Being a smaller version of the Whomping Willow, the gathering of the Mangle bush Berries earned George a black eye and split lip, and Lily a winding, and a bruised collarbone.
The Marsh toadspittle and Nightshade leaves were much easier to get and it wasn't long before the Flame Fern was all that was left…
"Ok, this is the last," George said, reaching out to grab the fern.
"George, Stop!" Lily cried, but it was too late. George grabbed the fern with his bare hand, and jumped back with a yell. Holding his wrist, George looked at the burnt skin of his palm.
"That hurt!" he exclaimed.
"Well, what do you expect from a plant called a *Flame* Fern?"
George looked at her with a pathetically pained expression, and she softened.
"Oh let me have a look," she said, reaching out.
George stepped back, still holding the wrist of his burnt hand, and pulled away.
"Oh, don't be such a baby," she said, taking his palm gently.
Pointing her wand at the burnt flesh, Lily muttered a medic spell. George flinched. "That stings,"
Lily leaned over and blew softly on the rapidly healing wound.
"Better?" she asked, lifting her eyes to look at him.
"Much," he squeaked.
Their eyes met and held briefly before they broke away, uncomfortably.
"Ok, well, um…" George stammered
"You're welcome," Lily replied, smugly. She conjured up a roll of gauze, and wound it around George's hand, taking her time about it.
Lily got the Flame fern, with the use of the dragon hide gloves, and she and George met with Sirius at the edge of the forest, with only a few minutes to spare.