01/05/2001
Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Diagon Alley, London
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[ g a t h e r i n g   p t . 1 ]

"ELLIE, ER... LISTEN."

"What is it?" Elinor set her drink down onto her lap and looked at George intently. They were sitting on a window sill that led to the third floor's balcony (behind the mechanical Weasley, where George told Elinor that she was the person he was most comfortable with), enjoying the night's breeze.

The latter shifted in his seat, "Do you know... what tomorrow is?"

"Yeah..." she nodded heavily.

Tomorrow would be the third anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts —of Harry Potter's ultimate victory and a lot of deaths. Also her alleged birthday as an amnesiac Muggle.

"Every year, my family has this gathering... on the eve of the Battle's anniversary. I always hated it. You know, reminded me too much of Fred," George paused, "So, will you accompany me as my girlfriend and make it more bearable?"

"Since when am I your girlfriend?" Elinor raised both of her eyebrows.

"Since when?!" George exclaimed, "Since— Well— Since... I mean, I kissed you. Isn't that moment proper enough for me to start calling you my girlfriend?"

"Of course not! Cam kissed Ezme a few times before they made it official."

"You should know that I don't kiss anyone other than my official girlfriend."

"But you didn't actually pop the question!"

"Fine!" George groaned, "Will you be my girlfriend?"

"...Really?"

"Okay," He carelessly put his cup of coffee on the floor, clasped her hands, and stood up, jerking her along with him. He took a deep breath. "My fake girlfriend, Elinor Rousseau. Even though you frustrate and annoy me from time to time, like right now, at the end of the day, I find myself still drawn into you. I like you. I like how we know and understand each other's pain. I like how you open up to me about your problems and your quirkiness. I like how you make my days and nights easier. I like your weird eyebrows. I like how my family get along with you so easily."

"It took a long time for me to realize it, but you mean the world to me. I don't care if you're a Sif, a Goyle, a Crabbe, or even a Malfoy —and that's saying something. Whatever your name or your background is, to me, you are a kind, brave, beautiful, and weird young woman who fits me perfectly like we're a puzzle. And whatever hardships you or I may face in the future, I want us to go through them together. So, with sincere heart I ask, will you please be my real girlfriend?"

For a few seconds, Elinor sat stunned in her seat.

To be honest, she began asking about this just to distract George from the whole Fred thing. She didn't expect him to give a full, serious, moving speech like this.

There were no fireworks or flowers or balloons; in fact, they were just doing nothing, clad in their (well, since she borrowed him, both were technically his) pajamas. But this... this was too good to be true in Elinor's mind.

They didn't need any fireworks. There were already enough sparks exploding in Elinor's chest.

George cleared his throat, "If you don't reply soon, Elle, this romantic gesture can turn awkward any se—"

"Yes."

George's lips cracked into a wide grin, "See? That wasn't too hard."

"And it would be my honour to come to your family gathering, too," Elinor smiled sweetly, "I can't wait to meet your Mum, your Dad, Hermione... Oh, are Fleur and Victoire coming? What about Ginny?"

"I'm starting to think that you'll ditch me the moment we step foot at the Burrow."

"That's actually possible," Elinor chuckled, "Who's coming tonight?"

"Everyone. And by that I really mean, everyone."

☆★☆

01/05/2001
The Burrow, Ottery St. Catchpole, Devon
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"ELLIE! EVERYONE, ELLIE'S HERE!"

The second Elinor opened her eyes after Apparating over with George, she was immediately attacked by Molly's intense hug.

And then, as a distorted chorus of 'Hi' and 'Hello' filled the room, her senses were immediately attacked by the color red.

George was right. Everyone was there.

She was introduced to Charlie, the second son, who was an expert in Dragonology. She learned that he worked in a sanctuary in Romania and was actually the one who brought all three dragons during the Triwizard Tournament's First Task.

Then to Bill, whom she only met briefly when he picked Fleur and Victoire up after the in-laws meet up two days ago. The two of them and Fleur talked about a lot of things as she played with Victoire before moving on to greet the rest of the family.

Ginny brought her over to the Golden Trio and Teddy Lupin. Maybe it was due to the two girls' presence, but Elinor actually managed to comfortably converse with Harry and Ron while cooing at Teddy's Metamorphic ability every once in a while.

Even though they had the same brown eyes and soft features, Elinor was surprised by the fact that he was Professor Lupin's son.

"That's George's clothes, isn't it, dear?"

Elinor looked down at the oversized zebra print shirt she was wearing, "Yeah... I, uh, borrowed it. He's out of normal clothes."

"It looks ridiculous!"

"Hey!" George interjected from the other side of the room.

"Here, I have something for you!" Molly ran towards the coffee table and took a bundle of yellow, knitted sweater with a huge letter E in the colour of grey up front. "I made this myself!"

"Ooh... It's the Weasley sweater!" Ginny exclaimed, chuckling, "That means you're officially a part of the family, Ellie!"

"Thank you, Molly, this is wonderful!"

"It's nothing. You're Georgie's girlfriend, right?"

Elinor blushed red, "Y— Yes."

"Wonderful! Brilliant! See, it's Hufflepuff's colour! You're the first Hufflepuff I've made a sweater for. Hurry, then, put it on, put it on!"

Elinor couldn't help to join in Molly's enthusiasm, "Okay!"

"After that, can you help me? I have fourteen mouths to feed and no one here is responsible enough to help their poor mother in the kitchen."

"Of course! I'll head to the bathroom now. Excuse me for a second."

George's lips lifted upwards in a blossoming smile. She really did abandon him, but he didn't mind. Just seeing her genuine laughters and her easy interaction with his entire family, even with sparks of magic and spells flying around the vicinity, made him very happy and proud.

☆★☆