Begin Again (George Weasley/Draco Malfoy)

Thirty-Seven.

As Ginny and I were getting settled into bed on Christmas Eve, Fred came knocking on the bedroom door. He entered saying that he and I were switching beds tonight and he and Ginny were going to share a room and told me George was waiting for me in their room.
   
I made my way to their room, not sure what I was going to find when I got there. He was sitting on his old childhood bed. He had bewitched it so it was now big enough for both of us. He smiled when he saw me enter the bedroom.
   
"Darling, what is all of this?" I ask as I close the door behind me. "Why'd you make Fred give up his bed?"
   
"I wanted to talk to you alone," he says as I sit next to him. "I want to know what happened to you. Why are you so beat up?"
   
"Because I refuse to keep my opinions to myself," I say, my tone kind of harsh but George knows I'm not mad at him. "My Death Eater Professors don't like me very much. I am the daughter of two members of the Order of the Phoenix. The man, Amycus, tried to tell my entire class that werewolves were the most dangerous creatures out there. Of course I didn't stand for that. I told him what was up. He didn't like that very much. And the woman, Alecto, didn't like that I don't think all Muggles should be killed. They're insane, and as you can see, they like physical punishments."
   
"So you've been mouthing off to your professors?" He asks.
   
"Just the Carrows," I say, waving it off. "And I told off Snape the first day back, but you already knew that one."
   
"Who are you and what have you done with my girlfriend?" George Jokes it makes me laugh. "Standing up to Death Eaters? My girl is a badass. Is it weird that I'm more attracted to you now?"
   
I laugh at that comment, but the next thing I say is serious. "I have to set an example for the other members of my house. The Hufflepuffs don't like to stand up for themselves sometimes but I want to show them that they can. I am their Head Girl."
   
"I bet you're a great Head Girl, too," His hand is on my face now, his thumb lightly touching my black eye. "I don't like seeing you like this. Does it hurt? It looks like it hurts."
   
"Only when I touch it," I say, shrugging. "Other than that it doesn't bother me."
   
"Which one of them did that to your beautiful face?" He asks, removing his hand.
   
"Alecto. While her brother did the same to Neville."
   
"Neville Longbottom?"
   
"Oh yes," I nod, "He's got so much confidence now, it's insane. He and Seamus are the only seventh year Gryffindor boys. Dean didn't show up either. Seamus thinks it's because he's Muggle Born."
   
"That's too bad," he says, shaking his head.
   
"It is," I agree. "Hey, I also didn't tell you. Draco is finally actually leaving me alone."
   
"Oh really?" He asks, his tone was cheerful.
   
I nod, "Yes. I told him right after I told off Snape. I think I was able to get through his head. I told him I wanted nothing to do with Death Eaters or Death Eater Supporters and to stay far from me. It's worked so far. He hasn't tried to talk to me since."
   
A smile takes over his face. "Damn, look at you baby. This new found confidence is amazing. I love it." He cups my face and places a kiss onto my forehead. "You're such a little badass. I guess I don't need to be worried about you. Doesn't mean I won't, because I will, but I will feel better knowing you can take care of yourself."
   
"I've been telling everyone for years I can fight. No one believes me."
   
"I do," he assures me, smiling. "Well, if anything I'm glad Draco is finally leaving you alone now. That's good to know. I know how much it bothered you that he wasn't."
   
"Yeah, I know," I agree.
   
"Alright that's enough with the questions for tonight. Let's go to sleep." He shuffles underneath the covers and opens his arms out for me to lay into. He pats his chest and says, "Come on, baby girl, right here. Come cuddle." I do, and I curl up to him under the covers. With my head on his chest I fall asleep listening to his heartbeat.
   
Then next morning we woke to Fred and Ginny bursting into the room screaming "Merry Christmas!" At us at the top of their lungs. It was very typical of them to do something like that. We both laughed as Fred and Ginny jumped on top of us, pulling us into some kind of weird four-way group hug. It was certainly not how I envisioned waking up this morning, but it was nice either way.
   
Fred went for the presents in his bed, and found his sweater that his mum made for him and changed into it. Ginny handed me mine. It was pink, as usual, with a big golden A in the middle. I liked being included in the Weasley Family Jumper tradition. It makes me feel included in the family.

Ginny cuddled up to me, wrapping her arms around my torso, and I let her. Ginny and I have become very close since Ron, Harry, and Hermione left off to who knows where. Planning to keep the DA going and plotting to steal the sword of Gryffindor from Snake's office has solidified our friendship in ways that it never was before.
   
"What's this all about?" Asks George, eyeing his sister.
   
"I'm plotting to steal your girlfriend from you. Duh." Says Ginny, sassily.
   
"Oh shit," Says Fred with a light laugh. "You better watch out Georgie before Ginny turns your girl on you."
   
George scoffs, "Like that'll ever happen."
   
I decide to joke around, too, "She just might. You never know."
   
Ginny places a quick kiss onto my cheek.
   
"Oh Hell no!" George exclaims, grabbing his sisters arms and rips them off me. Ginny and I both start dying laughing. Fred is laughing too. George is holding onto me, keeping me in place like he is marking his territory, claiming me as his.
   
"You don't have to worry about me leaving you for anyone, Darling." I assure him. "Especially not your sister."
   
"You better not," he says, tightening his grip on me.
   
"Never," I assure him.
   
When we went downstairs for breakfast, my mum and Mrs. Weasley were finishing up the cooking when we got down there. My dad wasn't here like last year, he's with his wife and her parents. I would have loved to see him but I understand why he wanted to keep Tonks at home.
   
Bill and Fleur wouldn't be joining us either. They wanted to have their first Christmas as a married couple together, just the two of them. With Charlie in Romania, and Percy still not speaking to his family, and Ron off with Harry somewhere, the twins and Ginny were the only Weasley children here. It was odd how empty the Burrow felt without everyone here.
   
We ate breakfast and my mum and I helped Mrs. Weasley clean up while the boys and Ginny all piled into the family room together. Mrs. Weasley was about as irate about my black eye as my own mother was. She was like my second mother after all. And if I played my cards right with George she would be one day.
   
"Delilah, if that were Ginny that came home with a black eye I'd march straight into Snape's office and give him one myself for hiring Death Eaters and letting them put their hands on my child."
   
"It wouldn't do any good for my situation, Mrs. Weasley, it would just make them target me worse." I told her before my mum could say anything.
   
"She would do good to watch her tongue. I don't know where this newfound disrespect has come from but it's sure new."
   
"They were trying to force me to use the Cruciatus Curse on first years, mum," I say, my tone exasperated. "And all I did was say no. They could have given me a normal detention but no. They're absolute maniacs."
   
"You can't argue with that, Delilah," says Mrs. Weasley.
   
"I just don't want you to get hurt even worse because you all of the sudden want to voice your opinions all the time. You need to learn that you don't need to stand up for everyone. You have to remember that these people don't think like you do, and you're done with school in a few months. Then there's nothing stopping them from coming after you if you get them angry enough before you leave."
   
She had a point, I never thought of it like that. I guess maybe I didn't need to argue with the Carrows every time we disagreed, and we disagreed on pretty much everything.
   
That night, George and I shared his room again. Last night George was sweet. This time he was showing a different side. He was all over me from the moment the bedroom door was closed, which I expected given how much time we have been apart. He kissed me and didn't let up until we were in the bed.
   
I knew I wouldn't be able to hide the other bruises on my body from him once I had my clothes off. I didn't have time to warn him before he took my top off for me. He stopped and stared at my bruised up torso.
   
One of his hands runs down my side lightly as he says, "I hate that they have done this to you. Don't worry, darling. I'll be gentle." And then he kissed me again.

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Here's part 37!

Not gonna lie. I gave myself full on butterflies writing that last part there.

-Emily Winchester.