Dislcaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

It was the first time the entire family had been together since the end of the battle. As they sat quietly in the living room, waiting for people to arrive for the funeral, they all felt the awkwardness and it hurt all of them. Arthur Weasley felt a pit in his stomach and knew that all the spark plugs in the world couldn't take away this kind of pain. He reached for Molly's hand and gave her a small smile when she took it. He needed to smile for her. There were a lot of people he needed to smile for these days.

Without even realizing it, his eyes fell on George. Everyone had been sneaking looks at George all morning, and Arthur knew why. It was like they thought they could hold onto what they were all missing this way… because if they looked at George quickly and then closed their eyes, they could forget that there was only one of him… but today, that was harder. The pictures of Fred that surrounded them made it harder. Fred winked and smiled at them from every picture… but so did George. Molly hadn't been able to find one picture of just Fred. And Arthur couldn't imagine how much that must hurt his twin.

But George was staring at the floor, oblivious to the surreptitious glances of the rest of the members of his family. He was practicing the eulogy in his head, hoping it would come out all right, hoping his voice would make it through this in one piece. He didn't know how feasible that was, though… considering he hadn't used his voice in days.

His lips twisted in the ghost of the perpetual smile he'd now abandoned. He couldn't remember any other time in his life when he'd been silenced. There had been many times, he was sure, when their parents and teachers would have devoutly wished for such an occurrence, but now… well, he'd give it to them 100 times over if it meant he could have Fred back. What was the point of talking now? He'd have to finish his own sentences. Maybe that was why he hadn't spoken yet, he suddenly realized. He still didn't know for sure how to do that. Shaking his head, he continued to stare at the floor. He couldn't look in the mirror either. It reminded him too much of the cold fact that this was now the only place where he could see his own face reflecting back at him.

The silence was suddenly broken by the first loud crack of the day as the Gryffindor Quidditch team apparated into the garden. All of the Weasleys, including Harry and Hermione, looked up, and Harry and Ron's faces both relaxed almost with relief as they recognized Oliver, Katie, and Angelina. The boys, Hermione and Ginny hurried outside to see them, but George, after a quick inspection of the group, returned to his contemplation of the carpet. Until he heard a voice in his ear.

"Get out here, you git. We're having a reunion." He looked up, startled. No one had even approached him in days, let alone spoken to him, and the words had a surprising impact even though they came from Oliver. Shrugging at the surprised looks on his parents' faces, he rose to his feet and followed him out to the garden.

They all quieted down when he came out, and Angelina approached him first, her eyes brimming with tears. The hug she gave him conveyed all of the pain she felt not only for herself but for this friend who had lost so much. George cut it off quickly. He wasn't ready to feel… all of that… yet. He smiled quickly at Angelina, though, to let her know he appreciated the gesture.

Katie hugged him next, and without even realizing it, he held onto her for a moment longer than he'd let Angelina hug him. Maybe it was because she wasn't crying, but it seemed to George that she was trying to be there for him more than she needed him to be there for her. He appreciated that. He let out a deep breath when he released her and tried once more for the old smile that just wouldn't come.

Oliver slung an arm over his shoulders. "How are you doing, mate?" he asked in a low voice, and George glanced sideways at him and shrugged. He appreciated that they were all here. He really did. But he still didn't know how to talk. Gently ducking out from under Oliver's arm, he wandered away from the group of them to walk around to the side of the house. As he went, he heard the concerned voices of his friends as they asked Ron, Harry, Hermione and Ginny if he'd talked to anyone yet, but he didn't hear their responses. He didn't need to. He knew the answer.

He was about to sit down against the side of the house when he realized that someone else was already there. He stared down at the figure who was sitting in the spot he'd been aiming for, his arms wrapped around his legs, his head tucked in his arms, and he felt some of the numbness start to fade. Without a word, he slid down beside this oldest and best friend, the one he counted a partner next to Fred, and he felt the pain in the back of his throat.

"Hey," he whispered, forcing his voice out for the first time in days.

Lee raised his head in surprise and turned to look at George, his red eyes mirroring the pain in George's bright blue ones.

"Hey," he mumbled. He let his legs slide down, and he looked away. "Sorry. It's just… I guess it finally hit me." He didn't say any more, but no one needed less of an explanation than the red haired boy now swallowing the lump in his throat.

"Will we.. " he started and then trailed off. The silence stretched interminably, and when Lee turned to him, the tears in his eyes spilled over.

"Ever laugh again?" he asked. He tried but it sounded a lot more like a sob. "I don't know… but don't you think he'd want us to?"

George nodded, his lips trembling now, as he realized that Lee had finished his sentence. That had been Fred's job…

Through his tears, Lee watched reality dawn in the eyes of the only best friend he had left, and he realized what he'd just done.

"No one will ever replace him," he whispered, his breathing ragged. "But we'll have to laugh again."

George nodded, ducking his head as his own tears finally came. He knew. He just didn't know how he'd make it through this eulogy now.