Molly Weasley sits in the living room of the Burrow late on Christmas Eve. Everyone else is asleep, even Arthur now that the presents are under the tree.
She looks around at all the Christmas decorations but something doesn't feel right. It doesn't have that warm feeling that comes with Christmas. The tree stays unlit, the pile of presents under the tree is small (though this is not new to the Weasleys), and there is only eight stockings hung on the mantle.
Molly begins to cry as she realizes this is the first Christmas they will spend without Fred. It doesn't seem fair that they go on with life and the holidays when Fred never can.
Suddenly she feels very lonely. The warm tears stream down her face as she remembers last Christmas. Voldemort on the loose, little money, but they were all together and that had made it perfect. The war was over now, money wasn't quite as scarce, but this time they weren't together. The Weasley family wasn't complete when Fred wasn't there with them.
Molly isn't sure why she is breaking down like this now. Fred has been dead for months. Maybe it is just because it was Christmas time. Isn't Christmas a time when you are supposed to be happy? Isn't it a time for giving and for love? Isn't Christmas meant for families to be together?
The wind blows the back door open engulfing Molly in cold air. She walks over and stands in the doorway. Then she spots the monument to Fred George has made. There is a blanket of snow covering it but she knows what is there. His broom, sweets, a photo of him and George, a few of his favorite pranks, and his wand. Molly is shivering though it is not just from the cold. She closes the door and walks up to her room thinking of Fred.
Merry Christmas, Darling, wherever you are.