Sketchbook ~ George Weasley

Chapter 34 - The Second Task

Another sleepless night passed me by and this time I could say it was mostly from concern. Hermione had never shown back up to our room last night, and I was riddled with worry through most of it. I had waited around for a bit so that I could talk to her, but when she didn't show, I had just gotten concerned instead.

Even now as the task approached I couldn't see her around. Looking for Ron's face in the crowd of passing students to see if she'd be with him was also a letdown. It was surprising that the two of them would miss a chance to support Harry.

"Any bets?"

"Step up, mates, don't be shy!"

I turn my head to see two voices shouting over the bustling crowds of students. They were stampeding in the opposite direction, heading towards me, stopping to take small amounts of change along the way.

I stop in front of them, and for some reason almost feel nervous because it was the first time in a while that I talked to them both together.

"Paige!" they both spoke at the same time, and I was almost surprised they were happy to see me. Fred asks me, "Here to place a bet?"

"Um, no, sorry," I say. "Have you happened to see Hermione anywhere? I can't seem to find her."

"What? Hermione?" Fred asks.

"We haven't," George says.

"Okay, well, thanks anyway," I say.

"Were you planning on going back on your promise?" Fred asks. "By watching the task with Hermione?"

"What?" I ask.

"You promised to be with us at all the tasks," George says.

"I did?" I say. I hazily recall the memory of them acting like children and me saying something that I knew would get them to shut up. "I did. You still want me to?"

"Of course!" They say together.

"You two save us a good spot, and I'll finish making the rounds while I wait for Angelina," Fred says, nudging his brother and heading off.

We start heading off towards the docks. There was a lulled moment between the two of us before the other would talk. Not that anything would come out of my mouth if I tried. I was supposed to talk this through with Hermione before anything happened. I don't even know how I feel about George and I especially don't know how to act.

"Hey," I say, and I feel so small like I don't know how to proceed.

"Hey."

If it wasn't for the chattering of people around us, you'd be able to hear a pin drop.

"Look, I know you said you didn't want to talk about it, so I've been trying to not talk about it. So, I kept my distance, but I'm sorry, I don't want to anymore. I miss you and hanging out with you guys, and I will do whatever you need me to do to make up for it, okay?" I blurt out.

There's another short pause of silence that passes between us while I wait for him to respond. I look away from the ground I'm staring at up to George, who has a smug smile crawling its way up his face.

"You missed me?" George asks.

"Stop smiling like that," I say, shoving his arm slightly, but I couldn't help but smile myself. "Of course, I did."

"And you're willing to do anything to make it up to me?" George says again.

"Hmm, I don't know if I recall that part," I say.

"I think I remember it quite clearly. You said it not long ago," George says. Then, clearing his throat to allow it to go a higher octave and putting on his best American accent he goes, "You said, 'George, you're so sexy and smart, I can't go another second away from you, I'll do anything you ask if you pretty please forgive me.'"