𝐄𝐏𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 | g. w

28. snape's curse

"Georgie?"

Opening my mouth to speak, I realise my voice comes off as much more strained than I'd originally thought it would be. It's breaking, and I don't know for how long I'll be able to keep from completely falling apart at what I've just bared witness to. The notion of George—my George—being hurt, makes my stomach tie in knots and my heart drop to my knees. There's really no other way to describe it than to say that I'm scared shitless right now.

"Merlin—what the hell happened?!", I finally croak out, watching from the side as my best friend is carried to and laid sprawled out on the couch, the right side of his head completely soaked in crimson blood. His eyes are closed, his breathing laboured. If it wasn't for the steady beat of his heart I make out as I crouch down next to him, I wouldn't have even known he was alive. "George?—"

"He was hit by a curse. It was Snape who did it. Blasted his ear right off." Explains Remus, tugging at the collar of his sleeve after being pushed back by a furious Arthur.

"Oh my god." I mutter under my breathe, tears escaping my eyes, leaving them red and slightly irritated. "He'll be okay though, won't he? Right? I mean—it'll heal up?"

"I'll try my best to tend to the wound, but I've never seen anything quite like it. I'm afraid I won't be able to re-attach it."

"I don't care. I just need him to be okay. You hear me?" I turn to the ginger who's currently nearly passed out on the sofa. "I need you to be okay. I haven't had enough time to put up with your mindless nagging. Okay? I'm not done with you yet. I love you, George. I've always loved you." I take a deep breathe. "Which is why I need you to wake up."

I put my hand on his, pressing a kiss to the side of his head, the side that's not hurt. Just as I'm about to start confessing even more, I hear Fred storming in through the door of the Burrow, his face fixed in a worried frown.

"George?"

"He's in there. He's okay, son." Arthur Weasley pipes up.

"How are you feeling Georgie?"

George mutters quietly, "saint-like."

"Come again?" stammers Fred, confused.

"Saint like. I'm holy..." He points to the spot where his ear is missing. "I'm holy. I'm holy Fred— get it?". He grins, making me let out a chuckle. Even in the darkest, most serious of moments, he always manages to make the people around him laugh. That's one of the many things I love about him. One of the many things that made me fall in love with him.

"The whole world of ear-related humor, and you go for, "I'm holy"? That's pathetic."

"Reckon I'm still better looking than you." He jokes, his eyes slightly open. He then proceeds to look over at Molly, who's worried gaze hasn't gone unnoticed by anyone. "You'll be able to tell us apart now, mum."

Then his eyes fall on me. He's still smiling, al though it's not so much a cheeky smile anymore. It's more of a "I'm-so-happy-to-see-you-smile", which I return wholeheartedly. I can't help it when my cheeks flare from the intense eye contact.

When he opens his mouth and the words leave his mouth, I realise with my entire being, just how much George Weasley has impacted my life.

"Oh, and for the record; I love you too, you numpty."

(...)

After the whole George getting his ear cursed off-fiasco, I can't help but feel even more worried about what's to come. Even though I've always kind of known that the world is a dark and evil place and that Voldemort has risen to power yet again, I've never really had time to think about just how badly the situation really has become. It's only now, with everything happening to the people closes to me, that I've come to realise how much danger we really are in. How close we are to the final battle between good and evil.

I guess I didn't want to see it, that maybe I've been repressing all these feelings that make me see reason. Or maybe I've just been stupid and naive. I don't really know.

So that's why I can't seem to make sense of my own emotions or thought process when I start to distance myself from George yet again. I can't help but feel like I could've been there, that maybe I could've protected him, or perhaps made an effort to persuade him to stay back instead of risking his neck, or in this case his ear, for whatever it is we are fighting.

I should've tried harder. I should've fought to keep him with me. The both of them.

But then again, I know the twins. They wouldn't have been so easily convinced. They would never have agreed to stay behind whilst the others went away. That's just the way they are.

It's one of the many things I love about the both of them.

Their fighting spirits.

Their bravery.

I guess the sorting hat did right by putting them both in Gryffindor.

"You alright there?" I hear a voice coming up from behind me as I stand by the kitchen window a few nights later, watching the star-speckled sky. It's absolutely breathtaking, and I can't help but wonder if it's the last time I'll be able to look at it the same way.

"Fred! You scared me."

"Sorry. I was just getting some water for George. He's been asking about you, you know? Won't stop talking about you." He sends me a not-so-subtle wink, grinning. "You know... I can tell when somethings bothering you. We both can. So what's on your mind, love? And don't even think about lying to me."

I let a deep sigh escape me. "It's just... With everything that's going on. I can't help but wonder. What if I lost you? What if Snapes' curse didn't just hit his ear? I don't know what I would've done if he—Merlin, I can't even say it."

"You can't think like that. Look—I know you're scared, we all are. But you can't keep living out the rest of your life in fear, it's too short. Who knows what tomorrow may bring? It might surprise you. You may live for decades more. You may die tomorrow."

"Not helping Fred," I glare.

"All I'm saying is, no one knows how much longer we have. So why why not make the most of it?"

"What exactly are you saying?"

"I'm saying you shouldn't waste your time worrying about stuff you may or may not regret. I'm saying—"

He exhales, smiling knowingly.

"Tell George. Tell him how you feel."