His Last Wish, Epilogue (part one)
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When Fred woke up his thoughts weren't coherent in the least.
Everything seemed to be out of order and place and there were flashes of images in his head that seemed too absurd to even think about. There was a slight ringing in his ears that made his growing headache that much worse, not to mention that the light was much too bright. Why was it so bright?
Without opening his eyes, he groaned and pulled the covers over his head. Bloody hell, didn't he usually shut the curtains closed for precisely this reason? Especially lately, since it got like a bloody sauna at Muriel's if he didn't . . .
That's when he realised that there was something very different about where he was lying, that the bed he was in was not the same as the one he'd been sleeping in for the past few weeks. That the scent coating the air was very different from the stuffy, old people smell of Muriel's that he'd unfortunately grown so accustomed to.
Fred opened his eyes and emerged from under the blanket and glanced around, his eyes adjusting to the light. It was the Burrow. Why was he at the Burrow?
A gasp. A loud crash against the floor.
Fred's attention turned towards the door and saw his little sister staring at him, holding her hands to her face. Next to her feet was a broken glass of water.
"Gin . . ." Fred started, but as he took in her appearance he was reminded of something else. Of another girl looking like someone he knew yet not looking the same at all. He swallowed. "What's going on?"
His voice was weak and his throat was dry, but even so, she should have heard him. But instead of answering him, Ginny's eyes grew wider and she turned away towards the stairs. "ANGELINA!"
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Fred's eyes moved across the countless pictures on the wall, pictures depicting the things he'd missed. A niece being born with the picture next to it showing Bill and Fleur waiting another child— Victoire holding her small hands on Fleur's rounded stomach. Charlie grinning on top of a dark green dragon, sporting several new scars. Ron inventing his first product and launching it at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes whilst small fireworks erupted behind him. Harry and Ginny's engagement party at Grimmauld Place. A non-moving photograph where Percy and a woman with dark brown hair were embracing— his older brother looking happier than Fred had ever seen him. George and Angelina's engagement party . . . George and Angelina having a baby before even getting married.
And then there was her. It was the one recent photo existing of her; a cut out from the Daily Prophet where Hermione was celebrating at the Ministry and raising a glass in toast with her colleagues and friends—and if Fred wasn't mistaken, with Draco Malfoy?
"We passed a bill protecting werewolf rights," she'd explained the other day, catching him off-guard, both at the statement and by her approaching him. She'd smiled at her achievement, and before Fred had been able to ask anything else, she'd moved on to speaking to Harry. The latter had met Fred's eyes and shrugged. Harry couldn't seem to understand Hermione's distance either.
It wasn't as if people hadn't been suspicious of Fred's sudden appearance. There had been talk of Dark magic being involved. An investigation had even been underway and with Harry volunteering to be at the front of it. But it didn't take long to dismiss the theory, and with that, his family and friends fully embraced him back into their lives.
When Fred had been told the news of his supposed death by Ginny and Angelina, he'd expected either his mother or George to be the ones first to his bed. But they weren't.
Percy had been a sobbing mess, apologizing for not being able to save Fred all those years ago—apparently having planned to live with that guilt his entire life. Fred had forgiven him. Really, what was there to forgive?
It had been a bit strange though, to have forgiven Percy for two major life situations in the span of what Fred knew to have been a couple of days. And he'd been asleep for most of them.
His reunion with George hadn't been as talkative. It had mostly been George breaking down, with Fred holding him. He couldn't imagine what his twin must have gone through in his absence. And Fred was glad he would never have to.
"Where's Hermione?" Fred had asked when all the re-introductions were done. "Would like to thank my rescuer."
His family and Harry had exchanged looks at that.
Finally, Harry spoke. "She's still asleep. Whatever she did took a lot of magic and she was near death before Angelina got to healing her."
Everything in Fred had turned cold and he'd demanded to see her.
Two seconds later he was inside Ginny's old room where he found Hermione sleeping. There was the worst sense of déjà vu as he recalled her after the Department of Mysteries. The worry inside him was worse this time though, since there wasn't a heap of potions by her bedside as it had been before. This time there was nothing because, apparently, all Angelina could do was check her vitals and make sure she didn't stop breathing. Magic could only do so much here, it seemed. But he'd wished desperately for there to be a cure. There was always a cure. And if there wasn't, he made one up.
Fred had walked up to her bed and sat himself down on the floor. He contemplated whether it would be the right move but decided in the end that he didn't care and took her hand. Let her curse him for taking liberties, he'd thought. At least that would mean she'd woken up.
And woken up she had.
Or well, not immediately. It had been at least another day or two, the majority of which Fred had spent sitting beside the bed, before Hermione had slowly opened her eyes, revealing their beautiful and warm brown colour. And once they registered where she was she looked at Fred and started to cry.
"Are you really here?" she'd asked. Her voice had no right to sound so hopeful and vulnerable.
"Y-yes," he'd answered, tightening his hold on her hand. "Yes, I am."
"Good." And Hermione was bawling her eyes out.
In between sobs, she'd finally got to say everything. How she'd found his vials with his memories. How she realised she had to do something.
When Fred asked how she managed to do it, all she could say was that Dumbledore had something to do with her getting the idea. But she couldn't say anything else as she knew for certain that there was no way to save anyone else they'd lost this way. Not to mention the catastrophic consequences some of those savings could have on the timeline.
Fred promised that he wouldn't tell anyone, but that all he wished was for her to get better. He even joked that he wanted to know what she'd thought of his memories.
To his surprise, Hermione had blushed at the notion, though he supposed it could have just been the fever.
Or, she's embarrassed and you put her on the spot, Fred thought to himself. She saw memories of you basically proclaiming your love to her, what is she going to say to that?
Perhaps he'd been foolish to believe this whole experience would make things different between them, but Fred couldn't help but imagine it. It wasn't every day that you were brought back from the dead by the woman you fancied.
Back at the present, Fred sighed and moved away from the pictures. It was enough for today.
"How are you doing?" George stepped up to him, holding a sleeping baby Fred in his arms. The sight should have made Fred smile, but all it did was remind him of all he had missed.
"Good," Fred lied. His brother raised his eyebrows. "All right, not so good."
George nodded. "Can't imagine what it must feel like for you."
"Likewise." He glanced the pictures again. "It's just a lot to take in."
Fred didn't want to admit it, but sometimes, it wasn't just a lot: it was impossible. He didn't feel like he had the capacity to even grasp how much he didn't understand or know.
"Come back to the table," said George, slowly, "Mum's about to serve dessert." Fred tried to ignore the panicked look in George's eyes, the one he tried so hard to hide. The one that worried Fred might regret coming back to life and disappear again.
Slapping on a small smile, Fred nodded. Even attempting to pat baby Fred's head, the nephew he didn't even know, and followed his three year older twin to the dinner table.
"Oh thank goodness, Ron was about to eat it all." Ginny gestured at the treacle tarts on Fred and George's plates.
There were laughs around the table, Fred noting a particularly amused smile from Andromeda Tonks.
Ron opened his mouth indignantly. "Was not!"
"Of course not," teased Angelina, taking her son into her arms, kissing George. "Are you all right, Freddie? Headaches still gone?"
Fred felt all eyes on him awaiting his answer. "Yeah, all gone, Ange. No worries."
Angelina looked satisfied with his response and excused herself to lay her baby down. George eagerly took her piece of treacle and when protests erupted, he wagged a finger at them and said, "Husband privileges."
"Not even married yet,"mumbled Ron.
"Oh, I'm sorry, did you not see the baby?" asked George. "We're as good as. Not like you and Susan. When are you planning on letting her make an honest woman of you anyway?"
Ron's ears turned red. "I'm not a woman, and Susan and I are taking it slow."
"Bet she loves that."
"It was her idea."
"Oh please, like you didn't plant that idea in her head! Have you seen the way she looks at you, you should grant yourself lucky anyone would —"
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
Fred smiled at the familiar bantering, at least that hadn't changed. But with the topic in mind, Fred worried about how often this came up, even with Hermione in the room. She was away at work this evening, but the few times she was over for dinner, she'd smile as much as anyone at the jokes. Jokes about Ron and Susan Bones. Jokes about her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend.
When Fred had first heard of Ron and his girlfriend, he had to admit his gut had dropped a bit. But then they said that no, Ron and Hermione weren't together; they had broken up. Ron and Hermione had finally got together, only to break up less than a year after.
Fred still didn't know what to make of that. Much like everything else.
After dinner and tea, the group dispersed. Bill and Fleur routinely telling Fred to come visit anytime he felt up for it, while little Victoire hid behind her father, too shy to say anything to him. Percy left after them, but not before hugging Fred goodbye.
"Blimey, Perce, if you don't let go soon Audrey will worry," said George, sensing Fred's slight discomfort.
Percy caught himself and let go, glancing at Fred nervously, afraid he'd done something wrong. But it must have passed or Percy swallowed it down, either way their brother left.
"Don't think I'll ever get used to it," said George, watching Percy leave, seemingly echoing Fred's thoughts. "I mean, I never pictured Perce with a Muggle girlfriend."
Oh, thought Fred, that's what he meant. He shrugged. "As strange as anything else happening around here."
"I suppose." There was a pause. In the living room they could hear Harry and Ginny play with the children, entertaining little Fred and Teddy Lupin while Angelina, their father and the grandmothers watched on.
So many children these days.
"Freddie," continued George. "Are you sure you're all right?"
Fred snapped out of his thoughts and smiled. "Nah."
George sighed. "Yeah."
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Explosion.
The high pitched screams of someone being tortured filled his head. Explosion. The smell of blood and dust and debris filled his nose. Explosion. He was buried under something heavy. He saw nothing but darkness. Fred couldn't breathe.
Explosion.
He startled awake, gasping.
"C-crookshanks?" Fred caught his breath and ignored how his muggle t-shirt clung to him like a second skin as he looked at the orange cat currently staring at him from the floor. That must have been what had blocked his air. The stupid cat.
Crookshanks licked his paw, unconcerned, and Fred wondered what he was doing here. For about a second, then it dawned on him, and Fred didn't know what possessed him to do so, but he hurried to his window, hoping to catch her in time. Like a stalker.
Sure enough, downstairs, in the middle of the misty-morning looking yard, stood Hermione Granger. Dressed in her finest Ministry self, her robes and cloak purple and sensible, with her hair tightly wound into a bun, she glanced at her watch. Her features were poorly illuminated by the barely risen sun, but Fred could spot her expression as clear as if it were the middle of the day. She was trying not to cry.
Fred began to wonder why when, all of a sudden, her eyes shot to his window. Fred dove to the floor.
Whether or not she'd seen him, he didn't know. All he knew was that his heart was pounding again.
He heard a 'pop!' soon thereafter and he knew she'd gone. So he remained on the floor.
Crookshanks began stroking himself against Fred's leg, purring. Fred sighed.
"You and me again, huh?" He sat up and scratched the cat behind the ear. The two of them again . . . left behind by Hermione Granger . . . Granted, Hermione was only away for a business trip and needed Crookshanks looked after, she hadn't abandoned him. Yet, Fred couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with the four legged beast. He smiled. "You haven't aged well, mate."
Crookshanks, as per usual, ignored him.
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"Well, what do you want to do, Fred, sweetheart?" his mother asked, watching him worriedly as she poured him his tea.
"Molly," his father warned gently.
"It's not such an absurd thing to ask, Arthur!" Molly Weasley sat down at her seat at the kitchen table, stirring her cup a bit faster than probably necessary. She turned to Fred. "If I could have it my way, I would have you stay with us for another four months. Probably another four years. Or, forever if need be. But that wouldn't do anyone any good. You need to start thinking about where you want to go from here, Fred. To simply come back to life and not have one, it's not what I want for you. I want you to be out there in the world, start a family."
"Like all the others, you mean?" Fred mumbled. This wasn't the first time they'd had this discussion.
"Would that be so awful?" asked his mother. "To have a wife, a home and a child? What ever could be wrong with that?"
"Nothing!" snapped Fred. "There's nothing wrong with that, Mum! But it's only been four months! Perhaps not for you, but for me! I was just there!"
His parents turned quiet.
They might have had time to deal with the trauma, but Fred hadn't. He could still remember it all so vividly he sometimes wondered if this actually was a curse someone at the Battle of Hogwarts had cast upon him. That he was still there somehow.
"Mum, I . . . I'm not ready."
Molly's expression softened, and Fred didn't even try to fend her off, pretend he was too mature for it, simply deciding to lean in as she pulled him into her motherly embrace. At least that hadn't changed.
"You can stay for as long as you like," she said. To which Fred nodded gratefully.
"Thank you."
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It also was the fact that Fred had nowhere to go. George had moved in with Angelina. The apartment above the shop was inhabited by Ron, which made Fred sick, thinking about sharing any living space with Ron again. Everyone was either engaged, married or about to have a baby and it left Fred with little options. Of course, there's always Hermione, a dark part of him mused. He imagined telling her of his situation and knew that she'd offer her spare bedroom without hesitation. But he couldn't do that to her. Especially knowing she would regret that charitability as soon as he moved in.
No, he had no place in this future. Not a place in the same way he'd used to, anyway. That's what he felt. He was a remnant of olden days and everyone else had moved on. He should too.
But how?
Laughter interrupted his thoughts and Fred looked up from his plate, just in time to catch three year old Teddy Lupin morph his nose into a pig snout. It had only been less than six months since he'd spoken to Remus last, at the Battle. To hear of his and Tonks' deaths had hit Fred hard. They hadn't deserved it. They should be here, too.
He applauded along with the others, pretending much like the rest like it was the first time they'd ever seen such a thing. For the sake of the boy.
But in the very back of his mind, Teddy's performance had Fred conjuring up sketches for a possible future Weasley Wizard Wheezes product.
No, Freddie, old boy, he told himself, that life behind you now. You can't just continue where you left off.
He looked across the table and met Hermione's eyes, who quickly averted hers.
No, there would be no point.
He sighed to himself, poking at his pudding.
". . . what do you think, Fred?" A pause. " Fred?"
"Hm?"
"Honestly, Fred," said Ginny. "It's like you don't even care about our wedding."
"No, 'course I do," said Fred, "Only it was just yesterday I heard you proclaim that you would just tell all the guests to bugger off and marry Harry at the Ministry registration office instead. A toast with pumpkin juice, too, I believe?"
"Ginevra, you wouldn't!" gasped their mother.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "No, of course not, Mum. Fred doesn't know what he's talking about."
There was a kick under the table and Fred smiled as he averted his sister's favourite move and let her foot connect with Harry's leg instead.
"Ow! Ginny!" hissed Harry.
"Sorry, Harry!" She hurried to place a kiss on his cheek.
"You did mention how much easier this would have been if you'd simply eloped when Harry first proposed. After graduation."
Fred looked at Hermione, who was sporting a small and devious smile, surprised to hear her engage in the conversation. Especially in a teasing manner. There had been little of that and Fred suspected he was the reason.
"Is that true?" asked Harry. "You were ready to get married back then? We could have avoided all the spectacle?"
"Not you too, Harry dear," sighed Molly.
Ginny rolled her eyes and Harry grinned. "You are the one that wants the spectacle. Don't start with me, Potter."
There were chuckles as everyone knew this to be true. Harry had ever had little to celebrate, he'd be damned if he didn't get his dream wedding. He'd got his dream girl after all.
"What was it you said about the wedding then, Gin?" asked Fred as he poured himself some more water.
Ginny smiled. "I was wondering if you'd like to be my maid of honour. I've already spoken to all the other girls and they're fine with it. But I'd love to have you there. Would you?"
Fred gaped, the water pouring over and he apologised. Hermione was quick with the wand however and made the mess disappear. He smiled at her gratefully and she avoided his eyes like always. He turned to his little sister.
"That sounds wonderful, but are you sure?" asked Fred. "I look very good in a dress and I don't want to upstage you on your own wedding day."
"Very funny," said Ginny. "And of course I want you there. I always wished for you to be there at my wedding . . . and now you can."
Tears were at the corners of her eyes and Fred had to admit that his own were beginning to burn quite a bit themselves.
"You all right with that, Harry?" asked Fred.
"'Course," said Harry. "Wouldn't have it without you, mate."
Their mother was audibly sobbing and their father and Fleur comforted her, not looking too unaffected either.
"Well, I for one think you should all bugger off," interrupted George.
"George!" scolded Angelina, holding Teddy's ears shut as the little boy shouted 'bugs! bugs!'.
"Sorry, Angie," said George, "But you know why I am angry. How do you think I feel hearing this?"
"Hearing what, George?" asked Ginny.
George sighed dramatically. "Fred is my twin and my best friend, little sister. What do you think I mean?"
Fred's lips widened. "Oh, this is brilliant."
"What?" asked Ron.
Fred smirked. "Oh, you poor sod. They got to me first."
"Unless we schedule it on the exact same day, I doubt it'll be a problem," said George, his nose in the air. "Nevertheless, they got to you first, yes. Which means that whatever I have to say will sound nothing close to as emotional and beautiful."
"You know I'm still touched," said Fred.
"Yeah, in the head."
"Will someone explain what's going on?" asked Ron.
"Oh, darling," sighed Susan Bones, fondly. Her presence to the dinners was a new one, but seeing her more and more, Fred had to admit she was a lovely addition.
"I suppose here it goes," said George standing up. He walked the small distance of his chair to Fred's, kneeled, and conjured a small box. He opened it. Inside lay a puking pastille. "Will you, Frederick Gideon Weasley, on the day I finally can drag myself and Angie down the aisle, be my best man?"
Fred laughed. "Who could say no to such a lovely offer?"
The rest applauded and cheered as the two of them bowed and said things like 'no, completely improvised' and 'sorry if this was better than when he proposed to you, Ange'.
Fred smiled and let himself enjoy this moment, where he could make everyone happy with his mere presence (that was the dream, wasn't it?) and just as he wanted to meet the eyes of the person who had made all of this possible, she was gone. All Fred saw was an empty chair where Hermione should be.
He excused himself, trying to sneak away when both Teddy and Victoire was dissatisfied with the shift in attention and tried to call it back to them.
Fred found her sitting outside, parked on a bench by the door. She startled when he showed up.
"Oh, hello, Fred," she said, hurrying to compose herself. "What are you doing out here?"
"Could ask you the same thing," he answered playfully. But her smile was weak and he knew she was trying too hard to keep up a facade. For the first time he wished she would cry. Just let it all out. Like she'd done when he had first come back.
But for whatever reason, Hermione Granger seemed determined not to let him see that side of her again.
"Erm, I suppose congratulations are in order," she said finally. "You'll make a terrific best man to them both."
"Best man and bridesmaid," Fred corrected her.
"Of course, sorry," she said.
"Mind if I sit with you?"
Hermione blinked. "N-no, but I was planning on going back inside. But you stay here if you want. I . . . I should probably go."
And with that, she was gone again. And all he had left was an empty seat where she should be. Fred could take a hint, he wasn't oblivious. But this felt like something else.
Hermione was avoiding him.
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"How's the new apartment?"
Fred rolled his eyes, his hands not stopping their task of attaching the pearls into his sister's hair and pinning it up. "It's fine. Stop being nervous and asking me nonsense, sis."
Ginny let out a breath. Fred saw her reflection in the mirror as she closed her eyes and smiled. "I just can't believe the day's finally here. You know I rarely get sentimental, but I've wanted to marry this boy since I first saw him."
"I remember," murmured Fred, part fondly and part of him sighing recalling how all of them had been afraid to ever utter the name Harry Potter in their house when Ginny was younger. Fearing she'd go off ranting about his brilliance.
"And I know there's probably a million reasons not to marry the first boy you see, but show me a better one," Ginny continued, as if daring Fred to do so.
He couldn't help but chuckle. "The Boy Wonder is hard to beat."
"Right. You are scarily good at this," remarked Ginny once he was done. She observed her reflection in a satisfied manner, touching the few strands that he'd let loose in the front and feeling the pearls in the back carefully.
"Why, thank you. There are upsides to being great at delicate spell work."
"I suppose there are." Ginny turned around and reached up from her seat to grab hold of his hands. "I'm not going to cry, mostly because I refuse let my face get ruined after all of Fleur's hard work, but . . . I-I am just so glad that you're here."
"Oh, hey now," Fred said, the grip on her hands tightening as he observed the way her lower lip slightly trembled. Ginny was strong and terribly stubborn, not even crying at moments she probably should. But he was her big brother, he needed to make sure she was okay. "I wouldn't miss this for the world. And I'm not going anywhere."
"I know, I know," said Ginny, sniffing, "I just can't help but worry sometimes. That something is going to go wrong and you'll be gone again."
A line of worry formed between Fred's brows as he took this information in. He had suspected this was the way some in his family felt, but this was the first time he'd heard anyone say it out loud.
"It doesn't help that Hermione is ever hardly around you as well," said Ginny. "Makes it seem she's afraid of having it come true."
"Do you think that could be why she's ignoring me?" Fred couldn't help but ask. He'd shared his worry with his sister and twin, the two of them not knowing more than Fred.
Ginny shrugged. "Could be. Whatever she did, I just hope it's permanent."
Fred pressed onto her hands again. "When has Granger ever done anything half-arsed, huh?"
His sister smiled reluctantly and that was all he needed.
Soon after, the rest of the bridal party returned to the room, supplying it with more drinks and robes. Luna was already in hers: a startlingly colorful number, all different shades of the rainbow in small, round dots. 'To match Ginny's freckles' she'd said.
Fleur resumed her position by Ginny's side and praised Fred for his 'not sloppy work'. She proceeded to hand Ginny a glass of champagne which his sister drank gratefully, the image a bit startling for a Fred who had never seen his sister drink anything but Butterbeer before.
"Ginny, your nose, it is red! Non, this will not do!" Fleur brought out the make-up again and attacked Ginny with powder despite the latters protests.
"I thought it looked rather nice, like a match to her hair," commented Luna serenely to Hermione who stood next to her.
"Perhaps for your wedding, she'll let her nose be red," said Hermione, mimicking his sister and chugged down the last of her champagne, "and perhaps all of us will wear the same colour on our robes."
"Ginny said it was all right," argued Luna. "I can't wear lilac during winter, it would upset far too many—"
Hermione interrupted her with a wave of her hand. "Forget I said anything."
Luna frowned at her and then turned to Fred. "She is upset you are here, why is that?"
Having refilled her glass, Hermione almost choked on the champagne she was drinking and coughed, before staring at Luna. "Don't be ridiculous, I'm not upset Fred is here." She looked at Fred. "I'm not upset you're here."
"Your wrackspurts suggest otherwise, but maybe they're wrong . . ."
Hermione rubbed her forehead and ignored Luna's comment. Fred, meanwhile, felt a bit uncomfortable.
"I'll let you girls sort this out," he said and escaped out the door. They were about to put their robes on soon anyway.
Fred let out a breath. It seemed he hadn't just been imagining it, Hermione was bothered by something and it had to do with him. Fred just couldn't help but wonder what in Merlin's name it could be.
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"Wow . . . I love magic."
Fred couldn't help but smile at the expression on Audrey's face as she took in the decorations inside the tent: the way it looked very much like a snow palace with snowflakes falling slowly from the ceiling and icicles in every corner. The way the chairs surrounded a wide aisle adorned with snowdrops and the soft light coming from floating candles that illuminated it all. It reminded Fred of the Yule Ball, but of course to Audrey this was all new.
She turned her excited self to her boyfriend. "Percy, it's all bigger on the inside! How'd they do that?"
Fred laughed. Out of all the things to get excited about. She really was Percy's girlfriend.
Audrey got a bit quiet, mistaking Fred's laugh for mocking. He tried to immediately amend it and explained why he'd laughed, if only to make sure his older brother didn't kill him; Percy's face had its familiar redness it always had when he was upset.
"Oh," she said, her smile returning and her brown eyes warm again. "Hear that, Perce? Your brother finds us to be a good match."
Percy's cheeks grew red, but for a different reason this time. "Let's go find our seats, Audrey."
Audrey giggled and kissed his cheek, making Percy even more red.
Fred shook his head, amused, and not believing what he'd just seen. To think that there would be a day where he'd see his brother blush and only feel happiness for his sake. What an odd world it was.
"Oy! Weasley!"
In a matter of seconds, Fred struggled to breathe as he was enveloped in a large group hug. He laughed, struggling to get someone's hair out of his mouth. "Who let you lot in?"
"Your mother!" cried Lee, to which the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team erupted in laughs. They parted just enough for Fred to get a better look at them.
"It's so good to see your face, Weasley!" said Oliver Wood, his face sporting a handsome stubble and his nose clearly recovering from being broken one too many times. But it apparently did nothing but make him more appealing as a keeper for Puddlemere United.
"You too," answered Fred. "But if you gain any more muscle you'll suffocate me with your hugs one of these days."
"That's not fair!" said Alicia Spinnet. "I could take you both with one arm behind my back!"
"Yeah! Me too!" said Katie Bell.
"Not me, I know my limits," said Lee, earning another laugh. "Now, come on all of you, let's get inside before Ginny skins us alive for being late. George in there with Ange?"
"Yeah, and don't make a comment on how she's got bigger," said Fred, waving them off, "She will take your eye out."
"I'll only stop if they agree to name this one Lee, I've told you this!"
"Yeah, don't hold your breath there, mate."
Lee made a foul gesture at Fred which made both of them smile and walked up to his seat, where a disapproving Professor McGonagall waited.
"Mr. Jordan!"
"Sorry, Professor, didn't mean to have you see that. My, you are looking lovelier than ever! Age has done nothing but enhance your good looks, haven't it? Say, if there's room for another ceremony today . . ."
"Jordan!"
As everyone filed in, it appeared that truly everyone was invited and though Fred was glad to get to see the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and the teachers of Hogwarts, he was also thankful he wouldn't have to small talk with them all quite yet. Discussing how he wasn't dead had got boring fast.
Though perhaps he and Lee could make courting McGonagall tonight's event instead, he chuckled to himself.
The music began playing and as he listened to the violins and waited for the rest of the wedding party outside the tent, Fred was amazed once again at how delicate the whole affair was, thinking about how his sister had always been eager to scrape her knees along her brothers' sides. But when it came to Harry, Fred reflected, she had always been just a girl in love. She'd composed him poems in the past, written his name in her diary and daydreamed about the day they'd be husband and wife.
Well, that day was today. And Fred couldn't help it, he was so happy for them both.
"There you are!" said Fred, when the rest of them finally started appearing. He clutched a hand to his chest. "I've been greeting people all by myself, how could you abandon me!"
"Where were Bill and Charlie?" asked Ron as he righted Harry's robes one last time. "Harry, that's your cue!"
Harry snapped to and hurried inside.
"Oh, they did their job but some people were late and I had to manage that!"
"You poor soul," said Susan, teasingly. "Ron, I'll try to sneak in now, Hannah's saved me a seat."
"I'll see you inside," said Ron, kissing Susan, before ushering her inside.
Then, Fred heard a small group arrive.
"Okay, we're here! We're here!" said Ginny, struggling with her veil as Fleur fussed next to her. "Just you try going to the bathroom in this thing."
As the violins reached a certain point in their tune, it was time for people to make their way down the aisle.
First, Luna and Ron joined arms to start walking. To his credit, Ron made sure to compliment Luna on her confusingly colorful robes, to which Luna beamed and said that she enjoyed how his robes were utterly conventional.
Thereafter, it was Fleur and Neville's turn. The latter appeared a bit nervous but Fleur quickly steadied him and told him that her graceful nature was more than enough for them both. Neville laughed and ventured out with her more confidently.
"I suppose it's our turn now," said Hermione, almost startling Fred as she settled next to him. She'd kept herself relatively hidden until now and as Fred finally lay his eyes on her properly, he found it hard to look away. She was wearing an almost identical set of robes as she'd been the day of Fleur and Bill's wedding and she was beautiful. So incredibly beautiful, and he vowed that he'd always found her beautiful.
But . . . it still felt so different now. She was grown, a woman, and he was a man who never could have dreamt about being so lucky as to be where he was.
It was the first time Fred realised that, unlike the last wedding, there was no threat looming. No Voldemort, no war, and to his astonishment, no Ron. He couldn't believe it had taken him this long, but there it was.
Hermione was, in every way she'd never previously been, available.
She was next to him, real flesh and blood, warm and lovely and looking up at him with her brown eyes, wondering what he was thinking. And so was he. What was he thinking? She was here! He was here! What in Merlin's name was stopping him this time?
"Fred . . .?"
Just hearing her say his name did more things to him than he'd like to admit. He cleared his throat, deciding then to stop being such a coward, and simply held his arm out for her to take.
It was her choice what to do next.
Hermione eyed his arm, politely thrust out for her disposal, and bit her lip. She was nervous, he could tell, but he waited. And after some slight hesitation, she brought her hand up to loop around his arm.
There's some pink coating her cheeks as she looked resolutely ahead, and Fred moves his eyes to the front as well. Outwards, he hoped to look cool and collected, but on the inside he was dancing. There seemed to be some hope yet.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Fred and Hermione made it successfully down the aisle and as Hermione removed her arm from his Fred couldn't help but feel it grow colder. But he continued on, bidding her farewell with a nod and sent her away to join Harry, Ron and Neville. Meanwhile, Fred joined Fleur and Luna.
The live band then switched to another melody and this time everyone in the seats around the aisle stand up.
Through the flap of the tent, and through the white, laced fabric donning the entrance, Ginny walked. Her veil dismissed it seemed, as she probably wanted everyone to see how happy she was. Their father lead her forward and if Fred wasn't mistaken he was trying to keep it together and not let a tear fall. Because this was as happy as happy could get— no tears today. As they got closer, Fred sneaked a glance at Harry.
In his whole time at Hogwarts, Fred had seen Harry go into a whole different loads of states. He'd seen him happy, he'd seen him sad. He'd seen him live through joyous victories and been subject to hearing Harry's devastating cries of pain. But what Fred saw now was something else entirely.
The Boy Who Lived had lived through all sorts of emotions. But this time, there was nothing but utter peace on his face. . . he looked like he finally had got his safe harbor.
And after Ginny joined him, letting out a soft and satisfied sigh, she looked at Harry like he was hers to come home to.
Fred found George among the people standing and their eyes met, thinking the same thing.
That that was love.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
"That was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!" Fred's mother sobs into her handkerchief. She sniffs and brings her glass of wine to her lips where it rests for no more than a second before she starts again. "And the vows! I can't believe they decided to write them themselves! Harry's were so sweet, Ginny's a bit to crude for my taste, but . . . oh, look at how they are dancing now! Aren't they so beautiful?"
Next to her, Fred's father was rubbing her back. "Yes, dear."
"I can't believe it, Arthur. It seemed just yesterday they had begun dating." The lines on Molly Weasley's face crinkled into a smile, fond and loving. "They are going to be happy, aren't they?"
This time her husband smiled. "Of course, dear."
While they kept their eyes on the dance floor, Charlie snorted. His hair was cut short and there was even a scar on his head where a dragon claw had grazed him straight across his left side. Fred thought it looked thoroughly cool.
"It's a beautiful wedding, don't get me wrong," he started, whispering to Fred. "But I get the feeling they think people who never marry won't be happy."
Fred chuckled. "Seems that way, indeed."
"I've been back for less than a week and Mum's already tried to set me up with five different witches," Charlie continued, looking miserable and shaking his head. "Honestly, she's stopped listening to me at this point."
"Stopped listening to you saying that dragons are all the wife you need?"
"Oh, shut it," said Charlie as Fred laughed. "How about you, then? Has she been pestering you as well?"
Fred shrugged. "Not as much lately but you know Mum. She worries that I'm lonely and tries to suggest I get away from the shop."
"How is it being back there with Ron and George?"
"It's fine. A bit unusual but so is everything here . . . now."
Charlie frowned. "I can't even imagine going through what you've been through."
Fred shrugged again, but smiled at his brother a bit to let him know that he was okay. Sensing the mood, Charlie cleared his throat, attempting to change the subject again.
"So, the other day I was chasing this Horntail, right? Anyway, that's when . . ."
The rest of the conversation turned innocent enough, with Charlie retelling the story of how he ended up getting scarred and almost blind after a particularly nasty attack from a Hungarian Horntail that had escaped an enclosure and been on its way to Muggle civilisation. It was a welcome distraction, to listen to his older brother for a while, Fred felt like he was fourteen again, waiting for Charlie to return home with a new anecdote for him and George to indulge, all while careful not letting their mother hear.
This time, she was distracted going through what she thought Harry and Ginny's children might look like to their father ("Oh, her red hair and his green eyes, Arthur! Can you imagine?") so Fred and Charlie were in the clear.
At a point where Charlie was telling Fred how he'd almost landed right in a pile of dragon dung making his escape, Fred laughed and as he did he caught a glimpse of a lilac clad witch making her way across the tent.
Fred stopped and watched with eager eyes how Hermione ran up to Harry and congratulated him again on the marriage, her smile wide from ear to ear. He and Ginny were taking a break from dancing and were replenishing their strength with some some more champagne and cake.
She said something that made Harry laugh and then he repeated that to Ginny, who had cut herself a piece of cake and not heard it the first time.
As Ginny was coughing through her laughs and Harry and Hermione tried to hand her some water, still laughing all the while, Hermione must have felt him watch her because she turned and met his gaze almost instantly.
A second seemed a lifetime and in that moment, Fred decided.
"Fred?" Charlie asked, confused.
"I'll be right back, Charlie, I just have something I need to do," said Fred, already moving away from the table.
Hermione, meanwhile, watched him approach. There was caution and alarm in her eyes that Fred didn't miss. She knew she couldn't escape now.
"Hiya, everyone," said Fred when he arrived.
"Hello, Fred!" said Harry, still laughing, helping Ginny gulp some more water down. "Sorry, she just got some cake stuck in her throat."
"You say that as if it wasn't entirely your fault, Potter!" chided Ginny hoarsely.
Harry laughed again. "Well, you're Mrs. Potter now, so . . ."
Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Married life suits you two," Fred remarked, smiling. "The ceremony was beautiful and Hermione, your speech was very touching."
Hermione took a sip of her champagne and avoided his pointed gaze. "Thank you, Fred."
"Mm. So, do you two mind if I steal Hermione away for a bit?"
Harry blinked. "No, not at all."
"Be our guest," said Ginny.
"Lovely," said Fred and nodded before taking Hermione's glass and setting it aside on one of the tables. "I haven't had so much as a dance with you this evening, so I hope you're up for some waltzing, Miss Granger."
"What?"
He took her hand and guided them out on the floor and Hermione let out a squeak in surprise. But as they stopped and Fred's hand ended up at her waist, she didn't say a thing. In fact, she appeared to be holding her breath.
They moved slowly, swaying as the music quickly slowed, aware of just how close they were, how their hands met and were on each other's waist and shoulder. But it didn't feel . . .wrong. In fact, it very much felt right. Even with the awkwardness and nerves surrounding the situation, Fred knew that this was what he had suspected ever since he was at Hogwarts: they fit. Together, they fit.
Once Hermione started breathing again, getting more used to him, he felt her muscles relax beneath his palm, and he knew she felt it too.
For all the excitement they both lived for, to have someone to feel at peace with and to feel so safe with was an adventure all of its own. So why hadn't they arrived here sooner?
"Hermione . . ." Fred began, his voice scarcely loud enough for her to hear. He didn't know how to express how he felt, were there enough words to describe it?
She lifted her head up, looking into his eyes, and despite it all, she still had this guarded look on her. As if even this wasn't enough to make her giant walls crumble for him.
Fred frowned. "Why have you been avoiding me?"
Panic. She stopped dancing and her eyes searched for anything to look at but him, while her hands fidgeted in his grip. He didn't want to hold her there, not if she didn't want to be there. But she hadn't moved away, so he wasn't sure what that meant.
"I haven't . . . I didn't think you'd noticed." She bit her lip and glanced at the floor. "Can we please not talk about this here? Now?"
"When would you rather do it?" Fred asked. "Never? Because I am not sure I can fit that in my schedule."
She didn't laugh. But frankly, neither did he. "I just . . . Fred, this is not a good time."
"Can you promise that there ever will be a good time?"
"No. You're right." Hermione took a deep breath. "Of course you're right."
He waited.
"Meet me by the pond in ten minutes. It might look suspicious if we both disappear at the same time."
Fred tried not to take offence at her being worried people might talk about them, but he agreed.
Ten minutes went, Fred having busied himself talking to George about the new line they had planned for the shop, before he excused himself. He was thankful his twin didn't ask any questions.
Outside of the tent, Fred was immediately aware of the fact that it was January. Snow covered the ground and trees and his breath came out in puffs of smoke. He coated himself in a heating charm and felt at once satisfied. He'd want this conversation to go without his teeth clattering every two seconds.
Small lanterns were lit and hovered here and there across the Burrow and as he arrived at the pond, he could see Hermione stand next to one, watching its small flame lick and hiss against the dark.
"Not as pretty as your little blue lights, but they look quite nice all the same," said Fred.
Hermione turned and produced a little smile. Then her arms rose to hug herself as he got nearer.
"Are you cold?" Fred asked, concerned.
Hermione shook her head. "No, it's not that. I just . . . I don't know actually."
"Right," said Fred. He joined her and silence fell quickly between them. Neither of them knew what to say it seemed.
She was the first to break the silence. "I have been avoiding you."
Fred observed how ashamed she looked and wished he wasn't the one making her look this way. He let her continue, suspecting she had wanted to say this for a long time.
"I have been avoiding you and it probably would have been better to speak to you about it earlier, but I wasn't sure how to go about doing that." She shrugged. "Honestly, I thought you wouldn't notice, but here we are and I don't know what to say to you, except . . . I'm sorry. I just didn't want to confuse you."
"Oh?" He felt something snap inside at the words and for the first time, in a long time, Fred felt himself grow angry. It was as if all the months of being unsure and uncertain caught up with him finally, and Fred realised he might have taken it harder than he'd thought. "You didn't want to confuse me?"
Hermione blinked, surprised at his reaction. "Well, yes."
He took a step toward her and it was as if the heating charm had been intensified, with the way Fred was now struggling to keep calm. "Hermione, I don't know what I did or said, but if you didn't want to confuse me perhaps you might have spoken to me about why you felt the need to avoid me? Why you let me walk around wondering if you suddenly hated me or were hurt by something I did? Or just didn't care enough to check up on me after you bloody well saved my life?"
She struggled for words, appearing shocked by his proclamation. "I just . . . I didn't want you to think that the fact that I saved you meant you owed me anything! I saw how lost you looked and I worried you might resent me for saving you in the first place! I wanted you to have your life back! To find your way back and if I was there you might just feel confused and . . .and . . . I didn't want you to think that it meant . . . I didn't want to force anything on you!"
"Force what on me?" Fred asked.
She shook her head, backing away. "Nothing."
There were sounds coming from the tent as people inside it cheered, interrupting them.
"They're getting ready to send Harry and Ginny off to their honeymoon," said Hermione. "We should get back."
Before Fred could say anything, she was gone. It appeared their conversation was over.
But to Fred, it didn't feel over. It never did when it came to the two of them.
~o0o~
A/N: Part one? Part ONE? Did I just write an epilogue so long that I felt the need to divide it into parts?
Answer: yes...yes I did...
So as you all can see, there's still some obstacle between the two of them and it turns out 'simply' bringing someone back to life doesn't ensure that you sort out your issues and get together. And apparently, I couldn't resist adding in some last minute angst before the conclusion...what's wrong with me?
I hope you liked it and thank you so much for your amazing and wonderful comments! I can't believe how lucky I am to have you guys!
Until next time!
/Primrue