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WC - 729

Resurrecting The Living

"We're worried about George."

"Nobody expects him to just get over it, but he's just stopped living. It's like he died with Fred."

"I'm scared he's going to hurt himself."

The words echoed in Harry's mind, the worry about his friend building with every day that passed. It had been a year since the battle that had taken the lives of many of their friends, and yet, to look at George, you would believe it had only been a day.

Harry wanted to help, he really did, but he wasn't sure of how anyone could help the more man. How did someone get over losing someone so entwined with them that they were each half of the same person?

Short of giving George Fred back…

Harry sat up straight, an idea whirling around his mind. It was risky, really risky, but if it worked…

…

George arrived half an hour later then he was expected, but Harry didn't hold it against him. He welcomed the redhead inside, sitting him down on the sofa and offering him a drink.

"Is it your turn to try and fix me?" George asked dully, his expression bleak.

Harry shook his head. "I don't think you need fixing."

"You're the only one who doesn't."

"Do you think you're broken?" Harry asked, handing over a tumbler of firewhisky.

"Well I'm certainly not whole," George retorted. "Why am I here, Harry?"

"Because while I don't want to fix you, as it were, I thought perhaps I could help you."

Signing, George leant back against the sofa. "Nobody can help me."

Harry grabbed a box off the mantle. "I'm trusting that you won't abuse my faith in you with this," he murmured, handing the box over. "This is a one time offer, and I won't repeat it, even if you beg. Get the closure you need, George. I'll leave you alone."

Harry left the room, setting his wards silently so that George couldn't leave. As much as he did trust his friend, he knew what temptation could do to a person.

Now all he could do was wait.

…

Harry was lounging on his bed with a book when George pushed the bedroom door open. His face was tear streaked, his hair a mess where he'd pulled at it, but his eyes were lighter than they'd been in a year.

He approached the bed slowly, passing the box to Harry. Harry could see the effort it was taking George to hand it over and he smiled as he took it, feeling the magic as it was passed back.

"Thank you," George whispered, fresh tears spilling onto his cheeks.

Harry put the box away and moved over, patting the bed for George to come and sit with him. As soon as he reached him, George collapsed into Harry, sobbing loudly as he gripped at Harry's shirt. Thankful that he'd propped his pillows against the headboard in preparation, Harry let him, stroking his back gently.

When he calmed himself so that he was only sniffing occasionally, George pulled back.

"He… he told me off," he admitted, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I'm letting him down… I'm letting my family down with the way I'm acting."

Harry didn't reply, not wanting to interrupt.

"He told me to live life enough for both of us. He's right."

George leant back against the headboard. "Can I stay? I just… I really don't want to lie in a room by myself right now, and… he told me that it's okay to ask for help. That I'm not alone. So. Erm."

Harry smiled. "Of course you can stay. You've never been alone, George."

They settled side by side on the bed, and Harry switched the lamp off. He could feel George beside him in the bed, inching closer and closer in tiny almost unnoticeable increments.

Harry shifted onto his side, putting his hand between them, palm up in offer. George didn't take a minute to put his own hand in Harry's squeezing gently.

"Thank you," he murmured.

Harry smiled into the darkness. "Go to sleep, George. I'll be here."

Tomorrow, Harry would return the box holding the resurrection stone to the heavily warded lock-box that nobody else in the world knew about. For now, he was happy that maybe, maybe George had just gotten the closure he needed to start living again.

Written for;

Auction - George Weasley

Insane Prompt - 464: Pillow