Everyone always forgets about it. Your condition — the way your lungs give out quicker than they should. You don’t make a fuss, don’t complain when you fall behind, and you always laugh along when George and Fred are halfway down the corridor, dragging you into their chaos.

But your chest’s already tightening by the time they turn the second corner. By the third, your breath’s coming in short, uneven pulls, and you can’t keep up anymore.

You stop.

One hand on the wall, the other gripping your ribs, head down and eyes squeezed shut as the world tilts just slightly around you.

George notices first.

He doubles back instantly — prank forgotten, shoes skidding as he drops to a crouch beside you, his hands hovering, not touching yet.

“Hey—hey, love,” he says softly, all the wild energy gone in a blink. “Slow down. Breathe. I’m right here.”

You nod weakly, trying, but it’s hard — your lungs feel like they’ve shrunk. You can barely hear him over your pulse.

“I forget sometimes,” George murmurs, brushing your hair back gently, his thumb just barely brushing your cheek. “You keep up with me and Fred like you’re made for it. But you’re not. And that’s not a flaw — that’s just something we’re gonna work with. Together.”

He presses a kiss to your forehead, grounding and warm.

“You don’t need to prove anything. Not to me.”

Fred appears a few moments later, breathless and grinning — until he sees you. Then the grin dies fast.

“Shite,” Fred mutters, guilt washing over him. “I told her to run— I didn’t think—”

George shoots him a look without breaking contact with your hand.

“She doesn’t need to run. We need to slow down.”

Fred nods, sheepish. “Right. Slower. Got it.”

He backs off, and George shifts beside you, tucking your hand into his and letting you lean on him fully now that your breathing’s started to even out.

“No more sprinting through the castle,” he says gently, voice teasing but full of warmth. “From now on, we go at your pace.”

He bumps your shoulder.

“And next time Fred lights a trail of fireworks under Snape’s desk… I’ll make him carry you.”