Who: Gideon and Molly (npc) Where: St. Mungos When: December 1978 Rating: R for content ?? Thank you to Lee, Elf, and Harleen for the hand-holding with this!
Breathing shallowly - he was too panicked to manage his air intake properly - he tried to slow it down, to control his wheezing. His lungs were constricting and he was barely able to force air from them through his nose. A thousand needles stabbed into his head, too many to see, to open his eyes or feel anything else.
Crucio!
I don't think he likes it, darling.
Should I try it again?
He's taking it better than the Auror. I say yes.
At least his voice didn't hurt any longer - he was sure he'd screamed himself hoarse hours ago.
Dear Merlin, if he hurt that much, poor Fabian… The last thing Gideon remembered was some spell - damn if he could remember the incantation for it - being cast on him. His leg and hand. It had felt as though someone was peeling his skin back with a dull knife.
But they hadn't tried it on him first. No, they had tested it on Fabian before touching Gideon…
Gideon! Help me. Oh my god… Gideon!
…and his mind shied away from that memory. His older brother, his protector, his shield throughout his entire life had screamed and cried for him, and Gideon had been unable to help. He remembered the manacles. Even now, Gideon's heart raced, but instead of moving, he twitched his fingers, unwilling to betray that he was awake, not quite certain where he was yet.
Panicked voices surrounding him… no… anger. Fury that they were interrupted before they were done with the brothers.
And then blessed Moody, his voice clearer than an angel's.
Come on, lad, hang in there. This is going to hurt but we've got to get you home.
Too many hands on his body, their touch fire to his skin, burning stubs of coal trying to hold him still, keep his secure as they transported him somewhere safe.
He's not going to make it.
Someone put him to sleep before we drop him!
There's so much blood…
The taste of copper in his mouth, flowing rust coloured as he was nailed with spikes through his leg, his wrist.
Staunch that blood flow or we'll lose him!
He needs a transfusion.
What about his brother?
Tainted from the curses.
Doesn't he have a sister?
Yeah… I think so.
Well then, go find out!
Song, music, the strings of a guitar, the voice of a child, singing softly. Sometimes with the guitar, sometimes without.
Mum? What's wrong with Gid?
He's healing, sweetheart.
Why's it taking so long?
He's in a lot of pain, we just have to wait for him to wake up.
~ * ~
The steady beep of monitors, the quiet murmur of voices. Couldn't he just continue to sleep forever?
Molly sobbing. That was what finally made him choose to open his eyes.
"Don't cry, sister," he whispered.
"Gid… Gideon?"
"Yeah."
"Oh! Thank Merlin you're alive."
"Shhh… don't cry, Molly. I'm here. I won't leave you."
"I never thought…" she couldn't continue through her tears and Gideon reached over - his hands free, not bound, not even bruised and he remembered how much he loved magic - to caress her face.
"I need to get a Healer in here." Her voice broke, somewhere between anxious and happy. "Oh, Gideon."
"Of course, but first… Molly, where's Fabian?" And she couldn't meet his eyes. Covering her mouth, she glanced away, looking around the room until she found a Daily Prophet.
"Just look, Gideon."
"At what?"
"The… the… date. Just look at the date."
The cover had some Ministry official standing outside in falling snow and he frowned. It had been chilly, but it was way too early in the year for snow. He was so tired, and confused. "Molly, please."
Finally, she must have realized how he felt and with a sigh, she took the paper away, leaning over to kiss his forehead. "I love you, little brother."
"I love you too, big sister. But how is Fabian?"
She shook her head, rubbing Gideon's head. "Sleep, and we'll talk about it as soon as you're awake again."
His last waking thought was how come his hair felt so short.
~ * ~
Eventually, Gideon learned to control his fear every time he woke, though he still wanted answers. He needed to know what no one would tell him and the longer the silence, the more he feared the truth. Was Fabian in a coma? He couldn't be dead, could he? There was no way that Gideon could have survived if his brother was dead. None. Fabian was the Auror, the smarter, stronger one.
Wasn't he?
The pain from his leg never really faded and Gideon began to dread the number of Healers who came through those first two days, the men and women who refused to answer his questions, but constantly prodded him.
Does this hurt? Can you feel this?!
Eventually, he stopped speaking to them, crossing his arms on his chest until Molly returned and Gideon demanded some answers.