'Eloise,

I hope your holiday in France was lovely. I missed you so much while you were away and I can't wait to see you again. It's been a while since we've written, but I know you've probably just been busy. Come by Flourish & Blotts whenever you're free next, we've gotten a few new books I've set aside that I really think you'll love.

See you soon,
Max'

Eloise had probably read over his letter twenty times before ever grabbing a quill to write a response, and even then nothing came to mind. It was a horrible feeling really, seeing the words 'I missed you so much' and simply not feeling the same - even worse when she knew it was all because she was missing someone else.

Someone that she could see every single day of her life and yet she knew she would still miss him the second she left his side, someone who probably didn't miss her in the same way.

Worst of all, she couldn't quite pinpoint when this sudden change of heart happened. Could it have been when George showed up so suddenly on New Year's Eve? Or was it always the painful truth that Eloise didn't ever really feel anything for Maxwell at all?

Maxwell Holmes. Just another distraction, a last ditch effort to move on from an unrequited love that still felt like it was slowly killing her.

Maybe it was just the month they had spent apart playing games with her mind. Surely she'd still feel something for Maxwell when she saw him again. Thinking back on all of their after work coffee dates and late night strolls through London, she knew she wouldn't have spent so much time with him if she didn't feel anything for him at all. It had to just be a symptom of their time apart.

So, Eloise slept restlessly that night, having avoided writing anything to Maxwell in return. Frustrations with herself and the confusion in her heart caused her to toss and turn all night. All she wanted was to be able to let George go, but with every passing day it felt even more impossible than the last. Maybe the words would come to her in the morning, maybe then she'd know what to say to Maxwell.

But of course, that was just wishful thinking.

Visions of her with a man embracing in a way that would only ever occur in her dreams woke her suddenly. When she rolled over, peering out onto the dark vastness of the ocean waves she still had no idea what to do about either George or Maxwell. The clock on her bedside table read just past four in the morning and she let out a frustrated groan.

She couldn't go on like this. Something needed to change.

Begrudgingly, she kicked the quilt away from her body and made her way over to her desk, turning on the lantern as soon as she sat down. But still, she stared at the blank piece of parchment with no idea what to write.

It should have been so simple. Just say you missed him too, she yelled in her mind. But she couldn't, it felt like a lie. It was a lie.

It wasn't fair. Everything in her mind was still occupied by George no matter how much she desperately wanted to let him go. He had a grip on her heart in a way she was sure even he couldn't understand. Everything she did always lead back to George. The urge to open the lowest drawer on her desk suddenly entered her mind, even though she knew it would have been for the best to fight the temptation.

Against her better judgement, she reached down and opened it, quickly pulling out the items she'd kept hidden in there for months. Letters from George, the bracelet he'd given her on her birthday, the bottle of non-chip nail polish he'd invented especially for her, and most importantly the journal.

Out of morbid curiosity, she flipped through the pages searching for the last entry she'd made months ago - all the way back at the end of September.

'September 28, 1999

Everything is perfect, George is perfect! Spending so much time with him is everything I've ever dreamed of, and to think it's all because he showed up when I was babysitting! (Remind me to thank Victoire when she's older)

I'm over the moon and George really seems happy lately as well. I go over to his flat nearly every evening after work. He makes me tea and we just talk and talk and talk. He's told me so much about school, the shop, he's even told me a few stories about Fred. I really think we're getting somewhere. I could listen to him talk for hours, he's lived such an interesting life. Sometimes it makes me wish I'd met him sooner. If only Madame Maxime had let me go to the Triwizard Tournament. Is it silly to imagine us meeting when we were teenagers?

Oh, I can't wait to look back on this moment. I truly think it was fate, all of it, even the bad moments. I think he was meant to come into my life when he did, I was meant to come to England when I did. We were meant for each other.

I'm hoping he'll want to make things official soon. I really don't want to rush him, and maybe I'm just crazy, but I think I am starting to fall in lo...'

A wave of nausea hit Eloise as she quickly slammed the journal shut before she could finish reading the last line. She buried her face in her hands fighting back tears that she couldn't quite pinpoint the source of. Most likely it was a painful cocktail of frustration and heartache, but she didn't dare check the charm George had cast on the journal to confirm her mood.

How had everything gone so wrong so quickly?

Things between George and Eloise didn't just fizzle out, they exploded, and not in a fun and spectacular Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes firework kind of way. No, they exploded in a way that left only destruction in its wake. Destruction that the two of them had tried in vain to repair for nearly three months now. Yet all she could focus on now was how angry she was, not only with George but with herself as well.

She'd fallen so hard for him so quickly, even after countless warning signs screaming at her from every angle telling her that it would never work out.

She should have listened when he told her he wasn't ready for a relationship after their first kiss, she should have listened when he yelled at her to leave his flat on that night in October, she should have listened when Alicia came back into his life.

But she didn't. She ignored all of it, and what did she have to show for it? A broken heart and a bitter spirit.

Even now, after everything, she was still letting the mere thought of him come between her and Maxwell. It wasn't fair. None of what had happened over the last few years was fair. From Fred's untimely death to George's endless grief to the way Eloise couldn't let go of a man who could never love her back.

It felt like life had dealt all of them an impossible hand and it just wasn't fair.

-

As she got ready for work that morning, she told herself she'd stop into Flourish & Blotts that evening to see Maxwell. It's the least she could do, she knew she couldn't avoid him forever.

It was a mundane day at the office. The usual paperwork and research, the usual interdepartmental memos that needed responding to, the usual lunch in the cafe with Percy. It all felt very normal. Yet Eloise still felt as though her world was balancing on shaky ground, as if one wrong move would cause her life to crumble around her.

She felt foolish really, overly dramatic even. But nothing makes someone a fool more than being in love and Eloise was finding it more and more difficult to deny that's how she felt for George. Even all the way back in September the word was written so delicately in her journal and with such confidence. Eloise had been in love with George for months, maybe even longer if she really considered every moment of their relationship.

It wasn't fair to Maxwell, she knew that. She needed to speak to him and decide what the future of their relationship would be.

After work she made her way to the atrium of the Ministry, heading straight into the fireplaces on her way to Leaky Cauldron rather than back home to Shell Cottage. As she exited the hearth in the old pub, she had fully intended on visiting the bookshop to see Maxwell but another plan suddenly hatched in her mind.

As the green smoke from the fireplace cleared it was as if the fog around her mind had also dissipated. How could she be so willing to throw away everything she and Maxwell potentially had when she didn't even know what George's intentions were with Alicia?

All Eloise was doing was falling into another one of the redhead's unintentional traps. This time she was determined to be one step ahead of him. The last thing she needed was for her feelings for George to ruin something perfectly good she had with Maxwell, especially when Alicia was still looming around every corner as if she were secretly plotting Eloise's demise.

Stepping out onto the abnormally quiet street, Eloise changed course. Beneath the dim light street lamps, she walked right past Flourish & Blotts and instead made her way all the way to the opposite end of the alley to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

All Eloise wanted was answers and she wouldn't leave until George was completely honest with her. She needed to know for sure if he had any sort of feelings left for Alicia. She needed to know if there was any part of him that thought he and Eloise could ever have a chance together. She needed to know if he'd ever be able to let anyone in. If there was any hope for them left, she knew it wouldn't be fair to string Maxwell along anymore.

It was a long shot, especially knowing George. But Eloise couldn't live with herself anymore knowing she'd constantly be looking for distractions that would only lead to heartbreak and disappointment. She was quickly realizing that no one would ever live up to the pedestal she'd put George on, and it wasn't fair.

By the time she arrived, the store was already closed but she hoped Charlie or Verity would still be on the sales floor cleaning and restocking for tomorrow. Knowing George, he was probably in his office or already up in the flat, but she knew either of the other two employees she'd grown so close to over the years would let her in, no questions asked.

With her mittened hand, she knocked lightly against the bright orange door and waited.... and waited. No one seemed to be coming, at least not in any sort of rush, so when Eloise raised her hand to knock again she was startled when the door suddenly opened.

But instead of seeing a short blonde witch or a man with curly red hair, she was instead met with the sight of a tall brunette woman peering down at her.

"Can I help you?" Alicia asked impatiently as if Eloise's sudden appearance had thrown a wrench into her entire night.

Verity was right, is seemed like the brunette was always there. Eloise felt like her heart had suddenly plummeted to her feet at the sight of her and all words escaped her as she gazed blankly at the woman.

Alicia screwed her face into a frown at Eloise's silence, "Well?"

"Is, um, is Charlie here?"

The words came out of Eloise's mouth before she could even register what she'd said. She knew she couldn't ask for George now, and she had no idea whether Verity had gone home for the night yet or not. Charlie was her only option.

The brunette raised her eyebrow for a moment before giving her a nod, "I'll go get him."

Alicia closed the door on Eloise and rolled her eyes before rounding a corner in the shop, making her way over to where Charlie was cleaning out the Pygmy puff cages. The man was hunched over, trying to wrangle the last purple one out of its home when she cleared her throat, causing him to jump and hit his head on the top of the cage.

As he stood up straight and rubbed the top of his head, he glanced over towards Alicia with a frown on his face, "Yes?"

"Eloise is at the door." she said plainly.

Charlie looked around, clearly confused, "Alright?"

The brunette let out a frustrated huff, "She asked for you."

"Me? Why not Verity or Geor-"

"She asked for you." the girl said impatiently.

George, who had just quietly left his office, overheard the brief exchange between Alicia and Charlie. Tightly clutching the inventory forms in his hands, he flicked his head towards the door and there she was, her golden hair being lit by the orange glow of the street lamps. Even from this distance, he could see that she looked unsure about something, worried even, as she wrung her hands together waiting for Charlie.

Only when the curly haired man finally pulled open the door did a slight smile return to her face. It looked like Eloise was speaking a million miles a minute as Charlie ran a hand through his hair and nodded to her before turning around and grabbing his coat from the rack by the door. The two of them rounded the corner and headed down the cobblestone path and only when they were finally out of sight did George bring his eyes back to the forms in his hands.

"Everything okay, Georgie?" Alicia asked as she approached him.

"Yeah, uh, I just came to tell you that I've actually got a lot more work to get done this evening than I originally thought, so you can probably just head home."

Her face fell into a scowl, "I just got here a bit ago and you're going to send me away just like that?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize it would be this much."

Honestly, George didn't have any extra work to do. He just didn't want Alicia to be there when Charlie got back at the off chance Eloise would still be with him.

"Fine." she said curtly as she brushed past him to go into his office to grab her coat.

Being around Alicia lately felt exhausting for George. It felt like she was constantly mad at him for something. He couldn't remember any time when they were growing up that she seemed so irritable except maybe after losing a Quidditch game to Slytherin or the week before their OWLs. It almost felt like she still resented him for how things had ended even though it was years ago and he thought they'd moved on.

It felt confusing. She showed up nearly every day, so it seemed like she wanted to remain friends. But her demeanor always said otherwise.

"Going to come by tomorrow?" he asked as she left his office, pulling on a knit cap over her dark curls.

"Yeah, maybe." she said shortly before leaving the store without another word.

-

"Thanks for walking with me, I know this is a little sudden but that's just because-" Eloise started as she and Charlie made their way down the dimly lit street.

"Because you wanted to speak with George, I know."

"Yeah." Eloise sighed, not even having the energy to pretend like that wasn't the case.

The two had their hands buried deep in their pockets as they walked together down the dark Diagon Alley silently. The sound of their footsteps and the occasional door closing in the distance were the only sounds that broke the deafening quietness between them.

"Does Alicia come by often?" Eloise asked suddenly.

Charlie let out a bit of a chuckle, "Is that why you didn't ask for George?"

"Yes."

"For the best honestly, she's been a bit... clingy I suppose is the best word. She just sort of shows up after work each day, I don't think George has been inviting her but he also doesn't tell her to leave. I think he's just gotten used to it by now."

"Right." Eloise muttered as she kept her eyes on her feet before deciding to change the subject, "How's everything been going with Verity?"

The mere mention of her name caused the corners of Charlie's lips to curl up slightly, "It's been great. I adore that girl, she the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"You two are lovely together, really a perfect match."

"An unlikely match, that's what she tells me," he laughed, "But I guess everything happens for a reason. If I hadn't decided to work at the shop, I'd still be in Romania and probably never would have gotten the chance to get to know her. Weird how life works out sometimes."

Eloise thought back to her journal entry from all those months ago. How back then, when she was much more optimistic, she believed everything with her and George had been fate as well. Even the bad moments.

Was this part of their journey as well? Fleur had always been adamant that their story wasn't over yet, but Eloise found it increasingly hard to believe. Looking at things that way felt like a foolishly optimistic way of reflecting on the ruins of their relationship.

"Yeah... weird." Eloise muttered after a moment.

"Eloise?" Charlie muttered as they neared the Leaky Cauldron.

"Yes?"

"I'm not the best with advice, and I know it's probably not my place, but George is much happier when you're around. He's just sort of going through the motions lately. I guess all I'm trying to say is that I don't want Alicia to keep you away from him. I don't think he wants that either. So if you decide to come around again, ask to see him. Even if she's the one who answers the door."

Eloise's face fell into a slight frown, "I don't want to step on any toes. If they're trying to get back together or something, I shouldn't get in the middle of that. Plus I have Maxwell."

Charlie laughed, "If George and Alicia get back together I think my whole family will implode. Besides, I just mean you being there for George as his friend is what makes him happiest. Don't let her stop you from seeing him. If she ever gives you any grief just let me or Ver know. I honestly think she's a bit frightened of Verity."

Eloise nodded with a bit of a forced smile, "Okay, thanks Charlie."

"Anything for you, Eloise, you're family." he smiled as they finally came to a stop outside of the pub, "Did you want to walk back to the shop together or were you just going to head home?"

"I think I'm actually going to stop by Flourish & Blotts for a moment to see if Maxwell is still there."

Charlie nodded, "I'll walk you there."

-

When Charlie finally returned to the shop without Eloise by his side, George felt a bit disappointed but not surprised. The urge to rush over to his brother and ask what they had discussed was strong but when Charlie stepped foot inside, George kept his mouth shut as he peered over the inventory forms he'd made very little progress on since the two of them left.

"Hey, need any help?" Charlie asked as he peeled his coat away from his body.

"Uh, sure. Could you go to the toy section and tell me how many Screaming Yo-Yo's we have left?"

Charlie nodded at his younger brother and went down the aisle closest to the checkout counter where George had been standing. As he began counting the boxes on the shelf, he glanced over at George for a moment who looked to already be busying himself.

"She wanted to see you, you know." Charlie said casually.

George set down his quill and looked over at his brother with furrowed brows, "What?"

"Eloise. She didn't want to see me, she came here to see you but Alicia sort of freaked her out I think."

George chuckled and shook his head, "Typical."

"What?"

"Nothing. How many boxes are there?"

"Fifteen." Charlie said as he exited the aisle, "Did you not want to see Eloise or something?"

"No, I did." he said curtly as he scribbled the number on the form.

"Alright." Charlie said, deciding to not press his brother any more, "Is there anything else you needed me for?"

"What did she say about Alicia?" he asked to Charlie's surprise.

Charlie's face twisted into an unsure frown. He had no idea whether or not Eloise would want George to know any of this information. Maybe he could keep everything vague enough that it would be okay, but Charlie was never one to be able to withhold information. He was known as the biggest security risk in the Weasley family.

"She asked me if Alicia visits very often."

"What did you tell her?"

"I just said she shows up whenever she wants, not that you invite her here."

George nodded, seemingly somewhat relieved that at least Eloise knew that.

"But she also seems to think you two are going to get back together, so she doesn't want to get in the middle of that."

"She what? Why would she think that?" George frowned.

"Alicia's here nearly every day, mate. I'm sure from an outside perspective it looks like you're already back together."

"But we're not. I just-"

"I know, you're trying to hold on to Fred. Maybe there's a different way to keep his memory alive that doesn't have anything to do with her." Charlie said carefully.

Their entire family had been discussing this behind George's back. They hated the idea of Alicia coming back into his life after what she did to him. Molly had suggested they make a scrapbook of photos of the twins to give him for his upcoming birthday. Ginny said she'd be willing to clean out Fred's old room with him. Ron even offered to give up the Auror training he'd nearly completed to work at the shop thinking having more family around each day would help him. But no one had been brave enough to suggest any of their ideas to the grief-stricken man.

George shook his head, "My mind healer said-"

"She told you to reconnect with people you pushed away. I think you keep forgetting that Alicia was the one who didn't come back to you."

"No, I broke up with her in the first place, it was my fault."

"Mate, you have to stop blaming yourself for that. You were protecting her, to you it was a break, not the end. She's the one who decided to run away. It wasn't you. I don't know why you're hellbent on fixing this."

"Why are we even talking about this? It's none of your business, Charlie." George replied, the growing anger in his voice was quite evident to his older brother.

"I'm just trying to help. I'm sure if you told your mind healer the situation, she'd say the same thing."

"Well I don't need your help, unless it involves telling me how many Dung Bombs we have in stock."

Charlie rolled his eyes at his brother. Without another word, he made his way across the shop to where the Dung Bombs in question were.

Even after all this time George was still incredibly stubborn and closed off. As much as he loved his younger brother, Charlie wondered if he'd ever fully be able to move on from Fred's death. All he knew for sure was that George was most like his old self whenever Eloise was around, not Alicia.

The brunette may have reminded him how life was when he was a happy young teenager, but she didn't bring out that side of him. If anything, he was more irritable when she was around - which felt like all the time.

On the other hand, Eloise was the only person in the last two and a half years that Charlie had seen make George genuinely smile, other than maybe Ginny or Lee.

Eloise may not be able to remind him of Fred and she may not ever fully understand the bond he shared with the twin she'd never been able to meet. But she could certainly bring out a side of him that he was convinced had died along with his brother, a side that was mischievous, creative and, against all odds, unequivocally happy. 

If only he would realize it.