Heart of Gold, Heart of Stone (Post-War)

Chapter Seventeen

After a few weeks had passed, George finally decided that he had been acting childish. He remembered that he had told her that he and Fred would've wanted her happy, but then he freaked out on her when he found her and the kids with Draco. He knew he was wrong, and it hurt him to know that he had been so rude to the girl he loved like a sister.

Angelina and Lee had tried to talk to him about what had happened, but he refused to say too much. He had already hurt Athenadora more than he had wished, and he had made it worse by telling his mother. His mother had promised to keep her mouth shut about it, but he knew she wouldn't. He knew she would tell the rest of the family, but he hoped that it wouldn't ruin Athenadora's relationship with Charlie and Bill.

After he had decided that he needed to apologize, George closed the joke shop for the day and headed to Athenadora's home. He knocked lightly on the door, and he was a little surprised when Draco was the one that answered the door. Draco frowned when he seen George, but he allowed the man inside.

"I'll go get 'Thena, you can wait here." Draco said, and George nodded.

George waited for Athenadora to come into the room. When Draco came into the room and told her that George was waiting for her in the other room, she asked Draco to stay with the kids. She didn't want them coming into the room, just in case she and George started arguing or yelling at each other. When she entered the room, George felt butterflies fill his stomach. He was nervous to talk to her, and he had every right to be.

"What are you doing here?" Athenadora asked, as she crossed her arms in a defensive nature.

"I'm here to apologize," George sighed,"I know I hurt your feelings. I was mad that you had gotten with Draco, mostly because of who he was associated with before. I spent weeks thinking about it though, and I realized that Draco wasn't like them. Draco is a good guy, and he's good for you. He's good for the kids, and I finally realized that." He said, and Athenadora smiled slightly.

"Thank you for apologizing, George," Athenadora replied,"it means a lot to us."

"I, uh, I also told Mum. I didn't mean to, but I was so mad, and I wasn't thinking. I hope she hasn't said anything to you, and if she has, I'm really sorry." George commented, making the woman sigh.

"No, she hasn't said anything to me," She murmured,"but she will most likely say something during Christmas."

Athenadora knew that George was going to tell Mrs. Weasley. She didn't know why she believed he would've kept his mouth shut. She didn't hate him for it, but she was rather angry. Mrs. Weasley and Athenadora never really got along, and this situation would make things a lot worse that they need to be.

"Is there anything I can do to make up for it?" George asked, hoping Athenadora would forgive him if he did something to prove he was sorry.

"I want you to get along with Draco," She said,"it doesn't have to be all at once. You can slowly build up a friendly relationship with him, but I want you two to get along. It would be very helpful and easier on the kids and I, if you two didn't hate each other."

"Fine," George groaned,"but please don't expect us to be best friends in the matter of hours."

"I won't, believe me." She replied, laughing quietly to herself.

Athenadora excused herself to get Draco, and she brought him into the room. The atmosphere between Draco and George seemed to be tense, but Athenadora wouldn't leave the room. She didn't want them to kill each other because she walked away. She wanted to be the mediator in the situation, so she could keep the peace between the two.

"I'm sorry about the way I acted." George said, though anyone could tell he was gritting his teeth.

"It's fine, no hard feelings." Draco replied, feeling awkward about the apology.

"Athena wants us to get along," George announced, causing Athenadora to roll her eyes,"for that to happen, I need to know what your intentions are with her and the kids."

"I truly care for them, George. I love them, they're my family. I plan to be around for them for a long time, at least until 'Thena gets tired of me." Draco replied, and George snorted in amusement.

"Well, if Fred didn't irritate her to the point that she got tired of him, I doubt you will. You don't go around blowing up her pastries to see if she'll get irritated." George joked, causing Draco to chuckle.

"No, she warned me that if I tried any of that, she would hex me and make me bald or worse." Draco answered, making George laugh rather hard.

Athenadora smiled at their interaction. She was glad that she had asked George to try and clear the air between himself and Draco. After seeing the two laugh, she hoped that maybe they would become friends. She almost believed that there was a possibility that Draco and George could become friends, and have a close relationship, maybe eventually close like brothers. It would be good for both of them, and Athenadora was sure of it.

Athenadora hoped that the two would get along and make a better situation for the kids. If the two got along, it would make situations easier when the kids were in the room. Even though they were little, the kids could tell when there was something wrong. If the atmosphere was clear, and George and Draco were finally on a clean slate, the kids would be able to tell that, too. The kids were smart, and this was one way that Athenadora would help them have an easier life...