FRED'S POV:

We gathered in the Great Hall where Snape had been threatening every student still at school to betray Potter's position. When Harry spoke up, me and the rest of the gang that hadn't been at school this whole time had walked out into the hall, making a sort of human blockade in front of the door. Then Snape and McGonagall had fought it out, McGonagall winning when Snape fled. When Snape had left, McGonagall began giving out orders for the defense of the castle.

George and I were assigned to defend the castle's secret passageways. Penny and Kace were told to help up in the astronomy tower. We walked out of the Great Hall together for the last time before the battle.

Before we turned the corner, I told George and Penny, "You guys keep going, we'll catch up."

I turned back to Kace who was looking at me in a confused manner. I grabbed her hand. This was it. It was now or never.

"One of us might not make it through tonight." I started, looking intently into her eyes. I held one of her hands and used my other hand to hold her face in my palm. "And if that happens, there's something I want you to know." I could see the tears building at the edge of my eyes.

Her confusion turned to a look of concern. "Fred, what is it?" She squeezed my hand gently, sounding like she might cry herself.

"Kace, I love you. I've always loved you. All those times I couldn't see you, it made my heart hurt. I fell asleep thinking about you and when I woke up I remembered dreaming about you still with me. I don't know if I can live without you and I don't want to find out. So please, Kace, whatever you do, don't die tonight." By this point, the tears had spilled over.

She stood with her mouth open, but no words came out. Her eyes were blank and she blinked a couple times.

I looked down, ready for disappointment.

"Fred." she said, putting a hand on the side of my face and lifting my gaze back to her. Now, her eyes were soft. "Only if you promise you wont die either."

I nodded once and then pulled her into a hug, unable to stand how far apart we were. She squeezed me and I heard a small sob come out of her.

"Fred?" she whispered close to my ear.

"Yeah?" I asked, also whispering.

She pulled her head back and looked me right in the eye. "Kiss me."

I looked deeper into her eyes and saw the girl I had seen that night when I was looking for my little brother. She was still beautiful and still made my heart jump around the same way she had all those years ago.

I looked down to her mouth and knew I was ready for this. All of my indecision and awkwardness went away for a moment as I leaned closer.

Finally, our mouths met. It was everything I had ever dreamed it would be and more. Her lips were soft and she grabbed the back of my head, latching her fingers onto my hair. I squeezed my arms (still around her) tighter and made sure I had a good grip on her before lifting her off the ground. She giggled against my mouth. The whole world, the war, the ever-present threat of Voldemort all slid from my mind and there was only Kace and I.

Eventually, I set her back down and she pulled her mouth away, burying her face in my chest. "I love you too." Kace whispered almost too quietly to hear.

I planted one more kiss on her lips and whispered, "Goodbye Kace." then I turned and ran after George.

KACE'S POV:

Through the entire battle, I couldn't stop thinking about Fred. I hoped to any God that was listening that Fred wouldn't be hurt. Luckily, it didn't distract me.

Finally, the Death Eaters stopped coming and the sounds of battle receded. Penny and I made our way back to the Great Hall.

I looked around bleary-eyed. Many were dead our wounded. More were dead than wounded, though.

At the end of the Hall, I saw the Weasleys all huddled around a body in the floor. I couldn't see who it was, but I felt tears start streaming down my face. All I could think was that Fred would be devastated.

Then they looked up, sympathy strong in their red eyes.

"No." I heard myself say in a raspy voice.

Molly Weasley looked down at her feet and a few more tears fell.

I looked down to the body, blocked from view by George and Harry. I pushed passed George and collapsed next to Fred's pale, still body.

I grabbed one of his ice-cold hands and cried, whispering, "Fred? Fred, wake up. Please, Fred. I'm here now. Please wake up, Fred. Fred!"

Molly hugged me tightly, sobbing with me. He wasnt asleep. He wouldn't wake up. Because Fred, MY Fred, was dead.

The thought made my chest tighten painfully.

The rest of Fred's family left and I stayed, watching Fred's motionless body with a dismal expression. I finally decided to leave, so I leaned over Fred's body and kissed him on the forehead.

"I love you, Fred Weasley." I whispered, walking out of the Great Hall and away from the only man I ever loved.