Secrets I have held in my heart (part 1)

Chapter 14: Hogsmeade

Time had flown by quite quickly and today was the first Hogsmeade visit. It was on Halloween and after draining Quidditch practices, it felt well deserved. 

'Come on y/n, we're going to be late' urged Hermione. I was trying my best to wear a nice outfit and get prepared nicely, I had completely neglected my looks during quite a while and I felt like dressing up properly. 

'coming Hermione' I was putting on my hoop earrings and while we descended the stairs, I was trying to put on my shoes while trying not to trip. 

'okay so we should have our permission slips and some money' said Hermione before leaving the Common Room

'yep, I have it all' and with that, we ran down the stairs, arriving at the same time as the boys. I gave my permission slip to Filch while Professor McGonagall was stating that if we behaved poorly, the privilege of going to Hogsmeade would be taken away. After her speech, Harry approached her, he didn't have his permission slip signed as his uncle hadn't signed it and he was pleading McGonagall to sign out, however, she couldn't sign it as it would be unfair.

'sorry guys, I can't make it' Harry said miserably 'have fun' he added

'we'll make sure to bring you sweets' said Ron, trying to make him feel better

Harry shrugged and stepped back into the castle. I couldn't help but feel bad for him. It wasn't his fault that his uncle and aunt were inadequate shitheads. 

'guys, I think we should get Harry a little gift as well as the sweets' I told Ron and Hermione

'yeah, that would be perfect' agreed Hermione

'we should get him something from Zonko's Joke Shop' said Ron fascinated 'George and Fred spend all their money there'

'hmm, sounds good to me' I said 'Hermione?'

'well, I was thinking a book or something of sorts' she shrugged, slightly unconvinced 

'I don't think Harry reads at all' I laughed 'He barely gets by with his school books'

All three of us laughed and headed off with the rest of the group into Hogsmeade. Once there I was mesmerised, the streets were slightly covered in snow and was decorated with pumpkins that ranged in size and the main path was illuminated by worn candles. 

'hey Edwards' called Fred 'we're heading to Zonko's, come with us?' he said, George was standing besides him. We hadn't really talked much since the night of the detention with Snape. He was always avoiding me when I approached him and tried to not be in the same room as I was in.

'sure' I said, I did want to spend some time with them, plus we needed to freshen up our arsenal for pranks 'just wait a sec'

'Hermione, I'll leave you with Ron, okay?' I said winking at her 

'y/n!' she said

'don't pretend you don't want to spend some quality time with him' I joked, she looked at me with an alarmed face, and turned to see if Ron had heard me, he was too busy looking around though 

'ugh' she pretended to complain 'thank you though' she whispered before I left, leaving her with a dumb smile on her face

'alright boys' I announced, walking over to the twins 'lets get going'

Fred and I were engaging in conversation, talking about all the pranks we were going to be able to pull with everything we were going to buy. George was trying hard to play cool but he was too shy to even speak to me.

'hey Fred, I'm taking y/n to the Three Broomsticks' announced George. It was the first time in a while he had said my name, he had a serious tone and Fred just nodded.

'see you guys around' Fred replied, looking a bit sour

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GEORGE'S POV

I guided y/n into the pub. I knew I was going to mess this even further but I couldn't bear the thought of Malfoy hurting her further. The morning after Snape's detention, Malfoy and his little gang approached me. He told me that if I came closer to Edwards, he would hurt her even more. At first I hadn't been intimidated but then I thought of all the things he had done to her and how much it broke me to see her cry. 

'Let's sit here y/n' I said, trying not to make my voice crack

'sure, whats wrong, Georgie?' she asked worriedly 'you look a bit... pale'

God I just couldn't do this to her but I had seen how far Malfoy had taken things and I hadn't found a way to stop him without being expelled. 

'Earth to George' she laughed 'come on Georgie, you can tell me anything'

I loved it when she called me Georgie and I missed her already even if she was inches away.

'uh, yeah sorry' I stammered 'I have something to tell you' I said clearing my throat

'and that is...?' she pressed on

'Me and Olivia, you know the girl who tried out for chaser with you, um we're sort of going out, in a girlfriend-boyfriend type of way' I blurted out.

It wasn't a complete lie, I did like Olivia and she liked me back. I knew that the only way to keep y/n away from me was by going out with her. I knew she was going to be devastated and even Fred hated me for doing this to Edwards but it was the only thing I could think of to keep her safe, especially now that Quidditch matches were coming up and Malfoy was with her in most lessons. I couldn't risk the chance of her getting hurt.

'oh' she let out 'that's great George' she said, her tone slightly off 'since when?'

'around a month' I said quietly

'well that's great, I really am happy for you' she said with a trembling voice, 'shit, I have to go' she said looking out of the window, still not meeting my eyes  'Hermione's waiting for me at this shop' 

She stood up quickly and ran out of the bar.

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*back to y/n pov*

fucking idiot, I thought, that's what I was, an idiot. Why did I ever think that George even liked me? He was obviously being friendly and just like I always do, I get it all wrong. I didn't want to cry, the cold air thankfully dried my eyes and without not really knowing where to go, I stepped into an antiques shop. There I could be at peace.

The smell of the fire in the store made me finally breakdown. The shop had a little chimney that emanated the crackling sound of wood and George's scent of firewood. I couldn't help myself, I felt weak for crying and dumb for even thinking- I had to stop myself because the thought was too overwhelming. 

'I believe this is yours?' said a familiar voice from behind