Al hadn't said a word since they had arrived in the Hospital Wing. He really didn't think he could. A lump had lodged itself there between that absolute terror that something was wrong with his kid sister that no one could automatically fix and the crushing shame that he had reacted in no way fast enough to prevent anything from happening to her.
Jamie's arm around his shoulder was a little comforting, but Al still couldn't get past it all.
The real terror was not hearing anyone saying that it was a simple fix and Lily'd be okay in an hour or so.
He was seventeen years old and he felt roughly seven.
Al took a breath and moved to give his mum a one-armed hug. The only thing he was glad for was that the family was all here. They couldn't do anything, but it seemed better than being by himself at school with Lily.