XIX
George was starting to rethink everything. The whole family would be moving to Grimmauld Place 12 in a week, and while he trusted Cassiopeia, no one else was keen to showing her the hiding place of the Order of the Phoenix, especially with her family's history.
While Fred and his parents had agreed they had no problem with her showing up, Ron and Ginny still didn't know the girl was coming to the house, and there was a big chance of resistance from them. All they knew about her was that she was the girl he'd been hanging out with since the Yule Ball.
"When is she arriving, George?" Molly questioned.
He was nervous, very nervous actually, and the way he was pacing around made it clear.
His siblings were out around the house doing whatever, except for Fred. His twin was right by his side, waiting silently.
"She was supposed to be here already" he muttered, staring at the fireplace. "Are we sure the floo is still working?"
"Yes, sweetie," she said dismissively. "I'm sure your friend will be here before dinner, don't worry about it."
As if it was that easy…
What if she'd given up? Or maybe her parents and Draco were all over her and had decided they wanted her to spend her birthday with them? What if you-know-who had gotten her?!
Merlin, he couldn't even list how many bad things could be going on right now.
"Hey, George!" he heard a shout from upstairs. "I think there's a girl in a broomstick about to land outside."
The boy didn't even think about who had said that, instead he just ran to the front porch and got the largest of smiles when he recognised Cassiopeia. Fred was the one closest when she landed, giving her a pat on the back, but as soon as his brother was out of the way George was wrapping his arms around her slim waist and lifting her in an embrace that was so tight and warm that it destroyed any armour the girl had put up on her way to meet his family.
"Cas," he sighed against the crook of her neck, taking in the smell of her orange perfume mixed with some light sweat.
There was a list of things she should have cared about after her feet hit the ground: Her luggage, how her hair looked like she'd been in a battle, where she should put her broomstick… But none of those things even crossed her mind. Everything Cassiopeia could see, hear, smell and feel was George, and she wasn't close to letting him go.
"George," she muttered.
"I missed you," he squeezed her a bit harder. "I know it's been just two weeks but..."
"It's okay," she interrupted him, kissing his cheek and moving her hands to caress the back of his neck. "I've missed you too."
Molly watched the three teens from the door frame and turned her head to look at Ron and Ginny when they stepped behind her.
"Wow," the girl exclaimed when she saw the two still hugging. "I guess he really likes her."
"Let the girl go, George," his mother finally interrupted the two. "She just landed from a long flight, she must be thirsty."
He complied hesitantly, letting Cassiopeia down and blushing furiously when his eyes caught Fred's knowing smirk.
"Don't say anything," he hissed at his twin, although he knew it would hardly make any difference.
Just some steps away, Ronald and Ginny tried to catch a glimpse of the visitor, still only seeing some white blonde hair with the twins shielding her from their vision.
"Nice to meet you, darling," the woman walked to Cassiopeia. "I'm Molly Weasley."
She offered her a hand for a handshake, which she took with a strange look.
"Thank you for inviting me, Mrs Weasley," the Malfoy girl said politely. "George speaks wonderfully about you."
The redhead woman eyed her son, surprised.
"Well," she finally smiled. "He never shuts up about you, that's a fact. Come on in, let me get you something to drink. Boys, get her things."
Before Fred could reach out, George grabbed the small suitcase the blonde girl had let fall and the Firebolt she had rode there.
Finally, the two other siblings could see her face, and their eyes widened instantly.
"Malfoy?!" Ronald exclaimed. "What in bloody hell are you doing in here?"