LAST LAUGH
George Weasley stared down at the dead corpse of his brother. The shock had finally worn off and now he just stared at his brother's face. He felt as though half of him had died, and he choked back tears that never seemed to escape. His mother was crying, Ginny was in shock, and his father had tears streaming down his face. George looked at Percy and Ron, who didn't seem to fare any better. Suddenly Ron went and joined the rest of the family. This left Percy alone, which was exactly what George was looking for. He walked up to Percy, and gave him a meaningful look. The other Weasley understood and they both stepped out briefly. George rounded on Percy. "He's laughing." The other Weasley held back a silent sob and responded.
"Fred?" He seemed to stiffen and he looked ready to break down. George nodded.
"He's got a smile on his face." Percy gave a watery smile.
"He was making a joke before…before…" Percy couldn't bring himself to say it. George fought an urge to laugh and cry at the same time. "He was saying that he hadn't heard me tell a joke in ages," Percy gave a chuckle. "Then there was an explosion, and Rockwood, and I was so confused. Then I saw his body and," he stopped. George muttered quietly. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"He died laughing. Fred got the last laugh in the end." Percy looked shocked.
"How could he have gotten the last laugh? He's dead! HE'S NOT COMING BACK! And I was such a jerk, such a stupid jerk!" Percy yelled. George looked at Percy squarely in the eyes.
"He forgave you. We all did." This did little to comfort the older Weasley. The tears were pouring freely now. George looked at his older brother. "I know-knew," he corrected himself painfully, "how Fred thought. He got the last laugh. He didn't die in fear, in sadness. He died happy, laughing. I'm not sure you understand." George waited for Percy's response. The older Weasley let out a sad laugh through his tears.
"He never ceases to amaze me. The things the two of you would do. He never seemed to let life bring him down. And even now, he didn't He defeated death. He died happy. Laughing. Making jokes." Percy's speech finally cracked George. The twin let out a few tears, and then he broke down completely. He sobbed as reality finally struck him. Percy pulled him into a hug. George pulled away a few moments later. "Will you be okay?" Percy asked. George didn't know the answer.
"Will I be okay?" He repeated the question. And then he heard it. He knew it was his twin's voice. "Of course you will. You're George. I know you'll get through this. And wen we finally meet up again we'll hit Aunt Muriel with so many pranks the old lady will hate us for eternity. That is if she doesn't outlast you It seems like that woman will never die." Then with a final laugh that George knew so well the voice disappeared.
Percy was looking expectantly at him. "I know how hard this is, and I know right now you probably think I'm asking a stupid question but will you be okay?" George gave Percy a smile.
"It hurts, but I'll be okay." He and Percy entered the Great Hall and George stared at the ceiling. One of the stars shone brightly and twinkled merrily. "I know I will be."
A/N: I know I'm not that good a writer but I had to get this out of my head. Fred's death hit me the hardest not only because it was unexpected but also because he and George were my favorite characters. And the epilogue sucked.