"Dad… I know this is short notice, but my friends just offered for me to spend the summer holiday with them. They're the ones I stayed with before. Now, normally I wouldn't, because I really, really miss you. Except… I really am falling behind at this whole wizarding thing. I think it's really important for me to spend some time with a real wizard family, around real wizards. I have to learn more about them, Dad. So, I think I'm going to just leave the station with them tomorrow. I know you had plans to come pick me up, but..." I explain everything over the phone, heartbroken over how sad he sounds.

"Of course, Princess. I understand. Just… Have fun, okay? I'll see you at Christmas," he speaks gently, his voice choking up.

"I love you, Dad. So much."

"You, too, Sweetheart."

The call ends. It's been forever since we've spoken. I know this must be killing him just as much as it's killing me or more. I just… I can hardly bear it.

"Why'd you lie? You're not falling behind at all. You do great in school," Fred comments.

"What was I supposed to tell him?" I pocket my flip phone, eyes welling up. "Was I supposed to say, 'I'm scared of your brother/best friend! Cheers!'" No. I can't do that. I can't do that to him."

"You're okay, Rey. We're here," Fred pulls me into an embrace. "I know this whole comforting thing is usually Georgie's job, but I want you to know that I'm here for you just as much as he is. If you ever need anything, just ask. I'll be right here."

"I know, Fred. Same to you. Thank you," I wipe my tears. "Now, head back to your room, Mister. You've still got to pack."

"Yes, Mum," he grumbles and stomps out of the room, but, before he leaves, he turns back and winks, and I know all is well in the world.

"C'mon, Everyone! In here!" Fred shouts, pulling me by the hand into an empty compartment. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, the twins, and I all have a compartment of our own. I sort of wish Lee, Angelina, and Katie are here, but there's no more room. I also know Fred, at least, wishes Angelina were here.

"Ladies and Gents," Fred begins, standing on his trunk in the middle of the compartment. "I'd like to point out that these are our last few hours in which we are permitted to do magic. Anyone up for some Exploding Snap?" he winks.

"I am!" Harry raises his hand, a grin on his face.

"Awesome!" Fred exclaims, jumping off the trunk and onto the floor, Harry taking a seat opposite him. Fred quickly begins dealing.

George and I chat to ourselves, happy just watching Fred play everyone else.

"Y'know, Rey," he begins. "This year… Ginny's disappearance was a real rough patch for me like I've never experienced before. Comparable only really to your coma. I just… I wanted to thank you for being there for me and for Fred. Helping us through it. I know it must not have been fun, but-."

I interrupt him then. "George, I practically have a meltdown every other week. You're a lot stronger than I am, so your rough patches are just a little more rare. You are always helping me through something. I'm weak. I need you. So, when you need me, I will always, always be here for you. No questions asked. I promise."

"Don't you ever, ever call yourself weak. You have been through so much more than I ever have or ever want to. You are so much stronger than you know, but thank you. Thank you for being there," he tells me, voice soft.

"Always. Now, do you want to set off your last couple Filibusters or what?" I wink mischievously.

"Well, of course!" he grabs his trunk and pulls out a handful. "Let's go scare some first years, huh?"

When we get back, Ginny has just disarmed Harry, who is lying on the ground looking defeated. Fred is chortling away as usual, Ginny is smirking, Ron looks disappointed he can't take part in anything involving wands (his is broken), and Hermione has her nose buried in a textbook. It's a fun sight to walk in on.

"Good job, Ginny," I chuckle, taking a seat on the empty bench, George sliding in after me.

"Thanks, Rey," she laughs, lowering her wand and helping Harry up. "How were the fireworks?" "You should've seen the looks on those first years' faces," George laughs, joy clearly in his eyes.

"It was great," I grin. "You should've come." "There'll be plenty of time to have a ton of fun this summer," she grins back. "I can't believe you're staying with us again!"

"Me neither, Girly," I shake my head. "I'm glad, though. Your family is the best."

"Wait!" Harry looks up from fiddling with Hedwig's cage, eyes wide. "Ginny - what did you see Percy doing, that he didn't want you to tell anyone?"

I don't pay much attention, more preoccupied with watching Fred attempt to balance all of his heavy textbooks on George's head.

"Oh, that," Ginny giggles, hiding beneath fiery bangs. "Well - Percy's got a girlfriend."

Suddenly, Fred has dropped the entire stack of books on George's head. "What?" he cries out.

While Ginny tells them more, both twins heavily interested, I pick up the textbooks and take a look at George's head, trying to make sure he's okay. He's so excited about this new news, though, he doesn't even seem to have felt the heavy texts.

"You won't tease him, will you?" Ginny asks the twins, blushing heavily.

"Wouldn't dream of it," says Fred, a childishly joyful expression on his face.

"Definitely not," snorts George. "We'd never do that, right, Rey?"

"Never," I shake my head, keeping my expression solemn.

Finally, the train stops. The boys, Ginny, and I grab our trunks while Harry, Ron, and Hermione swap phone numbers. Then, with a sense of both sadness for leaving the school behind and excitement for adventures to come, the four of us disembark from the train and step into the sunlight of the train station.

This is the last chapter of this installation of the series! Chapters for the third installment go up as scheduled tomorrow! Cheers!