Delirium

Chapter 40 - Disintegration

~ part II of the triple update ~

~*~

George still felt a sense of dreamy, euphoric elation as he and the others left the stadium, the screams and cheers of the surrounding crowd still echoing in his ears.

It had been a whirlwind to watch Harry take on the Hungarian Horntail—the swing of the dragon's spiked tail striking his arm, ripping his robes, the deep dive of his glittering Firebolt plummeting towards the ground as the Horntail's leathery wings spread open to take flight, and finally, Harry's swerve as he snatched up the golden egg before the dragon could even spot him. He'd been the fastest Champion yet!

And he'd managed to tie for first place with Krum! Though, if one asked George, he should've made the highest score of all.

Still, the party tonight in Gryffindor was going to be the grandest yet.

Eventually, he and the others all stood aside upon the grassy hills, watching everyone slowly trickle out of the arena. George looked around intently for the rest of his family, Fred doing the same.

Beside him, Jolie stood with Daphne close by her side, the girls holding hands. Jolie's brown eyes were shifting over the crowd too, likely watching for her own family.

She seemed a bit pale to George—a little like she'd shrunken in on herself. But she'd been pretty quiet ever since they'd entered the stadium. Ever since George had told her they would talk later.

He felt a bit guilty for feeling it, but a part of him believed her discomfort was somewhat deserved.

They had been together exclusively for well over a month, now. Yet, within that time, she still hadn't informed her family until today. And, honestly, he had a feeling she wouldn't have told them at all if they'd not been here. The thought rubbed him the wrong way.

His family had known exactly who she was to George since the day he'd asked her to be his girlfriend. The moment they had laid eyes on the pair, they had all been ready and ecstatic to meet her, too. It couldn't have gone better.

But all George had gotten from her parents were subtle expressions of surprise before their greetings came.

He would talk to her about it later; how uncomfortable he had felt.

The day was not done, however. Their families were still here. He and Jolie would talk later. For now, he needed to maintain a happy, uplifted image with her.

"There they are," Fred suddenly breathed, raising an arm to wave. "Oi! Over here!"

George pulled himself from his thoughts and joined his brother in waving their parents over. Mum and Dad stepped away from the crowd and began to approach, both smiling. Bill followed behind them, his posture relaxed and his gait slow and uncaring. Though, his cheeks were flushed with enthusiasm for Harry.

"Wasn't that something!" their father called once he was close enough to reach their ears.

"It was brilliant!" George laughed, stepping up to squeeze his dad's shoulders.

Coming around them, Bill clapped George on the back, then Fred. "I'll admit, I was a little worried," he breathed. "But Harry blew us all away. He was just—"

"BRILLIANT!" Lee squealed with glee as everyone laughed.

Bill nodded, grinning. "Yes. Indeed, he was."

After Fred, George leaned down to hug their mum, grunting when she squeezed him tighter than necessary. Somewhere behind him, he heard Bill.

"Well? What did you think?" he asked—presumably to Jolie.