" Hermione?" George crept into the room, quietly closing the door behind him.
I turned to see him in his old G sweater and jeans. Another tear fell as i realized there would never be another F sweater again. He looked so distraught. Fred and George had never been apart. Now in just a flash, Fred was gone and they would always be apart. They had been identical but i could always tell them apart. George had a couple of moles on his neck and his smile was usually more of a grin compared to Fred's full on smile.
" Hello George. How you holding up?" I patted the spot on the bed beside me for him to sit. He crawled up into the bed beside me and leaned back against the wall.
" As well as i can i suppose. I wanted to put Fred's sweater on just to feel like he was here, but i didn't want to stress mum out. I don't know what i'm going to do Hermione. I can't run the shop without him. I can't do anything without him really." He just stared at the opposite wall. He had shed so many tears already i don't think he had anymore left.
" I know. Off all the people who passed, his has been the hardest. It's like the sun was extinguished. I didn't realize how much he made me laugh until now. Both of you really, but Fred for the most part." I wrapped my arm in his and laid my head on his shoulder. Everyone else was dealing with things in their own way. George and i grieved in similar ways.
" That's because he loved getting you riled up. I was smarter. I didn't want you to retaliate." He chuckled.
" That you were. Remember when he tried to hang that bell over my head to ring every 10 seconds while i was studying for finals and you body slammed him to stop him." I started laughing at the memory of George flying through the air to stop Fred.
" How could i forget? I banged my head on the wall when i landed. The one thing we all knew was not to disturb you when studying. He was about to break the golden rule. He had to be stopped." He smiled at the memory as well.
" You know what Harry told me later after that?" I turned to him, silently wondering if i should be admitting this. " He said that you protecting me from your own partner in crime meant something. He thought you liked me." George's eyes widened at the reveal then he smiled again and leaned his head back closing his eyes.
" Actually it was Fred that liked you. I was trying to keep him from pissing you off and ruining his chance." Freds smile turned into a frown. " He wanted to tell you but then he saw how close you and Ron were getting and he backed off. He was happy for you though, don't get me wrong. I think he mainly just wanted you around." A slight smile returned but i still saw a hint of sadness.
" Honestly i felt something for him too. I was confused for the longest about what to do. But my feelings for Ron were stronger and he was more obvious about it i guess so i let it go. Maybe if i hadn't Fred would still be here." Tears began to fall from my eyes again. Was it my fault Fred was gone. George pulled me tighter against him.
" It isn't your fault Hermione. It was a small crush honestly. He backed off long before he died. Just remember the good times with him. That's what i do. Like the time we glued Percy to the toilet." We both burst out laughing. Percy screamed for hours, before Ginny finally took pity on him. I would have but he mocked the book i had been reading so i stayed where i was in petty revenge.
George and i stayed on the bed for hours just talking about Fred's antics. It was the best way to remember him. Fred deserved to be remembered.