"Here." Katie said after Eloise must have been staring at the cottage for a prolonged amount of time.

She blinked and glanced at the brunette's hand that had been holding out a glass of wine to her, "Oh, thank you."

"I think George did pretty well, all things considered." Katie said with a snort, which caused Angelina to frown.

Eloise gave her a half-hearted chuckle and took a long sip of her wine, quickly deciding she likely needed another drink or two to get through the night.

"It probably didn't help that their vows were so bloody somber." Verity muttered.

Angelina, who was usually one of George's most outspoken friends, remained silent. She was clearly dealing with her own internal set backs at being at the romantic ceremony without Fred.

Not knowing what to add to the conversation, Eloise instead returned her gaze to Shell Cottage. The first to emerge from the house was Fleur closely followed behind by Bill and then Harry. As each new redhead appeared, Eloise felt herself grow more and more worried.

"Let's get a table." Angelina finally suggested, speaking her first words to the group since they had initially greeted each other before the ceremony.

Reluctantly tearing her eyes away from her search for George, Eloise followed the girls to a nearby table. The four of them chatted for a while, catching up on everything that had been going on in their lives since they had last seen one another.

When Ron and Hermione arrived at the reception to the loud applause from their guests, Eloise joined in as well, although her joy was marred by worry that George was still nowhere to be seen. For a moment, she thought he may have taken the Floo Network home as soon as possible after the couple had said 'I do.'

Surely if that were the case, Fleur or Charlie would have let her know.

In the midst of Eloise's racing thoughts, the newlyweds shared their first dance. The crowd looked on, smiling along with the couple's contagious joy. When Ron dipped Hermione unexpectedly, the bride let out a yelp that caused their guests to laugh along with the groom. Hermione's expression fell into a stern scowl before Ron's beaming face softened her demeanor and she laughed along with him and leaned her head on his chest as they continued their dance.

It was a beautiful sight, so unabashedly Ron and Hermione and, for that brief moment, even Eloise was able to forget about her worries.

A nudge against her arm brought Eloise's attention to Angelina who gestured her head towards the bar. Understanding immediately, she gave her a nod and the two excused themselves from the table. Once they arrived, Angelina ordered two glasses of wine and handed one to Eloise.

"Are you doing okay?" she asked before taking a sip of her drink.

Eloise chuckled as she glanced down at her glass, swirling the burgundy liquid inside, "I feel like I should be asking you that."

When Eloise brought her gaze up to Angelina, she found the girl thoughtfully fiddling with a ring on her middle finger. At the implication, Eloise assumed it had perhaps been a gift that Fred had given her many years ago, but she didn't ask.

"I'm doing better than I thought I would be, honestly."

Eloise didn't say anything, she honestly didn't know how to respond. It felt selfish, wishing that she had known Fred before he died only so she knew how best to comfort those who loved him most. The look on her face seemed to urge Angelina to continue and in all honesty, Eloise preferred hearing her vent over standing together in an awkward silence.

"When I was sixteen I was so sure that I'd marry Fred someday." she chuckled slightly, although her mahogany eyes had a glint of sadness in them, "I really thought this would be impossible, Katie basically had to force me out of my flat. I didn't think I could handle seeing George standing up there without him. Knowing Freddie though, he would've been upset if I didn't come."

"I think George is having a hard time with it all, he doesn't seem to see it the way you do."

Angelina nodded, "I can tell."

Over Angelina's shoulder, Eloise caught a glimpse of George and Ginny finally emerging from the house. With his hands buried deep in the pocket of his slacks, the two of them walked side by side towards the reception. They paused briefly as Ginny laid a hand on her brother's shoulder and said something to him. He glanced her way and nodded with a weary smile before they finally parted ways.

Angelina turned to follow Eloise's gaze, her dark braids cascaded over her shoulder as she saw George approach them. When she turned back to face Eloise once more, she quickly leaned closer to whisper to her as if George could somehow hear their conversation from afar.

"I can already tell he's practically in love with you, so since you're going to be around for a long time, my one piece of advice to you is to avoid the old lady in the taupe dress with about a million feathers in her hat."

It felt like Angelina had hit her with so much information all at once, Eloise couldn't even begin to process everything she said. At first she thought to object to the idea of George being in love when the man couldn't even stomach the idea of attending a wedding. But then she hesitated when she realized she had no idea who in Merlin's name Angelina was even talking about staying away from in the first place.

Instead, she said nothing and pointed her gaze in the direction Angelina had nodded her head in. Her eyes soon fell on the table George's parents had been sitting at. More specifically, on the elderly woman sitting beside Arthur, whose wrinkled expression seemed to be permanently stuck in a scowl.

"That's George's Great Aunt Muriel, she's about as pleasant as a funeral. Just might be the most judgemental person I've ever met in my life. So, if you want to keep your sanity, steer clear."

This warning was all spoken from firsthand experience. As Eloise parted her lips, she was unsure whether she should thank Angelina or insist that no one could truly be that bad. However, before she even had the chance to respond, George arrived at her side and gave them an unconvincing smirk.

"Alright, ladies?"

"We're fine, I was just telling Eloise to stay as far away from your aunt as possible."

George laughed for the first time that entire day and the sound of it was almost enough to melt away all of Eloise's anxieties.

"That's a fair warning." he agreed as he draped his arm over Eloise's shoulder, "She once told Ron his hair was so long that she thought he was Ginny, and that's probably the nicest thing I've ever heard her say to him. I think she also once told Hermione that her ankles are too skinny."

George and Angelina's laughs harmonized in a way that only old friends' laughter could. It was nice to see them both smile so brightly in each other's presence, especially knowing that the day was hard for both of them for such similar reasons.

"D'you want to dance?" she heard George ask after a moment as he gently squeezed her shoulder.

The look on her face must have been that of pure surprise because it earned yet another laugh from him. A smile formed on her lips as she nodded. Angelina took Eloise's now empty wine glass from her hand with a wink as George beckoned her to the dancefloor.

With one hand clasped in hers and the other on her waist, George took the lead. All things considered, that gesture on it's own was a relatively big step for him because, if he was being honest, he wasn't much for dancing. At least not without a few drinks in his system, which would not be happening. Eloise was more than happy to follow his lead though. Even through the occasional misstep and stumble, she didn't mind.

Their eyes met for a brief moment before George tore away his gaze from her to take in his surroundings for the first time that evening. Ever since he emerged from the cottage, his attention had been fixed on something. First it was Ginny, then his conversation with Eloise and Angelina, finally it was making sure he didn't step on his partner's toes as they danced.

But now, he had a moment to take it all in.

His eyes scanned over the decorations, over the floating lanterns illuminating the sand and the deep violet tablecloths that matched the suit he was wearing. He watched the guests, who laughed over champagne and filet mignon as the band played the very music they were dancing to.

Glancing around all of the recognizable faces, many of whom hadn't been in the same place for years, he suddenly felt a pang of mourning. Seeing so many of his old friends celebrating happily for the first time since before the war hurt.

Witnessing countless people congratulate Ron and Hermione stung. They weren't kids anymore. Fred had missed two years of his youngest brother's life and now he was married. But what really struck George was watching Angelina slow dancing with Lee, knowing it should have been Fred by her side instead.

Watching the scene, George felt himself growing resentful of his closest friend, simply for being there for Angelina. He knew Lee was only making sure she still had a lovely night regardless of her heartache. Still, it was meant to be Fred there that evening - dancing with Angelina, standing beside him as a groomsmen, giving Hermione grief before the nuptials with a prank or two. But he wasn't there.

It all hurt in a way that made him feel bitter and spiteful.

Years ago at Bill and Fleur's wedding, as he danced with Alicia, his thoughts were consumed by what he one day imagined their wedding would look like. Alicia, as fiery and passionate as she was, fittingly always loved the color red. Back then, he pictured hundreds of roses adorning every inch of the venue, bridesmaids dressed in crimson gowns, his twin standing at his side in an maroon suit, and him kissing the red lips of his beautiful bride - finally wed to his childhood sweetheart.

Since then, everything had changed. George was a different man now. A man who couldn't even picture himself having a wedding at all, let alone getting married.

The guests, the music, the laughter. All without Fred, it felt pointless. Without so many of the friends they had lost, it seemed unfair.

Remus and Tonks didn't get to see their toddler son be the ring-bearer for Ron and Hermione. Even Sirius, who was always much closer to Harry than he ever was to newlyweds, would have been overjoyed to witness the young couple exchange their vows. But they weren't there and it left a sour taste in George's mouth.

"It's a lot isn't it?" he finally muttered as his gaze remained fixed over Eloise's shoulder.

"What do you mean?"

"Weddings." he said simply, "They're a lot, and for what? This isn't for Ron and Hermione, is it? It's for everyone else. Seems pointless."

Eloise followed George's gaze towards the head table, where Ron and Hermione were sitting alone, beaming at each other and chatting about something only they'd ever know. Ron's hand came to rest on top of Hermione's on the plum colored tablecloth that she had specifically picked out for the occasion. He gently brushed his thumb over the back of her hand as he leaned forward to whisper something in her ear. The bride blushed and smiled at him as if he was the only person on the entire beach and Eloise agreed that George had a point.

The wedding wasn't for them. They could have declared their love for one another in a sterile, stuffy old room inside the Ministry with only one other witness of the event and still have been just as happy as they were in that exact moment.

"Maybe." Eloise replied, considering his point of view for a moment before continuing, "But they're happy and that's what marriage is all about, isn't it? Committing yourself to making someone happy forever, whether or not you have a big wedding."

George remained silent. The sound of the music playing and the chatter of happy guests around them were the only things that Eloise could hear for what felt like an eternity, until he finally spoke.

"I don't know if I could ever picture myself getting married."

He said it so casually, it almost felt cruel. The realization hit Eloise right in the heart so suddenly, it hurt more than she could have ever expected. It felt like he had dismissed desires Eloise didn't even realize she had. Marriage seemed like such a far distant thought, so much so that it wasn't even in the forefront of her mind until George had all but destroyed any consideration of the idea.

Of course she knew he had felt that way in the past but after everything they had gone through, she naively thought there could have been a chance that he had a change of heart.

As they swayed to the music, Eloise couldn't help but wonder how his hand on the small of her back still made her feel safe and their fingers interlocked felt like home to her. All while his heart seemed like it was worlds away from her and moving further away with each passing second.

The music soon faded away. Whether the song had actually ended it or was just Eloise's racing thoughts that drowned it out, she couldn't quite tell. As she glanced around, she caught the eye of Fleur across the dance floor. The woman had a look of concern in her eyes that made it obvious to Eloise that his words had had some sort of outward effect on her. That, or Fleur simply knew her far too well.

"Excuse me." she said to George quietly as she pulled from his grasp and crossed the beach towards Fleur.

With determination carrying her feet, Eloise weaved through the crowd of dancing guests. It hadn't even crossed her mind to look back at him. Even if she wanted to, she wasn't sure that she could bring herself to meet his gaze.

"What did he do?" Fleur asked as soon as Eloise approached her.

The assumption was almost enough to make her laugh. Instead, she shook her head and sat down beside the woman who had been bouncing her daughter on her knee. Without even thinking, Eloise picked up the champagne flute that was sitting on the table in front of Fleur and took a sip from it. Mild amusement painted her friend's face as she patiently awaited a response from the clearly flustered woman.

Eloise set down the glass and sighed, "He's been so dismissive all day. Hates weddings, hates love, it almost feels like he hates me."

"He doesn't hate you."

"I know he doesn't, it's just..." she stopped herself and decided to down the rest of the champagne rather than finishing her thought.

"Just what?" Fleur inquired, not at all concerned with the loss of her drink.

Eloise bit her tongue, trying to decide whether it was worth it to voice her concerns or if she was simply overreacting. Fleur raised an eyebrow at her expectantly and she soon sighed in defeat.

"It's not like I want to marry him tomorrow, I'd just like to know that it could be an option someday." she finally confessed.

Fleur's face fell into a frown. She quickly turned to Bill, who had been polite enough to act as though he hadn't overheard everything, and handed off their daughter before turning back to Eloise. Once her husband had Victoire safely in his grasp, Fleur stood from the table and offered Eloise salvation from the situation.

Fleur knew Eloise. Stronger than friends and deeper than sisters, they were connected to the marrow of their bones. It only took the curly haired blonde sighing in a certain way or twinging her brows slightly for the elder of the two to see that she was aching in her very soul.

"Let's go to the house for a bit. Just to chat." she offered calmly, as if she were asking Eloise over for tea on any ordinary night.

After subconsciously wiping her clammy hands over the fabric of her gown, she gave Fleur a slight nod and stood up from her seat. Eloise kept her eyes locked to the ground as they made their way across the beach towards Shell Cottage. Fear prevented her from bringing her gaze up in search of George, she didn't want to see worry in his eyes or, worst of all, that he wasn't looking at her at all.

Once inside, Fleur flicked on the kitchen lights, filling the room with a warm glow. Silently, she filled the tea kettle with water and set it on the stove before turning around to see her friend fiddling with the swan charm on her bracelet.

"Sit, mon amie."

Without argument, Eloise sat down at the table in the kitchen of the place she once called home. Tears threatened to fall from her eyes but she fought it as best as she could. In all honesty, she couldn't even pinpoint why she even felt like crying in the first place.

It was all information she already knew. It was no secret that George had difficulty committing, he was reluctant to see anything on the bright side or to believe that he was ever deserving of any hint of happiness.

However, his confirmation that their future still looked rather misaligned seemed to open up a Pandora's Box of doubt that Eloise was nowhere near prepared to handle.

Truly, he hadn't blindsided her at all with the revelation that he was unsure whether he'd ever want to get married, Eloise had simply been in denial. Blindly ignorant to what was standing so clearly before her and already much too in love with him to back away now.

After a few minutes, a warm cup of tea was placed in front of her before Fleur took a seat across the table with her own mug in hand. As Eloise tapped her nails against the ceramic, Fleur patiently took a sip from her cup, waiting for the woman across from her to be the first to speak.

Eventually, Eloise relinquished her silence and met her friend's gaze, "What do you and Bill do when you don't see eye to eye on something?"

"There has never been a moment like that." she responded earnestly and Eloise couldn't quite tell whose honesty was more painful, George's or Fleur's.

"Of course not." Eloise muttered bitterly, as if Bill and Fleur's perfect compatibility had been a personal attack against her.

The woman reluctantly dressed in a periwinkle bridesmaid's gown merely observed Eloise for a moment, studying her expression.

"Is it really worth it?" she finally asked.

Eloise brought her eyes up to meet her friend's gaze, unable to hide that the question had taken her aback, "I'm sorry?"

"That's what you have to decide. Is your relationship with George really worth it? Once you know the answer to that, then you can go from there."

Fleur made it sound so straightforward, as if a simple 'yes' or 'no' would suddenly clear up all the doubt that had been swimming around inside her mind. Of course, it wasn't that easy. Loving George would never be that easy.

Still, she had never asked herself that question before, not really. It seemed like the first thing one should consider when being with someone but she had barely contemplated the idea before now.

Even after the moments he had hurt her the most, Eloise always followed her heart, never her head. And, quite unfortunately for her, George Weasley had had her heart in the palm of his hand from the very first moment she stepped foot inside his joke shop and looked into his honey colored eyes.

Her initial instinct was to reply 'Of course it's worth it!'

They had gone through so much, it felt like failure to even consider the thought of it all being for nothing. Yet, something made her hesitate.

It was the same reason she had yet to confess her love for him, the same reason she refused to look into his eyes after he told her the truth only a little bit ago - fear.

Fear that they weren't truly meant to be. Fear that their visions of the future would never match up. Fear that one day they would break each other's hearts irreparably.

Eloise loved George. She loved him in the most painful and consuming way possible. Her life revolved around him, around all of his hurt and all of his joy. Everything she did, she did for him - because of him.

But... was it worth it?