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"Just ask him."
They were hanging out in George's dorm following the impromptu quidditch practice they'd had. No matches this year had them all feeling antsy, so Angelina had gotten permission from McGonagall to use the pitch for the friends to run a scrimmage.
"Are you kidding me? Absolutely not. No. I don't- I really don't think I could."
"C'mon! Why not? You guys would be adorable together."
" Look at him okay."
Alicia froze at George's outburst. He looked so defeated and plopped down on his bed.
She just meant to tease him. George first told Alicia about his growing feelings for Cedric last year. Harry was in the hospital and Cedric continued to check in with the entire team following the accident. George struggled to think of anything or anyone since. Her brows furrowed as she sat in the silence.
"I don't understand."
George just shrugged. A hand brushed through the locks of hair as his face dropped further, suddenly becoming solely interested in the loose string on his sheets.
"I'm not the kind of guy that he would want, okay."
Alicia sat on Fred's empty, and surprisingly neat, bed across from her best friend. She didn't say anything but was ready to listen.
"Do you know how nice his house is? The clothes that his family wears. And then there's me. In this." He picked at the school uniform that didn't quite fit right. "In Percy's old robes. Percy's robes that used to be Charlie's, that used to be Bill's."
George twisted towards his side, looking further away from Alicia. "I just-"
Alicia looked at him. Her heart broke a bit as she took in the restlessness in his figure and the unsteady pattern of breathing. He gave so much to everyone around him. And he rarely got the recognition she thought he deserved. Even in the troublesome twosome as people began to call them, people tended to notice Fred first.
George was his own person though.
"I have an idea. Can you trust me?"
****
"Just sit still."
"You're bringing that thing too close to my eye Cia, I'm sorry that I'm flinching."
"It's going to smudge if you keep moving."
"I really don't see how this is gonna do anything."
"Just trust me okay."
"I don't know if I should. That thing looks terrifying. I’m sure it’s a muggle weapon of sorts"
"It's only eyeliner ."
"Looks questionable to me. My eyes are my best feature," he joked, "I won't be able to ask him if I can't see."
"I need your eyes to save me from bludgers, I promise your eyes are safe. Now close them and let me work my magic."
She chuckled, bringing the stick to his eyelids.
"What water is at the Burrow anyway? Your eyelashes are so nice and it's completely unfair."
******
"Bless your mum but let's see what we can do with these."
Alicia held up a set of George's school robes. One that was definitely too small among the arms. While Percy was strong, he didn't have the same broad shoulders as the twins. There were a few tears under the pit area as well as some slightly discolored fabric that had been used to patch up old holes. She knew George did those himself as he felt bad about asking his mum for new ones.
She flicked her wand, watching as the robe grew in size. Almost doubled really. Alicia's eyes widened and she squealed in delight as she threw the robes at George.
"Okay put this on."
"Cia this is crazy. I'm going to swim in that thing."
"Just put on the damn robe Weasley. I know magical tailors exist; I can figure this out."
****
"Why is that stuff so sticky?"
"Because it's gel. It sticks your hair back."
"Why do I want my hair to stick with this goo again? And does it have to smell this weird?"
Ignoring the second question, Alicia tapped George's cheeks. "Because you have great bone structure. You should show it off more. You're hiding that cute face of yours under this mop."
If she noticed, she didn't bring up the blush on his face when she said that he was cute.
*****
"Okay, last step."
"You never really told me what all this was for?"
"Confidence George. Look in the mirror there."
George reluctantly turned and got a first glance at himself.
Was that really him?
His longer hair was pulled out of his face, the gel stuff adding keeping everything in perfect place. Alicia had put some black stuff around his eyes and some soft pink powder on his cheeks. That and some shiny stuff on his lips. She had figured out the spells to fix his robe. It had taken some time, but he regained full mobility in his arms
He was actually quite impressed.
Very.
"You know in Quidditch, when you protect me and Angie and the others by hitting those bludgers away."
He nodded, his eyes still caught on his reflection in the mirror.
"Let me play beater. You are going to make the score. And I'll knock away anything that gets in your way."
******
"Go get him."
Alicia gave George a little shove with a big smile on her face before hiding herself behind the column. Well, not really hiding, she was fully leaning so only her head was peeking from behind the stone.
He laughed at her antics, shook away the nerves, and took a deep breath.
He could do this right?
He was George Weasley. Half of the dynamic duo of Weasley twins that owned the hallways of Hogwarts.
It was a simple question.
All he had to do was ask.
Who cared if Cedric turned him down?
Oh Merlin, what if Cedric turned him down?
George's hands suddenly felt sweaty, and he had to resist the urge to wipe them down his face lest he ruin Alicia's work.
He could do this.
He was a Gryffindor for bloody's sake.
He could do this.
He just had to walk up to him and ask.
He could do this.
He-
He couldn't do this.
He saw Cedric across the courtyard. He was surrounded by some of his Hufflepuff mates, other players on his team George assumed.
Someone must have told a joke or something because Cedric looked away from the others in a laugh. His green eyes meeting George's blues.
The blonde boy's smile grew the longer the two looked at each other from across the courtyard.
Maybe he could do this.
*****
"Merlin George, did you sweat it off again?" Alicia mumbled, well mumbled for Alicia which happened to be more of a regular speaking voice.
"I'm sorry. I'm nervous."
Alicia gave him a harsh look before scoffing and reapplying the shimmer under George's eyes.
Thank Merlin for his best friend and her super magical patience powers. She stood back and took in her work. George watched as the smile of approval on her face grew and the lid of the oversized palette in her hands closed in a pop .
"He's going to go insane when he sees you." She teased as she took her wand and placed a stasis charm on her art.
George couldn't help but blush. He still could barely believe this was happening. After the mini staring contest in the courtyard, Cedric cornered George after shared potions and asked if they could discuss quidditch advice, as he was training a new beater. It was a silly reason and they spoke about quidditch for maybe two minutes before the conversation switched towards other topics, including George asking Cedric to the Yule Ball.
"So, who's the lucky sod who has the honor of taking you?"
Alicia shrugged. "One of the Durmstrang guys. You know who Hermione is going with right?"
George nodded; Katie couldn't keep her mouth shut after the encounter.
"Well, he had friends with him when he asked her, and one of them asked me that evening."
"You'll save a dance for me though?"
Alicia just laughed. "Of course, Georgie."
The two friends finished getting ready for the ball, laughing and dancing to Alicia's muggle albums as they did so.
And when they entered the courtyard to meet their friends and dates, all eyes were drawn to them.
Especially Cedric's on George.
Alicia was right.
He did go insane.
The champion walked up to the redheaded boy and kissed him in front of everyone.
Thankfully, Alicia was smart and put a stasis charm, or else George's face would be smeared in gloss.