The One with the Hospital Visit

Fred paced up and down the corridor, one hand clutching the bouquet of flowers and the other clenching and releasing over and over again. He'd arrived at the ward where Hermione was to see Harry and Ron sitting by her bed. Although he knew those two were Hermione's most constant visitors, he could have done with them being anywhere else right now. Facing Hermione alone after what happened was bad enough. He didn't need company for it.

Fred leant against the wall and looked down at his empty hand. Even though it had been just over a week, and he'd washed it constantly; he could still see Hermione's blood covering his hands. He could scrub his skin until it was raw, and he knew he would always see it. His legs shook slightly. He couldn't remember most of the battle. Not clearly anyway. He remembered bits here and there, but whether they were in the right order he had no clue. But there was one thing he remembered as though he had only just lived it. The thing that would stick with him until the day he died. Fred glanced weakly down the corridor; hoping Harry and Ron would leave soon. The things he wanted to say to Hermione - the things he needed to say – had to be done in private. But the longer he had to wait, the more his courage was going to fail. Assuming Hermione even wanted to see him. Fred wouldn't blame her. Not when he was the reason she was even here. Not when he was the reason she had nearly died. Fred took a deep breath and, to calm himself, shut his eyes.

A huge mistake.

"SECTUMSEMPRA!"

For Fred, everything happened in slow motion. The Death Eater waving their wand in various directions. Hermione falling backwards with a cry. Blood starting to spread across her arms and her body.

Fred shook himself out of it. But even though his gaze was fixed on the stone corridors in front of him, all he could see was the Death Eater looming over Hermione's bleeding body. His hand shot to his pocket to grab at his wand, but his fingers grazed against empty space whilst his own voice ran round in his head.

"STUPEFY!"

He assumed that was the spell he'd cast. He couldn't fully remember. Whatever it was it had flung the Death Eater back. That was all he cared about. Fred pressed his clenched fists against his legs. He glanced down at his free hand. Bloodstains flashed before his eyes. The gentle chatter around him melted away and the bright corridors darkened around him.

Fred sprinted over to where Hermione lay. Bloodstains began to cover her jacket and her body twitched feebly. He knew it would do nothing, yet he pressed both hands over the biggest wound on her chest.

"Hermione!" his voice cracked. "No! Hermione no!"

"Fr…" her head lolled. "Fred?"

He grabbed his wand. "I can…I can fix this. I…you'll be okay. I won't let….you'll be okay!"

Hermione had pressed her own hand over a huge cut just above her stomach.

"Fred I…" her hand slid upwards and grabbed his tightly.

"I need…." She coughed weakly and Fred turned to ice as blood began to leak from the corner of her mouth. Hermione smiled. Her bloodstained lips made him flinch.

"I need…..to tell you…."

"No!" Fred shook his head. "No deathbed confessions Hermione. You're gonna be fine. I will not let you die!"

Fred grabbed her wand and pocketed it before sliding his arms underneath Hermione's bleeding body and lifted her up. He knew Madam Pomfrey and the healers had made a makeshift hospital in the Great Hall. If he got there in time then maybe Hermione would be okay.

"Listen to me Hermione." Fred broke into a run. "I need you to keep talking. I don't care what it's about. Just keep talking."

He glanced down. The bloodstains on her clothes were growing more and more by the second and already he could feel his own clothes being soaked by it. He forced his aching legs to move even quicker.

"Hermione talk to me!"

"I…" her head lolled against him. "I don't… Fred I'm really cold."

He took the steps two at a time.

"You'll be warm soon Hermione. I promise. Just keep….Hermione open your eyes!"

Tears blurred his vision as he stared down at her lifeless body. Only the weakening rise and fall of her chest told him he still had time. He gently shook her; horrified at the blood that was still leaking from her wounds.

"Hermione wake up!"

Nothing. Fred kissed her forehead. This wasn't how he'd ever planned to tell her. But if the worst happened he'd never forgive himself for staying silent.

"I love you."

A growing noise of people told him where he was. Fred dove into the Great Hall and headed straight for the group of healers.

"HELP HER!" Several people jumped at his screams. "SOMEONE HELP HER!"

Suddenly everyone was crowding him. Hands took Hermione from his arms. He made to follow when someone pulled him back. Fred twisted in Georges grip, but his twin wrapped his arms round him and held him close. He could see Harry and Ron running forward. Fred had no words to say. He just watched their eyes wander to where Hermione's bloodied figure was being crowded by healers. Fred watched as Harry and Ron tried to get to Hermione, only for Bill and his Dad to hold them back. Ron yelled something at his older brother whilst Fred collapsed to the floor in George's arms.

"Fred?"

His whole body was shaking. His hands and clothes covered in her blood.

"Fred?"

It was all his fault. He'd done this to her. It was all because of him.

"Fred!"

Fred jumped at Ron's voice. He watched his younger brother eyeing him up and down.

"You alright mate? You seemed…." He broke off. They'd all been relieving moments from that day. Fred took a deep breath.

"I'm fine." He hid the flowers behind him. "How is she?"

Ron bit his lip. "She's okay. She's out of danger now. You got her to the Great Hall just in time by the looks of things."

Fred nodded. Once the battle had finished, all those who had been seriously injured had been moved to St Mungo's. Hogwarts's hospital wing had been damaged too much to be used immediately. But Fred knew Hermione's life had been saved by Madam Pomfrey and he would never forget it.

"Did you want to go and see her? Harry'll be out in a minute. I think she'd really like to see you."

Fred nodded. "Ron…did they say if there'd be any lasting damage?"

Ron shrugged. "I didn't ask. She seemed desperate to talk about other things to be honest. But I overheard one of the healers just now. They said she can be discharged soon so I imagine she's okay."

"Right." Fred watched Harry join them. The younger boys already pale face seemed to have reached a new shade of white. But his smile told Fred that everything was fine. Fred glanced down at his feet.

"I'm gonna go in and say hello. Are you two heading back home or…"

"Probably." Ron answered. "We'll see you later yeah?"

With a nod, Fred turned and entered the ward. He tried to ignore the other beds filled with Hogwarts students and headed straight for Hermione's bed. Even though she was awake, and her injuries hidden under her clothes, Fred still couldn't shake his mind free of how she'd looked when he'd last her. Pale and lifeless. Hermione gave him a weak smile and he could see how tired she was when he sat down.

"Hi." He handed the flowers over and Hermione's weak smile grew.

"Fred they're lovely."

"I wasn't sure." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I wanted to bring you some, but they didn't have your favourites so….are they okay?"

"Of course." Hermione leant over to put them in the water jug on the bedside table when pain flew across her face and she sank back in the bed.

"I keep forgetting. Could you..?"

Fred gently dropped the bouquet into the water jug and re-took his seat.

"How have you been?"

He inwardly winced at the question since it was very obvious how Hermione had been. She'd nearly bled to death from a dozen wounds over her body. How else would she be? But Hermione was still smiling as she answered.

"Fine. The first peace and quiet I've had in a few months which is nice."

Fred smiled at her joke. "But you're okay? They managed to heal you?"

She nodded. "They stopped the bleeding and are pretty confident the wounds won't reopen."

She tugged at her t-shirt and Fred stiffened as he caught a glimpse of one of the many bandages she no doubt wore.

"They said they couldn't prevent any scarring but…" she shrugged. "It could have been much worse so it's fine."

Except it isn't. Fred thought to himself. It's not fine that you're here. It's not fine that you nearly died. It's not fine you're covered in scars because of me.

"Fred?"

"Hmm? Sorry what did you say?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "I was just asking how things are with your shop? Is it…okay?"

He nodded. "We had a look yesterday. It's been badly damaged but nothing we can't put right. We're the lucky ones. One of the shops a few doors down has been completely destroyed."

"I'm glad. That shop was your dream. I'd hate to think it'd had been destroyed."

Fred shrugged. "It would have been sad. But it's not really my biggest concern right now. It's just a building after all. I could have lost something much more precious."

Hermione went to push herself slightly more upright and a pained cry slipped out. Fred shot forward.

"Are you okay? Where does it hurt? Should I get someone?"

"I'm fine. The scars just pull that's all. Can you help me sit up please?"

Fred gently took her in his arms and shuffled her, so she was sitting more upright. Resuming his seat again, his eyes glanced at the book on the bed beside her.

"I see you've been keeping yourself entertained."

Hermione nodded. "I asked Harry and Ron to bring me some from…from home to keep me going."

Fred took the book in his hands. "Little Women?"

"It's one of my favourites. I was going to start it when Harry and Ron came."

Fred settled in his seat. "I could read it to you? If you wanted?"

Despite the exhaustion filling Hermione's face, her eyes lit up.

"That would be lovely!"

Fred opened to the first page and cleared his throat. ""Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo."


Fred let the book close with a yawn. He'd gotten about a quarter of the way through before the ache in his throat had become too much. Hermione had sunk back in the bed and it was clear she was fighting to stay awake. Fred placed the book beside the flowers.

"I should go. Let you get some rest."

Hermione's hand shot forward to take his.

"Please stay," she whispered. Fred bit his lip.

"They'll be kicking me out soon. Anyway, you're exhausted. You need to rest."

Hermione tightened her grip on his hand. "I don't like the night times. I don't…I can't sleep. I have nightmares. Everything that happened. Everything we did. It all floods back. They give me a sleeping draught," her face burned as she said this, "but it's not always enough."

"Listen to me." Fred leaned forward and took her other hand. "Nightmares are nothing to be ashamed of. It's not as though we're all sleeping soundly back home."

He glanced down at his jacket pocket. "I…I have something for you that may help."

"Oh?"

Fred let go of one hand and pulled a small teddy bear from his pocket. Hermione's eyes widened in recognition.

"When I decided to visit you, I figured you might want some stuff from home. Your home. So, I visited your house and, well I saw him on your bed so figured he might be good company."

Hermione stared at the small bear in silence. Fred gently stroked her hand with his thumb.

"Was…was that okay? I wasn't trying to invade your privacy or anything. I just thought you might want some home comforts."

Hermione took the bear and shakily kissed it. Fred's heart clenched at the sudden tears in her eyes.

"Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you so much."

Fred's heart sank at those words and he shook his head. "Hermione don't thank me. I've done nothing to deserve it."

"Of course, you have! Fred you brought me flowers. Read to me. Brought me my teddy bear."

"Hermione, I'm the only reason you are even here!"

"Fred," she squeezed his hand, "you saved my life! If you hadn't gotten me to Madame Pomfrey I wouldn't even be here right now."

"That hardly makes up for the fact it was all my fault!" He hissed. "I should have noticed that Death Eater. And when I did, I should have focused on keeping you safe. Instead I was too busy trying to make jokes and provoke a reaction from him! If I'd just…done something then he might not have hurt you."

"Fred. You didn't do anything to me. He did. You didn't cast that curse. He did. He wanted to kill me whilst you saved me. It's not your fault."

"Hermione how…" Fred broke off as tears fell down his cheeks. He let her give his hands a comforting squeeze.

"Fred?"

"You were…." He shook his head. "Hermione my hands were covered in your blood. I felt so powerless because I had no idea how to save you."

"But you did. That's all that matters."

Fred wiped his eyes, but the tears kept falling. "Hermione you were dying in my arms. I can't ever forgive myself for letting that happen."

"Well I can." Hermione gave a determined nod. "Fred, whatever you may think, I don't blame you for any of this. None of it was your fault and if anyone tries to suggest otherwise then you can point them in my direction." She smiled weakly. "Once I get out of here though."

He laughed through his tears. "I'm sorry. I know you think I'm being an idiot but… Hermione you were slipping away with every second and I was so scared I was going to lose you. Even now, seeing you here, it just reminds me how close I came to living my worst nightmare."

He gently kissed her hand. "Hermione I….I don't want to upset you but how much of it do you remember?"

Her whole body stiffened. "Not much. I remember the Death Eater casting the spell and then I was falling. I could feel pain everywhere in my arms and my body but then it just fades."

She nervously glanced at him. "I remembered your voice. Not much. But I remember you telling me something. I think you were screaming for help but it's all a blur."

"Right." Fred nodded. "Okay. Well, the thing is…" he ran a ran through his hair.

"I was talking to you. Mainly to try and keep you awake. And I was screaming for help. But….well I also told you something else. It's not how I'd ever planned to tell you, but I thought you might… I just wanted to make sure I'd said it in case….in case the worst happened."

"What was it that you said?"

"That I love you."

Hermione blinked at him and Fred nervously withdrew his hands.

"I don't want you to feel awkward so if you want me to leave I will. But I'm so desperately in love with you Hermione. I have been for years and when I heard you were still alive I swore to myself I would tell you properly. But I don't expect anything so-"

He made to leave when Hermione grabbed him and pulled him back to her bed. Fred sat down beside her, and Hermione laced their fingers together.

"I love you to."

Fred blushed as tears began to fall again. "You do?"

She nodded. "With everything I have."

Fred leaned forward when she stiffened. "You….you don't mind the scars?" She gestured at herself with her free hand.

"Some are okay but…well I saw how it all looked when they were changing my bandages, and some are really bad."

"If you are asking if I will look at them and feel horrifically guilty, then the answer is yes. If you are asking if I think they will make you any less beautiful then the answer is, and always will be, no."

A bright smile appeared on Hermione's face. Gently cupping her face, Fred leant in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. Hermione's mouth coaxed at his own and despite his own urges, Fred eased back.

"Whilst I would quite happily kiss you all night, I want you to rest. The quicker you're better, the quicker you will be out of here."

Hermione settled down and hugged the teddy bear close.

"Will you visit again tomorrow?"

Fred kissed her forehead. "Try and stop me."


A week later, the sound of a car horn beeping had Harry and the rest of the Weasley family hurrying from The Burrow. Their looks of shock transformed into smiles as they saw a beaming Fred standing there with Hermione nestled safely in his arms.

AN: Not sure why I love fics set in hospital at peoples bedsides. I guess they just always end up being full of fluff and romance. And any stay in hospital would be made better with Fred Weasley as the main visitor. Hope you all enjoyed it xx