Stand Strong

By: Kryptonite

A/N: This was written before my reading the fifth book and I don't plan on changing it to fit the fifth book so anyone who has a problem with that can just not read. The reason I'm not changing it is because the entire reason for the story (Fred's running away) would be changed therefore I'd have to re-write everything and I don't feel like doing that. Thanks again for all your reviews and enjoy.

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Next Day: New York City- 6:30

" Fred? Wake up you'll be late for work." Fred moaned and rolled over, pulling the pillow over his bright red locks.

The girl in the door rolled her eyes and walked to the end of the bed. Reaching down she bunched the end of the only blanket Fred used and pulled as hard and fast as she could.

" That's cheating." Fred's muffled voice could be heard vaguely from under the pillow.

" Poor baby. Now get up and hurry. You can't be late again or you'll get fired."

" What are you my mother?" She rolled her eyes again and walked over to where the pillow was talking. Yanking it from his surprised fingers she answered.

" No but it sure seems like it. Now get up before I dump the mop bucket on you."

" Okay, okay, I'm up." Fred got up and stretched, promptly cracking his back.

" Isn't it a bad thing when I can hear that all the way over here?" She asked from the door where she was holding the mop water.

" Yep. What's that for?" He motioned to the bucket and Sam shrugged.

" Motivation." A tapping at the window drew both their attentions and Fred went to let the owl in.

" Hello Hedwig. Another letter from Harry?" Hedwig cooed softly and flew into the kitchen.

" I'll make sure she gets some food. You better not try to hide that letter Fred Weasley, I want to read it."

" Yeah, yeah Sam. Even if I did hide it you'd find it."

" Of course."

Fred glanced down at the letter.

November 14, 2006

Dear Fred,

How are you? I know I haven't owled in a while but… I've just been so busy lately. People are still congratulating me for destroying Voldemort. They should be… no, I won't bring that up now.

Everyone here misses you. They want you to come home.

Fred looked up and wiped a single tear from his eye.

I told them I might have a way to find you. Through the bank account. I know it won't work since you transfer all the money into another bank in the states but it's a line of hope. They don't understand why I didn't tell them sooner.

By 'they' I mean Ron, Ginny, and Hermione. I haven't been able to tell the others. George is still really upset about it. They think you turned chicken. I'd tell the truth but I know you don't want me too.

I hope you and Sam are well and I hope you'll come home soon. We all miss you and we all love you a lot.

Harry

" He's right you know." Sam said from the doorway where she was holding a plate of steaming breakfast food.

" You haven't even read it." Fred protested.

" You read out loud. Haven't you ever noticed that?" She questioned, coming in and handing him the plate as she took the letter from his hands and read it from the beginning.

" No I haven't." He said through a stuffed mouth. She glared up at him.

" Don't talk with your mouth full, you'll choke."

" Will not." He said, mumbling around a big bite of toast.

She just shook her head and traded him the letter for the plate.

" I have today off so I'm going to be doing some major cleaning so I'll need your help when you get off work." Fred made to moan but she backhanded him in the stomach and made him moan in real pain.

" And don't even think of trying to get out of it. I want this place ship-shape when my parents come. It's bad enough I'm living in an apartment but it needs to be spotless. One less thing for Julie to be better at." She sneered her sister's name. " Perfect bitch." She muttered.

Fred laughed and came up behind her. " Relax, your parents will only be here for a day and then they're gone." He kissed her neck. " It'll be okay." She stood there for a moment before pushing him away.

" It won't be okay if you get fired. Again. Now scoot!" She shooed him out the door with one more kiss and an exchange of smiles.