XII

George shook his right leg nervously while waiting for the older couple to return from the kitchen, where they were talking about something he couldn't quite catch. Cassiopeia wasn't home, but at work; he had excused himself with Fred's help, saying he had a meeting with one of their partners just to visit her uncle and aunt.

"Sorry we kept you waiting, George," Mr Tonks entered the room with his wife behind him, both of them looking curious with what he was doing there at that time of the day. "Is there something wrong? Did something happen?"

"No problem, really. I didn't tell you I was coming, so you didn't expect me," he pointed out. "Are you sure you don't have to be at work, Mr Tonks?"

"I got a bit more time today," the man affirmed. "We're all yours. Well?"

The redhead took a long breath and stood up, taking off his jacket and using his hands to fan himself. When had it become so hot?

"You know…" he started but interrupted himself to clear his throat. "You know I've been dating Cas for a year, right?"

"Yes," Andromeda smiled. "And the time you spent with her changed her in ways we can't even start describing. If it wasn't for you… Well, I can't imagine where she'd be right now."

He nodded slowly.

"So… We're happy together. I don't think I've ever been so happy in my life. She is my best friend, and she's always pushing me to do something new, and always believes in me," he felt his cheeks warming up, and the couple in front of him opened a small smile. "She's amazing."

Mr Tonks nodded slowly.

"She is, indeed."

George swallowed hard.

"I know we're young, but I don't think I could live without her in my life any more."

Suddenly, Mr Tonk's eyes widened, and George knew he'd caught where he was going.

"And we're in a war," he pointed out. "An open war where we don't know what's gonna happen next, and…"

"You don't want to feel like you couldn't live your love to its best potential?" the man added.

George felt his cheeks heating up once again and nodded. Those weren't the exact words he was going to say, but yes, it was something like that.

"How old are you, George?" Mrs Tonks asked.

"Eighteen."

"Cassiopeia is eighteen," she nodded. "She turned eighteen last month."

"Yes, ma'am."

He closed his eyes. Merlin, they were going to say no. He couldn't do it if they were going to say 'no', Cas would never go against her aunt and uncle's wishes.

"Where would you live?" Mr Tonks inquired.

He raised his gaze.

"There's a small flat above the shop, we'd set foot there until we have enough money to buy a house."

The couple confirmed silently.

"Provisions?"

"The store had had a boom recently, and we're having more clients than ever in the last month, and while many of them are students, we've also received all of the customers that usually went for Zonko's. Now that their store is closed, we are the only ones in the whole country for our field. Things are going truly amazing," he explained. "So we both will have a salary that will cover home expenses and enough to save for a bigger place when the time comes."

The couple just kept quiet and exchanged a look, something George couldn't quite read, before looking at them again.

"So?" he questioned, hopeful.

Andromeda smiled kindly at him, reaching for her husband's hand.

"We can't give you an answer if we don't hear the question, George," the man notice. "Go on. What do you want to ask us?"