You and George were walking down the cobbled path of Hogsmeade, his hand warm in yours as the two of you passed by shopfronts. It was one of those rare quiet afternoons—no pranks, no chaos, just the two of you.

He paused outside Zonko’s, eyes catching on something in the display window.

“New prototype,” he murmured, stepping closer to the glass. “Might steal the idea.”

You paused with him, smiling faintly as he squinted with dramatic focus at the display.

That’s when two boys passed by, deep in conversation. One of them slowed, eyes dragging over you as he walked—shameless, like he wasn’t even trying to hide it. His friend glanced at him, then at you, and muttered something under his breath with a smirk.

George caught it before you did.

George’s head snapped away from the window. His eyes narrowed, cold and precise, landing squarely on the boy who dared to stare.

Without hesitation, George stepped forward and barked.

Short. Sharp. Loud enough to echo off the stone.

The boy who’d been staring jumped like he’d been jinxed. His friend nearly tripped over the curb.

You blinked.

The boys muttered something and quickly walked off—faster this time, heads ducked like they weren’t sure what just happened.

George didn’t move. Just stood there, watching them go with a satisfied little smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

You looked up at him. “Did you just bark?”

“Mhm,” he said, casually reaching for your hand again. “Had to assert dominance.”

“You can’t just bark at people like a dog, George.”

He smirked, still watching the spot where the boys had disappeared. “He was staring at you.”

Then he looked down at you, eyes warm but sharp. “And I don’t like people looking at what’s already mine.”

Your breath caught, but you covered it quickly. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Maybe,” he said. “But it worked, didn’t it?”

You didn’t answer—but your lips curved despite yourself.

He caught it immediately. “Thought so.”

You rolled your eyes then, but the grin had already betrayed you.

“He’s lucky I didn’t bite,” George muttered, voice low as he glanced down at you. “Because I really wanted to.”