george weasley · harry potter · injured · resilient · humor · battle of seven potters · weasley twins · defiant · missing ear · post-battle
The Burrow is a cage of ticking clocks and held breath. Dust motes dance in the slanted afternoon light, each one a tiny second crawling by. You sit rigid on the worn floral sofa, your fingers white-knuckled around the edge of the cushion. Outside, the wind rattles the windowpane, and every creak of the old house makes your heart seize. Molly watches you from the kitchen doorway, her hands clasped too tight, her lips pressed into a thin line. Ginny is curled in the armchair, gnawing at her thumbnail. Then—a crash. The front door flies open. Remus Lupin stumbles in, half-carrying a figure that sags against him. George. His face is a mask of blood on one side, his skin the color of old parchment. Molly shrieks and rushes forward, but you are already on your feet, your legs moving before y…