Chapter 30

A Day Well Needed

The closer to Christmas that it became, the more disheartened that George found himself, with no more answers than when he began delving into the depths of every library Hermione and Percy frequented. With just over a week left until December 25th, there were still a lot more questions than answers, and the healers weren't able to find anything more than he was. Hermione and Percy had both been incredibly helpful. They spent much of their free time with George and Fred, as well as Nigel when he wasn't at the hospital and Sarah when she wasn't teaching, in library archives; pouring over parchment after parchment about wizarding medical techniques ranging from the 1200s all the way through the 1900s. George was so entirely thankful for all their time, but so far it seemed to be mostly in vain. Though he was nowhere even close to giving up, he was feeling rather discouraged. Christmas was right around the corner, and it would be the first Christmas that he would celebrate with Bell. Thoughts of how to make the holiday special for the two of them had just begun to formulate when she fell sick, and now all his thoughts were geared towards finding her cure so they would have a shot at future Christmases.

It was Friday, almost three weeks from the day that Isabel had been admitted to the hospital, that George finally received some good news. Even though it didn't bring her any closer to being well again, the news from Leopold that made him genuinely happy for the first time in weeks. Isabel had gone from sleeping constantly, to not being able to sleep much at all, and while this worried him, it also meant that her bouts of terror inducing hallucinations were much fewer. This meant that for the first time in three weeks that he would be able to visit his girlfriend in the hospital. Leopold had told him that by the following day, he would be allowing visitors in one or two at a time, as long as she remained stable and unagitated. George could hardly wait.

Though admittedly, he couldn't have gotten the owl at a worse time. It was the weekend before Christmas, and the start of winter holiday for students all over the world, not just those in Hogwarts. This was madhouse season at the shop, and even if he could get Ron or Harry to help Fred out, things would run much more smoothly if he was there. Not to mention they had just put out a new item on the shelves that they projected would be a big seller. They called it the Extendable Eye and were selling it both separately and along with their still very popular Extendable Ear in a set they labeled Extendable Spy Box. Brightly colored signs were already displayed in the front windows proclaiming,"A must have for every sleuth, troublemaker, and rabble-rouser!" in bold letters with a moving image of the Extendable Eye just below it. It appeared to be just a simple metal spyglass at first, but the lens detached and moved to the location of the users will as they looked through the peephole. Naturally there were restrictions on the device to make the product child-friendly, all of which were laid out in the fine print, but they had been waiting for months to release it at the right time. Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes had been advertising it for weeks, and it was to start selling that very same day.

George wasn't happy about it, but finally decided that he would go to the hospital that evening and speak with Leopold. If there were no foreseeable reasons that he would be unable to see Isabel Saturday evening as opposed to Saturday morning, then he would just have to wait until the shop closed. He took the letter to Fred and told him his plan, to which his brother was agreeable on.

"But mate, if for any reason, you wouldn't be able to see her after work, I will get through tomorrow without you. Seeing Iz is more important at this point." Fred told him sincerely, and George gave him a grateful smile.

"Thanks for that, Fred. I can't wait to see her." And then a genuine grin broke out on George's face that he just couldn't help. Fred grinned as well, more just happy to see his brother smiling again than anything, though of course he was happy he could pay a visit to Isabel as well. Fred had missed her, himself.

"You go ahead and talk to Leo, I'll finish up here." Fred told him, as they were just closing up for the evening and he knew George was chomping at the bit to go get an update.

"You sure, mate?" Though the offer to stay was only half-hearted, as George was already pulling on his winter coat.

"Like you would stay even if I wasn't, now." Fred laughed. "Of course I'm sure, after this I'm gonna meet Sarah in Hogsmeade. She just began her holiday as well, and I'm sure she'll be ecstatic about the news."

"Thanks Fred! Have fun!" George called as he headed out the door. Fred just shook his head slightly with a chuckle and finished closing out the register. He finished up a few more things and locked up the shop after bidding Verity a good night. Fred checked his watch then ran his fingers through his perfectly disheveled hair, and apparated right to Sarah's front porch. She had just gotten home from Hogwarts, though this time she would be home until after the new year, and Fred was looking forward to the time together. Sarah had been just as excited to hear the news about Isabel as he thought she would be. She leapt into his arms in an excited hug the moment he told her that she would be able to see her best friend in the hospital the next day. Fred was glad to see her so happy. It seemed to have been forever since he had seen that lovely smile.

"So does that mean she's getting better? That they found a treatment?" Sarah questioned, feeling cautiously optimistic.

"Well, love... As far as I know, they still don't know anymore than we do. But, they have cleared her for visitors, which is good news." Fred answered gently, not want to get her hopes up too high. She sighed and nodded, afraid he would say that, but still more than happy that she would get to visit Isabel the next day.

"Think you're up for another trip to the library, Freddie? I'd like to take another look..." She requested softly, looking up at him with those big brown eyes. He wouldn't have denied her, even if she wasn't so completely adorable, but he couldn't help smiling and kissing her lovingly.

"Of course, Sarah love. George went to Mungo's to have a word with Leo, but he shouldn't be long. He'll want to come along. Wanna go back to the shop with me till then?"

"Sure." She smiled softly and grabbed both of his hands, threading her fingers through his larger ones. She enjoyed poking around his store quite a lot, especially when he was there showing her around and telling her all about their new inventions. Sarah loved hearing him talk about his work, not only was he passionate about it, but it was also genuinely interesting. Fred apparated the two of them back to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and continued to hold her hand as they walked through the shop to pass some time. He showed her the Extendable Eye and she giggled when she read the advertisement on box. "Rabble-rousers? How do you two come up with these things?"

"Just brilliant, I suppose." He laughed softly and kissed her temple. "Would you like one? Childish perhaps, but they are entertaining."

"Oh, sure I would." She smiled, turning the box over in her hands. "How much are they?"

"It's your lucky day, because that particular one is on the house."

"Is that right?" Sarah giggled and touched the sign that was hanging on the shelf just behind him and to his left. "I'm pretty sure they're four galleons."

"Well they're free for the most beautiful woman in the shop." Fred said with a wink this time, causing Sarah to blush softly and then stick her tongue out at him.

"I'm the only woman in the shop right now." She bantered. He looked around as if he expected to see other people, then looked back at her.

"Oh that's right, I'd forgotten. You are the only one I see in a crowd anyway."

"Stop being cheesy." She pushed his shoulder, but giggled still and he chuckled in return.

"But it made you laugh." Fred kissed her with a smile. "Really though love, it's yours. Consider it your coming home present."

"Well alright. Thanks Freddie." Sarah kissed him back gratefully. Fred grinned, taking her hand once more and tugging her to the back.

"Wait till you see what we're working on now. It's more just a thought with some blueprints, been too busy to really work on it much, but it's brilliant!" Sarah couldn't help laughing at his enthusiasm and let him tug her along. He spent quite some time explaining to her, his and George's ideas for their next invention, and also the difficulties they were facing with it thus far. She was even able to give him a couple suggestions and told him she would speak to some of her coworkers and see if they had any suggestions. Fred thanked her with a kiss, which turned a bit lengthier, making up for all the missed kisses while she was gone. It wasn't long before they were interrupted though, as George returned from St. Mungo's and was about to start doing inventory.

"Bloody... go snog somewhere else!" George snapped, turning on his heel and striding back out of the room. Fred and Sarah parted suddenly, a deep blush forming on her cheeks.

"Merlin..." He muttered, gently stroking Sarah's cheek with his thumb. "Sorry about that love. Are you alright?" She nodded a bit meekly.

"Yeah, I'm okay." She answered, blush fading slowly as she gnawed at her bottom lip. Fred smiled gently at her, brushing her lips with his thumb and then kissed her tenderly.

"Don't move, alright? I'll be right back." Once she agreed, he pulled away from her and followed in the same direction George had gone. Fred was half peeved at the way his twin had interrupted and half concerned, certain that something must be more wrong than just catching the two of them kissing for George to have snapped like that. "Oi! George!" He called at George's back, who was quickly getting further and further down aisle four. Though when he didn't stop, Fred quickly caught up to him and grabbed his shoulder, causing George to whip back towards him and Fred to stop suddenly in his tracks. "Merlin George... what's wrong?" Fred could see his brother was visibly upset.

"Nothing's wrong. I just don't need to see you snogging your girl all over the place." George bit crossly.

"Hey! Lower your voice, she can hear you." He glared slightly, Sarah didn't need any more reasons to be hesitant when it came to physical affection. "What in Merlin's name is going on? Don't tell me this is all about seeing me kiss Sarah. I'm not buying it." Fred added coolly, and George's jaw flexed as he clenched his teeth.

"I can't touch her." Was all he managed to get out.

"What?" Fred asked, his mind a little slow on the processing.

"I can't so much as give her a bleeding hug! Oh, and there's more. There has to be a healer in there with us at all times. We don't get to have a single moment of privacy! We've searched and searched and searched. If an antidote ever did exist, it is long turned to ash by now. I make pranks, not medicine! The ruddy healers can't even help her. Isabel is on her deathbed and I can't even hug her!" George's fist swiped at the shelf to his left out of shear, pent up frustration, sending several containers of gag quills to the floor. He planted both hands on the now cleared shelf, shoulders tensed as he gritted his teeth again the flowing anger and emotion.

"Oh, mate..." Fred hesitated, not certain that George wouldn't take a swipe at him, but then placed a hand on his shoulder. "George, we're gonna find it. We are. You have to keep believing that. And you'll get to see her tomorrow. Talk to her. Just keep focusing on that, George." It was silent for a long moment, then George jerked away from the shelf and Fred's hand, before heading for the stairs which would take him to the flat. Fred could have sworn he had seen a single tear fall before George turned completely away from him. Fred followed him up, just in time to see George's bedroom door slam. With a deep sigh, he knocked, but didn't enter. "George... Sarah and I are going to the library again tonight. We're leaving in twenty minutes if you wanna come with us." Not getting an answer, he simply left it at that and went back down to find Sarah. She was in the aisle the twins had just vacated, picking up the quills as tears fell from her cheeks.

"Merlin love..." Fred hurried to her and took both of her hands, stopping her and softly brushing away her tears. "You heard all of that, didn't you?" Sarah only nodded. "We are going to find the antidote, love. We are. I've been praying my heart out, and I know you have as well. It's why we keep going to the library. It's why we're doing all of this research. We will find it."

"But Fred... what if we don't... what if we fail... what if-" Her voice faltered with a spike of emotion, just as Fred interrupted her words.

"No 'what ifs' love. Believe. Have faith. We'll worry about the rest when it comes to that." Fred softly stroked her cheeks and placed a tender kiss on her lips.

"I'm ready." George's voice once again was the interrupting factor. Though this time Sarah didn't blush, she just pulled immediately away from Fred. Even the way his hand held on to hers made her stomach churn with guilt. "Look I um... I'm sorry about before, Sarah. I wasn't upset with either of you, I just..." He trailed off for lack of words and ran his hand through his hair.

"No, it's okay George. I'm sorry." She murmured sadly and then wrapped her arms around his middle in a tight hug. George hugged her in return for a moment, then cleared his throat and released her when the emotion threatened to rear its ugly head again.

"So. We going or what?" Fred nodded in response, and Sarah silently agreed. The three of them apparated to the extensive, underwater wizarding library located in Loch Ness, Scotland, where they would spend the rest of the evening and much of the night searching for answers.

oOoOoOoOo

The early rays of dawn poured through George's bedroom window, waking him from his short, but deep slumber. It was well past midnight when they got home from the Loch Ness Library of Magical History. They had found a few inscriptions concerning outbreaks of the Dragon Fever back in the eleventh century, the largest of the epidemics as far as they could tell, wiping out entire wizarding families. However, they still hadn't found even a mention of the antidote.

They had looked in several other libraries as well, Sarah had scoured the Hogwarts library, but so far they had next to nothing to show for it. Hermione and Percy were still pooling their resources as well. Percy was combing through the Ministry records and Hermione was using her contacts through her S.P.E.W. organization to see if she could gain any information on the matter from the sentient magical creatures she worked with. So far they were coming up dry in both areas. Charlie had been speaking to anyone he could think of back in Romania, and yet it seemed they didn't know any more than he did. Nigel had talked at length with a few of his coworkers who studied and dealt almost exclusively with dragons, and they promised to report anything that could be of help, but they too had yet to find anything.

George was discouraged, that much was most certainly true, but he would not give up, he would never give up. He closed his eyes tightly and sent up another prayer before forcing himself up out of bed to get ready for work. He was tired and worn, and anxiously awaiting for the time when he could finally go visit Isabel, but the shop was at its busiest so at least he had enough distractions to keep him from constantly watching the clock. By the time lunch break came around though, George was already chomping at the bit to get out of there. Fred felt bad, but he really couldn't handle the shop on his own today. Sarah was already at Mungo's along with Fallyn, Frank, and Nigel, all of whom had the intention of visiting Isabel before George got there. Harry and Ron had both offered their help, but even with the both of them there it was a packed house and every one of them was constantly busy with something. All in all, the day went fairly smooth though, with limited accidents and just the right amount of chaos required in a prank shop.

George was more anxious than ever as the very last patron was rung up and headed out, the bell clanging against the window as the door fell shut. He didn't hesitate a moment, going in his work clothes, and per his agreement with Fred that he would take care of the closing up duties, he apparated to the proper place and hurriedly walked the few blocks to St. Mungo's. George went right up to the Emergency Department's information desk.

"I'm here to see Isabel Flynn." Even that simple little sentence made his heart beat faster. He was just minutes away from seeing Isabel again and he could hardly stand it. The lady behind the desk smiled softly at him before answering.

"She has a couple visitors in there at the moment, but as soon as they're out you can head back. Ms. Flynn is in room 103 on the right side when you first walk through the doors." George thanked the woman and then went to take a seat in the waiting area, spotting Nigel and Sarah and taking a seat near them.

"Hullo, George. You didn't waste any time." Nigel laughed slightly in greeting.

"Frank and Fallyn are still back there, but they said they'd come out on the hour so you didn't have to wait too long. They should be coming out any minute." Sarah added.

"Oh good. That's good." George sighed softly, his knee bobbing up and down as a somewhat nervous tick. He was anxious and excited and sitting still seemed like far too big of task. Sarah smiled softly at him.

"Anxious to see her?"

"You have no idea." He gave a small laugh, continually glancing at the double doors.

"She's just as anxious to see you, mate. Believe me." Nigel added with a bit of a smile. He had warmed up to George quite significantly over the last few weeks. After being invited to stay at Fred and George's flat they had been able to get to know each other quite a bit and Nigel discovered that George was a pretty good bloke. Not to mention it seemed that his sister was head over heels in love with the man.

"That's good to know." George's smile widened slightly as he once again glanced up at the doors. This time, however, Frank and Fallyn actually walked through them and he hopped up to his feet. In several long strides he crossed their path, and thanking them on the way without stopping, George went right through the doors and back to room 103. He hesitated for just a moment, running his hand through his hair and taking a deep breath, and then he pushed the door open.

"George!" Isabel's eyes flitted to his instantly, sitting up in bed, her weary face brightening significantly.

"Isabel!" He couldn't help smiling widely, despite his concern for how worn she looked, he was so happy to see her. George went right to her side, the urge to scoop her into his arms and kiss her soundly weighed heavily on every fiber of his being.

"Remember, you mustn't touch anyone. Don't wanna spread that nasty disease, now do we?" A somewhat condescending voice came from the corner nearest to the door. Isabel's previously happy face darkened considerably into annoyance as she glanced at the woman.

"George, meet Romilda Vane." George recognized the name. Isabel had told him several stories about her least favorite coworker. He glanced at the woman in the corner then back to Isabel.

"This is our sitter?"

"Don't worry, you won't even notice me. I'm just here in case she goes off her broomstick again." Romilda said casually, leaning back in her chair. George gritted his teeth, not liking her already.

"I swear to all things holy, I will spit on you if you don't zip your trap." Isabel snapped. She'd been dealing with the woman all day and her patience had reached its limit.

"You wouldn't dare." Even past the smug confidence in Romilda's words, Isabel could see the healthy amount of fear in her eyes.

"I dunno, they tell me I do all kinds of wonky things that I can't-" Isabel twitched suddenly, her eyes rolling back in her head as her body trembled. Romilda was frozen in her seat and George was just about to go for help, when Isabel's eyes snapped open sudden, landing on Romilda in the eeriest of ways. Isabel swung her legs over the bed, but Romilda had darted from the room before her feet even touched the ground. George was just standing there, staring wide eyed, when Isabel fell into fits of giggles. "Did you see her face?" She exclaimed, trying to mimic the terrified expression that had been on Romilda's face before falling into another fit of laughter. It took George a moment, recovering from the initial shock, but then he found himself laughing as well, if for no other reason than how wonderful it was to hear Isabel's laugh once again.

"Oh merlin, I bet you've been absolutely terrorizing the healers." George said, still laughing. She just laughed some more, trying to catch her breath. After a few more moments she had calmed down and shook her head.

"Just Romilda. She's been grinding on my every nerve all ruddy day. Had that coming, she did." Isabel laughed and wrinkled her nose in that adorable way. George couldn't help himself, he leaned down and wrapped her in a long, tight hug.

"Oh Bell... I have missed you." He murmured, placing a soft kiss in her hair. She sighed softly and contentedly, melting into the feel of his strong arms. It seemed like it had been ages since they were wrapped around her.

"I've missed you too, Georgie." Isabel answered softly, before making herself pull back from him, though he was still holding on to her. "Darling... you really shouldn't touch me..." His arms only tightened around her. He'd done plenty of research on Dragon Fever to know he wouldn't contract it simply by holding her. He imagined the Leopold had made that rule as a precaution, and as soon as a healer came in he would have to release her. Until then he was not letting go.

"Dunno how much they've told you, but you're not gonna get me sick his way love."

"I know... but I could still do something unexpected... the closer you are the more at risk you are..." Isabel added softly, knowing she should pull away, but after three weeks of not seeing him she couldn't bring herself to.

"Rubbish. I will hug you as much as I please." His arms tightened again. It felt so good to be able to hold her in his arms. He could tell she had lost some weight from being so sick, she looked almost frail and most certainly weary, these things worried him, but he had never been happier to see her. Isabel couldn't deny that she had missed the feel of his arms around her significantly, but there was still a rather big part of her that was worried she would somehow infect him.

"George... Oi..." She protested slightly when he shifted her over in bed and sat down beside her.

"Isabel. I'll be fine. I won't kiss you on the mouth, I won't do anything else. But please don't ask me not to hold you." George's voice held a certain amount of inflection as his arms flexed around her and held her to his side. Besides her own selfish reasons, she couldn't deny him. Isabel knew, as she was certain George did, that this sickness would kill her if the healers weren't successful in finding a cure, and rather soon. The air was heavy as that fact sat unspoken, but nonetheless very real. Isabel sighed softly and finally just relaxed into his side and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I love you, George." He pressed a kiss to the top of her blonde head.

"I love you too, Bell." The heavy silence continued for another minute, but George was determined to make their limited time together as happy as possible, despite the circumstance. "I see you still have the last vase of flowers I sent." He smiled gently and gestured to the colorful bouquet of lilacs, lilies, and roses that sat on her bedside table.

"Oh yeah." She smiled at the reminder and almost went to kiss him, but stopped herself. "They are really pretty. Brightened my day."

"That's good-" George began, but was cut off when the door flung open and revealed a frantic-looking Leopold. Romilda stood several paces behind the man, looking around him into the room like a timid mouse. At first Leopold appeared ready for action, having gotten report from Romilda that Isabel was behaving oddly again, but he did not expect to see the two of them sitting there as such, simply talking. Realization crossed his face and he appeared mildly amused before he turned to Romilda and sent her off to care for another patient.

"Mr. Weasley, if I could have a word." Leo addressed George once Romilda had left.

"Sure thing. What is it?" George answered without leaving Isabel's side, and made no attempt to either.

"I mean alone." He clarified. George sighed and kissed the top of Isabel's head before following the man from the room. Isabel frowned softly, feeling inexplicably lonely with his arms gone. She laid there and pretended not to hear them talking, just as she pretended not to hear the healers talking every day. She sighed to herself and plucked one of the roses from the vase beside her, tracing the velvety petals with her forefinger. George raised his voice out in the hallway and her head jerked up towards the sound, also causing her hand to jerk and her finger to snag on one of the thorns.

"Ow-" Isabel grumbled and sucked on her bleeding finger, still listening to the argument that went on outside her door. Leopold was worried, as he always was, and for good reason, about her infecting someone else. George was far more concerned with getting some quality time with her.

"...may only have a few weeks... be damned... spend... across the room." She heard George's muffled, but harsh words through the door. There were a few more uttered phrases that she had a harder time deciphering, but it sounded like they were coming to an agreement. Then the door opened and George walked back in as Isabel pulled on her 'nonchalant, definitely not eavesdropping' demeanor. George wasn't fooled, he'd worn that look far too many times himself, but she stopped him before he spoke or got close.

"Wait-" Isabel motioned for George to stay back. "Leo, I cut my finger..." She held out her hand, a bead of bright red blood already forming again on the snag in her skin.

"George, step back." Leopold directed as he went to her bedside, but George didn't move at first. "Step back or get out." This time George back tracked a few paces and watched intently as the healer worked swiftly. The tiny wound mended itself and the drop of blood gone, as Leo proceeded to clean her hand once and then twice over. "What did you cut yourself on? Did you get any blood anywhere else?"

"The rose... and no, I was careful." Isabel motioned to the rose which she still held, making sure it hadn't touched anywhere else. The rose was instantly magicked into the lined, red bin in the corner, the contents of which were burned every few hours, as Leopold inspected her for any other injury or trace of blood. Unable to find either, he reached for the vase of flowers. Isabel knew what he was doing and instinctively shot a hand out, touching his hand in a stopping motion, then pulling her hand back just as quickly. "Please... don't throw them away... I promise I won't touch them again." He hesitated a moment, then nodded and left the vase of flowers where it was.

"Alright, but I'm gonna get you a new gown to change into. Just in case." Isabel didn't protest. It was something entirely different, to feel dirty all the way down to your blood. Not only dirty though, but lethal. It was a deep-seeded embarrassment that made any thought of argument harden into a stone of guilt and sink to the pit of her stomach. It was something she wouldn't wish on her worst enemy. Not even Romilda Vane.

"Is that necessary? She said she didn't get any blood anywhere." George said, feeling protective. He could see the embarrassment on her face already.

"It's only a precaution-"

"An unnecessary precaution. Can't you see it in her eyes? She doesn't need any more reason to feel guilty." George said, cutting him off.

"George... It's okay. It's just a gown..." Isabel said softly, but he shook his head adamantly.

"If you said it didn't get anywhere else, then there is no reason for it."

"George is right." Leopold said passively, gently touching Isabel's shoulder. "I have a tendency to get carried away, but he is right. I'll be back in a while to check in." He gave the both of them a gentle smile before heading out of the room. George approached Isabel once again, sitting beside her on the bed and tenderly caressing her cheek.

"We are going to beat this." And then he wrapped his strong arms around her and she rested her head on his chest. She drew from his strength and confidence, not allowing the doubts to leave her lips and choosing instead, at least for the moment, to believe that he was right.

The two of them alternated between easy conversation and comforting silences, simply enjoying each other's company for the remainder of the evening. Fred popped in for a little while and some of the other Weasleys came by as well, but George never left her side. That was until visiting hours had ended and he was forced to say goodbye. He placed a tender kiss on her forehead.

"Goodnight, ducky. I'll be back tomorrow." He smiled gently and she let her eyes fall shut, wishing so badly she could give him a real kiss.

"Goodnight, George."