I didn't mean to stand you up
They pulled apart as a door opened to the classroom and none other than a prefect had caught them. She immediately pushed him off and the prefect snickered.
“I thought you two were broken up?” He said condescendingly, Tori just gave him an annoyed look and crossed her arms.
“We are.” She just spat before storming off, George was left there stunned wondered what on earth had just happened. He had wanted to talk to her about the kiss, and she had been annoying and childish, which was usually his job – and then she had kissed him, and he had not been able to stop, everything that was annoying about her all just faded away. He had no idea how to process it, so he pushed it off to the side and decided to take his frustration with getting interrupted, or maybe it was her being such a good kisser, either way he was frustrated, and he took it out on whoever Fred wanted to prank next.
Tori was flustered and confused, and she went to the one place she understood, the quidditch-field. It was temporarily closed for the stupid tournament, but the players were still allowed to use their equipment and train outside the field. She stalked there thinking, about how stupid she had been! Why had she wanted to kiss him? He was just stupid and annoying and she hated him. She sighed at that thought, yes. She hated George. Especially for messing with her hormonal teenage brain. It was all over now. She would never kiss him again, she concluded after hitting one of the bludgers off.
“Alright, so I will just do the spells, since I’m obviously the smarter one, and you can do my arithmancy homework deal?” George said smirking smugly, as he sat down next to her at the breakfast table, with their charms assignment in hand. He was infinitely better than her at charms, but part of her pride would never let herself admit that. So she just met him with a glare and crossed her arms, before snatching the paper from his hands reading the instructions. Then she finally looked at him, and he looked back at her confused. George figured, that since they were being friendly like this, she would finally be able to see reason, and let him do their charms work while she did arthimancy, which she was stronger in.
“Absolutely not you dug bog.” She just said annoyed, and he sighed.
“What? I am the better Wizard.” He said arrogantly with a smirk, which only made her blood boil, and her fists curl. She rolled her eyes annoyed at him.
“Obviously not, since you need me to do arithmancy.” She spat back, this time his ego was insulted, Ana sat down beside them smiling at Fred.
“What’s happening?” She said with a smile.
“The usual.” Fred replied in tune with George and Tori who turned to her annoyed at each other and also simulation sly replied.
“George is being an arrogant arse.”
“Tori is being stubborn and a prideful arse.”
Tori glared at George again and he looked smug like always.
“No I am not!” They both protested followed by different insulting swearwords. Ana could not help but chuckle a little as she leaned in towards Fred.
“So the usual.” She said dryly making him chuckle. After listening in to their painfully annoying conversation where both of them were clearly just too stubborn Cho had finally had enough and slammed her cutlery to the table.
“I can barely talk to your sister, with my own yapping like that. Now will you two shut it!” Cho bursted out, Ginny nodding annoyed across from her.
“If it is so important to you two to figure out who is the better wizard, why not just have a competition?” Ginny stated as if that was the most obvious thing in the world, however this made Fred jump up and cover his sisters mouth.
“Nope. No. None of that, please.” He said before leaning down to whisper to his sister.
“You do not want those two competing you idiot.” He whispered and Ana and Cho’s eyes were also wide with worry, however that terrible idea had already hit both Tori and George who were smirking in a way that told everyone that there was no talking either of them out of it.
“Alright, just a small test in every subject. Fred and Ana can judge. Whoever wins, wins?” Tori said grinning like a Cheshire Cat who had already won.
“Deal, and well the winner gets one wish fulfilled from the loser. And the loser has to declare them the better wizard in front of the entire school.” George said grinning from ear to ear arrogantly, and Tori just smirked thinking only of, how it was going to look when George declared her better than him in front of everyone.
“Deal. Just nothing pervy for the wish, I know how you think, you perv!” She said, and he just shrugged.
“Yeah, I’m the pervert here.” He said sarcastically referring to the night before, where she had insisted that he kiss her. Ana and Fred looked at each other, and silently vowed to prank Ginny for getting them into that one.
The competition started quickly, and both knew which ones they would lose and win. George was better at potions and charms than her, she was better at arithmacy and defence against the dark arts. Mostly the competitions were played with them trying to sabotage the other while the other was constantly accusing the other of cheating when they won.
They were constantly tied, until they ran out of subjects, and honestly Fred and Ana had lost their patients, and left them to bicker about who had just won. Alone in the astrology classroom, it took them a while to actually realize they were alone. They hadn’t been alone since. George stopped before thinking further. Now that he thought about it, it seemed so far away. She had been this annoying thorn in his side all day. Disagreeing with everything that he said, never even if he knew he was right would she admit it! She always just knew the right buttons to press to annoy him, but could never take it when he teased her back. Yet now as he looked at her yelling at him. he could not help but feel a little giddy. He had gotten her blood boiling, as perusal, and there was something so satisfying about being able to have her entire attention on him like this. And as she kept yelling, his mind could not help but wonder: How else he could capture her entire attention?
“Are you even listening ye wee wanker?” She said crossing her arms, and he was ripped from his little fantasy, and could not help but look at her lips before smirking.
“Fred and Ana left.” He pointed out, looking self-satisfied, and she looked around not having noticed.
“Damn, well, I guess we’ll never know whos the better wizard?” She asked annoyed and he just shrugged.
“Yeah, we’re tied. Guess will have to make a tie breaker in something tomorrow.” He said almost giddy, to have an excuse to see her again the day after. Which was confusing as well, why was he looking forward to getting yelled at? He hated getting yelled at! He got yelled at all day, by teachers, Filch, howlers even sometimes, prefects, and Tori. But it was like there was something like a duelling match going on when they were like this. Something about how she yelled at him, how he knew he was the cause of it, that he could get a rise out of her like no one else in his life. And something in him liked that.
“You better not pick it, or I’ll know you’re cheating.” She spat annoyed, and he lifted his finger to disagree with her but thought the better of it, knowing it would get him nowhere and simply just rolled his eyes at her with a grin and an arrogant look about him.
“Also, if some imbalance in the universe, should make me the loser. I want you to know, I have decided even if it is your wish, I won’t kiss you.” She said pointedly, and George just smirked at her a little insulted, she was always that stubborn, but then again he had the feeling that he could make her want to kiss him again – and bloody hell did he want to kiss her again as well. Not only because he really because of some unexplainable force, liked kissing her, but also because it would be so satisfying to beat her at one thing today.
“Really? You really wanted to kiss me yesterday.” He said daringly, seeming almost cocky as he was stepping closer to her, and she turned to glare at him – but she found his face just inches from her own. He could feel her breath on him and it was driving him mad. She looked in his stupidly beautiful eyes, and she felt a bit of her resolve melt away. The only thing holding her back, was her pride, however if he came much closer than that, that might break too. She tried to focus on not losing anymore to George, but then why did he have to be this close? This warm? Smelling so nicely? She felt like her blood was boiling as she tried to clear her mind but stay close. She got an idea thinking if at least she could make him break first he would be the one to kiss her first and then she could get what she wanted on top of a win.
“Yeah, well you were a lot less annoying yesterday. Maybe because you shut up for once.” She said finally smirking hoping desperately that he would kiss her soon so that she could win, because she hated how much she wanted to do this.
He looked at her with an annoyed look, but he felt like he was losing all his resolve when she leaned even closer. Why did she had to be that pretty? And that tempting? He did not want to lose anything else to her today by kissing her!
However he looked down at her, and drew a small breath thinking of just how much he wanted to just grab her, and make her pay for being this annoying all day. And then a terrible thought hit him:
It would only be another tie.
She had broke yesterday, so by him kissing her first today, it would only be another tie. And he could make her break again tomorrow. That way he could both win and get to kiss her again. And he really wanted both of those things.
He wanted to be clever like she had, tell her to shut up for once. She leaned in and smirked a little which only served to annoy him more – he teased her not the other way around.
“Cat got your tongue?” She said smugly, but barely before she managed to get the word tongue out, he broke and he just grabbed her and kissed her, hard, trying to express exactly how annoying and frustrating he found her. They still had yet to talk about both kisses, but as she kissed him back there was something so intoxicating about, how they seemed to continued to fight like this even if whatever they were fighting about seemed to fade from their minds, the more their hands grabbed the other. The more their lips touched, the less they cared.
They continued like this for days. Fighting in their wizard competition, one of them losing, the other one losing later in the day by kissing the other. Then the next day demanding another competition. Yet Ana and Fred, even if it was killing Ana to, stayed out of it. Fred reminding her, what happened last time they meddled, only for Ana to finally one day turning to him frustrated and saying:
“But they’re just so stupid! I mean do they not think we see what they’re doing? They clearly like each other in that weird, I am pulling the pigtails of a girl I like way. And if those two were not so busy being prideful or fighting or competing to see that!” She yelled annoyed and Fred chuckled and nodded.
“Yeah. They are idiots. And even worse. They’re our idiots.” He said making her at least laugh a little.
George was annoyed at the top of the hill, not only was he waiting for Tori for their next competition, he had to watch her giggle, as she talked to no other than Victor Krum! He felt like he was fuming because of this. This annoying Romanian player was not only from the opposite team, he was also constantly hogging all of the attention of everyone at Hogwarts! Which annoyed George who was used to having part of it. He thought the seeker seemed a bit arrogant, and not only that, what about Hermione? He thought, he had been her date to the Yule ball, and yet, here he was flirting it up with another girl! He was mad at Tori for falling for that stupid farce anyway. Finally she arrived at their meeting point and she looked at him annoyed.
“Saw you with Krum. And you’re late.” He hissed trying to not sound annoyed but rather arrogant, which only made her blood curdle but she settled with curling up her hands into fists and shooting him a deadly glare.
“So what? You don’t own me!” She said annoyed that he had not only seen that, but that he was reacting this way! What did he care that she was talking to Krum? They were only talking quidditch, and besides, she had seen him flirt with tons of other girls, and yes gotten a little mad, but that was mostly because she thought it was stupid that anyone would fall for his little stupid rutine.
“Fine, be another one of Krums fangirls, I have heard what he does with those.” George said smugly and she glared at him and he felt a little guilty, about saying it but the anger that he suddenly felt just by the thought of her with Krum was grim, and something inside him wanted to make her feel just as bad as he currently did.
“Better than your fangirls! He is nice, so you know what? Screw you Weasel I will go and hang out with Krum! I hear he is a better kisser than you anyway!” She said annoyed that he would even say that. She had bumped into Krum as she was walking back from a morning practice, and they had talked. He liked her style and gave her some pointers even offered to morning train with her, so that he would have bludgers flying at him like perusal. She stormed off after a groan of frustration, and George huffed the same way before stumping off even more angry than when he had started.
From there it only got worse without them also kissing and sort of making up, their frustration turned into cold shoulders and other works, constantly they were ranting about something stupid the other one said. And while Fred immediately saw that it was obviously jealousy that his brother had been feeling, he knew better than to tell him that.
Fred was getting fed up with it, even if he continued to have fun with his brother being joksters and pranking left and right. He kept bitching about Tori this and Tori that. An afternoon after lunch in their off hour before their last charms lesson. He was currently off topic from the prank they were planning and pacing the room, ranting about what she had done recently! Fred finally snapped.
“Shut up George you dug bog!” He shouted making his brother stop in place and turn to his brother shocked and confused.
“You are an idiot. I love you, but just, for fucks sake mate. Clearly you and Tori like each other so just go off and be together already, and stop making it our problem! Because currently you’re obsessed, you can barely plan a prank!” He yelled, and George looked at him stunned.
He thought over what his brother had said. It was absurd! Sure he liked making out with her, and he thought about her a lot. He liked bickering with her, and making her so angry that she would hit his arm. He liked seeing her in their classes, and he looked forward to seeing her every day. But like her like her? No way! Even if he constantly felt like kissing her. And being around her. They hated each other, they constantly fought, heck that was the reason Fred and Ana had tried to break them up in the first place! He looked at his brother in a way that indicated all of this and then said it.
“Like her? Me. Like Tori Chang? No way. We hate each other! We fight constantly! You even tried to break us up remember!” George protested and Fred just chuckled and shook his head. Before walking over and putting a hand on his brothers shoulder.
“Mate, come on. I know you better than I know myself, because well, you practically are me! And if you would just look up, you would see that you’re just pulling her pigtails. Always have been.” Fred said almost feeling sorry for his brother for not realising this sooner.
But as his best friend and twin brother, he was tired of watching him lie to himself, or maybe he was just annoyed that he had to listen to them fight or him rant about her constantly, when they could probably be some weird version of happy, if they actually got together. George blinked as he realized that his brother was annoyingly right. He was just pulling her pigtails, constantly provoking her to get her attention, and since she was always more than willing to yell at him, and pretty easy to piss off, well then he had just never learned to process any of it.
He thought back on it more. He always looked forward to seeing her, to see how he could get her blood boiling, to get her attention. How he was constantly getting into situations that would bring them together, heck, that stupid way he had yelled at her about Krum. He was not angry she had missed their appointment, he was jealous. He hated seeing her talk and laugh with Krum, because he wanted her to focus on him. He liked that she was strong and did not just agree with anything he said. He liked that she loved quidditch and would yell when they watched it, or even just heard it on the radio. He liked that he could help her with charms, and that she would begrudgingly help him with arithmacy. He liked how much of his time at Hogwarts he had spent by her side in one capacity or another, and he knew that he knew most everything about her because of it, and that had not scared him away. He wanted to hold her hand, he wanted to kiss her whenever he wanted, and not have to fight about it first.
He looked at his brother, who was just shaking his head at him.
“Yeah.” Fred said knowing the realization his brother had just gone through.
“Wow, shit. I have to tell her that!” George said looking down.
“But I was an idiot. I got jealous and I said something stupid. Even if she did like me back, there is no way she would want me now.” He said feeling defeated, but Fred just snorted.
“You’re a moron if you think that anything you could ever say would ever make her not want you. I mean what haven’t you said to her!” Fred said with a small chuckle, and George smiled a little but sighed defeated.
“Yeah, still I don’t think she’ll even talk to me. Even if she has to at our charms presentation later.” George said looking down, just then the bell chimed calling them to class. The brothers panicked and grabbed their stuff heading for the class.
George had no idea how to face Tori, now that he knew how he actually felt about her. He had rarely really liked a girl before, and this was new. Plus this girl was Tori, something about that intimidated him, quite a lot more than any other girl he had been with.
But he told himself that he was a true Gryffindor and gathered his courage as he went to the blackboard to present their project with her, as soon as class officially begun. He would tell her as soon as she came to class. He would tell her just how much he really liked her, even if she was annoying.
And he stood there, waiting. Feeling his courage fading with every passing minute. And then the bell rang again. And she was not there. She had left him. Probably off with Krum or something a mean voice in the back of his head told him, and part of him could not help but think that that was his own fault, for sending her right into his arms. He was such an idiot. And now he would have to do this presentation all alone, and he would have to look at her stupid smug face after that, and she would feel no remorse for abandoning him like that! She was so annoying!
“Mr. Weasley, please begin. It seems Ms. Chang isn’t coming to class today.” Flitwick said with a comforting yet saddened voice.
And George tried to swallow all of his sadness as he begrudgingly began to explain their project, looking longingly at the door or his notes, whenever a part she was supposed to do came up. He however just joked it off, and making the class laugh made him feel like maybe he had not just had his heart ripped out and stomped on.
*Earlier that day somewhere else at Hogwarts*
Ana and Cho was watching, first Tori basically fought a bludger into submission, and somehow winning with her bat. Eventually they were hanging out and she was pacing the room, after Cho had accidentally asked something that brought George to her mind. Though, Ana thought: Everything does these days! Mentally rolling her eyes at her best friend.
Ana liked the boys, they were fun and funny to be around and genuinely sweet if you got them alone for more than 5 minutes, and saw past their jokester facades. They were lighthearted, adventures and exciting. And Ana knew that her best friend had fallen for one of them. Sadly, she also knew her best friend barely recognised that anyone liked her unless they stuck their tongue down her throat – and even if Ana imagined George might have already done that, an image she kind of shuddered at the thought of – nothing would make the pacing and ranting girl in front of them see the fact that they completely fancied each other! It was frustrating to watch really, two people, who were constantly fighting like usual, but who also clearly liked the other. She silently had hoped that eventually Fred would get tired as well, and knock some sense into his brother, however that had yet to be the case. And so they sat there watching Tori rant about something stupid George had said. Ana had already been told the whole story, she imagined that he had only been jealous, and had not known how to express that, girls usually head over heels for him. It did not condone his comments, but she imagined he was already getting an earful for that one, if not from Fred, definitely from Hermione or Ginny, or Angelina or Katie, generally any Gryffindor girl within earshot.
“And he is just such a pompous arse, I mean who in Merlins beard does he think he is accusing me like that when I have watched him hit on everything with boobs in this school!” She was ranting when Cho had finally had enough, and she put her book down in annoyance, finally getting her sisters attention.
“Oi, quit yer yapping, would ye!” She said and both Ana and Tori looked at the girl surprised at her outburst, she had had a few of those lately, which was uncommon for that sister. Tori was the loud and short fused one, whereas Cho was calm and collected in touch with her emotions. Yet her frustration and fears for not one but two boys in the tournament, whom she felt like she was constantly betraying the other for liking the former, on top of her sisters obnoxious lovelife, Cho had had just about enough!
“I mean, you lecture me about Cedric because he is older, when you are this utterly oblivious is remarkable.” Cho huffed a little teenagery, and Tori lifted her finger to protest that she had 1. No idea what Cho was talking about her being oblivious, and 2. She had a point a bout Cedric, that was not only much older than her sister, but also while rumored to be a sweet boy could probably be deceiving, and he had voluntarily put his name and thereby himself and his loved ones in danger by putting his name into that stupid cup. Which had, in Tori’s horror so much so that McGonnagall had to hold her back when she realized, that her sister was under water, already put her sister in danger, and she would be damned if she let anything hurt her little sister! However Ana interrupted.
“Yes, we have both already heard your point about Cedric, and she does have a point Cho.” Ana said, ever the pragmatist that she was, probably from having been Toris best friend all of those years. Tori smirked and nodded at her sister, as if to silently say: See? Ana agrees with me. However that smirk faded when Ana turned to her pointedly.
“But Cho also has a point about you Tor.” Ana said, this time Cho looked at her sister smugly, which earned her an annoyed grimace from her sister.
“What on earth are you two on about? I’m not oblivious, and I know that no boy I like likes me.” She said crossing her arms in a smug manner, this only made the two other girls share a tired look before looking back to her.
“Then you are blind as a bat!” Ana said frustrated, this truly did confuse Tori, she knew she did not fancy anyone at the moment, all because that stupid Weasley boy was taking up all of her thoughts. But his presence in her mind, she viewed more like a nuisance or a pest needed to be evicted from the premises than anything else.
“You fancy George you dug bog.” Cho said elaborating and Tori scoffed looking at them like they were daft, thinking over all the arguments she was about to tell them to prove that she did in fact NOT like him!
She definitely did not like him! Sure, he was an excellent kisser, but liking that and wanting nothing more than to continue to kiss him, did not mean she liked him. You could be attracted to people that you don’t like! Ana interrupted her thoughts putting a hand on her shoulder.
“You fancy him, it’s clear to anyone but yourself. I mean come on he is all you talk about.” She said and Tori rolled her eyes.
“That is not true, and besides, I only talk about him because he pisses me off! Hell you hated the idea of us together so much that you and Fred tried to break us up.” Tori pointed out feeling proud of herself and Ana sighed and nodded.
“Yeah, we did. And yet you continue to meet with him, fight with him, hell that whole stupid competition was clearly just the two of you wanting to hang out but not knowing how to without fighting being involved! You like him, and he likes you.” Ana explained and Tori looked at her like the air had been knocked out of her.
That could not possibly be true.
Even if a little part of her could like George and that was a big IF! There was no way that the second biggest playboy in the school liked her. He was constantly pushing her buttons getting her to yell at him, how on earth did that make him like her.
“No way. I mean all he does is try and piss me off and annoy me! How is that liking someone?” She protested and Cho just shook her head laughing lightly getting up from her seat as well standing next to Ana
“Come on sis! The helping you out was nice, even for him. And the constant teasing you. He just wants your attention but you’re so hotheaded and he is so stubborn that you have over the years learned that that is the only way to get your attention.” She said stunning Tori, and more importantly or annoyingly, Tori had to admit that her sisters point made sense.
A part of her liked yelling at George, she liked that when they were bickering or yelling it was not only like a little tennis match between them, to see who was cleverer, or who could make the other break from pure emotions. It was also a way to keep the other person fully focused on you. They had fought for years, what if all this time they had really annoyed each other because they wanted each others attention?
Still there was no way that she liked him, right? Sure he was attractive, objectively of course. But he was still arrogant and stubborn, though he probably only seemed arrogant because she was so used to seeing his faults, he was quite brilliant, once again only looking at it objectively of course. He was annoying, and annoyingly funny at times. He was quite clever and a pretty good quidditch player, one of the only people who got just as into the game as she did when they were listening to it on the radio. She did like seeing him work on him and his brothers inventions, always tinkering and thinking, so that you could practically see the wheels turning in his head. She liked seeing him in most classes, she liked being better than him, and he was pretty good at helping her in the subjects where he excelled. She liked that even though he could do almost nothing it would piss her off, there was a power and a bit of a rush in knowing that she could push his buttons with little to no effort, after all those years always knowing right where to hit where it did not hurt his actual feelings, but annoyed him just the right amount. She had liked hunting for the prankster with him. She had enjoyed training with him that one afternoon. She had definitely enjoyed when they had actually worked together to plan their revenge, or even before that when they had just been talking at the yule ball. Hell he had probably dung bombed her in the first place so that she would not go on a date that day, because even back then and now with Krum he was jealous. Which also explained why she was always more easily pissed off, when he annoyed her after flirting obviously with girls in front of her. She was jealous. She wanted him to stop that and focus on her! She wanted to hold his hand again! She wanted to kiss him whenever she felt like it. She wanted to shout at him but also maybe spend some more time alone with him not fighting, maybe if they stopped having to constantly get each others attention by fighting, they would probably still disagree on a lot of things, they always disagreed – heck she liked that about him too, except for Wood, he would be the first boy who would not just jump when she said jump. But if they could stop fighting for attention and just keep their fighting to smaller stuff, perhaps they could have as much fun as they had at the yule ball.
She wanted to be with George Weasley, the thought finally sunk in after a long time of her standing around frozen in place thinking all of those thoughts. She wanted George Weasley.
Suddenly she was pulled from her thoughts of how on earth was she going to tell him that, and she looked at the girls with a confused expression.
“I like George. I wanna be with George.” She said blinking slightly, and they both laughed.
“Duh!” Ana said, and Tori could not help but laugh at her obliviousness. Maybe those girls had had a point.
“How are you going to tell him that?” Cho said excitedly, probably just wanting to see her sister happy and Tori sighed and shrugged.
“No clue.” She said, but then she was pulled from the moment when she heard the second bell ring. They were halfway across the castle from their charms class, and not like Cho who had Transfigurations just next door. Tori’s eyes widened as she realized that not only was she and Ana late to class, it was also today that they were supposed to present their presentation. And Tori had stood him up. Left him there alone, and he was probably still hurt or hopefully also guilty from the Victor thing, and all she wanted to do was tell him that she liked him and that they could be like properly together. It would take them at least 5 minutes, which was an eternity in front of their entire class, to get there.
“Charms. George. We need to go!” Tori said before sprinting off, way ahead of Ana due to her having a pretty ridged fitness rutine for quidditch, which she was currently stepping up since she was becoming captain next year, she would have been this year had it not been for that stupid tournament! So Tori easily ran across the castle, Ana following in quite another tempo since she was less of an athlete and more of a reader, or someone who liked to watch, usually commenting the games along with Dean Thomas from Gryffindor, and writing the quidditch news for The Hogwarts Express.
Tori reached the classroom way sooner than her, and burst in as if to silently tell George, that she had not meant to stand up him. There he was, he had a big grin on his face, which faded when he saw her. He looked down sadly thinking only of how guilty he was, that he had clearly ruined everything before he even realized that there was something worth ruining. Not only that she had stood him up, and that had not exactly been easy to cope with. He felt betrayed when she had abandoned him in front of their entire class.
“Ms. Chang, what is the meaning of this? Not only are you late for class, but you left poor Mr. Weasley to present on his own, what on earth could have been so important? Because anything but something of utmost importance will result in detention and a letter home young lady.” Flitwick shouted not liking his students not being punctual, but this was someone from his house whom he liked quite a bit, and he felt for George so he thought that this was completely unacceptable.
“George.” Was all Tori managed to get out, as she was laser focused at the moment on the boy in front of her, and more importantly focused on not missing her shot with him. She knew better than anyone from seeing him all of these years, that he moved on quickly, and what if the girls were wrong? And he was not actually jealous, that he was just that much of an arse. He looked up, he dared a little hopefully – neither of them hearing a word that Flitwick said, and the way she looked at him, he dared to think that maybe his brother wasn’t wrong, maybe she really did like him like that. And maybe he had not screwed it up in such a royal fashion that not even he could fix it.
“I didn’t mean to stand you up.” Tori managed to get out, feeling like she should start by at least telling him that – and this just made George grin widely, and his inner Gryffindor kicked in and he figured that if she had been distracted because she was hanging out with Krum, a grim thought that had entered his head. Then maybe he could try and shoot his shot, and even if it was embarrassing, and in front of their entire class, maybe he could show her that he was much better than him! That he knew her inside out, that he would piss her off but he trusted that like him, a little part of her actually liked that. Tori sighed seeing him smile a little before turning serious again, and she looked at him wondering what he was thinking, she felt like her mind was racing so much that she could barely focus on one thought at a time.
“Good.” He got out with a small nod, and he tried right after that to not hesitate.
So he grabbed her cheek and her waist and pulled her in and he kissed her. He tried to tell her everything in that kiss. That he actually liked her, that the thought of her with Krum or any other boy broke his heart. That he hoped she liked him too. How he hoped he had not screwed this up in a spectacular fashion.
Tori was stunned at first by the surprise, she thought that he would still be at least a little mad at her. And a part of her was insecure in this area alone, because what if the girls were wrong? What if she was fooling herself? What would he want with a brutish, hotheaded girl like her?
And then he kissed and she felt like there was some real emotion behind it, not just because they could or they were fighting. And she kissed him back quickly, trying to tell him that she was not that mad at him, that she wanted him as much as she hoped he wanted her – if he didn’t their entire class and soon the entire school would definitely know that something had happened between them, since he kissed her like that. She tried to tell him that she wanted him to stop being charming and funny when he was around other girls, because she wanted all of his attention on her.
They pulled apart in shock when there was a loud bang. Everyone in the class turned shocked to Flitwick, who had shot the noise of his wand to get their attention. A little part of the already tiny man, did enjoy seeing those two kids whom he liked both of, finally stop playing around and admit that they liked each other instead of constantly pulling each others hair to get the others attention. However, this was a classroom ,and he could not let this go unpunished, and he did like to be respected in what he had put effort into planning.
“That’s all fine. But this is a place of learning, now you two can sit on opposite ends of the room and write me a makeup assignment instead. And you can write that assignment when you see me at detention.” He said sternly, realizing what they had both done they immediately and embarrassed walked to the other end of the classroom. Flitwick started teaching and no one dared to snicker or whisper for the rest of that class. However George and Tori could not help but look at each other every now and again and smile slyly to each other.
Not having a chance to talk afterwards, because both Tori and George was being bombarded with questions of: What that was about? If they were getting back together? And a lot of other things in-between their classes, they only got to see each other again alone for the first time right outside the charms classroom again. It was almost a little awkward as they finally could walk toward each other in peace, they smiled at each other but their moment was quickly broken by Flitwick opening the door rushing them inside, he explained the assignment to them, and he worked above them as they both got to work. It was excruciatingly boring, which both figured was the point. Eventually Flitwick told them to stay put as he had to relieve himself. Finally having any moment alone, as soon as the door closed behind the charms professor, Tori hit Georges hand.
“Nice going Dugbog, you got us both detention.” She protested and George could not help but laugh a little that this was the first thing that she said to him after their kiss.
“It was worth it though, right?” He said, trying to look smooth but feeling incredibly insecure if she did in fact not feel the same way.
“Whatever.” She just replied feeling awkward now as well, but trying to keep cool.
“You did understand what I was trying to say right?” He said, and she smiled a little more calmly now and nodded, hoping to Merlin that she had understood him correctly otherwise this would be terribly embarrassing and she felt like crawling into a wall and dying.
“I think so. That you like me too?” She tried, feeling like she was going to burst from being so nervous and he grinned at that statement, he felt like he had never heard such beautiful words uttered in the English language ever before: Like me too. Meaning she definitely liked him.
“Definitely. In some weird, twisted possibly against the laws of nature way.” He could not help but joke, now that he knew that he had a chance for her to actually be his. She rolled her eyes at him.
“So… What do we do now?” She said not knowing how to tell him, how does one casually explain to someone, who up until recently you thought you hated, that you want him to be yours? And he grinned and shrugged.
“Whatever you want. Look, I am really sorry about what I said about Krum. For the first and only time ever I am going to admit that I was wrong. Do not get used to that. But I was. I was just being a jealous arse, and seeing you laughing with him when we had a meeting, made my blood boil. And I would like to never feel like that again. So. I mean. If you want. Then maybe we could be a thing?” He said, losing his nerve by the end of the sentence, feeling how much worse it was to ask her, than to just explain the Krum thing to her, because with that she could change her mind. Say no. And that thought terrified the otherwise fearless lion. She smiled but felt a little lump in her throat, feeling like all of her insecurities were bubbling up and worrying thoughts filled her head.
“Well, I mean. However bizarre it is, I want you George, and the thought of you flirting with other girls pisses me off too. So yeah, I’m all in if you are.” She said, and he felt like he could not have been happier, she had somehow said something even more beautiful in the English language than before.
“I’m all in.” He got out feeling like he was grinning like a fool, probably was. But once again her worries started and she felt like, now that she knew that she actually might care about the boy that maybe she should warn him. Because she hated the thought of him being actually miserable around her. Even if she was happy with him grinning like that and putting his arm around her affectionately.
“But you know, think it through, because I am not going to stop being hotheaded or stubborn. And we are probably not going to stop disagreeing and arguing any time soon. And you would have to live with insults, because, well I’m scottish so there is no way you’re getting out of being called a f*cking c*nt when you’re acting like one. And can your ego take that I am probably better at quidditch than you? I mean if you think about it, this could end in complete and utter disaster.” She said quickly like she was letting out the fuse of all of her worries, and George just looked like he was thinking it over, but he already felt like he had all day. He felt like he had worried out every way possible, yet all of it was no match to how much he would hate to not see her. How much he would hate seeing her with someone else. So he was willing to risk being miserable, just on the off chance that they could be as happy as they had been at the yule ball.
“Yeah.” He said with a grin, that once again appeared on his face.
“After the last, well, 6 years. I think I know exactly what I am getting myself into! I have been teasing you and been yelled at by you for almost 6 years and I feel like I know every ugly side of you. So how about we take the disaster when we get to it, and enjoy everything else while we can? Yeah?” He said smiling, and she smirked and shrugged, if he was this confident then she was going to have to start trusting him. Plus since she really wanted to be with him there was no way that she was turning this down.
“Okay.” She said and he grinned leaning in a giving her a small kiss before smirking and leaning out.
“I’m definitely still the better quidditch player though.” He replied letting her know that he had not forgotten that little remark, this made her look at him offended and hit his arm.
“In your dreams!” She yelled making him laugh when they heard a throat clear behind them, and they both turned probably looking like deer in headlights, as they turned to see their professor back at the room, looking at them trying to conceal how happy he was that those kids had finally figured it out.
“You have detention. No talking unless it’s about your assignment!” He said and they both could not help but look from him to each other, like two kids having been caught and they could not help but giggle a little. This quickly died down and he still looked at them sternly which made them both clear their throats and go back to work. However this time the tone in the room was a bit lighter and a lot less awkward, and George would sometimes help Tori, and she would grin at him every time they got the chance to look at each other.
Tori and George left detention with grins on their faces and George went for the bold gesture of grabbing her hand to hold, as they walked down to the dinning hall to meet up with their friends.
“What are we going to do about the gossipmill?” Tori asked and George just shrugged.
“Let them talk?” He said, and Tori shrugged thinking it was a bit weird how calmly he was taking this.
There were going to be nothing but constant rumors about them and they knew it. Hell they were in most of the student bodies eyes, getting “back” together, and not just together. It was going to be weird. Sure they had hung out a lot, but would they go out on dates? How would this work? George could practically tell her worrying from her face and just squeezed her hand. She looked up at him and was met with a small smile.
“We will figure it out. Now, I am starving, I know you are. You need strength and food to hit harder with the bat. Now come on you brute.” He said making her laugh as he dragged her to the great hall. It was true, she was starving.
Ginny walked up to her and grinned.
“Please make it last this time? I mean you already took him back. You can stand him, for another 5 years or something right? However long it takes for me or him to move out of our parents house.” She said a little sarcastically earning an outburst from two out of four brothers. Tori just could not help but grin and shrug.
“I’ll try. But you know what he’s like. I’m not sure I can last that long.” She said and Ginny just giggled and ran off with her friends.
Tori sat down at the Gryffindor table, and Ana was quickly there meeting them with a grin.
“Holy shit, you’re like a real life couple now?” She said excitedly and Tori just nodded as she just tried to eat in peace, and not really think about today. It was strange how much she liked hanging out with George, and she had decided that she liked him on a whim, thinking would probably ruin it.
“Yeah. I don’t like to think about it.” Tori said truthfully. George just laughed and she gave him a knowing look.
“Oh, like you haven’t thought of me constantly or naked.” He teased which resulted in him getting hit in the arm, but he just grinned and leaned in to give her a small kiss. She shook her head lightly at his nonsense, but gave him a small peck with a small smile before moving on.
They were exiting the great hall when Hermione and Victor Krum were walking towards it. They smiled, and greeted the girl who was still a bit sheepish after the yule ball and the being his prize at the water challenge.
“I’ll see you later, Victor.” She said and walked off embarrassed the boys tried teasing her from a distance which earned them a slap on their arms from the girls who quite liked the girl.
“Oh, hey Tori, did you want to morning practice tomorrow?” He said and she shrugged.
“Sure. Sounds like fun. 6:15?” She asked and he grinned and nodded.
“Yeah, seems like we’re the only ones who train that time any way.” He said and she laughed a little and nodded.
“Oh yeah. Can’t blame them the sun is barely out.” She said and he nodded with a small shrug.
“You should see us at the national training camp. By that standard 6:15 is sleeping in.” He said and she chuckled lightly.
“Alright, well see you tomorrow then.” She said and he nodded and walked inside. They walked off and George bumped his elbow into her arm lightly.
“Morning training with Krum, right in front of me. I should have known better than to trust you.” He said only slightly teasing, he did feel a pang of jealousy rise inside him. She gave him a curious look.
“Really? You wanna go there?” She said crossing her arms, and he gave her a confused look as they walked towards the Ravenclaw common room, sadly also gaining some small attention.
“I think I do actually. Because I just saw you giggle and plan to hang out alone with another guy, right in front of me. After you left me alone in charms this morning.” He commented and Tori could not help but snort as Ana let out an:
“Oh boy.”
Knowing exactly what was coming.
George however could not help but be annoyed by her not taking him seriously.
“Oi, dug bog. If you could get yer head out of yer arse for a second, you’d see that not only are you being a jealous dickhead right now. You are also entirely hypocritical! I see you flirt with girls constantly, flirting is half of your personality. But do I get jealous or complain? No. Because we have been in this relationship for less than two hours, and I don’t think I have a right to yet.” She said annoyed and he looked at her a little shocked.
“That is not true!” He protested and she rolled her eyes.
“And dingus if you thought about what just happened for two seconds. I will definitely offer for you to come morning practice with me, but I know you’re an absolute shite in the morning, so I didn’t invite you. And secondly, I want to be a professional quidditch player, and I have just been given the chance to train and possibly play with a guy, who just got a silver medal in the world cup. Have you considered, wild thought here, being proud of and happy for me?” She said rather annoyed they stopped in front of the Ravenclaw tower.
“Can we still come in?” Fred interjected excited to be invited inside.
“Are you gonna apologize for yer behaviour?” Tori asked, a shocked George those two not taking their eyes off of each other, George however did feel a little guilty about his reaction.
“Yeah… Sorry. It is really cool that you get to train with Krum.” He admitted very quietly and she smirked raising a brow.
“And how are you gonna make it up to me?” She asked and he could not help but be a little sly and put his arm around her waist pulling her in with a playful grin plastered on his face.
“Oh, I can think of many ways and positions of how I can make it up to you.” He said and she could not help but giggle a little.
“You’re such a pervert.” She said and he laughed and kissed her.
“And I’m annoying and arrogant, and handsome and charming?” He tried, giving her small pecks and she kissed him back with a small smile.
“Don’t let it go to either of your heads weirdo.” She said with a small smile, actually kissing him before letting him go inside, the others having left already.