Chapter 1
"Okay, but whom do we try it on now?" Fred would always say after our every new invention. I haven't been going to the shop. This is the second week. But business is still going on fine. Harry, Hermione and Ron are doing well in the shop.
It isn't easy. To go on without the person, you share your birthday with, you share your looks with, you share your personality with, you share your jokes with, and you share your emotions with. It isn't easy to cope without your twin. The other day, I eavesdropped on mum and dad while they were talking about me.
"Molly, he is weak, yes. But I don't think you not eating will help", said dad.
"Oh, Arthur! How can I eat when one of my son's has died and the other one is in this condition", mum said. She was crying. It was clear from her voice. Mum has been crying a lot lately. Obviously, not in front the rest of us. But her eyes are always puffy and red. I try to avoid mum as much as possible. I don't know which is more difficult- seeing mum in such a condition or mum not yelling at me or answering mum's questions. As I stare at my parent's window, brow furrowed and thinking back, something big and furry brushes past me. Crookshanks comes in and purrs. I carry him upstairs. I decide its best to not listen to mum and dad. As I shuffle up a flight of stairs, I hear a loud voice.
"George! Crookshanks! There you both are! Come on, we need to talk", Hermione says puffing as I come up the first set of stairs. Our house is a mess of rooms fitted in here and there, which without magic would have been impossible. Before I can say anything, Hermione grabs my free hand and drags me over another flight of stairs and inside a room.
"Hermio-", but I can't finish what I start as she shushes me. I let her take me inside. Harry and Ron, which was nothing unexpected, were there too. They were working on something, which was not to the knowledge of Hermione. I could tell this easily from their face, after all, these are the two boys I have seen grown up together; also there is mischief in my blood and my mind too. So I can easily understand from their faces, that they were upto something.
"George!" Hermione nudges me,"we umm...why don't we sit first?" I roll my eyes,"Thank you for allowing me to sit in my own house, young lady. Kindly also help me with the place to sit. Should I take the bed or this rusty chair over here, or just take the floor? Oh! Your cat could be useful as a cushion."
She smacks my arm,"Shut up and sit." That's the bossy Hermione I love, we all do actually. She's the best when she is bossy and no one could mess with her when she is in that mood, except the Weasley twins. The moment this thought comes to my mind, I grow weak again. It reminds me of the countless discussions both of us had. I sit on the bed and Hermione joins me there. The boys pull up close.
"George we seriously want you to go back to business", says Harry. "Oh!", so that's what the fuss is all about.
"Guys, I told you-"I begin but Hermione cuts me off again.
"You listen to us first", she says, "We understand completely, George. You think we, WE, wouldn't? The shop needs you, George. We might be doing a fair business with it but we know we aren't doing full justice to, like you guys did. George, please. You invented all those amazing things. I did mean it when I said all of it was really extraordinary magic. So please come back to the shop", Hermione finishes with pleading eyes. Yes. I remember very clearly her "extraordinary magic' comment when they first visited our shop. Fred was thrilled to hear it; she really was one of the brightest witches and for that coming from her meant a lot. He was so happy that he promised to give her free stuff, which we never do. Giving away free stuff I mean. Not even to our siblings or friends. Only Harry who provided us with the startup capital for the business from his TriWizard earnings and Hermione, for her comment, have ever been made away with anything. But both of them made it a point to pay us, even if they bought very few items. And now, they're running the shop.
"So please come back George", says the youngest Weasley son. I take a look at Ron for a while and notice his pain. He too, after all, lost a brother. I sigh.
"There must be lots to work at," I tell them.
Harry says, "You won't be entirely alone. We'll be there, till you get, well, um-used to it". He means used to working without Fred. I guess I could give it a try. But then again, I am not sure I can.
"George-"I cut off Hermione this time. "Look I understand your concern for me. Hermione, no, wait. I heard you out, so it's your turn to listen to me now" I notice this is the first time I have been assertive, after well, Fred's demise. The trio notices it too. Hermione who now sits, as in routine, between the two grabs both Harry's and Ron's arms when I move. The boys steal glances at each other. Stealing glances, yep. Miss that too. But they don't say anything. I don't want to draw any more attention to my latest development either so I hurriedly carry on. "Okay, this would be an actual step of moving on for me. Going to business alone. I guess I could try. But I am scared and… weak at the same time. So you guys, let's wait for a few more days more. Lemme prepare myself, and then I shall come to you myself. No dragging required" I pause to look at Hermione, who gives me a weak smile in return," and soon, I'll go back to business. All right?"
The three of them are silent for a while. But I know they would agree and Harry speaks, "Of course! Take your time, brother!" He is no less of a brother to me, his hair being the only thing which keeps him safe from being stamped a Weasley.
Hermione says," Don't take too long, please?"
"I won't, Granger", I reassure her.
She smiles and holds my hand for a while and then leaves with her beloved cat tottering behind her loyally.