Teddy came too with a groan.
He tried to open his eyes, but something stuck his eyelids together.
Probably dried blood… he thought.
"He's awake."
Teddy frowned. He didn't recognize that voice.
Then all of a sudden he felt the snap of latex gloves and then bright lights were flicked on.
Despite his closed eyes, Teddy flinched, and his hand went up to cover his eyes.
"Shh shh… just relax, Mr. Lupin…" a new voice said, putting a gloved hand on his shoulder.
"You know you probably should have just fought back…" a third voice, this one an even, male one, said.
George, Teddy realized with relief.
"Yeah, whatever. Next time." he muttered, feeling more than a little ridiculous with his eyes scrunched closed.
"Still, mate. A little blow to the ear never hurt anybody."
Charlie, Teddy figured.
"Exactly. But no, Ted doesn't like watching people get hurt, his parents were war heroes, but their son is more of an anti fist fight sort…" George remarked.
Teddy swallowed.
"You have to fight, Ted." Charlie urged. "You have to make them proud."
"I think I make them more proud when I bite back my feelings on violence…" Teddy replied slowly, wincing as the doctor's hand brushed a bruise on his leg.
"Tonks would have never wanted her son bullied like you are. I'm sure of it." and Teddy could almost see Charlie's eyes flash.
"Neither would old man Lupin. Never. He'd want to see his cub take a good swing at Benevolent and his fat nose…" George snickered.
"Doubt it, boys." Teddy replied.
"You're all set." the doctor patted Teddy's messy blue curls.
"Or not. What about my eyes? Will I be blind as a bat forever?" Teddy asked.
"No- here. Charles, was it?" the doctor prompted.
"Yeah." Charlie answered.
"Get me a basin of warm water, quick, quick…" the doctor instructed.
As soon as Charlie returned, the doctor dipped a cloth into the warm water and applied it to Teddy's face.
Soon he could open his eyes easily.
"Oi!" he grinned. "Thanks…"
"Not a problem, just… if you don't mind me saying… listen to your- guardians. Don't let yourself be pushed around." the doctor said kindly, flapping Teddy out of the patient's room before he could say another word.
George, who had been leaning casually against the doorway, followed Teddy leisurely out, while Charlie stopped by the office to pay for the visit.
With a cheeky, I-told-you-so look, George began to joke around and give Teddy some fake karate lessons.
"Leave the bloke alone, will you?" Charlie said exasperatedly as he came out.
"Where are the brooms?" Teddy asked, looking around excitedly.
"No brooms today, Theo…" Charlie said with a sad little smile.
"Not until you learn to throw a proper hit, that is." George put in with a wink.
"No, no. That's not it at all. Mum just doesn't want you on something dangerous while you're, you know, recovering…" Charlie explained quickly, sending a well aimed kick at George's shin.
"How come Harry didn't come?" Teddy interrupted quietly.
"I-oh…" Charlie looked guiltily over at his brother who sighed, gripping Teddy firmly by the shoulder.
"No reason." George said lightly.
But Teddy knew he was lying.
"What's for dinner? Are we going to the Burrow?" Teddy demanded as they got into the cab they had hailed.
"No, we're going to Sushi Shop… you like that place, don't you?" Charlie asked.
"Yes, but… but I expect everyone will want to see me, check if I'm ok…" Teddy trailed off.
"No, we already let them know you're fine. They don't mind us going out for dinner tonight, it'll be a bit chaotic at home today I think." George added.
"Oh." Teddy looked crestfallen. Then he made a fist as his blood boiled. "They'll be talking about me, won't they? And not the kind of things they can say right at my face. That's why you two have come, isn't it? To keep me out of trouble? And out of the house while they talk behind my back! Then I expect they'll fill you in, and leave me in the dark. Nice, I get it."
"No, no-" Charlie began at once.
George cocked his head with a hiss, indicating that Teddy had come close to the truth.
"GEORGE!" Charlie growled.
And Teddy looked away quickly. George had been a great liar before Fred had died, Ginny had said once, but now that his twin wasn't around, he'd become bad at fibbing.
"Sorry…"
And the weak tone of voice Teddy heard come out of George's mouth made him want to punch something. Or someone.
This wasn't how George was supposed to be.
He was supposed to be sly and daring, and quick on his feet.
Not the kind of man to get lectured.
Or to apologize.
Or to fail at keeping a straight face while lying.
Teddy shoved his hands into his pockets and bit his tongue.
He wished he could have been around when George Weasley had actually been fun to be around. And when he'd joke around and prank people, and make his twin laugh.
He, Teddy, deserved to have seen that.
The stories Harry and his friends told, they were so lucky to have been through it all.
It was unfair, Teddy thought, that Harry and Ron, and Hermione, had gotten to know his parents better than he'd known them. His parents. And yet friends knew them better.
Ok, calm down… calm down… Teddy took a shuddering breath.
"You good?" George asked, nudging Teddy a little.
Teddy looked up at him, a little embarrassed.
He shouldn't be complaining. George had lost a lot too…
"Yeah. Fine." he forced a smile.
"Brilliant." George gave him a tired smile and turned away.
Charlie sighed.