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"Hey Everyone."

They all stood frozen, no eyes dry.

"How? How is this possible?" Arthur could not take his eyes off of his previously deceased son.

George glanced at Fred for a second before answering. "It doesn't matter, all that matters is that he's here, and he's alive."

Ginny was the first to make her way up to Fred to hug him. She did not want to let go, and warning looks from George told the rest of the family to wait their turns. Eventually everyone made their way to him. Hugging Fred, and then hugging George. Each needing proof that the two boys were each standing before them. Percy was the last to come up to his brother. Fred could see the guilt all over his face.

"Come on Perce, haven't been blaming yourself all this time have you? It was a funny joke, 'specially for you." Fred smiled a little, his voice still weak.

That was the closest thing to the old Fred George had seen since he got back.

Percy let out a loud cry and tackled his younger brother. "Oh Fred, I'm so sorry. I should have been paying more attention, I should have seen."

Fred shook his head. "Doesn't matter now, so don't blame yourself. You shouldn't have anyway."

Percy nodded trying to put his guilt behind him.

"Let's eat." Molly put her hand on Fred's back and motioned for him to sit.

Fred sat in his normal spot. It felt so strange to be there. To feel normal and alive again. Throughout dinner everyone was fairly quiet. All eyes were on Fred, who was staring at his plate which Molly continued to pile food on, even though he had only eaten half of it. The longer he sat there, the more anxious he became. Fred looked up to see all eyes on him. Even George was staring, but he was noticing how far Fred had progressed since he had come back. A day ago he could not hold a fork because his hands shook so bad, but now his tremors had lessened. He had also noticed the sudden spike in Fred's emotions. Fred stood up, and everyone jumped back a little.

"I need some air." Fred left and went outside.

All eyes left Fred, and went to George, who stood up. "It's a lot for him. Seeing everyone all at once like this." He looked back to make sure Fred was out of earshot. "I don't know how he got back, but I know it wasn't easy for him. He's been through something, so being thrown back into normal life is going to take time." He went out the door to find Fred.

Fred was sitting on the porch steps looking up at the stars. He heard George sit down beside him.

"You okay?" He nudged Fred with his shoulder.

Fred looked at him and nodded. "It's a lot."

"Yeah, it is."

They sat in silence for a while, until Bill finally came out to tell them Molly had tea ready if they wanted any. George got up and then helped Fred stand. They went back into the house, and into the living room. Everyone got their tea and sat in a comfortable place, Fred staying as close to George as possible. The silence was beginning to grow uncomfortable when Arthur finally cleared his throat and began talking.

"We knew we were having two sons when Molly was pregnant again. Five boys in the house, now that was going to be interesting. We sat down Bill and Charlie and told them they would have to help with you two like they were with Percy. When you two were born Fred bit the healer and I swear George came out with a hint of smile as if you had planned that upon arrival. We knew from that moment on you two were going to be different." Arthur smiled at his sons.

Charlie laughed. "We thought helping out with Percy was hard until you two, almost wrecked this entire house on several occasions. I'm surprised Mum and Dad had any more kids to be honest."

"Hey!" Ron looked offended but then joined in on the laughter.

This sparked story after story about the mischievous boys, who sat and listened to what their family remembered about them. Fred began to feel more comfortable, and at home. He did not say anything, but smiled at the memories. George had already decided that a few days at the Burrow would do them both some good, so when he noticed Fred nodding off on his shoulder he nudged him. Fred lifted his head and looked at his brother who motioned for him to get up and follow him.

"I think we're turning in for the night."

Molly got up and put a hand on Fred's cheek. "My baby. All my children are together again."

Fred smiled and said goodnight to everyone before going upstairs. Once the boys went to their room, the rest of the family sat in shock and silence. Bill looked at his family and put a hand through his hair. He could not stay silent any longer.

"Are we going to talk about this?"

"Bill." Arthur gave him a warning look.

"No Dad, we can't just all blissfully ignore what's right in front of us. I want to believe that Fred is back just as much as everyone else, but are we sure the man upstairs with George is really him?"

Ginny leaned forward in her position on the couch, her elbows resting on her knees. She could not look up at her eldest brother. "George would know."

"Would he? Or would he be so happy to see him, he wouldn't ask questions?"

"Sweetie…" Fleur put a hand on her husband's arm.

"Look, I know none of us want to hear it, but we have to face the facts. George has no idea how Fred is back, because he hasn't asked him. He's scared to ask him, because if something doesn't add up he can't believe it anymore."

Ginny was growing angry. "Fred's been through something he obviously isn't ready to talk about. You can see it in his eyes if paid any attention, instead of thinking he's someone else."

"I want to believe that's my little brother upstairs more than anything, but people don't just come back from the dead. How do we know this Fred isn't just someone who's taken polyjuice and wants to hurt us? Hurt George. We can't just trust this." Bill was hoping he was getting the message across.

"Bill's right." Charlie looked at his family. "We have to be cautious with this. If this is Fred, then we can't go stressing him out more, but if this is someone else, someone trying to hurt us, then we have to take care of it before too much damage is done."

Harry had been quiet for most of the night, but he knew now he may be able to help. "I could talk to him. If it was the same for him in any way as it was for me when…I never told anyone what it was like over there, not really. If it was the same then it has to be him."

Bill nodded at Harry. "We'll try that, and then go from there." He turned to his crying mother. "I'm sorry Mum, I know how happy you are to have him home, but we have to be sure this is our Fred."

Molly could say nothing, the thought of losing her son again only made her feel worse than she did before.

Fred felt strange walking into his childhood room. It was almost just how they had left it before leaving. There were a few boxes from their shop, and the few things they had not taken with them. One thing they had left there was a mirror that hung on their wall, which was now shattered. Fred looked at his brother.

"Yeah, got upset after…"

Fred understood that enough. They both got into sleep clothes and got into their beds. Fred could not shake the strange feeling he had. Life was just how he had left it, and after what he had been through, that did not seem right. He was waiting to wake up from the dream he seemed to be in. Those thoughts made him afraid to fall asleep, but his body was still weak, and the nightmares had kept him awake the night before. Soon Fred drifted.

George had almost forgotten what sharing a room was like. In their flat they had separate rooms, and he had forgotten the comfort he felt knowing his brother was in eyesight. Now more than ever George felt that comfort. He watched his brother fall asleep and soon after, sleep took him as well. It did not take long for them both be woken up though.

"We found the blood traitors!" Bellatrix Lestrange laughed as she had a beaten and bloodied Fred and George dragged in front of Lord Voldemort.

"Ah, the twins; and the others?"

"Only these left, and the one with Potter. Made them watch as we killed the lot of them. Poor little girl squirmed and screamed the most."

"Shut up!" Fred yelled.

Bellatrix laughed again. "Didn't get enough before?" She looked at her master.

"Normally I would spend a lot of time with the two of you. I do find twins fascinating, but alas I have my sights set on other things. Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort pointed his wand at George and the life left his body.

"No!" Fred cried out, but Voldemort was on him next.

He brought Fred closer to him with magic and used a spell to choke the air out of him. He could not breathe, but Voldemort made sure his eyes were looking at his lifeless brother on the ground. Fred squeezed his eyes shut, all he could think about was getting to George.

"Fred!"

Fred shot up screaming to find himself in their room. A worried looking George stood over him. He could not control his breathing.

"Hey, it's alright. You're okay."

Fred was terrified again. He was shaking, crying, and panicking. George grabbed his arms to try and calm him down. Fred met his brother's eyes and tried to calm his breathing. Once Fred had calmed a little, George tried to talk to him.

"You alright?"

Fred took a deep breath and nodded.

"Okay, I'll be right back, just going to go get you some water." George began to let go of Fred's arms.

Fred grabbed George's arm, fear still in his eyes. George was about to say something, but Fred let go. George gave him a reassuring nod as he left the room and headed upstairs to the bathroom. Once there, he began to rifle through the medicine cabinet. He did not notice Ron standing in the doorway until his younger brother spoke.

"Need help?"

George jumped a little at Ron's presence. "Uh, does Mum still keep sleeping potions in here?"

Ron stepped into the bathroom and reached past George. In the back of the cabinet was a sleeping drought. "Everything okay?"

George took the bottle. "He's had nightmares since…bad ones. I don't think he was in a good place before."

Ron put a hand through his hair. "I know you don't know how he got here, but how exactly did he get to you?"

George stared at the potion in his hand. "He just sort of appeared I guess. Heard a scream, thought it was me from the dreams, but it wasn't. Got up and found him in the living room. Freezing. Naked. Terrified. Once he realized where he was, he calmed down a little, but I've never seen him that scared, or silent."

Ron smiled at that last part a little. "He hasn't said much about it then?"

George shook his head. "That may be for the best, not sure he wants to talk about it."

"No, I'd imagine not."

"Anyways, I should get back to him."

"Right, course." Ron stepped out of the way so George could pass.

George went downstairs and grabbed a glass of water before returning to Fred. He walked into the room to see Fred's knees pulled up to his chest. George sat on the bed and handed him the potion.

"Here, should help you sleep."

Fred hesitated. He did not want to get stuck in another nightmare, but he hoped the potion would keep his mind blank. He took the bottle and drank its contents. George handed him the water to wash the potion down. Fred handed the glass back to George and settled back down in bed. George sat the glass on the table before getting into his own bed. Once Fred was asleep, George drifted back off to sleep as well. He hoped they both had a peaceful night sleep.

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AN: Thanks for reading!