• Harry Potter One Shots• (request open)

Blame • George Weasley • Part Three

Charlie didn't know where to go. The Burrow was an option, but leaving your boyfriend to go to his mum's wasn't really ideal. She could stay with Angelina, but she didn't want to bring anyone else into this situation. Charlie decided to go to London, she hoped just seeing her old house would bring some type of comfort; she knew better than to go to her Gran's, she'd have to explain the story all over.

Charlie stood outside on the sidewalk and stared at the townhome - so many happy memories there. Of course, a new family was there now so she observed from a distance. Her parents, although they were muggles, were very accepting of the wizarding world. Her father was always eccentric, and the whole thing amazed him. He would've got along so well with Arthur. Her parents would've George, Fred and all the Weasleys.

Charlie sat on a bench across from the house and cried, she was at a loss at what to do but she was too stubborn to go back. She shivered and eventually dozed off on that bench.

•

George floo'd to his mum's that evening. He didn't want too, he knew there would be questions, but a part of him wished there would be. He needed his mum. He needed her advice.

"There you are, darling." Molly's voice called as he appeared, "I'm afraid you're late, everyone has already gone or in bed. I saved you and Charlotte a plate." She smiled. George winced, knowing he'd have to explain why Charlie wasn't with him. He'd came late on purpose, knowing everyone would be gone and he could just have time with his mum. "Where is Charlotte?"

George sat at the table and picked at his food with his fork, "She's gone." He whispered.

"What do you mean? Gone to the shop? What shop is open at this hour-" Molly just didn't expect what would come next.

"She left me." He sniffled. Molly stood in shock - that was very out of character for Charlotte; she thought George hung the moon as he did her. They were so in love and everyone around them knew it.

"Why?" She pulled up a chair next to her son and stroked his shoulder. "What happened?"

"I love her so much, mum," he cried, "but every time I see her, I see Fred. She goes about her day, she cleans, she's cheerful in the shop - it's as if nothing happened, I don't understand how. All I want to do is lay in bed. I don't blame her, or Perce, but mum it's so hard. I didn't want neither of them to die, Percy either - but everyday I'm reminded of it when I look at her." He rubbed his nose on his sleeve like a child, a behavior Molly would have scolded him for but didn't this time. "I'd been the same with Fred, I'm sure, if the roles were reversed. I don't know how to get it out of my head. I'm so mean to her." He choked out.

Molly sat silently for a moment, mulling over what to say next. "Fred was her best friend." Not the reaction he was expecting, but he continued listening. "He loved her, not as much as you but he did." George sobbed silently. "And she loved him, thick as thieves those two." She chuckled through tears. "How do you think he'd feel about this?"

"He would be so angry with both of us. Angry with me for treating her badly and angry with her for not grieving him." George said angrily, he didn't know how Charlie put on a smile everyday.

"How do you know she's not?" Molly whispered, as George thought back to what Charlie said as she slammed the door. "George, you have to remember - Charlotte is hurting too." She copied Charlie's exact words, "if I know Charlotte, and I do, I'm sure she's doing it for you. She loves you so much."

George laid his head on his mum's shoulder and cried, "I love her. But, how do I stop it? How do I stop those thoughts? I can't look at her. I can't face it. It feels like I'm reliving it over and over."

Molly rubbed her son's red hair and kissed the top of his head, "think about when she looks at you, George. You have the face of her best friend, the best friend who risked his life to save her." Wrapping an arm around George, she pulled him close. "What you two have is too good to give up on - Fred worked awfully hard to make it happen, you know." She smiled warmly. George chuckled through his tears and realized, he needed to find Charlie.