Harry stared off in the distance; the night sky was cascaded with stars, shimming brightly in the sky. Thick snow fell quickly over the grounds, the chiming churches, and the trees. The lights danced, the air chill, yet no one seemed to mind. The ground was already covered in thick, white snow, which was being crushed by every person walking through the city.
"Everything alright?" asked a voice from his ear. He started, still leaning against the fence, then nodded. Distantly, he heard Christmas carols emitting from the surrounding stores.
"The question is…" he said, turning to look at her, "Are you alright?"
Her eyes shifted; the blazing, hard look vanished, and she looked over his shoulder, to the giant Christmas tree in the center of the city.
"Yeah. I'm fine." She took a deep breathe, her hair thick with white snow. "It's just weird, you know. I don't feel…whole."
A beautiful sadness seemed to have rested upon them; Harry watched as, some feet away, George leaned against a fence. He looked hopelessly, desperately, lost. Feeling a lump in his throat, he turn his attention to Mr. and Mrs. Weasly; they were standing before the Christmas tree, arm in arm, watching it twinkle as their eyes glistened with tears. Some feet away, he saw Ron shove snow in Hermione's face. She gasped in shock, then an evil grin plastered her face. She charged at him, so they both fell in the snow.
Harry smiled slightly, slipping his hand in Ginny's. She needed him, he knew, yet he felt the pain too. Fred was his family, and to have a Christmas without him…
He looked down the main street. It was full of muggles running up and down the street, struggling with bags full of toys, cards, presents-
"Harry…" Ginny breathed suddenly, prodding him with her elbow. "Harry, look…"
Two muggles had stopped, staring at them from across the street. Harry felt his heart sink slightly; they had come here, after all, so they would not be recognized…
The air was so thick with snow, Harry had to squint through his glasses. But by which time, the largest man shouted, "Harry!"
He knew that voice. And through his shock, he felt Teddy pull up by his side, and grab his leg. Through his shock, he felt Ginny's hand tighten on his own.
"Harry…" Dudley finally breathed, swiping a strand of hair our his snow covered face. Backs covered both his arms, along with Petunias. "How are you?"
Did he mention he was shocked? He had not seen them sense their departure at Privet Drive. "I…er…I'm good, thanks." He turned to his aunt in respect, "And how are you, Aunt Petunia?"
She smiled slightly, nodding her head in grace. Harry turned back to Dudley, who was shocked to see, had lost much weight. Dudley smiled at him, "I hear you did it then?"
"Did-? Oh, er, yes. I-I did it." Harry finished lamely, picking up Teddy, who had been tugging on his arm for some time. Ginny watched apprehensively from the side.
"Good," said Dudley firmly, "Glad to see you're alright."
The sincerity in his voice made Harry start. After a second of silence, he saw his aunts gaze fall on Teddy; she looked shocked.
"He uh…he isn't mine," he coughed, and watched her face etch understanding. "Can you say hi, Teddy?"
Teddy laughed, as Harry waved his hand for him. Dudley smiled, "He's cute. Who's is he?"
Harry met Ginny's gaze, and after a second, answered. "He's a friend of mines. They actually…passed…in the war."
Petunia's head shot up, but both her and Dudley seemed shocked to say the least. "Well, I'm sorry to hear that."
Harry nodded, just as the chimes on the church rang loudly. Midnight. Dudley gasped, looking at his mother, then back at Harry.
"I'm sorry Harry, we must be going. It was nice seeing you." He inclined his head at Ginny, then Harry, then placed his hat on his head. He smiled back at them and hollered, "Merry Christmas!"
They watched their retreating backs vanish through the snow, before turning to each other. Ginny rocked awkwardly on her heels. "Well…that was pleasant."
Harry grinned at her. He actually had to disagree with her slightly; it really was pleasant. Seeing Dudley so…normal, just went to show how much things had changed. He could not elaborate, however, because Teddy had gasped, sliding himself out of Harry's grip.
"Pretty…" he said, running over to Percy, who picked him up and laughed. Harry and Ginny joined them, along with Ron and Hermione, as they watched as the tree's lights began to change colors. George even smiled; that was, until, something fell out of his pocket.
In one second, every muggle in the city had let out a gasp, for a firework had set off.
"George!" Mrs. Weasley scolded, clearly upset. It had been such a perfect moment-
But George looked confused, He felt inside his pocket, and his eyes widened in surprise as more fireworks fell out. They rocketed to the sky.
"George!" Ginny hollered over the thundering of fireworks. He gaped. "I…"
And then they stopped. A silence fell upon the common, as every muggle stood up and looked around. George turned to us.
"I don't know where those came from," he said blankly.
Ron pushed Hermione aside. "Hm…maybe the…joke shop,"
"We…I've never designed-"
"Everyone shut up!" Ginny hissed from Harry's ear. She had pointed to the sky, where the smoke hung from the fireworks. Harry followed her gaze, and did a double take.
For there, very clearly in the sky, printed in shining red and green lights, read the simple word:
Fred.
George's face was shocked. "But…but that doesn't make sense…"
Mrs. Weasley's eyes shone with bright tears as she turned to George.
"Didn't you-?" she began, uncertain. He shook his head slowly, gaping.
And then, he smiled. And so did Mrs. Weasley, and Mr. Weasley, and Ron, and Ginny, and Percy, and-
Then it was gone. But the words seemed to be etched into the back of Harry's eyes. Teddy climbed up on to him, snuggling in the crook of Harry's neck.
"Pretty…" he mumbled again, his thumb in his mouth. Harry's mouth was dry, and he nodded…because he was positive he wasn't the only one who thought it….who knew it…
That Fred Weasley had been here, with us, tonight.
