If You'll Have Me | George Weasley

Chapter 12

THE HOTEL sat right along River Thames in the heart of London, old in its architecture and design. What with the masonry walls and what looked to be porcelain tile floors, it hadn't been cheap. And although the rest of them felt horrible about the price that Eleanor had spent, it was well worth what it had cost.

It was complimentary on her behalf, given that her family's fortune in the muggle world was nearly equal to that in the wizarding world. And although her parents hadn't approved of the spending, she was sure that they'd hardly take notice to it. And if they did, the only lecture that she'd receive would be a reminder of how much she had complained about hotels years prior. It was one of the reason's that she hadn't wanted to go to Rome, and she knew that her mother would ask her how staying in London was any different than Italy, but this was different. She was still in England, and still with the Weasley's, but just elsewhere. It wasn't likely that they'd care enough to ask, anyways.

"You sure you don't wanna share a room with Harry and I? We don't mind." Ginny looks to Elle as she pulls her trunks out of the Ford which was packed to the brim. They were in such a rush to leave that they hadn't asked Arthur for the spell to widen the interior of the car.

"It's alright. I want you two to have your space. I don't mind having one to myself." Eleanor subtly looks to Harry, who was far too busy delving into a conversation with Ron to notice. Ginny only smiles.

"At least you get your space. I'm always stuck with this one." Fred nudges his twin, who looked far too tired to react. It had been an incredibly long car ride, and as Fred and Ron sat comfortably in the front, the rest sat cramped in the back. They were almost pleased that they had arrived so early that they had time to stretch their legs.

Eleanor reaches for her trunk which had been scarcely packed, but George reaches for it first. Slyly glancing at her before wrapping his hand around the handle. "I got it. Go check us in. Take Gin with you."

For a moment, Eleanor is unsure of what to say. If Ginny had noticed the subtle glance that George had sent her, or the moments in the car when he'd brush a hand against her knee. But instead, as they enter the building, her friend gapes at the entrance as if she had never seen something so brilliant in her life. Eleanor is suddenly able to breathe easier.

"Thank God for Hermione. For you. I'd so much rather be here than at home." Ginny exhales. "And it's cold in here. Those bloody fans in the living room were only blowing the hot air around."

Eleanor smiles, rather pleased with her friends reaction, and allows herself to relax. "We're gonna have to drag you out of here when we leave, aren't we?"

"You just might have to."

And as they check in, the rest of their friends pile inside to escape the blistering sun. All huffing and bickering at one another to hurry through the door and into the air conditioned building.

Each had the same reaction as Ginny once they entered, and spent a moment gaping at the tall ceilings before Eleanor distributes the keys amongst them. She turns back to the desk clerk to finalize the payment as Fred and George hung back.

They had been acting strange from the moment they got out of the car—More so than usual—But Fred had a hint of mischief upon his face that made Eleanor unsettled. George shakes his head, and glances back at Elle before turning back to his twin, continuing to talk quietly amongst themselves despite how hard she tried to listen in. She had always been a bit nosy.