Disclaimer: Any characters found in J. K Rowling's Harry Potter series belong to her.  Any characters not seen there and the plot belong to my own twisted mind.

Author's Note: Ah here it is the last chapter.  Okay well there's going to be an epilogue to bring in the other characters but for all intents and purposes George and Fred have no more hardships in this story after this chapter.  I hope you all like it, *sigh* I'm sad it's over, but I'm glad I can now share it with people.  To everyone who's reviewed since the last chapter: you're all awesome and I really take to heart the things you say to me in the reviews.  I have yet to receive a negative review that bashes the story completely which makes me so happy, because that would have been very damaging :(

ALL THE REVIEWERS ROCK!!!!!!

Enjoy the chapter, and don't hate the newspaper ad too much – I don't like it either but that was my fourth attempt and I just couldn't get it any better.  *sigh*

When you're gone chapter 12

Fred had wandered the halls of the castle aimlessly since being released from the infirmary; he feared returning to the common room and having to act cheerful.  The numbing potion had worn off and all Fred could feel was small twinges when he thought hard about George.  Madame Pomfrey had informed him that the potion he had received would block most of his memories of George; but it could not erase that he had existed.  Fred didn't mind – he deserved the pain.  He had been appalled to find out that the potion would remain effective until George touched him.  Fred had asked why they hadn't given him the potion immediately (not that he wanted it anyway).  Madame Pomfrey had explained that it could only be obtained by a licensed Medi-Wizard, and permission to get it was very strict and required extreme circumstances.  Fred had left the infirmary with the horrible knowledge that if George died he would not be taken with him, and would live the rest of his life feeling only small touches of pain.

Turning the corner to the transfiguration hallway, Fred ran into something small and hard.  Looking up apathetically, Fred concluded that he had run into Malfoy.

"If it isn't a Weasley," Malfoy sneered; Crabbe and Goyle chuckled dutifully from their positions at his side.

"Sod off, Ferret!"  Fred muttered tiredly.

Malfoy's eyes narrowed in anger, "Is that the same thing you told your dead brother?"

"He's not dead, Malfoy!"  Fred's voice rose, echoing down the narrow corridor.

"No thanks to you though, eh Weasel?  He will be soon enough – I hear he has become a Muggle.  Makes me glad that I'm an only child."  Malfoy taunted, his eyes glinting maliciously.

"Don't talk about my brother."  Fred ground out through clenched teeth.

"Can't say I'll be sad; one less pathetic excuse for a pureblood.  Damn Muggle lovers."  Malfoy continued airily.

Fred moved to tackle Malfoy, when a voice rang out from a classroom down the hall.  "What is the meaning of this?"  Professor McGonagall bit out, glaring down her nose at them.

Fred and Malfoy looked away from each other; Crabbe and Goyle fixed their eyes on a portrait down the hall.  All remained silent.  "That's what I thought.  Return to your dormitories now!  All of you," McGonagall sniffed.

Fred slammed through the portrait hole, storming past a shocked group of Gryffindors; angry with himself for letting Malfoy get to him, and angry with Malfoy for being right.  Fred stomped up the stairs to the seventh year dorms; wanting nothing more than sleep.

Hermione watched sadly, as Fred's angry form disappeared up the stairs.  Turning back to face the group she noticed the grim expressions on everyone's faces.  "He's getting worse."  Ron stately before Hermione could open her mouth. 

"He was alright until just these past few weeks."  Ginny agreed shaking her head.

"What I don't understand, is how you lot manage to act like nothing's happened."  Hermione huffed, glaring at the two Weasley children before her.

"Mum and Dad used the Occultare Cor Cordis charm on us."  Ron said nonchalantly.

"Occultare what?"  Harry joined the conversation.

"Of course, the Occultare Cor Cordis!  I've read about that," Hermione cut in excitedly.  "It enables the person on whom it had been cast to hide their emotions.  Brilliant!" 

"Why didn't your parents just cast it on Fred?"  Harry asked confused.

"Because it would be more dangerous, it wouldn't stop him from thinking about George; it would prevent us from seeing that he was in pain."  Ginny explained.

Harry nodded and the group went back to discussing plans to find George.  A medium sized speckled owl entered the common room and landed on the arm of the chair Hermione was sitting in.  Giving a squeal of delight, Hermione pulled out two knuts and relieved the owl of it's package.

"What's that Hermione?"  Ron asked confused.

"It's the London Evening Standard, a Muggle newspaper."

"What do you want that for?" 

"Honestly Ron!  I like to keep up to date with what's going on in my parents' world!"

"She just likes the 'Have your say' section."  Ginny interjected, "She's a nosey on that girl."

Hermione flushed bright red and stared purposefully down at the newspaper.  She flipped through the pages before coming to the section she wanted.  Hermione's eyes quickly scanned the paper for the eye-catching editions; a name got her attention from the corner of her eye and her jaw dropped in shock.

"Hermione?"  Ron turned to face his companions, "I think she's cracked!"

Hermione remained staring steadfastly at the sheet of paper infront of her.  Her eyes darting back and forth as she absorbed the words.

**************

Fred Weasley

If you are reading this Fred Weasley, twin brother of George Weasley,

please contact Tag at Carleton Factory; three blocks northeast of Oxford

Street.  George is very ill and is not expected to live much longer.  As his

close friend and caretaker I am trying to fulfill his final wish; that he die with

his brother by his side.  Time is of the essence come quickly please.  Tag.

*************

Hermione grabbed the article and raced from the common room; ignoring the surprised and disbelieving shouts of her friends.  Taking the stairs two at a time, she flew up to the seventh year dorms.  Without bothering to knock, Hermione flung open the door.  Pausing only to located Fred, she rushed over to his bed and shook him awake.

"Fred, get up!  Hurry!  Fred!"

"'Mione?  Go 'way."  Fred muttered sleepily.

"Fred you have to get up – I've found George."

Fred became more alert, "What?  Where?"

"There's no time for that, I'll explain when we're all together.  Get dressed!"  Hermione tossed him some clothes as Fred blinked sleepily at her from the bed.

"He's dying!"  Hermione yelled as she left the room to rally the others, causing Fred to scramble into action.

Three minutes later, Fred ran, panicked, down to the common room.  Ron, Ginny, Harry and Hermione were all in front of the fireplace holding broomsticks; Ginny had an extra one.  As he reached the group, Hermione began speaking.

"Okay, here's what we'll have to do; we'll nee d to floo to Diagon Alley and then go to Muggle London.  Using as much caution as we can given the circumstances, you will all follow me by broomstick to the location."

"Where are we going to get floo powder?"  Ron asked doubtfully.

"I've got some hidden away that I bought in Hogsmead."  Hermione answered quickly.

"How do you know where to go?"  Ginny asked quietly.

"A boy who's been looking after George wrote it in the newspaper to find Fred."  Hermione was beginning to sound impatient and when Harry opened his mouth, she grabbed a pinch of floo powder and hurried into the flames.   Fred grabbed a broom form Ginny and followed her.

Minutes later when they had all assembled, Hermione led them into an alley beside the Leaky Cauldron.  "Now, it's pretty dark; but try to avoid light patches, follow me and don't stop for anything."  Fred was on his broom before Hermione had finished her sentence, urging them to go faster.

The ride was short and tense; Fred was incredibly happy when they landed in a grove of trees near a warehouse.  Hermione instructed them to leave their brooms in the brush and told everyone to leave the talking to her.

"What are we doing here?  Where's George?"  Fred snapped impatiently.

"The letter said here Fred, calm down.  We're here, we're going to see George soon; but you have to let me handle the Muggles," Hermione soothed.

Fred nodded grudgingly and the group quickly walked up to the massive doors of the warehouse.  Hermione located a cord and pulled it, activating the doorbell.  For two minutes, everyone held his or her breath, until an irritated Latin boy pulled the door open.

"Whatever you're selling, we don't want it."

Hermione threw herself against the door as the boy began to close it.  "We're here to see Tag."

"Tag's busy.  Leave!"

"You don't understand…"

"Flame – who are these people?" A new voice echoed through the room.

"Uh, Tag!  They wanted to see you.  But I told them that you were busy!"  Flame mumbled.

"I'll speak with them.  Go help Laura with Trix; he's delusional again."  Tag motioned in the direction he had come.  Flame nodded and left the entrance.  Tag turned back to the group in the hall and motioned for them to enter.

"It's pretty late – what brings you here?"

"We came as soon as we were able; our school is quite a distance."  Hermione explained.

"What school?"

"A private boarding school in Scotland," Hermione replied, noticing the change in Tag's facial features.

"What did you say your names were?"  Tag asked, narrowing his eyes.

"We didn't.  I'm Hermione Granger, this is Harry Potter, and Ron, Ginny and Fred Weasley.  We're here about George."

Tag moved to lean against a wall and crossed his arms.  "How do I know you're not lying to hurt Trix?  I mean, there are a lot of sickos in this world."

"We're bloody identical!"  Fred exploded, moving forward.  Ron and Harry grabbed his arms.

"You don't look like him!  For one thing – Trix has got brown hair with blonde streaks."  Tag countered.

"It is possible that George changed his looks when he ran away."  Hermione interrupted.

"Well I suppose George will have to be the judge.  BUT," Tag stepped forward menacingly, "If you' hurt him in anyway…"

Tag was cut off as an anguished cry echoed through the building.  Down the hall Flame had gone, doors began opening and slamming shut.  Tag uttered a cry and began running towards the room the scream had come from; Fred and the group ran after him.

Entering the room, Fred almost fell to his knees.  George was lying on the bed, drenched in sweat.  His eyes were darting around wildly; there was a trail of blood leaking form his mouth and his breathing was shallow and liquid sounding.  Fred moved towards the bed but was restrained by Flame and another boy.  Fred fought wildly to free himself, crying silently.

"Trix calm down!"  Tag cried, glancing over at a woman who was holding George's hand.  "Laura…" The woman nodded and Tag motioned for another boy, who had been in the corner, to step forward.

"Pig was here!  A letter – Fred!  Where's Pig?"  George cried hysterically, thrashing in the bed covers. 

"Calm down Trix, we're going to give you some more heroin."  Tag spoke low and soothingly. 

At this both Hermione and Harry reacted.  Harry moved towards the boy with the needle, while Hermione shrieked.  "DON'T YOU DARE!  You have not right, are you out of your minds?"

The woman beside George began to rise and opened her mouth to speak but Hermione ranted on, "Who do you think you are? Heroin!  You're lucky I don't hex you right this minute!"  Hermione's voice was shriller than Fred had ever heard before; he wondered what they were trying to do.

Tag opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when George suddenly quieted.  "Herm?  Is that you 'Mione?  Is Ron here?  Did Fred come?  Is he still mad at me?"  George locked his eyes on Hermione and struggled to his elbows.

Hermione rushed forward and hugged George as Fred struggled to find words.  "I've brought everyone George.  Fred's here, he missed you."  Hermione stroked his hair; her magical aura beginning to calm George.  She turned her eyes to Fred's captors.  "Let him go!"

Stunned, they dropped Fred's arms and he threw himself onto the bed, wrapping his arms around George, sobbing into his brother's neck.  "Oh god Georgie, don't ever do that again.  Idiot," Fred blabbered, hugging George tighter against his body.

Ron looked at the scene with tears in his eyes.  Glancing at Ginny, she nodded.  After searching the room, Ron discretely pulled out his wand and whispered, "Finite Incantium."  In Fred's arms, George's hair melted into a flaming red, shocking the Muggles in the room.

"Fred? I'm sorry Fred!  I didn't want to bother you, but I didn't want to die alone."  George wept, pulling back to look at his brother's face.  "It hurts less now that you're here."

"Don't talk like that!  You'll be fine now that we're together.  Madame Pomfrey will heal you in no time.  You've been around Muggles too long."  Fred swore wiping at his hears.

"That sounds nice," George murmured sleepily, settling against his brother.

"Sleep Georgie, everything will be okay.  I'm here now.  We'll fix this."  Fred whispered, nodding to Ron and Ginny, who joined the hug on the bed, lending their magic to their brothers.

"'Lo Ronnikins, 'Ginia."  George muttered happily, "Missed you."

Tears welled up in Ginny's eyes, "I love you Forge."  "Geroff it."  Ron stammered blushing.

Hermione and Harry stood off to the side, smiling gently.  Tag walked over to them as George muttered, "I knew you wouldn't leave me to die alone."

"Thanks for coming.  I know there were some hard feelings between the brothers, but this had made it easier for George.  At least he can die happily now."

"Look, its okay – George will be fine."  Harry replied casually.

"I know it's easier to pretend, but you have to face and accept the truth.  There's nothing that can help him now."  Tag sighed sadly, "I love him like a brother, but I can't save him either."

Harry threw his hands up in frustration and stalked over to the window muttering, "Muggles! Honestly," angrily under his breath.  Hermione giggled behind her hand.  Tag threw her a questioning look, but was distracted as Harry slammed open the window.  "Pig!"  Harry shouted into the darkness.  The small owl came zooming in from the near by branch he was dozing on.  Catching Pig softly in his hands, he carried him over to Hermione; who already had a letter in her hand.  Quickly switching the old letter for the new letter, Hermione patted Pig once on the head and said, "Take this to Molly Weasley, its urgent Pig." 

Pig hooted once and flew a crazy lap around the room before disappearing into the darkness.  Tag offered the two chairs, and they gladly sank into them, watching their friends for a moment.  Harry and Hermione then rose again and dragged their chairs up to the bed and each placed a hand on George, adding their magic to the collection.

Laura motioned for everyone to leave the room but Tag and herself; whispering that the family should have time to say goodbye.  When the room had emptied, Laura placed her arm around Tag and watched the scene with tears in her eyes.

"It's not fair Laura."  Tag whispered.

"Life rarely is," Laura whispered back.

**********************

Fred blinked, shaking himself out of his daze.  He was just pondering how long he had been sitting with George when he heard three 'pops' to his left.  Turning, he saw his mother, his father, and Professor Dumbledore apparate into the room.  Mrs. Weasley spotted them immediately and ran to the bed.  Fred let her pull George out of his hands and into her arms, maintaining contact with George's hand for good measure.  All the movement jostled George awake and he peered up blearily.  "Mum?" George asked uncertainly.

Mrs. Weasley crushed George into her arms, "Yes baby, its mama.  I missed you, are you feeling okay?  Where does it hurt?"

"Everywhere," George moaned, "but Laura helped me as much as she could." 

Mrs. Weasley burst into tears, rocking back and forth with George cradled against her body.  She turned to Laura in the corner, "Thank you for looking out for my baby."  Mr. Weasley came to stand behind her.  Looking at the children he smiled gently, "Go get your things, we're leaving by portkey."  Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione nodded and left the room.

Professor Dumbledore walked over to Laura and Tag, smiling widely.  "You are the people who have been caring for our dear George?"

Laura nodded and Tag stepped forward to shake the professor's hand.  "I'm sorry we couldn't save him sir."

"Not to worry!  You did a wonderful thing, writing to the newspaper young Eric."  Professor Dumbledore winked and moved over to whisper in Mr. Weasley's ear; Mr. Weasley nodded.

"Time to go dear, we must see Pomfrey."  Mr. Weasley announced as the children returned to the room.

"Mum, I don't want them to forget me, just the magic." George pled tiredly.

Mrs. Weasley looked at professor Dumbledore who nodded.  "Aright luv."

The large group gathered around the steering wheel Mr. Weasley held out.  With a familiar pull behind the navel, they disappeared, leaving Laura and Tag staring in shock at Professor Dumbledore.  He smiled widely at them, muttering softly under his breath, then tipped his had to them and touched a button on his hat, disappearing. 

********************

Madame Pomfrey was expecting them as Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys appeared in the infirmary.  She rushed forward and laid her hand on George's forehead.  "Place him over there and give Fred the chair beside the bed," she instructed Mrs. Weasley.  Turning to Fred she added, "Maintain contact with his skin until I instruct otherwise."

As the Weasleys and company settle down to wait, Madame Pomfrey bustled around the room, muttering as she collected her potions.  When she turned from the supply cabinet, she felt seven pairs of expectant eyes directed at her.

"Well…" Harry began.

"He'll be back in classes by Friday."  Madame Pomfrey announced, breaking into a grin.

In his sleep, George let out a pained groan; the room burst into relieved laughter.

"I'm glad you're home."  Fred whispered as Dumbledore appeared in the room and walked towards Madame Pomfrey.

Epilogue to follow… hope it wasn't too bad :)