"Is everything alright?" Alf asked again, as they came up to a room Mrs. Weasley had converted to a play room for her grandchildren.
Victoire shrugged. "I don't know." She said vaguely. "But my Mother will take care of things." She smiled. "She likes you very much already."
Alf blushed, remembering last night and how kind Fleur was in wanting to help him. "She's pretty cool." Alf threw himself down into a slouchy chair that automatically molded itself to his body. Victoire sat on the floor opposite him, knees drawn up to her chin.
"Did you like Teddy?" She asked suddenly.
"Teddy?" Alf blinked…there had been so many names last night! "Oh, right…bloke about my age, changed his hair to different colors, came in with Uncle Harry. He seems nice. I…uh…kind of fainted before I could talk to him much."
"Yes…Uncle Harry is very famous. But very nice too, and very good to my Teddy." She smiled confidentially. "I am going to marry him, you know."
Alf was puzzled. "Um…but isn't he your cousin? Or is that okay in the wizard world?"
She smiled brightly. "He is Uncle Harry's god-son. His mother and father were killed in the war." She nodded sagely. "The same day as your father, I think."
"Oh." Alf realized with a frown that there were a lot of things he didn't know. Mum's stories were always great, except for the finish. She never had as much detail to tell them about how Voldemort was defeated. That made sense, now; because of Alf, she hadn't been around to see how the story ended. "So Teddy and I have a lot in common."
"Yes." She nodded. "I hope you will be good friends, Alf. Teddy doesn't have very many friends."
Alf was surprised; his brief impression had been that Teddy seemed quite a decent sort, and funny too, with that ability to change his hair and face. Really neat trick, that! "Why?" He asked.
Victoire looked dreamy. "Because of his parents…his father, really. His mother was a…met-a-morphus." She paused over the word, struggling with it slightly. "That means she could change her appearance however she wanted to."
"Like Teddy!" Alf said, slightly envious.
"Right. He got that from her. But his father, Remus Lupin, was a WEREWOLF!" She said with wide eyes and heavy emphasis.
Alf, who had no idea what that really meant beyond a slew of muggle movies, and what his mother had told him about Remus Lupin as a teacher, said the only thing he could think of: "WICKED!" He smiled in delight.
Victoire looked startled at first, and then smiled at him. "So you don't think it means he's evil?"
Alf was puzzled. "Evil? Why would he be evil?" He shook his head. "If Uncle Harry is his god father, how could he be?"
"Oh, but people are so…so…stupid!" Victoire said, pouting with anger. "Other wizards will laud his father as a hero…but won't let their children play with Teddy. Like they look at my Dad funny." She turned her head to the side. "You know my Dad was attacked by the most famous werewolf of all?"
"Really?" Alf was intrigued. This explained Bill's rather unorthodox appearance, compared to the rest of the Weasley clan. "But he isn't one himself?"
"Oh, no…Fenrir Grayback mauled him when not transformed." She said, sagely. "And Teddy shows no sign of being one either."
"So what's the big deal, then?" Alf shrugged. "I didn't expect wizards to be as dumb as…well, as the people I'm used to. Muggles." He tried the word out tentatively.
"Mother says there are dumb people everywhere…" There was a sudden commotion from downstairs as the argument left the confines of the spell, followed by a huge bang of the screen door below, and Alf and Victoire both ran to the window to see a distraught Uncle George leave the house, running his hands through his hair and charging with purpose towards a distant knoll. "Even in your own family."
Alf felt a lump in his throat as he watched his Uncle head up to the hill to a gnarled old tree. The man sank to his knees, threw his head back, and raised hands to the sky.
The sound…the scream of anger and agony…seemed to shake the very windows of the house at the burrow. The sound of such suffering as Alf remembered feeling when he'd thought that George was the father who abandoned him.
He didn't need to see anything more to know where he belonged; without words he charged down the stairs, evaded the grasp of his Uncle Bill, aided by what seemed to be a block from a grim looking Uncle Harry, and dashed across the lawn to be with the person he knew, instinctively, needed him most.
WWWWWWWWWWWW
When George had arrived in the kitchen, conversation came to a halt abruptly. "Don't need to ask who you're speaking about, do I?" He quipped, grimly. He was puzzled, though; couldn't imagine what they could be talking about; he was better than he had been in ten years.
His brother Percy was avoiding his gaze. Bill looked on with sympathy and condescension, while Fleur and Ron were together, arms crossed and angry at something. His mother looked resolved, and stood by the kitchen table, wand in hand, chin jutted out in defiance. His father wouldn't meet his eye.
"Well." George said into the silence. "Anyone care to fill me in on the reason for this impromptu lunch gathering? Can I guess it has something to do with Alf?"
"Percy arranged a custody hearing this afternoon." Molly said quietly.
George sensed there was more. "That's great." He said, his tone saying frankly that he knew she hadn't told him half yet. "What do you need from me?" He stared Percy down.
Percy finally answered him. "To get out of the way."
George blinked, and looked around them. "I beg your pardon?" He said, his voice low and controlled.
"I don't think…" Molly started, and Bill held up his hand and finished for her.
"We don't think…" The eldest Weasley son said, with heavy emphasis on the first word. "That you are an appropriate guardian for Alfred. We are going to have Alf assigned to Mum and Dad for custody."
George felt like he'd just been sucker punched, and he exhaled with the shock of it. He looked around the assembly once more. "And all…all of you feel this way?" He asked in a voice that betrayed both anger and hurt.
"Like hell." Ron spat out. "Alf belongs with you, George. Any idiot can see that." Ron glared first at his mother and then at Bill.
A rush of warmth filled George towards his younger brother. How he and Fred had tormented Ron when he was a kid…and yet what a dependable friend he had become!
Fleur tossed her hair, her eyes stormy as an angry Mediterranean sea. "He is Fred's boy. Fred would have wanted George to care for him. We all KNOW this."
Molly wheeled on her. "Don't tell me what I know about my own children. What I know is that George can barely take care of himself, let alone a child!'
Wheeling towards his mother, George growled. "I have taken care of myself perfectly fine for ten years. I have a successful business and can more than financially provide for him…"
"Rub that in our face again!" Molly snapped, coming up to George's face, arms crossed and seething. "Think your father and I can't manage to support him?!"
George backed away, stunned. "That isn't what I mean and you know it…you BOTH know it!" He looked with pleading at his father, who continued to avoid his eye. "We all grew up just fine with you providing for us. But Alf is my responsibility. Katie sent him to me!"
"Yes, but Katie didn't know what you'd become!" Molly stood toe to toe with her son. "She hasn't been watching you these past ten years…wallowing in your self pity and shutting yourself off from your family!"
"Oi!" Ron snapped, real rage at the accusation, but George quelled him with a hand. This was clearly between Molly and him; she had no doubt instigated this whole thing and it was going to have to come out now.
"I haven't been wallowing anywhere, Mum. I miss Fred." George hitched slightly. "I have always missed Fred and I always will. Just like everyone else here. And I don't think it's wrong for me feel that I have a right to miss Fred a little more than most." He folded his arms before him defensively. "But as to shutting myself off from the family, that isn't because of Fred. It's because of you."
Silence fell on the room. Molly paled slightly, lip trembling, but she pulled herself together, and without warning slapped George full in the face.
The imprint of her hand stood stark on the pale white of his cheek, but George managed a grim smile. "Admit it, Mum. Since the day Fred died you've been wishing it was me."
"George!" Arthur was aghast.
Molly, however, merely glared. "You always got him in to trouble. You always instigated everything, every time. The store; dropping out of Hogwarts. Going to pick Harry up in Arthur's flying car. Your idea, every time."
"Not every time." George responded. "But I don't expect you to believe that."
"Fred followed where ever you went. But not you…no…when he needed you where were you? Off somewhere safe, while Fred was dying. He might have still been alive if you hadn't abandoned him.!" Molly turned, biting her hand hard.
George took one step back, a part of him dying all over. "Do you not think…that I haven't asked myself the same question for the past ten years, Mum?"
It was too much for Ron, who blew up angrily. "George was with dad, Mum. With Dad! Percy was going to go with Dad and the twins were going together, but they thought Dad wasn't so young and nobody knew how good Percy was! They were trying to save them!"
Stunned, George looked at Ron, tears in his eyes. "Didn't know you knew, Ron." His voice came out hollow.
Ron gave George a slight nod, looking embarrassed. "You talked…in your sleep…those first few weeks after it happened."
Swallowing, George looked from Percy to his father. "Fred and I flipped a coin." He said. "Dad…you hadn't been in heavy fighting for a while, and since you'd been attacked by Nagini, you seemed rather gun shy. And none of us had seen Percy throw a curse for three years…he'd been doing paperwork at a desk. We really believed that splitting up was the best way for all of us to survive."
Molly blinked, and Arthur finally looked to George, face numb. "I never knew…"
George shook his head…he hadn't been about to mention at the time, 'Hey, Dad, Fred and I think you're too old for this stuff and Percy's a stupid prat, so we're going to save your ass.' Hubris anyway, as it turned out. Percy had been more than a capable fighter. Of course…his mind wandered over that day. Dad really HAD needed his help; Arthur had fought fearlessly, but his reflexes were slow. By rights George ought to have bought it; he had been the one fighting for two. Percy had, from what he'd heard, partnered Fred more than capably.
"Fred died…" Ron said forcefully. "Because of a freak incident. He didn't die because he wasn't capable, or Percy wasn't good, or because George wasn't there. IT JUST HAPPENED! It isn't anybody's fault but the bloody death eater who cast the curse."
Molly wheeled once more towards the group. "None of this matters, anyway. We all know that George can't have Alf, and that's that."
Rage boiled over inside George's gut. "NOBODY!' He exploded. "Is taking that boy away from me!"
"The courts will." Percy said, although he seemed abashed. "Once they see your files."
"MY WHAT?" George turned on him, face pinched with anger.
It was Bill who continued. "You tried to kill yourself, George." He said, not unkindly, but with firmness. "Or have you forgotten attempting to slit your wrists open with Griffindor's sword? Because I can assure you, I've never forgotten finding you in a pool of your own blood."
Recoiling slightly, George gaped. "That…was TEN YEARS AGO Bill. Ten years!" He blinked. "I had just had my brother, my best friend, ripped from my side. None of you ever understood what that did to me…I didn't know how to be JUST GEORGE." Tears flooded his eyes. "But don't you understand what changed that?" He looked from Fleur to Bill. "Victoire changed that. Me, living with you in the cottage and everyone watching me. And Victoire being born, so perfect, so beautiful. The moment I held her…" He implored over to Victoire's mother. "The moment I held her, I chose life. Life, not death. And every child…every niece or nephew since…has reinforced that. Every minute I spend with one of them brings laughter back to my heart." His voice broke, and he turned away.
Fleur came up to him with a hug. "I know, George. I have always known. And so have the children."
"Thanks." He croaked out.
"Bully for you." Molly snapped, though her resolve seemed just slightly shaken. She stared at her surviving twin, and pulled herself together, as if it was costing her all of her resolve. "But I am not letting George kill Fred again! Do you know how Wizard Law regards suicide, George? We hushed it up at the time, but if they knew what you'd done, you'd spend the rest of your life in St. Mungo's."
Ron turned in horror. "Mum…you couldn't!"
There was silence, and George met his mother's eye. "Oh, I think she could, Ron." He said, softly, feeling all hope falling from him. It was true…wizard law regarded anyone who would try to take their own life…even if the attempt had been ten years ago…as lower than criminal. He'd never set foot outside St. Mungo's again. If he tried to fight their custody coup, his mother would have him committed. "Neat little bit of blackmail, mum. You should have been in Slytherin."
"Your happiness…" Molly said, trying to sound calm. "Will not come at the expense of that child's safety. I made that mistake once."
Hollowness filled George; he had wondered once whether anything could have been worse than losing Fred, and now he learned that there was. No pain could be greater than this. "Tell me, mum…did you ever love me at all?" He asked, wearily.
Something like fear came into Molly's eyes, something George couldn't understand, and her mouth worked furiously. But George wouldn't take his eyes off her until she answered.
"No." She whispered. "I never could."
"Molly!" Arthur gasped, into the stunned silence of the room.
George blinked. "Funny." He said, pale to his lips. "I've always known, and yet it still hurts."
Suddenly stifled by the very essence of the room, he turned, his face crumpling in agony, and ran, barely registering the voices that called out to him, or that at some point Ginny and Harry had arrived. He knew a group followed him; he sensed that Harry told them to back off, but he didn't care; he could only run, run for the hill and for Fred's grave, for the one person who he needed more than anything now, and the one person he could never have.
WWWWWWWWWWW
"MOTHER!" Ginny expostulated once, as they heard a heart rending bellow come from George, out on the grounds. "What exactly are you playing at?"
Before anyone could answer, Alf came thundering down the stairs. Bill went to grab him, and Harry blocked Bill with a move that was more beater than seeker.
"Mum…" Ron said, still seething. "Has gone off her rocker, Gin."
"Has she?" Ginny, the only one in the family who'd ever had a chance of standing up to their mother, matched her glare without wavering. "What is this ridiculous notion that you don't love George, Mum? Because it is nonsense, always has been…if anything, under all that fake gruffness, I rather thought you favored him!" She snapped.
"Ginny!" Molly's mouth was open, almost horrified by the accusation of favoritism. "You never had twins. You don't understand. There are…rules…to George. I know what I'm doing."
"BOLLOCKS!" Ginny yelled, her fearsomeness almost wild. "The principle rule of motherhood is to love your children. I learned that from you. And you always did, Mum…you may have been a bit sharper with George than the rest of us, but you never fooled me." She shook her head. "Trouble is ever since the day Fred died, you look at George and think you failed Fred. Every time George sits down to dinner, the guilt consumes you. Don't deny it!"
Molly turned away, her shoulders shaking. "Oh, Go away, Ginny…just go away. Done is done…I can't change any of it now…I just want to save Alfred this time…just let me save one of them!" She held back a sob.
Ginny shook her head. "All of you…" she looked over at Bill, her father, Percy, gathered at one side… "Do you all claim to not love George any more, or all place no value on the fact in the past twenty-four hours he's clearly been happier than in the past ten years entire?"
Bill spoke for the group. "Of course we care about George, Ginny." He spoke in a low voice. "But Alf is a child, and he needs…"
"HE NEEDS GEORGE!"
The scream echoed in the room like a proclamation, and all turned around. For the first time people realized that however angry Ginny was, it was nothing to the rage so clearly evident in the face of her husband. Harry's eyes were dark green and his face flushed; his hair was on end from having run his hands through in frustration.
The entire room now turned to him, and he trembled with rage as he went on. "None of you have any idea what Alf is going through. To grow up a little different in a household where you weren't quite wanted. To discover that there is a whole world out there you never even knew about, a place where you belong. The boy has lost a mother and lost all chance of a father, and he FOUND GEORGE." Harry paced in the kitchen, and then abruptly punched the wall; Ginny reached over to him with tears in her eyes. Harry swallowed hard.
"Years I had wishing for real parents. All because I was some stupid pawn in a game I didn't ask to play, and because Dumbledore had a plan. Years I had to spend family time with the Dursleys when I could have been with Sirius. I know why; I know it had to be. But there isn't a moment in my life when I don't wish it could have been different." Green eyes flooded with unshed tears looked at Molly. "You would have taken me in, I know…but you weren't my parents; you barely knew them. And it wouldn't have ever been the same."
Harry looked about. "Sirius would have loved me…like a father. My parents knew that, and that's why they chose him as a god-father. I love Teddy every bit as much as I love James and Albus, and he knows I am a direct link to the father he will never have the chance to know." Harry shook his head. "I don't care what it looks like on paper, George is the only person who can be what Alfred needs."
Ron came over, and stood beside Harry. Rather awkwardly he put his hand on his shoulder. "Wish I coulda done something, mate."
Harry blinked and nodded as Ron moved away. "You did…you and Mione. But I needed Sirius."
Percy spoke awkwardly. "That record…" He started.
Harry whirled around. "There is NO RECORD!" He looked from Arthur to Molly, frowning. "Don't you remember? George in the hospital with the bleeding wrists, and you were terrified…" He looked at Molly with meaning. "Terrified of losing him too. You asked for my help, because you knew at that moment nobody would deny me anything!" Harry crossed his arms. "I took care of it. I didn't just bribe people, you know. I obliterated the file, and I obliviated every doctor who treated George, any staff member who came in contact with him. There isn't anybody outside of this room who knows George tried to slit his wrists. Don't make me obliviate you too!"
Ginny hugged Harry hard, and he repeated himself. "There is no record. And if you pursue this nonsense, I will make my opinion known at the ministry. I've never traded on my reputation before, but I think I could make an exception this time." His eyes misted over once more. "I beg of you not to, though. After everything this family has been through, don't let something as miraculous as finding Alfred destroy it."
Letting go of Ginny, Harry bent down and kissed her on the head, before he turned and walked out the door towards George.
WWWWWWWWWW
The sobs broke from George, as he moved his arms from reaching to the sky to fold them over her chest. He rocked back and forth on his brother's grave, completely lost. Why, Fred…why me? Why did you leave me alone to face this? Does it never get better?"
"Oh, God!" He moaned, sinking forward, so his chest was on his knees and his head was nearly on the ground of his twin's grave. "It should have been me…" He sobbed out. "You had a son. If it had been me Katie would have come back and you'd have married her…and Alf would have had a father…and mum could have mourned me politely before returning to the children who mattered to her! It should have been ME!"
He wasn't aware that he wasn't alone until he felt a hand on his back…Alfred, comforting him in much the same way he had comforted the child last night. George tried desperately to calm himself, but he couldn't; the thought of losing Alf consumed him. Because he knew, with his parents having custody and that nice little scene back at the house, that he'd be as welcome to hang around as Argus Filch with spattergoit.
"I don't think he'd want it to be you." Alf said. And then more pointedly. "And you matter to me."
George found himself embracing the boy; accepting the child's unconditional hug, and somehow choking down his agony as he rocked him close. "I can't lose you…I can't."
"You won't." Alf said. And then, perhaps realizing what was going on, asked fearfully, "Are they trying to send me away?"
"No…no…they are trying to send me away…keep me away from you." George stopped, breathing in the scent of Alf's hair, hoping to memorize it. "They think I will be a bad influence."
Alf's indignation was immediate. "Bollocks!" He exclaimed. "Sorry, sir…but that's just stupid. I'd still be stuck in that Alley tied to the bloody sidewalk if not for you." He took a deep breath. "We BELONG."
They did; George knew it in his heart; had known it from the moment Alf had walked into his life. "They have…" He took a deep breath. "They know things about me that would make a judge not…not…let me have you." He looked down at Alf's worried face. "I'm sorry, Alf, but I am going to lose you."
Alf froze in his arms. "Why? What could you have done?"
George held out a wrist, where a faint line could still be seen. "The day of your dad's funeral I did this. People kept calling me Fred, by accident. Mum wouldn't even look at me. Harry, Ron and Mione were consumed with exhaustion. Ginny was trying to keep Harry sane. I lost my place, here…my place in the family, and I just wanted the pain to end. Didn't think it would matter to anyone."
The frown that graced Alfred's face was mixed with confusion. "But that was ten years ago. You're loads better now."
George sighed. "That won't matter to a judge, Alf. If I contest their custody of you, they will put me in the ward for the incurably insane. I am over a barrel, as it were."
Alf looked bland for a moment. "Everybody thinks that?"
"Not Ron or Fleur. Not sure about Ginny or Harry, but I would have thought they'd be on my side." George laughed mirthlessly. "Course I'd have thought that about my Dad, too."
"Then let's leave." Alf said, quietly.
"What?" George asked, not sure he heard right.
Alf nodded. "You're a wizard, Uncle George. Pick me up and take us away from here, like you did in Diagon Alley yesterday. We'll find a place where they'll let us be."
George wiped the tears from his face, and stared down at this boy, who at the moment seemed to be literally all Fred. "I am not sure they would let us be. They are wizards too."
Alf crossed his arms defiantly. "You're smarter than them...mom thought so. Except for maybe Hermione, but she's on our side, right?"
George was thinking. "Viktor Krum in Bulgaria…" He murmured. "I always kept up with him…did him a few good turns once. He'd help out. And Bulgaria's one of those places where you can get pretty lost."
"Then what are we waiting for…" Alf rose, tugging George up. "If we go back there, they'll stop you from doing it…oh, let's just go!"
George looked down, and laid his hand on Alf's shoulder. Slowly he smiled; Alf understood and hugged him close…
"Don't do it George!" Harry stood before them suddenly, wand out.
Alf glared at Harry; George had his wand out as well. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't!" George said, gripping Alf tighter.
"Because it completely wastes the tantrum I just had in your kitchen where I clearly announced that nobody was taking Alf away from you, full stop." Harry lowered his wand and watched as George warily did the same.
"Harry…" George said, his voice shaking… "If you're lying to me…"
Harry shook his head. "I promise you, on the grave of my god-father, that I am not." He came forward, and laid a hand on George's shoulder. "I know better than anyone where Alfred belongs, George. Gin agrees with me. I believe you already know how Ron, and by extension Hermione, and even Fleur, feel."
George sank back down to the ground on weak legs; Alf sank with him, still watching Harry with concern. "I won't lose him." He repeated, looking at Harry imploringly.
"No, you won't." Harry smiled, and sat down beside them. "That little incident ten years ago was fully taken care of at the time, by yours truly. Not that I ever thought your family would try to use it as blackmail; more like Rita Skeeter seeking a story. But I made sure that there is no evidence left that you were having a rather bad time of it the day of Fred's funeral."
George exhaled, deeply, and Alf felt safe to relax. Harry continued with a smile, "Besides, I didn't give you the money for that joke shop only to see it left in Ron's hands. He's a good businessman, but doesn't have your vision."
"Ron's alright." George immediately defended the brother who was now clearly favored. He looked back towards the house, with a frown. "Mum is going to be very unhappy about this."
"Ginny is handling her. I don't know why she's gone of the deep end, George, but she DOES love you…I remember the look on her face the night your ear got blown off." Harry shrugged. "Still, I think it advisable for everyone for you to vacate The Burrow for the time being, if only for your own sanity."
Alf looked up at George. "We can go back to your place. I don't need much, Sir."
"Quit-it with that Sir stuff." George said, feeling the heaviness leaving his heart, as he ruffled Alfred's hair.
Harry smiled at them, even if it caused him a pang of wistfulness. "I thought you might want to come to Godric's Hollow for a bit." He suggested. "Ron can run the shop while you get your lives set up together. And I've got Teddy for the summer…he'd like having a mate his age…who…well…" He drained off.
Alf finished the sentence: "Isn't a prejudiced git?" Seeing the surprise on both Uncle George and Harry's face, he explained. "Victoire told me."
George set his shoulders. "I'll take you up on that, then, Harry. Is it safe for Alf down there?" He nodded towards the house.
Raised eyebrows were his answer. "Would YOU cross Ginny when she's angry?"
George laughed, then looked down at Alf. "Go on ahead, kiddo. Get your stuff so we can head over to friendlier territory." Seeing Alf hesitate, George put both hands on his shoulders. "It will be okay…I promise. I will be fine."
Alf flashed him a grin and gave him a hug; then turned and hugged Harry as well. "Mum was right…you are a great wizard." With that he took off down the hill.
"And the legend of Harry Potter continues!" George smirked, prompting Harry to swipe at his head. They shared a laugh, albeit a tired one, and walked more slowly towards the house.
"Seriously, Harry…" George added. "Thanks. I never was much in favor of Bulgaria."
Harry smiled. "Makes me wonder where I'd have ended up if I'd been allowed to run away with Sirius. I think he was in the Sahara."
"H'm, not a wise choice with our pale skin." George sighed. "I should have known you'd understand." He added.
"When Ron owled me to let me know what was afoot, I am afraid I caused rather a scene in Shacklebolt's office." Harry frowned. "I know nobody ever spoke up for me because there were always reasons why I had to stay in my own personal hell. But damned if I was going to let that happen to the child of a good friend."
"Brother." George said, correcting him. "You were always an honorary Weasley."
Raised eyebrows answered him. "Makes the situation with Ginny rather tetchy, then, eh?"
This time it was George who cuffed Harry round the head.