Chapter 5- George
Voldemort had become ruthless. More than before. Only a week since the battle at the road where he was defeated yet again, he staged another one. Not far from Hogwarts this time. Bill had been buried quickly and Fleur had left for France to return to her mother and sister. She said she didn't want to be in a country filled with war and didn't want her son to be brought up like that, missing a father and a in a family slowly declining. She had left Mella with Molly and although no one was really sad to see her go her missing presence made Bill's more noticeable. George and Ron had went into the second battle with a renewed strength of avenging their older brother's death. George nor Ginny knew about Bill's final words to Ron. Or anyone. When he arrived at the burrow he had already slipped away, the trauma of the portkey putting an end to his fight. Ron made Seamus swear not speak the words to anybody. Hermione was aware of Ron, being distant but chose to ignore it and let Ron get on with what he was dealing with. Alone, like he wanted to.
The battle didn't last as long as the last. George and Ron killed as many as they could. But nothing could have filled the void they had of missing 4 brothers. Ron knew instantly something had gone wrong. He knew in his heart and his gut feeling told him it was his brother. He took hexes and curses only dodging them physically if he could. He felt his wand unable to work and his brain unable to function. It was as if he was walking under the Imperius Curse. He looked at his arms as a constant reminder. The scars would never really disappear from Bill's fingertips and in way he didn't want them too. He had the scars to remind him of his brothers. The scrapes on his arms from Bill. The bit of hair missing on the back of his head from when Charlie whacked him on the head with a broom when he was 7. The blue bruise that never faded on his right foot from when Percy dropped a paper weight on his toes. The puk marks on his back from when Fred had picked off his dragon pox scabs. The hole in his ear when George pierced it with a flaming needle when he was asleep the Summer at the end of 1st year. He felt his stomach summersault as he came across George's body. His hand instinctively went to his ear. Touching the sent as if it was a button to where George was.
Ron closed his eyes. He couldn't look at his lifeless brother any longer. He willed George to be laughing at a joke with Fred, or annoying Percy like it used to be. He willed to be in the burrow with them all when they were younger. Wanted to be fighting over the last bread roll or trying to keep up in Quidditch even though he could never meet their ability. He wished back then to soak up every word everyone gave to him. He remembered all the advice the twins had gave him. Most of it rubbish but the rubbish bits all sticking in his brain.
"I'm telling you Hermione will love it" George beemed at him. They were 19 years old and were sitting on George's bed. Fred was on his and flicking through the Daily Profit.
"Are you sure?" Ron asked sceptically glancing between the two.
"If it worked for him, it'll work for you" Fred commented with a rueful grin. Hermione infact didn't like it the plan. No she didn't at all.
"Closing your eyes won't make it go away." Ron told himself clenching his fists and trying to open his eyes.
"Talking to yourself is the first sign of madness." A cold voice said. Ron opened his eyes quickly. "Been talking long? Since you were born no doubt."
Ron just stared at him. The mask hid his face but he could remember the voice from school. It had been much more warmer back then. Innocent and fun. Joking and loud at times. A person considered a friend, an allie.
"Lee." Ron said curtly.
"Weasley." Lee Jordan hissed. "Hmm. George didn't go as quickly as Percy. But definatly quicker than Bill. I think he dragged his mangled body to see you. Must've been hard with his foot all twisted like that."
Ron winced slightly remembering the events of last week still fresh and tender in his mind. "You killed my brother." Ron asked. He was confused, angry and tired all at the same time. There was a fog around their feet and wind was starting to pick up.
"Plural Ron plural." Lee laughed. "And now there will be another lose for your mother. Shame isn't it?"
Ron dodged to his right as the jet of green light came for him. He heard Lee laugh and Ron looked at him from under his eyelashes. He had felt himself straighten up taller. Taller than Lee.
"Not running away?" He asked. "A coward like you?"
Ron shook his head. "No Lee I'm not"
Lee laughed. His head was thrown back in laughter and he was holding his stomach. It reminded Ron of back long ago in school and Ron couldn't help himself but smile at the memories of his brothers having a good time with their best friend. Ron flicked his wand and Lee fell to the ground. Ron felt no relief. He felt no happiness now that he was dead. With him the memory had faded away and his mind was blank. Just dull pain in his leg and chest. He crumpled to the floor beside his last brother and wished himself to follow him.