despondency - George Weasley

{three}

(The picture above, or wherever it may be depending on what you're using to read this is an aesthetic for Astrid made by the wonderful Torie)

Chapter Three  

"Weasley's Wizard Wheezes?" Astrid said in shock, "well, what would I be doing there?"

"Test dummy," said the man from the bar, who Astrid learned was named Felix, "we are going to test all the potions on you, you might lose some hair, but it'll be worth it." 

"Oh," Astrid said, trying not to sound horrified, "that's... interesting."

"He's messing with you," said the girl who was named Gwen, "George needs a new assistant." 

"Do you mean- George Weasley?" Astrid asked, remembering how much she admired the twins when she was at Hogwarts. 

"Yeah," said Gwen, running a hand through her electric blue hair "his last assistant kinda quit. I can't lie to you, he's a bit of a handful right now, but it's good to pay and I know for a fact it's at least better than that pub." 

"What would I be doing exactly?" she asked, looking between the two.

"Just whatever George asks. I'll be honest, it's kind of a big job. His last assistant basically ran the store for him," Felix explained, Astrid looked absolutely horrified.

"There's no way I'm qualified to do that," Astrid said, all hope leaving her, "he'd never hire me. All I've ever done is cat sit and make drinks."

"If you don't try you'll never know," Gwen said, "you have to give yourself a chance if you want him to."

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

The three of them stood outside of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, the shop was closed for the night, all lights in the building turned off except for one, George's office. Astrid began to wonder if George would remember her. She was in the same house and year as the Weasley twins, but they were never close. They had their own friends, and she had hers. She always admired them though, and whenever she did exchange words with them she always ended up laughing until her eyes watered.

She thought about her second year. She and George were partners in potions, and instead of putting a newt eye in their potion, George put an eye of a frog, and their potion exploded. They spent the next month in detention together. That month was spent making fun of Snape, and George telling her all about the great new prank he was planning with Fred.

Astrid was brought back to reality when she heard Felix's voice; he was holding the door to the shop open for her. She thanked him and entered the store. She frowned as Gwen flicked a light switch and the store suddenly flooded with light. The store looked exactly as it did the last time she was there, and that was right before it had closed down. Before, the store was always changing. The layout of the products was almost always different, and there would always be new products every few weeks.

"Has George came up with any new products lately?" Astrid asked, looking around the store in hopes of seeing a product she hadn't seen before.

"No," Gwen said, exchanging a look with Felix, "it's been months since we've had something new."

"It's not that big of a deal though," Felix said quickly, "we've already got a ton of stuff."

"So how do I apply for this job?" Astrid asked, wanting to change the subject.

"Oh, I'll take you up to see George now," Gwen said, "follow me."

Gwen led Astrid up a spiral staircase which led to the second level of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Just a few feet from the staircase were two doors. George's office, and right across from it was Fred's. Gwen grabbed the handle to George's office, and slowly pushed it open. Before she walked in, Astrid's eyes lingered on the gold letters spelling out Fred's name on his office door. She felt a pang of sadness, and couldn't help but wonder how George felt, every time he saw his brother's name on that door.

"George?" Gwen called out softly, Astrid was standing beside Gwen, looking around the room. It was dark in his office, but Astrid could make out a few things. What looked like prototype products lay discarded in the corner; it looked as if they hadn't been touched in ages. A big chalkboard sat against the wall, gathering a layer of dust. The room was a mess; there were papers littering the floor, and random bits and bobs everywhere.

George was sat in his chair, it was turned so the back of it was facing them, but a little bit of his Weasley red hair was peaking over the top. 

"Back to work after hours?" George said, more annoyed than jokingly.

"This is Astrid Avery, and she would like to apply to be your assistant," Gwen said, Astrid suddenly felt very nervous as George spun his chair around to look at her. 

He stared at her for a few moments, then he spoke, "Alright, you can start tomorrow."

"You don't want to ask her any questions or anything?" Gwen asked, surprised by Astrid's sudden employment as Astrid herself was.

"She got good marks at Hogwarts, so I know she's not a complete idiot, most people liked her so she should be pretty good dealing with customers, she was basically the only person in our year who always had all her work done on time, so she has a good work ethic. There's not much more I need to know. Get here an hour before opening tomorrow" George said, he spoke in monotone and wore a bored expression on his face. This, thought Astrid, was very unlike the George Weasley she once knew.

"Thank you, so much," Astrid said once she had found her voice, she was in a bit of a shock from what George had said about her, and the strange way he had said it.

"Just don't mess up," George said, turning his chair away, Astrid's smile quivered.

"Let's go," Gwen said, grabbing Astrid's sleeve and leading her back downstairs.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

"I got the job," Astrid said to Felix once they got downstairs, his face broke out into a grin as he congratulated her.

"All I had to do was say her name and she got the job," Gwen said, "apparently they know each other."

"You forgot to mention you and George were best mates," Felix said, raising an eyebrow at Astrid.

"We were in the same house and year at Hogwarts. We never really talked though, only on a few occasions. Honestly, I wasn't expecting him not to remember me."

"Well it's a good thing he did," Felix said, "because now you get to work with the coolest guy around."

"I can't wait," Astrid laughed, rolling her eyes, "but I do have a question."

"Shoot," Gwen said, nodding for her to continue.

"Is George always like that? He seems different. A lot different from how he used to be."

Both Gwen and Felix looked down at their feet. Neither of them seemed as if they wanted to answer. After a moment Felix took a deep breath and replied.

"He's still having a really tough time, you know, after the war and everything."

Astrid just nodded.

A/N

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