Firecracker | George Weasley

Chapter 33

George was half asleep when Ron burst into his and Fred's room in a panic. They whipped their dressing gowns on and made their way to Dumbledore's office. He was still on edge from Blaise's taunts in the afternoon and now hearing of his father's attack he was barely holding on yet he still held Ginny trying to comfort her. He wanted to protect her like he had never been able to protect Scarlett.

Everything was blur, they went from dorms, to Dumbeldores to headquarters in a frenzy. Panic, unease and worry swallowed all the Weasley siblings and it just built more when they reached their mother who was anxiously waiting for them. She embraced them tightly then they apparated to St Mungo's. They spent an hour waiting to be allowed to see Mr Weasley. George paced up and down. Molly and Ginny held hands with Fred as their gaze turned to towards any person walking past in a lime green robe. Ron went from sitting, to standing, to sitting, to leaning on the wall, then pacing. It was driving George mad but before he snapped a healer walked over to the family "Weasley family?"

"Yes that's us!" Mrs Weasley replied eagerly, up on her feet meeting the healer half way

"Your husband is out of surgery, please follow me." 

As they walked both Ginny and Mrs Weasley were unable to hold back their tears. George pulled his mother to him while Fred did the same for Ginny. They both tried to soothe them but they were failing miserably and the need to cry was spreading. George felt helpless, angry and slightly betrayed. 

They stopped in front of a room with the door shut. The healer turned around to them "Please wait outside till Madam Diggory comes out and gives you an update of what condition Mr Weasley is in." 

The healer knocked on the door 3 times before making her way back to the waiting area to collect another group of people. The Weasley family waited outside for what felt like forever. The tensions began to rise but thankfully Mrs Diggory exited the room "He's alive and is going to make a full recovery but it's going to take some time. It was close, but I've got the best healers working with me." She reassured softly as she pulled Mrs Weasley into a hug, and rubbing her back "Do you want to see him?"

Mrs Weasley nodded, unable to get enough breath to talk properly. Mrs Diggory turned to the children who all nodded. "I do have to warn you all, he is very injured and weak, and he looks it. But he is past the worst."

Mrs Diggory kept an arm around Mrs Weasley and offered her hand to Ginny who gladly took it. George, Fred and Ron followed behind mentally preparing for the sight of their injured father. When they walked into the room they all audibly gasped. Mrs Weasley ran to her husbands bed side with Ginny close behind. Ron ran to the other side of the bed and the twins stood at the foot of the bed unable to move. Mr Weasley held on to his wife's hand trying to reassure her then tried to speak but was quickly interrupted.

"I wouldn't try to speak right now Arthur, the bites were quite deep on your neck so we're going to need to do another round of healing potion before you're able to talk without pain." Mrs Diggory interjected.

She watched the twins hold the foot of the bed for support, overwhelmed by the information and the sight. She rubbed their backs to try and provide some form of reassurance but she knew that the only thing that would help was time, time for her team to heal their father. George appreciated the attempt and turned to Mrs Diggory trying to convey his gratitude but when he looked into her eyes and saw the familiarities of her face to Scarlett's he broke down. She pulled him into a hug and took him outside the room. "I promise George, he will be alright. I will make sure he's home for Christmas." She repeated over and over again in a calm reassuring voice has he cried into her shoulder. 

Finally catching his breathe he replied "Thank you Mrs Diggory."

"There is no need for thanks George."

He pulled away from her and wiped his tears with his hands. Mrs Diggory quickly pulled a tissue out of her pocket and offered it to him with a gentle kind smile. A smile that was nearly identical to the smile he loved on Scarlett, which reassured him but made him yearn for Scarlett. He wanted her to be here with him, even if it did mean crying in front of her, he needed her, more than ever.

"I wish Letty was here." he accidentally let his thoughts be vocalised

"I'm sure we can make arrangements for her to come back for a day and see you. I could probably pull her out of school early. From what I hear from Sirius it doesn't seem like you guys are learning much with the ministry there."

"As much as I would like that, it would be wrong of me to ask that of you and her. She should be in school. She has her career to think about. I would never want to get in the way of her success." 

"Very well. But if you change your mind let me know. After all I'm head healer at St Mungo's my daughter is going to get a job here if she wants one, she knows more than most of these 1st year healer students. Now, let's go inside and you can spend time with your dad." 

"Thank you again Mrs Diggory."

"Don't make me repeat myself George, no thanks are necessary." She said playfully 

"Of course, sorry." 

The two walked back in and Mrs Weasley walked over to Mrs Diggory "Thank you. Thank you so much Kate. I feel so relieved that you are the one looking after Arthur, especially at the moment. I couldn't think of anyone I trust more than you to look after him. Thank you." 

"There is no need to thanks Molly. Now let me leave you guys to spend time together without interruptions." Mrs Diggory said walking out of the room.