Solace

"Mum, you know where the Hospital is?" asked Bill anxiously.

He had dreamed that his wedding day would bring undiluted joy to his war-shaken family. Never for even a second had he imagined it would be cause for sorrow and anxiety. He tried to hold his own fear at bay and well concealed by his siblings and mother. As it was his mother looked pale and scarred. She kept whispering to herself, eyes focused on the rise and fall of her husband's chest. At a closer look Bill could make out what she was mumbling under her breath, reading it from her lips.

"Not again. Oh dear God, don't take him away from me", she prayed almost silently.

She was unaware of everything apart from the pulse visible at his throat. She didn't see Bill looking at her inquiringly; she hadn't even heard his question.

Minerva saw Molly struggle with tears and being focused on Arthur, not taking in anything else. In her opinion Molly was in no state to take control over her family or even apparate to the nearest hospital alone. She turned to Bill.

"Just tell me where it is and I'll see your mother to it", she offered helpfully and Bill flashed her a grateful smile.

"It's very easy to apparate to. There is a forest nearby, so nobody will see us appear out of thin air. Just two kilometres to the northwest behind the town", explained Bill, still holding the now limp body of his father in his arms.

"We better hurry. Go, I'll take care of your mother", Minerva ushered Bill on.

Bill nodded, already worrying why his father wasn't moving anymore, and hurried to a somewhat clearer spot to apparate. Molly watched Bill leave and felt a little tug at her sleeve. When she turned around she spotted Ginny standing beside her one hand on her sleeve and the other still enclasped in Fleur's hand. Charlie stood next to his sister and sister-in-law. He watched Molly closely with his hands slightly extended as if he was waiting to catch something.

"What?" asked Molly, looking from daughter to son.

Before her children answered her she felt a hand clasping her elbow and an arm snake around her waist.

"Mum, you look very pale. Want to sit down for a moment before ...", Charlie started but was interrupted by a panicky Molly.

"NO! I want to see your father as soon as possible", she almost screamed while her eyes moved nervously from side to side.

"Ok. I take you to the hospital, Molly. You don't seem able to apparate", Minerva tried to calm her.

Molly looked up to her and wanted to make a bitter remark but Minerva shook her head.

"No need to be strong, Molly. You're husband has just been within an inch of death. I don't think he would begrudge you of sitting down for a while and taking help", said Minerva softly, displaying unusual sentiment in her.

Molly starred up into her face and her fickle control over her panic and fear slipped away. Tears fell from her eyes and she swayed alarmingly. But Minerva caught her and Charlie rushed forward picking her up bodily and carrying over to where Ginny straightened a chair. Gently he sat her down on it and, keeping his arms around her, drew her closer until her upper torso rested against him.

"Close your eyes and try to relax, Mum. We will apparate to the Hospital in a bit", he reassured her.

Molly's eyes filled with tears again and she tensed instead of relaxing.

"The doctors will think I don't care ... that I'm a terrible wife ... especially after I failed to ..."

"Stop, Mum. You didn't fail him with anything. You are the love of his life and don't think we didn't notice", exclaimed Fred, drying his tears finally and looking fiercely at his mother. "You're the reason he is still alive, you saved him ... on more occasions than you realise", he continued, clasping her shoulders and making sure she understood him.

After a moment's hesitation, she smiled up to him and nodded understandingly. A few moments later Molly had regained enough composure to pull away from Charlie and get up.

"Minerva, would you please take me to the hospital now. I'm still a bit shaky, I believe ..."

"Of course, Molly", Minerva was quick to offer.

She gifted Molly with one of her rare smiles and extended a hand for Molly to grab on. Both women walked a little way from the others and Molly took Minerva's proffered arm while Minerva mock bowed to her like a gentleman. Then they apparated to the forest near the hospital.

Molly started forward as soon as she had regained her footing but was stopped by Minerva's arm still on hers.

"We wouldn't be very conspicuous in these clothes. You're lucky I'm the transfiguration professor of Hogwarts", said Minerva and waved her wand quickly.

Molly looked down at her newly transfigured clothes and was speechless, not the first time stunned by Minerva's talent in this area. She now wore a pretty pale blue blouse dress, belted at her waist, with matching shoes. Looking over she examined Minerva's clothes. Astoundingly enough, the stern teacher wore white Capri pants and a red, short-sleeved blouse. The pair of them looked stunning. And Molly perceived a mischievous twinkle in the teacher's eyes.

"Might as well tease Arthur a little for his remarks", she laughed cheekily.

The hospital was sterile and noisy. People were everywhere, visiting their friends or relatives or going to the cafeteria. Patients were carted around in wheelchairs or limp past on crutches.

Molly and Minerva were obverwhelmed and searched for the reception. When they finally found it, it was empty.

"Mum, Professor McGonagall", the shout from Bill reached their ears just when Minerva wanted to ring the bell for the fourth time, growing impatient and agitated on Molly's behalf.

Bill was scooting towards them through the crowd and finally halted in front of both women.

"They still run tests on dad, but they didn't look very optimistic. I'm sorry ..."

"He's not dead, William, so hold your tongue!" hissed his mother.

She hated waiting for the diagnosis. It reminded her of his attack not even two years ago. She couldn't go through this again. It was aggravating.