XXVII
The moment charms ended, Thalia darted after Nova and Kristen, her determination palpable as she grabbed the backs of their robes and gave a sharp tug. The startled yelps of her friends turned into loud protests as she dragged them down the bustling corridor.
“Thalia! What are you doing? Let us go!” Kristen exclaimed, trying to wrestle herself free. Nova shot her a bewildered look, stumbling slightly as Thalia plowed forward.
“Sorry, emergency!” Thalia called over her shoulder to Ernie, who looked after them in confusion. “They’ll catch up with you later!” She didn’t pause to see his reaction, her focus solely on finding a quiet corner.
After weaving through the castle, she pushed through the heavy doors of the library, the relative hush a welcome reprieve from the chaos of the corridors. Thalia’s eyes darted around until she spotted an empty table tucked into a secluded corner. Without a word, she steered her friends toward it, ignoring their grumbles.
Finally, they sat down, the air between them tense with curiosity and annoyance. Nova was the first to break the silence, her brow furrowed with concern. “What’s going on, Thalia? Should I go get the twins?” she asked, already half-rising from her chair.
“What? No!” Thalia snapped, exasperation coloring her voice. “Don’t you think I would’ve grabbed them and dragged them down the hall if I wanted them?” She ran her fingers through her hair, the gesture fraught with nervous energy.
“Nice to know kidnapping is a regular thing for you now,” Kristen muttered dryly, rubbing her arm where Thalia’s grip had been particularly tight.
“Ha ha,” Thalia shot back sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
“So, what, are we just supposed to sit here and guess why you abducted us?” Nova asked, still visibly puzzled. She glanced at her watch with a sigh. “I’m supposed to be meeting Neville in forty minutes.”
Thalia waved her off impatiently. “We’ll get to that in a minute. Right now, I need your advice. No judgment. Please.” Her eyes locked onto Kristen’s, her tone firm.
Kristen smirked, leaning back in her chair. “I can’t promise anything,” she said, dodging Thalia’s playful swat.
“Enough, children,” Nova interjected, her tone sharp but affectionate. “What’s going on, Lia?”
Thalia hesitated, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her robe. Then, as if the words had been bottled up for too long, they spilled out in a rush, tumbling over one another. “George and I nearly kissed.”
The revelation landed like a thunderclap, the silence that followed thick with shock. Kristen’s mouth fell open, while Nova blinked rapidly, her expression caught somewhere between delight and disbelief.
“You what?” Kristen finally exclaimed, her voice a little too loud for the library.
“Shh!” Thalia hissed, glancing around nervously. “Keep your voice down!”
Nova leaned forward, her eyes alight with curiosity and excitement. “Start from the beginning. What happened?”
"He was walking me to Charms, and he was in a funny mood, so we stopped in one of the Transfiguration classrooms—" Thalia began, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Her cheeks were already beginning to flush, the memory vivid in her mind.
"Could do more than kiss in an empty classroom," Kristen quipped, waggling her eyebrows suggestively, her grin mischievous.
“Enough,” Nova chuckled, rolling her eyes and delivering a swift kick to Kristen under the table. “Let her finish.”
Flustered, Thalia pressed on, though her voice wavered slightly. “We were just talking, and he was being so sweet and caring. And then... he bent down, and our foreheads touched, and...” She paused, her heart racing at the recollection. “I thought he was going to kiss me.”
The words had barely left her mouth before Nova and Kristen erupted into high-pitched squeals, their excitement bubbling over as they clung to each other and practically vibrated with glee. Nova clutched Kristen’s arm, while Kristen grabbed the edge of the table, their wide eyes sparkling with delight.
“Shh!” Thalia hissed, frantically glancing around the library. She waved her hands at them, trying to silence their outburst before Madam Pince could swoop down on them like a hawk. “Do you want to get us all kicked out?”
Nova bit her lip, still grinning as she fought to rein in her excitement. “So, what happened? Did you pull away? Did he kiss you, or...?” She let the question dangle, her eyes bright with curiosity.
“No!” Thalia groaned, burying her face in her hands. “I wanted him to kiss me!” The admission came out in a rush, her voice muffled by her palms. “But someone in the corridor interrupted us with this loud bang, and we sprang apart like we’d been caught committing a crime!”
Nova pressed a hand to her mouth, clearly trying not to laugh. “That’s... unfortunate timing,” she said with a sympathetic tilt of her head, though her eyes still danced with amusement.
Kristen, on the other hand, was grinning ear to ear, her excitement impossible to contain. “What?” Thalia whined, peeking at her through her fingers. “You’re supposed to be helping me!”
Kristen leaned forward, her smile widening. “You just admitted you wanted him to kiss you,” she teased, practically bouncing in her seat. “Which means you’ve officially admitted to liking him. Romantically. You want George Weasley to be your boyfriend!”
Thalia groaned again, this time louder, and let her head thunk against the table. “You’re the worst,” she muttered, though her voice lacked any real heat.
Nova reached over and patted her back soothingly, though she couldn’t hide her own grin. “Oh, Lia, this is adorable,” she said. “And Kristen’s right. You’ve just crossed the threshold. No going back now.”
Kristen leaned in conspiratorially. “So, when’s the wedding?” she whispered, earning herself another kick from Nova.
"Lia, if I’m being honest, I’m not really seeing your problem," Nova said with a casual shrug, her tone matter-of-fact. "You like him. He very clearly likes you."
Thalia lifted her head from the table, her cheeks still pink from embarrassment. “You think? More than friends?” she asked hesitantly, her voice tinged with both hope and disbelief.
Kristen let out a loud, incredulous laugh. “Really? Half the school thinks you’re already together, and the rest of us have just been waiting for you both to stop being so oblivious. I could’ve told you before Christmas that he liked you, and I wasn’t even friends with him back then!”
Thalia’s eyes widened in shock, but before she could respond, Nova chimed in, her voice softer but no less certain. “You’re like magnets,” she explained, leaning forward slightly as if to emphasize her point. “You’re drawn together. You’re always holding hands, or he’s got his arm around your shoulders or your waist. You both seek each other out without even realising it. And when you’re together...” She paused, her expression warm. “You’re both happier. More at peace. It’s like you balance each other out.”
Kristen rolled her eyes dramatically, her grin playful. “That was a poetic way of saying everyone but the two of you knows you’re in love.”
Thalia blinked, her heart pounding in her chest. The weight of their words settled over her, and she found herself unable to look either of them in the eye. “In love?” she echoed softly, the words foreign and yet not entirely unwelcome.
Nova smiled gently. “Yeah, Lia. In love or at least heading that way. And there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Kristen smirked, leaning back in her chair. “Now the only question is, what are you going to do about it?”
"What do you think I should do?" Thalia asked, her voice tinged with both desperation and hope as she looked between her friends, hoping for some practical advice.
Kristen leaned back in her chair, folding her arms with a smirk. “Well, the way I see it, you’ve got two options: head downstairs right now and snog his face off, or wait. Keep acting like normal and hope the moment happens again—this time without any interruptions.” She shrugged, as if the answer were glaringly obvious.
Nova, who had been quietly observing Kristen’s bluntness, simply nodded in agreement. “Pretty much,” she murmured, shrugging lightly as if to confirm there weren’t any better alternatives.
Thalia’s jaw dropped, her face flushing a deep crimson. “I can’t do that! Not in front of people, anyway!” she protested, horrified at the idea.
Kristen raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. “Well then, looks like we’ve chosen option two, doesn’t it?” she said with a teasing lilt, clearly enjoying Thalia’s flustered reaction.
Thalia groaned, dropping her head into her hands. “This is a nightmare,” she muttered, though her lips twitched with the hint of a reluctant smile.
Kristen leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand. “Oh, come on, Lia. It’s not that bad. Option two just means more opportunities for romantic tension. Everyone loves that.”
“Except the people living it,” Thalia grumbled, earning a laugh from both girls.
Nova reached over to pat her hand reassuringly. “You’ll figure it out. And when the moment comes, you’ll know what to do.”
Kristen grinned mischievously. “And if you don’t, I’ll be sure to remind you. Loudly.”
"I really like him," Thalia whispered, her voice barely audible as she stared down at the table. The weight of her confession hung in the air, making her feel both exposed and oddly relieved. "But I can't imagine ruining what we've already got," she added, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. Her anxiety was palpable, twisting her stomach into tight, uncomfortable knots.
Nova’s expression softened as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “Lia, I get it. It’s scary to take that step when you’re so close already. But honestly, the best relationships come from friendships like yours.”
Kristen, on the other hand, rolled her eyes playfully. “Ruining what you’ve got? Thalia, have you seen the way he looks at you? You could tell him the sky’s green, and he’d agree just to make you happy.”
Thalia let out a shaky laugh, her lips curving into a small smile despite herself. “You think so?” she asked, glancing between the two of them.
“Think so?” Kristen snorted. “We know so. The boy is head over heels for you, Lia. And if you’re this worried about ruining things, it just proves how much you care about him too.”
Nova nodded, her tone warm yet steady, her words carefully chosen. “A relationship like the one you and George have doesn’t come around often, Thalia. It matures and grows, and while I’m no expert, I think it’s clear that neither of you can—or want to—imagine a future without the other in it. If a romantic relationship doesn’t work out, you’ll rebuild the friendship you’ve already developed. And you’ll do it with an even deeper understanding of each other.”
Kristen leaned back in her chair, smirking. “Thank you, Dumbledore, for that insightful and philosophical explanation,” she quipped, her teasing tone breaking the tension.
Thalia couldn’t help but smile, a small laugh escaping her lips despite the weight of the conversation. She bit her lip, her thoughts swirling as she mulled over their words. The anxiety that had been gnawing at her still lingered, but it was softer now, tempered by a flicker of hope. “I just... don’t want to lose him,” she admitted, her voice quiet, almost fragile.
Kristen reached across the table, her hand warm and grounding as she gave Thalia’s arm a gentle squeeze. “You won’t,” she said firmly, her eyes locked on Thalia’s. “Trust me, Lia. You’re more likely to lose him by not saying anything. You’re both already halfway there. Just let it happen. Stop fighting it.”
Thalia drew in a deep breath, the tension in her chest loosening ever so slightly. Their words made sense, even if the thought of taking that leap still scared her. Maybe they were right. Maybe it was time to stop overthinking and let herself hope for something more.
She exhaled slowly, offering them a small, genuine smile. “Okay, enough about my breakdown,” she said, a mischievous glint returning to her eyes. “I want to hear all about Nova and Neville.” Her tone was light, but her gaze flicked slyly toward Kristen, silently recruiting her for reinforcement.
Kristen’s eyes lit up with mischief, catching on immediately. "Oh, absolutely. Spill, Nova. Don’t leave out a single detail," she said, leaning forward with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Nova groaned, her cheeks flushing a soft pink as she rolled her eyes. “Can we walk and talk though? I’m going to be late,” she said with a laugh, standing and gathering her things.
Kristen shot Thalia a knowing look, then turned her grin on Nova. “Oh, we can definitely walk and talk. But you’re not getting out of this that easily, Miss Neville’s Just Helping Me With Herbology.’”
Thalia jumped to her feet, her grin widening. "Yeah, we’d never want to keep Neville waiting. Who knows? He might be nervously pacing the greenhouse, practicing his lines."
Nova let out a laugh despite herself, shaking her head as she began walking toward the library doors. "You’re both the worst," she said, though her tone was light and fond.
The trio made their way down the corridor, the sound of their laughter echoing off the stone walls. As they teased Nova about Neville’s possible bouquet choices and debated whether he’d be more likely to bring roses or daisies, Thalia found herself relaxing, things were going to be okay.
~.~.~.~
The hum of chatter in the Great Hall enveloped Thalia as she stepped inside, the warm glow of floating candles reflecting off the polished wood of the long tables. Despite the lively atmosphere, she felt a pang of unease settle in her chest. She had been keeping an eye out for George all day, scanning hallways and classrooms for a flash of his unmistakable ginger hair, but he had been nowhere to be found. Now, as she walked in with the Gryffindor girls, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered doubts. Maybe he’s avoiding me. Maybe this morning was a mistake.
Her smile wavered as she laughed along with Angelina, Alicia, Katie, and Ginny, their cheerful banter filling the space around her. As they approached the Gryffindor table, Thalia leaned closer to the girls, her voice low. "Sit on the left-hand side tonight, yeah?" she asked, flashing them a small, conspiratorial grin.
The girls exchanged curious glances but nodded, falling into step and settling into their spots. Thalia, however, veered off toward the Hufflepuff table. She grabbed a bowl of steaming chicken curry and balanced it carefully on her knees as she turned around to face the Gryffindor table. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she called over to the girls, her voice cutting through the din of the Hall.
"Oi, don’t get too comfortable over there," she teased, her tone light and playful.
Angelina caught her eye first, her grin widening as she caught onto Thalia’s antics. With a dramatic swivel, she turned in her seat, mirroring Thalia’s position to face her. Alicia followed suit, laughing as she adjusted her chair to join the cross-table conversation. Katie and Ginny exchanged amused looks before doing the same, their chatter resuming as though nothing were out of the ordinary.
Thalia relaxed a little, the warmth of their friendship soothing her earlier doubts. Balancing her bowl, she leaned back slightly leaning against the edge of the table, the faint aroma of curry wafting up as she joined in the lively conversation. The divide between the tables melted away as the girls’ laughter rang out, drawing a few curious glances from other students.
But as Thalia’s gaze flickered over the Hall, her eyes scanned the sea of faces, searching once more for George. Her heart sank slightly when she didn’t spot him. Maybe he really is avoiding me, she thought, her earlier unease creeping back in. Still, she forced herself to smile, focusing on the warmth of her friends’ company and the easy rhythm of their conversation. If George didn’t want to see her, she’d deal with it—but for now, she wasn’t going to let it ruin her evening.
As dinner wore on, the cluster of friends around Thalia grew, their energy infectious. Nova and Kristen joined her on the Hufflepuff bench, animatedly discussing plans for the upcoming Hogsmeade trip with Ginny at the Gryffindor table. Across the way, Lee Jordan had plopped down beside Angelina and Alicia, his booming voice calling over Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they entered the Hall. The lively group quickly became the center of attention, their laughter and chatter spilling across the tables like a ripple in a still pond.
Thalia found herself grinning as she leaned back, watching Lee attempt to catch grapes in his mouth as she lobbed them with increasing precision. His exaggerated reactions, whether triumphant or dismayed, had the entire group in fits of laughter. “You could be a chaser with that arm, Winterbourne!” he laughed. The atmosphere felt warm and carefree, a welcome reprieve from the tension that had hung over the castle since Umbridge’s appointment.
The commotion made it easy for the twins to locate their friends as they strode into the Great Hall. Fred’s laughter rang out as he caught sight of Thalia sitting comfortably at the Hufflepuff table, the picture of defiance. "So this is what she meant by ‘open defiance,’" he chuckled, nudging George. "Umbridge told her to sit at the right table, but she never said a word about who she could talk to."
George shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips as his eyes landed on Thalia. She was in her element, her laughter ringing out as she flicked another grape toward Lee. The sheer joy on her face made something in his chest tighten. "She really is something else," he murmured, almost to himself.
"Yep," Fred agreed with a knowing grin.
As the twins made their way to the Gryffindor table, Fred took a seat beside Lee, joining the grape-throwing chaos. George, however, stopped just in front of Thalia on his way to his spot. Gently, he ran his fingers over her hair in a brief, affectionate gesture. "Having fun?" he asked, his voice warm and teasing as he slid into the seat directly across from her. Angelina and Lee had shifted to make room, though the grin on Lee’s face suggested he was preparing to tease George about it later.
"Lots," Thalia replied with a mischievous glint in her eyes, nodding toward the staff table. Her gaze lingered on Umbridge, whose face was a study in barely concealed rage. The woman’s lips were pursed so tightly they looked bloodless, and her eyes darted between Thalia and the Gryffindor table as though she couldn’t decide who to glare at more.
George followed her gaze, biting back a laugh as he leaned forward. "She looks like she’s about to blow a gasket," he whispered conspiratorially, making Thalia stifle a snort.
"Steam coming out of her ears would really complete the look," Thalia quipped, her voice low but laced with amusement.
As the group continued their playful banter, the tension of the day melted away. The sight of Thalia surrounded by friends, her laughter echoing in the Hall, felt like a quiet victory—not just over Umbridge, but over the shadows that had been haunting her. Umbridge’s fury was palpable, but her hands were tied. No school rules had technically been broken, the students had just found a loophole.
When dinner came to an end the group spilled out of the Great Hall, their laughter and chatter filling the warm early summer evening. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting a golden glow across the castle grounds. A gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass, wrapping around them like an invisible embrace. Deciding it was the perfect evening to study in the grounds, rather than being cooped up in the stuffy castle, the group strolled towards the Black Lake, the shimmering water reflecting the fiery hues of the setting sun.
The sounds of the castle faded behind them, replaced by their chatter and laughter. Thalia had linked arms with Angelina, giggling over Katie’s dramatic recounting of her latest potions disaster. The girls’ laughter mixed with the playful banter of The Twins, Ron and Lee, who were deep in a spirited debate about Gryffindor’s chances in the upcoming Quidditch match. Amid the noise, Thalia felt a light tug on her bag strap. She glanced back to see George taking her bag without a word, slinging it over his shoulder with a casual ease that brought a soft smile to her lips.
The group found the perfect spot under a sprawling oak tree whose branches stretched wide, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze. The lake lapped gently against the shore, the rhythmic sound blending with the rustling grass and distant chirping of crickets. The seventh years, Hermione and Thalia settled in, spreading out notes, books and long essays as they began to revise. The warm earth beneath them and the scent of summer in the air made even the prospect of studying seem more tolerable.Ron and Ginny were hanging on Harry’s every word as they discussed quidditch plays, occasionally the pair would scribble down some of the boy's advice, nodding earnestly as he spoke.
George dropped down beside Thalia, handing her bag back with a lopsided grin. While the others quickly immersed themselves in flashcards and notes, George seemed more preoccupied with his own distractions. He doodled furiously on a piece of parchment, pausing now and then to scowl at it before crumpling it into his pocket. A moment later, he began crafting a daisy chain, only to sigh heavily as he abandoned the task.
Thalia worked diligently on her Arithmancy essay, but George’s restless energy was hard to ignore. He leaned over to rest his head on her shoulder, letting out a theatrical sigh as she continued writing. When that didn’t garner her attention, he shifted, lying down with his head in her lap. Thalia looked down at him, trying to suppress a laugh at his cheeky grin.
"George! I can’t write with you there," she protested, holding up her quill in mock frustration. "Unless I lean on your face."
"Maybe it’s time for a break," he suggested, his tone unapologetic.
Her resolve crumbled as it always did with him, she was sure it had something to do with his eyes. She sighed, stuffing the finished essay back into her bag, making a mental note to read through it later. "You’re a distraction," she teased, brushing a stray strand of hair from his forehead.
George closed his eyes, leaning into her touch with a contented smile. "You don’t seem to mind all that much, Miss Winterbourne," he quipped, his voice light and teasing.
Thalia grinned down at him, her fingers still playing with his hair. "Nope, not at all," she admitted, her voice soft.
George sent her a grin, the warmth in his eyes mirroring the soft glow of the setting sun. He shifted slightly, making himself comfortable with his head still resting in her lap. Thalia leaned back against the oak tree, her fingers idly threading through his hair as they fell into an easy rhythm of conversation. Their voices were low, a gentle murmur punctuated by the occasional laugh or scoff, that rang out in the stillness of the evening. George’s grin widened with every quip Thalia made, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he watched her, the way her face lit up when she laughed, the way she seemed so at ease.
Around them, their friends continued their own chatter, but none dared to interrupt the pair. There was something unspoken in the air, a sense that Thalia and George were wrapped in their own little world. Even the usual rowdiness of Lee and Fred was subdued as they exchanged knowing glances, choosing to give the two their space.
As the night deepened, George reached up, his fingers brushing lightly against hers where they rested on his shoulder. He had been quietly watching Thalia, noticing the way her eyes grew heavier and the tension crept back into her shoulders as she shifted awkwardly against the tree. Though they’d managed to push away her pain and worries for a few precious hours, it was clear they were beginning to return. Sitting up gently, he began gathering their belongings, careful not to disturb her too much, before standing and offering her his hand.
“Come on, let’s get you back. McGonagall will be having kittens,” George joked lightly, his tone warm as he helped her to her feet. His frown deepened when she winced with each small movement.
“You alright, Lia?” Angelina called, her sharp gaze catching the subtle signs of discomfort.
“Just stiff,” Thalia replied, brushing off the concern with a small wave. “See you all in the morning.”
Calls of goodnight echoed after them as George held her hand tightly, guiding her through the soft twilight of the grounds. He matched her slow pace, his touch steady and reassuring, the quiet between them filled with the hum of crickets and the distant rustle coming from the Forbidden Forest beyond.
Their journey through the castle was slow, each step echoing softly against the ancient stone walls. The usual bustling corridors were quiet now, the warm glow of torchlight flickering against the high ceilings. George kept his arm securely around Thalia, her smaller frame leaning heavily into his side. Her face was tucked against his shirt, her breaths shallow and uneven, and her eyes stayed closed as if the effort of keeping them open was too much.
When they finally reached McGonagall’s door, George raised a hand and knocked lightly, the sound barely disturbing the stillness of the corridor. The door creaked open moments later to reveal the professor, her sharp eyes immediately dropping to Thalia. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she took in the girl’s complexion, the slight tremble in her shoulders, and the way George practically held her upright.
"I think it's just complete exhaustion," George explained softly as he guided Thalia into the room, his voice low and steady. "No sharp pains or anything—just little winces here and there. I think she probably just overdid it today."
McGonagall gave a small, knowing smile, her stern features softening slightly. "Why does that not surprise me in the slightest, Miss Winterbourne?" she quipped, retrieving a thick, woolen blanket from the back of the sofa and gesturing for George to help her settle down.
Thalia didn’t protest as George eased her onto the sofa. She sank into the cushions and curled up immediately, drawing the blanket tightly around her shoulders and burrowing into the pillows. Her face relaxed slightly as she allowed her exhaustion to take over. When McGonagall returned with a small vial of pain potion, Thalia accepted it without even opening her eyes, though her lips twitched with faint acknowledgement. Downing the potion in one, her movements were slow and groggy, like someone had made her move at half speed.
George quietly chuckled under his breath, shaking his head at her half-asleep state. He placed her bag carefully on the table, then knelt beside her, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face before leaning in to press a gentle kiss to the crown of her head. "I'll see you in the morning," he murmured, his voice warm and reassuring.
Before he could rise, her hand shot out and caught his, her grip surprisingly firm. "Stay until I’m asleep," she whispered, her voice barely audible, but the urgency in her tone enough to make her plea clear.
"Lia," George said with a faint smile, "I don't think that’s going to take long." He glanced nervously at the clock on the wall, its hands inching closer to curfew. He knew that if he wanted to keep Umbridge off Thalia’s back, he had to stay above reproach. Guilt by association was the last thing she needed.
As if reading his thoughts, McGonagall spoke from her desk, not even glancing up from the parchment she was marking. "Stay with her, Mr. Weasley," she said briskly. "I’ll escort you back to Gryffindor Tower when I’m done here."
Relieved, George sank back down onto the floor beside the sofa, lacing his fingers with Thalia’s and tracing light, absentminded patterns over her knuckles. Her breathing began to even out, her tense shoulders relaxing as she drifted ever closer to sleep.
McGonagall watched them quietly over the rim of her glasses, her stern demeanor giving way to a rare softness. "She sleeps better when you’re here," she remarked, her voice tinged with quiet approval. "I think she’s finally found her safe place."