I was now ready to leave under the cover of darkness after learning/observing the night routine of the Weasley family. I could leave after 11:30 pm with hopefully minimal interruptions. Around 10 pm was when everyone usually went up to their bedrooms, for an hour they would talk or just toss and turn. At 11 pm usually, everyone was asleep with maybe the occasional bathroom visit or two. My plan wasn't foolproof cause anyone could catch me at any time but it was the best option I had.

I ate dinner with them as expected, hearing them blabber on about business at the Ministry and other things. I helped clean up before I ducked back into my room to pack up everything. I didn't have much so I was done really soon. I stuffed everything I could in my bag and left it beside the door just in case I had to make a run for it. I let Charcoal outside but she didn't leave as she usually would. I think she knew something was up and that I was going to do something. I trusted her to find me once I left.

I lay on my bed trying to find something to cure my boredom when a knock sounded on my door. I jumped, my heart thumping in my chest.

"Elena? You in here?"

It was George.

"Yeah- um just a sec." I scrambled up to get to the door.

He stood there just outside my room, with his hands intertwined.

"Hey," I said, "um what do you need?"

He didn't answer straight away so we stood there in an awkward silence. I realised that he was still out in the corridor so I ushered him into my room.

Once we were inside he finally spoke.

"You never answered the question I asked you a few days ago."

Shit.

"Um, what did you ask?" I tried to act as if I had forgotten about it.

A hurt expression seemed to make its way to his face but it was brief enough that I almost hadn't noticed it.

"I asked if you wanted to go out with me."

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out.

George panicked and added, "you don't have to but I just wanted to ask y'know. I won't force you into it. You don't need to feel obliged to go ou-"

"George, George," I said, interrupting him. "It's ok, I understand."

He looked at me expectedly.

"I-I just don't think now is the right time to um date."

He looked down at the floor.

"Y'know with everything that's going on with the D-Death Eaters. I um feel it'll probably be better to date after it's all over?" I said, hesitantly.

Silence filled the room once more. Shit I felt so guilty. I probably broke his heart. I'm such a dumbass.

"I-I'm sorry George. I didn't m-"

"Hey hey it's ok," he grabbed me gently by the shoulders. "I get what you mean. I just needed to process it."

He gave me a small smile but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Well I should probably get going." He said walking towards the door.

"Um yeah," I replied. "George I'm sorry."

He turned back around and said, "you have nothing to be sorry for," before he left the room. 

A/N here's your next update!! As it's the holidays I will be updating more frequently. I will most likely post the next chapter sometime this week and I'm thinking on doing a Christmas Special where I do a double (maybe a triple) update! It depends on whether I get another Writers Block but I hope I'll be able to do that for u guys!!

Pls vote and/or comment if you enjoyed 💞