I love you, I'm sorry - G.W

Risk

                             "You'll be my favourite mistake"

*2 weeks earlier*

George sat next to his twin brother as he watched him toss a crumpled parchment at Angelina Johnson during study hall.

The witch who also was a Gryffindor. Who also shared hours a day with them at endless quidditch practices. Who was in practically all of their classes.

So Fred asking Angelina to the highly anticipated Yule Ball made sense. They were good friends who spent countless hours together weekly. Such a good plan in fact that he was in the midst of planning to ask her. He had already taken a trip to the greenhouses to personally pluck each of her favourite flowers for the array of confetti he was to sprinkle upon her, also bearing a new pair of chasers gloves which he knew she desperately needed.

Thoughtful, practical, sweet.

But currently he watched as she accepted his brother's invitation. Smiling brightly and turning to whisper excitedly with her friends. Shiny black hair looking delectable as always, mocking him.

Fred then turned to him, patting him on the back and chuckling proudly. George only gave a meek grimace in response but he didn't notice, caught up on his ego boost.

See, Fred didn't know. It was a secret. It always had been.

The great crush George had been harbouring on Angelina since third year. The intense want for her only increased as the years passed. Never plucking the courage to do something about it.

That's where he wished he was more like his brother, daring, bold, a true Gryffindor.

He wasn't, he was reserved and insecure.

Heartbroken and betrayed by no fault but his own he turned back to the potions essay laid on the table. But no work was done, instead he daydreamed about the possibilities of 'what ifs'.

*present day*

Despite my disappointment at my stolen date it wasn't long until I did find myself another untaken one. A sad pairing we were, George Weasley and Alicia Spinnet.

I hold  great respect for her as one of my greatest friends but we were each others last resort and we knew it.

The entire start to the Yule Ball was spent sitting staring into space miserably with each other until it all became too awkward and I left to grab drinks.

Walking to the punch table I noted a strange odour coming from the orange looking liquid. Stepping up and taking a whiff I immediately succumbed to the muggle scent of what was to be Vodka. Something I managed to learn over the past summer regrettably.

From previous experience I decided against it so I turned back to give the dreadful news to Alicia. What was even more dreadful and a punch to the gut was glancing up and seeing my brother and the object of my desires laughing and touching each other.

Angelina's hand lay upon his whilst his head was thrown back in laughter. Even from this distance I could see the twinkle in her eye.

That was when I physically felt my gut reject the idea and I stabled myself on the cloth table.

I couldn't be here, I wasn't strong enough.

Sending my silent apologies to Alicia I hurried out of the ballroom. Determined to get as far away as I could.

This whole night was awful and boring and I knew it would be. Part of me still hoped it would be different. That she might offer me a dance or even look at me. I get why, Fred was always much more likeable and interesting. Even his own mother thought so with her comments of "it wouldn't hurt to get out your shell, look at your brother, he is and having loads of fun".