LIONHEART ❃ george weasley

053 | friend in need

"But you lived!" Lee enthused, the dark-skinned boy rushing over with a huge grin. "Bloody well done, Allie!"

If I hadn't had help.... She forced the thought from her mind. It was an issue she could address later.

"I knew where George was as soon as Krum came up with Hermione," Fred snickered. "All our worrying this morning — should have guessed he'd be your treasure."

Albany ducked her head to hide her blush once again, and George laughed almost awkwardly. "Easy, Freddie," he murmured.

"Aww, and you wore the necklace, too!" Carly squealed, pressing her hands to her cheeks. "That is too cute—"

"Ah, yeah," Albany stammered, and bit her cheek, glancing at the lion charm where it lay against her chest. She could feel George's gaze lingering on her, and didn't dare look up. "I did."

To her immense relief, she was saved from further mortification as Angelina and Alicia came barrelling towards the group, the pair buzzing with excitement. Madam Pomfrey permitted Albany to go as they grasped at her arms and pulled her hurriedly from her chair — "the results, Albany, they're announcing the results!"

Carly and Lee thundered after them, whooping and cheering, but George lingered on the spot, giving his brother's shirt a subtle pull before Fred could take off too. Fred shot him a confused glance, before taking in his twin's hard stare. His expression softened.

"George?"

"Take it easy, Fred," George murmured, raising his eyebrows pointedly. "Y'know, she just went through a lot, and I don't wanna overwhelm her—"

Fred cracked a smile regardless. "Can't I be excited for my little brother?"

"We're twins, you git—"

"I'm older," Fred teased, before he took in George's solemn expression, and his own sobered. "You did — you did tell her, didn't you? Is that it?"

"I did," George murmured softly. "But she didn't — well, she didn't really say anything back—"

"What?!" Fred exclaimed, his eyebrows shooting up to his hairline. "No way. She's mad for you, Georgie, a blind man could see it."

George shrugged, reaching to scratch at the back of his neck. "I dunno, I mean — I'm not gonna force her into anything. I think I rushed things too much." He shot his brother a helpless glance. "Merlin, what if I ruined it? Oh, what if—"

"Hey, hey, you take it easy for a second," Fred interrupted, laying a hand on the other's shoulder. "It'll be fine. She'll come around. You need to prank someone — y'know, let your hair down."

George shot his twin a withering look, before fully considering the offer and raising his eyebrows in contemplation. "That's not such a bad idea, actually; maybe there is something in that big head of yours." He cracked a mischievous grin. "It's been a little while since we had some fun."

"That's the spirit," Fred cheered, and began to tug his brother in the direction of their friends. "And for the record, you definitely have the bigger head."

"I do not!"

"You really do."

"Do not—"

"Therefore," Bagman was announcing with a gleeful smile; his hands were instinctively clapping together before he had finished his own sentence. "Tied for first place, with a shared score of forty-five points, are Mr Potter and Miss Bronwen!"

"FIRST PLACE ALBANY!" Lee screamed, jumping to his feet as the Hogwarts champions were applauded with thunderous cheers.

Albany's stomach leapt as she glanced over at Harry, who was gaping in just as much shock. He caught her gaze and grinned widely, his own friends laughing and clapping triumphantly around him.