Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter Forty-Three: Brothers
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Ron's mum was talking and talking and talking, but he really couldn't begin to care about what she was saying. Harry was dying. Actually dying. And she seriously couldn't stop talking for just one minute and slip into a quiet, more manageable panic? Like Ron?

He was moving in slow motion. Everything was going a thousand miles a minute around him. He couldn't get perspective. This was Harry. His very best mate in the world. His brother. One of the most important people in his life. The bravest, strongest, most heroic person Ron had ever and would ever know.

And he was dying? Now? Really?

Ron couldn't wrap his head around it. He understood what dying entailed. His uncles had died. Sirius had died. Dumbledore had died. Hell, he'd even "died" once. He understood that if Harry died, he would stop living. He wouldn't be around for a Quidditch game or two. He wouldn't be at breakfast or lunch or dinner. He wouldn't bother Ron about Hermione or sulk in the corner or snog Ginny. And even though all of those things irritated him, Ron couldn't imagine not having Harry around and doing them for the rest of their lives.

'What happened to him?' Mrs Weasley demanded. 'What did they do to him?'

'Molly,' said Mr Weasley. 'Calm down.'

'Calm down? Harry's lying there, half dead, and you're telling me to calm down?'

'Mum,' said Fred.

'No!' said Mrs Weasley. She sounded only half as hysterical as Ron felt. 'What happened to him?'

'That's what I'd like to know,' said Audrey. 'What was he hit with?'

'Ron?' Hermione said. She'd never sounded so desperate.

'What?' said Ron.

'What spell?'

'Spell? But I – I don't know.'

'You weren't there?' asked Audrey.

'I – yes, I was there,' he snapped. She had some nerve to even suggest that he wasn't there, right by Harry's side, right up until the very end. 'But I don't know. We were just walking and then he was on his knees, yelling. And then it – it stopped. And then these people were running toward us … I thought … I thought they'd just Stunned him or something. I didn't know he was bleeding. I didn't hear. I don't remember!'

He was rambling. But how could he stop? How could he explain that the sight of Harry, collapsing in pain, crying out in a way he'd never heard anyone cry out before, was so shattering that he could not even breathe, let alone stay aware of his surroundings? If his own mum had been the one who'd hurt Harry after that, Ron still wouldn't be able to pick her out of a lineup right now.

'Just help him!' cried Mrs Weasley. 'Stop looking at Ron! Get back to work! Save him!'

'Molly,' Mr Weasley said again. His calmness got to Ron in a way nothing else ever had. There was nothing about this situation that didn't call for absolute and total hysterics.

'Do you see him?' she said, rounding on her husband. 'Do you see Harry? You look at him and you tell me you don't feel the same as you would if that was Ron lying there.'

'I never said that –' began Mr Weasley.

'Everyone,' said McGonagall. Her voice cut through the room and demanded silence. 'I understand that this is a trying situation. But we cannot lose sight of what this is all about.'

What the bloody hell was she talking about? Lose sight of what this was all about? This was about Harry! What else was there?

'May I have the object in your hand, Mr Weasley.'

It took Ron a moment to realize that McGonagall was speaking to him and not his father.

'Huh?' he said. He didn't have anything in his –

He looked down and saw that his fingers were wrapped tightly around the cup. His knuckles were white from gripping it.

He half-handed, half-threw it to McGonagall, who held it close to her face and inspected it. 'Is this what I believe it is?' she asked. He wondered why she didn't just use the word Horcrux, why she was speaking so cryptically, and then remembered Audrey's presence in the room.

'Yeah,' said Ron.

'Shall we step out to perform the spell to dispose of it properly?'

Was she in the same room as Ron? Did she not realize what was going on just a few feet away from them?

The logical part of Ron's mind knew that McGonagall was just as shaken as any of them. It knew that she was trying to help Audrey by getting all of the hysterical Weasleys out of the way. But the logical part of Ron's mind, which was already probably smaller than it should have been, wasn't active just now.

'You – I – what? Harry might be dying and you think I give a damn about this – this – this shite? Are you bloody joking?'

'Ron –'

'Mr Weasley,' said McGonagall.

'No,' he said. 'I – I can't – we can't do this! Am I – am I the only one who realizes what's going on? Harry can't die. He can't. If he dies, that stupid cup is worthless. Nothing that you think is important matters right now. Do you understand that?'

Mrs Weasley surged back into action. 'I – I demand some answers. Ron. Hermione. Tell us what happened to Harry!'

'Mum,' Ron yelled, his hands over his eyes. 'Just – shut up. Please!'

His mum withdrew, stung, and Ron couldn't feel angry or ashamed. He couldn't feel anything but concern for his best friend.

'Ron,' said Hermione, touching his arm. He felt like a prat for exploding on everyone. But what else was there to do?

'Harry can't die,' he repeated. 'He won't. It's just not possible.'

'Harry's not invincible,' whispered Hermione.

'Yes, he is!' cried Ron. 'Do any of you remember who we're talking about? It's not a story about the Boy who Lived or the Chosen One or whatever else they're calling him these days. This is Harry. This is Harry. He doesn't – he doesn't have any weaknesses. He doesn't get hurt. He doesn't ever make Mum panic this much! That's my job. He – this can't be real. It can't be.'

His voice cracked. He lowered his eyes to the floor. He couldn't believe he'd said all that. He probably sounded like some ridiculous child who obsessed over Mighty Harry Potter. But really, was there anything wrong with seeing Harry that way? It was pretty realistic, when it got right down to it.

Ron couldn't bring himself to look at Harry. He didn't think he could stand seeing him like this, stripped down to his boxer shorts. His glasses sitting awkwardly on his face and his skin pale as death.

Audrey worked for quite a while more. She may have asked more questions, but Ron didn't consciously hear any of them. It was amazing how everything seemed to blur together before his eyes, and when he blinked, all he could see was Harry's dirty face as he and Ginny emerged from the Chamber of Secrets. He saw Harry on his broom, rocketing toward the ground in search of the Snitch. He could hear Harry's voice, asking him all about the Wizarding World during the train ride in first year. Harry and a dragon during the Triwizard Tournament. Harry and Malfoy during their duel in first year. Harry in the Hospital Wing because Lockhart had magically removed all the bones from his arm. Harry eating Chocolate Frogs. Harry playing chess with him even though they'd already played five games and it was getting quite boring. Harry grabbing his Invisibility Cloak and suggesting they sneak down to Hagrid's Hut.

That was the Harry he knew. And for his life, he couldn't connect that Harry to the person lying in the hospital bed to his left.

It was possible for Harry to die. He'd already said it. But at the same time, it wasn't a possibility. It just couldn't be. Where would that leave Ron? His name was almost always said in the same breath and Harry's. Since they were bloody eleven. They'd been through everything. They'd gotten into fights, but they'd always gotten over it. And really, how many people out there would be willing to put up with him every day for nearly seven years and still want to be around him?

What if Harry and Hermione were the only ones?

He couldn't afford to lose one of them. They were everything to him.

Merlin, he loved Harry. Not the way he loved Hermione. Not the way Harry loved Ginny. But he loved Harry as much as he loved any of his brothers. Maybe more. Well, no, not more. But it seemed that way now, because Harry was in trouble and the rest of his family was safe.

It amazed him how this one single event could stand to alter his entire life. He'd known that he and Harry were putting themselves in a dangerous situation when they'd gone into the building looking for the Horcrux. He thought he'd realized that they would have a hard time and that they could die and blah blah blah. But realistically, the thought of losing Harry never entered his mind. Not for real.

Which was ridiculous, because Harry did so many dangerous things. And as morbid as it sounded, it was a miracle that Harry hadn't died already. He was a ticking time bomb. He really was. Ron would never work up the nerve to say it aloud, even to Hermione. But it was the truth. Wasn't it?

Ron knew he wasn't dreaming this right now. It had to be real. Because his mind would never come up with a scenario as awful as this on its own.

It felt like Ron's feet had just been knocked out from under him. The walls were closing in. The room was spinning. Or something else dramatic that could explain the awful feelings in his chest.

His heart was beating too fast.

Harry's heart could stop beating at any second.

He was going to be sick.

He had to sit down. He needed to keep moving. He had to get out of this room. He couldn't leave Harry. He had to do something useful. He was in such a state that he'd be good for nothing. His mind was racing. He couldn't think at all. His skin felt too small to fit his frame. He felt detached from his body altogether.

He looked up when Audrey cleared her throat.

'He's lost a lot of blood,' she said. 'There was some internal bleeding, too. It took quite a while to get it to stop.'

'So what does that mean for his recovery?' asked Hermione. 'How long will he have to stay here?'

Audrey paused for a moment. 'I'm going to ask again,' she said, looking at Ron. 'What was done to Harry?'

Ron opened his mouth, but Hermione beat him to it. 'Ron said he didn't know!' she said. 'Honestly! What else is there than that? He doesn't know.'

'Well, what were you doing right before this occurred? The more I know about this entire situation, the easier it'll be to treat Harry.'

Audrey was being nosey. She had already treated Harry to the best of her ability. Knowing about the Horcruxes wouldn't do anything to help him. If Ron thought that it would make even the smallest difference, he would have launched into a full-scale explanation ages ago.

He glanced at McGonagall, who did not appear to be horribly impressed with Audrey just now. Ron could understand being curious. He could understand that when someone was deliberately being kept in the dark, they would desperately want to know what the big secret was all about.

Still, no matter what, Audrey could not know. It just wasn't an option at this point. They were so close to getting rid of all the Horcruxes. They couldn't afford to have it all blow up in their faces by telling the wrong person. He didn't believe that Audrey was a spy or a Death Eater or anything else. But at the end of the day, Audrey had to look out for herself. And if she chose to go to Voldemort with that information, he would hate her indefinitely, but she would have legitimate reasons for doing so. Maybe.

'It's not important,' said Hermione. 'Just tell us – will he be okay?'

Audrey's posture stiffened. 'I'm sorry,' she said. 'Harry is my patient, and I can only release his confidential medical information to family members.'

'You cow,' gasped Hermione. 'Tell us.'

'Like I said, I can only disclose such details to family members. And since you aren't his family –'

Oh, McGonagall would never put up with that. Ron was rather anxious to see an all-out cat fight between Audrey and McGonagall.

A fight came – if it could even be called a fight – but not from McGonagall.

'I have been his family since we were eleven!' Hermione cried, and in a flash her wand was out and trained on Audrey. 'Don't you dare say otherwise. You're going to tell me right now what is happening to him. Or you'll be in the bed beside him. I know some nasty hexes. Do you want to test me?'

'Hermione,' said Ron warningly.

Since when did he warn her to watch her step?

Who was this girl? It wasn't the Hermione he recognized. It was as if she was possessed. There was a fierce look in her eyes, a colour in her cheeks, and it occurred to Ron that Hermione was just as concerned for Harry as he was. Of course she was. They were in this together, the three of them. And maybe they had a daunting task ahead of them, maybe it seemed hopeless at times, but they had each other. They had a lot more than most people did. He wished Harry would wake up. He didn't think his friend would believe him later if Ron told him that Hermione had threatened to seriously harm Audrey.

'Tell me. Now. How long will he have to stay here?'

'Right now, I'd say about two weeks,' said Audrey finally. She turned her gaze back to Harry. She at least had the grace to look embarrassed at her previous behaviour. 'But it could be less.'

Less than two weeks! It couldn't be all that serious then.

'It could be longer, as well,' she added. 'Complications could arise. And magic and potions can't cure everything in a day or two. However, I see no reason why Harry won't be up and about soon.'

Ron felt so relieved that he could not even express it in a single insignificant act. He couldn't sigh. He couldn't smile. He couldn't even speak. He would move mountains if he could. He would fight all of the Death Eaters in England. He would fly without a broom.

It occurred to him, randomly, that he would need to learn how to do that if he was going to be flying anywhere from now on. They'd left his broom behind. It was still in the bushes where they'd hidden it. Ron realized that there would come a day, probably someday soon, where he would need that broom for something, and he would be annoyed that he'd lost it. But right now, all he could feel was overwhelming happiness that Harry was going to be all right.

'Thank you,' McGonagall said. 'Now, I must ask that we leave Miss Fiske alone to tend to Harry. May I see everyone else in the Headmaster's office?'

Everyone reluctantly piled out of the Hospital Wing. Ron spotted Ginny sitting in a ball on the floor just outside the entrance, and it was then that he truly noticed her absence from the previous events.

'Gin,' he said.

Ginny sniffed. 'He's dead,' she whispered. 'Isn't he?'

Ron knelt down beside her. 'No,' he said. 'No. Harry's fine. He'll be fine.'

She studied his face for a moment, as if searching for a sign that he was lying to her. 'But I – I can't feel him anymore,' she said.

'What d'you mean?'

Ginny took a breath. 'There's something I've got to tell you …'

'Mr Weasley,' McGonagall called. 'Miss Weasley.'

'Yes, Professor?'

'I ask that you please join the rest of us.'

Ron nodded and glanced back at Ginny. 'Can it wait?' he asked.

Ginny shrugged. With a hand from Ron, she got to her feet. She seemed so tiny beside him, smaller than usual, and he automatically put his arm around her as they walked. Not that she needed his help. His sister was strong, that was for sure. Nobody could deny that.

Upstairs, McGonagall sat the Hufflepuff cup on Dumbledore's desk. 'This is the Horcrux?' she asked.

Ron nodded. 'I sure hope so,' he said. 'No bloody way we're going back there, even if it isn't.'

McGonagall waved her wand around and said that foreign but by now somewhat familiar incantation. It seemed like it took ages for her to finish. Ron tightened his grip on Ginny as they waited for any sort of reaction. Questions ran through his mind, the same as always. What if this wasn't the real Horcrux? What if they'd gone through all of this for nothing?

But the purple glow came, and even though it was a small comfort, it was good to know that Harry hadn't gone through all of that for absolutely nothing. He would be pleased as all hell when he awoke. That was the thing with Harry – his well-being never quite mattered to his as much as the war and the Horcruxes and Voldemort.

'Can we go back downstairs now?' asked Ginny.

McGonagall nodded softly. 'Yes, Miss Weasley,' she granted. Ron, Ginny and Hermione immediately moved toward the door. 'Mr Weasley. Miss Granger. I am afraid you two must remain here. After all, we have not yet heard the story of how you came into possession of this latest Horcrux.'

'You can wait,' grunted Ron, and before anyone could think to protest, the three of them were gone.

Audrey wasn't there when they got back to the Hospital Wing. Whether she had stepped out temporarily or would be gone for the remainder of the night, Ron didn't know. He hoped she wouldn't be coming back anytime soon, though. Right now, he just wanted to sit with Harry, undisturbed.

He pulled up a chair at Harry's bedside. Hermione sat in a chair beside his, and Ginny was on the other side of the bed, Harry's fingers entwined with her own. Ron knew then – with a sort of realization that sometimes dawned on him at the strangest of times – that he would never, not ever, be in better company than he was right now. He smiled at the three and tried to take from this situation all of the good things that it offered. The trio was back home. They'd found one of the last remaining Horcruxes. And Harry would be fine, though it may take a week or two for him to be fully healed.

'What did you have to tell me before?' asked Ron.

Ginny did not blink, and so he knew it would be important. 'Right. I know we probably should have told you a while ago, but it just didn't seem like a good idea. You can't freak out –'

'You'd better not be pregnant,' said Ron immediately. He wasn't even sure if he really thought that was possibly what she was going to say. It was just a reflex. He'd been a big brother for too long to get out of habit now.

Ginny rolled her eyes, but didn't stop. 'Sweet Merlin, no,' she said. 'Look. When you three got back to The Burrow tonight and Hermione started yelling for us to help … we were already awake. I'd woken everyone up because I knew that you would be coming and that Harry would need help.'

Hermione breathed deeply. 'How could you have possibly known that?'

'I was sleeping,' explained Ginny. 'And when I woke up, my head was killing me. It felt like it'd been cracked open. And then I felt this awful pain in my stomach. I knew it was Harry because – because we're in each other's heads.'

Ron didn't react. He didn't know how to react. Was she kidding?

'What?'

'We're in each other's heads,' she repeated. 'I can hear his thoughts. And he can hear mine.'

'What?' asked Ron. Was she actually being serious? This was real?

'Stop saying that,' said Hermione. 'How?'

'Oh, because that's so much better,' mumbled Ron, but still, he waited for Ginny's answer.

'We don't know,' she said. 'One day my thoughts were my own and then the next … they just weren't. I mean, they're still my thoughts. But now I'm not the only one listening to them. We can hear everything. We can communicate. You know, without words.'

'So … wait,' Ron said. 'You know about everything going on in Harry's mind?'

Ginny nodded.

'And that doesn't get him in trouble?'

'Well, it did at first!' said Ginny. 'But it's been so long. We can control it now.'

'What d'you mean?'

'We have these … mental walls,' she explained. 'We can raise and lower them when we need to. We mostly keep the walls up. I mean, I don't think either of us really cares to hear what the other's thinking about all day long. But if I want to talk to Harry, I'll lower my wall. And he can feel it in his head – it's this kind of nudging sensation, like someone's trying to gain access to your mind – so he'll lower his, too. Or vice-versa.'

'What if he doesn't want to talk to you?' inquired Ron. Was it wrong that he found this semi-amusing?

'Then he doesn't lower his.'

Really? Ginny could really read Harry's mind?

'So do you two have the same dreams and stuff?' he asked.

'No,' she said. 'It doesn't work when one of us is asleep.'

'Then you can't sense him right now?' said Hermione, and Ron made the connection with what Ginny had said earlier about not being able to feel Harry.

'Right now …' said Ginny. 'Right now, Harry's gone. Completely gone. It's not the same as when he's just sleeping … I don't even think I could put my wall down and reach him if I tried.'

'Will it come back?'

'I have no idea,' she said. 'I hope. I can't – I never thought I'd feel lonely because the only thoughts running around up in my head were mine. But I do.'

'Just lower your, er, wall … can't you try?' asked Ron. 'What's the worst that could happen?'

'That's the thing,' Ginny said. 'I can't lower it. I can't even … locate it. It's hard to explain. I could never do it before Harry was in my mind because I didn't have a wall there. There was nothing I was blocking out. And it feels like that now. That's why I thought Harry was dead. But maybe he's just … gone. You know, from my mind.'

'Maybe he'll come back,' suggested Hermione.

Ginny nodded slowly. 'Yeah. Maybe. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you two. Harry and I sort of agreed that we wouldn't. But … I think earlier, when my head hurt … I think that was Voldemort. I think he was trying to get into Harry's mind, but … he got more than he bargained for because he ended up in mine, too.'

Ron could see it replaying in his mind's eye – Harry, crying out and falling to his knees, hands pressed against his forehead.

'I think you're right, Gin,' he agreed.

'Does Harry know that you're telling us this?' asked Hermione. 'Have you two talked about it?'

Ginny shook her head. 'The thing is … we kind of promised that it would stay between us. But it can't anymore. This connection, if it comes back, is going to help keep him safe. I know it will. Just like it would have tonight, if you two hadn't been there for him already.'

'You think?' asked Ron.

'Harry is determined to win this war at all costs,' said Ginny. 'It doesn't matter to him if he lives or not. As long as Voldemort goes down. He's fighting for everyone else. So it's up to us to fight for him.'

'I'll do whatever it takes,' Hermione agreed. 'I can't imagine a world without him.'

Ron nodded his agreement.

Harry would live through this war. He would marry Ginny and officially become his brother. Their kids would grow up together. They would take trips to foreign places, like Romania and America, and this time, they would get to enjoy it. Harry would die a long, long time from now, old and absolutely fulfilled.

Ron simply would not accept anything less for his best friend.

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