𝐄𝐏𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 | g. w

24. alfie's words of wisdom

"You're joking?!"

George laughs, causing the butterflies already alive in my stomach to go crazy. It's one—if not my absolute favourite sound in the world, and I pray to Merlin I'll hear it a million times again.

"You actually want me to come work for you, to move in with you?" I can't contain my excitement, a smile stretching wide across my astounded face. I'm thinking about all of the possibilities that would come with living here; the things I would be able to do, and above all else—the extra time I would get to spend with a certain redhead.

"Of course. You'll probably come hang out all the time anyway. And besides, you'd get to spend more time with my handsome face, and let's be honest—who would pass on that opportunity?", he smiles cheekily, sending a not-so-subtle wink my way, which again, sets off an explosion of butterflies in my abdomen. It tickles slightly, and I leave my hand in front of my mouth to hide my snorting. He always makes me laugh, even when I try to act cool around him.

Let's face it; I'm never cool around him.

I find myself turning a crimson shade, my cheeks flushed and my heart beating faster. His mere prescience does things to me, things no one else has ever been able to do. It's like he's got this weird hold over me, which causes me to lose all ability to function properly. I love him, and I'm trying so hard not to let the whole world know. To be perfectly honest, I already know Fred, Lee, Alfie and Luna know about my feelings, so I've done a terrible job so far.

There's an comfortable silence, in which we just stand there, watching each other, taking in the moment. I can't help but smile so much that my cheeks start to hurt a little bit from stretching so wide, and I'm left a stuttering mess from his words.

"You know, I missed you so much these last few weeks." I nearly choke on my own saliva, "I'm not about to feel that way again, if I can help it. So what do you say? Move in with me?"

Me? Did he say me just then?

God, what is he doing to me?

Im fighting the urge to kiss him so hard right now.

Does he have to be so beautiful? So amazing?

Merlin. These feelings will be the death of me.

He will be the death of me.

"Okay." I mutter quietly underneath my breath. I'm still smiling, trying so hard not to let these feelings get the better of me. I couldn't just throw my arms around him and press my lips to his, right?

Right.

"What was that?" George says, his honeycomb eyes glistening. He drags a hand through his ginger locks, and I find myself admiring the veins upon his arms and hands, how prominent they are and how badly I want to have him touch me. He grins, teasing me without really having to do anything at all. His mere existence sends shockwaves through my body.

"Okay." I repeat. "I'll move in with you."

His smile grows and I can't help but think he's about to do what I've been wanting to for ages, but he doesn't. Instead, he throw his arms around me, carrying me so that my feet leave the floor I was just standing on.

"George! What are you doing?!" I shriek as he spins me around. He's laughing, and I'm laughing, and in this very moment, I find myself thinking that everything is going to be okay.

Because I'm in George Weasley's arms.

(...)

The news that Sirius Black died and Luna was there when it happened reaches me quickly, and I find myself worrying for the blonde. I've missed her these last few weeks since moving in with the twins, and I can't help but feel a tad bit guilty. Guilty about leaving her, guilty for taking the seemingly easy way out. Guilty for not persuading her to leave with me. Even though I know she would never agree to leave school without finishing her education.

Speaking of the twins, they weren't the only ones refusing to abide by Umbitch's ridiculous rules and regulations. Alfie and Lee decided to leave when I did, and I recently learned that they found a flat to move into, not too far from Diagon Alley, which means, I get to see them more often than not. I'm more than excited about the prospect of my new life, even though I sometimes find myself worrying as well about what it might entail. About what will come to be of the Wizarding World once this supposed War breaks out for real.

"What'you think will happen to us?" I find myself asking Alfie one night after work. We've just had dinner with the twins and Lee, and I followed him out to have a smoke.

It's a habit I'm trying to quit.

"What do you mean?" he asks with a prominent frown. I know he's just as worried as I am, he's just better at hiding it.

I sigh. "I mean, when all of this is over, what will happen? What will we do? I've been so focused on Umbridge, the twins and the shop this whole year that I've almost forgotten that there's a chance we might not be here, like this, for much longer. Am I stupid, Alfie? For worrying about all of this when there's a War waiting to happen?"

He exhales through his mouth, leaving a cloud of smoke around him which gets me to tear up more than I already am. I try to act all tough and unbothered, but to be completely honest, I'm terrified of what might happen. I can barely sleep at night, just tossing and turning, wondering what will happen to us.

"You're not stupid. In fact, you're anything but. It's normal to be scared, Godric knows I am too." A trace of a smile makes its way onto his face. I think he's trying to convince himself as much as me when he continues;

"We're all going to be fine. We have each other, and the twins can take care of themselves. Lee is, well—Lee, and I won't give up without a fight, as I know you won't either. You're a warrior, Mia, and the strongest person I know. We'll make it, you'll see. After all, I'm counting on you to protect me." His smile turns much more sincere as he says those last few words. I give his cheeks a playful slap, letting a chuckle escape me.

"Shut up", I snicker, the frown on my face no longer visible. Instead, it's been replaced with a genuine smile. A smile that proves just how much I really care about this boy. About all of my boys.

"I love you, you idiot."

Alfie snorts. "Who're you calling an idiot, idiot." He winks.

"I love you too, Rune."