Chapter Text
George couldn’t wait for his second year at Hogwarts. He had made so many friends last year, and he just wanted to see them again. Sure, he loved his family–the way Fred schemed, how his mother fretted over whatever and whoever she could while his father laughed, how his older brothers Bill and Charlie seemed to float easily through life, how Percy worked so incredibly hard, how Ron was growing into himself, how Ginny demanded control and respect in everything she did.
But George was most excited for the quiet moments he rarely found at home. When Fred would get caught up in something and he would have a second to breathe. He would slip away to somewhere hidden, somewhere he could just be. He couldn’t wait for his walks with Lee, where he got to listen, to be still and observe.
George couldn’t wait to be with Lee. Lee was the only person that George had opened up to. He knew that sometimes George just wanted to watch the world around him, to not be the one pulling the attention. To not be an entertainer. Fred loved the spotlight, loved to be the one everyone looked at. Which was great for him, but George was always forced along. And even then, he wasn’t really the one being looked at.
He didn’t want a crowd; he wanted someone who saw him. Someone who knew him as George, not as Fred’s second half. He wanted someone who was fully his. And so far, only Lee had given him even a bit of that.
Maybe that's why George had grabbed onto that friendship so tightly. Why he desperately pulled at the tiny fuzzy feeling in his gut whenever Lee looked at him. He knew that Lee didn’t feel quite the same about their friendship. But every time Lee looked at George and not Fred it was like George's mind went blank. He couldn’t think, only hoped his–too visible–blush would subside.
George just wanted to be seen, and if Lee saw him even a little bit, then he would give him anything. He knew that he was overreacting, he knew Lee was only being kind. But George would take what he could get.
Lee didn’t notice his weird mixed-up feelings. Fred did though, of course.
George followed Fred now, his family hastily making their way towards platform 9 ¾. They were running late, but that wasn’t really a surprise. He had been so caught in his head, that he ran right into Fred’s back when their family stopped–almost sending the pair to the ground.
Fred shot George a strange look, knowing the other wouldn’t usually let himself get so distracted. George brushed him off and peered around his brother to see why his mother had stopped.
A small boy stood in front of her, his hands shaking, tears barely held back. He looked far too small to be going to Hogwarts, but why else would he be asking for directions. His mother was explaining how to get to 9 ¾, the boy nodded along with nervous eyes. George noticed that his siblings had started introducing themselves to the boy, and when Fred stepped up to do the same George followed.
“I’m Fred, this is George.” Fred gestured back towards George as he smiled and waved.
“Hullo, I’m Harry.” His voice barely more than a whisper, the boy was shifting on his feet–eyes darting around him. He picked at his pointer finger with his nails, ripping the thin skin there.
“Nice to meet you, Harry!” Fred clapped the other on his back. When his hand contacted Harry’s shoulder he flinched. Eyes widening with panic as he took a small step back, he looked so scared. No one else really seemed to notice, Fred just kept talking.
“We're in our second year! You’ll be with our Ickle Ronniekins.” Fred narrowed his eyes teasingly at Ron. Fred knew as well as George that Ron hated that nickname, that's why George didn’t use it. He didn’t want to be the reason someone else felt ignored. Fred never quite picked up on that.
George was about to speak to Harry, he could tell the other felt overwhelmed, but then his mother turned to him. “Fred dear, why don’t you go on ahead now.”
Suddenly the world seemed to slow–and very hot tears pressed at his eyes while his throat seemed to close–even his mother didn’t know him. He was invisible in his own house, 12 years and nobody knew him.
Fred’s lighthearted voice brought him back, “He’s not Fred I am, honestly woman you call yourself our mother!” Fred laughed and ran through the portal. George did everything he could to push away the mortifying feeling of crying. He just wanted to be at Hogwarts. He just wanted Lee.
“Are you alright George?” A barely audible whisper stopped him in his tracks. George turned to face Harry, a look of pure worry on his face. Worry for him, George.
“Yes, I’m alright,” George took one more look at the frail boy–something was definitely wrong–and he decided he would make sure Harry was ok, ‘if you ever need anything, you know who to call.”
George plastered his best Fred-like grin on his face, turning to wave goodbye to Harry. The other boy stared at him–searching–obviously not believing his fake smile. George felt something warm and comforting swell in his chest as he winked. Something softened in Harry’s face.
He turned and ran for the portal, maybe Lee wasn’t the only one who saw him after all.