There was a definite anxiousness and foreboding through the Wizarding World. Hogwarts had a feeling of safety and security, outside Hogwarts the fear was returning. The fear that hadn't felt in 15 years…Fred Weasley barely remembered this feeling. It was late at night and he couldn't sleep, even with Mira lying next to him. He just stared into the dark thinking. There was one memory he had that was very clear…he couldn't have been more than 2 years old. It was of Dumbledore coming to the Burrow…
Fred was playing on the floor with George levitating their blocks a few inches in the air and laughing and clapping their hands when they all toppled over. Percy was near them building on his own. Bill and Charlie were at the small table doing the school work that Mum had given them to do. Their dad came in looking tired and drawn.
"Another bad day, Arthur?" Molly asked her husband sympathetically having him sit down pouring him a cup of tea with her wand.
"Thank you, dear," he told her smiling sadly. "More disappearances. Old Bernard Ackley from the next office over hasn't been to work in two days. They sent some Aurors over to his place today to check it out. It was deserted and looked like it had been for a while."
"The poor man," whether he had run or was taken…either way it wasn't a good situation.
There was a sound of someone Apparating outside, both of them got up quickly, the cup of tea shattering to the floor as Arthur put a hand to Molly's shoulder. The woman was white as her husband looked outside, his wand out. In a moment he put it away and opened the door. "Albus? What are you doing here?" He asked.
"I've come to talk to Molly, Arthur," he said sighing.
"What is it? What's happened?" Molly asked him her hands clutching and twisting her apron so hard her knuckles were white.
"Molly, please, sit down." He told her. She did, but only after Arthur took her and settled her. Albus took the seat by her facing her. "I'm sorry, Molly, I wish there was a better way to tell you this…"
Molly tried to be strong. Fred was watching her knowing something was wrong. He could tell by her eyes she already knew what Dumbledore was going to tell her, but she didn't want to believe it. He didn't know why, but he felt like he should be near her. He and George both got up and hurried over to their mother taking her hands. She didn't even look down, just taking their little hands in hers staring at Dumbledore.
"They died like heroes, Molly. It took 5 Death Eaters to take them down—"
"Who were they?" Molly asked. "I want names."
"Molly—"
"Tell me!"
"Dolohov." Dumbledore told her.
Molly nodded. She wasn't white anymore, she was angry. There was a fire burning within her. Fred could see it. He didn't really understand until Arthur poured the three of them some fire whiskey, kept for guests, and raised the shot glass. "To Gideon and Fabian," Arthur said.
"Two of the bravest and fearless wizards of the age," Dumbledore said.
They clinked the glasses and then downed the whiskey. "And to Antonin Dolohov," Molly said, "May he never know the fire that burns within our veins."
Fred could feel that fire burning within him even now, after all these years. There was fear there of losing those he loved, but there was that fire too, a fire that every Weasley had within them. The Death Eaters didn't consider the Weasley's a threat. They would see otherwise.
He felt Mira stir next to him and he stroked her hair softly. He would do anything to protect her and keep her by his side. The same fire he felt burning in him for his uncles and their sacrifice, he felt for Mira too. He honestly never thought he'd ever love someone the way he loved her. It had been so sudden that it still scared him at times, when he realized his heart had chosen her.