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George had not even realized he had fallen asleep until he was awoken by the sound of knocking. His eyes went straight to Fred who was still sound asleep next to him. Relief washed over him as he recognized that the night before was not a dream. The knocking came again, but this time a voice followed.

"George, open up. It's Bill."

George looked at Fred before bringing the blanket that lay on him over his head. He then got up and rushed to the door. Every few days one of the Weasleys, Harry, or Hermione would show up at his door to try and get him out; back to a normal life. One that George was always reluctant to rejoin, but he occasionally gave in for the sake of his family. George opened the door just a crack.

"Bill, what brings you 'round?"

Bill smiled. "Thought we could grab some lunch."

George glanced behind him. He could not tell his older brother what had happened yet, not until he figured it out for himself.

"I-I'm uh busy today. Maybe another time." He went to shut the door, but Bill stopped it.

"George, I know no amount of time can heal what happened, but it's been six months. You can't keep yourself shut in like this forever."

"I know. I just need some more time, but I think I'll be feeling better soon, just not today. Please."

Bill smiled a little. "Alright, but I think you should try and come to dinner Thursday. Mum'll want you there."

George nodded. "Yeah, we'll…I'll try okay?"

"Alright, take care George."

George shut and locked the door. He went back to Fred, and uncovered him. He had not stirred. George decided even though it was midday, he would make some breakfast for the two of them. Half way through making the meal, George heard distressed sounds coming from the couch. George rushed over to find Fred twitching in his sleep. Beads of sweat were forming on his face.

"Fred. Fred, wake up!" George shook his brother until he shot up, out of breath.

He looked around in fear until his eyes landed on George relaxing him.

"You're alright." George gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Come on, I've made us some breakfast. It's not Mum's cooking, but I'll bet anything you haven't eaten in a while."

He helped Fred to the kitchen table and sat him down in a chair while he finished making breakfast. He piled eggs, bacon, and toast on Fred's plate before grabbing his own. He put the food in front of Fred and scooted his chair next to him. He remembered how Fred could barely hold his mug of tea, so he wondered if he would be able to eat on his own or not. Fred stared at his food hesitant to try and pick up his fork. His hands shook quite a bit, but he was able to pick up his fork and keep some food on it. George grabbed his hand to steady it, seeing the struggle in his brother's movements. After Fred took his first bite, George could tell his brother was starving, because he went for the food faster between each bite, almost swallowing it whole. George slowed his hands.

"Hey, slow down. Can't have you choking to death after I just got you back."

Fred listened and chewed his food up. They sat there in silence, George not being able to help but stare. Fred spilled a little bit of food, so George pulled out his wand and levitated a napkin from the counter. Fred stared at the wand in his brother's hand. George looked at it and realized he was using Fred's wand.

"Right, yeah I've sort of been using it since…guess it made me feel closer to you. Suppose you should have it back now." He went to hand it to Fred, but the man pushed the wand back towards George.

Fred stared at his food for a moment, before opening his mouth. "Thanks for not giving up on me."

George perked up when he heard Fred speak. His voice was soft and weak.

Fred spoke again. "I've missed you too."

George smiled, happy to finally hear Fred's voice.

6 Months Ago

After Fred died, everything was a blur for George. They said he was in shock. That was why he just stared in a catatonic state. He could not fathom how to go on without Fred. He had spent almost every day with his brother, and now he was gone. George could not remember much after the battle. Once Hogwarts was cleaned up a bit, they held a large memorial service for everyone that had died. There were just too many gone to have separate funerals. George sat in the Great Hall staring at his brother's coffin, next to the countless others. He knew it was selfish of him to wish Fred back. Why should he want Fred, but not the others? How many friends, mothers, fathers, and brothers were lost that day? George cared for them, of course he did, but he could handle their loss. He could handle it if he had someone to share his grief. He had his family, but they were not Fred.

Arthur insisted George come back to the Burrow for a while. He knew they did not want him on his own. He had never been on his own before. They worried he would do something extreme, hurt himself. George had thought about it. He wanted so desperately to see his brother again, but he could not do that to Molly, or Ron, or any of his family.

George mostly stayed in their old room. He lay on Fred's bed, just staring. He would not eat, could not sleep. Sometimes he would sob. Sometimes he would get angry. He smashed their mirror because he could not see what they all did when they looked at him. He wanted to see his brother in the mirror, but it was not the same. George stayed like that for two weeks before Ron came up and laid into him.

"You can't stay up here forever George. You need to eat something or you'll die too. Mum's already lost one son, don't make her lose another. We all lost Fred. He'd want you to keep living for him."

Ron was right or course. After that George forced himself to try. He went downstairs and joined his family for dinner. He forced food down his throat even though he did not want it. He let everyone hug and console him. Cry on his shoulder. He never said much, but it was all they would get. One morning George got tired of everyone staring at him. They wanted to see Fred. They wanted to remember his face. They would touch his cheek and stare with tears in their eyes. He could not take that anymore.

George left the Burrow and began walking, not sure where he was going. He was not surprised when he ended up at Fred's grave. He stood over it for a moment before sitting down. Fred had been buried next to their uncles. Seeing their graves made him angry. In the first war they died together, but in the second war, George was left behind. His family may as well lost two sons that day, because he could never be him again. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he mourned his brother. George suddenly felt compelled to pull out his wand, well Fred's wand. He'd had it since that day. He was not sure why he did what he did next, but George sliced his hand open with a spell, and let the blood drip on Fred's grave. He touched the base of his tombstone.

"We're still Gred and Forge. Even if you have gone off and left me." He cried a little before taking his hand away and getting up, leaving a red streak across the base of the stone. "I love you Fred."

"I love you Fred."

Fred perked up. There was something besides silence. He felt like he had been waiting forever, watching trains go by; refusing each one. Fred stood up and walked to the source of the sound. He watched as something dripped from above him. It looked like water at first, stopping at his eye line as if there was a surface above the ground. Red drops collided with the clear causing something to happen. It looked like a tear was opening, and Fred stepped back as this portal got bigger.

"I believe that is your way out Mr. Weasley."

Fred turned to Dumbledore.

"Remember what I told you. One mistake could cost you your soul. You must never give up hope, or forget the objective. It will feel like such a long time, but if you get through it, you'll be back there."

Fred nodded and took a deep breath before stepping into the portal. He had to do whatever it took to get home.

Present Day

Fred had finished his breakfast and was staring at the wand in George's hand. His wand. He thought about the last time he had used it, right before…

"How long has it been, since?"

"Six months."

"That's all?" Fred's voice was still just a whisper.

George could see the look in his eyes. "How long was it for you?"

"Longer."

Fred still did not say much, and George did not ask him much either. Fred was back and that was all that mattered. He did not care about how, from the way Fred was acting, he was not sure he wanted to know. For the rest of the day they just sat around not doing much. Fred slept for the most part. The next day Fred began to wander around the house like he was trying to remember it.

"Come on." George opened their front door which led to their joke shop. He shut all the blinds with his wand and walked downstairs.

Fred smiled a little, the place had not changed since he had seen it last. "You haven't opened?"

George shook his head as he helped Fred walk down the stairs. "Ron tried to get me to, said he'd help. Repaired the damages and all, but no. I just couldn't."

Fred's hands grazed over their many inventions. He understood that.

George leaned on the counter. "Fred, I don't want to rush you into anything, but tomorrow night Mum's making dinner and everyone will be there. She's been doing them weekly for a while. Wanted to spend more time with everyone. I think we should go. They have to know you're alive."

Fred looked a little worried, but nodded. He knew he would have to face his family sometime.

When Thursday night came, Fred had still been quiet. George still had not asked him much. He did ask if he was ready to face their family, and Fred nodded. He had missed them dearly, but he was worried about everyone being there all at once. He nodded at George who held out his hand. When Fred grabbed it, they apparated in front of the Burrow. Once Fred gained his bearings he looked around. He had not seen home in so long.

George placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Fred?"

Fred looked at him.

"Come on, it'll be okay."

Fred followed George towards their house. He was trying to remain calm, but everything was beginning to sink in. George reassured him again.

"Just stay right outside the door for a minute. I'll talk to them first. I'll be right back, okay?"

Fred nodded, a little hesitant for George to leave his side. George kept his eyes on his brother until he entered the house and shut the door. Once inside George greeted his family.

"Hey, Mum." George hugged her.

"Sweetie, you are looking well today." She smiled.

"Actually I need to speak to all of you." He waited for his family to gather around him. "Something's happened."

A look of joy crossed Molly's face. "Oh George, you've met someone!"

George looked at her confused before shaking his head. "No, Mum I haven't met anyone. Look something's happened. I can't explain it, but it's real, so I need you all to remain calm. When I show you this, don't get your knickers in a bunch and try to run over here. He needs space right now, because is overwhelming for all of us."

"George what are you talking about?" Bill's face was full of concern.

George ignored him. "All of you need to promise me you'll stay calm."

"Okay, just tell us what is going on." Charlie was growing worried.

George nodded and motioned for everyone to stay put. He went to the front door and feared that when he opened it, Fred may not be there, but when he turned the knob Fred was standing there looking just as relieved as him.

"Come on, it's alright."

Fred took a deep breath before walking in behind George, who stood protectively in front of him. Shocked faces spread across the room as everyone thought they were seeing double. Molly's hands went up to her mouth.

"It can't be."

Tears welled up in Fred's eyes. "Hey everyone."

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AN: Thanks for reading!