Tidal Wave [george weasley post war]

32. Happy Ending

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After cleaning herself up off the floor of the Leaky Cauldron, Aurora walked silently to the bar. She bought herself one drink, gathering all kinds of courage she could find – liquid or not. After graciously thanking the bartender, she gathered her bags and headed out the door.

It felt much cooler here than Paris. A shiver ran through her, causing her to stop and try to tighten her jacket and scarf around her neck before continuing to Weasley's Wizards Wheezes. The streets were completely empty – and Aurora wasn't sure what she was thinking she would see. It was Christmas, after all.

Once she saw the large, but currently unmoving, Weasley twin head out front of the shop, Aurora made sure to check out the top windows which would lead into the flat George currently was occupying. It was dark just as she had imagined. He was probably still at the Burrow.

Letting her feet carry her a few more steps, Aurora began to feel her fingertips warm even though they were out in the cold, wintry climate with no protection. She could only move a few more feet before something invisible stopped her from continuing. Fuck, he must have his wards up. She thought to herself, chewing on her lower lip now as she spun around, trying to see if there was perhaps a bench close by she could sit on.

She was beginning to think she was crazy. Well, really, she knew she was crazy. She couldn't believe she was standing outside of his shop, on Christmas. To top it all off – small flakes of snow were starting to spiral down from the dark evening sky and land on the ground around her.

She made a mental promise to herself that she was only going to stay for thirty minutes. And if he didn't come home – she would leave. And pray that he lost the cell phone she had gifted him, so he didn't listen to her pathetic pleas on his voicemail.

"This is stupid. I can't believe I'm here..." She muttered to herself, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she tilted her head back to get a glimpse of the sky. She stood there silently as she watched the snow start to pick up, no longer melting on the ground as it fell.

"Yeah, me neither."

Startled at the deeper voice behind her, Aurora jumped and spun around. A hand went directly to her chest as she let out a yelp.

"George!" She breathed, her blue eyes shot wide as she stared up at the redhead in disbelief. He was there. He was really there. How did he know to come home? Was she dreaming?

"I-I..." She didn't know what to say at this point. She was still trying to get over the initial shock of standing in front of the man she loved. Yes. Loved.

"Let's head inside, yeah?" He reached forward, without speaking another word, and took her bags from her. He turned and walked into the front door of his shop, holding the door open for Aurora to follow.