More Than Heart Could Desire 《 A George Weasley Love Story 》

Chapter#13 Saved

ANNA'S POV:

I opened my eyes slowly, the bright white ceiling swimming into focus. It took me a moment to realise I was lying in a hospital bed at Hogwarts. When I looked around, my breath caught—everyone was there. Mum and Dad. Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, Hagrid, Uncle Remus. Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ron. Diana. George and Fred. The whole room felt full of warmth and worry.

Mum was sitting on one side of the bed and George on the other. Both were holding my hands. As soon as I sat up straight Mum engufled me in a bone crushing long hug. Dad walked to the other side of the bed, where George was sitting and hugged me tightly. George got up and stood with Fred.

"Who brought me here? Who saved me?", I asked, blinking the sleep away.

"Remus did. He brought you back to the castle", Dad said. I smiled at Uncle Remus, though I could clearly see the unasked question in his eyes: What were you doing at the lake alone?

"Sweetheart, how are you feeling?", Mum whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks.

"Loved. And happy", I said, brushing her tears away. Dad kissed my forehead, Mum pressed a kiss to my cheek. For a second, I felt like a child again—safe and held.

Uncle Remus perched on the bed and handed me a chocolate bar. "Eat this. You’ll feel better".

Diana threw her arms around me. "I’m so happy you’re okay", Ginny and Hermione followed, squeezing me tightly. Ron shyly placed chocolates in my lap, and I thanked him.

Then Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. "Miss Mcxandra, may I know what you were doing at the Black Lake?".

"I—I was just…", I stuttered, feeling every eye in the room on me. My mind blanked.

"It’s alright, Minerva. We can ask her later", Professor Dumbledore intervened gently and the professors left.

Madam Pomfrey declared I needed rest, and slowly everyone began saying their goodbyes, everyone except George and Fred. Uncle Remus steered Mum and Dad out, promising they’d be nearby.
Fred rushed forward and pulled me into a tight hug.
"You scared the life out of me, Anna. You shouldn’t have gone to the lake alone".

"But we’ve been there a thousand times", I said innocently.

"Together", Fred corrected, his tone serious. "Not alone, with dementors floating freely".

"I’m sorry", I said, sounding as small as I felt. My eyes drifted toward George, who looked like he hadn’t taken a breath since I woke up.

"Georgie, no toilet seat for me?", I teased weakly.

He didn’t hesitate, he practically launched himself at me, wrapping me in a hug so tight yet so gentle that my heart fluttered uncontrollably. I melted into him, burying my face in his shoulder. Fred watched us with a knowing smile.

"You terrified me, Anna", George murmured, his breath warm against my neck. A shiver ran down my spine.

"I’m sorry, Georgie", I said quietly. We stayed like that for a rather long, quiet moment. I breathed him in his cinnamon, honey, fireworks scent. Comforting and unmistakably him.

For a fleeting heartbeat, it felt like he was mine, fully, completely. Like the rest of the world didn’t exist.

And then someone cleared her throat.
George let go immediately, much to my annoyance and the three of us turned toward the door. Darla stood there, her expression tight with jealousy.

"Hi, Anna. I heard about the dementor attack. I thought I’d visit, but it seems like a waste of my time. You’re perfectly fine", she said coldly.

"Yes, she is", George said, slipping his hand into mine. Darla’s eyes darted to our hands, and her jaw tightened.