Disclaimer- The characters are J.K Rowling's but the plot belongs to me. 

Thanks again to my reviewers.  I always feel so awesome when I hear from you and I'm glad you like the story.  I hope you continue to enjoy it. 

Once again, I'll add that even chapters will be focused on Fred and odd chapters will be focused on George.  This chapter is Fred.  I hope you enjoy and the next chapter will pick up with George and the gang of boys in muggle London!

With that said – on to the chapter shall we?

When you're gone chapter 4

Mrs. Weasley opened her mouth and screamed.  Fred flinched from the noised.  Along the hallway, every door opened up, and Arthur came thundering up the stairs.  Ginny looked pale and Percy seemed torn between being annoyed with the racket and being concerned with the situation.  Ron just looked shocked.

"Molly!  Whatever is the matter?"  Arthur yelled over the wailing, gently shaking her by the shoulders.

Mrs. Weasley stopped screaming.  Turning to her husband, she opened her mouth as if to speak.  A hushed silence fell among the Weasleys as the waited for an explanation.  With a slight shake of her head, Mrs. Weasley's already fragile composure broke and she resumed sobbing.

"Fred, what's this all about?"  Mr. Weasley turned to his son as he gathered his quivering wife into his arms.

Fred turned his gaze to the floorboards and drew in a shaky breath.  "George has gone."

"What's that now?  I thought you said George had gone but that's mad."  Mr. Weasley chuckled.

Mrs. Weasley clung to Arthur's shoulder weeping with great shuttering breaths.  "He's gone Arthur, my baby… Oh Arthur!  My baby… he's gone…"  Burying her face into her husband's shoulder, she hiccupped as she tried to reign in her sobs.  Mr. Weasley stared at the crown of his wife's head, the color bleeding from his face.

"Now, now Molly dear, I'm sure this is just a little thing – he's probably at one of his friend's houses."  Mr. Weasley tried to console her.

Fred glanced around helplessly taking in the positions of his family members.  Percy was leaning against his doorway for support, eyes gazing into the distance.  Ginny was clutching Ron's arm, tears silently trailing down her face; accompanied by an occasional whimper.  Ron was looking straight ahead and was patting Ginny's hair in a robotic fashion.  Fred could not focus.  'This isn't really happening,' Fred decided.  'Yes!  This is all a dream!  Things like this don't happen over silly little arguments…'  Although, if he was honest with himself – Fred knew that this little spat was just the end of a fuse he had lit three weeks ago.

For a stretch of time, the house was silent except for the heart broken cries of his mother, and the murmured words of comfort Ron was whispering to Ginny.  Fred could almost imagine he was somewhere else.  He felt detached, like in a dream, waiting to be jolted awake by the noises of the morning and called to breakfast.  He was jolted out of his reverie as Arthur Weasley cleared his throat. 

"Now Molly luv, you mustn't get yourself so worked up.  George is a smart boy – he's probably gone off to scare us.  We'll find him or he'll come back in a day or two."

"Yes, he's a smart boy isn't he?"  Molly calmed her tears, "we'll contact his friends, yes, won't we Fred?"

Fred felt the heavy stares of his family fall on his as the question hung in the air.  Fred gave a slight nod, "I'll go floo Lee."

Fred's answer broke the spell on the family and the hallway became a flurry of activity.  Ron was going to owl Harry and Hermione, incase George turned up.  Ginny was in charge of contacting Bill and Charlie.  Percy, along with Mr. Weasley, was going to check the neighborhood.  Molly wrung her hands together as she announced she would be traveling to Diagon Alley to ask after George.

"Mum, that's absurd!  Why would George go all the way to Diagon Alley?  It's not as though we know anyone he could stay with near there."  Percy reasoned.

"I would like to speak with Tom at Leaky Cauldron, let him know so maybe he can keep an eye out…"  Mrs. Weasley replied softly, with a slight hitch in her voice.

Ginny and Ron gasped together.  Ron was the first to voice their thoughts, "you don't think he'd go to muggle London do you?"

"No, No! I should think not."  Mr. Weasley boomed, "But it doesn't hurt to have another pair of eyes on the situation!  Well thought Molly."

After the family had all scampered off to perform their duties, and Mrs. Weasley had flooed to Diagon Alley, Fred found himself kneeling in front of the fire.  With shaking hands, he tossed some floo powder into the fireplace, calling out Lee Jordan's name.  A sharp breath later, Lee Jordan's cheerful face appeared in the flames.

"'Ello Fred or George!  I do believe its Fred though – the drawn out 'e' on my name gave you…" Lee's happy drawl trailed off abruptly at the weariness on Fred's face.  "What's the matter Fred?"

"Have you…"  Fred's voice broke and he took a moment to gather his composure.  Clearing his throat he continued, "Have you seen George today?  Last night?  Has he contacted you?"

"No?  Fred, what is going on?  Has George been hurt?"  Lee asked voice full of confusion and worry.

"We don't know… he's gone Lee.  He's gone and it's my fault."  Fred's eyes shone with tears.

"I'm sure it's not your fault!  Maybe he just went out for a short while?"  Lee looked like he believed himself as much as Fred did.

"I said horrible things to him all break.  Last night I told Percy…"  Fred broke off as he was assaulted by the memory of last night's conversation – the loud bang after he had said those words… 'Oh God! Did he hear?'  "Oh God Lee, he heard me tell Percy I wished he was dead!"  Fred's resolve broke and the tears fell from his eyes as he hunched over.

Lee made a startled noise, "You what?  Fred?  Why would you say that?"  Lee shook his head in disbelief.

"I didn't mean it… I just – I have a bunch of people to speak to this morning.  Um, could you let me know if you hear anything?"  Fred shifted his gaze away from the flames.

"Sure, don't fret Fred.  He'll turn up."  Lee nodded as his face withdrew from the flames.

As Fred grabbed another handful of floo powder to call Angelina, he felt a pang in his heart.  'I did this because I was hurt over something so stupid.  I'm so childish.'  "Angelina Johnson."

The smiling face of Angelina Johnson appeared in the flames where Lee had been moments ago.  "Fred!  Oh my gosh, how are you?  This summer has been…"  Angelina gushed enthusiastically.

"Angelina!"  Fred called.

"Oh I'm sure you've been so busy! I was so excited when I hear you call!  I want to hear all about the new pranks and jokes you and George have been inventing! You'll never believe…"  Angelina continued obliviously.

"Angel!"  Fred yelled, exhaustion sweeping across his features.

"Fred?  What's happened?"  Angelina's voice lost its cheerful edge.

"George is missing.  Have you seen him?  Has he contacted you or Alicia?"

Angelina let out a shriek.  Fred heard the voice of their mutual friend, Alicia Spinnet, ask what was the matter from somewhere behind Angelina.  "George is gone? When?  How?  Why?"  Angelina sputtered.

"WHAT?"  Fred flinched at the shriek.  Angelina's head was violently replaced with Alicia's head.  Fred sighed; Alicia was George's closest confidant after himself.  'I wonder if he's been talking to her this summer.'

Fred's musings were answered as Alicia opened her mouth.  "What did you do to him Fred?"  The malice lacing his name had Fred terrified of her reaction to what he was about to tell her.

"He heard me tell Percy I wished he were dead."  Fred said softly.

An angry cry echoed through the Weasley's living room as Alicia lunged through the flames at him.  Before her hand could fist in his clothes, she was wrenched backwards through the flames by her feet.

"He better be alright Weasley!"  Fred heard Alicia threaten as Angelina replaced her once more.

"He'll turn up!  Have faith Fred."  Angelina whispered, "I'll notify you straight away with any news."  Angelina cast him one last sympathetic smile and then disappeared from the flames.  As her flickering smile faded away, Fred drew up his knees and began rocking back and forth slowly.

Later that day, as the Weasleys gathered over lunch, they caught one another up on their findings.  Percy and Mr. Weasley reported no sightings by any of the neighbors.  Ron sadly informed them that neither Harry nor Hermione has heard from him.  Ginny shook her head as the eyes at the table turned to her.  Finally, Fred informed them that none of their close friends had seen him.  As they were clearing up the dishes, Mrs. Weasley entered the kitchen looking tired and worn.  Removing her cloak, she lowered herself stiffly into a chair.

"Tom hasn't seen him, and none of the patrons saw a boy fitting my description either last night or this morning.  Tom promised to keep an eye out for us."  Mrs. Weasley raised her eyes hopefully to her husband.  Arthur shook his head, "No luck here either.  We'll try again tomorrow."

Mrs. Weasley heaved a sigh and lowered her head to her arms as Mr. Weasley rubbed her back soothingly.  "We'll find him Molly," Mr. Weasley promised, "He'll be alright!"

TBC

Well hope you liked the chapter.  I'd love to hear what you think.  I might have the next chapter up tomorrow if all go well and I have time to write.  (I'm going to the casino! yea.)  I'm on summer break from university and I don't start work until June so I should have PLENTY of time to work on this story.  Hope to have you with me along for the ride! *grin*