The Last Joke He Told
The dark scent of doom and misery clung to every corner of the corridor we were guarding, making my nostrils curl in disgust. The darkness curdled around us as Fred and I led Percy and a handful of other members of the Order down the narrow pathway to the impending doom and disaster that was about to strike, since we were the only ones who knew the whole of Hogwarts better than Dumbledore himself.
"Are you two boys sure you know where you're going?" an anxious looking lady with luminous green hair asked, peering round the crowd of people to look at George and I in a manner that blatantly told us she didn't trust us.
"No. Just think of it as a magical mystery tour." Fred replied, cheekily.
"Just without the sandwiches and different language choices." I joined in.
"Yeah, that's extra! Time is galleons my friends, time is galleons!"
With a quick mumble, the group continued to follow us. As we drew nearer and nearer to the end of the straight passageway that was leading us right underneath the Great Hall, I glanced at Fred. He looked back at me with unease. We both knew that round the corner there was a fork, and we couldn't both go the same way.
"You take left with them lot, I'll take right with Perce?" he murmered to me.
I nodded once, fear and adrenaline pumping through my body.
"Right, you lot, you're all going with my lovely partner here, apart from Percy who is accompanying me on this magical mystery tour. Please all listen carefully to the instructions your guide gives you, and do not argue with him." Fred declared, using the fake happiness voice he usually saves for the customers in the shop.
Percy strode out of the crowd smugly and strutted over to Fred, acting like he had been fighting heartless, cold-blooded monsters all his life, when it was only half an hour ago he had decided to stop being such a snivelling, spineless coward and do what was right for his family.
We continued walking down the path in silence, trying to delay the inevitable by taking smaller strides. The name "Harry" continued to circle my brain, as if reminding me that this torture and near-certain death experience was all for a good reason; to protect Harry.
When we reached the end, Fred turned to me slowly. His face held the cheeky smile we usually both reserved for Mum when she had caught us testing more merchandise for the shop, but it didn't quite meet his eyes.
"See you later?" he asked quietly.
"Definitely." I nodded.
And with that final farewell, we parted. That was the last time I saw my twin brother alive.