A/N: I know I'm late. I had this idea in my head since I read the book for the first time, but my writing skills were never too good then. And when I watched the movie a few weeks ago (I watched it twice. Baha.), I just couldn't stop myself. It took me a few weeks to settle some of the issues in my life (the main one being school), and there. I managed to get this written before I got off my inspirational-high. Read and review! I apologise for any grammatical errors or incorrect sentence structures. This fic isn't beta-ed. I tried my best. No flames, constructive criticisms are welcome. Don't forget to leave a review! Oh, and do listen to the song. I'll See You Again by Westlife (I love them). It's a really emotional song, just a warning.
I'll See You Again
Summary: Though his twin was gone, George was sure he'll see him again. And he does. A delayed tribute to two of my favourite characters. Possible two-shot, post Deathly Hallows, songfic, please read and review.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything you recognise, the characters belong to the lovely JKR. And I do not own the song either. 'I'll See You Again" is a song sung by Westlife.
Denial. The best way to shut everyone out. The best way to shut the truth out. The best way to keep believing that his twin will poke his head through the room they used to share at The Burrow, and smack him hard on the head for not trying to complete their latest product. But no, he wasn't going to do that. Fred was never going to smack George across his head, Fred was never going to bicker with George over a silly mistake in their product, he was never going to be right beside George to finish his sentences and mess. Because Fred Weasley was dead.
George, even two weeks after the battle, was having a hard time coping with his brother's -no, his twin's- death. It was too abrupt. They were born together. So it was natural that they should die together, right? Or at least, live a life full of pranks and jokes together, for another 80 more years. But Fred was so cruelly killed, and now George is so cruelly separated from the only human being who knew him inside out.
"George? Come on, m'boy. It's time", he heard his father call from the doorway, and George looked up from where he was sitting on Fred's bed. The man standing at the door, he looked older than ever now. His son's death had taken a bad toll on him, but even then, Arthur Weasley had stayed strong for the sake of his wife and his children. Sometimes, George wished he could be as strong as his father. Unfortunately, he hadn't put on a tough front. He hadn't cried, no, but he couldn't speak to anyone either. It was like as if he has retreated so deep into himself, that he'd never be able to smile or talk again.
Nevertheless, George got up and slowly made his way to the open field behind The Burrow together with his father, to pay his last respect to Fred. He had a speech to deliver, and he hoped he wouldn't break down. Not too hard, at least. Fred would be disappointed beyond believe.
George sat at the front row together with the other redheads, listening to everything the people who went up had to say about his twin. He couldn't help but let out a quiet, bitter laugh at one point. Fred was known as nothing but trouble when he lived. And now, he was 'the hero who died fighting for the betterment of this Wizarding World'. If Fred was hearing this, Merlin, he would be laughing his arse of right now. When he was called to give his last speech for his brother, George stood up gingerly and walked slowly to the podium.
"Good morning to everyone who have gathered here today to pay your respects to my beloved brother. I can't begin to express the gratitude my family and I feel for having all of you here, to be part of our little goodbye to Fred. Thank you", he started, looking into every single sombre faces seated before him. Most of them were surprised George was talking like this; he was George Weasley. He was never polite. But he knew he had to thank these people, because it meant a great deal to him that they were here for the Weasleys.
"Fred Weasley, to those of you who haven't realised it yet, is my twin. I look like him. Well, more like he looks like me. We still haven't ended our debate as to who's the older one", he chuckled, and the others chuckled along with him.
When they had settled into a solemn mood once again, George continued to the much more emotional, heartfelt part of his speech. "I just wanted to say that..Fred was my greatest strength. Throughout these nineteen years of my life, he was the one constant who had been with me through everything, and still stuck by my side. Till the very end", his voice broke a little but he valiantly went on. He can't stop now.
Always you will be part of me
And I will forever feel your strength
When I need it most
You're gone now, gone but not forgotten
I can't say this to your face
But I know you hear
"And he still will be my strength. I know he can't leave me just like that, we were too close for that. Twins, you see. He'll be watching every one of us, and he'll be right there to give us the strength we need. He always possessed great amount of optimism, much to my annoyance. Now you know why he always claimed that he was the better-looking one of us. He was a little too optimistic", he said, which made the audience laugh softly once again.
I'll see you again
You never really left
I feel you walk beside me
I know I'll see you again
"Never think that Fred has left us for good, because I know he hasn't. He'll be right beside us, and he'll stay that way till we meet him again, whenever that happens. Even now. I know he's here; I feel it. Looks like the twin telepathy's still working", he grinned a little. "And he will probably be haunting me in my sleep if I never come up with new products for the shop we had started together."
When I'm lost,
when I'm missing you like crazy
I tell myself I'm so blessed
To have had you in my life, my life
"I've never truly appreciated his presence. Come to think of it, I never truly appreciated anything except a good laugh and a fun prank. Preferably on Filch or Percy." Even with tears streaming down his cheeks, Percy glared at his brother from where he was seated. "But today, when I turn to my right and I see nothing but my own shadow, I feel ashamed to acknowledge the fact that I've failed to appreciate him. And so, I'd like to say that I must be the most blessed man to ever walk on this Earth to have had such a strong twin beside me all the time. Well, I still do, it's just that I can't see him. He's here. Right here", he turned to his right, smiling as if Fred was really there.
I'll see you again
You never really left
I feel you walk beside me
I know I'll see you again
When I had the time to tell you
Never thought I'd live to see the day
When the words I should have said
Would come to haunt me
In my darkest hour I tell myself
I'll see you again
George was already at the verge of breaking down. He knew he wouldn't be able to last much longer. The tears were already there, welled up in his eyes, ready to cause a bloody flood. He even thought he could compete with his mother in heaving loud sobs; which was scary, given the fact that Molly Weasley is one hell of an emotional woman. Taking a deep breath, George continued on with the last part of his speech. "What I've been trying to say all this while, is that, Fred, I'm sorry. I never managed to appreciate you for who you truly were- still are. And I regret the fact that I never managed to tell you what I really feel, what I should have said before we went on our separate ways to finish off Snakehead's silly little puppets."
I'll see you again
You never really left
I feel you walk beside me
I know I'll see you again
George took an even bigger breath, this time a single tear making its way down his cheeks. "Fred, I love you. I love you so much. As a brother, of course", he was quick to add. "I always thought you'd tease me for being..you know, cheesy. But I can say this now. Because if I don't, I don't know when I'll ever be able to do so. I love you Fred, and I'm sorry I never managed to say a proper goodbye." He paused once again to wipe the tears that were now refusing to stop. He needed to complete this speech, or he'd never feel complete. "Goodbye, mate. I'll miss you, I'll miss my twin, the brother who always knew what I was thinking even before I knew it. I hope you miss me too, because hey, I am almost as good as you, y'know." A few more laughs. "And I'll see you again. When my time's up, I'll be back up there with you, and we'll be, once again, the greatest pranksters next to only the Marauders. Or even better." He could hear his mother sobbing uncontrollably. He almost chuckled; his mother was never controllable, was she?
I will see you again
I'll see you again
I miss you like crazy
You're gone but not forgotten
I'll never forget you
Someday I'll see you again
I feel you walk beside me
Never leave you, yeah
Gone but not forgotten
I feel you by my side
No this is not goodbye
"This is for you, Fred. To make sure that you still remember me, remember all of us."
With that, he reached into the pocket of his cloak and fished out a pack of Wizard Weasley's Wheezes firework. Fred's favourite. George lit up the firework, which burst into the sky with the same vibrant colours and happiness that belonged to Fred's laughter. It lasted for about a good five minutes, and ended with something that was probably one of the truest words George would ever see in his life. "Fred Weasley: the prankster who lived, laughed, and loved." George smiled. Fred should like this spectacle. And George was contented. He turned to the coffin that now had Fred peacefully sleeping inside it (that's how George wanted to think of it as; a peaceful slumber), and smiled at him one last time. "Just you wait, mate. I'll see you again."
A/N: *wipes tears* I don't know whether I made you emotional, but I'm tearing now. I guess it's because I'm listening to the same song. God it's so sad.
Aaanyway, please review. Nothing else makes my day more than an appreciation or constructive criticism. And sorry once again if there are any grammatical errors or horrifying sentence structures. This isn't beta-ed, and I've tried my best. I'm going to add one more chapter, if this chapter is well-liked, to actually complete the whole 'I'll see you again' thing. It'll be much happier, I guess. I'll try to upload it within two to three days. Hint: I'd be more motivated than ever if you review!
I sincerely hope that you liked this. Fred is one of my favourite characters, and so is George. And this is, as I've said before, my delayed tribute. R&R, you wonderful readers! ;)
~nsk-emerald.