Carry On

Chapter 17

"Harry, are you sure you're alright? Madame Pomfery said that you could stay for a few more days if you like." Hermione asked from beside me. After practically begging the Mediwitch, she finally agreed I was well enough to at least go back to the dorms. But, of course, with a not so subtle order to rest.
   "I'll be fine 'Mione." I saw her skeptical look. "Where's Ron, anyway?" I asked, desperately trying to change the subject. Hermione's face twisted in a sort of grim anger.
   "Harry, Ron left." She carefully said, as if expecting me to be thrown into a fit of rage at the words. Though, now that I thought about it, I probably would have last year. Hell, I did last year, when Ron left during our hunt for horcruxes.
   "Alright." I said calmly, ignoring her slightly taken aback expression. I was slightly hurt that my best mate would leave so soon, but I expected as much. We continued walking up the tower to the eighth year dorms in silence, I spoke the password and silently walked in. I wasn't expecting to be bombarded with Weasleys. Upon entering, I was brought into the crushing arms of Mrs. Weasley.
   "Harry, dear! We were so worried! What happened? Ron only told us that you were hurt and in the Hospital Wing!" She said rapidly, continuing to crush me with her embrace.
   "I'm fine, Mrs. Weasley." I said, carefully removing myself from her arms. She looked at me with worried eyes, but I couldn't meet them. I looked around and saw that everyone was here, Ron aside. Even Percy was here, which was a bit surprising despite reconciling with the rest of the family, along with Bill and Charlie. I quickly looked at George, but just as quickly looked away. I couldn't stand the pain in his eyes. I willed the tears gathering away, not wanting to cry in front of my surrogate family. Percy gave me a strange look, glancing at my wrist. I instinctively tugged my sleeve, which had rode up slightly, down.
   "Harry, what was that?" He asked, a surprisingly concerned look on his face. I only then realised that I still didn't have a glamor up. Madame Pomfery had to remove it in order to heal me, and I hadn't been awake to replace it when Hermione came to see me. She was shocked at the state I was really in, but soon it didn't bother her as much.
   "It's nothing." I said quickly, looking at Hermione, who had moved over by Ginny, for help. She just shook her head.
   "Nonsense! You just came out of the Hospital Wing!" Mrs. Weasley said, moving to grab my arm. I quickly stepped back, causing a tense air of concern to fill the room.
   "Harry," came Percy's now soft, somber voice, "what happened?" He asked. I tensed, my eyes stinging when I looked up into George's eyes. I couldn't stand how dull they had become. All because of me. I did that. It was my fault.
   You killed him. You killed his twin. How could anyone call you a Saviour? How can you stand to look at yourself? The voice hissed in the back of my mind. I couldn't look at them. How could I? I killed their son.
   "I'm sorry." I choked out, running past them towards my dorm room, praying to all things magic that no one saw the tears that fell from my eyes. I ignored the shocked and confused looks from Weasley family.
   "Harry!" I heard Hermione call out as I dashed up the stairs, running strait to my room, slamming the door. I slid down the wooden door, my eyes blurred with tears. The sobs felt torn out of my throat, unable to be held back. I didn't care that they could probably hear me from the common room, as I hadn't put up a silencing charm. I barely heard a near desperate knock on my door. I stood on shaky limbs and backed away from the door, not bothering to answer.
   "Harry?" Came the hesitant, worried voice of the pastel haired boy from the other side of the door. Anther choked sob escaped from my throat, my legs giving way. I fell to my knees, my head in my hands, tears falling freely from my eyes. I heard the door open, but didn't look up, already knowing who it was. "Harry! What happened?" He asked, sinking to his knees beside me. "What did those damned Weasley's do?" He burst out in anger. I shook my head, even more tears falling from my eyes at the thought of what I did. Draco pulled me close, and I let my head rest on his shoulder, shaking with sobs. The other boy just stroked my hair, murmuring comforting words in my ear. And for once in my life, I allowed him to comfort me. I let out all of the guilt and pain that I held deep inside myself. I don't know how long we sat there, me crying into the other boys shoulder, but eventually I pulled back, wiping my eyes.
"Sorry." I muttered, embarrassed at my sudden emotional outburst. "I- sorry." I looked up, noticing he had shut the door. Almost as if on cue, the door flew open, revealing those I had just left in the common room. I was still wiping away stray tears. Hermione glanced from my red, puffy eyes, to the obvious wet spot on Draco's shoulder, a knowing look on her face. A tense silence filled the room, until Ginny broke it.
"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" Ginny asked. Though, there was no malice behind the words, just a strained weariness.
"I'll leave you alone." He said, giving me a concerned glance. Draco stood, about to do just that, when I spoke.
"No. Stay." I said, much to the shock of the others, Hermione aside. Draco looked down at me, pale blue strands falling into his eyes.
"Harry? What's going on?" Came the voice of Mr. Weasley from the back of the large group.
"Nothing. Everything's fine." I repeated, still refusing to meet anyone's eyes. I could practically feel the weight of their stares on me.
"Harry, please." I heard George, who hadn't spoken yet, plead. I glanced at Draco, who gave me an encouraging look. Hesitantly, I walked over to George, who I had always been close to (though not as close as Ron,) and slowly, carefully, lifted my arm. He, just as carefully, lifted the long sleeve of my shirt. I winced, and immediately regretted my decision, when he gasped, his eyes widening. I quickly took my arm back, tugging the sleeve down with more force than necessary.
"I'm sorry, I-" I began, but was cut off by the older boy bringing me into a tight hug, though not crushing like his mother's. I stiffened in shock, unable to process what was happening. He doesn't hate me? Why would he hug me? For Merlin's sake, I killed his twin! I tried to voice these thoughts, but no words would come out.
"Harry, please. Never do this again. I-I can't lose you too." He murmured in my ear, ensuring that only I would hear. I stared at him in confusion.
"You- you don't hate me?" I whispered, unable to understand. He shook his head. "But I-" he cut me off.
"No you didn't." I opened my mouth to protest, looking down. George pulled back slightly, forcing me to look in his eyes. "Harry. Listen to me. You didn't kill F-Fred." He stuttered over his twins name, making me wince. "The person responsible was that monster you killed." He said seriously. I felt my eyes well with tears, not caring that I was surrounded by the entire Weasley clan.
"What is it?" I heard Charlie ask, who had been staying at the burrow (along with the rest of them) since the end of the war. I tensed immediately at the question. I could barely show George, who I had known for years. How was I supposed to show the others? Luckily, George swiftly came to my rescue.
"Guys, lay off him. He's fine now, right?" He said, sounding shockingly lighthearted. The others nodded, though still looked suspicious. I looked at George gratefully.
"I'm afraid that we must be going." Mr. Weasley said, a frown on his face. The others nodded, a similar expression marring their features. They walked back to the common room, Hermione and a reluctant Draco following. George stayed back a moment, still embracing me.
"Harry, please, promise me that you will at least floo call me if you ever feel that bad again." He said, begging me with his gaze. I nodded, but I guess that wasn't enough, as he made no move to leave.
"I will." I said, looking him strait in the eye.
"Thank you. Be sure to write." He said, a grin pulling at his lips. He turned and walked out of the room. I wiped my eyes again, not knowing exactly when I began to cry. I followed, walking down the stairs to the common room.
"Harry, dear. Please remember that you're welcome anytime." Mrs. Weasley said, pulling me into a brief, but still bone crushing hug.
"I know, Mrs. Weasley." I said, forcing a smile to appease the red headed woman.
"How many times have I told you to call me Molly?" She asked, a bright smile lighting up her features. "Write soon." She said, turning toward the floo, stepping through. The others just waved before stepping through. George pulled me into another brief hug before giving a slight wave to the others and walking into the green flames. I heard Draco and Hermione walk up behind me.
"What did George say?" 'Mione asked. I just shook my head, similar to how she had earlier.