Deja Vu
"I said I was sorry." "And then I, for the millionth time, said I don't care." Angrily, George trudged into the Gryffindor common room and took a seat in front of the fire place. By now it was around one in the morning and the whole castle must've been asleep. "Bloody hell, I'm going to have to sleep out here now. Without that banket, which my mother knitted by the way, I'll freeze." The red head crossed his arms over his knees, hugging them into his chest. You couldn't help the feeling of guilt, his mother had made that? In a moment of weakness you chose to sit next to him on the floor, your backs both resting on the couch that was placed in front of the fire.
"I'm sorry, it must've taken her a long time. You are quite tall." The flames flickered and cracked, your eyes glued to the moving wisps. "Yeah, same as the sweater you also burned in first year." Both of you just stared ahead, occasionally bringing your hand up to the flame for some extra warmth. "It's like deja vu. You destroying my poor mother's gifts with your out of control pranks." Now, he turned to face you as he addressed you. His face still stern, but softer than earlier in McGonagall's office.
"Both of those were complete accidents, I mean how do you even get a bang snap from the floor into your sweater sleeve?" Feeling his gaze, you turned to meet his eyes. As you spoke his face seemed to relax, both of you understanding that you weren't actually out to gut all his mother's knitting. "George I really mean it, I'm so sorry. I know we're at each other's throats but I wouldn't destroy something of yours just for kicks. I'm not a Slytherin." You chuckled at the last part, earning the faintest of smiles from the lanky frame next to you.
"Fine, but this doesn't make us friends. I still hate you." Of course it didn't, and you hated him too. He was absolutely detestable, and you hadn't forgiven him or Fred for their reign of terror in the last four years. And yet, a of wave sadness washed over you as you heard it, and you couldn't place why. Looking back to the fire, embarrassed by the turn of phrase, you nodded.
"Likewise Weasley, you can remain my favourite enemy. But Merlin's beard, please don't hex my robes again. Let's call it an accident and move on." Placing your head in your hands you grimaced at the memory. It didn't help that the first person who'd told you that year was Cedric, your crush at the time. "Only if you let Fred off the hook with Angelina, he's liked her for a while but has been mighty afraid of you messing it up. Which clearly, he was right about." "Deal." You extended a hand to the boy, he rolled his eyes begrudgingly but still shook it. A man of his word you supposed.
The two of you sat in silence, you weren't sure if you were meant to leave. But the heat of the fireplace kept you planted firmly on the floor, you were aware how chilly the walk back to your dorm would be and you were dreading it. So you opted to stay by the fireplace just a couple moments more. Those 'couple moments' eventually turned to you nodding off, completely drained after studying all day and now staying up until the wee hours. Your eyes fluttered close and you were out like a light. "Tonks, what are you still doing he-" George turned to insult you but noticed your eyes already closed.
Your frame begun to droop away from his body, you were about to bang your head on the floor. Very carefully he grabbed your shoulder and pulled your head to rest on his left shoulder. "Bloody hell." The ginger boy cussed, crossing his arms. Slowly but surely he too fell asleep, not that he knew it, but his head finding a home on top of yours as he slept.
--
The fire was softly burning by the time George woke up. The sun had only just come up and the common room was deathly quiet. As he gained consciousness he felt something tug at his shirt. Looking down he saw a mess of hair, leaning against his chest. You were clinging to his shirt and curled up between his legs, with both George's arms draped around your shoulders. He sat there in silence, letting his initial shock wear off. He hated you, despised you, and at the same time was moving a strand of your hair behind your ear to look at your face.
You looked beautiful. He really did hate you, without question. But George wasn't a fool, you were gorgeous and you always had been.
Hearing the first of footsteps upstairs, he realised now was the only way he could make his exit with his dignity still in tact. Careful not to wake you, he pried your hand off his shirt and leaned you back against the couch. Now standing, he looked down at you, curling up against the couches front and making a grabbing motion with your hand. Searching for the fabric of George's shirt. The boy couldn't help but smile at the action, walking away shortly after to get ready.
When you woke up, you were alone. "Y/N? Did you sleep down here?" Angelina was walking down the stairs already dressed in her school robes. "I guess I must have..." Rubbing your temples you stood up and headed for the dorms. "Hurry or you'll miss breakfast!" Ange called up the stairs, a worried expression on her face. What 'trouble' had you gotten up to last night?
As quickly as you could, you got your robes on and raced to try and get a scrap of toast from the great hall. Luckily Angelina was still in the hall when you arrived, mid-conversation with none other than Fred Weasley. "You lit George's blanket on fire? What the bloody hell did you do that for?" Angelina looked at you with a gawping look on her face. "Godric Gryffindor, it was an accident!" Snatching the jam toast off her plate you stuffed it in your mouth, hoping it may prohibit any further questions on last night's 'situation'. "Mornin' Tonks, sleep alright?" Fred grinned at you as genuinely as he could, giving you a bit of smirk. "Fell asleep in the common room actually." Angelina finished his question for you, the toast now gone.
"Mmm, I know. Georgie's told me all about it, missy." Fred gave you a suggestive look before turning his attention back to Angelina. "What?" Now it was your turn to gawp, what had George said? "Must be going, I'm walking your beautiful friend here to her class." Fred stood up from his place next to Angelina and offered her an arm, smiling at you sheepishly she took his arm and the pair walked off. Though you wanted to call out some rubbish about how disgusting they were, you remembered George's words last night and chose to refrain.
Realising the time you made your way to transfiguration rather quickly. Right before you entered none other than carrot top thundered past you and into the classroom. "Rude." It was more said to yourself than George but you were rather blunt when you wanted to be. "Mr Weasley, Miss Tonks. As the last two into class you two will be paired for this week's assignment. Perhaps this will teach you two how to co-operate." McGonagall gave you both a sour look, bags under her eyes from a lack of proper rest.
George slumped in his new seat next to you and groaned, "You've got to be kidding me."