Disclaimer: I still own nothing.

Brothers In Arms

He couldn't take it anymore. It was simply too difficult, and he could no longer provide laughter enough for the both of them. He needed to get out, away from the sorrowful faces and the pitying glances of those who saw only one young man where two should be.

Without a backwards glance, George left the crowded yard of the Burrow and apparated with a quiet "pop" to a place where he could get lost in the crowd. He soon found himself in the middle of Diagon Alley, but he was not met by the hoped-for crowd. Instead, he saw quiet storefronts and a few milling customers. Coming from one of the few open shops was a small figure dressed in a Muggle suit and carrying parcels of various shapes and sizes. With a pang of guilt, George recognized the figure and began walking towards him.

"Oi, Dennis. What are you doing here?"

Apprehensively, the younger wizard began, "I just came from Col-…my brother's funeral."

George looked a bit shocked, "I'm so sorry, Dennis. We hadn't heard it was today. If we'd have known…"

Dennis shook his head. "You couldn't have. My parents aren't, well, they're not dealing well with how we lost him. They don't really understand how he could have snuck back to Hogwarts or even why we were fighting. So, they decided we'd only have a Muggle funeral." He took a deep breath before finishing. "The service was small. Not a lot of people, back home, I mean, know about what Colin is…what he was."

When Dennis trailed off, George couldn't help but think of the large crowd he'd left at the Burrow. It seemed like hundreds of family members, fellow Gryffindors, and even customers had shown up to celebrate the life of Fred Weasley. And here was Dennis, wearing the suit he'd been made to wear to his brother's funeral, in Diagon Alley…alone.

Looking at all the packages, George found his voice and dared to ask, "What's all this?"

A determined look at his face, Dennis replied, "I've come to figure out how to do a wizard funeral. I mean, I've seen one...Dumbledore's…and I don't reckon Colin would have wanted anything as grand as that. But I need to do something. Colin loved this world, it was his life, and I figure he needs to be sent off in proper fashion. Professor McGonagall even said she's let us use the Common Room. He would have loved that."

George merely nodded soberly. "How can I help?"

Shaking his head, Dennis replied, "You can't. I am going to plan it all by myself. I'm going to do it for him."

Understanding perfectly, George merely said, "Send an owl once it's planned, and I'll be there."

Dennis thanked him and began making his way to the next shop. As George watched him walk away, he could only think that he would make it his mission to ensure every Gryffindor within flying, apparating, or flooing distance would be there, too. And he'd show up with a load of Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes, the best they had to offer.

With a determined smile, George walked towards his own boarded-up shop. He had work to do.

He was going to be alright.