Okay, here's where I change it up a bit. It's the same emo-ness you love and/or hate, but with a twist!

***

Ash lay on Fred's bed, mystified and hurt by George's sudden exit. She didn't know what had come over him, but she thought it best to let him be. She sniffed, and Fred's warm scent filled her. Tears burned her eyes, and she started to cry.

"Shh. Don't cry, love."

"George?"

"No." Ash's eyes flew open. She sat up and stared in shock. A translucent figure stood at the edge of the bed, with two enormous wings on his back. More orderly than he had ever been in life, Fred Weasley's hair was pulled into a ponytail. His clothes were the same ones he had been wearing when he was killed, but they were clean and free of rips and tears.

"Fred?" Ash breathed.

"Yes?" he asked conversationally.

"Am I dreaming?"

"Nope."

Ash crawled across the bed and hugged Fred as hard as she possibly could.

"You came back!" she exclaimed.

"Ash," Fred said, removing her arms from round his neck. "I'm not back, not for good, at least." Ash looked up at him, her expression somewhere between shock and confusion.

"You see," Fred said, "I didn't really get time to make a will, since I died so suddenly and all, so the Boss let me come down to talk to you and set everything straight."

"Th-the Boss?" Ash asked, stunned.

"The Boss, the Head Honcho, the Creator, whatever you want to call him," Fred said airily. "The point is, he let me come down here, but only for a few minutes, so I'd better cut to the chase.

"Ash, I'm trusting you to help take care of the shop, alright?" Ash bit her lip. Fred noticed, and changed his tone.

"I know it's hard right now," he said gently. "I'm not asking you to go running over there this instant. When you're ready, please go back." Ash nodded.

"I need you to take care of George," Fred said. "He needs you, more than you know." Ash nodded again, chewing on her lip to keep from crying.

"Oh Fred," she burst out. "Are you sure you can't stay?" Fred smiled at her kindly.

"I'm sorry, love, but I can't. I have to move on."

He flickered for a moment, then returned to his original state.

"Looks like time's almost up," he said. "You take care of yourself, okay?"

"Wait, you have to go?" Ash exclaimed.

"Yes. This is goodbye, Ash." He took her in his arms and held her tightly. Once more, Ash felt the warmth and comfort of his embrace, and breathed his warm scent.

"Goodbye, love," he whispered in her ear, but it could have just been a passing breeze. Then, he was gone, and Ash fell, face-first on to the bed, where she sobbed for all she was worth.

***

I had to bring Fred back, just for one bloody chapter. I couldn't help it.