George was starting to think he was being paranoid. Months had past since the worst of the incidents in October, and the only things that had been happening to Fred were minor. Fred's stuff would disappear at random times, and his stuff was only safe in the Gryffindor Tower. Quills, books, parchment, you name it. Sometimes, Fred would be surprised by the occasional, harmless hex that seemingly came out of nowhere. George felt for sure that the attacks have been manageable because of Fred's "guards". The younger twin was never alone, even when he thought he was. Fred hadn't caught on. The two continued to be the smartest kids with the highest grades. They were even above Percy. Snape had allowed the twins to experiment in the labs, as long as it was before curfew. So far, they were small and mostly unsuccessful. George told Fred it was because they were still young, and it was to be expected. Fred had calmed after that.

Finals came and the twins entered each with confidence. Oliver and Lee were less confident, but they had help from the older Weasley's and the twins. Fred and George made it a competition for who would do better. It made both try their hardest, even if George was distracted with a possible threat. Every night after a round of exams, the twins planned the end of the year prank. It helped them unwind. Fred seemed to bouncing with excitement for the end of the year. Until the next note. The last note.

Fred found it, once more, amongst his things at the end of the exams. The white sheet sticking out of his Potions text made him pale considerably. He had hurried to be alone to read the note. It was easy because his friends and brothers were distracted. He had just gone out of the corridors, seeking refuge on top of a set of stairs people rarely used. His hand shook as he took out and unfolded the note.

/

Time to pay, Blood Traitor. I hope you said your goodbyes.

/

Fred frowned at the paper. What did it mean? It was then that a pair of hands shoved him from behind, causing him to fall. Fred flailed his arms to catch the railing, but missed. He tumbled down the staircase. He was in such a state of shock that this was actually happening that he couldn't find his voice. So his fall was silent. At one point, his ankle exploded in pain, then his shoulder, then his head. Finally he made it to the end of the staircase. Trembling in pain and fear, he slowly turned his head to the stairs. He gasped.

~! #$%^&*()_+~! #$%^&*()_+

"Hey, where's Fred?" Oliver asked, sitting next to George and Bill at the Gryffindor tables. George looked up from his lunch to frown at Oliver.

"Wasn't he with you?" George asked. Fear began to color his blue eyes. Bill put his hand on George's shoulder.

"He's probably fine. I'll go find him. He might still be in the library." Bill said. He looked at Charlie, a message in his eyes. Charlie nodded. "Why don't you guys try and find him?"

"Alright." The first years and Percy said. George was first to leave, unaware that Charlie had gone the opposite direction and towards the Staff table.

George had headed straight for the Potions lab, thinking Fred had gone there to check on an experimental potion. Halfway there, his arm was grabbed by a familiar Slytherin who had ran to catch up with George. George frowned at Adrian Pucey as the snake struggled to catch his breath.

"You're looking for Fred Weasley, right?" Adrian finally gasped out, letting go of the twin's arm.

"Do you know where he is?" George asked, his expression suddenly desperate. Adrian stood up, his breath caught.

"I think so. A little bit ago, a heard a noise that sounded like a fight, but no one was there when I looked." Adrian said. George frowned. A notice-me-not charm?

"Show me the way." George said. Adrian nodded.

George was led to a corridor nearby, and then to a staircase. He hurried down the staircase, but stood frozen at the bottom. A storage cupboard, across from the staircase, was closed. This wasn't what George noticed, as it was obvious that it would be closed. What he noticed made his heart beat wildly and his hands to shake with fear. A small puddle of dark red barely peeking from under the door. Adrian gathered up his courage and walked past George to open the door. It wouldn't budge, evidently locked. George snapped out of his fear and hurried over.

"Alohomora." He muttered, waving his wand. There was a click as it unlocked. George closed his eyes, trying not to panic as he slowly opened the door. Adrian's sharp intake of breath made George open his eyes. He fell to his knees.

The sight of Fred's still, battered body would haunt George for the rest of his life