Chapter 13: A tearful goodbye; part one.
As soon as Hermione had arrived In Diagon alley, She saw before her total chaos. She searched frantically for her son's as people were running everywhere, screaming. She could vaguely remember hearing babies crying in the distance and standing in the center of it all was a large team of Aurors, trying to find any answer to this madness. As she walked toward the Aurors intently, Wood spotted her.
"Hermione!" Wood called and waved her over.
"Oliver, where are my sons!" she demanded as she approached him.
Wood gaped at her. "You're sons? Darion and Marcus were here?"
"Yes, I sent them to get their cousin a birthday gift." Her tears had started to come again. "Please Oliver." She croaked, pleading. "Please tell me they're all right."
"I would if I could Hermione." Oliver took her hands into his. "But I haven't seen them."
Ron came up beside them as Hermione chocked back her sob. "Any news Mione?" He asked.
Hermione shook her head.
Ron took his wife into his arms. "We'll find them if they're here."
"Come on, we'll assemble a team to look for them." Oliver told them.
Ron and Hermione nodded and started to follow Wood, when a voice made Them stop.
"Mom! Dad!" Marcus shouted as he ran towards them.
"Mom!" Darion was following close behind. "Dad!"
Hermione whirled around to see her boys running toward them. They looked as though they had a few scrapes and bruises on their faces and arms but otherwise they looked fine. With a sob of gratitude Hermione dropped to her knees and embraced her sons as they flew into her arms, knocking her backwards.
She chuckled a bit as she sat up, tears of relief still falling. "Oh
Darion, Marcus!. Thank Merlin you're alright! You had me so worried."
"Thank Merlin indeed!" Ron ruffled their hair playfully.
"My face hurts a bit, but I'm alright." Marcus replied.
"Me too." Darion nodded. "But what happened? I only remember walking towards the shop, then a loud explosion and nothing."
"We're not entirely sure boys." Wood told them. "All we can seem to find out from those that were around was the shop blew up. We've recovered George's body, but we can't seem to find Fred's."
"Well Oliver, that's because Fred's at the burrow." Ron told Wood.
"No he's not." Hermione looked at Ron.
"Yes love, he is. I took him there right before I told you about all of this." Ron told her.
"But how?" Oliver asked. "I wasn't aware he was even alive!"
"Well Oliver," Ron turned around. "Do you remember that call I said that I had to get off of?"
Oliver nodded.
"Well, it was this woman that said she had found Fred wandering around
Knockturn alley. She said he looked as though he was unaware of his surroundings and needed someone to come and get him." Ron explained. "So I had her tell me where she was and I went there to retrieve him."
"Oh." was all Wood said.
"Well, we can thank Merlin that he's alive." Hermione sighed.
"Mum, I don't understand." Darion looked at her with sadness. "What does he mean, he's found George's body?"
"Oh Darion, Marcus." Hermione hugged them. "Boy's, your uncle George is dead. I'm so sorry."
"NO!" Darion shouted. "NO, NO, NO! HE CAN'T BE DEAD, HE JUST CAN'T BE!"
"Darion, honey I'm sorry but he is." Ron took Darion into his arms, trying his best to comfort him.
"NO DAD!" Darion sobbed, pounding on his chest. "NO!"
Ron just pulled him closer and let him continue to sob himself hoarse.
Marcus's reaction however, was different. He just sat down numbly, unable to find his voice.
Hermione cupped his face into her hands. "Marcus?"
Marcus looked at his mother, his eyes shining with the tears he was refusing to shed but still said nothing.
"Marcus, sweetheart it's okay to cry. No one here will think of you any less if you do." she told him as she moved to embrace him.
Marcus tried to pull away from her, but with her persistence he finally gave in to her embrace and in the comfort of her arms he allowed the pain to take him over. Silently he cried into his mother's chest, wrapping his arms around her waist.
Wood chose this moment to make him self known again. He moved beside Ron and cleared his throat. "I don't mean to intrude Ron."
"Then don't!" Ron snapped, interrupting Oliver.
"Look Ron, I need to talk to Fred, he maybe the key to finding out what really happened here." Oliver stated.
"Ron glared at Wood. "Incase you haven't noticed, this is very bad timing Oliver."
"I know and I'm terribly sorry but it's my job to find out who's responsible for this." Oliver retorted.
Ron nodded his agreement." Fine Oliver, you can come by tomorrow."
"But!" Oliver protested.
"Look!" Ron snapped, losing control of his emotions. "In case you haven't noticed we just lost an important piece of our lives here today and I know you have a job to do but damn it Oliver have a heart! It's not as if I asked you to come over a month from now. We just need tonight, that's all I'm asking. No Auror's or anyone else!"
Wood paled. "Ron, I'm not trying to seem insensitive here. It's my job and yours for that matter to get to the bottom of this! Fred is our only true and full witness to what happened here and we need to talk to him before he forgets any details. Now you have to stop thinking along the lines of family and think as an Auror. What if we delay too long and George's killer gets away?" Wood raised an eyebrow.
"Damn it!" Ron spat. "Fine! Have it your way but the moment he says he doesn't want to answer anymore questions for the night you have to swear to me you'll lay off him!"
"Agreed." wood nodded. "I'll be there in an hour."
"Fine." Ron nodded his agreement. "Come on Mione, these boys have been through enough and we should get them to bed."
Hermione agreed and each of them taking one of the boys, aparated home.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ron and Hermione had just laid their son's down when they heard Ron's Father call.
"Hello? Ron? Mol? Is anyone here?"
"Up here dad." Ron called as he made his way back down the stairs.
"Ron, is it true?" Arthur croaked as he looked at his youngest son.
"They're saying around the ministry that George is dead and Fred is missing."
"Some of that is true, sorry to say." Ron nodded somberly. "George is dead, but Fred is asleep on the couch." Ron pointed to the family room.
"Where's your mother?" He asked concerned.
"She's asleep in the kitchen. She must have worn herself out from crying that she fell asleep where she had collapsed, sobbing." Ron explained.
"And you didn't move her?" Arthur asked in surprised.
"Well, when I had found out that my son's were also in the area of the shop at the time, well sorry dad but they became my first priority." Ron told his father.
Arthur's eyes grew wide. "The boy's were there? Are they alright?" He asked, concerned again.
"They're a bit banged up and in shock but they're alright."
"Oh good, I was afraid we might've lost them too." He breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, I'd best go wake up your mum." He said as he moved towards the kitchen.
Just as Arthur had disappeared into the kitchen there was a knock on the door. Ron opened it to find Oliver Wood standing on the other side.
"Come in Oliver." Ron stepped aside as Wood entered.
"Thank you Ron." Oliver looked around as he entered. "Where's Fred?"
"You certainly don't waste time do you Oliver?" Ron said coolly as he motioned for Wood to follow him. "He's in the family room. Follow me."
On the couch, just as Ron had left him was Fred. He was sleeping peacefully, no signs that he knew what had been happening around him and snoring audibly. He looked so harmless lying there that Ron hated to wake him, given what he had just been through. With a sigh Ron brought out his wand and pointed it at Fred.
"Ennervate."
As soon as the spell was uttered Fred opened his eyes and realized that he was not in the leaky cauldron, which his dream seemed to be implicating that he was before he awoke. He realized he was in fact at the burrow, though unsure of how he got there. Fred looked around and spotted Ron.
"Ron?" He blinked in surprise as he sat up, then spotted Wood. "Hello
Oliver."
"Hello Fred, alright there?" Wood smiled briefly, then frowned. "No, of course you're not alright. Fred I'm sorry to do this right now but I truly need to ask you some questions about what happened today."
Ron watched Fred intently as his face went from confusion, to realization then finally contort into a look of pure anguish as he remembered what had happened.
"Oh Merlin no!" Fred cried in agony. "George is dead!"
The one thing Ron was glad of was that Oliver didn't try to ask Fred Any questions while he was this upset. Oliver just sat there, waiting patiently for him to calm himself down.
"Fred, now I know this must be hard and I want you to know I take no pleasure in this but I need you to tell me what you saw today." Wood said in a softer tone than usual.
Fred nodded as he choked back his sobs and tried to relay the story as best as he could. "I-I was going to meet with Zonko, for a business related matter." He started. "Well the shop was terribly busy, with it being new years eve and all. Well, George said he had to stay behind and told me to go and meet with Zonko without him. I left the shop and had just crossed the street when I felt our connection drop, like it had never been. Well I turned back to the shop as it exploded and I, well I blacked out. The next thing I remember is a woman's voice talking, though what she said I can't be sure. I vaguely remember being at the leaky cauldron and hearing Ron's voice as I blacked out again. Then nothing until now."
"Okay and you don't remember anything out of the ordinary about the shop do you?" Wood asked. "Nothing that seemed odd or out of it's place to you?"
Fred was about to shake his head no, when he remembered the black Shrouded figure.
"Well," Fred said cautiously." There was one thing that seemed odd."
"And what was it Fred?" Oliver asked encouragingly.
"Well, I'm not sure this is important or not Oliver. But as I was leaving the shop, well.' Fred hesitated in thought. "A guy entered and I wouldn't have noticed the bloke so much but he was all in black. Couldn't even see his bloomin face."
"Havok!" Ron growled.
"Ron!" Wood shot him a warning glance.
"Sorry?" Fred looked at Ron in surprise. "What's Havok?"
"Oh nothing, Ron was just mumbling Fred." Oliver said quickly. "So this figure entered right as you were leaving then?"
"Yes." Fred nodded.
"And you don't recall anything else?" He asked with Fred's head shake resumed. "Alright Fred, now you'll be here for a while right?"
Fred nodded numbly.
"Good." Oliver said, then turned to Ron. "May I see you in private
Ron."
"Ron knew an order when he heard it, "Sure, how about we go outside."
They had just reached the outdoors when Oliver turned to Ron.
"You almost slipped in there Ron." Wood said disapprovingly. "You have to keep quiet about this Havok being. Seeing as we don't even know if it's real yet."
"Not real!" Ron looked at Wood skeptically. "Let's see, it's taken out
Flourish and Blotts, a subway station and now my brother's shop. How much more destruction does it need to do before you can call it real Oliver?"
"I believe that someone's doing these thing's Ron. What I'm not Completely convinced of is whether it is really the mythical creature Havok or if it's just someone messing around with our heads." Oliver explained. "Now as an example Ron, take your brother's shop. How do you know that was truly Havok and not your brother Fred making up the description to get out of the charge's he would face?"
"Just what are you insinuating Oliver?" Ron glared at Wood.
"Have you ever told anyone about the Havok appearances?" Wood raised an eyebrow.
"Not that I recall Oliver." Ron said thoughtfully. "But I may have had a slip of the tongue once, I can't be sure."
"Well, now just here me out Ron." Wood told Ron, "If you did by chance allow a slip and Fred over heard you he could have found it a good way to dispose of his brother right along with the shop." He said, laying down his thought. "It's the perfect scapegoat if you really think about it Ron."
"Ahem." They heard a small voice behind them.
They turned to see Marcus glaring at them.
"I thought you were in bed young man." Ron glared back at Marcus.
"Had a nightmare dad, so I came out here to think, kind of hard though when you're going off about my uncle being a murderer!" He rested his angry glare on Wood. "My uncle loved his brother and would never have killed him! Besides, we saw him and he never brought out his wand as he turned back to the shop. In fact he had only turned when the shop exploded."
"There's a way to perform spells without our wands son." Wood explained. "He still could have done it."
"You know, I'm really trying hard to see your point of view in this Mr. Wood." Marcus sighed. "And I'd really like to see this from your point of view, but I just can't seem to get my head that far up my ass!"
Ron and Wood gaped at Marcus, unable to speak.
"My uncle Fred is no murderer! And if you could ever believe the crap you said sir then you are the biggest idiot i have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to my room. It's quieter there." and with that Marcus walked back into the house.
"Well." Ron cleared his throat. "He does seem to have a point there
Oliver. Honestly, if you think back to Hogwarts, you'd remember just how close those two were back then and truth be told they never stopped being that close, not once. Fred would never have killed his twin, ever!"
Wood thought it over, then nodded. "You're right Ron. I'll make a report tonight releasing Fred from any suspicion." He told Ron. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"But!" Ron started to protest.
"Relax Ron, it's just for us to go over something's and for you to sign your release papers for the few weeks you'll be gone." Oliver placed a hand on Ron's shoulder. "You're going to need it Ron, after all you've just lost a brother."
Ron nodded numbly as Wood aparated.
R
Ana walked out of the Leaky Cauldron, her thoughts whirling, memories fought for supremacy in her mind. The day she came home to find her mum and Paul murdered, the day her twin Celia had betrayed her, the day Alex died. She had wept at Celia's betrayal but she had wept more for Alex. He had been so small and trusting the last time she had seen him in Paris.
"Don't worry, Alex." Ana had soothed the small boy crying in her lap. "It won't be long and Uncle Lucius will have this misunderstanding all worked out. Then you can join me and Celia in London."
"Y-y-you promise?" Alex asked with his lower lip trembling.
Ana drew an "X" over her heart. "Promise." She told him solemnly, "Have I ever let you down?" At that he gave her a wobbly smile
But she had let him down. With every defiance of Lord Voldemort she had pushed him closer to death. To this day she could still hear his voice. "So, which will it be your muggle friends or your brother?" Stubbornly she had said nothing, naively believing that a man who thought nothing of murdering small children wouldn't torture a five year old child, just to get her cooperation. Once she had been brave enough to ask him why he would go to so much trouble for an unwilling servant. He had laughed and told her that: "An unwilling servant can be controlled but a dead one is useless. Crucio!"
Ana winced as the image of her brother's pain wrecked body flashed through her thoughts. His eyes pleading with her for an understanding of what had happened to him. Whenever he was awake his terrified gaze would never leave her face.
"I'm scared, Luci." He had told her that last day.
"That's okay, luv." Ana comforted him "whenever you're afraid just remember that mum and dad are waiting for you and the worst thing that could happen is that you go to see them again." Tears were rolling down her cheeks.
"I'd like that." He replied simply and closed his eyes. Those were to be the last words he ever said to her. A few hours later he gave up his fight without ever opening his eyes again.
Enough, Ana told herself harshly, it's ridiculous to dwell on what I can't change.
Suddenly Ana became aware of how much time had passed. She had been wandering the streets of muggle London aimlessly for hours and she wasn't entirely sure where she was.
As she wandered trying to regain her bearings she found her thoughts returning to Fred Weasley. She wondered how he was doing; who held him as he cried for his brother? She hadn't had anyone, well, there had been Draco but he wasn't exactly what one would call the cry-on-my-shoulder type.
It was a full hour before Ana was able to find her way back to the Leaky Cauldron. She still couldn't get her mind off of Fred. Her gut just kept telling her to go see him. Well, that's that then isn't it? She thought in irritation. I'm just going to have to go and see him or I'll have no peace. She had learned the hard way a long time ago not to question her gut feelings as they were usually right. Walking out back of the Leaky Cauldron, she aparated home. After a quick trip to her flat, a change of cloths, and a glance in the mirror to assure herself that her makeup or hair didn't need a touch up. Ana grabbed a pinch of floo Powder and throwing it in the fire, called:
"Fleur Delacour, Fleur?" Ana called desperately.
"What is it, Luciana?" Fleur's kind face appeared in the fire, his normally twinkling eyes grave with concern.
"I met Fred Weasley today." She began "He really didn't look to good. I wanted to go by and see him but I realized that I didn't know where to go and I remembered that you were once involved with a Mr. Bill Weasley." She finished with a rush.
"It isn't really a good time for them, Ana. They've had a bit of a family tragedy and I would appreciate it if you didn't mention that name around me." Fleur told her sadly. "I still haven't gotten over the fact that he married someone else."
"I know I'm the one who found Fred wandering Knockturn Alley. I don't know why Fleur but it's important that I see him tonight." She replied giving her a pleading look. "And I understand about Bill, I'm sorry. But I need you to tell me how to find Fred"
"Alright, Ana, I learned the last time I dismissed your feelings that it wasn't the smartest of moves." Fleur responded with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
After collecting the information she needed, Ana aparated, right into a hedgerow "OUCH" She hollered. I'll have to remember to thank Fleur for that. Ana thought irritatedly.
"Who's there?" Shouted the angry voice of Ronald Weasley.
Figures he would have to be out here to witness my graceful entrance. Ana grumbled to herself. Standing up as regally as possible and desperately trying to recover her damaged pride, Ana replied, "I was hoping to see Fred. I . . ." Ana stopped for a moment trying to come up with the words to express to Ron exactly why she was here. "Well, I've been where he is now. I've lost a brother. Hell, I've even lost an Identical twin. Both of them meant the world to me." She told him trying to keep her voice from cracking. "And as painful as it was to loose my brother it was worse loosing my twin. For all I know you morn your brother, Mr. Weasley, you can't begin to understand what Fred's feeling right now. All his life is has been part of a pair, a half of a separate whole and now that other half of him is gone. To be blunt, Mr. Weasley I'm worried about him. He needs someone to talk to about this and a part of me doubts that he will open up to any of you. He won't want to make you worry about him and deep down there is probably a part of him that isn't sure you would completely understand."
Ron eyed her skeptically, but after a moment said. "Let me see if he'll see you. I'm not even sure he remembers you that much." With that he gestured her to follow him and disappeared into the house. "Wait here" Ron said disappearing behind a door. Reappearing a moment later, "Don't be long." He whispered as she passed him. Nodding she closed the door behind her.
"I thought I'd made you up." A voice said from behind her. Ana whirled around to see Fred Weasley sprawled out on the couch and decided it wasn't fair. No man should be allowed to look that good just out of bed, or rather still in it. Ana flushed at her wayward thoughts.
"Can't say I'm surprised, you were just a little bit out of it, after all." Ana told him with a smile. "How are you doing?" She asked giving him a hard stare.
"I'm . . . "he began but was cut off.
"And don't lie to me." Ana told him firmly, "Because I'll know."
Fred didn't know why but he had the strangest feeling that she wasn't exaggerating. But how could he tell her that he should be dead? George had always been his voice of reason, always the one to urge caution in his wild prank ideas. He shouldn't have been left behind. All he could feel was this aching void where George used to be. "I don't know what you want me to say, Miss . . ." his voice trailed off waiting for a response.
"Luciana De Moonvale," Ana told him, "But please call me Ana, my full name is such a mouthful."
"Alright, Ana." He responded cheekily, but sobered quickly. "I feel like there is this great empty hole in me that can never be filled again. It's always been Fred and George, how can I continue as just Fred?" Fred said tearfully, "I should have died with him, Ana."
"What in the bloody hell gave you that idea?" Ana responded without thinking. As soon as the words were out she realized how harsh they were. "Look, if it had been you and George was left behind, would you have wanted him to die with you?"
"OF COURSE NOT!" Fred almost shouted.
Ana held up a hand to silence him. "Then what makes you think he would have wanted you there? I know it hurts, Fred, I've been there. Voldemort killed my baby brother. He killed him to bring me to heel and in my stubbornness I let him." Ana looked at him with tortured eyes. "I killed him as surely as if I cast Avada Kedavra." She whispered putting her head in her hands.
"Quite the pair aren't we?" Fred Quipped sadly.
Ana gave him a sad smile. 'It won't be easy, Fred, but you'll get through and if you'll let me, I'll help you." She said kindly.
Looking up she saw Ron standing in the doorway with an odd look on his face. Clearing his throat he say "Miss. . . uhhh . . . whatever your name is, it's time for you to go."
Wondering what had changed his opinion of her so quickly, she turned to Fred "Look, you have my full name, floo me if you want to talk."
"I just have one question before you go," Fred said preventing her from making a hasty retreat. "How did you know?"
"Like I said, Mr. Weasley, I've been where you are now, exactly, where you are." With that she quickly slipped out of the room, leaving the two brothers alone.
As soon as she was beyond the anti-apparition wards she pulled out her wand and tapping her head said "Malfoy Manor"
She never turned around to see Ron standing in the front yard eyeing her with cold suspicion. Upon hearing her destination his eyes narrowed even further
R
This had to be the absolutely worse part of someone's death and the most hated as well. Telling the family. Molly and Fred were both incoherent, with good reason of course but that left them unable to call anyone. Arthur had asked Hermione for help in beginning the funeral arrangements so they didn't need anymore stress added. This left Ron, and seeing the news he had to give his siblings, he decided to tell Charlie first seeing that he was the farthest away from the burrow at the moment.
Ron threw in some floo powder and called. "Charles Weasley!"
"Ron?" Charlie looked at Ron's face. "What's wrong?"
"Charlie, George is dead." Ron told him simply.
"You're joking right?" Charlie smiled, then seeing Ron frown added. "No
I
suppose your not joking. How's mum?"
"Incoherent, same as Fred." Ron told him.
"Yes well, I'd imagine so." Charlie nodded. "Well, I have Bella so I can't be there before tomorrow."
"Alright Charlie, see you then." Ron said as Charlie's face faded from the fire.
He then threw in some more powder and called. "Billius Weasley."
"Hello?" Came Sam's voice but all Ron could see was darkness. "Oh damned floo! Don't think I'll ever get the hang of it! Uh, whoever is there hang on and I'll get Bill." she said.
Ron heard her foot steps walk away from the fire place, then her call of.
"Bill!" from another room. "Bill, someone's on the floo!"
"Be right there!" came Bill's reply.
Ron heard footsteps approach, followed by Bill's face.
"Hello? Oh Ron." He said smiling. "How are you?"
"Not so good Bill." Ron sighed.
"What's wrong?" Bill asked.
"George is dead Bill."
"WHAT! How!" Bill demanded, then. "Never mind, don't tell me just now. I'll be there as soon as possible and you can tell me then."
Ron nodded and Bill's face faded.
Next came the call he had been dreading the most. Not only would he be telling his sister, but her husband also happened to be his best friend. He took a deep breath and as he exhaled he threw in the final pinch of powder and called.
"Potter, Ginevra."
"Ron, what's wrong?" Ginny asked the moment he saw her face appear.
"You always could read me like a bloody book." He grumbled. "You're going to want to get Harry for this one Gin." he told her.
"Why?" Ginny asked eyeing him. "Why can't you just tell me?"
"Trust me Gin, you'll need Harry." Ron told her.
She eyed him for a moment longer before nodding and went out of view.
The moment she returned Harry beside her, she demanded. "Alright Ron, now tell me."
"Harry, Gin I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this." Ron sighed.
"George is dead." Ron closed his eyes, waiting for the explosion.
But there was none. Ron opened his eyes to see both of them, pale and gawking at him with their mouths open. Ron would have found this funny at any other moment in time rather than this.
"Harry" He looked at his friend. "Harry please say something."
"I." Harry could only manage as tears fell against his cheeks.
"Gin?" He looked at his sister, pleadingly. "Ginny?"
"I." Ginny croaked. "I can't deal with this!" she ran from the room
sobbing.
"Gin!" Ron called after her.
"Give us an hour mate." Harry had come back to awareness. "We'll be there." And with that the fire faded.
Ron allowed himself a sigh as tears started to fall. Yes George had been a tremendous pain in the arse but he was their pain in the arse and they had never imagined they'd have to say goodbye to him. Yet that day had come.
'What are we going to do without you George?' He thought sadly. 'How can Fred make it without you?'
'He'll make it Ron.' came a voice that sounded a lot like George.
'George?' Ron thought in bewilderment. 'but how can I be hearing him when he's dead?'
'You're hearing me Ron because I need someone to tell Fred something for me.' George's voice. 'Something that is extremely important.'
'Okay.' Ron shrugged.
'Ron, tell Fred not to follow me.'
'What do you mean?' He asked confused.
'He'll know what I mean. Just tell him.' George stated. 'And tell him to live the life I didn't get to have. I'll be watching over you all I love you. Goodbye Ron.'
And with that the voice faded, leaving Ron to stare at nothing particular in surprise, jaw hanging open.
Fred walked into the Room. "Since when did I have a fish for a brother?" He eyed Ron.
Ron snapped his mouth shut.
"So what's got you so." Fred looked as if he was searching for the right word. "Flabbergasted would be the better word I guess."
"Umm. Well I'm not entirely sure how to say this." Ron cleared his throat.
"So just say it then."
"Well, I just heard George's voice and well he uh," Ron looked at Fred.
"He gave me a message for you. Just not sure what he mans by it."
"Oh Really?" Fred looked at him as if he'd gone mad. "And what was the Message that our dead brother gave you Ron?"
"Fred, now I know this sounds odd but" Ron sighed. "But you have to believe me."
"no Ron, this doesn't sound odd at all." Fred shook his head. "It sounds positively daft, but if you insist then please, tell me what you think George told you."
"He told me to tell you not to follow him and that you should live the life he didn't get too." Ron said plainly, then watched the remaining color fade from Fred's face. "Fred, you alright?"
"I knew she couldn't keep her mouth shut!" Fred growled.
"What are you talking about?" Ron eyed him. "She who?"
"Ana, how else would you have known I was going to kill myself if she hadn't told you?" Fred growled.
"Ana? Umm, Fred I have no clue what you're on about but it wasn't Ana that told me." Ron looked shocked. "It was George."
"George is dead Ron!" Fred yelled. "And I should be with him!"
"Fred, he wouldn't have wanted that and you know it!" Ron moved toward
Fred.
"I should have made him come to meet Zonko's with me!" Fred sobbed. "Or
I should have stayed and died with him! He's dead because of me!"
"No Fred, that's not true." Ron took him by the arm and led him to the table. "He died because it was his time, Fred. You can't blame yourself when you had nothing to do with it. You didn't do anything wrong."
"But that's just it Ron!" Fred wailed. "I didn't do anything!"
"Fred, I know you're hurting. We all are, but blaming yourself for something you couldn't prevent is not going to do you any good. And killing yourself will only hurt the rest of us." Ron soothed. "We don't want to have to lose both of you Fred, one was more than enough."
"What am I going to do without him!" Fred continued to wail.
"The same any of us we can Fred, live." Was Ron's reply.