Flourish and Blotts//George Weasley

9 ~ Hogsmeade

Gunpowder, lemon cream, and herbal tea. 

That's what George Weasley's mouth tasted like.

Aurella was embarrassed to admit that she didn't mind the taste, even as she staggered back a few steps. "What the fuck was that?" She hissed.

Aurella was faintly aware of Angelina leaving, and before George got the time to say anything, his face turning as red as his hair, Aurella fled. 

She stepped out of the changeroom and ducked to where Kira was once again chatting with Alicia. She handed the girl her cloak and linked their arms. Slipping into French, she said. "We need to go."

Kira glanced at her, a spark of confusion in her dark eyes. "What is wrong?"

Aurella looked over her shoulder, where George was finally exiting the changing room. Even in the dark, she could make out the pink that stained his cheeks. She could still taste his mouth.

"I'll explain on the way, but we need to go,"

Kira, thankfully, didn't question it. Aurella watched her quickly bid goodbye to Alicia and together, they moved swiftly across the grass to the Beauxbatons' carriage. She was faintly away of George's sharp eyes on her back as they vanished into the night, too quick for him to bother chasing. No doubt Fred would know what had happened within an hour. She could still taste the gunpowder on her lips. Her heart was pounding in her chest. 

"What happened?" Kira asked again, once they were out of earshot of the group.

Aurella glanced back at the others making their way to the castle. Mist enveloped them, but despite that, she could still make out red hair, like a flame in the night. They were certainly out of earshot and still she hesitated.

"He kissed me."

Kira frowned, her forehead crinkling as she did. "He kissed you." 

Aurella could hear the baffled disbelief in her friend's voice and still, she nodded, her mind racing. "Maybe it was to get out of the conversation with Angelina, but he kissed me nonetheless. I don't know what to do."

Kira was silent for a moment, and when Aurella glanced sideways at her, she could see the calculation on her face. 

"Maybe it could be of use," Kira's voice was slow, and Aurella could just make out the hint of a plan in her voice. Leave it to Kira to find a plan. "Maybe it would be a good distraction for you."

Aurella scowled. "You want me to use George Weasley-- the most annoying pain in my ass--  as a distraction?"

"No," Kira responded, as they approached the carriage and the glowing lights within. "I just mean, there is a certain Beauxbatons boy that you could do with ignoring for once, and besides, don't boys always get jealous when you are no longer paying attention to them?"

With that, Aurella watched Kira rush ahead and pull open the carriage door, a wide smile on her face. Aurella paused, watching her friend retreat. 

Maybe Kira was on to something.

~~~

Hogsmeade was so much better than her father had described it. 

It was bustling with magic. Owls shot between buildings and witches and wizards bustled about the streets, bags and cases in hand. The buildings were ancient, no doubt enchanted to hold up against time. 

Aurella and Kira walked along the cobblestone road, pressed close together against the heavy autumn chill. It ripped at their hair and clothing. There had been no sign of Henri or George since the Quidditch practice. Aurella couldn't help but feel as though it were the calm before the storm. How long until one of them found her? There had been no further discussion of the kiss since last night.

Aurella pressed her arms closer to her side, holding them stiff in an attempt to ward off the chill. She could feel her face turning pink. No doubt it would start to snow soon, and then she'd really begin to envy the Hogwarts students and their warm uniforms. Even in her casual clothing, she was freezing. 

"Do you want to get something warm?" Kira murmured through chattering teeth. A group of Hogwarts students bustled past them into a small pub on the corner and Aurella nodded. The two girls quickly followed them into the building.

Aurella let out a sigh at the blast of warmth. The pub was bustling but they quickly found a secluded table near the corner. They both slid into the booth and exchanged a grin, letting the warmth finally reach them. 

"Kira!"

Aurella looked towards the bar, where Alicia Spinnet was sitting with a few other girls, waving at Kira.

Kira glanced across the table at Aurella, silently asking for permission. Aurella nodded, unable to hide her smile at the blush on Kira's face as she went over to join the girls.

Once her friend was gone, Aurella pulled the scrap paper out of her pocket and stared down at it. It wasn't any language she knew, and her initial searches through her own books were useless. It looked to be a runic language with Eastern European origins, but that's all she knew. It would take a while scouring the library to find anything of use, and she would have to start soon.

Aurella had gotten so pulled into her thoughts that she didn't notice the ambush until it was upon her.

George slid into the seat across from her and his hand wrapped around her wrist. 

Aurella flinched, not expecting him, and moved to escape.

"No, stop," George spoke. He tugged her back into the chair. "We have a problem."