Chapter Sixty-Three - Time

"What price?" asked George. Had not his brother paid enough? What could be more valuable than his own life? Sure, it wasn't like he had sacrificed his existence for someone. Still, he fought in war all the same.

"Fred, my child, I'm giving you eight days. By noon on the day of your name, the magic will vanish. Not a minute sooner or later. Use your time wisely. I warn you no one outside your close family can recognize you or else the spell will immediately wear off. And your soul will immediately enter the reincarnation cycle by the eighth day, your next life waits for you. I cannot let you give bad examples to the other souls. Imagine the mayhem if all of them have a nosy friend to rely on." George didn't really understand the concept of reincarnation but Kagome did and George saved his questions for later. Also, it was just like them to give bad examples even in the afterlife.

"'The day of your name'? You are watching too much Game of Thrones, Grandmother."

"I'm old, not outdated, boy."

"Fair enough, Granny," said Fred. The informality earned him a slap on the back of the head, courtesy of his sister-in-law. "Er-" he cleared his throat. "Thank you, Great Grandmother. It's more than I deserve."

"Tie all of your knots, my child. Not many have a second chance or a fox full of mischief willing to break several rules. And one of your brothers might need a bit more attention than the rest of your family. And I'm not talking about your twin."

It was no secret to George she was referring to Percy. It took him over a year to be over Fred's passing but Percy, being the one to hold him on his last breath after years of a stranded relationship, still had a hard time to come to terms with his passing. Every time they saw each other, George could feel the weight of the guilt that was eating him from inside out. He hoped after these eight days he will have his brother back. No matter how much he picked on him when they were younger, he loved him dearly and missed his presence.

When Ms. Hallewell left, Shippou went to his workshop to prepare a charmed finger band to conceal Fred's features. It took him no more than half an hour and George didn't like the results. Not that it wasn't an impressive work but because Fred wasn't his mirror image anymore and he had to force himself to remember that Fred was dead, no matter if his physical presence that moment said otherwise. Kagome must have felt his discomfort because she squeezed his hand and he felt a flux of magic clouding his eyes. The next time he opened them, the charm was no longer in place even though Fred still wore the ring.

"I hate concealment charms too," whispered Kagome on his ear. "I don't see that much resemblance. Why did people mix you two? I really got the better-looking twin, I must say. And the most charming too. Don't give me this smug smirk or I'll take that back."

Posting a few hours earlier because I'm rooting for my country on Summer Olympic Games! Go, Marta! Brazil loves you!

I hope you liked this chapter and I'm sorry to disappoint those who wished for Fred to stay for a bit more.

Please, tell me what you think!