Ok! Here's the next little one-shot. It's a little bit differnet since it's AU...kind of. AU compared to my story anyway.
I would like to thank: Takethatter for the review; CallUsGredAndForge for adding this story to their favorites and story alert. THANKS A BUNCH!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I own only Willow as well as a few other people, places, and things. But that is all.
Date: Five years after the Battle of Hogwarts. In this one, Fred did die at the Battle.
It was hard to sleep that night. I was nervous. Beyond nervous actually. It's been five years since Fred died and my some miracle I had managed to find myself trying to sleep the night before my wedding. The only thing that could make this any better would be if I was marrying Fred.
I met Kyle, my fiancé, on the second anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. One of his sisters was a student at Hogwarts at the time and passed away during the fight. We instantly clicked as I told him about my life at Hogwarts and how I lost Fred. After that day we took comfort in each other since we both lost someone close to us. It took almost a year before he convinced me to actually go out with him. I felt so horrible guilty afterward. What about Fred? I still love him.
It was awhile before we went out again. I just kept thinking about Fred and how I was cheating on him, even though he wasn't here anymore. Kyle understood and was very patient. After another year we were engaged to be married.
That's how I find myself struggling to fall asleep on the night before my wedding. I really wished that I was marrying Fred, but I do love Kyle, he's been my rock for so long, he's waited for me until I was ready to move on, and he's great with the kids. I really love him.
After what seemed like forever, I was finally able to fall asleep.
I was in the Great Hall. It was empty. "Hello," I called, looking for someone.
"Well hello there, beautiful," came a voice. I looked and saw Fred standing in the middle of the Great Hall, smiling.
"Fred!" I shouted, running toward him. He opened up his arms and I dove in them, instantly sobbing. "Oh, Fred! I've missed you so much!"
"I've missed you too, love," he said as he held me close, stroking my hair.
"Why'd you have to go?" I whispered, as tears continued to flow.
"I don't know, Willow. I wish I didn't have. I wanted to be with you to take care of Daphne and our boys. I wanted to watch them grow up and play with them. I wanted to teach them magic and how to never let anyone tell them they can't do something. I wanted to be a Dad they could be proud of."
"They will be proud of you," I whispered. "They'll know that you died to give them a better, safer life."
I felt him take a deep breath in, then hold me at arms length away. "I know, Willow, but I wish I could be there to tell them, to help you raise them." I looked down, feeling ashamed that Kyle's been helping me when it should be Fred. As if reading my thoughts, Fred said, "But Kyle's been a big help with them, hasn't he?"
"I'm sorry, Fred. I'm so sorry," I whispered, figuring that he probably hated me.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, love. You moved on. That's what I wanted you to do. I wanted you to find someone who would help with the kids. I wanted you to find someone who would make you as happy as I made you. You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for."
"But-"
He shook his head. "That's why I'm here. You know I've been watching you and the kids every single day for the past five years. You've always been on my mind and I wanted to make sure you were alright. I'm happy you found, Kyle, Willow. He's going to take good care of you and the kids for me. I don't want you to feel guilty anymore. I want you to be happy and to live your life."
I wrapped my arms back around Fred, refusing to let go. "I love you so much," I choked out, "thank you."
"You have nothing to thank me for," he said through a smile. "I should be thanking you. You made the last few years of my life the most amazing I could ever ask for. You gave me a daughter and let me experience fatherhood before it was too late. Willow, without you, I would have died without knowing just how amazing love can be. Thank you."
"Me?" I asked, "Fred, you really taught me out to live life without worry. You taught me how to make my dreams come true. You helped me through some of my darkest time and I'll never be able to repay you for that."
Fred held me at arms length once more, looking me up and down, really taking me in. He scrunched up his brows. "You've been stressed. I can see some grey in your hair."
I blushed. "I've been trying to keep it dyed, but I guess dyes don't work in dreams. My life hasn't been too easy since you left. I've been under so much stress..."
"Hey, you're still as beautiful as ever. I love you so much, Willow, and I always will. You and the kids. But I wanted you to be happy and move on. I wanted you to wake up in the morning, put on your wedding dress, walk down that isle with your head held high, say 'I do', and live out the rest of your life happy and married to Kyle." He was smiling as big and bright as he always use to.
"I will, Fred. But I'll never ever forget you, my love." Tears had started falling again as Fred leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. It was just as soft and memorable as our first. This kiss, like then, is the type of kiss the I wish could last forever...
I opened my eyes to the Sun flowing into my bedroom. Tiff was sleeping next to me, still sound asleep.
Slowly, I brought my hand up and touched my lips, still feeling the kiss Fred and I shared in my dreams. I glanced down at my left hand at the engagement ring that Kyle had given me.
Fred would always be my love; there was no doubt about that. I would always love that goofy, ginger boy I met my sixth year, but he was right. I needed to move on and be happy without feeling guilty. And I know that Kyle can give me that.
This thought came to me one day and I figured that I'd type it out and give it to you guys :)
If you have any other request, please let me know. They don't have to be from Willow's point of view either. They can be from who ever's you want and the story line can come from one of my 'what if' one-shots, such as this one. So R&R!
