was here earlier. Nearly in tears, he was. Said you two had a row and... and he hit you." He whispers the last bit, then adding, "I didn't believe him. George would never..."

"Is that all he said?" I ask in an equally quiet volume.

"Mentioned something about that Slytherin bloke, but he was already blubbering at that point."

"He only hit me by mistake, I was trying to get him off of that Slytherin bloke."

"Mira why are you so interested in this man? You've known my brother for years. You don't know this other boy at all" His voice is full of despair.

"I'm supposed to pick George because I've known him longer?" I snap.

"You're supposed to pick him because he's your friend. He's not a Slytherin. He cares for you." I look into his eyes, which sparkle in the dim light.

"We don't work together." I whisper, the tears filling my eyes once more.

"Don't say that," He says sternly. "You're not thinking straight. You're upset, you're hurt. Don't make any decisions right now. You know I only want what's best for you." He wipes a tear from my cheek.

I nod. My head aches horribly, and my body feels as if it's filled with lead.

"I need to get to bed." I mumble, standing up from the chair and smiling a tiny smile that doesn't reach my eyes.

"Will you be alright going up there on your own? You can stay here if you'd like. Pull that cot next to mine! Or even better, cuddle with me on my cot; really give George a guilt trip of a lifetime!" Fred laughs, his contagious chuckles finally getting to me.

"I'll be okay on my own. I need to think about things." I turn to leave, walking out of the infirmary silently. I close the doors behind me, and the heat from my eyes begins to spill onto my cheeks.

I begin to sob, dropping to my knees on the cold stone ground. My entire body shakes. Could what I said be true? Was George only meant to be my friend? Was I mistaking the love I held for a dear friend for attraction? I couldn't be. My thoughts race as the tears continue to stain my cheeks.

"Mason? Are you alright?" I'm scooped into strong arms. My vision is blurry, but I can lightly make out dark hair and light eyes.

"Oh, Adrian!" The tears continue to flow, my face finding his shoulder.

"There, there. You're alright." He rubs my back gently.

"W-what are you doing here?" I ask, hiccupping.

"I wanted to ask Pomfrey to fix me up, my lip started bleeding again..." He trails off as his words cause my body to rack with sobs.

"I hate you, Adrian! Why didn't you listen to me? Why did you fight him?" I push against him, but he continues to hold me close.

"I've been horrible, I know. I am so sorry." Tears begin to well in his eyes as he whispers into my hair. "I never meant to hurt you. You don't know how much it hurts to see you cry."

We sit together for a few minutes, until Adrian begins to stand up, dragging me with him. He gently lifts me, cradling me to his chest, telling me it is time for bed.

"I don't want to go. I can't go and be alone now. I-I don't feel well" My tears are beginning to dry, my mind heavy and dull.

"Do you want me to take you to Madam Pomfrey?"

My heart races, and I whisper "No." She would only give me a mix of herbs that would barely help before sending me to be on my own.

"Just tell me where to take you and you'll be there."

"I just don't want to be alone."

"I know where to take you." He begins walking up the steps, stopping after a multitude of flights of stairs. He carries me tightly in his arms, yet his touch is gentle. The gentle rocking of his gait lulls me half to sleep. We finally reach a wooden door which he quietly opens.

I feel myself being dropped into a soft bed, but Adrian doesn't lay with me. My eyes remain half closed.

"Aren't you going to-"

"No." He shakes his head.

"Why not?"

"You're not thinking straight. I don't want you to wake and regret anything- even if we just lay there together. I- I can't bear to hurt you anymore."

I nod, understanding his words. "You'll stay with me?" He wavers for a moment, before pulling a chair next to the bed, sitting and grasping my hand. He replies, "I will," tucking the sheets around me. Sleep is already taking me, and the last thing I feel is Adrian's thumb lightly stroking my palm.