Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Written for the Release The Hounds Challenge - a parent and child.
No Cure
She stroked his hair from his face gently, a small smile on her face. His usually mischievous expression was smoothed out and he looked calm and peaceful where he lay.
His clothes were spotless and perfectly arranged on his body, a rare sight indeed, when she was so used to seeing him messy, haphazardly spotted with ash, ink and various potion stains from his experiments.
He didn't shift when she fiddled with his cuff, not that she expected him too, of course, but it made her heart hurt to not hear his usual protestations to her fussing.
What she wouldn't give to hear them again.
"Mum?"
Turning, Molly smiled as George approached her slowly, his eyes glued to the body of his brother, his twin, his other half. Tears stained his face as he leant into her side, her arm sweeping up around his waist instantly and automatically.
"He's ready," she whispered, before kissing George's temple.
"I'm not," George admitted quietly. "How am I- I don't know how to do this, Mum. I don't know how to tell him goodbye."
"It's not goodbye forever, sweetheart. You'll see him again, many years from now, and he'll be watching over you while he waits for you to join him."
Fresh tears fell from George's eyes. "I don't want to say goodbye. I don't want him to- he shouldn't- it's not fair, Mum."
A single tear dropped to her cheek. "I know it's not."
She couldn't disagree with him. It wasn't fair, none of this was fair. Children had lost their lives before they'd even begun them. Parents had left behind orphans. So many dead, and over what? A misguided belief that bloodlines mattered beyond private pride.
She'd never understood the blood purity attitude, and she hated that she'd lost her son to such a pathetic excuse for war and carnage.
"It's not fair, but life… life isn't always fair. We can only accept that as truth and hope and pray for a good lot, for good friends and happiness. Fred… we will miss him, painfully and completely, but we must also remember that Fred would never want anything for you but the happiest that life can be. George… Fred is with you in your heart. Nobody can take that away from you."
It took him a moment to control himself, but he squeezed her into a hug, and nodded against her shoulder.
"I know. It's what I would have wanted for him, if it had been me that… if it had been me."
Molly smiled sadly before she released George. "I'll give you a minute with him before the funeral starts. Just come and get me when you're… just come and get me."
Taking a final look at Fred, Molly brushed her fingers through his hair one last time, and leant over to kiss his cheek.
"Goodnight, my little prince. Sleep tight."
Squeezing George's arm, Molly left the room, closing the door before she leant against it, tears flowing from her eyes as her heart broke beyond repair. She knew she had to be strong for her children, but no matter her words to George… her son had died, and there was no cure for the heartache that brought.
There never would be.