Greatest Loss

George

It wasn't the fanciest place Grace had ever seen, but then she supposed it wouldn't be. Instead it was comfortable and well lived in. And Grace would prefer to use the word cozy instead of small. But nonetheless it was a bachelor apartment, with sports memorabilia and other such things covering walls and shelves and the relatively sparse kitchen.

There were the occasional hints of a woman, including a bra Grace had come across in the couch that evening, but George had blushed furiously and insisted it must be Angelina's as were the other feminine affects around the place. But those were still few and far between.

Currently Grace sat at the window and Watched the busy streets below her fascinated by the goings on of the Wizarding World that existed here in London, unbenounced to all the normal humans such as herself. It was shocking and delightful. The colored robes, the odd packages, the constant movement and cobblestone streets nearly had Grace believing she'd been transported to another world or at least another time.

"Are you nearly done?" George's dry voice came from behind her.

"Hmm?" Grace murmured, turning her head away from the street for a moment to see him leaning against the doorjamb to the kitchen, watching her.

George's mouth lifted into a smile as he headed over to her. "You've been gawking out there almost as soon as you were done with the moving pictures in the house. One would think you're more interested in a simple city street than a gorgeous man whose greatest wish it so love you and make you happy," he murmured the last line as he joined her on the couch and leaned over her.

"I've never been in a magical place before. It's all so amazing and awe-inspiring. I can hardly believe it. I feel quite like Alice with her looking glass."

"Well lets just consider it a small miracle we got you in here. Hell I'm not even sure you should be here."

"It will be fine George. It's just dinner and then... after dinner," she finished rather lamely. Still blushing she moved to burry her head in his chest.

"I like the sound of that," George commented, nudging her so had an open shot at her earlobe. He nibbled on it attempting to get a rise out of her.

"George," she said, pushing at him to create space between them. When his face was right next to hers she whispered, "Dinner first."

He arched an eyebrow at her, looking a bit displeased. "You're no fun 'tall. Did you know that?" he asked her, sounding put off."

Grace merely pursed her lips and nodded solemnly. "Yes."

"Saucy wench," George grumbled as he lifted himself off her and headed for the kitchen. Grace stood and followed after him, biting her lip so as not to laugh.

George laid the food down on the table as she took her seat. "It looks delicious."

"Mum insisted we all know how to take care of ourselves in the case a woman didn't want us. Now, explain to me why it is you read fairy tales when some of the things that happen in them are so grotesque. I mean old witches intending to eat young children and cursed household objects that could kill you."

Grace wasn't' paying attention to him but was instead staring out the window. "George, why is there an owl at the window?"

George turned and spotted the tawny owl with a letter clamped in its talons. He turned back round to give her a grin. "Owl post, love, owl post."

George stood and headed for the window. "Seems a bit late for it though," he said, opening the window and taking the letter. "To Messurs Fred and George Weasley. Ah yes, another bit of fan mail I wonder?" he asked, pulling it under his nose with a flourish. "No perfume."

Grace only giggled and threw her napkin at her boyfriend who was grinning magically. "Get on with it."

"Messurs Fred and George Weasley,

The Ministry of Magic hates to inform you of the tragic death..."

George trailed off, his face going pale, and leaving Grace wondering whose tragic death the letter bore witness to. Whoever it was, George was completely devoid of color and shaking. She watched him, biting into her lip out of nerves and curiousness as his eyes scanned the words over and over again, as if they refused to let it sink in.

He stood without so much as a glance or a word to her and went to his fireplace. He picked up what looked like a handful of soot from a jar on the mantle and appeared to be ready to throw it into the flames. Instead of following through, he let it fall back into the jar instead.

"George?" Grace ventured, hoping for some kind o response.

"Fred wouldn't go this far on a joke," he said, talking to himself and not to her. He didn't even notice as she stood. "It's not his style. I should know," he told her, looking up finally, "as we share a style most of the time. He's not cruel. Although I nearly wish he was."

Grace was by his side now. She lifted her hands to touch him but couldn't seem to figure out where to place them so instead she let them fall. "George, who..."

"My mum. She's--" he broke off suddenly, unable to finish the sentence. "Merlin I need to tell Fred." He whirled towards the fireplace.

"George, hold on a moment," Grace said, shooting out a hand to grab his arm. She couldn't even comprehend, but instead wrapped her arms around his neck. "I wish there were words."

"Grace I..." he trailed off, sinking into her warm embrace. For the moment she was his lifeline. He didn't want to feel anything but her, think about anyone other than his Grace. "Grace!" he exclaimed suddenly, wrenching away from her.

Grace looked at him through confused eyes. "What?" she asked, highly concerned about what was going on in his head.

He said nothing to her but only took her by the wrist and dragged her towards the front hall closet. "George stop it. Let go."

"We need to get out of here, now," he insisted, punctuating the last word. He opened the closet quickly and pulled her coat.

Grace wrenched her wrist from him and stared at him with confused eyes. "I'm not going anywhere with you like this. Why would I leave you?"

"Don't you get it?" George practically shouted as he turned towards her, shocking her into backing up a step. "You're not safe here. They killed my mother because she's a member of the Order. Because a relationship like ours is wrong to them on every level. They'd kill you in a heartbeat. I can't put you in danger."

Grace couldn't come up for a reply for that. Instead she let George place her coat over her shoulder and open the front door. Suddenly something came to her causing her to lay her hand on his arm. "George, wouldn't it be more dangerous if we headed out now? They'd know you're worried, and there'd be proof that I was here. Just... just let me stay the night. I'll go in the morning if that's what you want."

"It's not that I want..." George closed his eyes in order to regain his composure. Instead he drew her into his arms. "I can't lose you. Not now."

Grace lay her head on his shoulder wishing she knew what exactly she was supposed to be doing. "I know, I know. I'm not going anywhere."