The Healer | Part 3: The Survivors

Falcon's Rest

Edith

George and I stayed in the cemetery long after dark. I caught him up on the little that had happened in my life since the final battle and he told me stories about Romania and the dragons that Charlie studied.

I tried my best to stifle a yawn. According to my watch, we'd been out here for hours, but it certainly hadn't felt like that long.

'Edith,' George said in a low voice. I took my hand away from my mouth and turned to face him again.

He brought a hand to my cheek and I let out a soft breath. I relaxed into his warm hand. It was a bit chilly now that it was fully nighttime. I looked into his eyes, they were glittering in the light from a nearby street lamp. Almost instinctively, I brought my hand up to cup his cheek and he leaned down to rest his forehead on mine.

I closed my eyes and tried to control my breathing. I hadn't felt this safe since before we left the flat. I felt safe, but unnerved at the same time. He wrapped his other arm around my waist and tugged me closer. I brought my free hand to his chest. I had been feeling a bit cold just a minute ago and the heat radiating off his body felt glorious. I knew he was about to kiss me, the tension was so thick, but I was enjoying simply being this close to him again. I smiled as I both felt and heard his ragged breathing. I couldn't believe I had that sort of an effect on him.

I felt his soft lips on mine for a gentle, tentative kiss. I lifted my chin to give him a better angle and felt his sharp intake of breath as I drew myself even closer.

My mind was quickly growing foggy. I had dreamed of kissing him and had almost given up hope of it ever happening again. It was so much nicer than I remembered, these sweet, gentle kisses. It was familiar, but brand new at the same time. It was comfortable and exciting.

In a way, these kisses made me feel extremely relieved. And I knew it was because it meant I wouldn't have to go it alone anymore.

He was back.

'Edith, you're frozen,' he pulled away, only slightly, and I opened my eyes. My mouth was still slightly parted as I processed what he had just said.

'You were doing a good job of keeping me warm just now,' I said with a small smile. I wanted his lips on mine again. It was addicting. We had usually snogged for much longer than this back in the flat.

'Do you want to go somewhere more private?' He asked quietly.

'What? Where?' I asked.

'I dunno,' I thought I saw him smirk in the dim light. 'I was thinking The Leaky Cauldron.'

'The Leaky Cauldron?' I repeated with a little giggle. 'That's far less private than it is right here. Unless you're just trying to get me drunk.'

'Well, I'm not allowed in your dormitory and I'm not bringing you back to Mum and Dad's,' his smirk widened and I felt him squeeze my waist.

It took me a moment to understand his meaning. When I did, I burst out into laughter.

'You wanna get a room for the night?' I asked with a snort. 'It's not gonna be that easy getting me into bed again, George Weasley.'

'Why?' His face fell for a fraction of a second but he recovered quickly. I didn't think he had actually been serious in his suggestion until that moment.

'Crivvens, you've only been back a week,' I reminded him. 'Things are different now. Besides, I have an early appointment in the morning.'

'They're not that different,' he countered. 'And your early appointment is with me!'

'George!' I laughed out loud again.

'Alright,' he sighed. 'I won't push it. But can you blame me? I miss sleeping beside you.'