Embers of the Heart ; George Weasley

Thirteen - 2.0

I held my daughter close, her tiny cries mingling with my sobs. The world outside was still in chaos, but in this moment, it was just the two of us. I had to be strong for her, for Freya, for George, and for the memory of Fred. The pain and the grief were overwhelming, but I couldn't let it consume me. There was still so much to fight for, so much to protect.

As the sounds of battle echoed through the corridors, I whispered to my newborn baby. "Welcome to the world, my love. Your uncle Fred would have adored you."

With renewed determination, I knew I had to survive this, not just for me, but for the future we had all been fighting for. Fred's sacrifice would not be in vain.

I took a deep breath and looked around. The corridor was still filled with dust and debris, but I needed to find a way to cut the umbilical cord. Summoning all the strength I had, I muttered, "Diffindo," pointing my wand carefully at the cord. It severed cleanly and I quickly healed the cut on my daughter's belly.

Wrapping her in my cloak, I held her close to my chest and looked at Fred one last time. "I promise, I'll take care of them." I whispered, tears blurring my vision. "I'll make sure they know how brave you were."

Gathering every ounce of strength, I stood up. My legs were shaking, and my body ached, but I had to move. I couldn't stay here. I had to find George, and we needed to get to safety. I started walking, each step painful, but my determination pushed me forward.

The corridors were chaotic, filled with the sounds of spells being cast, and the cries of both the living and the injured. I held my daughter close, shielding her as best as I could. My mind raced with thoughts of finding George, of getting to safety, of somehow making it through this nightmare.

As I reached the staircase, I saw a familiar figure rushing towards me. "Aurora!" George's voice was filled with relief and fear as he closed the distance between us.

"George." I cried, tears streaming down my face. "Fred... he's gone." the words felt like a dagger to my heart, but I had to say them.

George's face contorted with pain as he looked past me, seeing Fred's still form on the ground. His knees buckled, he shook his head, and he let out a choked sob. "No... no, Fred." he reached for me, his hands trembling.

"I'm so sorry." I whispered, clutching our daughter tightly. "But we have to keep moving. We have to survive this. For Fred."

He shook his head again, having to lean against the wall, and as he did that, I started feeling faint.

"George..." I muttered. "Take her. You need to take her."

He didn't look at me. He was still staring at a lifeless Fred, trying to comprehend it. I knew I was asking a lot of him, but I needed him to see me, to look at me and take our daughter.

"George." I tugged at his shirt, earning his attention. "Take her. I'm gonna—"

I started to faint and he quickly grabbed the baby with one arm while using his other to gently guide me down to the ground so I wouldn't hit my head. The last thing I saw before everything went black, was George, moving his mouth but nothing coming out.

—

I woke up to the sound of screaming. The world around me was still a blur, but I could make out shapes and movements through groggy vision. I was lying on a makeshift cot in what seemed to be a room hastily converted into a field hospital. The Great Hall. The acrid smell of potions and blood filled the air, and the screams of the wounded echoed around me.

I tried to sit up, my body protesting every movement, but a gentle hand pressed me back down. "Easy there." a familiar voice said softly. It was madam Pomfrey, her face etched with concern and exhaustion. "You've been through quite the ordeal, Aurora. Just rest for now."