Disclaimer- If you recognize it, it's not mine.

Chapter 6

Fred gingerly packed his bag, as the moon shone through his bedroom window. George wasn't going to be pleased, but he couldn't tell him he was leaving, not without giving too much away. He was doing this for Dumbledore. For his family. Hermione.

George would understand. Eventually. Yeah?

Fred shook his head. It didn't really matter right now, he couldn't think about George. This definitely wasn't the time to be having doubts. He had to go through with this and that was that. He'd promised, Dumbledore was counting on him.

Sighing, he collapsed clumsily next to his open luggage, rubbing his hand across his face. What was he getting himself into here? Did he really even know?

Of course not! He felt like screaming into the hollow silence that surrounded him. Of course you don't know what you're getting into you great fool! It's just like you to, you large lemming you. Everyone else is walking into this unknown oblivion, and of course, you must ensure that you're next in line.

Rapidly he sat back up, astonished with himself. What was he thinking? A lemming? No, he knew what he was doing. He was doing his duty, he was ensuring the future for his family, himself and Hermione.

Lumbering back to his feet, Fred threw his head back and squinted at the ceiling. "Some things must be done." He murmured into the silence.

✤

An hour later, he managed to slip from his room and down into the street. George was out for the evening, but Fred didn't want to take any chances. If he was asked to explain himself, he wasn't sure that he could, and at this point he really wasn't sure he could bring himself to lie to his twin. Better just not to encounter him at all.

Stealthily he crept along the street, encountering no one among the empty store windows, but remaining on his guard. Though, really, it didn't help that Dumbledore's voice kept reverberating in his head. He couldn't seem to get that conversation out of his head, which he supposed was a good thing, there were things that he needed to know, but it was doing nothing for his concentration maintenance now.

If at all possible, it seemed that the room had gotten darker. Were the walls really closing in, or was that just his imagination. He reached his arm out to his side, no, definitely just his imagination toying with him here.

Dumbledore's gaze was intensely upon him from the other side of the table. He was serious about this, he really wanted him to go through with this. Trying to appear calm, Fred ran his hand through his hair, tousling it further. He was on information overload here. Horcrux's? That was the big secret, that's how he'd done it, and that's why they'd left, why his Hermione had left.

"I know I'm asking a lot of you here Fred." Dumbledore conceeded, leaning forward in his chair. "I fully understand if you feel that you cannot take part in this."

Fred nodded, momentarily dumbstruck. His head was swimming. "Would you prefer to have the night to consider it?" Dumbledore offered.

It was in that moment that Fred understood. It wouldn't matter if he had the night, or the entire week for that matter, he was going to accept, he had to. "I'm in." Fred spoke softly at first. "What's on the agenda?" He questioned in a stronger voice. "What precisely have I signed myself up for?" The usual twinkle playing about his eyes, as his gaze rose to meet Dumbledore's.

Fred shook his head, willing his memories of that night two days ago to leave him in peace. He had places to be, and he needed to be on his guard.

✤

George and Arthur Weasley patrolled the parameters of Bill and Fleur's home, double checking their handiwork. "It would appear we've thought of everything that may need attendance." Mr. Weasley spoke, breaking their focused, companionable silence.

"It would appear so... yes." Said George, brightening slightly. "I think you're right, everything looks in order for their return tomorrow. They went to visit her parents in France, is that right?"

"Yes, yes that was their destination." Arthur answered, eyeing his son quizzically. "Whatever is the matter George? You've been moping around all day!"

"I do not mope." George supplied archly rolling his eyes at his father. There was a moment of silence, in which George thought he was off the hook, but upon turning to find his father's gaze intent upon him he sighed and gave in. "It's just that, Fred has been worrying me lately. He seems to sink farther and farther within himself, and I can't help but think there is something that he is failing to tell me." George concluded, becoming very interested in his hands.

"I see." Arthur spoke. "And you don't think, you're certain he know's nothing of Ron's whereabouts?"

"Absolutely certain. That can't be what's bothering him. Though... no, I'm certain of it."

Mr. Weasley shrugged, draping his arm around George's shoulders and pulling him closer to his side. "I'm sure that you'll find out whatever it is soon, he may just need some space." He supplied sagely, before allowing a soft smirk to overtake his features. "Though, Hermione's absence cannot be easy on him."

George's head shot up as he quickly sought to catch his father's eye. "How did you..."

Arthur shook his head, his smile lighting his eyes. "Your mum and I heartily approve."

✤

"Ah, so you have come." Dumbledore spoke in hushed tones, greeting Fred's cloaked form as he stepped through the trees at the edge of the forbidden forest.

Fred nodded, removing the hood that concealed his bright red hair and shadowed his face. "Wouldn't it have made more sense to meet in your office."

"Indeed, it would. That is, if we wanted others knowing of our meeting." Fred flushed slightly at Dumbledore's jovial rebuke. "Come now Fred, we must be off." Dumbledore waved for him to follow as he threw his own hood over his head and began moving further into the forest.

"I must leave for a time." Dumbledore informed him breaking the silence that a overtaken the room.

"Leave?" Fred blurted out, unable to stop the words from flowing past his lips. "Now, but sir, how can you leave now?"

Dumbledore's eyes seemed to dance at Fred's animated shock. "Yes, Fred, and I'm asking that you accompany me. There are some matters that need attending to, and I cannot complete all that I must without someone at my side to assist me along the way. I am asking that you be that someone."

"Truly?"

"Truly."

"I'm, sir, prof... Albus, I'm honored. But are you sure? I can't possibly be the right person for such a task."

"You are one of the best people for such a task as this my boy."

Fred shook his head to clear it, and noticed the large amount of distance Dumbledore had already managed to cover, and quickly put all of his effort into catching up with his guide.

✤

I didn't get this written as quickly as I wanted to, but better late than never I suppose, eh? Anyway, I'm not making any promises, as I haven't even typed the first word of the next chapter yet, but I'm hoping to get something written during the last few days of my spring break. I've actually been on break since last Friday, but I've been horrendously sick since Tuesday, so, we'll see.

Anywho, I would like to once more send out my Thanks to tutucute4u, your continued support is amazing. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And I must also send out my thanks to ravendove2007, who is always sure to remind me when I am in need of an update, even though she hasn't yet left a review...hint hint... lol. Anyway, to anyone reading, please feel free to leave a review and let me know what you think. What do you like, what could I improve?

Alrighty, with that said I would also like to encourage you to check out my updated profile, where you can find a link to my fictionpress page and find some of my original fiction and poetry if you're interested.

Until next I type, Peace out and all that Jazz.