In the Flash Before the Building Crumbled
A story of denial, yes - and yet a story that could be true, if you choose to read it as such.
Summary: DEATHLY HALLOWS SPOILERS. It broke your heart – but it was naught but a well-fabricated lie, a ploy orchestrated by a Dark Lord planning to rise up in the ashes of Lord Voldemort, who plans to use the intelligence and cunning of one Fred Weasley to succeed in his evil plans…
Disclaimer: If I was Jo, this story wouldn't need to be written. JK Rowling is my favourite writer of all time, and I can't begin to express my gratitude that she left the trio and Ginny alive – but killing one twin and leaving the other alive? I'd never thought her capable of that, and it pains me more than I ever thought it would. This is where fanfiction can Save Our Souls, and I hope this will give you some satisfaction if you are as heartbroken as I am. There will be no more books. This could be canon. I know I'm going to see it as such, because the alternative is impossible for me to comprehend.
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Chapter 1: The Twin
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"You're joking, Perce!" Fred shouted excitedly, glancing over at his big brother, fighting right alongside him – as it should be. "You actually are joking, Perce… I don't think I've heard you joke since you were -" and he broke off, feeling his body stiffen and his windpipe constrict briefly as something sharp and heavy hurtled him out of the way, something obstructed his vision for a brief moment – and then he saw, out of the corner of his eye, a body fall to the ground beside him, red hair obstructing the face of the fallen. Percy! he thought wildly fighting as hard as he could against the magical binds, as somebody screamed. But wait… his heart caught in his throat as he got a closer look at the Weasley, smile frozen on his face, lying stiff on the ground only feet from where Fred was lying. His mind had gone into shock, only registering one word… George.
It couldn't be, Fred thought desperately, struggling with the overwhelming feeling of despair coursing through him. He couldn't have lost his twin, he just couldn't have! He couldn't, full stop! He tried desperately to get a better look, and as Percy moved slightly out of the way, he saw – an ear, where an ear should not be. 'Ear, 'ear, his mind echoed. But wait. It couldn't be… Fred gasped soundlessly as he felt his body lift, floating away from the scene, and though everyone's eyes were on the body, he couldn't believe no one noticed... and he wondered, had he died? Should he be able to wonder at all though, if he was dead? And should he be floating along, quite aware of his stiff arms and legs, and struggling with all his might against the binds keeping them so, if his body was still lying on the ground where it had fallen, lifeless? Somehow Fred didn't think so. Besides, hadn't he just reasoned that George couldn't be dead? If that was the case, Fred couldn't be dead if George wasn't, either! Before they had entered this battle, they had decided on that. They were prepared to fight and, if necessary, die for Harry and a free and happy wizarding world, but they would not allow one to die without the other. They'd promised, Fred thought stubbornly. Where was George, anyway? Fred felt ridiculous, floating on out of the castle, apparently unseen by any of his friends and family as they cried out in grief, gathered around his fallen body… this was all very undignified, he thought. And then the world went black.