Disclaimer. The Characters, places and anything recognisable belongs to J.K. I'm just playing with her toys.
THE DAY YOU WENT AWAY
The idea for this just popped into my head and I had to share it. Hope you like it and let me know if I make you laugh, cry or want to throw things. Warning Tragedy, Character Death and Suicide References.
Here is the very similar stories of three sets of twins. And how what happened during those terrible war time affected the rest of their lives.
Part One
Fabian and Gideon Prewett.
September 15th 1981
Getting an early start on Christmas gifts was not a long standing habit for the Prewett Twins. With the Wizarding world in turmoil, held in the grip of a blood war that was ripping it to pieces, Aurors Fabian and Gideon were always very busy. So that was why they were spending the first day off they'd had in a long time doing Christmas shopping. Christmas was one of Fabian and Gideon's favorite time of year. Any opportunity for revelry was welcomed by these two They loved buying gifts for family and friends and were quite notorious for them. The twins always gave everyone two gifts. One wrapped in happy Seasonal paper and the other wrapped in tasteful silver or gold foil. One was a very carefully chosen gift that it's recipient would truly adore and the other was a goofy, embarrassing gag gift... usually with very pointed meaning. This year the twins had outdone themselves. They were sure that their nephews; Bill and Charlie would love the toy brooms and books they'd brought them. Charlie's was all about Dragons (The little boy was crazy about the beasts.) Bill's was an adventure tale full of daring adventures, danger and treasure. A large anthology of Wizarding Stories and a junior potion brewer kit had been selected for Percy as well as a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavoured Beans for each boy. For Molly's adorable two year old twins, Fred and George, they'd brought Muggle child walking harnesses.. figuring Molly would appreciate being able to keep the two rascals in site. and a variety of bright, educational toys just right for their ages. For baby Ronald they'd brought a soft teddy bear with red fur and a copy of Beadle the Bard.
They had gotten Molly a special clock that could tell her, at a glance, where each member of the family was at any given time. At the top where twelve should have been was "Mortal Peril" with "HOME" at six. So far it had eight hands on it, one for each of the Weasleys. The other spaces around could be changed to whatever Molly picked out. In a delicately carved drawer beneath the large clock face was a collection of gold hands, to add someone to the clock took just a tiny drop of their blood and a simple spell. They had had it custom made and knew she'd be thrilled with it.
It was a good job it was such a special gift, her joke gift was bound to get them both whacked about the ears. Embarrassing and 'encouraging' Molly and Arthur was one of the things they liked to do best. After all, what brothers in their right minds would ever give their sister "Midnight Lover's Ultra-deluxe Toy Box"? And they'd gotten their money's worth.. there was a lot of interesting stuff in the box. The twins were both quite determined to be life long bachelors (not for Molly's wont of trying) and therefore not fathers; they wanted more nephews and hopefully a niece or two to spoil, and as it just them and Molly left of the family, (Aunt Muriel didn't count, she was WAY too old and just.. eww) they were 'encouraging' Molly and Arthur. The lust potion Gideon had 'accidentally' given Molly.. Percy.. Hitting them with Lust spells wasn't cheating. It brought them the twins. Nor was slipping Arthur that little blue Muggle drug 'Viagra' or whatever it was called. Hey presto: along came Ronnie.. Not really cheating.. but definitely not wanting to get caught. Molly had just recently had her sixth son and was talking about 'enough being enough' as little Percy, who'd been a colicky, fussy babe who'd get grumpy at the slightest disruption to his schedule, had grown into a frightful tattle-tale and acted as informant on every wrong-doing of his siblings, the two year old terror twins ran her ragged, getting into every bit of mischief they could. Plus now there was baby Ronald who wanted to do nothing more then eat, sleep and eat. Not to mention Billy or Charlie, both adorable, smiley little bundles of red-haired mischief. Poor Molly was often exhausted but there was no doubt that she was blissfully happy and adored her 'almost' Quidditch team. In fact the twins had teased her often she was just shy one player.
Once all the magical gifts were brought and sent home, the two handsome red haired Aurors strolled up a seeming empty, normal street. They could have been anyone, both casually dressed in jeans and heave wool jumpers, gloves and scarves courtesy of their sister's enchanted knitting needles, Thick jackets covered their jumpers and protected them from the bitter London winter. They were in Muggle London getting together a collection of everyday and more obscure Muggle items for Arthur. The guy was totally nuts for anything remotely Muggle, but Molly loved him so her brothers accepted it. His gift held an assortment of things like a can opener, a light globe, batteries, bottle opener, pens, textas, a box of matches and a heavy old cigarette lighter, a calculator, and a number of different items that struck them as funny, like the bright yellow rubber ducky, chattering wind up teeth, a feather boa, and a pink whoopie cushion to name just a few. (Molly was going to kill them when the twins found out what THAT did.) The best item though was the brand new walk-man, still in it's box, minus instructions. After all, what would be the fun in that? Then there were the Muggle tapes from performers with odd names like ABBA, The Beatles, Genesis, Grease, Aerosmith, Elvis Presley, Olivia Newton John, and Elton John. Muggles were weird.
Happy with themselves and chatting about their plans for that night, they both had dates... they didn't sense the danger until it was too late. They both felt the anti-apparation wards go up, and suddenly they could almost feel deadly intent in the air. Instantly they were back to back and they circled, wands out and at the ready, warily watching the shadows, seeking any sign of the approaching danger. Gideon muttered a spell and sent his silver mongoose patroni with a message for the Order, Fabian palmed his Ministry Distress coin. Every Auror within ten miles would soon be converging on this spot, they'd have to apparate outside the wards though. Maybe they could pull them down, if they could find the caster quickly enough. Senses alert and wands at the ready the brother's prepared for the fight.
As five dark cloaked figures wearing grotesquely twisted white masks came out of every shadow, wands raised, Fabian realized they were out numbered. A sane person would have been worried, the twins merely exchanged identical evil grins and began casting. They moved with the ease and grace of life long partners, spinning and dipping in a seamless duet, firing spells and hexes, using one another as leverage. They rolled over one another's backs, forcing the other to duck at opportune moments and deflecting stray spells into buildings less they hit bystanders... who were all cowering out of sight by now. Their twin-telepathy served them well and they fought, not as two but as one. As fast as their spells flew, so did the insults and jibes they fired at the hooded Death Eaters. Their pointed and down right rude remarks about the Death Eater's great "Dark Lord" drove the more fanatical Death Eaters into frenzies that allowed the two talented Aurors plenty of opportunity to wreck havoc. Hidden bystanders were gaping at one another at hearing the greatest and most evil wizard ever being called 'Moldy-shorts' and variations of Voldiewart as well as the insults of everything from his appearance, parentage, intelligence and hiring of goons, hygiene and lack of of personality. In short the twins were flaming the hell out of the Dark Lord and really riling up their opponents.
"Take no Prisoners!" Roared one of the masked men before a nasty little jinx Fabian had learnt from Molly hit him through an eye hole in the mask. The man screamed and seconds later giant bats the color and consistency of bogeys were forcing their way through the nose and eye holes in the mask. Most of the assaulting assassins had fallen before a masked and hooded man hissed "Sectumsempra!", then the distinctive drawl of Lucius Malfoy more lazily added "Crucio"
Fabian had just enough time to think, "Crap.. this is gonna hurt!" when he was suddenly being shoved hard by Gideon. He hit the ground two or three feet away, ears ringing with his brother's sudden and agonized shrieks. Wiping sweat and blood out of his eyes he looked towards the sound and saw a red haired, long, lean body crumpled in the ground, the pain curse causing blood to spurt from the deep slashes across his chest and belly. A spreading pool of blood, shockingly red against the snow. The Death Eater he knew to be Malfoy, from the bit of silver blond hair that showed under his hood, stood over Gid' gloating. Fabian hit him with a banishing spell but it was too late.
Fabian knew it the second his identical twin brother Gideon died. He felt the very instant Gideon's heart stopped beating and his soul departed. After all, one knows when a part of you dies. If your human that is. The sudden loss of that 'other' presence that had always been a part of him since before he was even born nearly felled him. Blindly he fought on, shooting ever darker hexes and curses at the swirling, whirling Death Eaters. He was crazed, maddened by grief, by rage and pain. He could hear the manic laughter of Bellatrix LeStrange, smell blood and magic and something else.. heavy on the air. He slashed wildly and another Death Eater fell.
Behind him stood Voldemort, dark smoke dissipating behind him. For a moment Fabian froze, staring at the chalky white, almost waxy face, the dark hair that was meticulously neat and then into pitiless evil red eyes glaring back at him. The sickly feeling in the air was Voldemort's magical signature. He laughed, that high, cold laugh that had loosened the bowls of many brave men. Stalking towards the shaking, bleeding Auror he sneered. "How the mighty have fallen." he paused to port-key away another one of his fallen Death eaters. "The great Prewett twins.. brought down by just five of my followers." another Death Eater was port-keyed away, his moans lingering on the air. He glanced, insolently at Gideon's body, a sneer twisting his thin mouth. "Ah so only one of you unnatural blood traitors is dead. You have cost me many of my loyal supporters. Now, I think I will deal with you, once and for all. So nice of my loyal followers to leave me a present."
What happened next stunned everyone, hidden eye witnesses, standing Death Eaters and Voldemort alike. Fabian Prewett began to laugh. (The sound eerily similar to how Sirius Black would laugh when he was cornered some months ahead. Not with humor, but with rage, grief and bitter, bitter irony.) There was more then a little crazy in that laugh, making he who was once known as Tom Riddle pause in his approach. He looked at the bloody, beaten man, his hair missing from one side of his head, which was covered in a vicious burn that was angrily red, weeping blood and ooze down his neck. His body was a mess of cuts and half healed wounds, and he was barely able to stand but stand he did. Neither Fabian or Gideon had ever been ones to take a knee.
"You dare laugh at me? Filthy Blood traitor." Voldemort snarled, shocked. A flicker of admiration rose within him, reluctantly.
"My blood is cleaner then yours Riddle, mine is not tainted with death or destruction. I can sleep soundly at night, the dead do not haunt my dreams with their accusations." Fabian soapboxed, "At least I do not fear death." he paused, looking at the evil face before him and not missing the telling twitch of Voldemort's eye when he called him on his greatest fear. "Not like I have much left to live for now, but by Merlin, and by Gideon I will do as much damage as I can before I die! FOR THE LIGHT!" he roared then he threw a silent, powerful Reducto right at Voldemort's feet. Lord Voldemort's wand was flashing and he effortlessly shielded himself from the blast sending the rock and gravel pelting back at Fabian. Fabian dodged and the fight begun again in earnest. The Death Eaters moved back, fanning out in a circle, keeping an eye out for approaching help. The fight raged violently, the ground under their feat blistered and windows shattered from shear pressure. It wasn't a fair fight though, Voldemort avoided those, and Fabian was grievously injured already.
The next few minutes were a blur. Fabian tried but he knew he'd not survive much longer. He traded spells fast and furiously with Voldemort but he was tiring quickly. In the end a flash of red broke through his shield, pulverising his right leg and sending him flying across the snow covered street. Fortunately his head landed against something soft. Lifting his head and hand he was horrified to find himself wandless.
Wandless
Legless
( Literally.. Fuck, he was dying and making jokes. Gideon would have been proud.)
Defenseless.
Helpless.
Alone.
Before him Voldemort approached, cautiously. The Prewetts were, after all legendary fighters for the Light. He stomped down hard on Fabian's fallen wand, shattering it. He paused, lifted his hand almost lazily, his wand coming to rest, aimed steadily at Fabian's heart.
"It's over for you and your unnatural, blood traitor brother!" he roared, the rage he felt at the twins defiance overcoming his self control. Riddle always did have trouble controlling his temper, Fabian thought, not really caring.
"Bloody get on with it Snake-face!"he taunted. Voldemort's eyes flashed redder then ever with rage.
"Avada Kedavra!"
Fabian was ready for it and he didn't want Voldemort's ugly face to be the last thing he ever saw before he died. Not wanting to see Death bearing down on him he turned his head and looked into his brother's still face. He'd been flung back, against Gideon's lifeless body, his head resting on his brother's chest. Fabian smiled, and without even realising it he took his brother's lifeless hand for the last time. For a second he thought of Molly. Poor Molly. Both her brothers dead the same day. Right before Christmas. "Sorry Molly" he whispered.
They say when you die, in those final moments, your life will pass by your eyes, like a film. For what seemed an incredibly long time Fabian was watching this very thing. As the evil green spell bore down on him Fabian was once again playing pranks with his beloved twin, Gideon. Riding broomsticks, and chasing boys away from their pretty older sister. They were at Hogwarts, all those happy years of Hogsmede visits, laughing with Hagrid, exams and late night parties after winning a Quidditch game, all their friends. Friends killed by the monster before him because they would not bow down to him and his brutal agenda. Then it was on to being Aurors,living the lives of merry bachelors and over-indulgent uncles. Attending friends weddings, like young James and Lily Potter, and Frank Longbottom and his new bride Alice. Doing solemn duty at the funerals of loved ones, holding Molly's babies. In that infinitesimal moment Fabian realised that they had played a good game and lost.
As the killing curse struck, Fabian Prewett smiled and closed his eyes. He was going to join his twin. He just Hoped Gid' was waiting for him.
When the Aurors arrived they found the brothers, sprawled across the alley in the bloody snow. The alley was a mess, Death and dark magic heavy in the air, smoke and blood the overriding smells. Sn Auror Alastor Moody surveyed the scene. Broken windows, damaged buildings, great gouges and holes in the ground and the five body shaped, bloody indentions in the snow told the story. The twins had done their share of damage, they had not gone down without one hell of a fight. He allowed himself a small smile, they'd been his prodigy at the Auror's training center and he was proud of them. If anyone noticed the tear he wiped away they were not foolish enough to mention it. Fabian's head was resting on Gideon's chest, face turned towards his brother, a happy smile on his lips. Still together, right till the end. The Auror Team's photographer documented the scene, taking a final shot of the twins, both for the files and for their sister. Eyewitnesses crept out of the buildings and told their stories, of watching the two brave red-heads fight to their last, and of brave Gideon's final stand. The Muggles were Obliviated and the magic folk went home to their families and many sent on owls bearing the sad news.
When told of how they'd died, and how they'd been found, Molly had smiled through her tears and explained they'd held hands right from the day they were born until too old for such 'girly' things. As infants they'd not settled until laid side by side so they could hold hands. Her own twins were much the same in fact.
Somehow, no one was ever clear just how, that last poignant picture of the twins was leaked to the Daily Prophet and splattered all over the front page the next day. The Wizarding World was in outrage! The Prewett Twins had been immensely popular. Molly Weasley would have been devastated had Arthur not had the presence of mind to burn the offending paper. Though his gulping a large shot of Firewhiskey at seven am gave him away to Molly. She was upset, furious actually, but not as emotionally destroyed as the sight of her dead brothers being exploited to sell papers would have made her.
The Editor in chief at the Daily Prophet was having a good day.. until a furious Molly Weasley, accompanied by the formidable Minerva McGonagall, Muriel Prewett, Lily Potter, Alice and Augusta Longbottom and Hestia Johns stormed his office. The eager young intern who'd brought him the photo, Rita Skeeter, had taken one look at Lily Potter nee' Evens and given a terrified squeak. Then she'd simply disappeared. He was left to deal with the furious women alone. Then to add insult to injury, when Alastor Moody arrived to deal with the emergency floo call from his receptionist, he acted blind and death and announced nothing amiss.. as if the Editor in Chief was normally several different colors, unable to walk straight, sprouting tentacles and extra limbs, spent every day with sugar tongs clamped to his ear lobes and sausage links for fingers, being assaulted by snot shaped like bats. He'd sent the women off home before fixing the hapless fool with a terrifying stare and proceeding to explain his error.
The Daily Prophet published a large, full page apology to Molly Weasley and friends of the Prewetts in the very next edition. It only just saved their subscription numbers.
Little Ginevra Molly Weasley was born the following year, and Molly after being teased about her seventh child blushed and just muttered about "Inappropriate' gifts from brothers." Arthur had to hide his embarrassed but satisfied smirk.
The Muggle harnesses saved Molly's sanity.. until Fred managed to switch his with a garden gnome. Bill and Charlie thought this was uproariously funny and commandeered the harnesses to make sling shots for the little pests.
Of all the gifts given that year, it was little Ronnie who treasured his teddy for the longest.. until his older brother, Fred, following in the steps of his uncle, turned it into a great spider after Ronnie broke the toy broom Charlie had passed down to him.