Chapter 28

Fred was confused.

Very confused.

His twin brother had claimed that Fred has lost his mind and forgotten the last twenty odd years, then left him with a random child and one to 'work'. There were many things wrong with that. Nothing around Fred even seemed slightly that it had aged twenty years, and if George was right, why did no one else agree with him. Fred's brother was outnumbered; the entirety of the UK, to one.

But still, Fred found himself sitting at the Burrow, face to face with a young ten-year-old girl who had tears streaming down her face. George had arrived in the early morning of yesterday with the child, ignored his mother's questions of where he'd been all night and said, "I know you probably don't recognise this girl but it's very important that you look after her for me today. Care for her properly."

Mrs Weasley opened her mouth to speak but George continued, "Please, mum. For me? Just while I'm at work."

Without saying a word, Mrs Weasley nodded and watched as George hugged the girl reassuringly. As soon as her son had left, the motherly instincts kicked in Mrs Weasley took one look at the sobbing girl before ushering her into the living room and settling her on the sofa with a hot chocolate.

When Fred had arrived downstairs a few minutes later, confused already due to the lack of George in the bed next to his, he wanted to scream when his mother told him George had dropped the young girl off before heading out to work.

"He's probably out with some girl," Fred muttered angrily.

"A what?" Mrs Weasley asked suspiciously.

"A friend mum," Fred said quickly, "Just a friend."

"Your brother doesn't have a girfrie-"

"No, mum. George is still very much single."

"Shame," Mrs Weasley's shoulders sagged, "It's about time you boys found yourself someone, especially now that you're such successful businessmen."

Fred didn't reply as he grabbed himself some breakfast. Once he'd taken a seat at the kitchen table, he said, "Why did he say he's going to work? We closed ages ago so no one was going out in public with all the Death Eaters around. What on earth does he need there?"

"I don't know," Mrs Weasley said, placing a steaming mug of tea on the table in front of him, "But I don't like the idea of you two wondering around outside, especially with Ron off Merlin knows where with Harry and Hermione. I want as many as you safe as possible and I can't believe George is irresponsible enough to-"

"Mum," Fred interrupted her, "He'll be fine. I just wish he'd talked to me."

"You don't think he's still got all that nonsense in his head, do you?"

"Nonsense?"

"All that stuff he was on about the other day. You know, when he dragged you off to Hogwarts. What a fuss he caused."

Fred didn't reply. He stared at the steam curling off his mug, thoughts whirring in his brain. Some things weren't quite matching up. George took Fred to Hogwarts, fair enough, but why was Angelina there? Where were the real professors, and if things really were as strict as Ginny had been saying in her letters with Snape as headmaster, how had they been allowed to march through the halls without any bother? Where was McGonagall, or Slughorn, or even Snape? Where were those evil Carrows he'd heard so much about from his sister? That didn't add up.

And the child who George had cared so much about…

How could he have met someone and have such a strong bond with them without even mentioning their existence to his own twin brother?

Could he be telling the truth?!

"Fred?" Mrs Weasley was shouting at her son, "Fred, dear! Fred, are you alright?"

"He's right, mum. George. He's telling the truth!"

Fred leapt to his feet, mind buzzing. He wanted desperately to remember, to prove George right, but he had no recollection at all of what George had said had happened! He ran into the living room and sat opposite the young girl who was sniffling softly.

"Hey," Fred began kindly, "What's your name?"

"Roxanne," the girl replied softly, "But most people call me Roxy."

"Well, Roxy, you have a lovely name," Fred smiled, "I understand this is strange for you. Really strange, in fact, and I'm very sorry. I know I must be your uncle, but the truth is, I can't remember you and that… that sucks. That sucks really bad. I also know that when your idiot father sorts all this mess out we'll remember this conversation and I'll get all embarrassed because I forgot my own niece. So," he took a breath and leaned in close to her, "I need to ask you a favour."

The girl looked up, curiosity sparking in her eyes. Fred continued, "Will you protect me when your dad tries to beat me up?" he asked seriously.

The girl giggled. It was such a happy sound in the midst of the mess which was Fred's brain. So happy in fact, that it shocked Fred and he jumped back slightly.

"You're exactly the same as you used to be," Roxanne laughed.

"Well, it's my memory that's gone, not my sense of humour," Fred winked.

"Seriously though, I need to know everything you know about the last twenty years if you'd be happy to tell me?"

And Roxanne was off, explaining as much as she knew in as much detail as she could for at least fifteen minutes straight. She left Fred completely speechless, opening and closing his mouth like a fish.

"Damn," Fred gasped when she'd finished, "That…"

"Crazy? Insane?"

"…yeah."

"Is that not just the definition of the Weasleys though? Crazy and insane?"

"Don't forget mental," Fred added, smirking slightly, "I need to find George. If you're right and my… my daughter really did mess up and start the end of the world, I should help him sort it out."

Fred leapt to his feet and started towards the door before turning back to Roxanne, "Thank you," he said and vanished.