Where Your Loyalties Lie

Chapter Seventy-Two: George

Weeks later, there wasn't much improvement on people liking Draco and I. Both of us still received dagger eyes from almost anyone we made eye contact with in the halls. It probably goes without saying that Maddie was still included in that percent of the student population.

I laid in bed, staring at the ceiling. Draco was off somewhere else right now so I was able to use the alone time to ponder things. No matter how hard I tried, thoughts of what Ginny had told me invaded my mind.

George loved me.

Or loves me?

Does he still love me after all that I've done?

A black cloud penetrated the tent and more followed. Death Eaters appeared throughout the crowds of people and spells began to be blasted about the room. I looked around in horror at the sight before me.

"GET DOWN!" George screamed, shoving me behind a table as a nearby light exploded.

Breathing heavily, I looked up at him. "Thanks."

He almost smiled, but caught himself before he could. "Get out of here! Now, before they see you," he ordered.

"But what about you?" I questioned.

"Like I said before, I have to help them fight back! I'll be alright, now go!"

I blinked rapidly as the ceiling came back into view. So that answers that question. He wouldn't have protected me if he completely hated me. But how could I have not seen that he had feelings for me? I've known him seven years and not once did I have an inkling of suspicion that he saw me as more than a friend.

As I passed through the Entrance Hall, I ran into George, who had just come down the stairs.

"Well hello Kate! Fancy running into you here!" He greeted with a smile.

I laughed, "It isn't that unexpected, I mean it is the entrance hall, after all."

"Right," he chuckled, running a hand through his flaming hair. "So listen, Kate. I was wondering-" He stopped to cough. "Well, I wanted to know if-"

The clock chimed four o'clock and I interrupted him, "Oh crap! Sorry George! Draco wanted me to meet him by the lake at four and now I'm running late. But we can talk later, okay?"

"Oh, uh, alright then-"

"Thanks! I really gotta go! See ya later!"

~~~

"So where'd your date go?" I asked George as we spun around slowly in circles.

"She sort of ditched me to go hang out with her friends," He explained.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Don't be," He smiled. "I only asked her to go with me so we both wouldn't have to go without a date. I didn't get the chance to ask the girl I really wanted to come with to be my date."

"That's too bad," I replied.

"I wish I could've though. Asked her."

"Yeah, it's a shame you couldn't."

Gasping, I sat up. Two flashbacks in a row, that's new. My brain piecing the two memories together made everything become clear.

George was going to ask me to the Yule Ball literally minutes before Draco asked me, but I had cut him off before he got the chance. And then I told him how I wish he could've asked the girl that he wanted to ask, not realizing he was talking about me!

God, I can't believe I never figured it out!

I felt horrible, and wanted to find out what else I didn't know. I decided the only way to do that was to pay a visit to my old roommate, if only she'd be willing to talk to me.

Heading down the hall, I braced myself for whatever response I would get when I knocked on her door. When I approached the door, I waited a couple seconds before gathering the nerve to knock. I could hear movement behind the door before it opened, revealing Maddie.

"Hey," I spoke, smiling awkwardly. Maddie glared before shutting the door in my face without uttering a word. "Wait!" I quickly reopened the door and entered the room, not waiting for permission.

"You know this isn't your room anymore, you can't just barge in here when you're not wanted!"

I winced at her comment. "I'm sorry, but I just need to talk to you."

"You need to talk to me? Why would you think I'd want to talk to you after what you did last spring?!"

"Can't you just talk for a second?" I pleaded.

"No, now get out!"

"I-"

"OUT!" She gestured wildly towards the door.

"WILL YOU JUST LISTEN TO WHAT I HAVE TO SAY?!" Maddie took a step back and remained quiet. "I just - Ginny said something to me a month ago. She told me that George was in love with me."

Maddie's eyes fell to the floor.

"So it's true?"

"Yeah," she spoke softly.

"And you knew this how long? How come you never said anything?" I asked, frustrated.

"I didn't want to ruin yours and George's friendship. He's loved you pretty much since he first met you."

I huffed, "Well....thanks for telling me. I'll see you around." I spun on my heels and exited the room, heading out to the grounds. I needed some fresh air to clear my head.

I shoved my hands in the pockets of my jacket as a chill ran down my body. As the end of October was drawing near, the weather was cooling down. I probably should've dressed more warmly before heading outside, but I wasn't thinking straight. I just had to get away for a while.

After I had been walking for a good twenty minutes, I saw Draco up ahead looking around. He turned his head to his left and caught sight of me.

"Katie, there you are! I've been looking for you! What are you doing out here? It's freezing outside! Here, take my coat." Draco took his coat off and hurried to wrap it around my shoulders. I shivered again. "What are you doing out here?"

"I just needed to go for a walk to clear my head," I explained.

"And you didn't think to dress for the weather?"

"I didn't really think period when I came out here."

He searched my face. "What's wrong?"

I looked at him for a moment before facing ahead again as we continued to walk. Sighing, I confessed, "I found out that George is in love with me and I can't believe I never noticed before. And I know it's not my fault and I can't help what he feels but I just feel bad. I can't imagine the way he feels, I mean, I have no idea what I'd do if you didn't see me as more than a friend. To have to live with that everyday must be torture."

Draco remained silent for a while. I looked over at him. It looked like he wasn't surprised by this information at all. After another minute of silence, he took my hand in his.

"You have a big heart, love," he began. "You care for others and sometimes you may care a little too much because sometimes you can't help things." He stopped walking and made me look at him. "Stop worrying. There's nothing you can do."

"I know," I replied sadly. "But that's easier said than done."

Draco stepped forward and pulled me into a tight embrace. I buried my face into his chest, enjoying the warmth radiating from his body.

"Come on, let's go inside and get warm," Draco suggested, taking my hand again and leading me back to the castle.