𝐄𝐏𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 | g. w

6. lovebirds

"So I guess what I'm trying to say is—I get it. I understand that you guys were put in a weird situation where you couldn't tell me and that it was for my protection."

I'm sat in front of Fred and George in the clock tower courtyard mumbling my words as I try and explain to them how I've already forgiven them. It takes a while for them to realise that I'm not in fact still angry with them, but when they do—they both break out into giant grins. Well, Fred does.

"Finally!", Fred exclaims, throwing his long arms around me in a tight embrace, one that nearly knocks the air out my lungs.

"F-Fred—", I croak out. "C-can't breath".

"Right", he mutters and lets go, leaving me to turn to George. I'm slightly more nervous when it comes to the younger twin, wondering if things have maybe reached a point where it's even more awkward between the two of us. I did ignore him only to annoyingly walk out on him after he tried to speak to me, after all. So who's to say he hasn't forgotten that and has come to the same realisation that I told my self I had done before: that we're better off without one another. Maybe—in me pushing them away because I thought they didn't trust me—I was actually ruining the trust they did have. Ironic.

"George...", I start, looking into his dark brown eyes shyly. Those eyes always did manage to make me speechless.

He looks at me with a frown still plastered on his face and it's near impossible to read what he's thinking. I swallow a lump stuck in my throat, waiting for him to say something. Anything. The silence is defeating, and I can't help but feel like I've completely shattered everything by not speaking to any of them for so long. I might have made my peace with Fred and Alfie, but there's no saying if my relationship with George can be salvaged as easily.

"Come here", he says, opening his arms, that frown now turned into a giant smile that reaches all the way to his ears instead. He lets out a tiny chuckle as he wraps his arms around my body, the warmth radiating off him making me feel safe and protected.

"It's good to have you back, knobhead", his laugh is like music to my ears. A whole symphony of butterflies take flight in my stomach as we stay there, his arms wrapped around my tiny frame, my head resting against his chest, feeling his fast beating heart within its comfort.

"Mmm", I murmur. "It's good to be back".

All though I'm practically with my back to them and not able to see their faces, I can tell that both Fred and Alfie hasn't stopped grinning, in fact, I can tell just by the mere fact that I'm cuddled together with George that they're probably exchanging sly and insinuating glances behind me. My theory is proven correct when Alfie comments:

"Okaaay. Let's leave these two lovebirds alone, shall we?".

Then I hear the crunching of footsteps and before I know it, I'm alone with George once more.

"I really did miss you, Georgie", I whisper, that same smell of gunpowder and candy hitting my nostrils as I breathe in deeply.

"I missed you too. I was bloody miserable without you teasing me and Fred, and I didn't have anyone to side with me when it comes to who the best Beater on the Gryffindor team is."

I let out a chuckle. "Still think it's Fred, by the way."

"Rude", I feel him smile into my hair, pressing a gentle kiss on my forehead as he puts a bit of distance between us once more.

I can't help but miss his warm embrace and the touch of his skin against mine as he does, and I feel like I'll never get enough of him.

"Yeah, definitely Fred", I say again, feeling as if nothing could wipe the smile off my face. I have my best friends back and I couldn't be happier with how things have turned out.

George hits me playfully on the shoulder, grabbing my hand as we make our way back to the castle.

Maybe something good did come of this, after all;

I can now be absolutely sure that our friendship means as much to them as it does to me.