Chapter 1

Oliver called out to his teammates, "Hey guys, I'll catch up with you later," his eyes were focused on a person sitting at the bar hunched over a shot of fire whiskey, "There is something that I have to do." All of Oliver's Puddlemere United teammates wished him a good night and filed out of the Leaky Cauldron. Oliver approached the familiar man with caution, he was unsure if he would be welcome to join the red haired man or if he would have been rejected. George Weasley had been through hell and anyone could see that by the way he was sitting at the bar tonight. It was where he spent most of his nights, trying to drown the sorrow. George's clothes looked tattered and wrinkled as if he had been wearing them for days, which he may have, and his hair was sticking up in the oddest of ways. If Oliver hadn't known what George had been through, he wouldn't have approached him. But Oliver knew that George needed someone to talk to, to be there for him, even if George didn't think so himself.

Oliver approached George and gently placed a hand on his shoulder, "George, may I join you?" asked Oliver. George only nodded towards the empty stool beside him, giving no indication whether he minded or not. Oliver sat down next to his old friend and ordered a butter beer.

"Why are you here?" asked George so quietly Oliver was unsure if he heard anything at first.

"I was here with some of my mates from quiditch when I saw you sitting here. I thought that maybe I would stop and say hello. I thought maybe you would like some company or just to talk."

"I don't have anything to say and I don't make very good company. You can sit here as long as you like, but don't expect much from me," replied George with sadness and a slight sneer in his voice, unlike the George he had know in school. After the war and the death of his twin George recoiled inside himself, literally cutting himself off from the rest of his family. He went to great lengths to avoid his brothers, his mum and dad, and Harry; all of which tired and failed to comfort him. He missed Fred and there was no one who could have felt the same as George felt all the time. He didn't need someone to sympathize with him, or feel sorry for him. All he wanted was his twin, his best friend, his other half back and that was never going to happen. George spared a sideways glance at Oliver, only to find the man looking straight ahead. He didn't see the normal sad, sorry look that he found in most of companions. Oliver looked as if he was lost in his own thoughts.

"You know my season with the United is over for a few months, it's been a while since I've stayed any length of time here in England in a long time. It's been months since I've been to my flat. I'm not even sure what kind of state it will be in when I get there tonight," said Oliver trying to make conversation. George didn't make any re mark, but just continued to stare at Oliver. Oliver knew that George wouldn't open up to him right away. But he would continue to talk to him and hope that in time George would talk back.

"We were amazing this year, though we didn't make it the World Cup, we cam closer than we have before; maybe next year we'll have better luck. We've been training a new seeker; He's almost as good as Harry. Though I doubt, we'll ever have anyone as good as Harry. Too bad he decided to become an Auror. I miss him; we sometimes keep in touch, not as regularly as I would like but we're both busy." Oliver usually did not talk as much as this, but he had a captive audience with George and George appeared to still be listening to him. Oliver smiled at George, not really expecting one in return, and he wasn't disappointed.

Oliver kept talking for the next hour as he slowly finished his butter beer and George had several shots and just listened. Oliver wasn't sure if he was getting through to George or not but at least he knew where George was and what he was doing.

Finally George stood and said, "I'm leaving." But he didn't get very far before he stumbled to the ground landing face first. Oliver knelt down to help his friend up and saw blood pouring from his nose. George was out cold.

Oliver waved his wand and uttered a quick healing charm to stop the blood and then he gathered George into his arms, surprised at how light his friend had gotten. Oliver carried him out into the courtyard behind the bar and twisted on the spot, hoping that he was doing the right thing.

He appeared in front of a building in Hogsmead along the main street, his apartment was on the first floor. George moaned in his arms, but didn't open his eyes. Oliver carried him through to his apartment and into his own bedroom. He gently laid George down on the bed and removed he cloak and dragon hide boots, pulling the covers over his friend.

Oliver sat down in a chair across the room and was determined to stay there the rest of the night to make sure his friend was not alone and okay. Oliver didn't know if George would be grateful or hate him in the morning for taking care of him, but Oliver didn't want to leave George alone and in the state he was in. All he could do was sit and wait, and be there for him when he came to in the morning.

"Fred, no please don't go. Please don't leave me again. Please." George murmured over and over again as he tossed and turned in the bed, tangling himself in the sheets covering him.

Oliver got up into the bed with him and held him tight, "Shh, George, please baby calm down, I'm here. It's Oliver. I'm here to help you. Please wake up."

"Oliver," George said quietly as he slowly opened his eyes. George held on tighter weeping into Oliver's chest.

"I'm here darling. Its okay let it out. I'll keep you safe."

"Please don't leave me Oliver. I don't' want to be alone. I don't want to be alone," George kept repeating over and over again.

"I'm not going anywhere; I'll be with you until you wake up. Just rest now, George, just rest," Oliver said, slowly George's sobs slowed and his breathing became deeper and he was asleep once more. Oliver kept his promise and stayed with him for the rest of the night, holding and protecting him from his nightmares.