Chapter 8
Torn Up Inside
George sat on one of the hospital chairs outside his mum's room. Hermione sat curled up in his arms like a little child. He had had to pick her up off the floor earlier and she refused to leave his arms. Not that he minded. He was still in a state of shock and the warmth of her breath on his neck was comforting, at least a bit. Fred had gone back to pacing outside the door. A healer had come by twice to check on George and Hermione. She gave them her condolences but was unable to treat them medically.
George sat, eyes fixed on his wife. He wanted nothing more than to wake up and have this be just another bad dream. He wanted nothing more than to be able to hold his baby in his arms. He wanted nothing more than to leap of this chair and go search. Unfortunately none of those were options. He had in fact tried to run off and start searching right away but Fred stopped him. Where was he going to go? Was he planning on doing this by himself? Was he planning on leaving his wife screaming on the floor? George knew Fred was right and scooped Hermione off the ground and held her on his lap. That was half an hour ago. George was getting antsy. He couldn't sit here much longer just waiting. He had to do something.
Fred had slipped away about 15 minutes ago and contacted the ministry filling them in on the situation. Minister Bones promised to compile a team and they would start searching immediately. George fought to go with them but again he stayed in the hospital. This wasn't the right time to leave his family or Hermione. Hermione would fall apart, not that she already hadn't. It tore George up inside to know his daughter was missing and he was sitting around not doing a damn thing. It tore him up inside that his mother was lying in a hospital bed fighting for her life. It tore him up inside that his sister lay unconscious, no one aware if her baby was alive and her husband also unconscious in the room across the hall. It tore him up inside that his wife lay broken in his arms.
George looked over at Fred, pacing. Fred shook his head signaling that he'd heard nothing yet. George reached a weak hand up and stroked Hermione's wet cheek.
She lifted her head up and looked at George. Her once fiery chocolate brown eyes were now hurt and dull. Hermione held his warm hand onto her face. She closed her eyes and titled her head ever so slightly. George watched her silently. She was so beautiful even like this. Not sure what would come of it George place a light kiss on his wife's lips and then quickly pulled away. Hermione's eyes fluttered open and her eyes welled up again.
She buried her face into his neck and whispered. "I love you. I will love you know, forever and always."
George could only nod. Hermione's voice cracked. "But I'm not who you love anymore. A part of me has died. I'm not the one you love anymore."
George pulled away from her and glared at her angrily. "Don't you ever say that. Never. I will always love you. And I can't lose you now. Not after this. I need you to be strong for me sweetheart. I need you love me right now and I need you to let me love you," George whispered soothingly.
"I'm sorry George," tears spilled onto Hermione's cheeks. "I didn't mean it. I just…"
"I know," George said placing his hand over her mouth to quiet her. "I know," he pulled her close to his again. They sat like this for a couple of minutes when suddenly the hospital room door opened.
"Mr. Fred, George and Mrs. Hermione Weasley?" the Healer stepped into the hall.
Fred quickly whipped around and Hermione and George stumbled to their feet. "Yes," Fred spoke a bit louder than he probably intended to.
"I'm sorry," the Healer's face was downcast. George's heart pounded against his chest. Shit, this wasn't good. "We've done all we can for your mum," the Healer removed his spectacles and dropped his head. "If you'd like to see her, your father is in their already. So is Mrs. Potter, who fortunately is fine, baby as well. There's no easy way to say this but I think you should all be prepared to say good bye. I'm going to take a look at Mr. Potter," and with that he swiftly crossed the hall. George looked over at Fred. Fred was crying already and Hermione sobbed quietly. George felt himself choke up and than the tears start falling.
His vision blurred and taking Hermione's hand he slowly entered the room.
