???????? ??? ????????

The days following her confrontation with her father had been a whirlwind. Y/n had returned to Hogwarts with a heavy heart, her thoughts constantly drifting back to the harsh words he had said. Even though George had been a steady source of comfort, the lingering worry about her father’s disapproval weighed heavily on her.

It was Friday afternoon when she received an owl from home. The parchment was crumpled, hastily written, and smelled faintly of something unfamiliar—like old, musty books. Her heart pounded as she broke the seal.

Y/n, the letter began, the ink slightly smudged.

You are making a mistake. This boy—George Weasley—has no place in your life. He is beneath you, and you will regret this decision. Do not think I will stand by while you throw away everything I’ve worked for. Do not try to contact me again.

The letter ended abruptly, a single word of warning scrawled beneath the message: Leave him.

Y/n folded the letter with trembling hands, her breath shallow. Her father’s words stung like a slap, but she had already expected something like this. He had made it clear he would never accept her relationship with George. And yet, despite the harshness of the letter, it only strengthened her resolve.

She couldn’t let him control her anymore.

---

George had noticed the change in her, even though she hadn’t said anything. He could see it in the way her eyes seemed more distant, the way she fidgeted with her sleeves or the hem of her robes when they were together. It was clear that something was bothering her.

One evening, as they sat together in the Gryffindor common room, George couldn’t stand it anymore. He turned to her, concern evident in his eyes.

“Y/n, talk to me,” he said softly. “I know something’s wrong. You’ve been… distant.”

Y/n hesitated, but George squeezed her hand, encouraging her to open up. “It’s just… my father. He sent me another letter.”

George’s face tightened with concern. “What did it say?”

Y/n took a deep breath, her chest heavy with the weight of her words. “He told me to leave you. That I was making a mistake. That you were beneath me.”

George’s face darkened, but his voice remained calm. “I’m sorry, Y/n. I wish there was something I could say that would make it better.”

Y/n shook her head, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “I don’t know what to do, George. I don’t want to lose you, but he’s my father. And I don’t think he’ll ever accept this.”

George took her hands in his, his gaze unwavering. “You don’t have to choose him. You don’t have to choose between me and him, okay? What matters is you. What you want. And if being with me makes you happy, then that’s what matters.”

She swallowed hard, leaning into him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I want to be with you, George. But I’m scared. I’m scared of losing everything.”

“You’re not going to lose me,” George said firmly, brushing a lock of her hair away from her face. “I’ll always be here. And I won’t let your father come between us. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you know how much I care.”

The sincerity in his voice made her heart ache, but she found comfort in his words. George was right. She didn’t have to choose between him and her father. She wasn’t going to let anyone dictate her happiness—not anymore.

---

The next few days were filled with a quiet tension. Y/n found herself increasingly distracted by her father’s words. She would catch herself staring into the distance, lost in thought, her mind running through every possible scenario—her father’s wrath, the rift that was growing between them, the future she might never have with George if she couldn’t find a way to reconcile the two parts of her life.

But then, George would find her. And for a brief moment, she would forget about everything else. His presence, his unwavering support, brought her peace. Every laugh they shared, every touch, reminded her of what she stood to lose if she let fear dictate her choices.

One afternoon, as she walked with George along the edge of the Forbidden Forest, she felt her heart pounding in her chest. The leaves rustled above them, the air crisp with the change in seasons. The golden glow of the setting sun bathed the landscape in warmth, but Y/n felt anything but warm.

“I’m not sure I can do this,” she confessed quietly, stopping in her tracks.

George stopped beside her, his brow furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Be with you. With all the pressure from my father, the constant fear of him finding out… I don’t know how much longer I can keep pretending like everything’s okay.” Her voice cracked, and she quickly wiped a stray tear from her cheek.

George stepped closer, his eyes soft with understanding. “Y/n, you don’t have to pretend with me. You don’t have to carry this weight alone. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”

Y/n met his gaze, her heart swelling with emotion. She hadn’t realized until now just how much George had become her anchor—how much he had become her safe place. Despite the chaos that swirled around her, despite the coldness of her father’s words, George’s presence was the one thing that gave her hope.

“I don’t want to lose you,” she whispered.

“You won’t,” he replied with a tenderness that made her heart race. “I promise you, Y/n. I’m not going anywhere.”

She let out a shaky breath, and for a moment, she let herself believe him. She closed her eyes, letting the warmth of the moment wash over her. But even as she leaned into George’s embrace, part of her knew the storm was far from over. Her father wasn’t the type to back down. He would find out. And when he did, the real battle would begin.

But for now, she had George. And that was all that mattered.

---

Later that evening, as the stars twinkled brightly above the castle, George led Y/n back to the common room. The corridors were quiet, the usual chatter of students hushed as the school prepared for another weekend. Y/n’s mind was a whirlwind, but she clung to George’s side, unwilling to let go.

As they approached the Gryffindor Tower, Y/n stopped suddenly, pulling him to a stop with her.

“George…” she began, her voice barely a whisper. “I don’t know if I’m strong enough to face what’s coming.”

George cupped her face in his hands, his touch gentle but firm. “You’re stronger than you think. And no matter what, I’m here. We’ll get through it together. Always.”

Y/n’s breath hitched in her throat as she gazed into his eyes. The warmth, the certainty, the love… it filled her with a sense of peace that she hadn’t known was possible.

And then, without another word, George leaned down, brushing his lips against hers. The kiss was soft but intense, full of promise, of the love they had found in each other. As they pulled away, Y/n felt a sense of determination take root in her chest. She wasn’t going to let fear control her any longer.

She wasn’t going to lose George. Not to her father. Not to anyone.

For the first time in a long while, Y/n felt ready to fight for her happiness—no matter what.

And with George by her side, she knew she could face anything that came her way.