George
The grief was like being weighed down by layers of feather comforters.
After it was over he sat for hours, or was it days, beside Fred's lifeless body. He was dimly aware of others being there too. Ginny's small hand, slipping into his. She would lean against his side when his arm automatically curved around her shoulder. Pulling her close. His mind desperately sought something, anything to think about. A way not to think about the loneliness that stretched before him.
Ginny came home at Easter changed. There was a strength and yet a sense of brokenness. Fred had been the one to get her to finally tell them the truth about where the scars and nightmares had come from.
She had ended up in George's lap, soaking the front of his shirt with her tears.
Their relationship with their baby sister had changed after that. They had always been protective of her, as much as she would allow. Now though, her strength and maturity, forged from being on the front lines, sat them on equal footing. She was no longer a child to be kept in the dark. She was an adult who could protect as well as be protected.
Percy, the returned prodigal brother, sat gently stroking Fred's hair as if that action, learned from watching their mum, could make his little brother whole again.
Bill sat and held George, just as George had held Ginny. Ever the big brother.
Charlie never sat for long. Dimly George was aware that there had been deatheaters who had escaped during the battle. Charlie, who had given up so much to stay in Romania, smuggling muggle borns to safety. Now he and a well organized group of D.A. members patrolled the castle and grounds. Keeping all within safe.
As the sun began to set a sleep tousled Hermione appeared with Ron. She had soup and a sandwich. George was going to refuse, he was numb and food did not interest him. But patiently she got him to eat it all. After, she sat, between Tonks and Fred, talking quietly to Mrs. Tonks. At some point she reached over and grasped his hand. That simple contact was his lifeline a crack opening the curtains of grief, encouraging him to look around and struggle toward the surface.
It was deeply dark when beautiful, caring Fleur wrapped him in a hug, then took Hermione's place.
His dad appeared some time after that. He was vaguely aware that Percy and his dad had gone to the ministry earlier.
Arthur stood, tears slipping down his face, as he looked at his sons. George gradually became aware of his baby brother standing beside their dad. "Mum and Andromeda are asleep in the tower. Madame Pomphrey gave them both a potion. You look done in dad. Go on up. Neville and Charlie have first watch. You just sleep."
George's eyes followed as Ron's head turned toward the space between Lupin and Tonks. "Fleur, Mrs Longbottom has been released from the infirmary. Neville asked if you would please meet Luna there and help her back to the tower?"
Gently kissing, first Fred, then George on the cheek, Arthur walked away as Lee, Alicia and Dennis Creavy walked in.
Ron nodded to them. "Did Hannah turn the protection spell over to you?"
All three nodded.
"You know the signal. Dad and Bill took care of Voldemort's body. The deatheaters' bodies are being transferred to ministry sometime tonight. Do you know the password?" Another set of nods.
"Nobody but family gets in here! Dennis, Mcgonagle says she will have everything in place for you to get your folks tomorrow. Professor Slughorn is going with you."
Tall lanky Ron wrapped tiny Dennis in his arms. "Anything and I mean anything you or they need, ask. Hermione is going to stay with you to help explain things."
Ron suddenly cocked his head to one side. "Teddy's awake. Ah Harry or Glinny must still be awake. He's stopped crying. Handy spell that!"
George was staring at his baby brother opened mouthed. Where was the insecure teenager who was a follower, not the confidant leader standing here?
Ron squatted in front of his older brother. "George, I'm knackered. I need to sleep, so do you. I also need you close. Please come with me to the tower. There is a bed ready for you.
F-Fred will be safe. Lee will see to it."
Ron bent over and kissed Fred's forehead, then, standing, extended his hand.
George numbly followed Ron to Gryffindor tower. He noticed Neville and Charlie were just inside the portrait hole.
Sitting, half asleep, on one of the sofas was Harry, a bundle of blankets cradled in one arm.
Ginny was sound asleep beside the sofa, snuggled on top of cushions from the chairs.
George vaguely remembered Ron leading him up the stairs to a room where Percy was already sleeping.
Bill sat on the edge of a bed. " Everyone accounted for Ron?" He asked in an exhausted voice.
Ron nodded. "As soon as Luna and Fleur get back with Mrs. Longbottom and I call Kreature."
"I am here buzzer in law. I have potions from Poppy. I am afraid I cannot get 'arry to take his. He is afraid he won't hear ze bebe."
Ron let out a long sigh."Nobel git! Hermione and I have already told him and Ginny we have the night shift. I'll get it down them if I have to stun them both and pour it down their throats!"
There was still a slight frown on his face as he turned toward George, who put his hands up in surrender.
" Fleur I'll take whatever you tell me to. I really don't want to be stunned!"
He tossed back the potion, as he began to fall asleep he heard Ron call out "Kreature." The last thing George remembered was his brother saying "I need your help with Harry please."