Royalty (George Weasley) (Completed)

The Second Letter

"So.. are we going to talk about you and George?" Ginny asked me, leaning in closer so we could have more privacy.
We were sitting in the common room, books open in front of us and studying for our upcoming lessons. Hermione was struggling to find a definition in her charms book while I was helping Ginny with some transfiguration.
I blushed at the sound of George's name. We'd been inseparable since that night a couple of weeks ago, and I guess it showed. It was so nice being able to spend all of this time together that I didn't stop to think what it must look like to everyone else.
"We just.. I don't know.." I couldn't think straight to give her a good answer, looking down at the margins in the textbook as heat flooded my cheeks.
"Well, I do know. You two fancy each other,"
I looked up in utter shock, my mouth falling open and unable to shut properly. I looked between the two of them, Ginny looking proud of her revelation and Hermione looking at me with a small grin.
"No. No, no, no. We just.. He's my best friend. You're wrong- we just fell asleep, is all.." I trailed off, shaking my head at the ground.
"Okay, you can stay in denial all you want, but it's true. You and George both know it," Ginny stated matter-of-factly.
"You and George both what?"
I slipped right out of the chair I had been sitting in at the sound of George's voice, the realization of who it was making me panic and jump a bit.
"Uh, nothing.." I heard Hermioner mumble to him, before I felt two familiar hands helping me up from the ground.
"I, uh, thanks- I got it." I said quickly, untangling myself from George's arms. He gave me a strange, quizzical look, but released me nonetheless.
"I've got to go, um, yeah. Bye," I mumbled, picking up a bag and heading off.
"That's my bag!" Ginny called after me, making me turn back and drop it at her feet.
"Right, sorry." I mumbled, not allowing myself to meet George's eyes and leaving the common room without even my bag.
I walked down the halls, no where particular in mind. I walked down the stairs and towards the grounds, thinking some fresh air might do me well.
I stepped out into the frigid early November wind, regretting not grabbing a coat. I walked towards the lake a little bit, taking a seat under the sycamore tree Fred, George and I had frequented quite a bit.
George and I? Ginny was out of her mind.. at least I think. Sure, we have always been closer, but he's my best friend. Everyone's got a best friend.. Granted, I did have a newfound appreciation of his smiling face walking up to me every morning. And his hugs were something to be enjoyed, but.. well, it's just implausible. Friends don't work out very often.
I grabbed a leaf from the ground, picking it apart piece by piece. My mind felt so scattered with thoughts I had never dared to think, giving me a bit of a headache.
I mean, yes, I loved George. I always have and always will, but could I love him in more ways than just friendly, platonic love? Is that what I felt, every single time I saw him walk into a room with that goofy grin on his face? Is that why every time something went wrong, I turned to him? Am I in love with George Weasley?
The sound of the bell ringing snapped me out of my thoughts, and then I realized I had Care of Magical Creatures on the opposite side of the grounds in three minutes. I quickly stood up, leaving my thoughts about George in a pile with the ripped up pieces of leaves. I ran through the grounds, hoping not to be late. I took the stone steps down towards Hagrid's Hut two at a time, trying not to trip.
I came to a halt beside the twins, who were looking at me wide eyed and with a look of having been impressed.
"Blimey.. reckon you should try out for the next Tri-Wizard Tournament." Fred laughed at me.
I breathed deeply, trying to steady my breath while holding my side.
"Oh damn.." I muttered, seeing that I didn't have my
books nor my cloak on.
"I've got it," George said softly, handing me my bag.
I looked up into those brown eyes I had just been thinking so much about, "Thanks,"
Shivering from the cold, I tried to focus as Hagrid was telling us how the last blast-ended skrewt had risen to be alpha. Unfortunately, this was not nearly exciting enough to keep me focussed.
"Here, take this. You'll catch cold," I felt George drape a cloak over my shoulders as he spoke quietly, and recognized his familiar smell of pine with a faint smell of gunpowder.
"No, you'll get cold, here." I tried to force it off to give back to him, but he held it in place, with a small grin on his face.
I gave a little "humpf" in defeat, leaning against a fence post to try and get a better look as the blast-ended skrewt began to charge Hagrid.