A/N: Heeey, another chapter. Sorry, it's a bit of a filler. Well, not quite; you get an explanation about what's happening here, but there's no real action. Anyway, big thank you to Stars and Stripes and Cristina Weasley for reviewing. You guys are the best. And I hope that everyone else out there following this is enjoying it so far. Oh, I should make a point: I used google as an English/Latin translator, so if it doesn't make sense…. I'm sorry. Right, so, for anyone who actually bothered to read this, on with the story, and don't forget to review if you can!

Chapter 3- Belief

A shocked silence met George's comment. Everyone glanced uncertainly around at each other before Bill finally spoke.

"George, you're holding Fred," he said gently, as though speaking to a three year old about to throw a tantrum.

"No, I mean I saw him. In… in my mind," George said, realising as he spoke how ridiculous he sounded. The rest of his family were exchanging worried looks, Molly covering her mouth as another sob threatened to escape.

"Well that's completely normal. We've all got Fred on our mind," Bill said comfortingly. George shook his head.

"No, this was different. He was being held by these people and he thought that I was being tortured." George frowned as he tried to recall the events that had occurred. He didn't see the alarmed glances being exchanged above his head.

"George, come on, you probably just need to rest after all the shock," Ginny pulled his arm, but George shook her hand off.

"I wasn't dreaming, and I'm not crazy!" He snapped, instantly regretting it at the hurt look on Ginny's face. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell. I just- I'm not losing it. I really did see Fred," he said almost pleadingly to his family. Any further comments were interrupted by the arrival of Arthur, Charlie and Madam Pompfrey, who looked particularly harried. She was kneeling at Fred's side in a flash, waving her wand over him. Everyone looked on, worried.

"What's your diagnosis?" Charlie finally asked after several minutes of wand waving and muttering. Madam Pompfrey looked up, brow furrowed.

"I- I've never seen anything like it. He has no external or internal injuries apart from several minor cuts and bruises, but his heart is extremely weak. I can't find any cause for it though," she said, frowning.

"So there's nothing you can do?" Molly squeaked, arm gripping Arthur tightly. Madam Pompfrey shook her head.

"I'm sorry," she said to the family surrounding her. "There's… there's something else," she said nervously.

"What?" Percy was the only one who dared ask the question. Everyone else simply braced themselves for the news.

"This- this state he's in…. if he doesn't wake up soon, I'm afraid he never will," Madam Pompfrey said apologetically.

"What?" Bill asked, horrified. "What do you mean, why won't he wake up?"

"Well, his heart will eventually be too weak to keep him alive," Madam Pompfrey began, but was cut off as Molly let out a wail. The rest of the Weasley clan were taking the news just as badly. However one member seemed to be lost in his thoughts. George gazed down at Fred's still form cradled in his arms, his mind replaying what he had seen. Fred had been in a cell. He was trapped. But Fred was in his arms right now, so who had that Fred been? Was it a dream?

But why would I dream that I was being tortured? George asked himself. And why would there be two George's? It took him a few seconds to understand.

"It was Fred's mind!" He exclaimed aloud. Everyone turned to look at him.

"What?" Ginny asked uncertainly.

"The dream I had, it wasn't my dream. It was Fred's." George's excitement only lasted several seconds before he realised everyone was looking at him as though he were insane.

"Madam Pompfrey, is there some sort of spell to trap someone in their mind?" He asked urgently. Madam Pompfrey blinked.

"Trap someone in their- oh!" Madam Pompfrey's surprised exclamation startled everyone.

"Oh?" Arthur repeated.

"Furtivus animum," Madam Pompfrey breathed. Her eyes flickered down to Fred. "I've never seen it performed before- but this could be the physical symptoms. It's highly unlikely though…"

"But what is it?" Charlie asked in frustration.

"It's a spell designed to trap someone within their own mind. But it traps them within the darkest confines of their mind, where their nightmares lurk, while in the physical world their body begins to fade. But it's only a legend. Like I said, I've never seen it performed-"

"But that could be what's happened to Fred, couldn't it?" George pressed on. "He could have been hit by it?"

"I- well, I suppose yes, but I couldn't be sure-" Madam Pompfrey seemed slightly flustered by the questions.

"So how would you stop it?" George interrupted yet again.

"My dear boy, there is no proof that it even exists, let alone a counter curse!" Madam Pompfrey exclaimed, straightening up.

"But if there were a counter curse or a cure, what would it be?" George refused to back off despite his parents frowns.

"Well in theory, I suppose you would have to somehow rescue the person. Convince them that they're trapped in their mind. But there is no proof that it exists!" Madam Pompfrey exclaimed again. "Now I'm sorry but I really must be off, there are many other patients that require my assistance. I shall return again later to check on him." With that, she swept away.

"What on earth were you talking about George?" Molly burst out as soon as Madam Pompfrey was out of earshot. "That was extremely disrespectful to Madam Pompfrey-"

"I think that curse is the one that hit Fred," George rushed. Molly stopped mid-rant.

"What?"

"That curse, the furtivus whatever. I think that's what hit Fred. I think he's trapped inside his mind."

"What makes you say that George?" Ginny asked gently. George frowned at her slightly condescending tone.

"When I… fell asleep, I saw Fred. Only he was sure I didn't exist because he had just seen me being… being tortured." George explained. His family winced.

"But you were just dreaming Georgie," Molly said gently.

"No, it wasn't my dream. I think I somehow entered Fred's mind. There was this mirror there, and that's how I got back." George could see his family wasn't convinced. "It's true!"

"We know sweetheart, we know," Molly spoke, kneeling down beside him. "Now how about we get you a nice dreamless draught-"

"I'm not crazy!" George yelled, shocking himself as much as he shocked Molly. "Why won't you believe me?" He whispered, clutching Fred tighter to his chest. Molly rested a hand on his shoulder, gazing up at her husband in despair. Arthur shrugged.

"Maybe he just needs a few minutes. He's been through so much," Arthur suggested, and the Weasley clan moved away, leaving only Fred and George in the corner. George's head remained bowed, close to Fred's. He sniffed, wishing that Fred were awake to back him up, as they always did for each other.

George heard footsteps walking towards him, and he gazed up. To his surprise, Charlie and Bill stood before him.

"What do you want?" George muttered, slightly disgruntled. Bill and Charlie exchanged a glance before both dropping to their knees.

"We think you may be right," Bill murmured softly with a sideways glance towards the rest of their family. George stared.

"What?" He asked.

"We believe you about Fred," Charlie said. Noticing the surprised expression on George's face, he continued. "You knew Fred was alive when no-one else did. If we're going to place Fred's life in anyone's hands, it should be yours."

"Well that's not placing any pressure on him at all," Bill said sarcastically, frowning at Charlie. Charlie shrugged guiltily.

"So you'll help me?" George asked hopefully.

"As much as we can. So how are we going to do this?" Bill asked, already stepping into his role as the oldest.

"Well, say Madame Pompfrey was right. She said we need to somehow get into his mind and convince him to come back to reality." Charlie summarised quickly, noticing that Molly was beginning to edge towards them.

"I- I think I can get into his mind," George said as he glanced down at Fred. "I did it before."

"Can you do it again?" Bill asked gently. George nodded.

"I have to. For Fred," he said firmly. Bill nodded, but before he could speak, Voldemort's voice was echoing throughout the Great Hall, declaring that Harry Potter was dead. George could see Ginny cry out in disbelief before running to the door, their parents, Percy and Fleur running after her. George, Bill and Charlie looked at each other, similar expressions of shock on their faces.

"You don't think..." George's voice trailed off at the implication that Harry may have lost, that they all may have lost. Charlie shook his head.

"You go get Fred back. Leave us to worry about Voldemort," he said with a weak smile. George nodded.

"Okay. I'll- we'll see you in a bit then," George corrected himself.

"Shouldn't one of us stay here and make sure everything's okay?" Bill asked, but George shook his head.

"They need you out there more. There's nothing you can do here." He said firmly, before gesturing his head towards the door. Bill nodded and pressed a kiss to Fred's forehead while Charlie squeezed George's shoulder.

"Good luck," he said. George swallowed, watching as his two eldest brother's left to go join the fight.

Once they were gone, George stared down at Fred. He gripped Fred's left hand tightly as he noticed Fred's breathing was now barely noticeable, his skin turning colder and paler every minute.

"I'm coming Fred," he whispered into his brothers ear. "Just hold on."