Flourish and Blotts//George Weasley

17 ~ Breakups

"So, most people don't sleep with people they are fake dating."

Aurella ran her hand down her face, before finally looking across the table at Kira. Her friend was rosy-faced-- a result of the warm breeze drifting in through the open windows of the Beauxbatons carriage. It could also be argued that her cheeks were red for another reason, but Aurella already knew that. 

"Why are we having this conversation again?" Aurella asked. It had been three times in the past couple of weeks, when Kira had approached her, demanding answers. Why Aurella was so comfortable with George? Why she was avoiding her feelings? Etc, etc. 

Aurella had conveniently found other things to be doing and other ways for her to be distracted at the time, but now she was cornered, sitting alone at a table with her translations-- including the one for Charlie and Lia, which she was almost finished. 

"Because you refused to answer me the first several times. I want to know what you are going to do. You say you are still interested in Henri, and that was the whole point of this thing, so why are you spending so much time with George?" 

Aurella shrugged. She didn't know why she felt this way, and she didn't want to discuss it. It was easier to like without discussing it and acting as though everything were normal. She enjoyed her time with George. Why couldn't they just be comfortable with it?

"I think you should talk to George about it," Kira spoke, flipping open her charms textbook-- she was working on her wandless magic, and as she flicked her hand above it, the book's pages moved in time. "Something tells me that he might be interested  too."

Aurella scowled, glaring at her. "George is not interested in me. We argue every time we are together." 

"No you don't," Kira responded. "But I appreciate you living in delusion. George is better for you than Henri."

Aurella frowned and leaned back in her chair. "How about we talk about you and Alicia?"

Kira paused. "Touche. Fine, tell me about the translation you are doing. Are you done?"

Aurella hummed. "Almost, I've got one last sentence. It's an old ritual it seems. It requires old age being at the beginning of their life to be sacrificed in the name of eternal life. I'm not really sure what it's about but I'm going to send it to them later." 

~~~

Aurella walked up the steep stone stairs, the files for Lia and Charlie tucked under her arm. George was walking next to her, wearing his school uniform. She was borrowing one of their owls to send the files to Romania. 

The air was warm on her face-- a sign of spring to come-- as they climbed up the tall stairs to the owlry. Inside was crowded with hooting owls, most of whom were resting on roosts.

Quietly, one of the owls fluttered down, and Aurella tied the files to its leg. A moment later, it vanished out the window. 

That was when Aurella finally broached the topic she had been avoiding this whole time. "Has Angelica taken the hint?"

George evidently hadn't been expecting the question. He stiffened, leaning against the stair railing, looking at her with tousled hair. The wind teased it up and he ran a hand over it to smooth it down. 

"What do you mean?"

Aurella swallowed. If Kira was right with what she was asking, then Aurella had gotten far too involved. She needed out now, before this became her new normal. "Our deal. Has Angelica left you alone?"

He exhaled. "Yeah, she has taken the hint."

Aurella nodded. "Good, and Henri has obviously shown that he is still interested. I think we should be good to finish our deal soon."

George blinked slowly, and his hands tightened on the railing. Aurella turned her back to him to run her finger over the head of an owl that had approached. It nibbled her hand gently.

"Sure, finish our deal," 

If Aurella wasn't mistaken, she could almost hear a tone of bitterness in his voice. It was enough to have her turning her head back to look at him. His expression had become downcast, and he was staring at the cobbled stairs. 

There was a momentary awkward pause, where Aurella glanced back at him. "How do you feel about just finishing at the end of school? Then we don't have to deal with our parents all summer."

George huffed. "Let's just call it off now. We both got what we wanted, right? Might as well quit while we are ahead." 

Aurella flinched, straightening up and turning to face him fully. "What are you talking about?"

"We both got what we wanted. We can end it now," He repeated. George shoved a hand through his hair. pushing it away from his face.

"Fine," Aurella responded, unsure how to take it, not to mention the faint splintering feeling in her chest. "We can end it now."

"Good," George straightened up. "Good luck with your letter and your exams. I'm going to find Fred."

With that, he vanished down the stairs, leaving Aurella staring down the slope after him.