The Years Between || G.W

1998- George's POV

Lee told me I could either stay sober and get help or I could get off his sofa.

He also told me I snogged Walter which I don't remember doing. I feel bad for the lad though, I can't remember the last time I brushed my teeth. Maybe if I figure out where he's staying I can send him an apology present.

Nevertheless, now that Lee's gone and kicked me out I'm back at home, pissed on me Mums sofa instead. I've been here since July.

It's October now, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, and Harry are back at Hogwarts. Ginny for her last year, and the other three are taking a make-up year because of the war. Bill and Fleur are in their shell cottage, Charlie is back in Romania... Percy is upstairs.

He didn't want to leave Mum and Dad alone with me, I heard them talking the night that Charlie left. Percy was going to go back to his flat in London but he didn't think it would be appropriate. I can tell he's scared. Scared that one day Mum, Dad, or I are going to lash out at him and kick him right out of the family; for good this time. A part of me wants to do it. Wants to scream at him for hours just so I can see the little bitch boy cry.

"Don't you think you should have a shower, Georgie?" Mum says coming into the living room with a plate of food. She places it on the coffee table and starts to clean up the empty cups, beer bottles, and old plates.

"No," I say curtly.

"I think it would be good for you, then you can get a proper sleep in your own bed –"

"I said no!" I snap at her. Mum flinches at my words and my tone. I feel bad but not bad enough to apologize, "I'm fine right here," I say in a calmer tone, "I can't go up there."

Mum clears her throat and nods before practically sprinting out of the living room and leaving me alone.

I wish she would scream at me. Tell me off for being an ass. Do something, anything that will make me feel like a human being again.

I wait for a minute before I sit up and stare at the sandwich that Mum fixed for me. I should eat, I really should. I reach out and grab the new bottle of beer, using a ring on my finger to pop the top off. It's a trick that she taught me how to do. I look down at my hand and stretch my fingers outward.

I still wear the promise ring.

She gave me hers back at Hogwarts, another reason to hate that place. I should take it off, it's just a memory of an empty promise. But I can't. I can't get myself to do it. Taking it off means it's really over, she's really gone.

I know, I know what you're thinking, George she killed your brother. It's already over, she's already gone just like everyone else you know. But it's not that easy. I made a promise never to take it off and unlike her, I don't break promises.

"Your father and I are going out later today for a spot of coffee and a shop," Mum calls from the kitchen, "Do you need me to get you anything?"

"Ale," I call back.

Mum doesn't respond.

I pick up a slice of the sandwich. Before I even take a bite I can tell it's got tomatoes on it; bloody hate tomatoes.

Instead of shouting at Mum, I pick up the plate and take it into the kitchen, "I can't eat this," I say to her putting it on the counter, "S'got tomatoes."

"You love tomatoes," Mum says.

"Fred... Fred loved tomatoes," I say in a tone just above a whisper. I want to cry. I want to pick up the plate and chuck it across the room. I want to scream, I want... I want my brother back.