A/N: Really short chapter. Sorries! Only one more after this one!

Disclaimer: Hey! Hey you! Did you know that I don't own anything? Because I don't.

Chapter twenty-four: The last step on a staircase.

If you've ever had someone that you were immensely close with die, then you know how it feels to gaze into their coffin the day of the funeral. If you haven't, let me clarify it for you a bit. If you walk up a staircase in the dark, you might end up thinking that there's one more step than there is at the top. But when you reach that last step, and your foot plunges into the darkness, a sickly feeling seizes your stomach and a cold feeling spreads across your skin.

If my metaphor doesn't suit your lifestyle, then you can't possibly understand what if felt like for George and I felt as we gazed upon Fred's unmoving, lifeless body.

Even though I had gotten to speak to Fred's spirit, sorrow still overwhelmed me at the thought of never getting to see him living again. Never getting to help him with his pranks again. Never getting to see that silly little grin of his again. Never getting to throw dinner rolls at his stupid face again. Never being able to hear his happy laughter rebound off of the walls again…

My eyes were red and watery. My mascara bled down my flushed face as tears spilled from my eyes. Quickly wiping it away, leaving black smudges on my hands, I peered up at George through the corner of my eye.

He hadn't been the same since Fred's death. His face was paler than usual, he slept very little, and his appetite decreased tremendously. I had grown used to the redness of his eyes from holding his crying form in my arms throughout those long and lonely nights. I had to be the strong one during that time and let him grieve for his dead twin brother.

As I looked at him that moment, I saw a torn and broken man who had just lost one of the most important things in his life. I reached over and grabbed his hand firmly, intertwining our fingers. I squeezed his hand reassuringly, though I knew he wouldn't be reassured very much. How could he have been?

We took our seats with the rest of his family in the front row as a portly man began reading a speech about what a great person Fred was. I couldn't help is as anger swelled throughout my entire body. He had never known Fred. That man hadn't know anything about that loud, idiotic, fun-loving, red-headed prankster.

I blocked out his speech and simply focused on the sounds of the sobbing that rebounded off of the walls and filled my ears. I looked around the area to see everyone who had attended.

I soon noticed one small detail that bothered me for some reason: Everyone was wearing some form of a dark colour except for me. Everyone bore a saddened expression and wore their dark colours sombrely. I frowned at the sight, thinking that it were all wrong.

I snapped out of my thoughts when I noticed that the man had finally finished his speech. Determination flared through me as I met George's broken gaze. I smiled at him and squeezed his hand one more time before standing up. I made my way over to the podium, my long, bright blue skirt billowing behind me. Everyone's eyes snapped up to me. I tugged nervously at the hem of my white and blue striped tank top, and wrung my hands together before starting.

"Hey everyone. I'm pretty sure most of you know me, but in case you don't, my name is Echo. I was, still am, and forever will be Fred Weasley's best friend. He was probably one of the most amazing people I ever had the pleasure of knowing, and I can honestly say that I knew him pretty well too. Fred helped me through a lot of things. He helped me find my way to my classes in my first year. He defended me against a lot of judgemental people. He taught me how to prevent certain prank items from exploding in my face." Laughter rang out softly around me. "And he helped me get together with George, his twin brother. We spent a lot of time together just talking about things and laughing," I paused as tears welled up in my eyes at all of the memories. "And I think that if he were watching you all right now-" which I didn't doubt he was, "-I think he'd be sad. Fred was a bright and fun person, and would want all of you to be proud of him. He wouldn't want to see you all wearing dark colours and crying. He'd want to see you celebrating the life that he lived and smiling. Fred died happy, knowing that he was protecting and saving countless numbers of lives. The last thing I saw of him was that mischievous grin of his, and I'm certain that his spirit is throwing invisible dungbombs at all of you as I speak." A few chuckles echoed through the room again, and I smiled softly. "He wants you all to continue to be happy and live your lives as if he were here. I think you all owe him at least that much."

I smiled, and stepped down from the podium. I made my way back over to George who smiled and kissed my cheek.

I felt a soft tap at my shoulder and turned around just in time to see the grinning face of Fred Weasley giving me a thumbs-up sign before disappearing.

I walked into George's flat a few weeks after the funeral with a sorrowful look on my face. He looked up at me from his spot on the sofa. He stood up and quirked an eyebrow at me.

"What's wrong Love?" he asked. I didn't look up into his eyes out of fear at what they might contain.

"I… I have something to tell you George," I whispered. He paused for a moment.

"Okay, what is it?" he asked gently.

"I'm… I'm leaving for a while…"

"What? Where are you going?" He asked urgently. I flinched slightly.

"My family and I… we're moving to Albania for a bit… They want to get away for bit... they don't really have a good face here anymore..."

"How long will you be gone?" he asked in a whisper.

"I… I don't know," I replied honestly.

"But you're eighteen now, you don't have to go anywhere with your family," he argued. I looked up at him finally with a saddened smile.

"I know, but… they need me for a bit. We need to… work out some stray ends, you know?" He nodded sadly. I knew that he'd understand, but I also knew that it wouldn't make it feel any better.

"Will you… will you come back?"

"Of course I will," I replied softly. "And it gives us some time apart. Maybe it'll make us grow closer."

"Yea… maybe…"

"A-And I don't want you to feel tied down right now," I said finally. He quirked an eyebrow at me again.

"What?"

"I… I mean… you're young, and maybe some time away from me will let you find someone… someone else…" Both of his eyebrows shot up.

"Are you insane or something?" I laughed slightly.

"I'm just saying, keep your options open." He nodded a bit.

"When are you leaving?" I stayed silent for a moment.

"In… in about three hours..." He stared at me disbelievingly.

"And why didn't you tell me this before?" he demanded, his voice laced with a slight irritability. I turned red.

"I… I was scared…"

"Of what?!"

"Of… of hurting you…" I answered lamely, flinching at the tone of his voice.

"You thought telling me later would hurt any less? It hurts either way Echo! First I lose my brother, and now I lose my girlfriend? Can't I ever win?" he shouted. I cringed and backed up a bit.

He's just upset right now Echo…

"I… I'm s-s-sorry George. I… I'll be b-back e-eventu-"

"And then what? Are you just going to leave me again for some Albanian bloke you meet?!" I lifted my gaze to glare at him a bit, though my eyes were gleaming with moisture.

Don't fight with him Echo! He doesn't know what he's saying!

Yes he does.

"If you think that about me George, then you obviously don't know me very well. I'm just going to go now… okay… I'll write if you want me to," I said before turning around to leave. I felt him glare at the back of my head.

"Maybe you shouldn't bother," he hissed. I tossed a glare at him over my shoulder.

Don't do it Echo!

Shut up Fred!

"Yea? Well maybe I won't if that's how you want it," I hissed back before slamming the door to the flat, and part of my life.

A sickly feeling enveloped my stomach as my foot made contact with the last step of the staircase. I wrapped my arms around my chest, hoping it might stop the aching in my heart.

...Too bad it didn't work.

A/N: Ah... so I'd love if you didn't jump through my computer screen and eat me. This isn't done yet, so just wait before you decided to eat me. Kay, thanks.