Disclaimer: The same as the previous chapters.

Chapter 48

"George was here! Why didn't you allow him to come inside? Auror Franklin said clearly, we could have visitors and even Madam Bridgets confirmed," Bill Weasley bellowed the moment Ppy Pomphrey walked into the suite he was sharing with his wife. Fleur Weasly, on the other hand, looked a bit sad when she simply said, "Bill was asleep, But I wasn't. I saw George looking at him from across the glass window. He looked better. First I thought I was dreaming, then he put his finger on his lips and winked and turned and walked out of sight. Madame Pomphrey why was he here?"

Poppy had brought along their dinner and while she watched those two tuck in their food, she explained," George was here to have a private talk with his goose mother. But I have some news for both of you. Though Daisy Bridget believes you both can be discharged from the hospital in the next seven days, she would expect you to be in bed for two more weeks. The order or the ministry wouldn't."

Her serious tone had struck home, Bill gave up scowling at her and asked, immediately concerned about his family," What's going on? Is everyone safe? Did Greyback…"

Cutting him mid-sentence, Poopy glared at him. Once satisfied that the man was back into digging his mashed potatoes, Poppy replied," Greyback is pushed back. And Shacklebolt said both Neville Longbottom, Blaise Zabini, and Professor Severus Snape share the credit for that feat. Bill, with Remus, died, you are the closed one who can help both Mrs. Pansy Longbottom and Mrs. Lavender Zabini." Bill's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline and Fluer gaped," Madame, what on earth?"

"The ministry had successfully implemented the new magical marriage law and in the last two days nearly two-third of the magical population, the bachelors and the spinsters, well thankfully, we got even numbers, have got married." She went on explaining in brief what all transpired while the couple was recovering from their wounds. The face-off at the Staghorn Lair was gruesome and brutal than that of the Battle of Hogwarts.

Bill still could not grasp the situation and he sounded doubtful," Ginny and Malfoy, George and Astoria Greengrass, how on earth is that possible?" Poppy took pity on him. After having a brief discussion with the healer who was in charge of Daphne Greengrass the medi witch had come to the Weasleys to relay what all George had told her, well, of course, she wouldn't divulge the man's secrets!

The husband and the wife had been shifted to general wards from the intensive spell damage wards. Bridget wanted to put them together for specific reasons. She had whispered importantly when she came to Poppy with the special request," Pops, It is better you handle these kids. One suffers from werewolf tendencies and the other is a veela. They need to be side by side, or the girl might tear down every single nurse and the boy might, Merlin knows! I cannot think about it…" she had visibly shuddered," these werewolves have given me fresh sets of nightmares. At times, I think the killing curse is the quickest and painless way to kill someone. Though the Snape boy would think otherwise. He says poison is always the best silent killer! Merlin's bread! It is interesting, remarkable, and haunting, he has taught potions at Hogwarts. Pops, please, I am requesting you. You can stay at the in-house quarters for a while, it is within the hospital premises. For the time being, I don't think Hogwarts will be needing you." When Poppy bit her lips and wrinkled her hands the Head Healer of Mungo's added hopefully," Of course, you can always go back whenever you wish to. I have spoken to Minerva. She has said, I could borrow you."

The Hogwarts Medi-witch had harrumphed and returned that very night to start her 'only for a couple of days' sting at St. Mungo's. Nearly twenty minutes ago, a barn owl delivered a small scrap of parchment over her piping hot strew and flew off without asking for a reply. From the haphazard scrawling script, she knew whom the note was from. " Severus and his famous paranoia. Not even a single letter to go for a signature!". Picking the note up and scrogifying it with her wand, she looked at it again and smiled to herself. As brief as Snape could be. "You are needed here." She was expecting it anyway. Shacklebolt had already had a row with Bridget in the morning.

An hour later, McGonagall had flooed away from the Head healer's chambers to Hogwarts looking happy, victorious, and utterly smug. Bridget had turned to still smirking Madam Pomphrey and said grudgingly," Well, you are next to go, I know it, that tabby cat would need you now. But just don't fly away. We are friends Pops, have been for a long time before Minerva and Albus whisked you off and looked you up in that cold castle." Poppy grabbed the old healer's arm and squeezed it and added," Oh! Daisy, don't feel sad. You agreed to cut me loose." Thus a short sentence," I will be off by morning," earned her a bear hug and a small pat on the cheek, at the end of that day. She had next paid a visit to Mrs. Shacklebolt to bid her goodbye. Bill and Fleur were the last ones. Feeling the note brushing against her hip, she realized, it was accurately phrased given the strange times they are living in. She wasn't living Magical Britain, she was returning to Hogwarts. These two kids will understand the reasons. They would grumble.

Gathering her nerves, she informed," Bill, Fleur, tonight is my last night here. I will be returning to Hogwarts, first thing in the morning." Bill smirked and added," We know, Johnson, the rookie Auror posted at our door is like live radio. He informs us everything that goes in here. McGonagall and Shacklebolt tricked Bridget's and the Gryffindor left for Hogwarts, triumphant. Lavender, Zabini, and Shacklebolt left a couple of days ago, but the rookie is clueless where they went and why they went on the day of the night. Thanks to Merlin, I told Bridget about it and the poor guy was obligated and someone else would be sent vigil at our door from tomorrow. So Zabini and Brown...Brown transformed fully?"

"Yes, she did, and Pansy is much like you. Probably both of you will have to sit down with Neville and Pansy someday soon."

"Hmm, we can do that, but I don't know how far I will be able to help Lavender."

"Shacklebolt and Snape said, they will find a way and maybe rope you in. Blaise is an animagus. Minerva has asked for the man to come down to Hogwarts and show her in person. Shacklebolt mentioned he transforms into a direwolf."

Fleur who had been listening to the entire conversation spoke out," Well, I guess that is handy. We might as well talk to those two if the minister permits."

Poppy nodded and then smiled," Enough of this hogwash, I got quite a lot to tell you both, before you return to Burrows and find it turned upside down." She informed them of Draco's little accident and of Ginny's temporary return, Bill mumbled," this is not something Mother would approve. I will see to it, she stops acting like a kid and goes back to her husband. She needs to understand the importance of this marriage." And Fleur drew his attention to the fact," Draco confessed to George he loves her, he gave her a ring, made it himself, never thought the boy was such a romantic. oh, oh, mon cœur, cela ressemble plus à des amants croisés d'étoiles.."

Poppy felt a little guilty when she couldn't help but retell George's little episode over dinner with Astoria. Bill's face had turned prune and then he was rocking the hospital bed chuckling hard. He repeated her words verbatim and looked at Fleur," Georgie got punched by his own wife within an hour after bringing her to the Burrows, beats me!" And Fleur slapped his arm lightly, chastising much like a caring wife," Language, she is family now. How did he look, was he smiling?" The medi-witch beamed back," OH! Merlin, yes, he was...couldn't keep blushing. Bill, look out for him, his monsters still lurch behind his eyes, he hasn't said a word about Fred, but twins…"

William Weasley shared Charles's sense of adventure and Percy's endless pursuit of knowledge. It was only natural for him to take up responsibilities accordingly. He had chosen foreign travel and a steady job at Gringotts. Yearning the trust of Shrewd goblins came with the risks of his work, but Weasleys were renowned hard workers. The man solemnly nodded," Madam, you don't need to worry, Fleur and I will make sure all three of them are fine. Though I think Astoria has already taken that task up."

Fleur mused," At times, I thought Hermione would have been apt for him though. She is bossy much like Molly."

Poppy smirked at her playfully," Well, she was matched with the very best. Shacklebolt confessed he was dreading the witch and the wizard all day and everyone was quite surprised how quietly they accepted the match. The first 100% compatible match. The ministry is sitting on the entire list of couples who got married, so the Prophet has nothing much to print."

"Blimey, who was she matched with if not, Malfoy or Zabini?", Bill exclaimed.

"Severus Snape, the potion master himself." The medi-witch was satisfied with the way the couple reacted. Fleur had gaped her mouth and Bill had flopped back on his bed shutting his eyes tight, muttering under his breath," Mum would pay a bag of galleons to see Snape married," then a little louder he asked," did you know, Mum and Professor McGonagall has this bet running for years?"

Fleur sensed the gossip in the question and looked up at Poppy with interest," The Gryffindor head of the house bets on fellow professor?"

Smiling brightly the medi-witch nodded," Miss Granger was up on the scoreboard even since her house sorting ceremony. I might have lost quite a lot so has the other professors. Minerva was in favour of her dearest cub all along."

"The twins believed she was bristling with raw magic, which makes her hair untamable. I guess, it is apt, Snape is always this snarling and hissing coiled up man, biting our heads off at the drop of a quill." Bill shook his head once again and then asked," Georgie, is he really better than the last time? You haven't said anything about Charles?"

Poppy looked apologetic."There is no news of Charles, but Shacklebolt will contact the goblins one of these days. Minister Shacklebolt was in favor of the match between George and Astoria. I can see he was right about it. This war is not over Bill, we cannot waste time."

Both the husband and wife said in unison "and we won't." Fleur observed," Astoria is right about the house-elf. The Weasleys are different in their ways of domestic arrangement than most wizard families. I hope Malfoy understands that sentiment, though it is better Ginny is the one pointing out to him. Once I am back, I can always help the girl out."

Poppy had bid them goodnight and went back to her hospital quarters to pack her things. More than her own clothes, she had cracks of potions and bunches of medical parchments and files to pack. She was once again the Order of the Phoenix's primary healer. She had to be aware and prepared with the knowledge of several health issues of its clandestine members. Though one thought kept niggling at the back of her mind. Early the next morning, while fixing her white hair into a bun, he spoke to her reflection," I might as well talk with Snape and Minerva first, then approach George and lastly propose my idea to Madam Weasley. I don't think she can refuse my offer once Snape agrees to it."

oh, mon cœur, cela ressemble plus à des amants croisés d'étoiles in French means "oh, my heart, this is more like star crossed lovers."