Luna's death was the hardest hit George had taken since the loss of Fred. It was like those initial dark days before she'd come to help him, only this time the darkness consumed years without Luna to show him the light. She had helped George through so much. Not just Fred's death but both of his parents' and Charlie's too. Now there was no one who could reach through the shadows. There was no one to help him cope. The children tried. By God they tried and they kept him alive for three whole years before Freddie realised that George's persistent requests to be given a wand so he could end his own life would never stop. His children didn't need him anymore. There was nothing to anchor him to the world of the living. Freddie's father had lost his peace of mind when Luna passed on.

George was beyond saving.

The idea of letting someone die when they're in great physical pain is extremely controversial.

The idea of letting someone die when they're in great emotional pan is even more so.

It's not a great mystery as to why. Humans value life, no matter what the quality, and clearly fear the unknown. Yes, everyone has their own theory about what happens after death but that uncertainty, the seed of doubt, terrifies all of us, even if we refuse to admit it. Freddie, Lorcan and Lysander were all frightened at the idea of losing their only living parent forever but after a series of painful discussion the three men decided to give in to George's recurring request.

"Mum would never have wanted this." Lysander murmured darkly as the boys traipsed upstairs to their father.

George hadn't left The Rook since Luna's funeral. He could bear to part from her and her spirit filled the house top to bottom. Her laugh echoed among the rafters, her dotty nature was reflected in the décor. Memories clung to every available surface and haunted George who wept in their bed. He thought being close to her would comfort him but in truth it made the pain even harder to bear. George would never admit this though. In fact he didn't need to. It was visible all over his worn face.

Goodbyes are always so terrible, especially when you know you'll never see that person again. So many things get left unsaid. So many people are left with regret. Even the best sons – because to George and Luna their children would always be the best no matter their faults – find themselves wishing they'd done things differently or that they'd done more. The finality of goodbyes mean that it's too late. Time had run out for George and his children. There was no going back, no changing the past. What was done was indeed done and George wouldn't have altered a second of it.

They tried to keep it brief, having delayed George's reunion with Fred and Luna for long enough already. It was so hard though. Could you leave a room knowing that the second you're out the door the person you've turned your back on will kill themselves? Could you imagine hearing your father cast his final spell because the pain of the world was too much? Can you begin to fathom the heartache that all four men felt?

When you truly love someone you try to endure the pain though. And they did.

Freddie, Lorcan and Lysander did try to endure. They gripped one another's hands like the children they had never ceased to be and endured hearing George Fabian Weasley wheeze his final words:

"Advada Kedavra."

Luna sat amongst the tall grass of the meadow studying her bare feet as she buried her toes in the damp earth. Golden sunlight filtered down and reflected off of her pale blonde hair. The glow warmed her back and she squirmed slightly, trying to better position herself so it spread across more of her body through the sunflower dress she wore. Patiently she listened to the babbling of a hidden stream and the breathing of her companion.

"How much longer will he be?" Fred asked impatiently.

He threw a juicy red apple up into the air and caught it again before taking a bite. A broom rested on the floor by his stretched out legs and he was dressed in Quidditch gear. Luna didn't regret pulling him from the match he had been playing with The Marauders however. She knew that he wouldn't want to miss this.

"I don't know. Castiel just told me he was arriving today." Luna shrugged. She completely understood Fred's impatience. He had been anticipating this particular arrival far longer than she had and the wait felt like it was killing Luna all over again.

With a thunderous boom the sky above the cracked open and a star fell to the ground. Instantly Fred and Luna jumped to their feet and raced over to where it fell. Lying unconscious on the ground was George, young as he was when Luna moved in with him and possessing both ears. Luna laughed and dropped to her knees, caressing his lineless face. Fred crouched down and grinned as George's eyes opened.

"It's about time you joined us."