The Space Boy and The Red Head

22 - Temporary Alliances

Monday - 11th March 1996

It had been a few days since the full moon. Lee had grown worried for Apollo as he hadn't talked to him since, and not for lack of trying either. In fact, Lee didn't think Apollo had spoke to anyone since that night. He'd seen Apollo disappear with Professor McGonagall, who had taken him out of Umbridges detentions, claiming he'd serve them with her instead.

Lee also noticed that Apollo only seemed to eat in the kitchens now. It was like the boy was actively avoiding everyone. He would hide away in the furthest corner of the library studying during any free time between classes, stress of upcoming exams obviously burdening him. Lee had never seen the boy look so sad either. One day during Potions, in an attempt to cheer Apollo up, he had pulled a prank on Snape. Snape's wand, instead of performing any of the magic he asked of it, instead would fire gold and red confetti into the air whilst roaring like a lion. This resulted in 50 points being taken from Gryffindor, but at least it got a slight smirk from Apollo.

Apollo had left the dormitory before any of the others had awoken, this was common now too. Fred was second out the door. Heading off for breakfast.

"George, can I talk with you?" Lee asked, stopping George from leaving the room. George gulped, wiping his palms on his trousers.

"Of course. What's the problem?" He hoped this wasn't about the fight. He really wanted everything to go back to the way it was. He'd missed laughing with Lee and Apollo. Merlin, he really missed Apollo.

"I'm worried... About Apollo. I don't think he's sleeping, he's definitely not eating enough. He won't talk to anyone, not even me. Everything was fine, then one day he just... stopped" Lee was the one acting nervous now.

"How long has he been acting weird with you? I know he's been avoiding Fred and I since the fight. But when did this change happen?" George inquired, curious as to what was happening with his best friend.

"The full moon, I mean that was when he got sick in detention, the day we took out the mandrake leaves." Lee said, trying to cover for the fact he'd just slipped George a massive clue about Apollos condition.

"The full moon..." George repeated, thinking to himself. Nothing had really happened that day to explain the change that he could think of. "I miss him" he admitted.

"I know, he misses you too. You both talk in your sleep you know" Lee said. Of course George knew Apollo talked in his sleep, mumbling to himself about his dreams, usually something about the 'damn moon'. George had even caught Apollo talking to himself when daydreaming. He was always staring off into thin air, his mind high in the clouds, lost in space.

"I'm going to go to him." George said, feeling rather determined. He was going to get Apollo to talk to him, he needed to make sure his friend was ok. That he was taking care of himself, and if he wasn't, George would be there to care of him instead.

George hadn't seen Apollo in their first class that day, he thought that if he turned up early he could catch him there. So he decided to skip the rest, he found Harry whilst searching for his friend.

"Oi Harry mate, you don't happen to have the map on you? I'm trying to find Apollo" he asked.

Harry gave George a smile in greeting, pulling the map from within his robes. Opening it and searching for the name.

"Apollo, ah hah, there he is. The back corner of the kitchen, furthest from the door." He said, clearing and closing the map. They bid each other farewell, heading off to their respective destinations. George practically ran to the kitchen. Apollos name had been hovering in the corner where they'd had their date.

Sweat stuck ginger hair to his forehead, lungs on fire, his chest heaving as George burst through the door to the kitchen. He ignored the house elves that called out to him in either protest or greeting. He ran straight to the corner that Apollo sat in. He was sat at a table, Figgy sat opposite him and an untouched plate of toast that had long since gone cold was in front of the boy.

"Master Weas...." George didn't hear what the small house elf had to say. He lifted Apollo from his chair and pulled him to his chest. He hadn't planned on what he had wanted to say when he found him, but now no words were coming to mind. He just wanted to hold Apollo close. And he did. The boys were pressed right into one another, no daylight able to pass between. George found himself deeply inhaling the scent of Apollos shampoo, he'd missed that smell. He moved one hand to the back of the boys head, intertwining his fingers in the mess of black hair, needing the feeling of it to reassure him that this was happening. Apollo copied him, gently pulling on red hair as they hugged.

"I missed you" George mumbled into Apollo's neck. A sweet laugh escaped Apollo's mouth, brushing the hair from his face.

"I missed you too" he placed a kiss on George's forehead. The two were staring into one another's eyes when Figgy finally interrupted. 

"Master Weasley, Figgy has been trying to make sure Master McLaggen eats properly today. Master McLaggen is not doing it sir" she tattled.

"Why aren't you eating properly?" George was suddenly very concerned again, holding Apollo by the shoulders to look at him properly.

"It's a really long story" he shrugged it off. George sat Apollo down on the stool he'd previously been sat on.

"Well maybe you just need some of my cooking then" he said raising an eyebrow. He was joking but really it was an attempt to get Apollo to eat a full meal. Knowing he wouldn't be able to say no if George made it himself.

"Oh, what's on the menu chef?" Apollo teased back.

"I can't tell you that now, it'll ruin the surprise" George was pulling every ingredient out, he had no idea what to make and the final product reflected that. A very floury George presented Apollo with a plate of scrambled eggs, some roast potatoes with gravy, pancakes, and custard. All topped with sprinkles of course.

"Voila, your breakfast, mon loup" he said in his best French accent.

"Didn't know you spoke French Georgie, what does it mean?" Apollo wondered.

"I don't really know, just picked up a few things I've heard Fleur say to Bill. I think it's supposed to be a cute name. Not sure really" he explained.

Apollo ate all of his strange breakfast, liking it more when George had explained it was the only things he knew how to cook, and as he couldn't decide on which, he'd made all of them.

"What do you want to do today?" Asked Apollo as the pair were walking hand in hand round the corridors. They hadn't discussed their relationship but whilst in the kitchen, and having only just got back together as friends, he didn't want to push anything too much yet. He also thought still that being a friend to George was risky enough as it is, he didn't think George would ever forgive Apollo if he found out they'd moved things further, only to find out that Apollo was just like the monsters Fred had been talking about. No, friends was definitely all it could be. Just friends that sometimes hold hands, and occasionally fantasise about kissing the other.

"Well I still owe you a second date." This could be harder than anticipated.

"Are you sure?  We don't have to" Apollo was giving him an out.

"Mon loup, I'd like to take you out, dinner in Hogsmeade, if you'd be okay with that" George said, the accent returning briefly.

"Yeah, I'd like that" his cheeks were tinted red.