Annabella the Hero (Book Three Of Defiance)

Chapter 1

•Annabella's POV•

    It's been three months since Voldemort was defeated. Three months since I've lost everyone I've ever known. I've changed everything. My looks are more light now. I have curly blond hair and green eyes. I try not to act like myself because I'm too afraid to remember.
I had money saved up but I've almost spent it all. That means I'll have to get a job soon. I can live about another month but I'm going to start looking soon. I'll have to lie about my schooling of course. I'm almost seventeen but I don't think I'll ever complete my schooling.
I'm renting a flat in muggle London. It's not a very nice one but it'll do. It isn't like I'll have any visitors anyways. I've tried to stay away from the magical world but I don't know if I can for much longer.
When I turn seventeen I'll be able to use magic again. I can feel it itching through me and begging to be let out. It's absolutely torture.
There's not much to do so I usually sit and think. I have too much time to think. I think about Harry and Dad, Ginny, and the twins. I think about what they're doing right now.
Do they talk about me? Do they pretend I don't exist? How is the store doing? They probably have so much business this time of year. It's the beginning of August. Harry's birthday was the other day. Did he have a celebration? Are he and Ginny together?
I think about George quite often. The feel of his lips on mine, the way he tastes. I think about the way his breath on my neck feels and how it makes me shiver. I think about how he would hold me when I was afraid and how much he loved me.
I still wear my engagement ring. I know that George and I will probably never be together now but I can't help but dream. Daydreaming is what gets me through.
    I think that maybe if I get a job in Diagon Alley then the transition to my new personality may be easier. I could live my life as a muggle but I don't know if I could. Magic is a part of me and I could never leave it behind.
    I go out into Diagon Alley right before my birthday. I know exactly where the twins' shop is and I know I shouldn't go near it. I have yet to see any signs advertising jobs so I keep going farther into Diagon Alley.
    I knew the shop was here but I didn't know seeing it would hurt so bad. I can't see inside the shop and I don't think I want to.
    I tell myself to just pass it and not look. I look anyways. It hasn't changed at all. Well it's almost unchanged. The only difference is a small "help wanted" sign on the door.
    I know there are other jobs. I know there are. Still, something pulls me towards the door. I step inside and nothing has changed.
    Children are running around like crazy while their parents chase after them. It's loud with yelling and happiness. Standing behind the counter is a familiar redhead. Fred.
    It takes all my self control not to run up and hug him. I am so glad he's alright. Where's George? Is he okay?
    "Hello! Can I help you?" Fred asks me. It hurts so much to not see recognition in his eyes. Now I'm just like everyone else. He doesn't see me like he used to.
    "I'm here about the job," I tell him. "My name is Ava Greenbriar." He smiles widely. "You're the first one to come in about it. Most people wouldn't like to work here," he tells me.  "Why not? This is a great place!"
    "Thanks! As long as you're over seventeen you can start tomorrow. Lee will be training you." I smile at Fred but I want to laugh. It's so like him to hire someone despite having known them for two minutes.
"What size do you wear?" He asks me. "Small," I reply. Even if it doesn't fit I can change my body so it look right. Fred leaves for a moment and comes back with a uniform. I'm about to leave when I see him.
George. He's walking downstairs in his usual shop outfit but he looks awful. His hair is messy and he has dark circles under his eyes. What happened to him? It takes all of my self control not to kiss him. It's not like he'd know who I was anyways.
He looks up at me and when our eyes meet I think my heart stops a second time. He doesn't even smile, he just goes over to the counter and talks to Lee. Fred must see my disappointment because he pats me on the shoulder.
"Don't worry about George. He's been really upset lately. He lost someone in the war." I know the answer but I can't help but ask to see what Fred says. "Who did he lose?"
"His girlfriend. She was his fiancée really. They'd been dating for almost six years," he tells me. "She was my best friend. None of us have been the same. Did you lose anyone?" I nod my head in response. "I lost everyone."
I already know how to work at the store but I can't let Lee know that. I have to pretend to be clueless about everything and let him explain it. It's quite boring actually but I have to keep up with my appearances.
After my first day I go back to my flat feeling worse than ever. The decision to work at the store was a mistake. I never should have walked in there. Seeing the twins was too much.
The twins pay fair though and I need a job. It just hurts that George looked at me and didn't even recognize me. I have to remind myself several times of Dumbledore's words. If I don't stay hidden then I'll die. Is this really a life though? I just want to be Annabella again.
I lie down that night and begin to cry. I made a bad decision. I weep into my hands and my body shakes with sobs. What do I do now?