You & I (George Weasley)

The One with Chrismas '96

"Were we like that?" George asked, looking at Fred and Anna who were sat on their parents' couch, "Please tell me we were never like that."

"You were worse," Harry teased as he walked by and I scoffed. 

"Give over."
While we were all happy that Fred had got himself a girlfriend, they were very clearly still in the 'honeymoon stage' of their relationship. 

"Okay kiddies," Molly sang as she came through from the kitchen, "Dinner is almost ready. Let's all sit down, shall we?"

Christmas Day was upon us and we were all once more at the burrow and when I say all, I mean all. Even Sirius had ventured out for the first time since being cleared of all charges. 

Since she had no family about, Fred had invited Anna to spend the day with us and she happily said yes. 

The presents had been opened and as you heard, Molly was getting us all seated at the table. 

"Molly, are you sure you don't want any help?" I asked, hesitating to sit down.

"No, no. This is what magic is for!" she smiled and as she finished talking, plates of food floated through to the table, "Oh! I've forgotten the potatoes."

"I'll get them," I offered since I was closest to the kitchen. 

The dish was sitting on the counter by the sink, which had a window that looked out onto into the tall grassy fields and as I picked it up, the hairs on the back of my neck shot up. 

Something didn't feel right and I moved so I could peer out and if I looked closely, I swore I saw someone standing at the edge of the grass. 

I don't know how long I'd stood there but it must have been a while since George came searching for me.

"Mum says we can't eat till you're ready so, in the politest way possible, can you - love?" 

I didn't answer him and then felt his fingers under my chin, tilting my head so I was looking at him. 

"Amy?" 

I finally moved my gaze to his, "Sorry, I spaced out."

"You okay?" he asked, "You've been quiet all day. Not like you at all." 

"I'm fine," I repeated, "Just a little tired."

"Were you too excited to sleep?" he teased and I gave him a weak laugh. 

"Yeah, you know me." I picked up the dish of roast potatoes, looking over my shoulder at him as moved towards the door, "You coming? You were just saying that you're starving." 

He eagerly followed, taking his seat at the table and after I put the dish on the table, I took mine which was beside him.

The feeling didn't go away; all through dinner, all through the night actually and when people started retiring to bed, the feeling spiked. 

Once again, George found me at the window, staring out into the surrounding fields. 

"Mum says that you and Anna can stay in here. As long as Fred and I sleep on the floor," he said as he came in, closing the door behind him with a soft click and I heard him sigh quietly, "Amy. Amy, come on. Come away from the window. You're really worrying me. What's going on?"

"I think...I think something bad-"

Before I could finish speaking, there was a trail of light from the middle of the tall reeds, heading straight towards the Burrow. I felt George's chest press against my back, the glass on the window fogging up as he exhaled onto it and I turned to run for the door, only to be met with Fred and Anna. 

"What's going on?" the older twin asked, "I heard Ginny yelling." 

The four of us crowded around the window again as the flames slithered ever closer to their home and I released a shaky breath as Bellatrix Lestrange emerged, her head thrown back even thought window was closed, we could still hear her manic cackle as she strode towards Lupin and Tonks who were standing outside with their wands drawn and the dark-haired witch peered up at the house, looking in each of the windows as if she was looking for something - someone.

We heard a commotion from outside the room, turning in time to see Harry streak by the open door, ignoring Ginny as she yelled for him to come back. 

"Come on," George muttered, grabbing hold of my hand, "Those flames are getting too close for my liking." 

I followed behind Anna, following her outside and I pulled out my wand to try and attempt to stop the flames from spreading even more. 

I barely registered Ginny running past me, into the reeds where Harry had disappeared to and I had to stop Molly from going after her. 

"Arthur, no!" she cried, watching as her husband disappeared in a brief opening in the flames. 

"Spread out!" Anna instructed, "We don't have a chance otherwise!" 

I left Molly in the care of Ron, jumping off of the porch to go and try my best to help but our attempts were useless. 

I turned around at the sound of the Death Eaters making their exit but of course, the couldn't just leave, no they had to crash through the house before finally disappearing. 

Arthur, Ginny, Harry and Sirius all returned and we all stared up at the house, watching as bits of wood started falling from the roof.

I looked at Molly and Arthur to see that she was crying; all of their possessions gone. 

And I couldn't help but feel like it was my fault.

**

It took a while to find somewhere for everyone to sleep; Mr and Mrs Weasley were given Fred's bed - he was going to stay at Anna's, George and I gave Ginny ours. Harry had gone back to Grimmauld place with Sirius, Tonks and Remus and so George, Ron and I were on the floor in the living room. 

Things were silent as George climbed into the makeshift bed beside me and when he lay down, the two of us stared up at the ceiling before it all got too much and I turned onto my side, facing away from him when I felt a tear leak from my eye. 

Why hadn't I seen this? Someone could have been killed. That made me feel even worse and I quickly brought my hand up to my mouth to stop the sound of my sobs disturbing George and Ron. 

Though the two Weasley's were clearly not asleep because, after a couple of minutes, Ron spoke. 

"What happened tonight, Amy?" 

I choked back a sob and closed my eyes as he continued.

"How did it happen? Why didn't you see this coming? We-" 

"Ron," George said tensely, "Leave it."

"No," his brother continued, "Our house is gone. We have nowhere to go. Geroge, we could have died." 

Shaking my head, I kicked the blankets off of me and got up, making a beeline for the bathroom and ignoring George as he called my name. 

After locking the door behind me, I closed the toilet lid and took a seat on it, burying my face in my hands as I willed myself to calm down. 

Ron had every right to be angry with me. They all did. I'd let them all down.

A few quiet moments went by before there was a light knock on the door. 

"Love," George said quietly, "Can I come in?" 

I wiped away some more tears, getting up to unlock and pull the door open - but I didn't look at him as he squeezed his way in through the small gap I'd made. 

"I'm sorry about Ron," he began but I shook my head. 

"Don't. He has nothing to be sorry for. It is my fault." 

His hand touched mine, "He's just upset. Shocked."

I shook my head, "No. George, someone could have died. He was right. I just don't understand why I didn't see it coming."