A Multifandom Collection of Short Stories

25: Loss-George Weasley

"George, I don't know about this. I know you don't want, or need, to take your N.E.W.T.s, and I want you two to start your joke shop as much as you do, but it's risky." I bury my head in his chest, wrapping his sweater tighter around me.

"There's nothing worth staying her for. Except you," George mumbles into my hair.

"I love you, and I'll be with you every step of the way. I'm glad Harry and I could help with financing your premesis in Diagon Alley. I'll be sure to be there first thing this summer."

"I love you too Elsbeth. Come visit when you can, and our house is always open."

"I know George. Good luck out there soldier."

"Come on George, it's time," says Fred, walking into the common room. "Harry needs us."

"I'll be in the entrance hall waiting for you." I hug the twins and head downstairs while they go to set off their distraction for Harry. I hear the commotion two floors up. Umbridge is dragging the twins behind her.

"George!" Umbridge doesn't let go until the hall is more full. The twins are shouting.

"Accio Brooms!" They shout. There's a loud crack from Umbridge's office, and two brooms sweep over the crowded hall, one still dragging the chain that held it in her office. George gives me a fast hug and kiss, swinging a leg up on his broom.

"Give 'em hell for us Peeves!" Fred yells to the poltergeist.

Soon they've zoomed off into the evening sky. I stand in the entrance hall until everyone is gone, staring at the sky.

"Get to bed, McNamra," Professor McGonagall says sadly. Before I leave, she stops me. "Fifty points to Gryffindor for the memory of Fred and George," she whispers. I hear the rubies tinkling as fifty descend into the bottom portion of the hourglass.

"Thank you, Professor," I say, wiping tears I didn't know were there. "Good night."

...

The final months of school pass slowly. My N.E.W.T.s are stressful and tedious, but I feel confident about most of them. At the end of year feast, I itch with anticipation at the prospect of seeing George again. The ride home on the Hogwarts Express is longer than it's been in years. When I get to Platform 9 3/4, I see George on the platform. I grab my trunk and my cat's carrier, rushing off the train.

"Georgie!" I scream, throwing myself into his arms.

"Beth!" He wraps his arm around me, lifting me up off the ground.

"I missed you so much George." I burst out in happy tears, laughing. He kisses me on the forehead, then on the lips as I grab his hair and breathe in the scent of his cologne. I start crying harder.

"What's wrong?" George asks, taking my trunk and cat from me. As we walk through the barrier, back onto platform 9, I hold his hand tightly.

"It's my last time," I mumble quietly in the throng of Muggles crowding the station. "I've graduated and I'm never going back."

"Maybe, you can work at Weasley's for a while and then become a professor in time."

"I think I'd like that." I sniff. "Is this my official invitation to work at Weasley's?" I giggle.