raison d'être (george weasley x reader)

3.4

With the quidditch season starting and the upcoming match against Slytherin soon approaching, Y/N often found herself roaming the halls alone. It was during these moments that she regretted befriending so many quidditch players - Lee included since he joined most of the team's practices to make sure he'd be able to focus on the different parts at once for his commentary.

There was another practice set for this evening after dinner, so her friends were heartily enjoying their meals before having to depart for their grueling 2 hour practice, which would likely get extended once Oliver found something to nitpick.

"We'll have to practice avoiding the other players," Angelina reminded Alicia and Katie. The two nodded as they scooped large spoonfuls of potatoes into their mouths. "Slytherin plays dirty, so we have to be ready for anything."

Y/N zoned in and out of the surrounding conversations. Although she enjoyed watching the sport, she wasn't one to overly analyze the different plays.

George had noticed the girl's silence early on, but shrugged it off as her indifference to the sport. Still, he couldn't stop the lingering guilt that crept into his chest as everyone roared in conversation around her. She had participated in quidditch-related conversation before and she often chimed in to offer solid advice, but she was a different kind of quiet today. It was as if she had drawn away from the present world and retreated elsewhere, somewhere he couldn't reach her.

"You should come watch our practice," he said, nudging her shoulder with his own. At her absentminded hum, he grabbed her arm and gently shook her. "Earth to Y/N."

She blinked twice, slowly regaining consciousness and leaving the depths of her mind. Her eyes found his, which had subconsciously softened at her lost gaze, and gave him a confused look.

"You should come watch our practice," he repeated. His voice had softened, though it still carried its usual upbeat tone, and his eyes scanned her face, gauging her reaction. "It'll be fun."

"I don't know. I should probably just work on my potions essay," she replied. She looked up to see that George's smile had fallen slightly, though he was doing his best to pretend like it hadn't. His lips were still curved up into his usual easygoing smile, but it didn't reach his eyes; the lack of crinkles around them indicated as much. Although she didn't really want to sit outside and watch her friends fly around all evening, her pounding and falling heart told her otherwise. "I mean, I guess it wouldn't hurt to do it outside...or later tonight."

This time, his smile reached his eyes and the fluttering in her stomach told her that she had made the right decision.

After dinner, she joined her friends in heading towards the field. The rest of the Gryffindor team had conglomerated by the door so that everyone could walk out together.

"Hey, cheer us on, yeah?" George asked, grinning down at her. She swore he had grown taller during the last few weeks.

"Me too," Fred added, showing up on the other side of her. He slung an arm over her shoulders, accidentally dragging her forward - the difference in height was made much more apparent in that moment. "Might play better if I hear you cheering."

She laughed and shook her head. "You play better every practice, Fred."

"What about me?" George huffed, sneakily pushing Fred's arm off of her.

"Obviously you do as well, George," she replied, earning a smile from him. She leaned over as Fred got distracted by Angelina and whispered, "Honestly, I think you're the better player, but don't tell Fred."

George's grin widened so much that his cheeks grew sore from smiling. His eyes shone brightly as he looked down at his friend, ever grateful for having her in his life. He and his twin shared everything, starting from a room to the people around them, but he hoped that he was right when thinking that Y/N was the exception.