Fred
~o0o~
Fred never was one for biting his nails and to be honest he still wasn't. But as adrenaline coursed through his veins, a feeling that was so familiar it was like having a friend over for visit, it left little choice in the matter. Because Fred couldn't do anything about what was happening, he couldn't physically do anything. Just sit. And wait.
And chew his nails.
"That is a nasty habit," said Aunt Muriel, scrunching her nose up at him. "Not befitting a social situation at all, your company is forced to watch you do that and—"
"Aunt Muriel, please," urged his mother, holding Ginny's hand or possibly the other way around. "This is not the time."
Aunt Muriel raised her chin. "Oh, far be it from me to have a say in my house that I so warmly welcomed you to stay in. Especially when they have been nothing but ungrateful, letting loose their juvenile toys all over the place . . . No, I shall commit to silence. Don't you worry, Molly."
Fred was about to open his mouth in retaliation, but his mother shook her head at him. She was tired. She was anxious. They all were. And as such people were bound to snap at each other.
So, Fred held his tongue and let his eyes go to his brother. George shrugged and resumed his attention to the fireplace and it seemed Fred would have to be alone with his thoughts. Unfortunately, his thoughts were the one thing he was trying to avoid at the moment. Ever since hearing about the break-in at Gringotts, Fred had had a nagging suspicion that it had to have been Harry, Ron and Hermione. It simply had to. The whole stunt read like something a risk taker like Harry would suggest and something Ron would encourage, being a loyal friend and all. Not to mention impossible to do without someone like Hermione to help orchestrate it. No, this whole endeavor reeked of the trio and Fred couldn't have been prouder.
However, the question that remained to be answered was why? Why had they done it? And most importantly; were they okay?
Before, Fred could at least comfort himself with the thought of them being safe in secret at Bill's. But these news gave evidence of them being out in the world again—hadn't the Ministry break-in been enough?
Of course, there was no way of knowing that those two events were in any way related, nor any evidence to back up that it was the trio. Except for Fred's gut telling him it was so.
Again, he bit his nails.
"They'll be raw and bloody soon if you don't stop," urged George under his breath finally. "And if not, then Muriel might make them raw and bloody or you."
"Can't help it," muttered Fred. "If it's them, they're in danger."
"I think it's evidenced that if it really is them, they are the danger. Worry not, brother."
Fred shook his head. "I just wish Dad would arrive with news soon. The waiting is driving me crazy."
It was then, ten minutes later, that their father came through the door. And he was not alone.
"Lee!"
Fred and George hurried to embrace their friend, having missed him terribly. Meanwhile, their mother and father embraced, both looking extremely relieved to be in each other's arms again.
"What did Bill say?" asked Molly.
Arthur sighed and nodded tiredly, yet still smiling. "It's them."
"We have to report this right away," said Lee. "That's why I came here, I figured we needed to get the show going again!"
"I thought you only told him where we were for emergencies," frowned Molly. "This was a stupid risk of you to take, Lee. You could have been hurt!"
"Ah, no worries, Mum," chimed George. "Lee here can take care of himself."
"Right," agreed Fred. "He's no longer the wee little boy clutching your hand at the sound of the ghoul in our attic."
"That was one time!" said Lee, not looking too amused by the rest of them sniggering.
"Anyway, we'd better hurry. Chances are people are thinking there's no hope anymore, but this proves that the The-Boy-Who-Lived is still alive and going at it!"
"As he should. I don't know how much longer I can take any of this," muttered Aunt Muriel. "Truly an inconvenience."
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"Welcome to Potterwatch, the place where we inform you of all the things You-Know-Fart-face doesn't want us to know," began Lee. "My name's River, and with me, once again, is Rapier. Along with his brother Rodent."
"I told you," said Fred, "Neither of us is being Rodent, River."
"I can't believe you're giving me a second-hand name," said George.
Lee rolled his eyes and turned to Ginny, who had been adamant in being in the twins' bedroom to record the show as well. She needed to, she'd said. He asked her for her name.
"Well, Rhamnusia," said Lee slowly, taking in her name of choice (all while Fred said 'gesundheit' in the background), "Welcome to our show."
"Thank you, River," responded Ginny and kicked Fred on the shin under the desk they were all huddled around.
Lee continued, "We are aware that it's been some time since we've broadcasted with River. But much like all of you, he and his family have also experienced the difficulties this war brings. It was not long ago we had to move locations due to pesky Death Eaters doing house calls, and this time it was more of the same. Anyway, it is a delight today to report what new findings we have and there are no other people I'd rather do it with. Rapier?"
"Thank you kindly for those heartwarming words, River," said Fred, his hand to his chest. Though truth be told, Fred did feel touched. Not to mention, he felt exactly the same way. Exchanging looks with his siblings and Lee, he had no doubt that these were the people he wished to share this moment with. "As for the findings, I am happy to say that the sightings of a certain boy with a lightning bolt scar is true. Yes, Harry Potter is still very much alive and this time he brought a dragon with him to wreak havoc. Gringotts will never be the same."
"Nor will You-Know-Who, I'm sure," added George. "To think that Harry Potter is Undesirable number one, and yet . . . he manages to break into the Ministry of Magic and Gringotts! I just hope he made sure to enjoy the victory as much as we are. We have no clear idea on what his plan was, but any plan involving breaking into Gringotts and riding out on a dragon is sure to be genius."
"Indeed," said Fred. "Much like you said, Rodent, it is incredible how You-Know-Who makes us think we are being watched and surveilled at all times, and yet, this seventeen-year-old wizard outsmarts him at every turn."
"He isn't the Chosen One for nothing," said George. "Also, I'm not being Rodent."
"Rhamnusia," said Lee, ignoring Fred and George's bickering, "Any thoughts?"
Ginny blinked, looking uncertain about what to say. But then, just a moment later, it seemed to dawn on her. What she wanted to say. What she needed to say.
"I just want to make sure that if there were any of you beginning to give up on the cause, thinking that the light is getting bleeker . . ." said Ginny, "I want you to know that there is no way Harry is going to let that happen. This just proves it. Harry Potter is still here and he's fighting and giving it all he has. Are you?"
There was silence as the three of them let the words sink in for the listeners, and as Fred realised once more just how much his little sister had grown up.
Lee smiled and directed himself to the microphone. "Listeners, I think that's a great place to end this. And if my gut is right, maybe this will even be the last time we broadcast, which would be a good thing, because that means that this godforsaken war will be over. But if it's not, remember this password for next time: 'Hope.' Keep each other safe: Keep faith. Good night."
And with that, it ended. The four of them looked at each other, actually smiling. Fred felt lighter than he had in a long time.
Perhaps it had been too presumptuous to make the vials, he thought to himself. Perhaps he should just abandon the project altogether. It would be horrifying to have anyone find them if he didn't die. Merlin, the torture from George would be endless. Pathetic mess, he'd call him.
Either way, Fred felt so grand that he ate more than he had in long time that day, much to his mother's delight. Having Lee there also meant that she had another mouth to feed, which was just icing on the cake.
"You sure you don't want more?" she asked when they finally set aside their cutlery. With only the twins and Ginny to force feed, she had less children to focus on. "I could just heat up some more chicken for you, won't take long."
"Now, now, Molly," said their father. "Let's just be thankful that we all seem to have an appetite again, shall we? And don't you forget to eat too."
Their mother smiled and nodded, resuming her attention on her plate. It was still too small, but at least she was eating it all this time.
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It was a while after dinner, when they were all relaxing quietly in front of the fire, that Ginny suddenly startled, reaching hastily for something in her pocket.
"Gin? What is it?" asked George.
"Are you all right?" asked Lee, looking at her worriedly.
"I'm fine," answered Ginny, "It's just that . . .well, you remember the D.A. coins? The galleons? Well, me and Neville and Luna have used them to communicate this past year . . ."
"That's bloody brilliant," said Fred. "How come we didn't think of that?"
Ginny just raised her eyebrows at him, as if to say 'because I'm cleverer than all of you'. Then, when she finally found the coin, she yelped. "I can't believe it!"
"What?" asked the rest of them.
Ginny just stared at the coin, hand to her mouth in disbelief. "He's . . . he really is . . ."
"What in Merlin's name does it say . . .?" Fred halted immediately, reading the seven words that he knew would change everything.
Harry, Ron and Hermione are at Hogwarts.
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Aberforth Dumbledore did not look happy to see them.
"What do you lot want?" he hissed as he hurried Fred, George, Ginny and Lee inside. "And how on earth did you disable the alarm?"
Fred and George just looked each other. "Please."
That's when they noticed two people standing outside an open portrait. One with long blonde hair and another with short and brown. Both were covered in soot from the fireplace.
"Luna!" Ginny sprang forward and hugged her friend tight. "You got the message!"
"Dean, how's it going, old chap?" said Fred, attempting to help his sister through the awkwardness of having to greet her ex. He shook hands with Dean Thomas and both of them looked like they knew exactly what was happening.
"Is it true, Luna? Have they been here?" asked Ginny.
Luna nodded. "Aberforth just told us about them. He's a very kind, but stubborn soul, he doesn't want us to go."
Aberforth looked at her and sighed. "You are perfectly welcome to, it's just . . . You lot really are going to follow that barmy Potter boy's footsteps too, aren't you?"
"There's no other way really, Mr. Dumbledore," said Lee. "We have to end this."
Aberforth stared at them, his blue eyes looking a lot like his brother's and Fred found himself missing their old Headmaster. He'd always seemed like he knew everything and they sure could use someone like that now. It was all getting very real. But like Lee had said, they needed to end it.
The old wizard sighed once more and let them through the portrait, just as someone else entered the The Hog's Head, climbing out of the fireplace.
Cho Chang smiled nervously. "Oh, hello." She held up her coin. "I got the message."
"My bar's turned into a bloody railway station."
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Fred wasn't sure what he'd expected, but entering the Room of Requirement and seeing all those familiar faces had him smiling from ear to ear. Especially seeing Harry and Ron gape at him was particularly amusing. What had they expected? For them to sit at home and roll their thumbs?
"Aberforth's getting a bit annoyed," he said, raising his hand in answer to several cries of greeting. "He wants a kip, and his bar's turned into a railway station."
Then there was Hermione. While Harry was busy looking and gaping even more at the sight of his ex, Cho, come out of the portrait after Lee, Fred looked at his . . . well, not quite ex. They'd never been an item, but Fred felt it a real shame they hadn't. Because all he wanted to do was hold her tight and tell her how worried he'd been.
Especially with her looking like she did. She'd been through a lot this past year and Fred could tell.
"So what's the plan, Harry?" said George, sensing his twin's slight distress and deciding to say something.
"There isn't one," said Harry. He looked overwhelmed by all the people appearing and they really couldn't blame him.
Fred shook himself out of it and directed his focus onto Harry. "Just going to make it up as we go along, are we? My favorite kind."
"You've got to stop this!" Harry told Neville. "What did you call them all back for? This is insane – "
"We're fighting, aren't we?" said Dean, taking out his fake Galleon. "The message said Harry was back, and we were going to fight! I'll have to get a wand, though—"
"You haven't got a wand—?" began Seamus.
Ron turned suddenly to Harry. Together with Hermione the three of them began whispering and Fred and George took it as their cue to begin distracting the masses. They needed time to discuss.
"Say, have I ever told you lot about how I lost my ear?" began George.
The crowd laughed as the entirely made-up story was told and there were questions and eager suggestions thrown around, all which Fred and George indulged.
". . . and that's why you never anger a flobberworm!" finished Fred, just as Harry called for attention.
The whole room got quiet. Harry watched all their alert, excited faces, and breathed heavily. Like he was nervous about was he was about to say to them.
"There's something we need to find."
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They all watched Luna and Harry disappear up the stairs. The minutes ticked away after that and while they knew that it would all work out, there was no denying that worry started to spread as Luna and Harry remained away.
"She'll help him with whatever he needs to do," said Ginny, mostly to herself. "She always does. They'll be fine."
Before anyone could say anything back, Ginny had moved to speak with Neville, Hermione and Ron, embracing her friends and brother after so much time apart.
Fred, George and Lee took notice of all the scars on young Neville's face, the boy they'd watched grow up from a pudgy little scaredy-cat to a leader of a school revolution, and the tired eyes of Ron and Hermione who were now whispering to each other worried. Just after, the two of them disappeared up the stairs as well.
Fred wished they hadn't and was beginning to understand Ginny's anxiety. He'd just seen Hermione for two seconds and now she was gone again . . .
"The young ones really have been at the forefront this whole time, haven't they?" said Lee. "We informed the D.A. but perhaps the Order should get involved as well."
"Didn't even think about that," admitted Fred, ashamed.
"No surprise considering all that we know about adults," said George, his bitterness heavy. He was referring to all the adults that had failed them, that had turned out to be evil, that had abused their power over the students now, the ones who had actually abused the children. Umbridge, Quirrell, Snape, Harry's relatives . . .
"No need to worry it seems," remarked Lee a while later when they saw who was coming out of the portrait now.
There was Kingsley Schacklebolt, looking regal as ever in his dark blue robes.
Accompanying him was Remus Lupin, weary as always, but with the glow belonging a new parent. He looked like someone with something to fight for.
"Good evening, all," said Lupin, surprised to hear his former students cheer at him, their favourite professor. Dean was especially loud. "We only just got the news."
"Yes," said a familiar voice behind him. "We only just got the news."
Fred and George gulped at the sight of their mother, glaring at them ever so fiercely. Behind her stood their father, looking concerned as well.
"What on earth do you think you were doing!" Mrs. Weasley screamed, startling a lot of children around them. Ginny was trying to hide behind Neville but was unsuccessful.
"Ginevra, you come here, right now! I need to speak with you!"
"I don't envy her—" began George but stopped once he saw who emerged next. Angelina Johnson, in all her glory, was helping their former Quidditch mate Katie Bell out. Behind them came Alicia Spinnet and Oliver Wood. But George was entirely focused on Angelina.
Angelina let her gaze wander around the room, taking everything in, and stopped abruptly when she spotted George. It was as if the two held their breath looking at each other.
Lee and Fred exchanged worried looks, nervous about the outcome, but just as George opened his mouth to speak, Harry finally came back.
Everyone's attention was drawn to The Chosen One and he just looked startled to see everyone in there.
"Harry, what's happening?" said Lupin, meeting him at the foot of the stairs.
"Voldemort's on his way, they're barricading the school—Snape's run for it—What are you doing here? How did you know?"
"We sent messages to the rest of Dumbledore's Army," Fred explained. "You couldn't expect everyone to miss the fun, Harry, and the D.A. let the Order of the Phoenix know, and it all kind of snowballed."
"What first, Harry?" asked George. "What's going on?"
Harry explained how they were evacuating the kids and that everyone was going to meet in the Great Hall to get organized.
"We're fighting," said Harry.
There was a great roar as everyone moved to the stairs, eager to get to the Great Hall at once. A sea of cloaks and robes was all the was seen and Harry—bless him—tried to greet everyone who passed him and said hi, their wands all raised.
"Come on, Luna," Dean called as he passed, holding out his free hand, she took it and followed him back up the stairs.
With most people gone, it was hard not to hear their mother struggle with Ginny.
"You're underage!" Mrs. Weasley shouted at her daughter. "I won't permit it! The boys, yes, but you, you've got to go home!"
"I won't!" Their little sister had never looked so stubborn. She ripped her arm out of their mother's grip. "I'm in Dumbledore's Army—"
"A teenager's gang!"
"A teenager's gang that's about to take him on, which no one else has dared to do!" said Fred, feeling the need to interrupt and tell his mother this. It had always felt like it was the young ones doing all the work, just look at who was named the Chosen One, Harry, a boy of seventeen. It was ridiculous to Fred that being a teenager had anything to do with this. Just look at their scars, he wanted to say; they're as brave as any adult before them.
That's when their mother brought on the guilt. "She's sixteen! She's not old enough! What were you thinking bringing her with you—"
Fred felt the words like a slap to his face. He could see George react the same way.
In typical oldest sibling fashion, Bill intervened. "Mum's right, Ginny," he said gently, "You can't do this. Everyone underage will have to leave, it's only right."
"I can't go home!" Ginny shouted, and Fred could see she had tears threatening to come out. "My whole family's here, I can't stand waiting there alone and not knowing—" Her eyes met Harry and she looked at him beseechingly, but he only shook his head and Ginny turned away bitterly. "Fine. I'll say goodbye now then and—"
That's when they heard scuffling and a great thump, as someone else clambered out of the tunnel.
"Am I too late? Has it started? I only just found out, so I—I—"
Percy spluttered into silence as he was faced with most of his family. Fred held his breath. He didn't know what to do, or say, or act . . . And neither did Percy, it seemed.
There was more silence, until Fleur took it upon herself to break the tension. She turned to Lupin. "So . . . how is little Teddy?"
Lupin startled and apparently also eager to let the rest of them settle their matter, he showed Fleur and Harry a picture of his son.
Fred was just about to say something, to tell his brother how stupid he was, how much he'd hurt them all, to go to hell—
"I was a fool!" Percy roared, so loudly that Lupin nearly dropped his photograph.
The breath Fred had held finally gave in and he could sigh as he, for the first time in a long time, saw a brother he recognised.
Percy continued, "I was an idiot, I was a pompous prat, I was a—a—"
"Ministry-loving, family-disowning, power-hungry moron," Fred finished for him.
Percy swallowed and when he met his eyes he looked so pathetic that Fred had the urge to laugh. "Yes, I was!"
Fred grinned. "Well, you can't say fairer than that."
That's when their mother burst into tears and ran forward to hug her son, pushing Fred aside in the process.
While Fred turned to George in incredulity, his twin only shook his head, amused.
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The roof was scattered with stars and the night sky it reflected was still and peaceful, very unlike the mood in the room.
The Great Hall looked as he'd remembered it, and Fred felt a slight sadness at having a previous place full of fond childhood memories be the scene of a battle. Or rather, a place of gathering before a battle.
As he glanced around, watching the newly awoken students as Professor McGonagall spoke, he couldn't help but notice also that everyone there were so small. Had he ever been that small?
It seemed like an eternity ago that he himself sat there . . .
Next to him George was trying to focus on what was said, but Fred could tell he had a difficult time. Angelina was not sitting far away. They hadn't had a chance to speak yet and even though they were soon to face a dark wizard army, it seemed his brother was concerned with seeing the girl he loved for the first time in months.
Perhaps it was precisely because of their looming threat that his brother was so concerned, Fred reluctantly admitted.
Had Hermione been nearby, he wasn't sure he wouldn't be thinking the exact same thing. But, luckily or not, he hadn't seen her since the Room of Requirement. He tried not to linger on where she and his little brother could have sneaked of to, however. It wasn't healthy, nor was it in character to think of the two of them sneaking away for a last snog when everything was about to go down. They knew how important it was to Harry—to all of them.
Speaking of the Golden Boy, whisperings intensified between the tables and Fred deduced that it was because of his arrival. Fred tried a glance, but he couldn't see if it was just Harry or if Hermione and Ron was with him.
"We have already placed protection around the castle," Professor McGonagall was saying, "but it is unlikely to hold for very long unless we reinforce it. I must ask you, therefore, to move quickly and calmly, and do as your prefects—"
But her last words were drowned by a voice that was unlike their dear Professor's—this one was cold, high and clear. And though he'd never had the misfortune to hear it in person before, it didn't take Fred long to guess who it belonged to.
The voice of Lord Voldemort spoke and echoed across the hall, sounding as if it belonged to the very castle itself.
"I know that you are preparing to fight."
Students screamed and looked in terror for the source of the sound. Fred wanted to tell them not to worry, You-Know-Who wasn't actually here, but he was too busy swallowing down the fear that was building at the thought of having to face this monster. And Harry had done it almost every year. Not to mention, Ginny had been on the receiving end of this voice for a whole year. He'd have to commend them both for it later.
"Your efforts are futile," Lord Voldemort continued, "You cannot fight me. I do not want to kill you. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts. I do not want to spill magical blood."
The screams stopped and instead there was silence as people waited to hear what he was going to ask for in return if they wanted him to spare them. But as soon as he spoke again, Fred could—in spite of his fear— feel himself almost roll his eyes.
"Give me Harry Potter and you will be rewarded. You have until midnight."
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"What a git," said George when they were preparing to leave for their stations at the passageways. "The whole time I was hoping Ginny didn't have to hear him in the Room of Requirement."
"Me too," agreed Fred. "And you just know Harry is going to beat himself up for what he said."
"I suddenly feel even more satisfaction at having put up that You-Know-Poo sign," said George.
Fred laughed and George was smiling, but Fred saw the smile fall when George spotted Angelina again. She was to join Madam Pomfrey in securing the Hospital Wing for any eventually injured people and keep the Death Eaters out. In short, if the enemy wanted to make sure there would be no recovering that's the first place they'd try to blow up.
Angelina stood talking to Madam Pomfrey and it looked like she was making a list of what to save first in case of an attack. George began walking up to them and Fred and Lee followed.
". . .dittany, of course. But even a Calming Draught can do wonders in making sure a person's pulse steadies enough for us to save them from bleeding out. And if the worst happens, I suppose the Great Hall will work as an alternative to the Wing."
Angelina nodded along and barely noticed George until Madam Pomfrey stopped talking. She looked up from her scroll of parchment and frowned.
"George? What are you—"
George kissed her and Angelina never got to finish her sentence. Madam Pomfrey held a hand to her mouth to keep from smiling and there were people staring around them and Fred and Lee told them to keep it moving.
"Give them some privacy, you lot!"
When they parted, George watched her nervously and Angelina blinked slowly . . . before slapping him.
"Now? You chose to do this now?!" she yelled. "What's wrong with you? There's a battle about to begin, you idiot!"
George recovered from his shock and yelled back. "That's exactly why! We might die and I refuse to die without having told you how I feel!"
Angelina huffed. "You think that was telling me how you feel, Weasley? That was just you shoving your tongue down my throat!"
"Fine!" said George. "I LOVE YOU."
It was quiet, but this time it wasn't due to some cold blooded snake wizard. It was much scarier, because there was no telling from the look on Angelina's face of what her reaction was going to be next.
So George continued. "I've been in love with you since the first time you called me an idiot and even now, when I put myself out there, you call me one, and I love you!"
Angelina put her hands to her face and George looked really worried when her shoulders began shaking, as if she was crying.
"Ange—"
Then, she looked up and they realised she was laughing.
George blinked. "What . . .?"
Angelina beamed, and though there were small tears in the corners of her eyes, they weren't sad. Rather, the opposite. "I love you, too."
Fred had never seen his brother look so happy and he wasn't surprised when the two of them locked lips again.
George and Angelina kissed and there was a small smattering of applause from the few still watching them.
When they parted, after a small clearing of throat from Madam Pomfrey, Angelina held George's forehead to hers.
"Don't you die on me now, Weasley," she said, her voice softer and more pleading than any of them had heard it be when giving command before. "I mean it."
"I wouldn't dare," George replied.
He stood still watching Angelina walk away with Madam Pomfrey and a small crowd of other students. When they'd turned a corner and were no longer visible, Fred walked up to his brother.
"That was quite a display," said Fred.
Lee thumped George on the back. "I've never been more impressed with you in my entire life. Good one there."
George was smiling from ear to ear (or ear to . . . hole). "I can scarcely believe what happened."
"Yeah, I can't believe she let you live and get away with just a slap," joked Fred.
That's when it all got quiet again. The joy from the moment slowly dissipating as they faced what was about to happen.
"Well, gents," Lee started, the bravest of them, "I suppose this is it."
"Yeah," said the twins.
It had always been the three of them and now that they had to split up, it didn't seem right.
"Anything go to shit on your end, you come find us," said Fred then. "There's a chance they'll get in the castle and I don't want you staying there so they'll have target practice before getting to the rest of us."
Lee laughed. "No, that would be horrible of me."
And with that, Lee was gone to join his troops.
And then there were two.
Fred had always been good with words. His whole life he'd always had a quip or a smart remark at the ready for whatever life threw at him, but this time . . . this time he couldn't find any words. He just stood there, watching and waiting for his brother to say something instead, so that Fred wouldn't have to. Because he didn't want this to be a goodbye, this would in no way be a goodbye if he could help it.
Fred been afraid of dying for a while now, the very real possibility hovering over him like a grey cloud, except . . . a million times worse. It was inevitable, they were part of a war, part of a resistance. But this thought had never prepared him for this.
He found himself doing the one thing he could, which was to hug his brother. George hugged him back, the two of them letting the rest stay unspoken. They both knew, Fred realised. They already knew everything that could be said.
When they let go, Fred laid a hand on George's shoulder. "Don't go losing another ear now."
George laughed. "Don't go trying to lose one to look like me."
"And ruin my good looks forever? You're barking!"
They smiled.
"You always were my favourite twin, you know," said George.
"See you later, idiot," said Fred.
And with that, they parted.
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Fred worried the whole castle might come down any minute. There it was, another rumble, and the ground shook just a little bit more each time. The battle was starting and he wondered what that might mean, since he was suddenly extremely aware of his lack of experience at war. He'd never fought a battle before, what the bloody hell was he thinking?
He held his wand tighter and tried his best not to give away just how scared he was.
Next to him, Lee was mumbling reassuring things to those nearest. He'd had to regroup to their team since it seemed the entrance he had set out to take care of had been laid to waste by the Carrow's. No one was getting in or out there.
Another quake and Hannah Abbott gave an audible gasp.
"It's all right, Hannah," said Lee, though he was barely heard through the noise.
Just then, Fred spotted Harry hurtling around the corner, running to get past them.
Seeing him and being reminded of why he was doing this, Fred mustered up some strength and humour.
"Nice night for it!" he shouted at Harry.
The other boy look frightened at what was happening around them, yet smiled at Fred all the same. Fred knew how he felt, and if he managed to make it easier for someone here, then he could go down proud.
"All right, gents," Fred told the small group of students around him, facing the concealed passageway. "Wands at the ready, and don't you dare upstage me. I'll be damned if I don't look the coolest."
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"Around the corner!"
With all that he could, Fred ran. He'd always been good at it and now it proved very useful.
He found a tapestry and quickly dove behind it, hoping its magic would help him once again.
The Death Eaters chasing him ran by and Fred breathed. He just hoped the others had got away okay. After the secret tunnel had been discovered he feared for them.
Another tremble of the floor and Fred swore.
He was getting tired of all the earthquakes. To be honest, he wished the giants would just take each other out. He cheered for Hagrid's little brother each chance he got, but other than that, he was through wondering where the next piece of the castle would fall.
Part of him was somewhat amused thinking of how worried he was about the castle. He'd never considered how much he actually valued it. How, for the longest time, it had been the perfect playground for someone like him—to have grown up in a place where you could get its mysteries uncovered, to get to know it better than anyone else, the secrets it hid. And there had been times it had felt like it valued him as much as he valued it. There had been times where he and George had needed an escape from Filch or a hideout from a teacher, too many times to count, and they'd been provided with one.
Fred loved this castle, he loved Hogwarts, and it was being torn to bloody pieces.
He took another breath and emerged from behind the tapestry, wishing he'd had time to go get his many inventions—they could have proved useful in sneaking.
But I am still a Weasley twin, Fred argued, I never had my inventions growing up and I got away. I am still me without them.
He sent a hex at a dark clad wizard, whose mask now fell off, that had sprinted at him and Fred delighted in seeing a half-mutated plant now stand before him. It should have been cleaner, but he was working under pressure here, and it sort of made it more satisfying for the plant to have a big nose and angry eyes watch him smirk.
"Better luck next time," he told the plant and walked away.
As soon as he arrived in the next corridor, he heard a yell.
"Take that!" Percy said and sent red jets of light at a couple of Death Eaters. "And that!"
The Death Eaters fell onto the floor and Percy smiled victoriously. He didn't see that there was one more behind him.
"No, you don't!" yelled Fred, and sent that one collapsing to the floor as well.
Percy aimed his wide eyes at Fred and gaped, having for one small second thought he had been Fred's target.
Fred grinned. "Don't worry, Perce, if I wanted to attack you I would have done it a long time ago. Also, you have got to watch your back. Didn't they teach you that at prefect training?"
Percy shook his head. "N-no. They didn't. What are you doing here, Fred?"
Fred gestured around him. "Death Eaters entered the castle, little use for me to stand guard at the not-so-secret entrance, wouldn't it?"
Percy nodded, "Quite. But you're okay other than that?"
Fred blinked. Was that concern?
"Yeah . . ." he said.
"Good," said Percy, righting his glasses awkwardly. "Well then, no use in standing around here—"
A scream and the two of them ran towards it. It had sounded too much like Ginny for them not to.
They arrived at the scene and someone who looked like Ginny was sending jinxes left and right and was gone before they had a chance to see if it really had been her.
Fred was relieved either way and he and Percy shared that relief, but it was short lived as a new group of Death Eaters arrived, their masks still on and preparing their wands for attack.
Without a word, he and Percy raised their own.
It wasn't as easy as last time, as the spells were blocked and they were advancing on Fred and Percy fast. It was clear these weren't just any Death Eaters behind those hoods.
Then, just as they were beginning to worry, jets of lights flew everywhere, forcing the man duelling Percy to back off. Fred had time for only a glimpse, and his heart soared seeing Hermione behind him with her wand ready to help, Harry and Ron right next to her.
"Hello, minister!" bellowed Percy when the mask fell off of the man in front of him. He managed to finally send a direct hit at Pius Thicknesse, who fell to floor and clawed at the front of his robes upon receiving the jinx. "Did I mention I'm resigning?"
Fred couldn't believe his ears and sent three stunning spells at his own opponent, who fell as well. "You're joking, Perce!"
Once Fred saw what was gradually happening to Thicknesse and that it seemed he was slowly transforming into some sort of sea urchin, Fred grew even more gleeful. It seemed they weren't that different after all, and for the first time, the thought didn't scare Fred. He really had his brother back.
He looked at Percy, smiling, "You actually are joking, Perce . . . I don't think I've heard you joke since you were—"
The air exploded.
They had been grouped together, Fred, Percy, Hermione, Harry and Ron with the two Death Eaters in front of them at their feet. And that small moment where Fred had barely registered what was happening; hearing the wall explode into pieces behind him, the others flying through the air and holding onto their wands, the only shield they had . . . he looked at his brother's terrified face and wondered if he'd make it in time, if Percy could raise a shield in time. Or not.
Either way, Fred would never get to find out. Because strangely, somehow, everything stopped. Everyone and everything around him froze.
Fred shook his head, blinking at the silence, deafened by it after having lived through explosions and chaos. Which ironically was his usual way of living. He looked around, wondering what was happening. Was this some trick by the Dark Lord?
As he looked, he spotted the wall behind him, how close it had been to blast onto him and he had to swallow hard. He then turned to Percy. He would have had to watch Fred die.
A glance to the Golden Trio and he realised that all of them would have had to see it too. Ron, Harry and . . .
Hermione. She would have seen him get crushed.
It all made Fred go cold inside.
Just as he was beginning to panic, he heard footsteps. They were approaching him and Fred turned, wand at the ready.
"Petrificus Totalus."
Before he knew it, he was down on the floor, as frozen as the others. All he could see were a small pair of boots make their way to him. Light footsteps, careful ones, and he was assured they couldn't belong to Lord Voldemort at least. That was something, he supposed.
He tried his best to spot the rest of the newcomer, but all he saw was the bottom of their robes. Then . . .
"I'm sorry," the newcomer said, and her sweet tone alerted Fred immediately, because there was only one voice he knew that sounded that way.
Hermione's locks were longer than before and as she moved him to lie sideways instead of facing the floor, he could immediately deduce that something wasn't right. For starters, not only was her hair longer, she looked . . .different. Her face wasn't the same. It was, dare he say, older, more mature. And more filled out, not the result of months of starvation and hiding. Though the bags under her eyes were still there, so it seemed she wasn't well rested either.
Fred's first thought was polyjuice, why wouldn't it be? The Hermione he knew was right behind the new one, trying to cover her face and shield herself from the explosion. This one wasn't the same. But . . . she looked the same. She sounded the same. And she even smelled the same.
That's when she smiled at him and he knew. It was her.
Though, the smile was a bit sad. "I had to petrify you or you might have done something stupid. And I need this to go perfectly."
She produced a vial, a small orange capsule and a wand into her hands. She placed the capsule onto the floor and with a tap of her wand, she had summoned a body. Fred panicked at seeing George lie next to him, wearing the same clothes . . . until he saw that the body had two ears, not one.
Once that was done, New-Hermione lifted the vial and moved it to Fred's mouth. She grimaced."I'm afraid this won't taste the best. Nor will it be painless."
Fred wanted to scream 'Then don't feed it to me!' but words wouldn't leave his lips and the liquid was poured down. He immediately felt strange.
"There will be a pulling sensation. Don't fight it or you might hurt yourself," said New-Hermione. She looked at her watch. "Any second now."
Fred stared at her, pleading her not to do this, whatever it was. She saw and her expression immediately softened.
She placed a hand on his and smiled. "Don't worry, you'll be fine. More than fine. I'm taking you to where you belong."
That's when everything blurred and Fred wanted to scream, his ears were ringing so bad and it felt like getting squeezed through a small keyhole, the way an apparition did only five million times worse.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
A loud pop and they were finally released. Fred breathed, managing only to look around the moonlit garden in confusion before collapsing. Next to him, Hermione was still holding his hand and fell down with him to her knees. She wanted to check on him, to make sure that everything did go all right, but her vision was failing, everything getting darker. She joined him on the grass below, vaguely registering the sounds of the startled people inside the Burrow.
Inside the living room, the handle on that old grandfather clock holding Fred's picture moved for the first time in three years.
'Home.'
~o0o~
A/N: OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG IT'S DONEEEEEE
I CAN'T EFFIN BELIEVE IT
Only the epilogue left now and after that it's TRULY over.
I just want to say that it's been a wonderful adventure to write and experience this story with all of you. What started out as an idea that took over my brain after a hp re-read transformed into a five year long project that has challenged me so much as a writer. To research and plan when I was usually one for just winging it.
And to have gotten the support and lovely comments from all you guys has given me so much motivation and courage to keep on writing. You are the best.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Until next time!
/Primrue