A/N: I wrote this story for a dear friend of mine. I've always loved reading stories where Harry loses and war still rages on, those post-apocalyptic, dystopian or gloomy worlds where everything doesn't end in sunshine and rainbows. This story has the same premise but with a twist to it. For those wondering, it concerns the fate of George, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Draco, Neville, Luna, Lavender, Seamus and Dean as they get captured by the enemy and work together to pass something of importance to Harry that can help end the war. The year here is 2001.

Each chapter will contain the POV of an individual and this story will have an epilogue so stay tuned for that. I've tried to make my story as canon-compliant as possible but if there are some things that are not what they seem, just take it as part of a slight AU. Other than that, do enjoy this story and review it if you can. Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own HP or any of these elements.

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THE LAST OF US

Chapter One: George

They could hear the sounds of birds chirping outside the bars as the last rays of sunlight started to fade in the cell. It seemed strange to George that despite everything that happened, there were still parts of the world that moved forward. Even now, George could picture tiny nocturnal creatures crawling out from their respective homes, on the hunt for food as the trees in the forest continue to sway under the cool breeze of the early spring. For a moment, George allowed himself to go back into the past where on such days before Hogwarts, he and Fred would frolic about in that yard, pulling pranks on Ron and Ginny while enjoying the absence of Percy who would no doubt take that moment to admonish them. He could recall the enticing smell of bacon and sausages that would waft through the air of the Burrow, prompting a manic rush for food that often ended with their mother chastising them all while their father would simply laugh out loud before turning his attention to the Daily Prophet.

The good ol' days George thought grimly before his mind snapped back to reality. Two ceiling lights illuminated the cell that they were all now in as George surveyed his surroundings. At one time, the cell had been so overcrowded with surviving members from the DA and the Order that one could hardly move from their allocated spot. But their captors had seen to that and despite the freedom to move about the cell, George would have gladly sacrificed leg cramps to have his parents back again.

Mom, Dad, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Percy.

George knew he was next. Even if they didn't pick him, he would volunteer. It was time, after all. Fred had been gone for a few years now and it was inevitable that the pair would get together. A soft groan broke George's train of thought as he turned towards the unusual individual next to him.

Though it might have surprised George at first to see Draco Malfoy in the cell next to him, it did make sense that the captors would have taken him to. Their captors weren't the most forgiving of people and with Dolores Umbridge pulling their strings, even her most loyal former Inquisitorial Squad member wasn't immune to punishment, particularly given the Malfoy's last-ditch attempt to side with Harry.

"Hey Malfoy," George said as Draco let out a yawn. "Not that I judge people for who they are but if you keep falling asleep on me like that, people might talk."

Draco's eyes snapped wide as he pulled his head away in disgust. George heard a tiny snicker as he turned to his right to see Luna Lovegood trying to stifle a laugh. Beaming at the young witch, George focused on his sister, Ginny, who seemed much better despite having suffered period cramps the night prior. Next to her were Neville Longbottom and Dean Thomas, both flicking a stone towards the other in some sort of game to pass the time. Beside Dean, was Seamus Finnigan who was quietly comforting Lavender Brown next to him. The pair had gotten close over time and it warmed George's heart to see the pair together. Both Seamus and Lavender weren't close during their time in Hogwarts but war has a way of pushing people together faster than any Love Potion ever could. George was reminded of that when he turned to the final two people in the cell, who despite having done so many, many times over were now locked in yet another deep kiss.

Ron and Hermione Granger-Weasley

It had happened a week ago when both Charlie and Percy, together with Professor Flitwick, were still around. Ron had gotten on one knee and asked Hermione for her hand in marriage. Flitwick, who had been ordained by the Ministry decades ago, presided over the ceremony which consisted of the group lining up in a straight line while Charlie walked with Hermione from one end of the cell to the other where Ron was waiting with George and Percy as the best men. Though there hadn't been a ring or a wedding dress (Hermione wore her prison clothes though her hair had been done up by Lavender who expertly used the leftover water given to give Hermione a pretty amazing hairdo), it was still George's favourite wedding to date as he pictured his parents, Bill and Fred smiling from up above. The celebration had caused their guards to knock loudly against the wooden door to tell them to shut up but no one, not even Malfoy, cared to listen. It was a small win, in an otherwise dark time and George savoured every moment of it.

"Oi, enough you two," George exclaimed loudly, earning a blush from Hermione and a middle finger from Ron. He loved them dearly but George did have his limits.

"Oh, let them be, George," Ginny said as Hermione gave her a grateful nod. "None of us complained when you moan in your sleep about Angelina."

"For your information, I was thinking about Malfoy," George replied, earning a full burst of laughter from Luna and a menacing glare from Draco.

"Shut up, Weasley," Draco growled.

"Make me, Malfoy," George said as he winked at Draco.

"Why don't you both just quit it?" Seamus spoke as everyone turned their attention towards him and Lavender. On cue, Ginny, Luna, and Hermione moved from their respective positions as they all cradled around Lavender while Seamus motioned for the boys to move to the other end of the room.

"Parvati?" Neville asked as Seamus shook his head. Parvati Patil, together with her sister, were amongst the first to lose their lives as George recalled with a shudder how they were burned to death by fires set by the other side.

"Trelawney," Seamus replied sadly as Dean placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Lavender was telling me how peaceful she looked when she died."

"Even though she was annoying, I miss her." George sighed as the other boys nodded in agreement. Draco, on the other hand, gave a scoff as his arms started fidgeting.

"Look," Draco spoke as Seamus glared at the wizard. "We've all lost people close to us. Right now, we need to be focused on how to get out of this place. Where the fuck is Harry? Shouldn't he be here by now?"

"For the last time, Malfoy." Ron snarled softly. "Harry's out there looking for us. Like I said, it's not like he can Apparate here, wherever the fuck here is. Not to mention, if he does, it would probably be the last thing he does. Trust me, Harry's not going to give up on us!"

"He's going to use Elves, isn't he?" Dean asked hastily. "They're probably the best way for us to leave this place."

"Yes, but Elves have limitations too," Neville answered. "All we can hope for is that Harry finds the location."

"Well, we still have Operation Getthefuckouttahere." George chimed in as he noticed Neville's hand rising with six sticks in his hand.

"No," George said firmly as he pushed Neville's hand down. "We're not doing this. It's me. I'm next."

"George…" Ron said with a pained look on his face but George shook his head.

"No, Ron. I'm the oldest. I'm the one who has lived longer than any of you. If I could give you all more than just a day, I would. Don't worry, I know what to do. Hermione's plan is going to work."

"George, we can't –"

"No arguments," George said firmly before his shoulders started to sag. If there was a time he would allow himself to be vulnerable, this was it. George felt his face getting wet as he reached to touch the tears streaking down his face.

"Please, Ron," George said turning to his brother. "Let me see Fred again."

The moment Fred's name was mentioned, Ron gave a soft sob before throwing himself at his brother, wrapping his arms with such strength that George had to stick a leg out so as not to topple over. This act was made even harder when Neville, Dean, Seamus, and even Draco, who awkwardly wrapped his arms behind Neville, embraced the Weasley twin with all their might.

"Okay, okay," George called out as he felt his leg about to give way. "Enough with the chick flick moment." This elicited a laugh from each boy as the group pulled away from George. In between the pair of Dean and Seamus, George could see the girls, particularly his sister looking at him with such distress that it broke his heart. Adamant that he would not spend his last moments weeping and feeling sorry for everything, George sat on the floor and motioned for the entire group to gather in a circle.

"Where is it, Hermione?" George asked as the bushy-haired witch reached into her pockets. The cuffs on her wrists made it slightly harder to retrieve the rock though no one cared. George could see at the corner of his eye, Draco scratching away at his cuffs while Ron offered to help Hermione. With his help, Hermione pulled out the rock which was now glowing ever so slightly.

"How much more do you think?" Lavender asked as Hermione squirmed about in her spot.

"Honestly, I don't know. Probably not more to go." Hermione replied.

"I might be just enough," George said out loud, shaking his head immediately at Ginny who had opened her mouth to protest. "Let's forget that for now. I have something more important to tell you all."

"What is it?" Dean asked.

"It's about Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes!" George exclaimed with pride. "Well, the thing is that the joke shop is Fred and mine's life work and it would be a shame if we were to somehow win the war and no one would know about our products. So I'm going to tell you all how we make them, from our Extendable Ears to our boxing telescopes."

"Since all of you are honorary Weasleys, yes even you Malfoy!" George gasped dramatically as the group burst into laughter while Malfoy's face turned bright red. "I would like it that whoever amongst you who have the chance, please share our knowledge. Fred said it a long time ago that a world without jokes, pranks, and laughter is not one he would want to live in and I agree."

There were murmurs of agreement as George took a look at everyone in the room. Though he did not say it, George was proud of the way each and every person and he loved them all to bits. As the group listened intently to George describing each product with hilarious commentary, there were gales of laughter echoing about the cell throughout the night as somewhere in the night sky, the stars shone slightly brighter than they usually did.

….

As George heard the shuffling of feet outside the door and the locks starting to click, he pulled himself away from his sister's embrace before narrowing his eyes at the entire group.

"If any of you gets up, I will knock your arse down, you hear me? Girl or no girl?" George said firmly before a smile broke out on his face. He could see their eyes, some red, some watery but all of them knowing that it was futile to argue with him.

The door swung open as a large, aged man with a black beard and a steely gaze walked into the room, followed by the giggling toad that was Dolores Umbridge. The bearded man glared about the room before speaking.

"Whose turn is it?"

George sprung to his feet as he pulled himself away from the strong tugs on his sleeves by his sister.

"Right here, Antonin," George spoke with surprising confidence. Though he had put up a brave front for the group, he had felt the fear creep in him all night. Yet somehow his fear had eroded away in the morning, his only thought being of the group, Hermione's plan and Harry. Turning around as he walked towards Antonin, George gave the group a smile.

"I love all of you so much. Don't forget to laugh, okay?"

"Come on!" Antonin said as he dragged George out of the room. Umbridge had already walked ahead, the witch pleased with the prompt choice of her captives. As George watched the door closed behind him, he tried hard to drown out the sobbing and screaming sounds of Ginny Weasley as he heard Ron trying to calm their sister down.

…..

The rays of the morning sun blinded George momentarily as he was pushed to the outside of their prison. It was then that he heard the waves, crashing against the cliffs as George walked through the forest surrounding their prison. As far as resting places go, it wasn't half bad.

George kept his eye on the window of the cell where no doubt, the group would be staring out of as they always did whenever one of these took place. George recalled the anger and horror he felt each time he was a spectator but strangely enough, a sense of calm had overtaken him. Recalling the plan, George let out a slew of curses as he touched his wrists, finally freed from the cuffs that had been on him since his arrival.

George walked over to the spot at the edge of the cliff where he could see the window several metres away and two stories high from where he was. George had made sure to walk with glee, even kicking the soles of his feet together as he made his way. He wanted to give no satisfaction to his captors, a wizard fearlessly embracing death, unlike the cowards that caught him. As George stood on the edge of the cliff, he recalled how he had seen some wizards throwing themselves off rather than allow their captors to execute them. Either way, everyone ended up on the rocks below as George took a moment to admire the island where he would die.

George watched as three men stood in front of him, each one with grim determination on their faces. Next to them were Antonin and Umbridge, both glaring at him as George winked at the pair.

"Any last words?" Antonin said as he raised his hand to signal the trio in front of George. This was his moment, his final say in this world and George had picked out his phrase perfectly.

"Your zipper's undone," George remarked as he pointed to the trio and it gave him immense satisfaction to see that one of them had actually looked. You can't beat the classics George thought as Antonin dropped his hand in anger.

"Made you look," George yelled out before a bright flash of light shone in his eyes and then, he was no more.

…..