Brixham House (On Temp. Hold)

2.5-Mirrors

February 2004

Verity stared at him, looked back down at the key in her hand then back up at George's blank face.

"You are giving me the key?" Verity started, pausing as she looked back down at the key. "To your flat?" She finished, holding up the thin silver key. Letting it dangle between her fingers, George nearly snatched it from her, ready to declare that he changed his mind. 

"It appears so, yes." George shrugged, moving to take a step forward. But Verity was quicker, arms shooting out to wrap around George's torso.

"Bless you." Verity murmured quietly, then pulled away to hold the key up between them. "Oh, you've made a grave mistake boss." Verity grinned wickedly, then glanced over at the flat door connected to the shop.

"Do you want to go up and look around?" George asked, raising an amused eyebrow. He knew it was empty, every nook and cranny but the words felt like tar in his mouth. 

"Can I?" Verity squeaked, wrapping both hands around the key.

"Back in fifteen, lunch rush is-" George was cut off as Verity slipped away, nearly tearing the door off the hinges only to pound up to steps.

A few moments later George heard an excited scream, then her footsteps fluttering above.

It was a good choice. It had to be.

George let the garage door slam, brushing his hands off on his jeans as he stepped into his house. The car, bless his father truly, was turning out to be quite the project now that he actually had time to dedicate to the poor thing.

"Ahh!" George jumped startled, and whirled in his kitchen to find Hermione sitting on one of his bar stools, with Rose screaming with glee in her lap.

"Hi George." Hermione greeted, lifting one of George's mugs to her lips.

"Hi." George squeaked, still awfully surprised by this sudden visit. "What are you-"

"Ron and I are having a row." Hermione sighed, like she had been dying to tell someone this. "So I came over, but you were in the garage and I didn't want to disturb you." Hermione paused, waving her hand in the air. As if this explained everything before she sighed once more. 

"I can go." She finished, moving to stand up but George stepped forward quickly, hands outstretched.

"No! Stay!" George cried, startling Rose who's smile slipped from her face. "I mean? If you'd like." George pulled away, trying to smile reassuringly. Rose eyed him unsure, before offering a timid smile in return. 

"Well good." Hermione nodded, a burn in her cheeks as she reclaims her seat. She moves Rose around until her back is flush with her front again, and then gestured towards George. "You alright?" She asked.

"Yes, no." George shrugged his shoulders, spinning to touch the side of the kettle. The metal is cold, signalling to him that Hermione had been here longer than he thought. That stirs something odd inside of him, but he doesn't ponder it.

"What's happened?" She asked kindly, taking another gentle sip of her tea.

"I gave Verity the flat." George sighed, starting the kettle with the wave of his hand.

"Oh!" Hermione spoke, shocked. "That's..pleasant." Hermione eventually tacks on, eyebrows drawn in together while she dissects this information.

"Pleasant is not the word I would choose." George admits, turning to rest his hips against the counter and face Hermione, though it's a slight struggle to do so.