A/N: This is a work of fiction using the characters from Harry Potter that are trademarked by J.K. Rowling

Timeline: Post-Series
Characters/Pairings: George-Centric
Warnings: Mentions of Character Death

George Weasley lay awake, his arm wrapped around his still sleeping wife. He looked over at the clock and saw that it was only four in the morning. He knew his son would sleep for another hour or two, hopefully even three if his wife had anything to say about it, but he just couldn't get back to sleep.

George slowly pulled off the covers and removed himself from his wife's embrace. He sat on the edge of the bed and looked back at her peaceful face. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and then leaned down to press a kiss to her still flat stomach.

George walked down the hall and took a quick peek into the nursery to see his son, sound asleep, in his crib. He didn't want to risk waking the baby, so he backed out of the room and continued downstairs. He looked around the main floor and took in all the decorations that adorned their walls. He sat down in front of the fireplace and just stared into the fire. He couldn't believe it had been five years since he had lost his brother. To this day he still felt the whole in his heart that even a loving wife and family couldn't fill.

It was still hard to look himself in the mirror because he saw Fred staring back at him. This year was going to be hard. It was his Frederick, his son's, first Christmas. He always imagined him and Fred celebrating together with their wives and children and instead he grieved for the future that never came to pass.

He wasn't sure how much time passed but he blinked quickly and looked around, finally noticing that the sun had risen and lit up the house. George heard his son upstairs, but he also heard his wife getting out of bed, so he stayed downstairs. He rose from the chair and stretched which resulted in a satisfying crack of his back.

He shuffled up to the fireplace and picked up one of the pictures that rested on the mantle. It was a picture of him, Fred, Percy, Ron and Harry. They had been left at Hogwarts over Christmas during Ron's first year and it was the first time the Weasley's had spent the holidays without their family. It was hard, but they had each other, as always.

"George" a soft voice whispered from behind him. He turned around to see his wife staring at him with worried eyes and holding their son in her arms.

"It's fine, love" He assured her.

George walked up to his wife, gave her a soft loving kiss.

"Are you alright?" his wife asked.

"I just always imagined us having children at the same time and sharing their firsts, together"

His son reached out for him and George was quick to pull him into his arms, "I will be fine, love"

"Come on Rick, there's someone you should meet" he whispered to his son and walked back to the fireplace to pick up the picture once more.

"This is you Uncle Fred. I know he looks just like daddy but less handsome" he spoke in a soft loving voice as he pointed to his brother in the picture, "One day, when you're older, I'm going to tell you all the crazy shenanigans that me and your uncle Fred got up to" when George caught sight of his wife's disapproving but amused gaze he looked down at his son, "But don't do any of them, wouldn't want to give your mum a heart attack now would we?" he smile and tickled his son's belly and laughed along with the baby's delighted giggle.

He moved away from the fireplace and joined his wife by the tree. It may not have been the future he imagined but he was sure Fred was having the time of his live in the after-life with the Marauders and that gave George a little comfort.

Prompt: Write about George Weasley remembering Fred on Christmas Day (Hogwarts School-Christmas Challenge)

Word Count: 663