27. Waiting

Kingsley and her arrive at the Burrow and she already knows something is wrong.

She scans the people waiting for them and sees Harry, she breathes a sigh of relief. She looks for Ron. She doesn't understand, he should have been the first one back. Where is he?

Then Arthur announces that only Harry, Hagrid, George and him are back yet. She barely controls the moan of despair that escapes her lips.

He's alright, he's alright, he's alright. She repeats the words in her head as an attempt to calm the painful twist in her stomach.

She's barely paying attention to the conversation, scanning the sky relentlessly, when she hears that George has been cursed.

He's alright, he's alright, he's alright.

At some point, she's not sure when, almost everyone rushes inside to see George and she stays rooted on her spot outside. She needs to wait for him.

Hagrid and Lupin come stand next to her, and she's glad she doesn't have to be alone.

"They'll be alright," Hagrid whispers next to her, squeezing her shoulder in what he means to be reassuring but he can't control his force and she winces under his palm. "Sorry."

Her whole body is on alert. It's been since they left the Dursleys and were attacked immediately. She is trembling with worry and fear. Ron has to be alright, otherwise… she doesn't even want to think of what a mess everything will be if he doesn't come back.

Lupin must feel the tension emanating from her because he grabs her hand and tells her that Tonks and Ron are strong wizards, they'll be here any minute. She nods and fights back tears because she can't see the sky if she's crying.

He's alright, he's alright, he's alright.

She doesn't realise she's been holding her breath until she sees their broom materialising above them and she begins to scream, relief flooding her.

She doesn't even think, she runs toward Ron as soon as he lands.

He's alright.