Christmas With... The Weasleys! - George x Reader
A/N: This is the first part of my Harry Potter Christmas series. I'll be trying to do a holiday story with each of the characters. I hope you enjoy!
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"Ron," I said as I readjusted myself on the seat in our train car. "What's it like to celebrate Christmas?"
Ron, Harry, and Hermione stared at me in disbelief.
I, somehow, had made it to my fourth year of school at Hogwarts before I allowed myself to accept Ron's invite to come home with him for Christmas. The four of us have been good friends since first year but, I always felt like I would just be interrupting their family Christmas. This year, however, I wasn't given much of a choice. George Weasley had practically begged me on his knees to come after we spent most of the yule ball together. Nobody had asked me and I just kind of ended up hanging out with him most of the night.
"You've really never celebrated Christmas y/n," Harry gaped.
"Not with anyone important. The orphanage put up a tree and we have Christmas dinner but it's nothing all that special. I never had a Christmas with my parents, don't even know who they were. I've always wanted to have a big celebration though."
My parents had given me up to the orphanage when I was born. I've never learned their names or anything about them. The orphanage always did it's best to give us a good Christmas but I have to admit it wasn't much. Most kid's favorite holiday was Christmas but mine has always been Easter. The orphanage had an easier time setting up eggs for a mass crowd of children than they did presents.
"Well. I for one think it's about time you had a real Christmas celebration and I'm sorry I can't be there for it," Hermione said as she tucked some things away in her bag.
"It's rubbish you can't come, Hermione," complained Ron.
"My parents want to have a lovely family Christmas just as yours do Ronald."
I leaned my head against the window and listened to their light-hearted bickering throughout the train ride chiming in every once in a while.
Arriving to the Weasley's at Christmas time brought me as much joy as going to Hogsmead for the first time. The house was decorated from top to bottom, inside and out. As we walked in the door I ran my fingers gently over shimmering holly garland that was peppered with ornaments. Red and green decorations clung to every surface in the home. It's hard to describe the pure joy that was coursing through me just at the sight of the holiday adornments.
Molly was greeting everyone with hugs and came to a stop before me. "It's so good to finally have you for Christmas y/n dear," she chimed wrapping me up in a hug.
"Thank you Mrs. Weasley. I'm happy to be here."
"Alright then, don't you lot stand in the doorway forever. Get in, get in."
Everyone split off toward the stairs racing up to their rooms. Fred and George clamoring up together and Ron with Harry and Ginny nearly getting trampled by all of the boys and Percy tramping up the stairs calmly behind them.
"Aren't you coming," Ron and George asked almost at the same time.
"Why would she want to go with you," Ron challenged.
"Could ask you the same thing mate," Fred chimed in.
"I invited her," George answered.
"What‽ No! I invited her," Ron retorted.
"That's odd, I remember asking her after the yule ball."
"It's true, I was there," Fred's comment followed.
Molly and I watched from the bottom of the stairs as they quarreled about who had invited me over the banister. I didn't really understand why it mattered, either way I'm here. I could tell that Molly was growing tired of their senseless bickering.
She placed a supportive hand on my back and gave me an apology in the form of a weak smile. "Boys!"
They went silent and stared down at her from high up on the winding staircase.
"Thank you. I was going to ask y/n for help in the kitchen," she glanced at me. "If anyone else would like to join us they are welcome to."
The three boys stared each other down before Harry grabbed Ron's shoulder, "c'mon Ron, we'll go play chess."
The boys ambled off to their separate quarters and I was left alone with Molly. With the boys gone it was oddly silent except for the sound of the little decorative Christmas train making its way around its tiny snowy village. Although that silence didn't stick around for long, Molly and I soon filled it with easy conversation.
She bustled around the kitchen setting out ingredients and flipping through cookbooks. There were half-finished dishes and barely started ones each entirely different from the last.
"Molly, wow, this all has to take forever to cook!"
"Surely not as long as you think dear. Now, how about fixing up the cookies for me?"
She handed me ingredients and an old, weathered looking recipe.
"This is a family recipe so if you ever meet my mother you never saw this," Molly winked at me.
"Your secret recipe is safe with me."
I began to follow the recipe carefully, step by step. As I reached the end of the recipe George wandered into the kitchen.
I stopped spinning the beater with my wand, "the dough is done!"
"Thank you dear! You can lick the dough off the beater if you want."
"Lick the dough off the beater?"
"You've never licked the dough off the beater‽ Y/n!" George finally said something.
"Is that a normal thing?"
"Yes!" He ran over, picked the beater up and swiped some cookie dough off with his finger before handing the beater to me. "Go on," he said lifting his finger full of cookie dough in the air and nodding his head at me.
"What about the raw eggs?"
"It's such a small amount it's usually just fine," Molly explained, turning from the recipe she was mixing up.
George nodded at me once again and we each took a lick of cookie dough at the same time.
"I've had raw cookie dough before but straight off the beater it's just more special. That was heavenly!"
Suddenly Fred appeared in the kitchen, having heard my last comment, "I can think of two other heavenly beaters, eh, George?"
"I can only think of one Fred. Me."
"Well if it isn't the iconic duo, George and Fred," I said, taking another lick of the cookie dough on the beater.
"Did you say George and Fred," George carefully questioned, beaming.
"Yes… Why? Did you change your names?"
Fred stared at his brother and then rolled his eyes, "not yet. Maybe for new year!"
I stared at the nearly licked-clean beater searching for any scraps of cookie dough I had missed and took another lick.
"Isn't your tongue getting tired mate," Fred asked.
"Been going at it for awhile now," George added.
"Hm, no. I guess I just have a strong tongue."
George winked at me and I immediately broke out into laughter. Perhaps too much laughter, it kind of made me nervous.
"I think we've kept them from cooking long enough George."
"I reckon you're right Fred."
As the two made an exit back to their room George sent me another wink.
I took one last lick of the beater before giving up on finding anymore cookie dough and took it over to the sink and washed it. Molly was still busy rushing about the kitchen.
"Can I help you with anything else?"
"No, thank you. You should run off with the others."
"If you need any other help, I'm happy to again."
"Thank you dear. I'll call if I need you."
I exited the kitchen and stared up the long winding staircase. How do I find anyone in this place? It's huge. I stopped at the first landing and found a cracked open door. I rapped on the door frame before gently pushing the door open.
Percy was sitting at a desk with a book in hand.
"Quite alright. Fred and George or Ron and Harry? Or I suppose Ginny? Are you friends?"
"Who are you looking for?"
"Oh uh, I'm not sure really. I was just looking for the first person I could find. Wanna hangout Percy," I joked.
"Not quite. I'm deep in a reading of a certainly peculiar book."
"I suppose I should leave you to it then."
"I suppose. Fred and George, they have separate rooms but, you'll always find them in Fred's. Two flights up. Ron's all the way at the top. And- Ginny, you never answered if you were friends."
"George, Fred, and Ron will do, thank you. Enjoy your reading."
I pulled his door to again as I left and headed up the stairs. George and Fred were closest, might as well stop there first. Not paying attention, I went up one flight too far and was nearly at the top. I could hear Ron and Harry speaking in one of the rooms above.
"George is going to steal my bloody best friend. She's been my best friend since first year and well… he can't have her!"
"Ron, I think George has more than friends in mind."
"Either way. Our friendship's special and I don't want George tearing it apart. She'll start snogging him and forget all about me."
"Y/n's not going to forget about you. She wants your friendship as much as you want hers."
Ron… he's my best friend! I wouldn't ever forget about him. We've been through everything together. And sure, Harry and Hermione were there but I have a better connection with Ron. We understand each other. Quite frankly I have no interest in snogging George. Well, nothing against George specifically, George is gentle and sweet and funny. But! I've never dated, nor kissed, anyone and I don't think now is the time to start. I wouldn't know what I was doing, it's scary!
I pried myself away from their conversation and went down a flight of stairs to say hi to George and Fred. Music was spilling out from behind one of the closed doors on the level so I knocked on it figuring it was probably them. The door swung open to reveal Fred directly in front of it and George sprawled out on the bed further into the room.
"Georgie, we have a guest."
George rolled onto his stomach and propped his head up with his hands, "come on in, love."
"Can't believe you hadn't licked cookie dough off a beater 'till today," Fred said.
I looked at George, "I see you've told him about my first time."
"Course I have. It's rubbish."
"Mate, are you aware of how many inappropriate jokes you've made today," Fred acknowledged.
"I haven't the foggiest clue what you're talking about. I'm innocent," I bat my eyelashes at them.
I'm not innocent. Not in the least. My mind has been in the gutter since we arrived at the Weasley's. And in fact I wish I didn't have a clue why but I had a very good clue and it was laying on the bed about ten feet away from me.
"I call bull on that," George contested.
"Which part, not having a clue or being innocent?"
"Wow! Aren't you both charming."
"Feel free to share what's on your mind."
"Take a load off," George patted the bed.
"Thanks, but I should really go see Ron and Harry."
"Nonsense!" George grabbed me around the waist and pulled me onto the bed. He held me tight as I giggled and squirmed to get free. I knew I wasn't going to free myself of his grip so I relaxed and he finally let go.
"Now was that really that hard?"
"Get a room the two of you!"
"Shut it Fred," I teased.
"There's two of us and one of you. You get a room, Fred."
"How about I just go to Ron's room," I got up off the bed and made a swift exit as they protested behind me.
I made my way up to the top of the stairs thinking about what I heard Ron say earlier. He's my best friend, I wouldn't leave him no matter what. Knowing Ron he's going to be in a mood the second I enter the room. There was a cracked door directly at the top of the stairs. I pushed it open a bit to peak in. Ron and Harry were sitting in the middle of the room on the floor on opposite sides of a chess board. I stepped inside immediately gaining their attention. Ron's attitude changed immediately.
"How was cooking," Harry asked.
"Fine. Thank you." I turned to Ron purposefully. "Before you go complaining about the whole George thing I ask you to stop being an idiot and use your head. I'm not going to 'snog' your brother! Nor date him, nor anything else having to do with him."
"You heard," Ron said dejectedly.
"Yes and I think it's ridiculous! I have no interest in dating anyone, Ron. Even if I did, I would never leave you. You're my best friend. No offense Harry." Harry nodded his head at me. "Ron. We've been through a lot together and I'm sure we'll go through a lot more. But we're going to do it together."
Ron spoke barely above a whisper, "I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry. I was being stupid."
"You usually are," I joked.
Harry, Ron and I shared a good laugh and the mood settled and the air lost the tense feeling.
"But why don't you want to date George?"
"I didn't think you wanted her to date George."
"Well if she's going to date somebody-"
"Oh my God Ron," I explode getting up out of the floor.
"No really. D'you like George?"
"What's changed your mind so quickly," Harry questioned.
"At least he's family. If she's around him she's going to be around me more right? She'd be here in the Summer more. So do you like George?"
"This isn't a business deal Ron," I said falling back on his bed.
"You're avoiding the question y/n," Harry chuckled.
"Didn't think it needed an answer."
"It's an easy question 'specially if you're so against dating him," Ron marveled.
They stared at me in silence and I stared at Ron's ceiling. Suddenly, I sat up and stared each of them down.
"I'm not going to date him."
"That's not an answer! He likes you. I'm his brother, I have to listen to him talk about you like that all the time. There's nothing scary about saying you like him."
"Alright, fine. Admit you like Hermione and I'll admit I like George."
"You just admitted it," Harry shouted.
"I do not," Ron shouted at the same time.
Harry and I gave him an incredulous look.
"We're not talking about me!"
"Yeah," I scoffed, "you're trying to hook me up with your brother when I don't want to date anyone."
"... I've never dated anyone before. It's kinda scary."
"You have to start somewhere," Harry contended.
The two boys looked at each other searching for an answer and seemed to reach none. They scrambled to redirect the conversation having no answer to my previous question.
"You're just a wuss!," Ron mocked, jabbing a finger in the air at me.
"Seriously‽ You sound like a five year old!"
Just as quick as that the conversation was over in a fit of laughter. I sat down on the floor next to Ron and swung my arm over his shoulder and scruffed up his hair.
"You know, it feels quite odd being away from Hogwarts for Christmas. It's really nice though. Thank you again, Ron, for inviting me."
"So it was me that invited you."
"You both invited me. I figured if two Weasleys wanted me here I wouldn't be impeding as much."
"Ron, you say that as if you don't remember asking her."
I jumped at the sudden racket coming from downstairs. A cacophony of Weasley voices was heard through the house announcing that the feast was ready to be eaten.
Ron and Harry sprung up off the floor and clamored out the door, I quickly followed suit. Racing down the long, winding staircase I nearly tripped over my feet several times. Harry and Ron beat me to the bottom and we're already in the kitchen when I had reached that point. Slowly, I tiptoed into the kitchen. I looked in from the edge afraid that if I entered, I truly would be impeding.
It seemed as if Weasleys had come pouring out of every nook and cranny in the house, for three more had joined in at the table. One of them surely had to be their father and I'm guessing the other two were his remaining brothers. The whole scene was very noisy. Each and every one of them filled with excitement and shouting over the other. Suddenly I felt a presence looming next to me and looked to see Percy.
"Are you going to actually eat the food or simply watch it be eaten? It goes quick here."
He walked into the kitchen and took his seat but I stayed rooted where I was. However, Percy's entrance had drawn attention to the doorway I was standing in. George's smiling eyes glanced up and did a sweep of me. Excitedly, he motioned for me to enter and join them.
Almost cautiously I stepped into the kitchen and went over to George.
"C'mon then, have a seat," he said patting the chair next to him.
I quickly scanned the table to realize that all the other seats were taken. My eyes locked with Ron's directly across the table and he was smiling mischievously. "We get to sit across from each other y/n!"
"And I get to sit next to the most attractive person here," George said, keeping eye contact with me.
"How sweet of you to say George," Fred commented from next to him.
Finally, I took my seat next to George and he smiled brightly at me.
I stared on at all of the food and marveled at how much of it there was. Practically anything you could have thought to want was set out on the table. Tentatively I picked my plate up and began grabbing some food with the others.
Eventually, everyone did settle down and was able to hear each other speaking again. I was introduced to Charlie and Arthur and Bill. It seems that Charlie's presence for Christmas was an odd occurrence. Molly stressed that I was lucky I came this year and got to meet him because he probably wouldn't be back for another ten years. I couldn't tell if she was joking or not. George, Fred and I kept lovely conversation throughout most of dinner and often Ron and Harry joined in from across the table. There were several conversations about what they'd be getting for Christmas come morning. Although I knew I wouldn't have anything to open I was just happy to be here and be a part of the excitement.
Soon dinner was over and everyone had piled into the living room. We were sitting around and waiting for…. I'm not quite sure what we were waiting for actually.
Molly emerged from the stairwell carrying a large star, "alright gather 'round, it's time to place the star."
Ron turned to me, "every year on Christmas Eve we place the star on the tree as a family."
"That's a lovely tradition, Ron."
I stayed seated as everyone got up and placed a hand on the star. Arthur turned to look at me, "aren't you coming?"
Ron let go of the star to get me up and pull me over to it, "I invited you to celebrate with us, not watch us celebrate."
"I second that," George said.
"All together now," Charlie said in a sing-song tone.
Together we placed the star on top of the tree and immediately it's lights began to shimmer. I stood back to admire the tree with everyone. It's a beautiful hodge podge. The tree is thick and bushy and covered in all types of ornaments. None of them were the same or frankly anywhere near related to each other but it was cheerful and unique. Somehow I figure if it had been decorated any other way it wouldn't have been nearly as special or merry as it was now.
They've all given me a truly special Christmas Eve, I couldn't be more grateful for everything. I looked around at all of their happy faces and I couldn't be more content. Quietly, I sneaked out of the living room and out the front door onto their porch.
The porch was festively illuminated by the massive amount of Christmas lights that decorated the outside of the burrow, giving off the perfect amount of light.
As I leaned against the banister I wondered if I'd ever have a family like theirs. I knew that after tonight it would certainly always be like we're family but I'm thinking more than that. My own family, a big loving one like theirs. Okay maybe not that big. But I guess as Harry said earlier I'd have to start somewhere and I'm scared of that. George is wonderful but I would have no idea what I was doing. I could screw everything up so easily.
I was jarred from my thoughts when I heard the front door open and close.
"It's bloody freezing out here."
I glanced over my shoulder to see George sauntering over to my position at the edge of the porch.
"A little." Although in fact it was way more than just a little freezing.
"You're shaking y/n," he said placing his hands on my arms from behind and rubbing them. "Do you want my jacket?"
"You'll get cold if you give me your jacket, keep it."
"What if you use me as a jacket then?"
He hugged me from behind wrapping his arms all the way around me. God he's warm. I practically melted into his touch and not just because he was warm.
He bent over and set his head on my shoulder, body still flush with mine.
"What'd you come out here for?"
I thought for a second before giving him an answer. "I wanted to think for a minute I think. It was kind of an impulse decision."
He chuckled, "then by all means, what're you thinking about?"
"Lots of stuff all at once. You see… my mind is like a racquetball court a good percentage of the time."
"I know how you mean. What's the most prevalent thought?"
"Well it was how grateful I am for all of you lot."
"Now it's you, wrapped around me like a wonderfully warm blanket."
"Not much to think about there, love."
"And yet somehow, my mind has found plenty to occupy itself with on the thought."
He hummed contentedly and having his head still resting on my shoulder I could've sworn I felt the sound in every bone. It sent butterflies fluttering to my stomach quicker than anything ever had. We sat in silence for a while until George removed his head from it's resting place.
Above our heads rested a little sprig of mistletoe that I could've sworn wasn't there before.
"It's mum's moving mistletoe. Shows up all over the house. Percy and Ron got stuck under it once and mum made 'em kiss on the cheek. They couldn't get over that for months! Doesn't matter who's under it, she always enforces the kiss."
"Good thing she's not here now huh," I laughed nervously, hoping he'd agree.
He was silent for a second and I feared that he would never speak. That he might just pack up and head inside. Part of me wanted him to fight me on that. Wanted him to ask me why so I could hear how flawed my logic is out loud because maybe that would shake some sense into me.
He released me from the hug that we'd been on forever now and fear ran through me. Not for long though, he grabbed my arm and turned me to face him. I'm not sure I was more scared of this or him walking away.
"I can't quite figure you out. I think I'm winning you over and then you do something that confuses me all over again."
"Don't be sorry. I'd like to have something with you, a relationship, but I don't want to screw up and do something that you don't want me to. I feel so unsure of myself."
"You might laugh but-," george cut me off.
"Buuuut, I'm afraid of dating. I've never been in a relationship before, I don't know what I'm doing. And I know you've been in a ton of relationships so-"
"Woah! H-how many girls do you think I've been with? Just two."
"Sorry," we laughed, "I didn't mean anything by it. That's still two times the experience that I have."
"Wanna know a secret? Relationship experience is rubbish. Every person is different. If anything, experience makes relationships harder. Part of relationships is being afraid."
"I guess I'm on the right track then huh?"
"Off to a grand start," he smiled, taking in fully what I had just said.
"George, are you scared?"
"Positively terrified, but I've also never felt so sure about something."
I smiled and then moved in to hug him. He felt so safe. Knowing he was scared too brought me an odd sense of comfort. This was going to work, I could figure this out with him.
Without moving from the hug George bent down to whisper in my ear, "could I kiss you?"
I backed up and looked at the mistletoe, "well we are still under the mistletoe."
He smiled with pure joy as he slipped a finger under my chin and pulled us closer to each other.
As our lips were about to touch I spoke, "George, I'm nervous."
He pulled me in the last inch and when our lips touched I nearly melted. The cold around us faded away and I was warmer than I had been all day. The hand that wasn't under my chin held onto my waist increasing the heat that spread throughout my body. As the kiss ended he placed his forehead on mine and chuckled lightly.
"You're incredible, love."
"Almost as incredible as you, Georgie," I paused, "Would you hate it if I asked you to be my blanket again?"
"I absolutely would," he said sarcastically, wrapping himself around me once again.
"George, I think I have a new favorite holiday."
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