September 1998

Sometimes George Weasley hates his brother Percy. Not most of the time, mind, and not for the reasons one might suspect. (He doesn't blame Percy, he doesn't!) Most of the time Percy has turned out to be rather good company to have around, and smart, to boot. That idea about registering Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes as a limited liability partnership was ruddy brilliant.

Sometimes, though, when he begins half of a thought and Percy just stands there, expectant, waiting for George to finish the thought... that's when George hates Percy.

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Occasionally an old mate of his and Fred's will stop by, someone from Hogwarts who needs a gag gift for a birthday, or just wants to say hello. He appreciates these visits, although they tend towards awkward and never last very long.

Lee's different, of course. But then, Lee doesn't expect George to make him laugh. Because, after all, it's not really his fault that nothing strikes him as all that funny any more.

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When Percy has a chance to return to the Ministry, George assures him that it's fine. And it's true, for the most part: Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes is running like a well-oiled machine, students are back at Hogwarts and the shop stays busy.

He doesn't stop to think about what it will be like at night, after the shop has closed. George has never realized how...oppressive...silence can be until now.

It's not so bad on the weekends, when Ron comes into the shop to help and ends up sleeping on the sofa (he refuses the extra bed, Fred's bed.) He's become quite fond of Ron's snoring, actually.

On nights when Ron's not there he's taken to leaving the wireless on all night. He makes himself a cuppa, sits down to read the Quibbler or sort through invoices, and eventually falls asleep in his chair.

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When Angelina stops by and asks if he has time to get a drink after work he's surprised. He hasn't seen her much since the wake. They walk to the Three Broomsticks in silence and order two pints. They make awkward small talk for a while, and then he tells her a story about Fred, a muddy Kneazle, and a Muggle launderette. She looks at him blankly for a moment and then laughs until tears roll down her face. They end up staying out late, talking. It's the first time he's been able to talk to anyone about Fred and it feels good. That night he falls into bed, exhausted, and sleeps.