Changes: {George Weasley}

XVI: Angelina

     A few days later I returned to work at the joke shop while Andromeda homeschooled Teddy. I arrived a bit late, Ron was already gone that day.

"Oi, Gianna." George said. "Would you mind being in charge and closing up? I have to send a few things through owl post and that takes forever."

"No worries." I said. He smiled at me and exited the shop. The shop wasn't usually full at night so I had nothing to do and I was completely alone. So I started playing with the Pygmy Puffs. I heard the door open.

"George!" I heard a familiar voice. I stood up to see Angelina. My heart skipped a beat.

"Hello, Angelina." I said. "He's not here right now."

"Oh. Hi, Gianna." She said, her face fell.

"Is there anything I could help with?" I asked. "Or a message?" She shook her head. "You know, my boyfriend was half muggle and I lived with no-majs for a while and I took a course in Psychology.. maybe I can help..I know something's wrong."

"I debated whether to come for a long time." She said. "I didn't mean to drive him away. I'm not a person who believes in fate. But I can't shake the feeling that he wasn't meant to be here right now."
I hate myself.

"Why is that?"

"He never leaves the shop." She said. "In the three years that we dated he had never left another person in charge. He preferred to just close for the day."

"I mean, I'm sort of like family to him.." I said. I hate myself. "So, you know, that's why he left me in charge. "

"He never left Ron in charge."

"Yeah but come on. It's Ron we're talking about." I said. I hate myself. "Look, I don't know George too well but I do know that he was sad after the breakup." I hate myself.

"I don't know, Gianna." She said. "This was a mistake. Just please don't tell him I came."

"Wait, Angelina!" I said. I hate myself. "Don't leave. Please."

"Gianna, it was obviously not meant to happen." She said. "We're done here." I hate myself.

"Don't give up on him, Angelina." I said. I hate myself. "George is a great guy. Again, I haven't known him for a long time but I do know that he's the best uncle to Teddy and so understanding. You're making a mistake."  I hate myself. She smiled at me, eyes watering.

"Your eyes light up when you talk about him." She said. My heart skipped a beat. "I hadn't noticed until now. That look doesn't come upon my face when I talk about him."

"I don't know what you're talking about." I said coldly. "He's my boss and my almost-son's uncle. No other feelings aside from gratitude." I hate myself.

"Gianna, please." She said. "Just don't tell him I came." And with that she left. It took every bone in my body not to burst out crying. George loves her. I can't just not tell him. Angelina told me not to tell him. Every bone and gut in my body was screaming to not tell him. But I waited, all night for him to come. It was past midnight and he hadn't returned. I went to the flat above the shop and wrote a note and pasted it on the front door.

Hey, Weasley.

I'm still here. I took the liberty of coming up.
We need to talk.

Gianna

He arrived not much after. Again, every gut was telling me not to tell him and to just make my move. I couldn't.

"Gianna!" He said. "Love, why are you still here?" Love? "Are you alright? Couldn't it wait?"

"No." I said. "Sit down." He did. I sighed. I hate myself. "Angelina came by." He looked startled. "Yeah.. she told me not to tell you."

"What? Why?"

"She.. she." I started. What a way to give away your crush. I sighed again. "She said that you had never left the shop to anyone and that it was fate telling her that you weren't meant to be there." He just looked at me with a furrowed brow as if he was trying to figure me out. He took Fred's chain out and held onto it. After a few seconds he sighed.

"Why did you tell me?"

"Because I wouldn't want to ruin your chances of being happy together." I said. I hate myself.

"Thanks, Gianna." He said. "But Angelina and I are over. I will always love her but I couldn't shake the feeling that she's not the one for me." He looked at me. My words failed me.

"Sorry." I said. "That must feel very lousy."

"I think you very well know how that feels." He said. "I know about 'Daniel'." I smiled.

"He was quite something." I said. "I'll see you tomorrow, George." I said. I hate myself. Why didn't I make a move? Why?

"Thank you, Gianna." He said and kissed my cheek. "Goodbye." I sighed.

"Bye, George."

And that was the last we heard of Angelina, for a while at least.