Because I - George Weasley

17: Because I Kissed Him

It'd been a couple weeks since the Weighing of the Wands. The first task was only weeks away and the nerves still hadn't really set in like they seemed to for Harry.

Everyday he was moving closer to me at lunch and dinner, trying to ask me questions about various spells and incantations he'd yet to learn. There was a span of three days that he'd convinced himself that first task would have something to do with a potion, causing him to become a nervous wreck. It wasn't until I reminded him that nothing about brewing a potion screamed daring and courageous like the first task was supposed to be.

I didn't see the true extent of his nerves until the Daily Prophet articles started to come out and the Slytherins and angry Hufflepuffs started to tourture him, making fun of him for crying over his dead parents.

Though Harry had been the main attraction of the first article published, Viktor and Fleur hardly being mentioned, and my name not being brought up at all, surprisingly enough, I was next in line.

George had the paper in hand one Saturday morning, reading it aloud to us as soon as he saw that something about the Triwizard Tournament was the headline of the front page.

"Unknown Gryffindor chosen as Champion," he read aloud. "Sixth year Jordan Winters is suffering under the excruciating pressure of going against her schoolmate, the one and only Harry Potter (covered in previous edition)."

"No offense to Harry, but he's one of the least intimidating people I know," I scoffed. "In what world would I feel pressure from going up against him when Viktor Krum is part of the competition?"

"It's a well known fact that after the death of her mother to unknown causes, Winters is said to have been living in an orphanage in London because her werewolf godfather, Remus Lupin, wouldn't take her in because of his lack of income."

"What does she know about Remus," I yelled. "He didn't take me in because no one wants a nine year old around when they're going through monthly werewolf transformations. He did it to protect me!"

"Well, Rita Skeeter doesn't care about what people do from the good of their hearts," sneered Fred, annoyed at hearing the newest misfeed of information pouring out of the Daily Prophet.

"It seems like the lack of a father figure in her life has turned her into quite the scandalous teenager. After dating Lee Jordan of Gryffindor," George read.

Lee turned an alarmingly bright shade of red at this and immediately started looking for Madeleine.

"She's gonna kill me if reads that!" he said, leaving the table in a rush.

"And Bulgarian beauty Petar Alexandrov," he said, looking at me for an explanation for that one.

"Until he pissed me off and I broke his arms," I stated.

"She's bounced between a long term Squib boyfriend-"

"Ah yes, my long term, gay, Squib boyfriend."

"And several boys from a Muggle sports team she plays on in the summer-"

"All of which are in relationships I got them into," I clarified. "Yeah, she's putting out all sorts of spot-on information here."

"More recently, her triplet sisters, Jet and Jasmine, have been quoted in saying," George cleared his throat, preparing the mock the sound of their voices. "'Well, I haven't seen her away from the Weasley twins in quite some time. One of them always has their arm around her if they're not making out in front of our classrooms.'"

"You've got to be kidding me," I groaned, moving to slam my head against the table.

"Hey!" scolded George, grabbing my forehead to make the impact of my forehead on the wood a little lighter. "It's not so bad, Winters. Sure it doesn't make you look great, but I honestly don't think anyone's going to care much about how many relationships you've been in."