Confession

Chapter 62: Confession

June 2005

George wondered for the twentieth time why he was sitting in a strange pub in London, waiting to meet Alec Magruder. He took another drink of his pint and reviewed once again the events that had led him here.

First, there was the initial shock of the phone message that afternoon. The fact that Alec had known his mobile number was a surprise. And why had he asked to meet George here, of all places, and tonight, of all times? He hadn't sounded upset or urgent. Nor had he left any clue as to why he had wanted to meet.

George's response had been to immediately ring Annie with the news. She'd been as shocked as he was.

"How did he get your number?" she'd promptly asked.

"I was going to ask you the same question," he'd replied.

"Huh. I suppose I might've given it to Jane at some point, but I can't fathom why," she mumbled, thinking aloud.

"The bigger question is why Alec wants to meet me at seven p.m. tonight. Any clue?"

"I'm as curious as you are at this point. By all means, stay and find out. We'll be fine here. See you when you get home, love."

So, here he sat in London, nursing a pint and waiting. George was checking his watch – it was almost seven p.m. exactly – when movement near the entrance caught his eye. He glanced up to see Alec wave at him from across the pub. Certainly is punctual, he thought to himself as he waved in response.

Alec had married Jane Moruki nearly two years ago. He was a pleasant sort of fellow – easy-going, genuine, and friendly. All characteristics seemingly at odds with Alec's choice of profession: political bureaucrat. George supposed someone had to do the job, after all. His father, for example, had made a career of it. And then there was his brother Percy, who was practically born wearing Ministry robes.

None of this knowledge was helping to illuminate why Alec wanted to speak to George, however. The two men were little more than friendly acquaintances. It was their wives who had the deeper relationship. Annie and Jane did still make attempts to keep in touch, though it had gotten harder over the years as they'd all gotten busier with their adult lives. Not to mention the fact that Annie had, for all intents and purposes, left the Muggle world entirely behind her years ago now.

Alec sat down across the table from George and greeted him with a smile and a warm handshake. "Good to see you again, George," he said.

"And you, Alec. How've you been?"

"Busy. As I imagine you've been as well. Jane tells me you and Annie just had another baby this spring. That brings you up to...?"

"Five," answered George with a proud smile.

Alec gave a low whistle. "You're a better man than I, George," he said, his smile a compilation of admiration and pity.

"Oh, I don't know about better. Maybe just a bit luckier," he joked.

Both men chuckled at the veiled innuendo. Jane and Alec had yet to start their family, if indeed one was in the cards at all. They were both such driven young up-and-comers: Jane with her architecture firm and Alec moving up rapidly through the ranks of government. Annie had informed George that Alec was now a member of the Muggle Prime Minister's staff, no less.

Alec raised his glass for a toast. "To the continued health and happiness of your family!" he offered.

"Thank you," George said as they clinked glasses. "And to you, as well."

"So, I suspect you might be wondering why I asked you to meet me tonight," Alec said, finally cutting to the chase. He smiled at George as he took another drink from his glass.

"I'll confess to being curious," George replied.

"I had a very interesting meeting in the Minister's office today. Very illuminating in many ways."

George raised his eyebrows, waiting for the shoe to drop. He couldn't imagine why he should care about this meeting.

Alec looked at him with an amused smile. "Someone you know was at the meeting as well: your brother."

George's polite smile froze onto his face. "My brother?" he asked, trying hard to maintain an innocently casual tone of voice as his brain scrambled to make sense of the information. He tried to remember if he had ever mentioned any of his family to Alec before.

"Yes. Percy, I think, was his name. Of course, the moment I saw him, I thought of you. The family resemblance is striking, as you must know. And then there was the surname. Not a very common name, Weasley. There can't be that many around that aren't related to you, I reckon."

"No, I suppose not," he agreed noncommittally, deciding to ignore what he considered to be an inadvertent insult that Alec thought there was the slightest resemblance between Percy and himself. What the bloody hell is going on? he wondered. What was Perce doing in the Prime Minister's office today?

Alec continued. "So, I asked him, 'Do you know a George Weasley from Devon?' Well, he looked at me like I had just punched him in the gut. 'How do you know George Weasley?' he asked me, nearly stuttering. 'He's married to Annie Weasley. She's a dear friend of my wife's,' I said.

"And then, of course, he said yes, he did know you. That you were in fact his younger brother. Wouldn't you know it... small world, eh?"

George took a few moments to collect himself. There was no point in denying the connection since Percy had confirmed it. "So, you've met Percy. I hope you won't hold it against the rest of the family," he joked, hoping to diffuse the situation with a bit of humor. Just because Alec had met Percy didn't necessarily mean he knew about... everything.

"The rest of the family?" Alec asked, curious.

"There were seven of us kids. We lost my twin brother seven years ago now," he replied softly.

"My condolences. But seven children? Well, now I see why you take five children of your own in stride," he exclaimed.

George shrugged while Alec maintained a friendly, genuine smile on his face. George wasn't picking up any subterfuge from him at all. They were just two blokes chatting about a curious coincidence, perhaps?

Alec took another drink. "Your brother Percy was on an official visit today. From the other Ministry..." he said softly.

"Aha," sighed George. "And now we're getting to the real reason for this chat."

"Absolutely fascinating, you know," Alec's eyes sparkled. "That it really exists. That it's all real. I suppose you can...?"

George nodded slowly, silently, just once.

"Tell me... does Annie know?" Alec asked.

"Are you joking? Of course she does!" George exclaimed quietly.

Alec snorted in amazement. "When did you tell her? How did she take it?" he asked with eager curiosity.

"Annie and I met in the woods that separated our homes when we were seven years old. She's known since then." George smiled at the memory of it.

Alec's eyes grew wide with astonishment. "Good Lord! Seven years old? Really?" He shook his head as he pondered the repercussions.

"So, is that all this is about? Idle curiosity?" George asked patiently.

"Well, no, actually. It's mostly about Jane, in fact."

"About Jane?" George repeated, surprised. "Is everything all right?"

"Again, no. She's been quite worried about both of you for a while now."

"Worried how?" George asked a bit defensively.

"Only in so far as she feels like she and Annie don't get to spend much time together. And she's felt for a long while that Annie has been keeping something from her. Maybe even avoiding her, because of it," he explained. "Is she? I mean, other than the obvious?"

George thought carefully of how best to answer him. "It's complicated... because of the life we've chosen. You of all people now understand there are restrictions – laws even – that control interactions between us and you. Annie has to follow them, just like everyone else."

"That's all it is, then? There's nothing wrong with Annie?"

Again, George paused before answering. "She had a difficult time with the birth of our youngest. It's taken her a long time to recover from it. But no, there's nothing wrong with Annie." George supposed it was something of a leap forward for him to say it out loud. She was fine. It was just hard to remember that fact whenever the vision of her lying in that horrible hospital bed came roaring back to mind.

"Jane misses her terribly, you see. She worries about Annie because of it. She's got herself convinced that... well... that one or the other of you is terminally ill, in fact."

"Good Lord, no!" It was George's turn to exclaim. "We're all in perfect health, I assure you," he laughed. "Please tell her so."

Alec's answering smile turned into more of a grimace. "I was rather hoping perhaps you and Annie would tell her so," he said.

George's eyes narrowed. He had a good idea what was coming next.

"George, my wife is a very trustworthy person, I assure you. I trust her with all my own secrets, you know, and she's never let me down. Perhaps you might consider doing the same?"

So, this is what it all boils down to, George thought. Despite all the rules and regulations forbidding it, Alec wanted his wife to be in on their secret. George had to admit he was impressed by the fact that Alec had come to him first instead of going directly to Jane with the information. Alec apparently appreciated the fact that it was not his right to divulge it, and George was grateful for that discretion.

"Look, I'll be straight with you. It's not just up to me, as you well know. But I do promise you one thing: I'll speak to Annie about it, and we'll make a decision together. I'll let you know as soon as I can."

*

The following weekend, Annie sat nervously on the sofa as George went to the door to greet their guests. He was wearing his "party" shirt: the garish turquoise one he'd bought in Hawaii with hula girls tossed about all over it. He claimed the color reminded him of the old Anglia his family used to have. The silly thing usually made her smile, and today was no exception.

"Hello, Jane, Alec," her husband welcomed them warmly.

Jane peeked around George, searching for Annie.

"Over here, Jane," she called, standing and taking a few steps toward her friend.

Jane's hand went to her mouth, and her brow furrowed in concern. "Oh, Annie!" she cried, dashing over and pulling her into a fierce hug, tears beginning to flow. "I knew it! I knew you were ill! Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she admonished.

"Ill?" asked Annie, confused. "Why would you think that?"

Jane pulled back from the hug. "You look... you look so tired... and pale. And your hair is so short! Are you in much pain, love?"

"I look tired and pale because I'm exhausted, Jane!" Annie laughed. "And I'm exhausted because I'm nursing a five-month old who still wakes up twice a night!" Annie punctuated her declaration with a yawn for effect. "Not to mention the rest of my army of children is running me bloody ragged!"

"So, you're not... ill?" whispered Jane, sounding hopeful but looking doubtful.

"I promise you, I'm fine!" Annie assured her, still laughing. "Though apparently I've looked better, considering your reaction."

Jane hiccupped, sobbed, and laughed all at the same time to amusing effect. "You must think I'm a complete idiot," she said while accepting the box of tissues offered by Annie.

"Not completely," she teased as she and Jane each took a seat on the sofa. "You're not an idiot at all, Jane," she said with more seriousness. "You're right about one thing... I have been keeping something from you... for a long time now." She glanced up at George, who was standing behind her, resting his hand on her shoulder for moral support.

"I swear I didn't put Alec up to this. I only found out after the fact that he met with George and told him I was worried about you." Jane took her hand. "As long as I know you're all right, Annie, nothing else matters. You don't have to tell me, whatever it is, if you don't want to."

"I've always wanted to tell you, Jane, but I couldn't. It wasn't my decision to make, not even my secret to tell, really. But now, things have changed, and... well...." Annie took a deep breath and dove right into the confession. "George is a wizard, Jane."

"At what?" her friend chuckled, a sly, amused smile on her face.

Annie giggled at Jane's wicked assumption. "I mean, he can do magic. With a wand."

Jane lowered her eyes bashfully and squirmed a bit. "Erm... Annie... that's really none of my business...."

Annie looked at George in amused frustration, her face flushed. "I never realized how much this would sound like innuendo," she mused with a giggle. Her husband laughed as well. "Looks like you'll have to show her, George," she suggested. "Why don't you serve the hors d'oeuvres?"

Jane began sputtering in shocked protest as George reached into his trouser pocket... then drew out his wand. Her eyes grew wide as he aimed it at the dishes on the kitchen counter and, with the slightest flick of his wrist, summoned them from across the living room. Both Alec's and Jane's jaws were slack as George directed the plates of food to fly through the air, coming to rest gently on the low table before them.

Slowly, Jane tore her eyes from the food to look at Annie. "George is a wizard?" she repeated in a whisper. "He can do magic...?"

"With a wand," Annie confirmed with a giggle and a nod.

"How long have you known?" Jane asked, still incredulous.

"A long time," Annie said evasively. "I couldn't tell you. I couldn't tell anyone or George and his family could've gotten in trouble. No one is supposed to know. It's the law, actually."

"And you've kept this secret all this time... from everyone?" she asked.

Annie nodded, wincing slightly. "You're the first living soul I've ever told."

Jane's eyes boggled again. "Not even your Gran?" she cried.

"Well, I did try to tell her at first, but she never swallowed it. I don't blame her for not believing such a mad story from a little kid – would you?" Jane shook her head, and Annie continued. "She did figure it out herself, though, the night we were married."

Annie reached under the coffee table and pulled out a photo album from the shelf there. She flipped to a picture taken at her wedding and tilted the book to show her friend. "This was us – our wedding – in Gran's hospital room. I think it was meeting Fred that must've finally tipped her off," Annie explained as she tenderly stroked the edge of the photo with her fingertip.

Jane examined the photo with her. "I never knew you were a twin, George," she mused. Then she snorted, looking up at him accusingly. "I suppose there's quite a bit I don't know about you, isn't there?"

"Most likely," he agreed with a smile.

"And you," she cried, turning to Annie. "You little sneak! I can't believe you kept this to yourself all these years!" Jane exclaimed in mock indignation. "Some friend you must think I am! You don't trust me a bit, do you?"

"It was the law! I couldn't tell anyone," Annie cried defensively.

"And you're such a stickler for rules, I well know," Jane parried, smirking.

"Don't be ridiculous, Jane. You know far too much about me! I know I'm at your mercy, and so do you," she teased, grateful her friend was taking the revelations so well.

"Too right I do. Maybe it's time for me to spill my guts tonight as well. A little revenge might make me feel a bit better about the whole thing. Perhaps I might recall a few teenage lovesick conversations...."

George edged himself onto the arm of the sofa behind Annie and put his arm about her. "Ooh, do tell, Jane," he encouraged her like a gossip-starved biddy.

"Oh, let's not play 'Who Can Embarrass Annie More?' tonight, if you please," Annie groaned. "I freely and with fear in my heart acknowledge both of you know enough to put me under."

"Don't think you're off the hook either, Mr. Wizard," Jane said as she gave George a scolding glare. "I expect quite an entertaining show this evening for my trouble," she warned, gesturing at the plates of food.

"Why don't you and Alec take yourselves to the garden, George?" Annie suggested. She wanted some time alone with her friend, whom she hadn't seen in so long.

"Only if Jane promises to save at least one teenage lovesick confession for me," he joked as he got up from the sofa.

"I promise I'll save the juiciest one just for you," Jane teased as Alec rose and gave her a peck on the cheek on his way outdoors.

*

George and Alec sat on lawn chairs together in the garden at Mole Hill, watching the sun set as dinner cooked on the grill. Each held a bottle of beer in one hand.

"I'm curious.... Why was Percy at the Prime Minister's office the other day? You never did tell me. Or is it a state secret?" asked George.

"Actually, it is something of a state secret, but seeing as you are who you are, I suppose I could let you in on it. You'll likely find out about it on your own soon enough. I don't suppose it will be such a great secret in your world."

George's brow furrowed as Alec paused for dramatic effect before continuing. "Would it surprise you to know that Elise Clevenger, youngest daughter of the Right Honourable Silas Clevenger, will be attending Hogwarts in the fall?"

George nearly did a spit take. "She's a witch?!" he sputtered. "My God... I mean... how? Is the PM... or his wife maybe?" he coughed.

Alec shook his head. "All as Muggle as they come... that's the word, isn't it? No, Elise is the only one of the family with that particular talent," he chuckled.

"Blimey! Must've been a shock to them, for sure. How've they kept it under wraps this long?" he asked.

Alec shrugged. "They've always been very protective of the privacy of their family, kept the children out of the public eye – for good reason, I now understand. She's a good girl, runs on an even keel, so I reckon they didn't have too much trouble with, ah... accidents, as you say. And ever since his election, there've been a team of what you lot call Obliviators at every interview and press conference, ready to intervene whenever someone brings up the topic of his children or their education."

"If they're so secretive, as you say, how did you manage to get the privilege to know?" George pressed, terribly intrigued by the prospect. "Why were you at the meeting? I thought only the Minister himself was permitted to know about our world."

"The Clevengers are old family friends of mine," Alec explained. "So, yes, that also partly explains why I'm working in the Prime Minister's office, young as I am. I've long suspected there was something different about Elise – I've known her since her birth, you see – but never would've guessed at the truth."

"You seem to be pretty well-versed in the workings of higher government liaisons," Alec continued after they had both paused for a bit to ponder the revelations. "How did you know the PM even knew about you all? Is it common knowledge?"

"Not exactly," George confessed. "By strange coincidence, several high-ranking Ministry of Magic officials are old family friends of mine as well. My father has worked there for years, as well as my brother, Percy, but Dad's not really what you'd consider high-ranking," he added with a chuckle.

"Strange coincidence, indeed. Then you must know all about the recent troubles a few years ago?" Alec asked curiously.

George nodded slowly, not at all sure he wanted to continue the conversation if this was the direction it was headed. "You could say that, yes," he replied hesitantly.

"I'm sorry... I don't mean to pry. Is that how you lost your brother?"

George nodded again. "Don't worry – my family was on the good side," he winked, hoping to keep the atmosphere light and casual. The last thing he wanted tonight was to rehash the events of the war. "No hard feelings toward Muggles, obviously," he added, holding up his hand and wiggling the finger wearing his wedding band.

Alec paused with a thoughtful look on his face. George correctly figured he was doing the math. "And you married her in the middle of it!?" he gasped when he reached the correct conclusion. "My God, man! You're either recklessly brave, or...."

"Stupid in love," George added, chuckling. "That's me. Best idiotic stunt of my life, that one. And between you and me, that's saying something. I'm rather a connoisseur of idiotic stunts."

*

Jane continued to flip slowly through the photo album. She seemed to take the fact that some of the pictures were animated in stride.

"George seems to have a big, happy family," she mused, noting the predominance of red-headed people in the photos.

"They're wonderful and very close-knit. I'm lucky to have them nearby," Annie replied as she pointed out the window toward the Burrow. "That's where he grew up. His parents still live there."

Jane took in the view from the large window. The preposterously lopsided house in the distance, lit up by the setting sun, brought a smile to her face. "So, they're all...?" Jane asked, letting the sentence hang unfinished.

"Magical, yes. It's not nearly as rare as you might imagine. Thousands of them live here in Britain, even more all over the world. The secrecy laws require them all to hide, to live apart from the rest of us. It's practically a separate culture – with a few exceptions."

"Like you?" Jane asked.

Annie nodded. "Sometimes Muggles – that's what they call us – marry into magical families. Quite a bit rarer, a magical child can be born to non-magical parents. I suppose it must be a spontaneous mutation or something."

"Mutation? It's genetic?" she asked, surprised.

"Most think so. You have to be born with the ability. It certainly runs in families," Annie explained.

Jane's eyes grew round again as she reached the next logical conclusion. "Does that mean... your kids?"

Annie smiled and nodded. "Every one of them, just like their dad," she said with glowing pride. Even though Georgeanna hadn't expressed her abilities yet, there was no reason to think she'd be any different from her older siblings.

Jane shook her head once more, flabbergasted. "How do you do it? I mean, it must be hard enough to keep up with five, but... my God!"

"It's not easy, no," Annie giggled. "But they're amazing kids. Exceptional, in fact, because they manage to control it as well as they do. That's not to say we haven't had a few accidents over the years," she laughed, running her hand through her current cropped hairstyle. "But they've had to learn to control it early, me being what I am. And Molly and Arthur – that's George's parents – or George himself has always been able to put everything to rights again afterward whenever they slip. The four older ones are all over there now," she said, nodding toward the Burrow, "spending the evening with Granny and Grandpa. Joey's upstairs asleep."

"Joey?"

"Didn't I tell you Georgeanna's nickname? Her sisters have trouble pronouncing her name, and George jokes she's like a baby kangaroo, always peeking out of the sling I carry her around in," Annie laughed. "So, the poor thing's Joey now, I'm afraid."

"That's adorable!" Jane gushed. "I hope I get to see them. It's been ages!"

Annie nodded. "Molly and Arthur will bring them home before bed tonight. You'll get to meet them as well, if you like."

"I'd love to meet the whole family, if I may. Especially George's twin."

Annie's face fell.

"What's wrong? Did I say something?" asked Jane, noticing immediately and sounding worried.

"Fred... that's George's twin brother... died shortly after we were married. We were devastated by it – the whole family – for a long time," she said softly, picking at a seam on her jeans.

"I'm so sorry, Annie. What happened?" Jane asked sympathetically.

Annie sighed, steeling herself to continue. The whole point of tonight was to tell Jane everything. As much as it brought the hurt back to her heart, Annie knew she owed it to her friend to share the complete story. But the hibernating monster of her grief snorted awake. "When George and I were married, there was a magical war going on," she began to explain.

Jane's eyes boggled once again, but she kept silent, enrapt in Annie's story.

"One faction, the enemy, felt magic belonged only to wizards from established magical families. They persecuted any witch or wizard that couldn't prove their heritage wasn't tainted by Muggle blood. Some even went so far as to preach that non-magical people were less than human. They came to power the night of George's oldest brother's wedding, when they took over the Ministry of Magic. They ambushed the celebration, searching for a wizard they felt was a possible threat to their claim."

"Oh my God, Annie," Jane whispered, remembering the day. She had helped Annie get ready to attend, after all. It suddenly became clear to her why Annie had been so reluctant to discuss what had happened that night – she and George hadn't had a row, after all, like Jane had supposed.

"It probably goes without saying that George's family didn't buy into that rubbish. In fact, they were some of the leaders of the resistance against the awful regime. They were very brave and outspoken, and therefore targets for retribution. They were eventually driven into hiding, like hundreds of others, for their own safety."

"And where did that leave you?" Jane asked, full of concern that was no less touching because it came so many years after the fact.

Annie smiled her thanks and continued, "That's why we had to be so secretive about our marriage; why I told you at the time that you couldn't tell anyone. They took me in after Gran died – at great personal risk, I might add. We all hid out together for several months. Then Fred was killed in the final battle of the war... in the spring following our wedding, when I was pregnant with the twins. It was a miracle the family didn't lose any more – every one of them was there, fighting against the evil ones. So many died that night..." she said, shaking her head with the old sadness.

"But you won, right? The good guys?" asked Jane quietly.

Annie forced a smile back onto her face. "Yes. We won. The leader of the Dark wizards was destroyed, his forces scattered and hunted down afterward. There're still some pockets of discrimination against Muggles and Muggle-borns, of course, but it's no longer official public policy to persecute them."

"So, that's why your son is named Fred? After his uncle?"

Annie nodded. "Our little band of half-bloods are some of the first children born after the war," she explained with a wink and a giggle. "And they're being raised not to take any crap from anyone who tries to treat them any differently because of it." Her eyes glinted with pride and indignation as she smiled mischievously.

"Good for you!" cried Jane. "It just goes to show it must be human nature to insist some people are better than others, no matter how ridiculous the qualification might be."

Annie snorted. "I suppose you're right. Thank goodness there always seems to be a group of reckless rebels willing to thumb their noses at authority and call the buggers on it," she said with another wink.

Jane laughed out loud. "You and that husband of yours certainly fit the bill there, Annie Weasley!" she exclaimed.

They were interrupted then by George calling out, "Dinner's on, ladies," as the two men reentered the house.

Annie and Jane rose from the sofa and made their way to the large dining table behind them. George was arranging the food upon the table while Annie collected a stack of plates to distribute. As Jane sat down, she let out a startled cry when Winky appeared at her elbow, setting utensils at her place.

"Winky is sorry, Miss. Not meaning to startle you."

"That's my fault, Winky. I haven't introduced you yet. Winky, these are our good friends, Jane and Alec. And this is our dear Winky, whom we couldn't live without!" gushed Annie, beaming at the house-elf.

Winky glanced nervously at the floor but smiled at the compliment. She clambered up onto a tall stool set next to Annie's spot. "Miss is very gracious, as always. Winky is knowing no other house-elf what eats with the family, not ever. Weasleys are the kindest wizards, I is knowing it well."

"Stop it, Winky, we're blushing!" George chuckled awkwardly, embarrassed by the praise. "Now sit and eat, all of you."

Alec and Jane couldn't help but stare at the creature sitting at the table next to Annie. She felt the best solution was to make Winky the topic of conversation on her own terms, rather than as an object of curiosity.

"Winky came to live with us this year, just before Joey was born. She helps keep the school in order. I don't know how we survived without her before," Annie explained as Winky shyly nodded, her mouth full of a bite of food.

"A school? I thought Jane said you were home-schooling your kids," Alec asked.

"Just another of the twisted half-truths, I'm afraid," Annie confessed. "Magical children are kept away from Muggle schools. It's in everyone's best interest, actually. Very few of them have the level of self-control necessary to interact with Muggles safely."

Annie glanced at George, who was chewing his food carefully. He was avoiding looking at her or participating in the conversation. Perhaps their compromise about the school was still too new, still felt too much like a defeat on his part. At least he wasn't arguing with her, and for that she was thankful. That clouded, angry look had not come to his face... yet. She determined to do what she could to keep the conversation light and brief, for her part.

"Anyway, several of our friends and family with little ones bring them here while they work elsewhere. We call it a school for lack of a better term. It's really just a daycare of sorts for the youngest ones, but I've started teaching the older ones a bit."

"A bit?" piped up George. "It's a full primary curriculum, Annie! Reading, maths, writing.... You're too modest, as usual," he huffed, shaking his head. To her relief, a half-smile graced his features now.

Annie gave him a pleased smile. "I suppose so," she conceded. "I can show you after dinner, if you'd like to see," she offered to her guests.

"That's really impressive, Annie," praised Jane. "I'd love to see it."

Annie smiled, feeling mischievous after the small success with George. "So, you don't hold it against me? That I hitched myself to one of the local idiots instead of going to university?" she teased, throwing her friend's old words back at her.

Jane gasped in mortified shock as George guffawed and Alec smiled. "I can't believe you told him I said that!" Jane cried. "You'll pay for that one, Annie," she threatened.

"Does that mean it's time for the juicy confessions?" asked George eagerly as Annie groaned.

"Like you haven't worked it out on your own by now," Jane scolded him. "She certainly was miserable over you for quite a while."

"Miserable? I like the sound of that. Just how much misery are we talking about?" George leered.

"I remember a certain conversation one Easter holiday..." Jane began.

"Jane! Confidentiality!" Annie cried, horrified. "I have a reasonable right as your oldest and dearest friend to expect some level of confidentiality!" she demanded.

"I was visiting home from my first year at Cardiff, so you must have been in sixth year, correct? Terribly lovestruck and certainly full of a good deal of moping and sighing..." Jane continued, ignoring her.

"I'm begging you!" Annie pleaded. "I have to live with him after this! He's merciless, he is! His big, fat head is swollen enough already!"

"I think I can recall you saying something along the lines of 'sweet' and 'beautiful'.... Maybe even a 'perfect' or two thrown in there for good measure. You were clearly looking through some rather thick love goggles at the time," Jane teased as she smirked at George.

The men of the table oohed and ahhed for good measure.

"Was this before or after you got the tattoo of me on your back, Annie?" George asked with a glint in his eyes.

"Tattoo!?" Jane shrieked. "What is he talking about?"

Annie put her head down on the table with a soft thud and waved her white napkin above her in surrender.

"Let the public flogging begin!" cried Alec, entertained by the spectacle.

"Is Miss all right?" asked Winky timidly as she eased herself down off the stool to put her empty dish in the sink.

"It's fine, Winky. I'm just about to be drawn and quartered by my husband and an old former friend, that's all," she assured the house-elf with a smile as the rest of the table laughed.