hospital visit
WHO: Leanne, Lisa, Michael, Draco, Teddy, and Ernie WHAT: Run in at St. Mungo's! WHERE: ...I just said. WHEN: Over the weekend. RATING:PG STATUS: DONE NOTE: Works isn't working properly at the moment so I edited by hand. My apologies if there are any glaring errors. Mwah!
Michael wasn't at all sure he belonged going to St. Mungo's to visit Fred, but Lisa had managed to talk some reason into him. He arrived for evening visiting hours looking uncharacteristically unsure of himself, but arrived nonetheless. He sought out Fred's room at the information desk and tried to bravely stroll toward it. However, his legs felt weak the closer he got. He had never experienced death prior to the war; therefore, he had been haunted by it since that last miserable battle. His dreams scared him, but he didn't tell anyone. No, for the world, he had to maintain that image of a self-assured jokester. Unfortunately, it was hard to keep such an attitude when standing in a hospital.
He finally managed to get to Fred's floor. When he got there, his jaw nearly hit the ground. Alright, seeing MacMillan wasn't a shock, but Malfoy and Nott? Suddenly feeling ridiculous for thinking he didn't belong, Michael rushed over to them to find out exactly what they were up to.
Leanne wasn't terribly thrilled that she left work later than she had planned. What if Fred had woken up and she wasn't there to see it? She hoped that if it happened, that someone was there visiting him when she couldn't be. Leanne knew his family was there during most of the day, but Tonks was the only other visitor that she knew of. In a hurry to see Fred now that she was done for the day, Leanne accidentally ran into Lisa Turpin. She hastily apologized and continued to Fred's room, leaving Lisa behind. When she got to the room, she was certainly shocked to see several people there as well. However shocked she was, Leanne was glad to see others there too.
A moment later, Lisa entered the room, glad to see that Michael did come. She walked over to him and grabbed his hand, giving it a little squeeze. "How is he doing?" Lisa asked.
"He's in a coma," Michael reminded her as he squeezed back. "I suppose that's better than..." He trailed off, unsure of how to finish. His belief that Fred would be alright was going to hell in that room.
Ernie smiled at the new visitors. "The firm wanted to bring some gifts," he explained. "I coerced Draco and Teddy into helping me." He waved to the baskets of fruit, sweets, and magazines. "He'll never be bored when he wakes up."
"And now we're going." Draco spoke tersely and shot Teddy a look.
"We only came to help," Teddy quickly added. He hadn't expected to run into anyone and it was really hard to defend being there. He was pretty sure Ernie was trying to coerce them into getting along with the rest of his friends, but...well. That was going to be hard.
"He'll be okay." Lisa said optimistically. A coma was better than being dead and that was what she thought when Michael spoke.
Leanne wasn't so sure. She wouldn't be sure until he was out of the coma and actually better than when he came in. "Thanks, Ernie. I'm sure he'll appreciate it when he wakes up. And thank you Draco and Theodore too." Leanne looked at Michael. "I'm sure Fred would appreciate you visiting too, Michael." After speaking to him over the journals, Leanne hadn't expected him to show up or if he did it wouldn't have been while she was there.
Michael didn't really know Leanne's schedule nor did he really think he needed to avoid her. Sure, they had bickered, but he barely knew her and didn't think much on it. He didn't support her theories, but he knew Fred liked her so how bad could she be? "I wasn't sure I should," he admitted. Smiling slyly at Lisa, he added, "This one convinced me." Grinning, he put an arm across her shoulders and kissed her cheek.
Draco's eyes narrowed. "That the reason for all the 'I am so happy the sun is shining' posts?" He looked from Lisa to Michael.
Teddy nudged his cousin. "Not the place," he muttered.
"Fred likes you," she told him. It was true. Leanne looked at Lisa, who looked to be blushing. "That was great of you," Leanne said to Lisa.
Lisa felt her cheeks grow hotter when Draco had looked between her and Michael. "Yes," Lisa said simply. "And it wasn't too hard." It hadn't taken her that long to convince Michael to come. She was content that she was able to convince him to come. Lisa thought he needed to come visit.
Ernie wished Hermione was there. France seemed so far away when he was confronted with a happy couple. It was selfish, but Ernie wanted her closer again. "Congratulations," he said to them. "Lisa's probably the only one who can handle him." He winked at Leanne.
"Handle Corner voluntarily?" Draco rolled his eyes. "I envy Weasley. At least he doesn't have to look at this."
"Don't listen to him," Teddy told Lisa. "He's just angry we wouldn't let him stop for food."
"Thanks," Lisa responded before glaring at Malfoy for his comment. "Maybe you should stop for food after you leave here?" Although she was saying it to Teddy, she was definitely looking at Malfoy while she said it.
Leanne smiled. At least there was something happy going on. There wasn't much she was happy about, but she was hopeful that seeing Michael and Lisa being happy would pass to the rest of the wizarding world. "You never know. Fred might enjoy seeing this."
"Malfoy in his room? He's likely waking up just to hex him." Leaving Lisa for the moment, he joined Draco to punch him in the arm. "Truce, alright, mate?"
Draco stared at the whole lot of them like they were crazy. Sometimes he didn't mind Corner, but, honestly. the plan had been to drop off the damn baskets and leave. And what was that feeling? Guilt? Remorse? He should have been dancing to see a Weasel like that.
"Always did manage to get cranky without a proper meal," Teddy cut in, trying to take the edge off. He didn't know what to make of the whole situation, but things did feel differently since leaving school. Houses weren't quite his entire life anymore. "Do you all want us to bring you something back?" He looked at Leanne, letting her know he really meant her. He was concerned she wasn't taking care of herself.
"He'd still enjoy it, I'm sure." Leanne responded. She wouldn't have minded if that happened one bit. Probably be a good laugh and that was something they could all use. Leanne shook her head. "I don't need anything." She didn't want to inconvenience anyone and she was fine.
Lisa didn't pay attention to what Teddy said, and was sure he was talking to Leanne about bringing something back. "Was that necessary, Michael?"
"What did I do?" Michael demanded.
Ernie winced, thinking his idea to run baskets over and run hadn't been thought out too well. "We really should he going..."
"And anything for you, Leanne?" Teddy pressed. He didn't know her too well, but he identified with her. She was living the same shackled life he was so it made him want to help in any small way he could.
"Punching him?" Lisa asked Michael.
"You can stay as long as you want," Leanne told Ernie. She looked at Teddy next. "I don't need anything at all, Theodore. Thank you for asking though."
"He didn't punch me!" Draco didn't need anyone thinking Corner bested him. "He was doing that insufferable male prowess thing. Very muggle."
"Oh, come off it!" Michael grinned and returned to Lisa, pulling her closer to Fred's bed. "Hear all this, boss? Don't you have anything to say here?"
"If he does, it really IS time for us to go..." Draco fairly pouted at Ernie and Teddy.
"Not before Leanne tells me what she wants to eat," Teddy insisted.
"Oy, Leanne, he won't rest you know." Ernie flashed the older girl an understanding smile. When his father had passed, he hadn't wanted anything either. Well, other than to be left alone.
"Michael is very good about that, but it did look like he punched you." Lisa remarked before laughing. "I bet he does have something to say about all this."
"I don't want anything to eat. Honest!" Leanne said as she shook her head again. "I'm quite stubborn myself and I really don't need anything. I'm fine."
"We can get her something later if she wants?" Lisa suggested. If the others wanted to go and her and Michael stayed a while longer, they could get something for Leanne if she wanted. "Though, I do think you should take him up on his offer."
Leanne sighed. "Oh fine. A cup of tea if you don't mind?" It wasn't food, but it was at least something.
"Sounds brilliant." Draco grabbed his cousin by the arm. "Have a lovely evening." He glanced at Fred. "Or...I mean, I hope..."
"We hope he gets better really soon," Ernie said, saving Draco. He joined his two old friends. "We'll send that tea right up." He knew there was no way Draco was setting foot in that room again.
"If you need anything else, let us know." Teddy smiled once again though he spared Fred another glance. He didn't like much about what he knew of the twins, but it was still horrible to see someone so young in such a precarious position.
"Bye now," Michael replied to their retreating guests. He wasn't ready to leave. He actually wanted some alone time with the boss who had become a friend.
"I hope so too. And thanks." Leanne said as they started to leave. Then there were three of them. She didn't know what to say to the remaining two visitors. There probably wasn't a need to say anything anyway.
Lisa knew that Leanne was getting a cup of tea, but Lisa felt the need to do something. "Need anything, Michael? And are you sure you don't want anything else, Leanne?" Lisa saw Leanne shake her head again.
Michael shook his head. "No, I am fine, love." The term slipped and Michael held his breath. It was different to say it when they were dating.
"Okay. Let me know though, if you change your mind." Lisa told him. "I'll be back shortly." She gave Michael a quick kiss before leaving the room.
Wait, why was she leaving? Michael felt afraid to be alone in that room without his moral support. Even with Leanne there, Michael felt scared to death.
When Lisa was gone, he looked at Leanne awkwardly. "Um, so, how was your day?" Damn stupid question, but Michael didn't know what else to say.
How was her day? Leanne didn't know how to respond to that question. Well, she did, but he wouldn't understand if she simply replied with that it was the same as usual, the type of answer she would have given Fred. "Busy. Lot of paperwork to fill out and file." Leanne told him after a moment of thinking. "How are the shops doing?"
Michael nodded. "I bet." He dug his hands into his pockets, wishing he was anywhere but there. He usually knew what to say, but he was having trouble. Perhaps he felt guiltier about their little spat than he had thought. "They're going well. Sales wise, we're up. Hear that, boss?" He tried to keep his voice light in case it was true that people could hear in comas.
"That's great!" Leanne told him. Ever since Fred had been there, Leanne hadn't spent any time at the Diagon Alley shop. There hadn't been a real reason to with her working all day and wanting to visit Fred when she was off. "Sorry about the other day." Leanne felt that she was still right in her thinking, that someone had done this to Fred. At least Tonks believed her and that was enough for now.
Michael looked at her in surprise. "Sorry for what?" He knew things had gotten heated, but he didn't really think any apologies necessary. "You...you were in a bad spot. I should have backed off."
Leanne focused on Fred. She didn't really want to look at Michael. "I was-am in a bad spot. I don't know what to do."
Not knowing what else to do, Michael crossed to Leanne and rested a hand on her shoulder. "There's nothing to do, but have hope." He thought it sounded very Hufflepuff, but it was true.
"What if hoping isn't enough?" Leanne asked. That was all she had been doing and she losing faith every day that Fred was still in a coma.
"Since when can't it be everything?" Michael challenged. "Only a year ago, we all thought the world was going to be ruled by Darkness...look what hope did."
"That was different. You were either for or against defeating You-Know-Who. It affected every one of us. Not everyone is going to even care about Fred. There isn't as much hope for him compared to hope for us all to have a better life." Leanne told him. "I hope with all my heart that he gets better. And I don't think it is enough."
Michael chuckled softly. "Are you kidding me? Have you seen how many Weasleys there are? You are far from alone, Leanne. All the customers keep asking after him even." He draped an arm across her shoulders. "Just keep hoping. Every last wish is important."
"I know there are a lot of them. I know all that. I've seen most of them while I've been here." Leanne told him. "Oh have they? That's wonderful." She sighed, "I'm trying to." Leanne felt somewhat comforted by his gesture. "Thanks."