Prompt for ＣｕｒｓｅｄＲＥＤnose

I didn’t mean to hurt you

To say that the last three months has been rough is understatement. It was hell. No matter what George did, he was in the wrong. He was used to feeling low, it was normal. His mother always belittled him for the things he did, the pranks and jokes, even commenting that his joke shop wasn’t something he should be doing. He had learnt at a young age to put on a mask, pretend that everything was well. But since the war had ended three months ago, it was hard to put on that mask that everything was fine.

He had fallen into a depression, sinking into despair. He felt like he was spiraling out of control and had no idea how to get out. Everyone was in a depressed state and trying to move on. George just felt stuck and unsure what to do. He hadn’t expected to lose Fred. He expected to lose people, lose friends, but didn’t expect to lose from his immediate family. Now what was he supposed to do?

George had been sitting in the law, doing nothing in particular, even though he had parchment, ink and quill. His mother had said sometimes it’s easier to write a letter, even if the letter doesn’t get to that person, it helps to get it off of his chest. So George had decided to write a letter to Fred, to help him move on. But George hadn't been able to do it. He didn’t know where to start. 

“George” HE heard from behind him, making him jump. He turned quickly to see Ginny approach him. “Hey Gin,” He said softly. “Seriously. You have to do something” She started on him. “You’ve been in this state for months” She stopped in front of him as he stood. “You're not the only one who lost someone in the battle” Ginny continued. “Everyone is finding it in them to move on. SO can you”

George looked surprised at Ginny. She wasn’t always like this. Had he gotten that bad that Ginny of all people was snapping at him? “Mum lost Fred too. Not just you, we all did” She crossed her arms.

Hurt flashed across George’s face. “Easy for you to say” George snapped. “Everyone has someone at their side to help them. No one bothers to look at the twin without pity” He shook his head. “Everyone expected me to be the same person I was before. Everyone expects me to crack jokes all the time” He looked at her with sad eyes. “Everyone doesn't want to seem to think that the person who made people laugh may need someone by his side to. SO thanks Ginny, for the reminder that I’m alone while you and everyone else has some one there for them”

Ginny’s jaw went slack at the sight of her brother, sad, hurt, angry. He didn’t snap, like at all. For him to do this, to snap at her, he was hurting pretty bad. She hadn’t thought of those things “I’m sorry George” She said as she tried to reach for him, but he stepped back. “I never meant to hurt you” She whispered as she tried again to reach for him. “You never meant to hurt me?” He said as he gave a humourless laugh “Yet you came waltzing down here to give me an ear full” 

George shook his head “It’s nice to know where I stand with everyone” HE scooped up the parchment, quill and ink, then apparated away to his flat. Where he could be alone, without having everyone look at him like he was pathetic, when all he needed was someone to be by his side.