George stared out over the lake, tears rolling silently from his eyes. He was too tired to cry anymore, too exhausted to think, but the tears kept flowing.
It was getting cold now. And dark. People would be looking for him soon. He didn't want to be with them, he didn't want to be with anyone, it was unnatural to be with anyone without him.
He gasped once, his chest was aching now, and it hurt to breathe.
Would it be like this forever? Until he joined him?
George clenched his fists and glared tearily at the water.
It wasn't fair.
Fred had never been selfish before, why was he starting now?
George was cold now; shivers wracked his body as he tried to think sluggishly through the pain.
Suddenly there was a small warm hand on his fist and he couldn't help but look down.
Luna peered owlishly at him, the first real frown he'd ever seen twisting her permanently surprised face.
She took a step back from him and wordlessly presented something to him that he hadn't noticed she was holding before.
It was a little wooden raft with a sail made of paper. Painted in blue on the paper was one word:
Fred.
George couldn't help the sob torn from his chest when he noticed two paper people sitting in the boat next to a thin candle.
Luna knelt by the edge of the lake and motioned for him to kneel with her.
He did.
She pulled his wand from his pocket and gave it to him silently.
George knew what to do.
He lit the candle and sent the boat off gently on the water.
It hurt to watch Fred float away, but somehow it was ok, because George could see himself sitting with his brother on the boat, looking after him.
A fresh wave of tears flowed down George's face but he could almost smile.
He hugged Luna briefly to thank her for all that she had done then got slowly to his feet, knowing what he had to do.
By the end of the night the lake was illuminated with candles on makeshift boats, each bearing one name, or more.
Everybody who had stayed at the end of the battle had gathered around the lake to say goodbye to their loved ones and let them go.
People were holding hands and crying softly but it was ok.
They were going to be ok.
After all, it wasn't goodbye.
Just until we meet again.