It was the day after. 24 hours since the biggest and most fierce battle in wizarding history had occurred. So many people had been lost to the wrath of Tom Riddle, so much had been destroyed. Yet still people found hope in the smallest of places and in the most unlikely people.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was in ruins as a now lonely young man sat alone on the dark and ruined steps of the once magnificent castle. George Weasley sat alone thinking. Just thinking. So much had happened, so many had died. Including his twin brother Fred. Why Fred? They joked about who was better looking and stupid things like that when deep down George knew it was Fred. Now what was he supposed to do? Did he just move on? How was he supposed to move on? To keep living his life without his other half, his better half, his partner in crime? Suddenly a voice came from behind him, a whisper that was barely audible.
"George?" the husky whisper said.
"Hey Harry." He said miserably, not turning to face Harry but continuing to stare at the rubble covered horizon.
"How are…how are you doing?" He enquired like George was about to explode.
Truth is he was. And he did. "How the bloody hell do you think I'm doing Harry?" He'd snapped, he'd left the hall because he didn't want this to happen and still had.
"WOW! Sorry for caring. I mean you're practically my brother. I hate to see you like this." Harry defended himself. But he knew how George was feeling and he after all only wanted to help.
"But we're not brothers." George finally looks Harry in the eye. Harry didn't even flinch at the harsh words.
"Family is more than blood mate. You're family taught me that. YOU taught me that." George nodded and sighed, knowing that Harry's right.
"Yeah suppose." He paused to stare at the only just visible sun, "How do deal with it Harry. I mean, the pain, the loss, the feeling that it should have been me not him. Him not being their when you turn around." The look of helplessness was obvious on the George's face.
"You don't." Harry said simply, "You grieve, you move on, but you never forget, it's always there this dull ache at heart. But you learn to live with it." George nods again, satisfied with the answer.
"Can I ask you a question Harry?" Harry nodded hesitantly and sat beside him, waiting.
"Yeah sure, as long as it isn't about Ginny, I've already been grilled by Charlie on that one sorry."
For the first time since the battle and Fred's death, George chuckled at the thought of Charlie and Harry's conversation.
"Yeah well, what can I say?" He shook the thought from his mind and back to the question, "Anyway, when Sirius died did it hurt this much?"
Harry for a minute was silent wondering how best to phrase the answer for the grieving brother.
"Well…Yes and no." George looked very confused at this response, "yes because he was my godfather and I regretted how little I got to know him. Plus I felt partly responsible for his death. No because I didn't know him as well as I should have, but it still hurt. And it always will, you just gotta learn how to live with it." And with that George nodded and turn back to the fully risen sun rise.
"Thanks Harry" George looked at the lake, " I never thought I'd say this after all that's happened, but there might be hope for us after all"
"There's always hope George." Harry turned and looked at the the time, "Now let's go get some breakfast, you've already missed dinner and we both know what your mum's like."
George smiles at the thought and walks with the younger boy through the ruins of the place they once called home.
Oh yes. There was hope after all.