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The days that followed felt like walking through a fog—heavy, but not entirely suffocating. The whispers continued, and Draco’s words still echoed in Y/’s mind, but something had shifted inside her. She had made a decision. She wouldn’t let anyone, not even Draco Malfoy, tell her what she could or couldn’t have. She wouldn’t let the weight of their judgment decide her worth.

It was a brisk Saturday morning when George found her in the courtyard, sitting alone on a stone bench, staring out at the sprawling grounds. The sky above was pale, the first hint of autumn beginning to settle in the air. She had become accustomed to moments like this—quiet, reflective times when the world seemed to slow down just enough for her to catch her breath.

But today, something felt different. Her thoughts didn’t feel as heavy, and the usual knot in her stomach was absent. She felt… clearer. More sure of herself.

“Y/n?”

Her heart skipped as George’s voice broke through the stillness, warm and familiar. She turned to find him standing there, his hands in his pockets and a concerned look on his face.

“Hey,” she said, offering a small smile. “What’s up?”

George took a step closer, his gaze softening as he saw the calm expression on her face. “You’ve been a little quiet lately. You sure you’re okay?”

Y/n nodded, a quiet sense of peace settling over her. “Yeah, I think I’m finally okay. I’ve been thinking a lot, you know? About everything.”

George sat down beside her, his shoulder brushing against hers. “Everything? Or just… us?”

She turned to him, meeting his gaze with newfound confidence. “A bit of both, actually.”

George smiled. “I’m listening.”

She took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill her lungs, and began to speak from the heart. “I think… I’ve spent so much time worrying about what people would think, about how I was supposed to be, that I forgot what I really wanted. What we really wanted. And I can’t keep living my life based on other people’s opinions. Not anymore.”

George’s face softened with understanding, and he reached over, gently taking her hand in his. “You don’t have to apologize for that, Y/n. You’ve got to do what’s right for you.”

“I know,” she said, squeezing his hand. “And I’m done pretending that I’m not in this. In us. Because I am, George. I really am. I’m all in.”

George’s eyes lit up, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Are you sure? Because I don’t want you to do anything you don’t feel ready for.”

Y/n leaned her head on his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his presence steadying her. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

For a long moment, they sat there in comfortable silence, just the two of them, breathing in the cool autumn air, enjoying the quiet of each other’s company.

But just as Y/n thought they could stay in this moment forever, a voice called out from behind them, disrupting the peaceful atmosphere.

“Look what we have here. The Slytherin and the Weasley. How cute.”

Y/n’s heart sank as she turned to see Draco approaching them, a malicious grin plastered on his face. His eyes flicked between Y/n and George, and she could practically feel the venom in his words before he even spoke.

“Are you really going to keep doing this, Y/n?” Draco sneered, his gaze narrowing. “What, you think you can just pretend that nothing’s wrong? That you’re above it all? That you’ll just waltz into this little fantasy and no one will care?”

George stood up, stepping in front of Y/n protectively. “You really can’t take a hint, can you, Malfoy?” His voice was cold, every word measured. “Y/n and I don’t care about your opinion. We’re happy, and we’re not going to let you ruin that.”

Draco’s eyes flickered with anger, but he didn’t back down. “You’ll see, Weasley. You’ll both see. You’re playing with fire. You’re in way over your heads.”

Y/n felt the familiar knot in her stomach return, but this time, it wasn’t from fear. It was from the overwhelming certainty that Draco couldn’t break them—not now, not after everything they had been through together.

“I’m not afraid of you, Draco,” she said, standing up beside George. Her voice was steady, firm, and clear. “You can try to break us apart, but it’s not going to work. Not anymore. And I’m not going to let you make me feel like I’m less than I am.”

Draco scoffed, clearly taken aback by her sudden confidence. “You think you can just stand up to me like that? You’re a joke.”

Y/n’s eyes never left his. “No. I’m not. And neither is George. So do us both a favor, and keep your mouth shut. We’ve heard enough from you.”

For a moment, Draco just stood there, staring at the two of them, as if trying to figure out how to respond. Then, with a sharp scoff, he turned on his heel and stalked off, muttering under his breath.

Y/n watched him go, feeling a strange mix of relief and triumph. The knot in her stomach unraveled, and for the first time, she felt like she had really stood her ground. And George was right beside her the entire time.

As Draco’s figure disappeared into the distance, Y/n turned to George, who was watching her with an expression of quiet admiration. “You were amazing,” he said softly, his eyes full of pride.

Y/n smiled, feeling the weight of the moment settle over her. “We were amazing,” she corrected him.

George grinned, stepping closer. “Together,” he agreed, his hand finding hers once more.

The world seemed to shift then, the air around them lighter, as though some invisible weight had been lifted. For the first time in a long time, Y/n felt free—free from the expectations, the whispers, the judgment. She was no longer a pawn in someone else’s game. She was the one in control now.

And with George by her side, she knew that nothing—nothing—could tear them apart.

---

The days that followed were a mix of challenges and small victories. Draco kept trying to undermine their relationship, throwing insults and snide remarks their way whenever he could. But every time, Y/n stood firm, her resolve growing stronger with each passing day.

George remained the steady anchor in her life, his support unwavering, his affection constant. Together, they faced the world, hand in hand, and each day felt like a new chapter in their story—one they were writing together, no matter what anyone else thought.

And as the weeks turned into months, one thing became certain: there was nothing in this world that could break them. They had found something unbreakable, something that no amount of gossip or cruelty could touch.

They had each other. And that was enough.