💌🏹

╰┈➤ ❝ [𝑇𝑊𝐸𝑁𝑇𝑌-𝐹𝑂𝑈𝑅] ❞ೄྀ࿐ ˊˎ-
⁺⤾·˚.⃗. [ᴍᴜʟʟᴇᴅ ᴡɪɴᴇ & ᴍᴇʀʀʏ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛs] 𑁍ࠜೄ ˊˎ
﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋

The Three Broomsticks
Hogsmeade
— Scottish Highlands
( December, 1994. )

                 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐌𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐒 was abuzz with the warmth of the holidays, the air thick with the scent of mulled wine and sweet cinnamon. The crackling fire in the hearth cast a golden glow across the room, flickering in the windows as soft snowflakes drifted down outside. Inside, the atmosphere was a perfect blend of comfort and joy. The tables were laden with festive treats—mince pies, gingerbread, mulled wine, and trays of steaming butterbeer. The light from the fire made the wood-paneled walls glow, and the soft hum of Christmas music added to the ambiance, filling the space with warmth and cheer.

At the large round table near the back of the pub, Olympia and her friends had gathered for their Christmas Eve get-together. The group sat comfortably around the table, everyone in high spirits and wearing cozy, festive clothing. The table was covered with wrapped gifts—bright paper and shimmering ribbons peeking out from the pile in the center. The presents hadn't yet been opened, but there was a palpable excitement in the air as everyone chatted eagerly about their plans for Christmas and the upcoming holidays.

Olympia sat with Cedric beside her, his arm draped casually over her shoulders, offering her a quiet sense of comfort. He had been a constant source of support in recent months, their friendship growing deeper with each passing day. He made her feel safe, and she leaned into him just a little, feeling the warmth of his presence. But even as Cedric spoke to her about some Quidditch-related topic, Olympia's attention was divided. Her eyes kept darting across the table to George.

Across from her, George sat next to Marianna, his arm comfortably around her waist. She seemed to fit into the space beside him effortlessly, her head resting lightly on his shoulder as she chatted with Fred. They were laughing about something, but Olympia barely heard the conversation. Her thoughts were consumed by George, who, despite his easy smile, kept stealing glances at her from across the table. His eyes would lock with hers for a split second, intense and unspoken, before quickly darting away—almost as if he couldn't quite control the pull between them. The tension was thick, like an invisible thread that connected them, stretching taut with each brief exchange of looks.

Marianna, completely unaware of the subtle undercurrent between Olympia and George, was busy talking to Fred and his date, a Beauxbaton girl. Marianna kept shifting in her seat, seemingly content with the attention George gave her, as he casually rested his hand on her waist.

Cassie was sitting with Atlas, and Judeth. The trio seemed oblivious to the tension elsewhere in the room, wrapped up in their own happy world. Atlas and Judeth had slipped easily into a recent relationship, and Cassie, ever the supportive sister, was happy to tease Atlas about his newfound affections toward her best friend. Every now and then, she would lean in to whisper something to them, causing the three of them to break into laughter. Judeth seemed to fit right in, her presence comfortable and easy, her hand resting in Atlas's as she smiled softly at the occasional teasing.

On the other side of the table, Lee and Seraphina were engaged in a quieter conversation, both leaning toward each other as they shared a moment of laughter. Seraphina's eyes softened as she gazed at Lee, and he was clearly captivated by her every word, his hand brushing against hers in subtle gestures. They had only recently started dating, but there was no mistaking the connection between them. Lee was practically beaming every time Seraphina spoke, his attention unwavering.

Fred, sitting next to George, kept the conversation lively, teasing everyone in typical Fred fashion. His words were quick and sharp, making everyone laugh, but there was something a bit more restrained about George's responses, as if his mind wasn't entirely present in the conversation. George's gaze flickered back to Olympia more than once, his expression unreadable but laden with something—something neither of them could fully articulate.

The tension between Olympia and George was palpable, despite the festive atmosphere. Each time their eyes met, it felt like time slowed down, their unspoken thoughts filling the space between them, louder than any words they could say. And despite Cedric's arm around her, a part of Olympia couldn't ignore the pull toward George, the way her heart would race when their gazes collided. It was a confusing mix of emotions—desire, frustration, longing—and she couldn't seem to escape it.

The gifts in the center of the table remained untouched for the moment, though everyone was aware of them. There was an eager anticipation for when they would finally be opened, but for now, they served as a quiet reminder of the bonds between them all, ties of friendship, affection, and maybe something more—at least for some.

But for Olympia, the night felt like it was teetering on the edge of something. There was something unspoken hanging in the air, an electric charge that passed between her and George every time they made eye contact. The weight of it was heavy, and though the festive cheer of the evening kept everyone talking and laughing, Olympia couldn't help but feel the tension brewing, like the first snowflakes before a storm.

It was Christmas Eve—time for warmth, for joy, for gifts—but for Olympia, it felt like the beginning of something she couldn't quite define, and something she wasn't sure she was ready for.

The buzz of chatter in the Three Broomsticks began to quiet as Fred suddenly stood up, his arms dramatically outstretched. "Alright, alright, people! It's present time!" he declared, his voice carrying over the chatter and laughter of the group. "Let the gift-giving begin!"

Everyone cheered in response, the room coming alive with excitement as the pile of wrapped gifts in the center of the table was finally set free. The atmosphere shifted, as the group began exchanging presents with eager anticipation. The energy was lighthearted and festive, the perfect way to kick off their holiday celebrations.

Fred grabbed the first gift from the pile—one that had his name on it—and tore into it with exaggerated enthusiasm. He already knew what it was (since he had ruined the gift by walking up to George when he bought them), but pretended he was surprised. "Well, well, what have we here?" he said, pulling out a pair of woolen socks adorned with enchanted snowmen, waddling happily across the fabric. "Oh, brilliant!" he laughed. "Perfect for keeping my toes warm this winter. Thanks, mate!" He flashed a grin at George, who had given him the socks, and Fred immediately kicked his shoes off and slipped them onto his feet, laughing as the snowmen seemed to come to life and begin their waddling dance.

"No problem," George said, his voice full of mischief. "You deserve them, Fred. You know, I thought you could use some festive cheer down there." He winked, making a few playful gestures toward Fred's feet. "Maybe cover up the stink."

Cassie, who had been sitting next to Fred, shook her head with a smile. "Leave it to you to give socks as a gift, George," she teased. "But I've got to admit, they're pretty fun."

Fred laughed and gave her a thumbs-up before reaching for the next gift. This one was from Marianna, who had picked out a delicate box wrapped in soft blue paper. Fred opened it carefully, revealing a set of elegant quill pens, each with a gemstone at the top.

"Nice," Fred said, admiring them but a little confused, they weren't really his style. He made a mental note to give them to Ginny. "I'll definitely write some pranking letters in style now."

Marianna smiled, a little smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I thought you could use something classy for once," she teased.

George rolled his eyes, looking amused, and then reached for the next gift—this one for Marianna. He passed it to her with a smile. "For you," he said simply.

Marianna's eyes lit up as she unwrapped the gift, revealing a beautiful silver necklace with a small, sparkling snowflake pendant. She carefully lifted it out of its box, her fingers gently brushing over the intricate design. "George," she breathed, clearly impressed. "This is gorgeous."

"I thought you'd like it," George said with a shrug, his tone casual but his eyes warm. "It's got a bit of sparkle to match the season."

Marianna looked up at him with a smile, her hand resting lightly on his. "Thank you," she said, leaning over to give him a quick kiss on the cheek.

While the others continued to open gifts, George turned his attention to Olympia, who had been admiring the snowy scene outside the window. Her face was lit by the soft glow of the fire, and he couldn't help but think how beautiful she looked.

"Hey, Ols," George said quietly, reaching over and picking up a smaller gift from the pile. He handed it to her, a thoughtful smile on his face. "This one's for you."

Olympia looked up at him, her heart skipping a beat. She took the gift carefully, fingers brushing against his as she pulled the ribbon loose. Her hands were trembling slightly, a mixture of anticipation and something deeper she couldn't quite place. The paper fell away, revealing a delicate snow globe. Inside, the miniature village of Hogsmeade was carefully crafted, complete with little houses, cobbled streets, and twinkling lights that gave it a cozy, magical feel. Snowflakes swirled around inside the globe, settling gently on the village scene, and Olympia's heart swelled as she looked at it, recognizing it immediately as a reflection of her favorite place in the world—Hogsmeade, especially during the winter.

"George..." Her voice was soft, the breath catching in her throat. "This is... it's perfect. It's Hogsmeade. It's exactly like my favorite place, during my favorite time of year."

George's smile deepened, his eyes warm as he watched her reaction. "Yeah I remembered. I thought it might remind you of it. I know how much you love it here."

Olympia's fingers traced the edge of the globe as she turned it gently in her hands. Her face was glowing, more than it had for any of the other gifts she had opened. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice full of emotion. "This is... amazing."

George's gaze softened as he watched her. His smile was tender, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away as he looked at Olympia, the tension that had hung between them earlier giving way to something deeper—something that he couldn't quite name but felt strongly in his chest.

Marianna, sitting just beside George, was watching the two of them intently, her eyes narrowing slightly as she observed the look on George's face. She knew him well enough to see the softness in his expression, the way his eyes lingered on Olympia. It wasn't the look of someone who had given a simple gift—it was something more.

"That's... really thoughtful of you, George," Marianna said, her voice a little too loud, a little too forced. "It's lovely."

Olympia, oblivious to the undertones in Marianna's voice, kept her focus on the snow globe, her fingers still tracing the details of Hogsmeade. "I love it," she said again, her eyes meeting George's. "You've really made my Christmas."

Cedric smiled at Olympia from his spot next to her, his eyes darting from her to George, to Marianna, and back to her.

The room continued to hum with excitement as the gift exchange moved forward. The warmth of the fire, the soft glow of the candles, and the gentle clinking of mugs and plates created an atmosphere that felt cozy and festive—like a dream come true for a group of friends on Christmas Eve. The sound of laughter filled the space, mixing with the soft music that played in the background, making it feel like a perfect winter night.

"Alright, time for the next gift!" Fred announced loudly, grabbing the next gift from the pile. It was a rather large, flat box, and he eagerly tore off the paper, revealing a beautiful scarf knitted with deep crimson yarn. "Ooh, a scarf from Elvira!" he grinned, draping it over his shoulders with mock elegance. "I'll be toasty warm this winter, thanks to you!"

Elvira laughed, shaking her head. "You're welcome, Fred. Now you'll at least have something classy for when the rest of us try to drag you into formal events."

Fred threw an arm around her shoulders, laughing. "I'll wear it to the Yule Ball. Make a statement, you know?"

Elvira raised an eyebrow but smiled back, enjoying the playful banter. "You're impossible."

Next, it was Atlas's turn to hand out his gifts. He passed a small package over to Judeth, and her eyes lit up as she opened it to reveal a small locket. Inside the locket was a picture of the two of them, taken just a few weeks earlier when they'd gone for a walk by the lake. Judeth's eyes softened as she gazed at the locket, running her fingers over the delicate piece.

"Atlas... this is perfect," she said, her voice filled with emotion as she looked at him. "Thank you."

Atlas smiled at her, his usual teasing demeanor softened. "I thought it'd be nice to have a piece of us to keep with you," he said quietly.

Judeth leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, her smile warm and loving. "I'll always carry it with me."

"Nowwww for the next one!" Fred piped up again, making everyone chuckle.

Cassie was next to open her gift from Seraphina. The gift was small but well-wrapped, and Cassie's curiosity piqued as she unwrapped it. Inside was a beautifully illustrated book on magical creatures, one that Cassie had been eyeing for weeks. Her eyes widened in delight as she flipped through the pages, the intricate designs of the creatures catching her attention.

"This is incredible, Seraphina!" Cassie exclaimed, hugging the book to her chest. "I've wanted this for ages!"

Seraphina smiled, clearly pleased with the reaction. "I thought it was right up your alley. I know how much you love studying magical creatures."

"I do! I really do!" Cassie said, beaming.

"Great, now that that's sorted, let's get to the next round!" Fred called again, always the loudest of the bunch.

Lee was next, handing out his gifts with a broad grin. "This one's for you, George," he said, passing him a neatly wrapped package.

George tore into it with a laugh and pulled out a set of enchanted playing cards that could perform tricks on their own. "Brilliant!" he said, holding up a card that seemed to flip and shuffle itself in his hands. "I'll have to try these out next time we're all hanging out. Thanks, Lee!"

Lee grinned. "No problem. Thought they might give you something new to beat our arses with."

Lee then passed another package to Seraphina, who opened it eagerly. Inside was a beautifully crafted bracelet with tiny charms shaped like broomsticks and cauldrons, a perfect reflection of her love for Quidditch and potion-making.

"I love it," Seraphina said, her voice filled with warmth as she admired the bracelet. "Thank you, Lee."

"Glad you like it," Lee replied, his grin never faltering. "You're hard to shop for, you know."

Seraphina laughed, brushing her hair behind her ear. "I'm not that difficult."

As the night went on, the pile of gifts dwindled, and the excitement continued to build. Finally, it was time for Olympia to open her gift from Seraphina. She unwrapped it eagerly, revealing a soft, cream-colored shawl, perfect for the chilly winter evenings. Olympia's eyes softened as she ran her fingers over the material.

"This is beautiful, Seraphina," Olympia said with a smile. "I've been needing something like this. Thank you so much."

Seraphina smiled back, her expression gentle. "I thought it would keep you warm when you need it most."

"You're always so thoughtful," Olympia said, her voice sincere.

The last few gifts were exchanged with laughter and light-hearted teasing, the group enjoying each other's company and the festive atmosphere of the evening. Yet, even with all the noise and excitement, there was a subtle undercurrent—something between George and Olympia that couldn't be ignored. Their smiles, their glances, the way they seemed to linger just a little longer than necessary, even when the room was filled with laughter and chatter—it was undeniable.

The night had settled into a comfortable rhythm at the Three Broomsticks, the laughter and clinking of glasses mingling with the crackle of the fire. But as the night stretched on, Marianna grew quieter, her gaze shifting more and more toward George. It wasn't long before she leaned over and whispered something in his ear, her voice soft and sultry.

"George, come with me for a minute."

He didn't hesitate, thinking it was just another one of their usual moments—a quiet corner for a snog, a common thing for the two of them. So, without a word, he followed her up the stairs, the wooden steps creaking under their feet.

When they reached the small, private sitting area upstairs, Marianna turned to face him, a different look in her eyes than usual. George, still half in the daze of anticipation, moved toward her, ready to close the space between them. But before he could kiss her, she gently placed a hand on his chest, stopping him.

"Sit," she said, her tone firm, but with an edge he hadn't expected. "On the couch."

George raised an eyebrow, confused, but did as she asked, settling onto the couch with a slightly puzzled look on his face. He leaned back, waiting for her to join him. Knowing Marianna probably on his lap. But instead, she remained standing, her gaze thoughtful as she took a deep breath.

"George," she began, her voice quieter now, a hint of something serious creeping into her words. "Do you like me?"

He blinked, a little thrown off by the question, but he nodded easily. "Of course, I like you. What kind of question is that?"

Marianna looked at him for a moment, then shook her head, her lips pressing together into a thin line. "No, George," she said softly, her voice catching slightly. "Do you love me?"

George froze, the question hitting him harder than he'd expected. His mind scrambled, trying to catch up. Love? He liked Marianna, sure, but love... that wasn't the same thing, was it?

His face paled slightly as he opened his mouth, but the words stuck in his throat. He couldn't find the answer. "I...care about you." he managed, but even as the words left his mouth, he knew they didn't sound right.

Marianna sighed deeply, her eyes dropping to the floor as if trying to gather her thoughts. When she spoke again, her voice was almost a whisper. "But you love her, don't you?"

George froze, his head snapping up to lock his gaze onto her own, his eyes widening slightly in shock.

"I see the way you look at her, George. The way you always... always look at Olympia."

George opened his mouth to argue, but the words wouldn't come. He shook his head, trying to deny it, to find some way to make it all fit together. "Marianna, that's—"

"Stop," she interrupted, her voice shaking just a little. "No, George. Stop." She took a step forward, placing a hand on his arm gently, the gesture surprisingly soft. "It's okay."

He blinked, his heart pounding in his chest. "What do you mean, 'it's okay'? How is this okay?"

Marianna smiled faintly, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I think I've always known this wouldn't last anyway," she said, her voice steady now, as if she'd accepted something important. "It was...fun, sure, but... George, you love her. You really do."

George felt a lump form in his throat as he stared up at her, still confused, still trying to hold onto the reality he knew. "I don't—"

She shook her head again, more firmly this time. "You do, George. You need to tell her."

The weight of her words hit him like a physical blow, and for a moment, he could do nothing but stare at her, his mind racing. "But... I don't want to hurt you," he managed, his voice soft, almost apologetic.

Marianna met his eyes, her expression unreadable. "George, I'm not asking you to choose me. I'm not asking you to stay with me. I just want you to be honest with yourself. I want you to go after who you really want."

The words sank in, one by one, until they settled deep inside him. He stared at Marianna, trying to reconcile the reality of what she was saying with everything he'd been trying to avoid. It felt wrong—her encouragement, her understanding of something he hadn't even fully admitted to himself. But there it was, right in front of him, clear as day.

Marianna took her hand off his arm and stepped back slightly, giving him space. "I know it's not easy, but you need to tell her. Olympia deserves that, don't you think?"

George sat in stunned silence for a long moment, staring at her. The shock and confusion on his face slowly faded, replaced by an overwhelming sense of realization. He looked at Marianna, searching her face for any sign of anger or frustration, but there was none.

"I'll... I'll talk to her," George said quietly, more to himself than to her, but the certainty in his voice wasn't lost on either of them. He had no idea how he was going to make sense of everything, but something inside him had clicked. "You know Marianna, you're a pretty awesome girl. You deserve someone who sees that."

"I know." She smiled warmly, crossing her arms over her chest and letting out a long, almost relieved sigh.