The Tale of Guinevere

5-Inch Heels

"Gwen." A hand rubbed my back softly, I knew who it was, but I couldn't see him. I saw nothing even though my eyes were still open. "It's Harry. Slow breaths, Gwen. Slow breaths."

"How is she?" I heard Fred's voice.

"Not responding. I'm going to need to put a calming charm on her." I felt the pull of his magic, and my breathing finally slowed. My sight was slowly coming back, but I wasn't ready to face anyone, so I closed my eyes. "She's going to be okay." He stroked my hair back. "What were you doing when it happened?"

"I was just showing her around the shop. She was okay, she was laughing and joking all the time. But then-"

"Then what? What happened?"

"Nothing. I was just showing her the new and original line from the daydream charms."

"Fuck!" I heard Harry curse and stand up from the bed. I could hear him pace in the room. I could just imagine him running his hand through his wild black hair.

"You know what triggered it?" Fred's voice asked when I felt a hand going over my cheek. But it wasn't Fred's, his voice was too far away.

"W-was it me?" George's voice was quiet, a close to my ear. George's hand then. But that wasn't that much of a surprise.

"No." I rested my hand on the one that was on my cheek and my eyes fluttered open. George's face was pale, his eyes filled with worry. "It wasn't you."

He cupped both of my cheeks and in the corner of my eye I was Harry, Fred and Lee move closer. "How are you feeling?"

"Better." I pushed myself up and let my feet fall off the bed. Harry was kneeling in front of me, as George placed a hand on my lower back.

"Do you want me to cast a diagnostic spell on you?" Harry asked, looking up at me, his hands on my knees.

"No." I shook my head. "No, I'm good. Thank you, Harry." I gave him a soft smile before I looked to the others. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you-"

Fred and Lee were next to Harry on the floor within a second. "You don't have anything to apologise for, Guinevere." Fred said.

"I thought I was ready-"

"Gwen." Harry took my hand in his and squeezed. "Maybe you should tell them."

"I-" My eyes turned wide, and I shook my head wildly.

"Gwen..."

"No, Harry. I can't tell them. I can't." I pleaded with him, not daring to look at the others. But I felt their eyes on me.

Harry sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. "Can you give us a moment?" He asked the others.

Fred and Lee stood up and kissed the top of my head before they walked over to the door. George's hand went to my cheek and caressed it softly with his thumb. "Whatever it is, you can tell us, Guinevere." He kissed my cheek and followed his twin and best friend out of the room. They looked at us for a second before closing the door behind them. Harry put a Muffliato charm over the room and sat down next to me.

"I can't tell them. It's one of their products." I sighed. "One way or another, they will think it's their fault, I can't have them thinking that. Not ever."

"Gwen, what are you going to do? Avoid the shop or the products just in case you come across it?"

"I'll manage. I'll find a way to cope with it."

"They'll figure it out one day."

"Maybe, maybe not. But I can't tell them, Harry." I leaned against him as he pulled me in a hug.