Reunion

Chapter 20: Reunion

May 1996

George woke up early in an excellent mood. Well, early for a Saturday, at least. Their first week as shop owners had been a smashing success, and owl orders were starting to pour in from fellow rebellious students left behind at Hogwarts. He was in the frame of mind to celebrate, and he'd been looking forward to a free morning in Devon for a very long time.

Fred started to stir while George was dressing. "Have the bloody decency to keep quiet, would you?" he snarled, launching a shoe missile in his direction.

"It's ten in the morning, you idiot," George laughed as he took evasive action.

Fred raised his head from the pillow, a sleepily inquisitive look on his face. "You sound criminally chipper. What are you plotting?"

"Nothing. Go back to sleep." George ducked out of the room.

"Oh, no. You're not brushing me off that easily. Must be good if you won't share," Fred called after him. He hopped out of bed and started to dress.

George barreled down the stairs without pausing until he reached the kitchen. He grabbed some food he could eat along the way and took a moment to butter up his mum with a few compliments on her cooking. She was still pretty furious with them about the quitting school thing, and as long as they were going to be living under her roof, she had the potential to make life rather miserable. So he'd been making very overt attempts to get back into her good graces ever since.

Unfortunately, this delay gave Fred a chance to catch up with him.

As they both headed out the door, his incarnately suspicious mother called out, "What are you lot up to today?"

"It's been such a busy week at work, Mum, I think I fancy a bit of fresh air," George answered.

Now that they had premises on Diagon Alley for the Wheezes, his mother was finally beginning to take them seriously. Whenever she began to sound testy, he found that if he brought up the fact they were now responsible, wage-earning members of society, she would back off for a bit.

"What he said," Fred added when she looked inquisitorially at him.

"Oh, all right, then," she replied, unconvinced but too busy directing knives chopping vegetables to argue.

George ducked quickly out the door before she could think of a reason to keep them home. Much to his chagrin, Fred tromped after.

A few minutes into the woods, Fred spoke up. "So, what are we really doing, then?"

"You honestly can't figure it out yourself? You are as bloody stupid as you look," George snapped.

Half a minute passed as Fred pondered. "Oh! Brilliant!" he exclaimed as the answer finally occurred to him.

They walked the rest of the now short distance left mostly in silence. Along the way, George had tried but failed to think of a way to rid himself of his brother's company. He did manage to pull ahead of him, however, and reached the edge of the woods well before his unwelcome companion. Fred wasn't in nearly the hurry he was and had delayed himself further when he had decided to, "Pause for the cause," as he'd announced to the trees a few minutes ago.

George couldn't believe his luck: Annie was outside her house, gardening on the side of the fence facing the forest. He enjoyed almost two whole minutes to himself, simply watching her for the first time in two years. All the hormonal insanity that he'd felt the last time he'd seen her came rushing back in an instant. But the reality of her was so much better than the pictures, than his dreams had been.

"Oh, hel-lo" said Fred when he caught up to him. "Now that's a sight for sore eyes. Our little Annie's all grown up...."

George closed the distance between himself and his brother in an instant. He grabbed the front of Fred's shirt in his fists and pulled his face to within inches of his own. "I want you to leave now," he said through his clenched teeth.

"Huh? You inv–..."

"You invited yourself," he corrected him, shaking his head once.

"What the bloody hell has gotten into...?"

"NOW."

Understanding slowly dawned on Fred's face. "Oh!"

George realized that, to his brother's credit, Fred held his tongue further – if only for the time being. But he apparently wasn't able to suppress the smug grin spreading across his face. He understood Fred would save the verbal abuse for later. Oh, would he give it to George later, make no mistake. The anticipation of it would likely warm the cockles of his heart all afternoon.

"You could have told me closer to home and saved me the walk," Fred complained.

George released his grip on Fred's shirt. His twin snorted in response, turned, and slowly walked several yards back the way they had come. Then he paused.

Fred turned around to face George again, only to find him still standing in the same spot, looking over his shoulder at Annie. "Well?" he prompted.

"What?" George replied, still staring at her.

"Go on."

"In a minute."

"Bloody coward," Fred muttered. He put his fingers to his lips and blew the signal they had used since they were children to let Annie know they were waiting for her in the woods.

Annie had just finished digging a hole on the outside of the garden fence. It was an excellent spot for the new rose bush, perfect to support the rambling canes. She kneeled to finish the job of planting the root ball, enjoying the feel of the soil in her hands. It was a warm day, and the sun felt wonderful on her bare shoulders. After a few pats to firm the soil around the new planting, she stood up to stretch.

She was startled by a loud whistle echoing from the forest across the grass.

Her body spun instinctually toward the unexpected yet thoroughly familiar sound. Her eyes searched along the trees but saw nothing. Even so, she felt her heart race and a wild, stupid grin spread across her face.

She hesitated for a split second and considered changing out of her grubby garden clothes, maybe even showering, but the urge to run toward the trees was too great. She snatched the lightweight shirt she had been wearing earlier off the fence and clumsily yanked it on over her tank top as she took off across the field.

Fred and George both watched Annie tear across the field, closing the distance surprisingly fast. George still seemed frozen in place.

"Go!" Fred shoved him.

George finally took off running in the direction of the tree fort.

Annie reached the willow that had been their childhood haven and found it empty. Had she imagined the signal? She began to feel her heart sink in bitter disappointment as she caught her breath. What an idiot I am, she thought, turning slowly in a circle, looking for any sign to give her hope. It's only May, for God's sake....

George had arrived at the tree about five seconds before Annie and had watched her approach. He crept up behind her as she tried to catch her breath. She was scanning the forest – any second now, she would be turned to the point she would see him.

He did the first thing that popped into his head: he Apparated directly behind her and covered her eyes with his hands.

"Guess who?"

Annie's first reaction should have been to scream. She probably would have if she hadn't spent the last two years dreaming of that voice.

"George!" she cried and spun to face him.

She was so ecstatic that she threw her arms around him without thinking. Her heart was leaping in her chest and not due to the flight across the field. He was a miracle... an angel... a vision! He was real and here standing before her and so much better than her dreams.

"Are you sure about that?" he teased her.

"Oh, come on," she said while rolling her eyes. She pulled her head back from his chest to turn her face up to him and bathed in his smile. "You have to know by now you can't fool me!" She couldn't bear to release her hold on him just yet, regardless of how inappropriate it might be.

"Right again," he said, struggling to disguise how thrilled he was she had wrapped her arms around him. Awkwardly, he put his arms around her in response. "How do you do that, actually? Our own mother can't tell us apart."

"Dunno. Just seems obvious to me. Never really thought about it," she replied.

Self consciously, they released each other.

"It's absolutely brilliant to see you!" she exclaimed. "But why are you here? The term's not over.... You've got exams next month, right?"

"Wrong. Fred and I are done. For good. It's rather a thrilling story, actually...."

"Is that what you were planning? In your letter? To quit school?" She was shaking her head in disbelief. "Your mother must have done her nut. How long have you been back?"

"Not long. And you're right about Mum," he replied as he chuckled.

After another awkward pause and several evasive glances between them, Annie continued.

"I can't believe you've grown taller. That's hardly fair," she teased.

George just chuckled. He wasn't sure yet what to say.

"You look good, by the way," she added with a bashful smile.

He raised a questioning eyebrow. Afraid to take her compliment too seriously, he smirked.

"Handsome, even. Rakishly handsome," she laughed teasingly, entertained by his now mugging face.

He was drinking her in and getting drunk in the process; he reckoned that was the only explanation for the confidence that was growing within him with her teasing compliments. Her smile was brilliant, and the eyes that had never left him in peace for the past two years now sparkled before him with delight. He reached out and touched her cheek just to prove to himself she was real.

"You look great, as well," he answered with a smile. Testing....

He carefully watched her face react. Her expression seemed to mix surprise with... pleasure? They stared at each other for a few more seconds, then laughed as they both dropped their eyes to the ground.

"Where's Fred?" Annie asked.

"He said he wanted to have a lie-in this morning," George lied without hesitation.

"That lump! At least you have the common courtesy to say hello to an old friend!" Annie huffed in indignation.

He laughed with her. Something about her answering smile was feeding his newfound confidence further. He casually reached out and took her hand in his and asked, "Are you busy today?"

"Unfortunately, yes. Gran has an appointment to see the doctor today at two." She looked up into his face and smiled a rueful, crooked smile.

"Oh."

George was suddenly unsure what to do next. A portion of the strange new confidence ebbed away. He slightly loosened his hold on her hand to let her go. Then he felt hers tighten in response. The confidence surged back to him like a wave.

"How about tomorrow, then?" he asked.

"I'd love to! I'll pack us a picnic, and we'll spend the whole afternoon here, catching up," she offered, her face beaming. "Can you prepare your exaggerated version of events carefully enough by then? You know, to make it sound remotely believable?"

"Just like old times," he agreed. "I promise you'll be amazed. Is ten too early?"

She shook her head.

A few moments passed. Now what? wondered George.

"I'd better get back," Annie said hesitantly. "I've got to fix lunch for Gran before we leave."

"Okay." He let her hand slide out of his. "Tomorrow, then," he added.

Annie nodded and smiled again. She turned slowly and began to walk away. George stood rooted to the spot, watching her, unable yet to move.

Annie spun round and started walking backwards. "Fred is coming tomorrow, right?" she asked. "Just so I know how much food to bring, I mean."

"Erm, sure... if you want."

"I suppose we should include him," she offered.

"I suppose so," he answered reluctantly.

"See you both tomorrow, then."

George watched her turn and jog away. Then he turned toward home and the unavoidable verbal flogging waiting for him there.

*

"What are you doing back here so soon? Chicken out, did you?"

"I didn't chicken out." Not completely, anyway.

"Did she deck you, then? I don't see any bruises yet."

"No. She didn't hit me." She hugged me. She smiled at me. She held my hand for nearly two minutes... before she found an excuse to leave.

"Are you so wretched at snogging she sent you packing already?"

"Fuck off, Fred." George sighed. Best to tell him now and get it over with, I suppose. "She wants to see you, as well."

"She asked about me, did she? Well, who could blame her? I do have that effect on women."

George averted his eyes, strangely sickened by the smugly leering look on Fred's face. "Picnic. Tomorrow morning."

"I suppose I could make myself scarce tomorrow... for the bargain price of ten galleons."

"Done," George said, reaching into his pocket for the money.

"Did I say ten? Silly me. I meant fifty."

Of course Fred spent every hour of the rest of the day taking the mickey out of him. George had expected nothing less. He had known it was coming and had prepared himself for it. But he also knew that while Fred would likely make it a challenge for him to be alone with Annie tomorrow, he wouldn't make it impossible either. They were brothers, after all.

What did surprise him was Fred's final comment of the evening as they lay in their beds that night. "Seriously, George, I am pleased for you. Annie is a great girl. But just remember this: she's our Annie, and if you fuck this up and hurt her, I will beat the bloody shit out of you."

Unsurprisingly, neither George nor Annie slept much that night. Both of them replayed the scene of the prior morning in the forest hundreds of times in their minds, analyzing every word, searching for encouraging signs or telltale warnings. By the time they coincidentally stepped into their respective showers at exactly the same moment the next morning, they both had thoroughly distorted the events beyond recognition. Each was completely convinced they had imagined or misunderstood every compliment, every look.

So it was with no small amount of trepidation George and Annie readied themselves for their long-awaited reunion.

Annie worked with slow, deliberate precision in the kitchen that morning. Her Gran kept her company as she fixed their breakfast, cleared the dishes, then began preparing the picnic lunch.

"What's all this?" her Gran asked curiously.

"I ran into some old friends yesterday. We made plans for a picnic," Annie replied.

"How lovely, dear! You spend too much time trapped in here with me anyway."

"Would you like some of this for lunch? I can leave a plate in the fridge," she offered.

"That would be nice. Thank you, dear."

"Are you sure it's all right for me to go?" Annie asked, beginning to feel nervous about leaving Gran home alone for such a large chunk of time, among other things. "I can cancel if you'd rather have company."

"Don't be silly. I feel like having a nap right now, in fact," she yawned unconvincingly, then winked.

Annie giggled. "You can call Mrs. Finnerty if you need anything when I'm gone."

Thank heaven for Mrs. Finnerty! she cheered silently. Her cell phone didn't always have reliable reception in the neighboring woods; she was never sure if it was due to technological or supernatural reasons. The phone seemed like an extravagance to some people she knew, but the peace of mind it brought her to know her Gran could get in touch with her almost instantly was worth the expense.

"Your friends expect you to bring all the food?" her Gran asked as the stack of sandwiches was joined by apples, a container of cookies, and several bottles of water.

"I don't mind. Their expertise lies more in consumption rather than cooking," she chuckled as she explained.

"Hmpf. That sounds like boys to me."

Now it was Annie's turn to smile and wink.

Meredith slowly rose from her chair and shuffled over to where Annie was working at the counter. She held her chin in her hand and kissed her granddaughter's forehead. "Be careful. And good luck. Hope he's worth you."

"He is," Annie assured her.

Annie got to the rendezvous spot first. She spread out a blanket in a little patch of sun next to the willow near the stream bank and sat down. While she waited, she gazed up at the old tree fort.

The floorboards were still there, strong and secure amongst the broad branches, along with a surprising percentage of the woven-branch walls. It looked so very small, though. Dimensions that had once been cozy and comfortable years ago for little children now looked cramped and claustrophobic.

She leaned back on her hands and watched in the direction she expected her friends to come. She didn't have to wait long. Fred came into view first, followed closely by George.

"Oi, Annie! Give us a hug!" Fred cried.

"Fred!" Laughing, she hopped up and jogged over to him with arms open. He grabbed her and lifted her up in an exaggerated bear hug, spinning her around.

"Enough!" she begged, getting dizzy from both the spinning and lack of air.

He released her from the hug but held on to her hand, guiding her back to the blanket. He plopped down, then patted the ground beside him, inviting her to sit next to him. When she hesitated, he gently but insistently pulled her hand down toward him. Once she was seated, he draped his arm about her shoulders in a friendly way.

She thought she saw George roll his eyes, but couldn't be sure.

"Glad to see you could drag your sorry arse out of bed today to come see me," she needled him.

"Annie, didn't George tell you?" Fred asked, theatrically incredulous. "We're proper businessmen now with customers and a shop. It's bloody exhausting!"

"A shop!? Tell me everything!" she cried, delighted by the surprise news.

Fred spent the next hour monopolizing the conversation. George didn't mind so much, though. It eased some of the pressure that he'd felt building to an uncomfortable level all morning. His brother blathered on about everything that had happened in the days since they had left school. He went into every detail about the business and surprised George by tossing some actual, non-backhanded compliments his way.

"Oh, yeah. George has a real knack for inventing this stuff. Truly inspired," he offered after explaining their newest prototype of a decoy detonator.

Annie turned to give George a pleased smile, and Fred winked at him while she wasn't looking.

"I'm famished. What's to eat?" asked Fred finally.

Annie started to empty the pack of food onto the blanket. While her focus was occupied, George caught his brother's eye and jerked his head toward the Burrow, reminding him to get lost. Fred smiled, blinked, and nodded slightly.

"Well, Annie, I'm out of time. I must be off."

"Fred, I can't believe you!" Annie protested. When Fred merely shrugged, she continued, "How could you rush off already? What could be more important than spending time with your oldest, dearest friend?"

"Oh, I don't have an appointment or anything. George here fancies you and wants some time alone. I'll just take a few of these sandwiches and leave you to it, then. Lovely to see you again, Annie." He smiled, wiggled his fingers goodbye, then disappeared into thin air.

They sat in stunned silence for a whole minute. If George hadn't been paralyzed by shock and mortification, he would have surely hunted Fred down and committed fratricide in that time.

"Did you catch any of that?" Annie asked, finally breaking the silence. "Because I'm not sure I did. Fred mumbles a lot, I've noticed."

She was throwing him a lifeline, and he was grateful. "Not a word," he answered. George bit into a sandwich, happy to have an excuse not to talk for a moment.

"So, was that Apparating?" she asked.

"Yeah," he mumbled with his mouth partially full.

Annie spent the rest of the meal asking questions about Apparition, giving him something neutral yet interesting to talk about. He knew what she was doing – trying to ease his discomfort – and loved her all the more for it.

They had finished the food when Annie added, "You promised to show me, so...." She clapped her fingers to her palm twice like a sultan's command.

"What am I, a trained monkey?" he asked with a chuckle.

"Almost as good as. Go on, you promised!" she whined good-naturedly.

"Where should I go?" he sighed as he stood up.

"Over there... by that fir tree." She pointed, indicating a spot about fifteen yards away.

He rolled his eyes in mock exasperation. "Fine." He disappeared, then popped back into view where she had pointed. "Ta da!" he cried, waving his hands a little.

Annie's mouth had dropped open. Her eyes were wide, staring at him. "What was that sound?" she asked quietly.

"What sound?"

"That little popping sound... when you left... and then again when you reappeared?"

He shrugged. "Dunno. I didn't hear it."

"Okay. Come back," she directed him with a wave of her hand, expecting him to walk.

But he popped away again. An instant later, he was back on the blanket, much closer to her this time. Annie had to take a moment to recover her composure while he seated himself.

"You know, I've known for such a long time that you were a... a wizard," she whispered quietly, hesitating slightly to utter the last word aloud. "But I've never actually seen you do magic before. Do you mind... I mean... would you show me some more?" She was sitting back on her heels, leaning in toward him slightly. Her eager face smiled.

George felt a thrill run through him to have her eyes staring at him like that. He smiled back at her but tried to keep his voice casual. "Erm, sure. What do you want to see?"

"I don't know.... Surprise me."

He glanced around, looking for raw material and inspiration, sensing this might be his moment. He took his wand out of his pocket then looked back at Annie with his eyebrows raised to confirm this was what she had in mind.

She nodded in encouragement.

George summoned two delicate white flowers from the riverbank. As they floated through the air toward Annie, he made them dance around each other in the air, then brought them to rest in her hair, sliding their stems into her curls above each ear.

"That was beautiful, George," Annie cried softly, her awestruck face beaming at him. "Amazing! You are amazing! Thank you!" she gasped.

He felt heat rising in his face and looked away.

"With talent like that, I'll bet the girls at Hogwarts are pining for you right now," she said in a teasing voice, but he noticed with a surreptitious glance that her own face was blushing as well.

George snorted. "Not likely." He could name a few at least that were likely happy to see the back of him.

"So you say," she teased. "How many broken hearts did you leave behind at school, honestly?"

"Aside from Filch? He was really hoping to draw and quarter me by the end," he joked.

Annie laughed and gazed at him skeptically. She shifted from her knees to stretch her legs out in front of her and leaned back instead, propping herself up with her arms behind her.

"What about you?" he asked with morbid curiosity, unable to look her in the eye.

"I'm not really that into girls," she joked.

"Don't be thick," he said, nudging her shoulder with his own.

Annie laughed again. "Well, there is one boy I've had my heart set on for a while now," she said shyly, staring at her hands in her lap.

"Oh." George hoped he still sounded casual. He felt his heart literally sink into his stomach. He was too late.

Annie decided to go for broke. "Yeah. I'm hoping he'll lean over here and kiss me any minute now."

A slow smile spread across George's face as her words registered. He edged himself even closer to Annie until their bodies were just barely touching. He put a hand beside her face, stroked her cheekbone once with his thumb, then slipped his fingers into her soft curls – just like he had done hundreds of times in his dreams. The movement disturbed the flower, causing it to fall out of her hair onto the blanket beside her.

He pulled her face closer and finally kissed her for real.

They spent the rest of the afternoon there on the blanket; sometimes kissing, more often talking quietly, but always their bodies were touching. Their every movement seemed designed to sustain and maximize contact. They talked about everything and nothing, subjects profound and pointless, simply content to be in each other's company after such a long, forced absence.

At sunset, they gathered up the blanket. "I have to go back and get Gran her supper," Annie explained.

"Shall I walk you home?" he asked. He wasn't ready to part from her yet.

"Yes, please," she smiled and nodded in agreement, feeling the same way.

They walked through the woods and across the field as twilight fell around them. Annie looped her arms around his waist, leaning her head against him. George's free arm draped over her shoulders. He carried the picnic items in the other hand. When they reached the steps up to the back door of her house, he tossed them lightly on the stoop and gathered her closer. They kissed for several long moments more.

"I have to go in," she sighed.

"Can't I come in with you?" he asked. The house seemed dark and quiet, almost empty, to him.

Annie considered this for a moment. It was a tempting thought: not to let him out of her sight. But she soon thought better of it. "Not tonight. I'm not ready to share you with anyone else yet."

He smiled and kissed her again. Her hesitation was understandable: he wouldn't dream of dragging her into the Burrow at the moment, either. When she pulled back after several moments, he chuckled.

"I don't think I'm quite finished, though," he protested.

"Wait for me here?" she offered.

He accepted her offer immediately and nodded.

Annie was gone for not quite an hour. Meanwhile, George stood leaning against the back of the house, waiting patiently out of sight. He revisited some of his favorite parts of the afternoon, permanently committing them to memory. He listened to her voice drifting out the open windows of the house as she chatted with her grandmother throughout the meal, trying to dodge giving out too many details, telling her just enough about the day to avoid suspicion. He was amused by the concession he was forced to make: Annie might well be just as good at deception as he was.

"It's such a lovely evening, Gran. I think I'll sit outside a bit longer."

"All right, then, dear. I'm off to bed. Glad to hear you had such a nice time today."

Annie reappeared at the back door a few moments later. "I brought you some food. You must be famished."

He hadn't noticed until she'd mentioned it, but she was right. He gobbled up the plate of food, not wanting to waste any more of his time with Annie than absolutely necessary.

"Delicious, as usual," he praised her. He tipped back the glass of ale and finished it in one gulp. He mostly smothered a quiet belch, then grinned.

"Excuse you," she teased, wrinkling her nose but smiling.

"Oh, right. I had temporarily forgotten about the inner hag that emerges with compliments." He set the dishes down on the step. "Like I haven't heard you do worse!"

"There's the trollish bit I know and love. I wonder how you've kept it hidden all day," she snapped back with a smirk.

He smiled, took her hands and pulled her closer while he grunted twice.

"What was that?" she laughed quietly.

"That's troll for, 'Get over here, woman.'"

"I didn't realize you were quite so fluent," she purred softly.

"I have many hidden talents," he assured her.

"How do you say, 'Shut up and kiss me?'"

It was nearly midnight when Annie finally made him leave. "Not that I have any hope of actually sleeping tonight, but we do have work in the morning, and it's probably best to keep up the appearance of propriety," she teased him.

"When can I see you?" he asked.

"I'm yours all next weekend."

George walked home slowly through the woods rather than Apparating; he wasn't sure he could concentrate well enough to avoid splinching himself. His arms felt oddly empty, his skin unusually cool, his body strangely exposed to the elements without Annie draped around him. He fervently hoped she was wrong and that he would in fact fall asleep tonight, because he was rather looking forward to his dreams.

He snuck quietly into the house without detection for the most part. Fred did roll over, partly awake, and opened one eye when George closed the door to their room.

"That's more like it, old boy!" he mumbled, then promptly fell back asleep.