A/N: Thank you so much for my beta, IAmFortune'sFool for the wonderful editing!

--I don't own Harry Potter--

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It was the fourth day after the downfall of Lord Voldemort. Harry thought about all that had happened in the short period of time that had elapsed, right down to returning the Elder Wand to Dumbledore's tomb, to where it would rest for the rest of eternity. Despite Ron's grumbling protests, he did so without hesitation or reluctance. If he were to have any of the Hallows, the Invisibility Cloak was the best choice. A tiny part of Ron had burned with the desire to shout "Expelliarmus!" at Harry and take the ownership of the wand himself, but he would not have risked invoking his family's wrath over anything – even if it was the most powerful wand ever made.

On the third day, Harry was put into a press conference accompanied by Ron and Hermione. As much as he hated being the center of attention, he knew there was no escape. Sooner or later he had to do this – again, he was the number one… celebrity.

And so he went ahead, started by sharing with everyone the task Dumbledore had left him – to destroy all the Horcruxes. He skipped the details about the Hallows, though, fearing more people would be intoxicated with the idea of three wonderful magical items. He told them only the necessary information about their journey, and about the forest where he presented himself to Voldemort and was ready to die. The audience gasped. Rita Skeeter's eyes shone with glee as her quill sped across her parchment. Harry wondered what it was writing about this time.

In the end of the interview Harry paused a bit. Flashes of cameras and the media shouting questions deafened him for a moment. He narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow. He just needed to say it. Now. He really needed to straighten things up on the matter regarding the previous Headmaster of Hogwarts. He needed to speak the truth, and clear an innocent man's name and reputation. It was now or never.

Harry must tell the truth about Severus Snape.

"I have just one more thing to say to you all." he said, nervousness creeping into his voice. The audience was silenced immediately, eager to listen. "What I am about to say, I have never told anyone, except for Ron and Hermione."

Some murmur arose from the audience. Hogwarts teachers, Ministry people, and members of The Order of The Phoenix exchanged glances.

"I cannot tell you how I know this. But this is what I can tell you. Severus Snape…" he looked deliberately to his Hogwarts teachers and classmates, "…was never on Voldemort's side." He paused. The murmur was getting louder; people were staring at him with bewildered expressions. "He was always at Dumbledore's side. He worked for him, and he acted in Dumbledore's name." By then, a few people who were present when the fight took place remembered something Harry said about Snape having always loved Harry's mother. There must be a reason for him to have said that, mustn't there?

"People always mistook him as a bad guy. I myself, was one of them. But I can assure you, he did everything in his power to help Dumbledore."

"But he killed Dumbledore; you said you saw him do it!" McGonagall cried to Harry with almost a shriek.

"Yes! Yes, he did. But it was necessary. Dumbledore had already dying when he was killed. It was just a matter of time even if Snape hadn't raised his wand. Dumbledore asked Snape to kill him."

The audience gasped again. By the looks on their faces, Harry knew that his words only puzzled them even more and did less to convince them. Harry sighed. "I'm sorry, I really can't tell you how I know. That is…restricted information. Only available to certain people," Harry said. It was true. If he told them the truth, then he'd need to reveal about the Pensieve, and then he'd need to tell everyone about the murder attempt by Draco Malfoy. Furthermore, he would have to divulge information about the Unbreakable Vow Snape made with Narcissa…it was too much and he was sure those weren't the things he would want to share with the whole world.

He shook his head in desperation and said, "But please! If you believe me, if you think of me as your… savior, or hero. Just believe me on this and take my word. Snape is…was… good. And no, I'm not confounded."

It was a very tiring two hours press conference. Both Ron and Hermione assisted Harry and helped him answer—or politely decline—questions from all over. Later that day Harry gave a lot of explanations to McGonagall personally, who listened with her mouth open with disbelief. But she, of course, would trust Harry. And she did trust Dumbledore with his judgment, so it wasn't hard for Harry to convince her. And Harry trusted her judgment to tell anyone she thought should know.

That was yesterday.

Harry now stood beside Ginny and Hermione at Chastire Hill, several miles away from the Burrow. This was the place where Fred Weasley, Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks would finally rest in peace. All the Weasleys' family and friends were present. Andromeda and Ted Tonks were holding little Teddy, tears flowing. The baby itself was sleeping peacefully. Also present were the rest of the Order of the Phoenix, Kingsley along with some other Ministry officials, and several of the Hogwarts teachers including McGonagall. Many students and alumni were also present. Fred and George had always been the magical twins who, despite goofing around and inventing trouble back in their years at Hogwarts, were very likeable and were loved by everyone. They were also Quidditch stars who had proved to be some bold, genius businessmen.

The hill was just beautiful, with grass and trees under a broad, dark-blue afternoon sky. The wind blew softly, not fierce, but serene. The tombs weren't nearly as grand as Dumbledore's, nor as shabby or plain as Dobby's. But they were just right, made of granite and carved with golden ink.

They all stood in silence when Kingsley made the speech. Lupin, Tonks and Fred were all kind and brave and they had died as heroes. Kingsley mentioned that their very existence was a great assistance to The Order, and that he proud to know them in his life and be their friend.

Harry looked at Ginny. She seemed calm in her grief. She was wearing long black dress made of satin, matching bolero and scarf. If it were not for the circumstances, Harry would have fallen for her all over again. Harry's eyes shifted to George now. He looked exceptionally calm and composed. He was standing between his mother and Ron. Harry couldn't understand why on earth George didn't show any kind of grief or regret. He knew George wasn't disturbed. When he had asked Ginny a while ago, she said George was pretty much sane and logical, and he managed to have normal conversations. Very normal conversations. Even though she haven't heard him joke once since the accident.

When the afternoon had nearly shifted to the evening and the ceremonial was over, friends and colleagues disapparated and went their separate ways. The hill was quiet and eerie now that the sun had almost crawled under the horizon. Arthur and Molly walked with Andromeda and Ted back to the Burrows. Of course they could have Apparated, but walking would be better for their grieving hearts.

The young adults, though, still remained on the site. Charlie, Percy, Bill and Fleur, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Harry. George, however, attempted to go back immediately after his parents. Ginny spoke out.

"George, could you stay here just a little while?" she asked him softly. George stopped. He gave a quick glance and smiled idly. Harry's stomach lurched. There was something not quite right about the smile.

"Yeah, Ginny?" George said.

Ginny hesitated for a moment, and said, "You know the river; the place we used to go and play when we were kids? The one where you and Fred pulled a prank on Perce?"

George tilted his head to one side, trying to remember, "Oh! You mean when we jinxed his pants so when it got wet it would fake a fart?"

Ginny smiled. "Yes! That one!"

George grinned, "Yeah, I do remember. Do you remember, Perce?" he asked. Percy mumbled and spoke. "Of course. We went there with a girl I liked, mind you. And after that she no longer wanted to speak to me."

Harry smiled; he could clearly visualize the moment. "So…" Ginny spoke again. "What if we all go and visit the river? It's very near, just around that slope. And we haven't been there for ages."

"Zat's a good idea! I'd love to see ze place!" Fleur seemed very eager about the suggestion. Harry too, would love to play a bit more after such a depressing burial. Ron whispered to Hermione, "I said to myself that one day I would definitely bring my girlfriend there. It's a very nice place. They got fireflies at night. Such an enchanting view," he added, and blushed. Hermione blushed too, looking sincerely pleased and nodding happily.

George was grinning, "Okay then, let's go there!" and marched ahead.

The river was near, about one mile's walk. By the time they got there, there was very little light provided from the almost dark sky, and the moon was just about to take its place. But none of them were thinking about the sun right now. All breaths halted in wonder. The view was breathtaking.

Fireflies everywhere, emanating a dim light, beautiful to look at. The ground was humid, and the trees were big and old. The river was tame and flowing gracefully, the current slow and steady without ripples. The water was brilliant – dark with a reflection of the remaining lights. The air didn't move; it was a total, utter silence. The world was silvery blue. The place was magical.

The nine young adults stood with amazement. For the Weasleys, it was like they were reminded of the beauty of this place. For Harry, Hermione and Fleur though, it was almost supernatural. Ron tightened his grasp on Hermione's shoulder. No words needed to be said.

Ginny was the one who moved first. She walked past them, approaching the bank which held a taller and bigger type of grass. Then Bill followed her.

"You remember, don't you guys?" she said, nonchalantly. With her bare hand—and a little bit of force— she pulled a handful of grass from the ground. "Grand mother Weasley taught us to make this…little boat." she said, smiling as her skilled hands bending and folding the grass into a pretty little boat. With a tip of her wand, she touched the little boat and it glowed for a moment. "And now, this boat can sail for miles without being drowned."

Everybody was quiet. They had a strong feeling that Ginny was going to do something important, but none of them knew what it would be. No one, except for perhaps Bill. As he quietly approached his sister, he took the little boat from her hands before calling George. "Come, George." he said, and smiled a little.

George hesitated for a moment that felt like hours. Then, reluctantly, he obeyed. His steps weren't definite or sure…it was as if he was scared of something. Bill took out a candle from under his robe, and gave it to his brother. George's hand, very reluctantly, took it.

"Light a fire, mate." Bill said calmly.

George was staring into his brother's eyes, wondering what exactly he was trying to pull. Bill returned the stare with a more assuring look, and George obeyed once again. With the tip of his wand he touched it and lit the candle. Bill placed the candle on the little boat Ginny had created, and made them intact. He then placed the boat with the candle carefully on George's hand.

"This is Fred, George." Ginny whispered. "And you're about to let him go."

George froze.

Nobody breathed.

"Place the boat on the water, George." Bill said slowly, his voice soft and gentle.

Like a puppet, George once again did as he told. It seemed as if he was loosing himself by this point. He knelt and placed the boat carefully on the water, and let go. As soon as the boat touched the water, it sailed away. George's eyes were fixed on the candle.

"Look at it, George. Look at it." Ginny's spoke with a trembling but determined, voice. "It was Fred!" she whispered.

George wore a blank expression, trying to digest Ginny's words. The candle was Fred? Why was he sailing away? Without him?

The candle was drifting even further. George knelt up. Without meaning to do so, he stretched his hand trying to grab and take back the little boat. "No.." he whispered. His face went paler.

Then it was reddening. With horror. With terror.

"Fred…" he whispered. The river carried it away; he no longer could reach it. "Fred…" his voice shaking with fear. For the first time since the accident, he surrendered to the pain of losing a twin brother. A part of his soul.

And then he screamed. Screamed his heart out and cried as he dragged his feet forward to the muddy ground and water attempting to retrieve the boat.

"Let him go, George! Let him go!!" Ginny was now yelling and cried too. Bill grabbed his brother to prevent him diving after the little boat. Fleur's cheek was wet with tears. Hermione couldn't help sobbing. Percy wept unashamedly. Charlie, Ron and Harry clenched their teeth with unbearable emotion.

George's clothes were wet, as were Bill's, as they both struggled to fight the grief. To overcome the sadness.

"He's gone, George. Gone!" Bill yelled, trying to battle the screams and cries of his younger brother. "He's not here with us anymore, George!"

George was very hard to hold. His whole body was shaking. It seemed like a part of his soul was ripped out and there was a huge hole inside him. He knew Fred was dead, he had seen the body. But unconsciously, he had refused to believe it. His mind had shut down. He couldn't comprehend the idea that his Fred was no longer in this world. The thought alone was terrifying.

At least… until now.

After a moment, George was done screaming, and started sobbing. "Why…Why did he leave me alone? I—I can't…"

At this point, Ron came rushing over and hugged his brother. He buried his face on George's shoulder and yelled. "You're never alone, George, never! I won't let you! I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." Ron was sobbing too. And then all of them, all the red heads, Fleur, Hermione and Harry, ran to them and hugged them, trying to touch a part of George, to comfort him. They made sure that George knew, very much, that he never alone in this world. That he still—and always would—had the rest of his family and his friends caring for him.

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A/N: There! I hope you guys enjoy it!! Anyway, anyone who review will get cookies! Cookies you can't see, can't smell and can't eat. But it comes with a Dobby figurine.