the gentle moon / george weasley

the ministry has fallen.

"Are you going to tell me what happened between you and Haz?" Bill asked. George was behind her, shaking his head frantically to stop him from asking anything else. August was pulling at her dress, staring at herself in the mirror.

"This dress is god awful." She said, pulling at the peacock patch on her chest. She hates peacocks now. They remind her of the top of his cane, digging into her side and hitting her face.

"You don't have to wear it." Bill said, walking toward the closet.

"Does she not want me as a bridesmaid anymore?" August asked, sadly.

"No she does." Bill smiled, pulling out a suit that matched the other Weasley boys.

"What's that?" She asked.

"Took Fleur some time to let me talk her into it, but I'd like you to still be up there with us... Just on my side."

"Your side?" She asked, "Like a groomsman?"

"My best man. Best girl? Best friend?" He smiled at her, holding the suit out toward her. "It's the least I can do. I mean you saved my life."

"What about Charlie?" She asked.

"I'll get over it." Charlie smiled, leaning against the doorframe. "I mean, I helped raise him, taught him everything he knows... Made him the man he is today," He sighed dramatically, "But you can be the best man." He teased.

"He's joking." George said in a warning tone.

August was looking at the suit when Harry knocked on the door. Their eyes met.

"Sorry," He rubbed the back of his neck,

"I'll go get changed." She said, squeezing past Charlie and Harry.

"Your mum is looking for you, Bill." He said, looking over his shoulder watching as she disappeared into Ginny's room and then back at the room. Charlie looked down at him with furrowed brows.

"What'd you do?" He asked.

"It doesn't matter." Harry sighed. George stayed quiet.

"She's your family, Haz." Bill smiled at him. He looked so happy. "Don't let this go on too long. It's been over a week."

George stood up, "Harry, a word?" He asked. Harry swallowed hard, and followed George down stairs and then out in the garden. Ron and Fred were helping Arthur with the last bit of set up of the tent, while Hermione and Ginny helped Fleur's sisters with the floral arrangements. George brought him across the garden to a bench outside Arthurs tool shed.

"Did you mean it?" George asked, groaning as he sat down. "She told me everything, everything you said... And it just doesn't sound like you."

Harry stared at him for a second. Confused why he wasn't yelling at him, why he was acting so calm. Harry looked around the yard and everyone was happy. So happy, but the only person he saw not smiling today was August. Harry ran his hands through his hair and sat down next to George, leaning his elbows on his knees.

"Of course, I didn't mean it." Harry admitted, "But I need her to be angry at me."

"Why?"

"Because I'm leaving." He said, "It'll be easier on her."

"No it won't." George said, "It'll be harder. She won't be able to move on. And if you got hurt, or god forbid, killed. Harry, that will kill her."

"What?"

"I tried to stay angry at her when she left. I tried to hate her, but it made it so hard. It was hard to breathe, to eat. I couldn't do anything when I was mad at her... It almost killed me. And I know August like I know my own mind, and I don't actually think she is capable of hating you. She might have said it, but it doesn't mean she meant it... You can leave, you don't have to worry about me stopping you. But I would, if you don't fix this. Don't leave her broken like this. I won't forgive you."