Chapter 33
Hermione POV
She didn't remember when she slipped into unconsciousness. It seemed like a gift from God, if he was real. No longer did she have to feel the crucio that Bellatrix was casting on her over and over again. When her brown eyes finally fluttered open, she was shocked to see Fleur working diligently over her arm with a serious look on her face. Hermione tried to open her mouth to speak but it burned.
Fleur's eyes snapped to her own. "Oh dear. Drink this." She handed her a potion and helped her sit up, after finishing with the bandages on her arm. "George will be here soon. We had to tell him. I-I-I wasn't sure if- if-"
"If I'd make it?" Hermione asked shakily after the potion coated her throat and helped her numb the pain from the crucio curse. "How did we get here? Where is Ron and Harry?"
"They're all fine. Dobby saved you all and brought you back here from Malfoy Manor. He didn't make it. Harry is burying him out back right now." Fleur hung her head slightly. "Luna, Dean, Griphook, and Olivander are here too."
"How is George?"
"Worried. I would be too if I got a Patronus saying that Bill was unconscious after suffering the cruciatous curse for the time you had. Ron and Harry were so worried sick about you. Everyone was. You've gone through a lot, Hermione. It's time for rest." Fleur put a slender hand over her forehead to check her temperature before nodding and turning on her heels. "I'm going to get you some tea and toast."
Hermione laid back into the pillow she was laying on and finally took the time to examine her surroundings. She was so shocked to not be at the dark, Malfoy Manor that she hadn't even compared the places. It must've been Bill and Fleur's house because it was very much like her taste of décor. The room she was in looked like it used to be a small office but the cot she was on was added for her sick bed. The room was light and airy. The window was open and the sheer white curtain fluttered gently in the salty air that blew into the room.
She was busy examining the quilt that was on top of her when Fleur walked in carrying a plate of buttered toast and George was standing in the door frame with watery filled eyes and two cups of tea. "I'll leave you two some privacy. Fetch me if she needs any additional medical attention—"
"I will." George cut her off. His voice was gruff like he was trying to hold back his emotions in front of her.
When the white door shut behind Fleur, George sank to the ground next to the cot that Hermione was laying on. "How are you, love?" He placed his lips firmly on her own as he placed the cups of tea on the ground next to the cot. "I've been worried sick about you. Fleur wouldn't let me come until you woke up."
"I'm okay. Honestly. The potions she gave me help numb the pain." Hermione bit down on her wobbly bottom lip as tears slipped from her eyes. "I was so scared, George. I was so scared I would never get to see you again." Her hands wrapped around his neck and he let her pull him in tightly.
Their tears wet the others shoulder as they let out all the worry and stress from the past months out in the tight embrace that they were sharing in. "I was so worried when Bill's patronus got to Aunt Muriel's…"
"Aunt Muriel's?" Hermione asked as they broke apart, still holding hands.
"Bill's been getting us over there from the flat and the Burrow. It's not safe anymore at either location. He used the Fidelius Charm and Dad's the secret-keeper. No one can go to work anymore. Ginny's not at Hogwart's either. She's with us."
"How is she?" Hermione felt her eyes tear up again thinking of the possibility of Ginny if she was trapped at Hogwarts with the death eaters. "Is she okay?"
"More annoyed than anything since she's the youngest. She's worried sick about Harry so she likes to talk to me a lot since I understand completely what she's going through." George let out a small chuckle as he picked up the toast with the hand that wasn't intertwined with her own. "Try and eat something, 'Mione."
She did, eating small bites of toast and small sips of tea until both were completely gone. George managed to squeeze on the small cot with her and he played with her curls and kissed the top of her head. She rested her head on his chest and smelled the aroma that was George Weasley. It was her George. It was a beautiful and addictive combination of vanilla, firework smoke, and him.
They weren't even talking, just enjoying the fact that the other person was safe and in their arms. Kisses, hugs, and embraces were exchanged until the sun began to set. There was a knock on the door and George didn't get up from the cot. "Come in!" Hermione called out, holding onto George.
Harry stuck his head of messy, jet-black hair into the room and looked at the two. "We have to talk to Griphook and Olivander. We can't stay here long. Fleur and Bill need to get to Muriel's with the others anyways. When will you be better?"
She felt George's arm tighten around her in worry. Hermione squeezed his hand comfortingly. "I'm not sure. I feel better already but not totally there. I would ask Fleur if I were you. She was the one taking care of me before I woke up."
He nodded once and fixed the glasses on the bridge of his nose. "I know where another one is, Hermione. That's why we have to go as soon as possible."
A Horcrux.
A chill went through Hermione's body as she thought of the affect the pendent had on her and the dark thoughts that filled her head. She gulped before fixing her composure and nodding. "I'll let you know when I'm better. I won't… I won't be selfish." George's hand squeezed her own, knowing that their time was going to be cut short because the wizarding world needing the Golden Trio to continue their search and end Voldemort.
It was the only way…
George POV
He gladly slept on the old cot in the cottage with Hermione. He was always reluctant to close his eyes and allow sleep to take him. That meant that it was less time with his Hermione. It was almost impossible to not fall asleep smelling her flowery hair, the muggle mint toothpaste, and chamomile that floated off of her.
In the morning, he managed to wake up before her and snuck off downstairs to grab them both breakfast. Fleur, Bill, and Harry were already up in the small kitchen. Fleur poured two cups of Black tea into light blue mugs and loaded up two plates of toast and eggs for him and Hermione. "How is she?" Harry asked in a short voice.
"Better, mate." George nodded. "You'll have to ask her the specifics… but… I think today… she'll be fine." He gulped, not wanting her to run away again with his brother and Harry to fight the world and hunt after Voldemort's soul.
Harry nodded, taking in that information. "I'll go wake Ron. Warn him." He clapped a hand on George's shoulder before passing him to continue to the bedroom that the boys were sharing.
"It'll be okay, Georgie." Bill said with a single nod. "She made it this far. So have you."
"I know, Bill. It would just be easier if I could be with her through it all."
Bill gave a glance at Fleur's back, which was turned to them as she fried up some more eggs for the other guests that were in the cottage. His older brother nodded once. "I understand that."
When George returned to the office, turned hospital room that Hermione was in, he was surprised to see that she woke up while he was gone. Her eyes locked with his and she gave him a lovely smile. "I was worried you had gone back to Muriel's without saying goodbye."
"Never, love." He bent down to kiss her cheek before giving her a mug and plate of food. "Just wanted to surprise my lovely girlfriend with breakfast in bed."
She snorted and shook her head. "You're too much for me, George."
"Never say that." George grabbed her chin gently and lifted her face so that they were looking into each other's eyes. "I would fight to the end of time for you, Granger. Never forget that." He jokingly poked the tip of her nose before giving her a kiss on the lips, allowing the warmth of her body to seep through him.
While they kissed, both tried not to think of the inevitable, when would they see the other next…