A Soulmate's Love

Chapter 69 - French Introductions

George's Perspective

I woke up at the same time I usually do at Hogwarts - my school-time sleep schedule permanently dictating my life - and yawned as I looked down at the girl in my arms. Clearly, she had no problem sleeping in. I couldn't help but smile at how hard she held me when she slept - it was as if she subconsciously thought I would disappear if she let go. Her soft snores and slow, even heartbeats (for once) lulled me back to sleep with a smile on my face; I was blissfully happy.

~

Protests woke me up hours later but, thinking it was my family, I overlooked them. However when they repeated seconds later, and I recognized them to be Althea's voice, my eyes flew open and my body stiffened as I looked at her in urgency. I was surprised to find her sleeping, but that surprise quickly morphed to fear and confusion as I understood that she was panicking. 

"Non, s'il te plaît, ne fais pas ça - je ferai mieux, je ferai mieux..." She mumbled shakily in her sleep as she was having an anxiety attack. Her expression was contorted in the most pained way, and my heart ached at the sight. She had taught me a few words and expressions in French, and from my limited knowledge, I could understand 'No, please, I will be better, I will be better?'. I wasn't exactly sure, but I didn't waste another second thinking about it as my hands cupped her face.

"Althea, Althea Jane, wake up love." I pleaded urgently, going through the link and feeling the insurmountable pressure of her attacks. 

I continued trying to wake her up, but she seemed to be repeating something along the lines of, "J'ai échoué, je ne peux pas- Non, pas George, s'il te plait." I raised my voice at her, something I always refused to do but had to resort to in order to wake her up. My hand brushed curls out of her face and she flinched, her eyes opening and her lying position changing to sitting in moments. She was still breathing rapidly, and as I looked at her with wide eyes, she began shaking her hands to shake off her anxiety. "I'm sorry I- it was just a bad dream. I'm sorry, I'm sorry-." She hurried, putting a hand to her forehead as she went to get up, only to be stopped by me holding her back.

"You don't say sorry to me darling, ever," I told her firmly, hating the fact that she ever felt the need to apologize to me. I had always told her this, and I stuck by it. "What was it?" I asked her, stopping her fingertips rapidly touching each other by holding her hands. My other hand tilted her lowered head up to meet my gaze, and the second I saw that fearful look in her eyes I lifted her and placed her on my lap, having her legs and arms wrap around me as her head rested on my shoulder, buried in my neck. 

"Nothing worth mentioning." She mumbled, her breaths skipping every once in a while as she recovered from the attack. 

"It is worth mentioning because you're worth worrying about," I responded, letting my finger trace up and down her spine in reassurance. 

She took a deep breath before saying, "I failed. I failed, and was reminded of what is going to happen if I ever actually do." She whispered, the word 'failed' sounding forced coming from her lips.

I held her closer, "It was just a dream, darling... just a dream." I assured, hating how deep the idea of not being perfect had been engraved in her conscious, and how afraid she was of it. If I could go back in time, I would shield her from everyone who has instituted such warped standards on someone so young and impressionable. 

She hummed in agreement, not letting me go as she took deep breaths. "Would you still love me if I don't get perfect on all of my exams?" She asked from the crook of my neck, her words making my heart break. 

"I will always love you, no matter what." I immediately responded, playing with her curls. "You could decide to drop out of school and become a bloody stripper, and I would adore you - and be your biggest supporter," I added, making her giggle softly.