Forbidden

19

As we made our way towards the Gryffindor common room, I felt a gentle tug on the sleeve of my jumper. I glance over to see George giving me that familiar, mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Fred, we'll catch up with you later," he whispers just loud enough for Fred to hear.

Fred grins, raising an eyebrow. "Go on, lovebirds. Just don't do anything I wouldn't do," he said with a wink. I rolled my eyes, fighting back a laugh. Honestly, what wouldn't Fred Weasley do?

Quietly, we slipped away from the back of the group, ducking down a different corridor. Once we were out of sight, George laced his fingers through mine, a soft smile playing on his lips. It was nearly curfew, and the castle had mostly emptied out, with most students already tucked away in their common rooms.

I had no idea where George was leading me. He guided me through winding tunnels, hidden passageways, and even behind a few portraits. How did he even know all of these secret routes? After what felt like ages of twists and turns, we finally emerged through a small door onto a high ledge overlooking the castle grounds.

The view was breathtaking—Hogwarts spread out below us, bathed in the soft glow of the evening. A low brick wall wrapped around the circular platform, offering a cozy, hidden spot away from the prying eyes of the castle.

I couldn't help but let out a soft gasp at the beauty of it all. George grinned beside me, clearly pleased with himself for finding such a perfect hideaway.

"George, how did you find this place?" I ask in amazement, placing my hands on the small brick wall as I took in the breathtaking beauty of the night sky. The stars seemed to stretch on forever, casting a soft, silvery glow over the grounds below.

George smiled, leaning beside me, his hands resting on the wall in the same way. "Fred and I know most of the secret spots in Hogwarts. We've spent the last few years exploring every nook and cranny, finding hidden passageways to sneak away from Filch when we needed to. This place... no one ever comes up here. We used to come when we'd skive off lessons, just to get away from everything."

His voice was warm, filled with fond memories of mischief and freedom. I smiled, feeling a surge of affection for the boy beside me, always so full of life and adventure.

Gently, I place my hand over his, savoring the warmth of his touch. He glances over at me, that playful gleam in his eyes softening into something deeper, something that made my heart flutter.

He turned and sat down on the floor, leaning his back against the wall. With a playful pat on the space beside him, he beckoned me to join. Without hesitation, I sat down next to him, resting my head on his shoulder. The night air was cool, but the warmth of his presence was all I could focus on. Then, I felt the soft press of his lips against the top of my head, sending a rush of butterflies through my stomach.

I tilt my head up, meeting George's gaze. His eyes locked with mine, a gentle smile playing on his lips. For a moment, everything else faded away—the castle, the night, even the stars above us. His eyes flickered down to my lips, and that was all it took for me to surrender to the pull between us.

Cupping his face with both hands, I lean, pressing my lips against his. The kiss was soft, tender, filled with all the unspoken emotions we had kept hidden for so long. His hand found its way to my waist, fingers curling around my hip, grounding me in the moment. It was gentle, yet it felt like the world had shifted—like something beautiful had begun.

This is where I feel happiest—in George's arms, the world outside fading into insignificance. How did I never notice this side of him before? Not just his physical beauty, which is undeniable, but the beauty inside him. George is the most wonderful person I've ever known, and here in his embrace, I feel more at home than I ever have at Malfoy Manor.