Embers of the Heart ; George Weasley

Seventeen

"How do I look?" I asked as I stood in front of the mirror, George sitting on my bed behind me. I was meeting his parents today, and I was really nervous.

George looked up from the bed, his eyes softening as he took in my reflection. "You look beautiful." he said, a reassuring smile spreading across his face. "They're going to love you."

I fiddled with the hem of my dress, trying to smooth out non-existent wrinkles. "I hope so." I murmured, feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in my stomach. "I just... I want to make a good impression."

"You will." George said, getting up from the bed and coming to stand behind me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder. "Just be yourself. That's all they need to see."

I leaned back into him, taking comfort in his presence. "Okay." I said softly, feeling a bit more at ease. "Let's do this."

—

The journey to the Burrow felt shorter than usual, the landscape whizzing by as my mind raced with thoughts of the impending meeting. George held my hand the entire way, his thumb tracing soothing circles on the back of my hand.

"Remember." he said as we approached the quirky, leaning structure of the Burrow. "They're just people. And they're going to love you as much as I do."

What?!

I nodded slowly, taking a deep breath as we walked up to the front door, all the while replaying his words in my head. He loved me? George loved me...

George knocked and almost immediately, the door swung open to reveal Mrs Weasley, her face lighting up with a warm, welcoming smile.

"George! And this must be Aurora." she said, her voice filled with genuine warmth. She pulled me into a hug before I could even respond, and I felt some of my anxiety melt away.

"Thank you for having me, Mrs Weasley." I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Oh, call me Molly, dear." she insisted, stepping back to get a good look at me. "We're all family here."

Just then, Mr Weasley appeared, his face breaking into a broad grin. "George, you didn't us you were bringing such a lovely guest."

"Yes, dad, this is Aurora." George said, pride evident in his voice.

Mr Weasley extended his hand, and I shook it, feeling the warmth of his welcome. "Welcome to our home, Aurora. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Thank you, Mr Weasley."

"Arthur, please." he corrected with a smile.

As we moved further into the house, the cosy, lived-in warmth of the Burrow surrounded us. The walls were lined with family photos, and the smell of delicious home-cooked food wafted through the air, making my stomach rumble.

We settled into the kitchen, where Mrs Weasley was preparing what looked like an enormous feast. The table was already set with a variety of dishes, and the overall atmosphere was one of bustling, chaotic warmth.

Fred and Lee came bouncing down the stairs, their playful banter filling the room. They both greeted me warmly, and soon, I found myself caught up in the lively energy of the Weasley household.

"Fred, Lee, help Molly with the dishes." Mr Weasley instructed, and the two immediately jumped into action, teasing each other as they went.

Dinner was a bustling affair, with everyone talking and laughing, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging amidst the noise and warmth. Mrs Weasley's cooking was every bit as delicious as George had promised, and I found myself relaxing more and more as the evening went on. The conversations ranged from amusing stories about the twins' latest pranks, to more serious topics like the ongoing troubles with the Ministry and the return of Voldemort.