InsaneJournal

Who: Alicia and George
What: Friends meet up for ice cream and who knows!
When: Thurs night
Where: Fortescue's
Rating: Mostly SFW-some swearing
Status: Complete



Al had a skip in her step as she made her way down Diagon Alley. Everything about this day had been fantastic and she was just looking forward to it getting better. Their practice had been excellent, her and Davies had been on fire, even the Reserve Beater who had been a bit too enthusiastic last week had improved his aim and she felt really good about the upcoming game. Now, to add to those good feelings, Alicia would be meeting with one of her best friends for the first time in...well, at least a month but it had been probably a little longer. She understood that he had been wrapped up with work, and Padma and everything serious relationships that had their extreme ups and downs entailed. Hell, she wished she had such a relationship to keep her occupied. Of course, she tried not to think about the fact that she had always wanted such a relationship with GEORGE. She sighed. He never did seem to notice her, despite her better efforts. Ahh well, they were meeting for ice cream, that would be good enough.

So it was with a huge smile on her face that Alicia opened the door to Fortescue's and skipped to the counter to order a large sundae for them to split. Nothing better after a long exhausting practice than to eat something terrible, especially with a friend. She found a table and sat facing the door, eagerly awaiting the arrival of her favorite ginger friend.


When George had said he could leave the shop whenever he liked because he was the boss, he was perhaps overstating things. He couldn’t just leave without making sure that his shop girl du jour could handle things until closing time. If not, well, he’d be terribly embarrassed and have to eat his ice cream with his words on top. Fortunately, Maggie seemed to have things well in hand and he had no reservations about leaving her to finish things.

He was exited, sure, but he wasn’t exactly frolicking down the street to meet with his good friend and former flame. He adored her, he always would, but it was weird to hang around Alicia without the twinges of longing somewhere inside him. She would, if things went his way, forever be the girl who was never his. It was odd to regret that, if only slightly, while wrapped up in a happy romance.

Of course, he didn’t think about these things every single moment he was around Alicia, but they were fluttering around inside his head as he entered the shop and spotted his friend. He smiled and the thoughts flew out of his ear as he pulled up a seat to join her. “Hey.”

Alicia sat up when she saw George walk in the door. He was barely seated at the table before she was up and nearly knocking him out of his chair with an enthusiastic hug. "Fuck, George, it's been way too long. I almost forgot what your ugly mug even looked like. Don't do that to me again, okay? I can't handle it, it's too much heartbreak." By now, surely George was used to how Alicia talked, but she winked to soften her comment and sat back down across from him. "I ordered us a sundae with absolutely everything that is awful for you on it, so I hope you're ready to eat. I had a long practice so I need to eat a lot of somethings to make up for it," she added, looking hopefully toward the counter in hopes that their ice cream would come rather soon.

Turning back towards George, she flashed him a wide grin. It really WAS good to see him. "How's the shop then? Invent any new ways to blow things up? And promise me you're not working on any crazy love potions like whatever insanity was going around a few weeks ago. Lee told me about his little...well, I'm certainly glad I was too busy with practice and keeping up my diet regiment to indulge in chocolate that would have made me fall from someone ridiculous."



George had to grip the side of the table to keep from being bowled clean off his seat and onto the floor. Not that his pride was fragile enough to be damaged by a little tumble to the linoleum, but he wasn’t really keen on the potential pain aspect. He laughed as he returned the hug with his free hand.

“You’re the one who’s been busy with your job,” he said, “mine keeps me in the same place every day, and you know perfectly well where to find me.”

When she let him go, he resettled himself in his seat with one foot up on an empty chair at their table. He nodded his appreciation at the mention of the sundae and it was her last that he latched onto. “Shop’s good,” he said, “about the same as usual. I’ve been blowing a thing or two up, but I’ve got a few items that I’m experimenting with. I don’t know if it’s a line that’ll go anywhere, but I’m going to try. The potion thing had nothing to do with me, I hope you know that.”

"I might know where to find you, but I might not always know in what state you're in in said shop, so I tend to not just drop in unannounced. I have some professional courtesy," Alicia said, shaking her head. "I wouldn't like if someone just showed at practice without clearing it with me. I mean, I would shop in your shop, but I wouldn't just drop in and expect you to entertain me."

The waiter brought their ice cream to them and Alicia let out a small squeal as she clapped her hands. "I haven't have one of these in FOREVER. Did you know that is real gold and it's edible? Astounding," Alicia said in wonder, grabbing a spoon and digging in. She took a couple bites before she responded to his last statement. "George, I'd never think that. You like a good bit of fun, yes, but even you wouldn't do something so capricious and that would target people so indiscriminately. So no, I never for a second thought you were behind it."



“Careful, Alicia,” George said, “I might start thinking that you’re a girl, and I’m not sure I can handle that.” He grinned as he reached for the spoon and studied the mound of ice cream, wondering where to begin. He tried to keep his face interested - or at least neutral - as he eyed the edible gold. Sure, finances these days were no big deal, mostly, but he couldn’t shake his upbringing that told him gold was to be hoarded for important things. He could quite possibly eat around it without looking like he was eating around it.

“You can come to the shop whenever you like,” he said, “that’s why it’s a shop. People are allowed to come and go as they please. It’s not like I’m usually concentrating on anything important while the place is open.”

He went for a spoonful of ice cream. “How is practice, anyway?”


"Well we certainly can't have that," Alicia said, trying to bite back a sigh. No, of course he didn't see her as a girl. Despite her figure, despite her gloss, despite trying everything possible to get him to notice her as such, George never had. Figures. She wished he hadn't mentioned that, but she wouldn't let it ruin their ice cream. It did taste good, gold flakes and all. It was rather decadent, she'd admit, but it was her treat, after all. She should make it count.

"I know I can come in, but I hate to be a bother. A hanger on, or something similar. I'm already a spinster, I don't need a reputation for someone who hangs around attached men at their place of business like a sad lost puppy," she added with a wry grin, taking another bite. The chocolate was a bit too sweet, but it was still good. "And practice has been fantastic. I think we have a real chance at the Cup this year. I'll let you kiss it when we do," she said, giving him a wink.



If only George had known what Alicia felt, he might have been able to put her mind at ease. Or would that make it worse, knowing that he’d once wanted her so desperately? What would have gone differently if he’d been braver before? What-ifs could kill a man.

“If you were going to be a bother,” he said between spoonfuls, “I wouldn’t insist you come see me. Besides, the shop is far more fun than anything else you could possibly do, and it has me in it, so there you go.”

"You do have a point there," Alicia answered, smiling over her spoonful. "But I still, you ought to be able to keep your shop as a place of employment without random hangers on. I might stop in though, just to see the new products. I feel like if I'm going to see you, I want to be able to see you for real, not feel like I'm shoving myself in between stocking and inventory. No offense, love," she added, scraping the chocolate pooled on the side of the glass.

"I don't blame you for being busy with Padma, but don't forget that you have friends too."


“I know,” George said with a sigh, “it’s just with... this and the other thing, I’ve been...preoccupied. We both have been. Her and me, I mean.” He set his spoon down and folded his arms on the table, chewing on the inside of his bottom lip. This secret was awful. Not only did he want to be out with it so he could openly celebrate, but dancing around the topic was a dangerous gamble that could only end with him saying something stupid to blow the whole thing open.

“My life isn’t exactly stabilizing,” he added, “but I’d like to make room for all the things that have been important to me up until now before... before I inevitably grow up and become boring.”

"And what is 'this' and 'that' and 'the other thing'? Fuck, George, I'm one of your best mates, aren't I? I have no idea what's even going on in your life," Alicia said, setting down and crossing her arms. She hadn't wanted to get whiny with him, as she was just so happy to finally see him, but he kept beating around the bush. "I feel like I've been cut off from your life. I know you're in love, but I don't even know what you and Padma DO. Or, what's happening with you or...anything!" She looked down at the table, embarrassed that she had said that to him. She let out a breath and shook her head, plastering a smile. "Fuck, you know I can't hide what I feel from you. You know I'm happy that you're happy, I just wish you wouldn't cut me out of your life because you have a girlfriend."


George unfolded his arms and clasped his hands together on the table, leaning on his elbows and staring down at the ice cream. He felt stupid, now. He felt selfish and stupid and awful. Of course she was one of his best mates, and he’d kept her in the dark. At the time, it had seemed sensible, but things were looking good at the moment, surely there was no harm in telling. Besides, he knew Alicia would never forgive him if he left her to find out with everyone else.

“Padma’s pregnant,” he said, not raising his eyes to look at Alicia. “Three and a half months, give or take. I really am awful at the counting thing. We... we haven’t told anyone yet because we wanted to be sure that... you know.” He flicked his eyes up to meet hers. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before,” he added, his voice almost pleading, “it wasn’t meant to be hurtful, but if something went wrong...” He sighed and lifted his hands to put over his face. It felt good to get it out, but now he was worried if she’d be mad.

It was a full minute before Alicia could close her mouth. To say she was surprised would be a supreme understatement. She was shocked, and for a wild moment, insanely jealous. But this was one of her best mates, if not her very best mate. His having a child was a huge deal, and she was certainly happy for him. Being supportive of her friend, especially since he'd just let her in on a huge, personal secret, was way more important than her stupid school girl crush. "George!" she said, tears springing unbidden to her eyes. "Fuck, George, that's fantastic! Give me a goddamn hug!" she said, springing to her feet and launching herself at him. "I'm the child's honorary aunt, after all, and I insist on having exclusive Quidditch training rights!" She wiped her eyes, not sure where the tears were coming from, but she was pretty sure they were happy ones.

"Fuck, no wonder...but you know you can always tell me anything. I'm happy for you, Georgie, and Padma. I don't know if you think the timing is good, but I'm glad if you are. George Weasley, a father! This child will be ruined in the best way possible," she laughed, unable to wipe the grin off her face.


This was not quite the reaction George expected, but he wasn’t about to argue in favor of her shouting at him. He accepted her hug gratefully, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and holding for a few moments longer. He hadn’t been aware until then of how much he needed it, how much he wanted to share all the feelings he was having.

When they broke apart, he was grinning too. “The timing maybe isn’t the very best,” he said, “but we knew that when we decided to try, and I am glad. Completely in over my head, but thrilled at the same time. And terrified. Can’t forget that.” He chuckled and picked the spoon back up.

“Kid’s not going to have any decent role models anywhere, except maybe its mother.”

"Timing shmiming," Al said, face awash in happiness. "These things don't go on a time table. I'm incredibly happy for you, really." She caught the part about them trying, and though she didn't let anything show on her face, a part of her was...wistful. Now more than ever it was solidly true that she and George would never be. In some ways it was a comfort-they could be much easier as friends without her wondering if there was any possibility of them being together. "And all new dads are in over their head. Thankfully you have a da with a bit of experience in these matters, so you'll have plenty of advice, I imagine. Does..." she hesitated for a moment. "Does anyone else know?"

At his statement about role models, Alicia leaned her head back and laughed loudly. "Fuck, I know I won't be one. At least on non-Quidditch matters. I'll try not to swear so much around him or her, but I'm not good at that at the best of fucking times. The kid will be darling, he's got you to make him fun and Padma to make him have some sense."


“Swearing is probably inevitable with the company I keep,” George replied with a little chuckle, “so I wouldn’t worry too much about it.” She was right, though, that he had parents who would be quite a resource of good advice - and obnoxious advice as well.

“Our families know,” George added, “it didn’t go terribly well with the parents, as you might imagine. And... and Lee.”

Alicia shrugged, taking back up her spoon again now that they had cleared the air. "They'll get over it soon enough and be happy. I can't imagine your mum as anything other than fucking tickled pink to have another grandchild. So it's just a matter of time, really." At the mention of Lee knowing, Alicia nodded. She might have been miffed that he knew before she did, but it was inevitable. Lee and George had a bond she did not, which always made her jealous. She loved Katie and Angie, but neither were as close to her as she was to her boys. She grinned.

"Well Uncle Lee is going to be as bad as Aunty Al, so I guess that child really does have the short end of the stick in terms of language. Of course, Lee has that golden voice, so it might turn out alright." She winked and took a bite of ice cream. It sure did taste a little too sweet.


“She says she’s not happy with us,” George replied, “but I can tell that she’s exited in her own way, though I’m sure she won’t admit it out loud for a long time.” He dug the spoon in for another scoop of ice cream. “We’re not getting married, you see. At least not right now. Some day, definitely, but I want to do it because we want to, not because it’s expected.”

He set the spoon down and sat back, arms folded. “Though, I can’t help thinking it might help with her parents.”

"That's moms for you. At least yours gives a shit. My supposed real mother that is. Anyway, she'll come around." She didn't let her expression change when George said he and Padma weren't getting married. First, she wasn't an idiot and didn't presume to care whether someone was married when they had kids. She had her fair share of sex, and but for potions clearly that might have been an issue before now, so who was she to judge? She did find it interesting that they decided not to because they didn't want to do what was 'expected'. Presumably they should be in love, and committed before having a child, legal marriage being only one way to prove that. However, it did give her an irrational hope she quickly dismissed.

"Maybe," she agreed with a shrug. "Parents of girls can be like that. Particularly when you knock one up. But, be your dashing self, and they will be happy, especially when you show them their cute little ginger grandbaby."


“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t envision some sort of happy reunion when they realize that our kid is going to be perfect in every way, and that, even without a ring and a signature, I’m not going anywhere.” He shrugged. “She says she’s okay for the moment, I’m not sure I believe her, but I’m not going to worry too much right now. There’s really nothing that can be done right now, so we don’t need the stress.” Though, of course, he was going to keep worrying about it. He did want to make it right somehow, but was so far unable to figure out exactly how.

He eyed the half-eaten sundae with a bit of a grimace. “You can finish that, it’s a bit rich for me. Was delicious, though.”

Alicia nodded, though she was full herself, in a lot of senses. "I probably shouldn't. I'm already breaking Meaghan's strict pre-Championship diet. That said, don't mention to anyone we actually had ice cream, I don't know what Meaghan will do, but I imagine it's not good." She sighed and pushed the ice cream away from them and grabbed his hand.

"George, fuck anyone who gives you grief. Okay? Just stick to positive people and everything will be okay. I'm really happy for you. And don't hide from me again or I'll punch your damn face in."


“You’re like a sweet angel to me,” George said with a smirk, squeezing her hand briefly in response. “I will do all that you ask of me, my dear, because I like my face just the way it is. I’m deformed enough as it is.”

He glanced down at the ice cream again and smirked. “Don’t worry, this decedent dessert will remain our little secret.”

"Good. I don't know what my punishment would be, but I can imagine it will involve a lot of comments about the size of my ass," Alicia said with a laugh. She let his hand go and sat back, crossing her legs. "And if you say one more thing about being deformed I'll SHOW you deformed." Alicia laughed, head thrown back, and then shook her head. "Well, this has been fun love, we need to do this more often." She smiled at him, sincerely. She really did mean that.


George tilted his head to the side to try and peer at Alicia’s rear. “It doesn’t look that enlarged to me, but it’s sort of hard to see from here.” He smirked and straightened, reaching with one hand to idly poke at the wound on the side of his head. He shrugged. “I’m sort of proud of it, actually. It’s a reminder of... well, of a lot of things, plus it’s a great conversation piece.”

He glanced upward at the clock. Yeah. It was late. “Yeah. Absolutely.”

"I prefer the term 'enhanced' not 'deformed', thank you very much. And that goes for your ear and my arse equally," Alicia said giving him a wide grin. "Well," she said standing and moving towards him to give him a normal hug. "don't be a stranger, Dad to Be. Someone has to throw you a 'Gunna be a Dad' Man-Bath or something," she said, arms around him. She pulled back and read his face before bopping him on the nose. "You can't get rid of me," she added.


“I don’t intend to try,” George said as he broke the hug, matching her grin. “Now, no running off and telling everyone you know about this, like I said, not a lot of people know yet. I think we’re keeping it that way for a bit longer.” He said this last with an air of regret. Oh well. It wouldn’t be much longer before Padma began to look the part, and they wouldn’t be able to keep it to themselves any longer.

“See you soon?” he asked as he started toward the door, expecting her to follow.

"Wouldn't dream of it, though if Lee knows I fully plan on gossiping like a queen with him about it," Alicia said with a wink. He started to leave and looked like he wanted her to go with, but really, Alicia still had some things to process. "Soon, yes. I'm going to stay and have a cup of tea. You have a good night though, Georgie. It was good seeing you, I think I've mentioned." She went up to the counter to order her tea, wondering if maybe she should have followed him. Alicia was a little over following after George. He could come to her, after all. So, she took her tea and sat back at the table, a whole lot going throw her head.


“All right,” George said, giving a nod and half a smile. “You enjoy that tea and your gossip.” He lifted a hand for a wave and turned to head out of the shop into the night air. It was late, but he knew he wouldn’t catch any grief for the hour or for his choice of company.

He glanced back at the shop briefly before turning on the spot and returning home.