Annabella The Sidekick (Sequal To Defiance)

Chapter 33

    George's POV
   Bells. She's on my mind all the time. What am I without her? I love her. That's why I'm afraid. I'm older than her. It hasn't mattered before, but I'm graduating this year. We won't be together. I'm also not rich. Without Harry giving us money, we couldn't afford to open a joke shop. I'm not smart either. I hardly got any OWLs and I doubt my NEWTs will be better. How am I supposed to provide for her? I know Fred and I talked about this before but I can't shake it. I'm also a blood traitor. She'll be targeted more than she already is because of me. Can I really put her into danger like that? It's selfish of me. Do I want to risk her safety for my happiness?
    One evening in December, we're sitting in the Room of Requirement and talking about the future. She's only fourteen, but she has her life planned out. Her eyes are closed, and as she speaks, things appear. Rooms and places and everything. Finally I look at her face and take a deep breath. "Stop." I say. We've landed in a meadow. It's beautiful, filled with flowers and beautiful green grass. "What?" She asks. "You know I love you." I say. She nods, her gorgeous grey eyes looking into mine. "I need to talk to you." I say. "Of course, George." She says. "I'm not good for you." I say. Bells looks taken aback. "What do you mean?" She asks. "I'm too old, I'm not smart, I don't have any money, and the death eaters will target you because I'm a blood traitor." I say, willing myself not to look into her eyes, which I know are filling with tears. "George-" she starts. "I've thought a lot about this Bells. I love you, really. You're my everything. That's why I'm saying this." I can hear her voice cracking. "George, please." She says. Then I say the thing I was hoping I wouldn't have to say. "You wouldn't understand, Bells. You're only fourteen. A kid." Then the dam breaks. I can hear her sobs. "Don't do this." She pleads. "I have to Bella." I say. She continues to sob, although I don't look at her. I feel her hand on mine, and she lays something cool into my palm. I look down and see the promise ring I gave her. Her feet are in front of me. "You promised." She says, her voice shaking. "I'm sorry." I say, standing up and leaving a storm of screaming, sobs, and tears behind me.
    I go back to my dorm where Fred is laying on his bed. He sees my face and just knows. It's a twin thing I guess. He punches me in the arm. "Why?" He whispers. "You know why." I reply, laying down on my bed. He goes to leave the room. "She's in the ROR." I say.
    Dumbledore's army is an organization Harry created to teach us defensive magic since Umbridge won't. During the last meeting before Christmas break, we're working on patronuses. No matter how hard I try, I can't make one. "Expecto Patronum!" I shout again. Nothing but a tiny mist. Fred sees my struggle and frowns. "It's okay, George." He says. I shake my head. "It's not okay, but it's best."
Bella's POV
    After George breaks up with me, I can't function. I lay in my bed for a straight week after it happens. Fred and Harry come to talk to me sometimes, but I don't reply. I don't talk, don't eat, I don't even go to DA meetings.
    "I think we should take her to the hospital wing." Harry says to Fred one day. "Yeah. She doesn't look good." Fred replies. "Can you walk there Bells?" Harry asks. I roll over in reply. Next thing I know, I'm being lifted up into the air and carried just to be latex down again. I know it's not the hospital wing. I finally sit up to find that I'm on a couch in a cozy room. Probably the ROR.
    "Bell, I don't know what to do." Harry says. "I've told your teachers you had the flu this week, but I don't think they'll buy it much longer." He says. "Bells, you can talk to us now or we really are taking you to the hospital wing." Fred says. Unexpectedly to them, I lunge forward and am caught by Fred, who wraps me in a hug. I begin to sob.
    "I- Can't- do it- anymore!" I choke out. Fred shushes me and strokes my hair. "It's okay Bells. We're here for you." He says. "Why would he say it?" I cry, rubbing the place where my promise ring used to be. "It's okay." Harry says. "We're leaving for holiday the day after tomorrow. Maybe being home will do you some good." Harry says. "Maybe." I whisper.