International Love | Fred Weasley

Chapter 83

On stern orders from Madam Pomfrey, I am spending the following few days in the hospital wing. The matron isn't convinced the nightmares that have been plaguing me have gone away. Fred stays at my side the whole time and keeps me company. According to him, George told him to make sure I'm fully well before he returns to the shop.

Madam Pomfrey is right about the nightmares, of course, as I have barely been sleeping unless I take some Sleeping Draught. Even with it, I keep waking up in the middle of the night, panting and covered in sweat as the events of the past few months blend together.

The others have left the hospital wing a few days ago. Tonks visits almost daily – mostly with Lupin at her side as the man has finally seemed to realise he likes her too much to hide it anymore – and the others visit occasionally. Neville has brought me a small plant to cheer me up a little bit and Luna has been telling me all about the Nargles that have been causing mischief around the castle.

Bill had been unconscious the days following the attack but woke up yesterday. Fleur hasn't left his side, except to collect some clothes from home, and I haven't spoken to either. The guilt keeps crawling up my throat every time I look at the white bandages on Bill's face, throat, and chest.

Fred has been very patient. Since Greyback's attack, I haven't been able to talk about what happened and with Bill unconscious, nobody knew what happened. Molly brought me some books to keep me occupied and Fred has been doing paperwork as he sits by my side.

"Fred," a voice says which has both me and Fred looking up. Fleur is standing at the end of my bed and smiles at us. Fred looks up from the Daily Prophet he had been reading and Fleur continues: "Could you show me where ze green 'ouses are? Madam Pomfrey asked me to collect some ingredients for the green salve for Bill's scars, but I 'aven't been 'ere in years and 'ave forgotten where ze green 'ouses are."

Fred turns to look at me and raises an eyebrow in question. I wave for him to go and after folding the newspaper, he stands up. As he presses a kiss on my forehead, he mutters: "I'll be right back, love."

The two leave the hospital wing and moments after the doors have closed behind them, I hear someone call out my name.

With the others out of the hospital wing, it's only me and Bill remaining. I sigh and close my eyes before lifting my head and looking over at the oldest of the Weasley children. He is laying in the bed opposite me. My heart hurts as I look at his face being covered in scars and somewhere, he reminds me of Mad-Eye.

Bill tries to smile reassuringly at me but I can see it hurts by the way his face contorts. A pang of guilt explodes in my stomach. Bill waves me over and says: "I think it's time we talk, don't you think?"

As slowly as I can manage, I climb out of the bed. I grab the blanket Molly brought me and with small steps, I walk over the cold floor towards the bed Fleur has been occupying. I sit down and wrap the blanket around my bare legs. Avoiding Bill's gaze, I focus on the blanket and its complicated patterns.

"I would do it again in a heartbeat if needed," Bill says. It's not what I expected him to say and I open my mouth to argue: "It's my fault. I should have-"

"Elena," Bill says, interrupting me, "Look at me."

His voice betrays nothing and I force myself to look up at the man.

"This is not your fault. This is Greyback's fault."

From my bed, I can see the scars, but sitting closer to the man, I notice how deep they really are. I can see exactly where Greyback's claws pierced through the skin of Bill's face and throat over and over again. The guilt is crawling at my throat and I feel the tears well up in my eyes. It takes me a moment before I manage to get out: "Bill, I'm so sorry..."