╰┈➤ ❝ [𝐸𝑃𝐼𝐿𝑂𝐺𝑈𝐸] ❞ೄྀ࿐ ˊˎ-
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- London, England
( August, 1995. )

𝑻he streets of London were alive with their usual hum of activity, the sound of distant traffic mixing with the chatter of pedestrians. Streetlamps flickered on as the last golden hues of sunset faded into twilight. The Weasley family and their companions walked along the pavement, their destination not far now.

Arthur led the way, his expression unreadable, while Molly kept a watchful eye on the children. Fred and George whispered between themselves, no doubt plotting some mischief, while Ginny tugged at her mother's sleeve, asking about what came next.

"Alright, we're here," Arthur finally said, stopping at a nondescript corner just outside a small underground station. "I'll only be a moment."

As Arthur disappeared into the station, Molly turned to the group with a firm expression. "Stay put, all of you."

Fred gave George a sidelong glance, watching as George's gaze fixated on Olympia. He knew his brother all too well, instantly catching on. "Distraction?" he whispered.

"Distraction," George confirmed under his breath.

Without missing a beat, Fred groaned dramatically and clutched his stomach. "Mum—bloody hell—bad cauldron cakes—I think I'm going to be sick!"

Molly's attention snapped to him instantly. "What? Fred, what did you—oh, for goodness' sake, come here, let me see—" she grabbed Fred, yanking his head down so he was at her height level. Fred grimaced slightly, maybe because he was really trying to sell it, or perhaps because his Mum's grip was surprisingly abrupt.

George didn't waste a second. Grabbing Olympia's hand, he pulled her away from the group, slipping into the narrow alley between two buildings. The sounds of London faded into a soft hum, the streetlights barely reaching them in the dim passageway.

Olympia raised an eyebrow. "So, dragging me into dark alleyways now? Bold choice, Weasley."

George didn't laugh. He swallowed hard, rubbing the back of his neck as he leaned against the brick wall. "I just... I needed to talk to you alone."

Something in his voice made Olympia's teasing expression falter. "Alright," she said gently, stepping closer. "What's on your mind?"

George exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "This whole You-Know-Who thing." His usual lighthearted tone was gone, replaced by something quieter, heavier. "Everything's changing. We're moving into Grimmauld Place, Dad's acting weird, and now there's this whole secret group fighting You-Know-Who that we're not even allowed to ask about." He let out a dry, humorless chuckle. "I mean, I know we joke about a lot, but this? This is real and-"

Olympia met his gaze, her blue eyes steady. "And it scares the shit out of you."

George hesitated for half a second before nodding. "Yeah," he admitted. "Yeah, it does."

"Me too," Olympia murmured, reaching for his hand.

George looked down at their fingers laced together, then back up at her, a small, relieved chuckle escaping him. "Glad I'm not the only one, then."

"Not even close."

For a moment, the weight of the world seemed to press in around them, the looming threat of war, of danger, of uncertainty. But in this quiet alley, none of it mattered. It was just them.

George squeezed her hand before tilting his head with a grin that didn't quite mask his nerves. "Guess that means we'll have to keep each other sane, huh?"

Olympia smiled softly. "Sounds like a plan."

Before she could say another word, George leaned in, pressing his lips against hers. The kiss was slow, unhurried—like the calm before a storm. When they finally pulled away, Olympia rested her forehead against his, exhaling softly.

"We should get back before your mum realizes Fred was lying," she murmured.

George sighed, shaking his head with a soft chuckle. "Yeah, probably. But he'll sell it. I've seen him puke on demand just to get out of an exam." He laughed, but the sound faded as he looked at Olympia, a moment of quiet between them.

But neither of them moved. Because for just a little while longer, they wanted to hold on to this—this moment, this feeling—before the world changed forever.

Olympia shifted slightly, and with a gentle smile, she whispered, "You know I love you, right?"

George's smile softened, and he leaned in, his forehead resting against hers. "I love you more," he murmured, his voice full of sincerity. "I really do."

There was a pause, a beat between words, as Olympia stared into his eyes, her hand slipping into his. It felt like everything else was quiet, even the world itself. "It's crazy how we got here, huh?"

"Yeah, it is. But I wouldn't change a thing." George pulled her in closer, his lips pressing softly to hers, the kiss gentle and full of meaning, like they both needed the reminder of what they had.

When they pulled back, George grinned mischievously. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. And for the record, I'm not getting any better at this 'serious' stuff."

Olympia laughed, shaking her head. "Good thing you don't have to, then." She kissed him again, quick but full of the same affection, the promise of forever hanging in the air.

"Oi! George—Mum's noticed you're gone!" Ron's voice echoed down the alley, followed by a mischievous grin.

George threw his head back, cursing under his breath. "Bloody hell," he muttered.

Olympia grinned, planting one final, soft kiss on his lips before pushing him toward Ron. "Better go then."

As they made their way back, George tossed an affectionate glance at Olympia. 

Ron smirked. "Better think of an excuse, mate."

George, unbothered, shot back, "Don't you know me at all?"

Olympia snorted, wiping her mouth as subtly as she could, trying not to let the evidence of her stolen kiss be too obvious. But as they approached the others, she couldn't help but smile at the entire situation.

When they stepped into view, Molly's eyes immediately scanned them, narrowing slightly as she took in their disheveled appearances. She opened her mouth to scold them, but Arthur came out of nowhere, ushering them all forward. "No time for dilly dallying, you lot! We've got to get to Grimmauld Place!"

Molly side-eyed George suspiciously, but George, ever the master of innocent grins, flashed her one of his most charming smiles. It did nothing to ease her suspicions, but she dropped it with a long sigh.

As they walked toward Grimmauld Place, George found himself glancing back at Olympia, who was walking slightly behind him next to Cassie. He hesitated for a second, then stepped back and murmured, "Swap places with me, Cass."

Cassie gave him a quick nod, hopping forward to fall into line with Fred, who was still pretending to be sick, wanting to sell the act just a little longer.

George felt a surge of confidence as he reached for Olympia's hand, his fingers entwining with hers. She looked up at him, startled for a split second, but the look in his eyes made her heart flutter. Sure, Arthur knew now, but Molly still didn't—and she was the one who might cause a stir.

Olympia's eyes widened, a silent question in them, but George's grip tightened just a little, and she understood the message clearly. He was choosing her. No matter what.