Waiting..

[Professor Zoe Black]

Zoe thought.
All this time, George has suffered, silently. The only person he felt he could really trust was Fred, but he's gone.
I never even got to meet Fred. I bet he was a wonderful person, if he was anything like George.
How terrible. He never got to see a free world. Free of war, free of Voldemort. Her thoughts paused as she looked at Fred. I don't think even I have seen a free world.
Voldemort may be dead, but he's still affecting everything anyone does. She sighed and looked at the paper.

[Professor George Weasley]

George balked at the suggestion of being in the Order. "Um... headmaster? Not to be rude, but the last time I came anywhere near the Order, I ended up... attacking Arasol." George shivered at the memory. Really bad day. "I mean... I still haven't moved on from Fred. I'd probably be more of a liability than a help."

George smiled weakly at Professors Black and Barton, then at the Headmaster. "Sorry. I'm not going to join until I know I won't let you all down." George sighed, tapping the bar. "Can I have a butterbeer, too, please? In a bottle?" Out it came, and George uncorked it with his wand. "Thanks..."

George took a deep drink, staring into space. It was odd. All three of the higher-ups around him were willing to forgive him for his past actions. But he wasn't willing to forgive himself just yet.

[Professor Zoe Black]

"You don't have to push yourself, George," Zoe smiled, "we understand."
She thought for a moment, then said, "even if you are not willing to join the Order just yet, you could still help us outside, couldn't you? Just because you're not in the Order doesn't mean you can't report things you've seen or heard, just send one of us an owl if you're concerned," she smiled again and looked at her watch.

[Professor George Weasley]

George blinked. Professor Black was so tiny, and yet she had such a head on her shoulders. George could only wish for as much sanity as her. He grinned at her, still a bit uneasy.

"...I guess. I want to help," George admitted, "but there's just... there's just too much there."

Not to mention that I blame the Order for Fred's death just as much as I blame the Death Eaters, George thought bitterly. He bit at the bottle near his mouth, letting warm liquid spill into his throat. It warmed up his insides.

"What's with all the Dark Activity, anyway?" George wondered. "It's almost as if they're waiting for something, but until then they're just going to hide..."

[Professor Zoe Black]

Zoe paused for a moment.
"That's...what we fear..." she admitted. "We believe," she lowered her voice, "that the Death Eaters are planning to rise to power, again."
She paused and looked around.
"That is why I ask you, if there is anything unusual going on out there that you know about, to tell us. We suspect they may be after James Potter, Harry Potters son."

[Professor George Weasley]

The pieces connected in George's brain. Of course. He was close to the Potters, the Weasleys, and, if he was irksome enough, could pry anything from the Malfoys. Things would pass him, things that would be extremely useful to the Order. George wrestled with the idea internally as he waited for the Headmaster and Professor Barton's input. Another swig of butterbeer. And another. Time passed slowly.

"...Yeah, I'll do anything to help," George finally settled on. "I just think that... joining the Order wouldn't be a good idea. My standing with some of the people there is... not the greatest. Although if Arasol and his brother are gone... I'm guessing others left with them."

A tiny ray of chance pierced George's brain.

[Professor Zoe Black]

Zoe listened to the silence with baited breath.
Finally, George spoke. She looked at him, an expression of understanding on her face.
"I understand why you do not want to join the Order, and that is why I will not force you to do so, but any information that you find would be a great help, thankyou," she smiled again.