Disclaimer: It's not mine, I just play.

A/N: After a year full of death, both on the grand scale and close to home, it was time to sit down and recover. I'd love a few reviews, but as with all I write, it's for me.



Everything's Gonna Be Alright



Fred Weasley slipped away from his compartment and the commotion his twin, Ron, and the other two were making while playing games. He stepped over the unconscious and curse-riddled bodies of Draco Malfoy and his quiet cronies and walked down the corridor as softly as he could, finding an empty place to sit and think.

There was so much to think about. He hadn't known Cedric all that well, even though they'd started Hogwarts together. Most of the first year was a blur to him anyways, the only real memory was of the Sorting Hat crying out "Gryffidor!" for both Fred and his twin brother, George. It had seemed all fun and games from there. Pretty Angelina had caught both of their eyes a few years later, and between fighting over her and fighting Slytherin in Quiddich, life seemed simple and grand.

He'd never bothered to get to know Cedric Diggory. The man was a Hufflepuff, after all, and none of them were known for being incredibly bright. He'd known of him, popular among the girls as the Quiddich captain was. He'd hated him for the brief time when Angelina's eyes had been drawn to him during supper. But he really knew nothing about Cedric.

There were so many questions, after that day, when Harry had reappeared, clutching the Triwizard Cup and Cedric's lifeless body. As Fred's mother had sobbed and hugged the legendary boy, Fred had taken a moment to meet his eyes. They were tired, dead, frightened. A hero wasn't supposed to look like that, after overcoming his foe.

It was the look of shock on Cedric's face, frozen at his death, that had sent Fred into nightmares for the last few weeks, however. Harry had told the parents that Cedric certainly hadn't felt any pain. That the two had appeared, triumphant, holding the Cup which had turned out to be a Portkey. They were confused, but only for a brief second, until Voldemort ordered the death of Cedric, and the two dread words were uttered.

What had Cedric thought, in that last moment, as he heard the words? Had he known his death was coming? Did he have any clue what would happen as the curse hit? Fred tried not to sob too loudly, afraid of being seen at his weakest moment. He hadn't known Cedric, but in his death, the Hufflepuff Captain had managed to touch him deeply.

He heard a footstep in the corridor outside. Wiping his face with the back of his hand, he crept to the door and peered out. It was Cedric's girl, Cho, the Ravenclaw girl, though her back was to him. Her soft sobs were hard to hear over the commotion from some of the compartments on the train, but Fred knew it was her. He glanced back at the way she'd come from. The dining car, perhaps, where the cart of treats was kept? He followed her, catching a glimpse as she disappeared into her own compartment.

Something was wrong. He thought he'd seen something metal glinting in her hand as the light caught it. Fred peeked around the doorway in time to hear her whisper something - a name, HIS name - before she rested the sharpness of the blade lightly on her wrist. Should he run for George and Ron and Harry? Should he stop her himself? She made the choice for him as she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, ready to go through with it.

Fred screamed and stepped into the compartment. Her tear-stained face turned to him, pain-filled eyes flickered open in surprise as she registered his presence. She dropped the knife, a gasp of shock escaping her lips and she looked down to see a line of crimson appear, the knife forgotten as it dropped to the floor.

He could hear footsteps, someone had heard his cry of alarm. It didn't matter, he rushed forward and kicked the knife to the edge of the car, clamping the edge of his ill-fitting robe over the cut to stop the bleeding. "Cho... it's not the answer..."

Fred didn't know whether or not the girl knew his name. She probably did, most people knew of the pranks the Weasley twins pulled, some knew them first hand. There was no recognition in her eyes as she sobbed, burying an already red face in his shoulder. "Cedric," she moaned, the only words before she was too hysterical to continue.

He looked up. George was standing at the door, along with Professor Dumbledore. Had the Headmaster been on the train the whole time? Fred helped Cho to her feet, unwrapping the hem of his robe to examine the cut. It wasn't deep, just made by accident. The Headmaster stepped forward and took the sobbing Cho from Fred, comforting her as best he could. "I'm glad you were here, Mr. Weasley." The old man lead Cho from the compartment and past a growing crowd of onlookers, most of whom followed the Headmaster.

Fred sunk to one of the benches, shaking, eyes locked on the knife lying forbodingly in the corner. "Hey, Fred..." George sat next to his twin. "Is she going to be alright?"

"Yeah. I think so." Fred slipped off his robes, folding them up. "I got blood on my robes. Do you think Mum will be angry?"

"No. I think she'll get over it just fine."

Fred looked out the window, willing his brother to remain silent. She'd be alright, after a while. They all would, but healing would take a long time.