'Are you sure that you feel up to it Tansy? We don't have to do this today.' Minerva asked, looking keenly at Tansy. Tansy took a deep breath and then tried to answer but her voice seemed to get stuck in her throat. She looked down at the congealed leek and potato soup in her bowl and then pushed it away from her and stood up.

'Tansy? You didn't sleep last night and there's no rush. Perhaps we should do this tomorrow?' Minerva was persistent and she was expecting a response. Tansy sighed, wondering if there would ever come a time when she would be able to sustain a conversation without feeling drained by the effort of talking.

'I want to see him.' Tansy finally managed to get the words out, albeit at a whispered volume. Minerva seemed to sigh and then she stood up too, walked round the table and reached out to grasp Tansy's shoulder, turning the girl so that she was forced to look her in the eyes.

'I know you do Tansy, but is today really the best time? You're exhausted and your head isn't clear. Is this a good idea?'

Tansy nodded stubbornly, choosing to ignore her adoptive mother's words; she'd known that Minerva would be sceptical over her ability to do this but she also didn't feel up to the task of finding the right words to persuade her otherwise. She felt exhausted; in spite of a four-hour nap in Remus's office her mind still felt woolly. It was as if she was standing on a hill top surrounded by fog; it was taking all of her energy just keeping the clouds from rolling in and surrounding her.

'I… I…' She began, then stopped, wondering what she was trying to say.

'It's okay, take your time.' Minerva said gently.

'I'm sorry…' Tansy shook her head, trying to clear it, then realised this was the last thing she should've done if she really wanted to convince her adoptive mother that she was okay to go. She looked up at Minerva and tried to smile to reassure her. Her mother's concerned expression told her that she'd not been particularly convincing.

'It's just that it… it won't be any easier if I leave it till tomorrow.' She said, her voice low. 'I have to do it now or I won't do it at all. Please…' Tansy could tell that Minerva still didn't think it was a good idea. There was a long pause, during which Tansy forced herself to maintain eye contact with her mother.

'Okay Tansy, if you're sure.' Minerva said, her voice failing to hide her reluctance. 'We'll go this afternoon. He's only allowed to see immediate family at the moment but Arthur Weasley has persuaded them that this is necessary…' She paused, seemingly searching for the right words. '…for his healing and for yours. It means that I won't be allowed in though. I'll escort you to the ward and wait while you see him.'

Fred's POV

'Are you ready Mr Weasley? She's out in the hallway.' Fred heard the words from a long way away; the latest draft of calming potion was still swimming though his veins, leaving a blissful, apathetic peace in its wake. He felt numb again. The idea of seeing Tansy again after all this time should've made him feel something but he couldn't seem to summon any emotion at all.

'Mr Weasley?' Fred fought to bring himself back to the present and saw that Healer Knits was looking at him with an expectant expression. 'Can I let her in?' He made himself nod in reply and watched as she crossed over to the door and opened it.

'Good afternoon, Miss Laverstock, it's good to see you again. Come on through.'

From where he was sat, Fred couldn't see Tansy and he watched indifferently as Healer Knits stood expectantly in the doorway, waiting for the young witch to step forwards. There was a long interval during which nobody spoke. Then the Healer tried again.

'I can see that you're finding this quite hard, Miss Laverstock. Take your time.'

Finally, the girl on the other side of the door took a hesitant step forward into Fred's line of sight. For the first time that day, the strange apathetic numbness was replaced by another feeling, something he hadn't felt for a long time. He realised it was concern for Tansy because she looked awful; her face was pinched and white, her eyes ringed by shadows and her cheeks concave. She looked ill and exhausted. It was strange seeing her again after all this time, strange realising that he still cared about her even now after everything that had happened. It was all so confusing right now but at the same time Fred realised that he felt more in control of himself than he had in weeks.

Tansy was looking at the floor, seemingly unwilling to look any further into the room. She was also shaking like a leaf.

'That's right.' Healer Knits said softly, taking Tansy by the arm and leading her over to the chair opposite Fred's. 'I'll be over here.' She took a chair in the corner of the room, giving the two of them as much privacy as was allowed. Fred's prickle of irritation at the fact that she wouldn't leave them alone fizzled into nothing almost immediately as he looked at Tansy.

She seemed to be trying very very hard to keep it together; he could almost see her struggle to breathe slowly and evenly. Finally, after several long seconds, she looked up. He saw the shock register on her face as she took in his purple hair, the rough purple beard and the black eye liner he'd applied thickly that morning when he had looked in the mirror and realised that even with purple hair he could still make out George's face. Then, she winced perceptively and dropped her eyes again.

'T- Tansy?' His voice was rough and slurred – his most recent shouting match had damaged his vocal chords. To his surprise, Tansy shrank backwards in her chair and clapped her hands over her ears. She stayed like that for several seconds, her breaths coming in short, sharp pants. Then, slowly, she dropped her hands to her lap again, her face reddening with embarrassment.

'Tansy? He tried again, softening his voice as much as he could. 'I know it's… it's hard for you to look at me, hard for you to hear my voice.' She nodded, her eyes on her hands, which were curled into tight fists in her lap. He realised that she was holding a piece of scrunched up parchment in one of her hands. He could just make out the scrawl of her handwriting on one protruding edge.

'I know you can't talk to me right now?' He phrased the statement like a question and she nodded in response, still avoiding eye contact. 'But… but did you want to tell me something? Did you write it down?' Tansy looked up, her face paling slightly as she stared at him. She took a deep breath and extended her hand towards him. Fred took the parchment and flattened it out on his knee.

Dear Fred, once, a long time ago, I promised that I would try to tell you when things got dark and scary. I promised that if I couldn't speak then I would try to write it down.

At this point, Tansy's hand seemed to have shaken so badly that the words that followed were almost illegible. Fred lifted the parchment up to his face, straining to see what was written next.

I don't know where to start except with I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I wanted to say this in person but they told me that you aren't allowed to be on your own. I can't talk front of someone. Truthfully, we both know I would probably struggle to say this even if we were alone. I hate being this weak but silence will always be my fail-safe and it always seems to win. I'm sorry.

Fred looked up, his eyes blurring with tears. Tansy's white face swam in front of him. Was she crying too? It was hard to tell; there was so much moisture in his eyes that everything looked blurry. He blinked rapidly and looked back down at the letter, struggling to keep it in focus.

I didn't know how to tell people. I didn't know how to tell you. I was so afraid. I thought that if you all knew then you would turn on me. A part of me still thinks that you might. I thought that baby Hope would be taken away. I still think that.

At this point Tansy's writing had become so erratic that it stopped being in proper sentences.

I'm sorry sorry don't know what happened he was hurting me something broke broke inside me couldn't stop control it then he was gone killed him…

In his peripheral vision he could see that Tansy was trembling again, or perhaps she had never stopped.

…knew what she had done forced him to hurt me I killed him anyway. It rose up something dark inside me I can't control it Fred it won.

Tansy had lowered her face into her hands, unable to bear watching him read through what she had written. There was only one line left.

It might rise again. I'm afraid Fred.

A wave of emotion crashed through his body as he read the last line and he dropped the parchment to the floor and reached forwards suddenly, taking Tansy by surprise. Tansy jerked away from him, lost her balance, and fell off her chair, hitting her head on the wall as she went down.

'No…' Fred tried to stand up but he felt a restraining hand on his arm and realised that Healer Knits was holding him down. Tansy had flattened herself against the wall; she was clearly terrified.

'She's… I'm not…' It was too late; Healer Knits had moved between him and Tansy. Perhaps she had thought that Fred wanted to hurt her rather than comfort her. Fred didn't know. He just felt the wild, unstoppable and unreasonable rage rising up inside him again. He counted to ten, waiting until the red fog in front of his eyes had dimmed.

'That's right, Mr Weasley. Good work.' He felt the Healer letting go of his arm. 'Deep breaths.' He thought that her tone sounded mildly patronising and struggled to subdue another wave of anger.

'Miss Laverstock?' Healer Knits asked, bending down over Tansy. The girl was still flat against the wall with her arms curled around her knees as if she was making herself as small as possible. 'Did you hurt yourself?' She extended a hand, trying to help Tansy up off the floor but Tansy's eyes were wide with panic, her breathing harsh and far too fast.

'Try to steady your breathing, Miss Laverstock. Focus on me now.' The Healer's tone was firm and authoritative and Fred recognised the technique from when she'd been trying to reason with him when he was in one of his wild, unstoppable rages. It seemed to work for Tansy too; he saw her panicking eyes focusing on the other witch. 'I need to know if you've hurt yourself? Did you hit your head?' Fred saw her reaching for her wand and knew she was probably planning on using it to summon help.

Before she could reach it, Tansy moved, pushing herself shakily to her feet. Without looking at the Healer, she mumbled something.

'I can't hear you, Miss Laverstock.'

Once again, Fred felt that uncharacteristic stab of unstoppable rage – didn't this woman understand how hard it was for Tansy to even make a whisper in front of her? He swallowed and focused on breathing in deeply, filling his body with air until there was no room for anything else and the red-hot anger was crushed.

'I'm fine.' Tansy's voice was still barely audible. 'I'm sorry. I thought…' She looked up at Fred and winced. Then, determinedly, she looked again. She took a deep breath. Something changed in her face. Visibly trembling, she allowed Healer Knits to help her back onto the chair.

'I'm sorry, I overreacted. I'm… I'm trying to get better at that... I'm…' Tansy's words faded away to nothing.

'I'm sorry Tansy. I didn't mean to… to scare you…' Fred mumbled. '…again.' He added silently, remembering back to the start of September when he'd screamed at her and terrified her.

The Healer waved her wand once over the girl and frowned at the results.

'That's a nasty lump on the side of your head. I'm going to send for something to put on it.'

'Please… five more minutes.' Tansy's voice was still quiet but she seemed to be gaining confidence with this woman.

'OK.' The Healer's eyes were kind but Fred hated the pity in her voice. She retreated back to her chair in the corner.

Tansy raised her hands and rubbed her eyes and then shook her head violently, as if she was trying to shake water out of her ears. Fred realised that she was trying to clear her mind and leaned forwards, reaching out towards her.

'Tansy? It's okay.'

'It's… I'm sorry… bad day.' She whispered, breathing deeply. She took a few more deep breaths and then looked at him, focusing on his purple hair rather than looking him in the eyes. 'I'm not asking you to forgive me Fred I just… I'm just trying to… to… get better… I wanted to say I'm sorry…' Her eyes were desperate, pleading.

'Tansy, I… I saw the video… I know what Bellatrix made him do to you. It… it was never your fault.' It wasn't until the words were out of his mouth that he realised that he actually believed them, that he wasn't just saying them because this is what Tansy needed to hear. His eyes filled with tears and he reached up to rub them, realising when his hands came away smeared with black that he had smudged his eyeliner. 'I'm sorry… I'm sorry. I should've… no wonder you didn't want me near you...' He struggled to contain the rising sobs. 'No wonder you can't look at me.' Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Healer Knits getting to her feet again but he ignored her.

'Fred, I…' Tansy leaned forwards and placed a hand on his knee. Moving slowly so that he wouldn't startle her again, Fred moved his own hand so that it was on top of hers. She seemed to be struggling to find the right words. Finally, she sighed. 'How did we get here? We're both so…'

'Broken.' He supplied, when she trailed off.

'I… I miss you.' Her words were hesitant, almost as if she was expecting to be rebuffed.

'Tansy, I miss you too.' He suddenly realised it was true. Even after everything that had happened, he still loved her. 'I've missed you so much. I…' He took in a deep steadying breath. 'I love you Tansy.'

'I love you too.' Her voice was quiet but it was all that he needed to hear. Without thinking, he leaned forwards automatically, closing the small distance between them and kissed her firmly on the mouth, only realising when she turned to ice under his lips that he had overstepped the mark.

Minerva's POV

Minerva watched as Tansy followed Healer Knits through the double doors, unable to prevent herself from worrying. Personally, she thought it was too soon – Tansy had only returned a mere week ago and she'd only woken up the day before yesterday. It felt like tempting fate, poking a sleeping dragon in the eye and there was a part of her that hated letting her adoptive daughter out of her sight again. Uneasily, Minerva settled herself on the sofa in the corridor outside the ward and unearthed a copy of Transfiguration Today from the depths of her handbag and started to read.

The sound of hurried footsteps distracted her from the magazine and she looked up as a young and harried-looking Healer in Training pushed open the double doors from the inside and glanced up and down the corridor.

'Professor McGonagall?' He asked anxiously, the Australian twang evident in his voice. He looked relieved when she nodded. 'Are you here with Tansy Laverstock?' Minerva felt her heart jumping into her mouth and got swiftly to her feet. 'There's… there's been an incident. Everything's under control but my superior needs to see you.'

'What's happened? Where's Tansy?' Minerva asked, walking over to the young man and peering past him into the corridor beyond. Her heart seemed to be about to jump right out of her chest. She saw Healer Knits hurrying towards her down the corridor, looking unusually ruffled.

'Ah Minerva, I'm so glad you stayed. Thank you, Healer in Training Saddleworth, Healer Douglas needs your help in the Medwick Mullerton ward.' She turned back to Minerva. 'There's been an incident. Come through to my office and I'll explain.'

'Where's Tansy?' Minerva asked, not moving an inch. Her eyes followed the Healer in Training as he scurried down the corridor and disappeared round a corner.

'Shall we go somewhere more private…?' Healer Knits began. Minerva glared at her.

'Where's my daughter?'

The Healer seemed to sag slightly and then she gestured down the corridor.

'Come with me, Minerva. She's okay.'

She led Minerva down the corridor, round a corner and then turned left into a small, bare room with a single hospital bed, an empty cabinet and a hard backed chair. Tansy lay unconscious on the bed, her wild black hair half covering her face. Her skin was so white it was almost translucent under the stark, hospital lighting. There was a potion drip attached to her arm.

'Tansy?' Minerva moved towards the bed, and leaned over her daughter. She brushed the tangled curls out of the way and peered into Tansy's face. 'What happened?' She demanded, turning to the Healer.

'She's just been stunned Minerva,' Healer Knits assured her, looking slightly sheepish. 'I'm sorry. I had no choice. The meeting went relatively well until Mr Weasley tried to… he tried to kiss her. I've never seen such a huge projection; she blasted him right across the room. I stunned her immediately of course for protection, not that it was necessary – her magical reserves were so depleted I'm sure that she would've passed out in seconds.'

'You let him kiss her?' Minerva asked, unable to keep the fury out of her voice. She looked down at her daughter's unconscious face, feeling a wave of shame at her failure to protect her – she should never have allowed the meeting to happen in the first place.

'It was an oversight,' Healer Knits admitted, 'I didn't react fast enough. Things were going so well between them; she was actually talking to him and he was calmer and more rational than I've seen him since he was admitted. They were working it out together.'

'Have you any idea what she's been through? Have you any idea how much courage it took her just to visit him today?' Minerva demanded, her voice icy.

'I really am sorry Minerva…'

'I actually don't want to hear this.' Minerva interrupted, knowing as she did so that she was being rude but not caring enough to stop. 'I'm taking her back to Hogwarts right now.'

'I'm afraid that's impossible,' the other woman said, looking uneasily at her. 'After an unconscious projection of that magnitude she's been automatically sectioned under the emergency mental health act for the safety of both herself and everyone around her. She's not allowed to leave hospital premises.'

Hope you enjoy!