Begin Again (George Weasley/Draco Malfoy)

Twenty.

Before we left for Hogwarts again, Professor Snape (the double agent of the Order and the Death Eaters) came to visit. We didn’t know why he was there, and Harry told us he was forbidden to tell us what went on in their little meeting. We heard some shouting from the kitchen between Sirius and Professor Snape, but it didn’t escalate into anything too major. Other than that, the rest of the Holiday break was pretty quiet.
   
My father and Tonks rode the Knight Bus with us back to Hogwarts. I sat with George, Fred, and Ginny with my dad in the back of the bus where Tonks sat with Hermione, Ron, and Harry in the front of the bus. The Knight Bus travels so quickly we were back at school in no time walking into the castle with our trunks travelling behind us. Harry was the most reluctant to come back. He didn’t want to leave Sirius alone in that house, but I told him he has my dad with him all the time. He’s not alone, he’s with his best friend, and he perked up a little bit knowing that.
   
January, as it usually is, was a boring month. For the most part this month was no exception. Mr. Weasley was able to finally leave the hospital, which was great news to hear. but other than that January seemed to come and go like the others. The twins and Bill were right, the Professors sure loaded on the homework to us fifth year students. I was grateful for the homework planner that Hermione had given me for Christmas.
   
By the end of the month, I kind of had a little bit of a routine. Fred and George would do their best to sell their items to the other students and then George would meet me in the library. It was the only time George and I would ever be alone really. I thought I would be alone for a little bit longer than I was when Draco decided to join me like he did right before Holiday Break.
   
“Did you get my letter?” He asks.
   
“I did,” I say looking up at him. “And I thought it was a tad bit unnecessary.”
   
“Unnecessary?” He asks, sounding confused.
   
“Yes, Draco, unnecessary,” I repeat so he can hear me say it again. “We decided we’re not going to be friends. Which means that your letter, while thoughtful, totally defeats the point of what we had decided upon making it unnecessary. And it was also inappropriate to be receiving letters from my ex, considering I have a boyfriend now. But you didn’t know that because we’re not friends and I didn’t tell you, so I will let that one slide.”
   
He looks at me stunned, “You have a boyfriend?” He asks.
   
“I do,” I tell him, nodding.
   
“Who?”
   
Before I can answer him, as if on cue, George is setting his things down on the table.
   
“Hello Love,” he greets me, taking the seat next to me. He plants a quick kiss onto my lips and then we both look back up at Draco and George is in overprotective mode. “Is this git bothering you, Adelaide?”
   
“No, not at all,” I assure George, “Draco was just leaving, actually.”
   
Draco doesn’t walk away, he stands there for a moment, shaking his head, “George Weasley,” breathes Draco, “It shouldn’t surprise me, but for some reason it does. Well, whatever makes you happy, Adelaide, I guess.”
   
Then he walks away.
   
“What did he want?” Asks George as he begins to pull his homework out.
   
“He just wanted to know if I got his letter,” I tell him like it’s nothing, because it was nothing to me.
   
“Did you tell him you threw it into the fire?” Asks George with a smirk.
   
“No,” I admit, “But I told him that since we’re not friends it was unnecessary for him to send it to me, and it was also inappropriate because I have you now.”
   
He gives me a proud smile, “That’s my girl,” he says, happily. “So, what are you studying today?”
   
“I’ve got an essay on the different anti-cheating charms and their versatile uses due tomorrow, and it needs to be over a foot long.”
   
“Ah,” says George, nodding, “I remember that one. It was actually one of my better papers.” He’s still rummaging through his things when he pulls out today’s issue of the Daily Prophet and plops it onto the table. “I almost forgot, did you see today’s issue? Lee Jordan just showed me in the last class.”
   
“I haven’t seen it, no,” I tell him.
   
“You really should,” he says, sounding serious. I pick up the paper and begin reading the title of the article on the front cover.