The Houses Competition. Slightly AU. In a world where Hermione and Fred were more of a possibility.
Ravenclaw, HoH, Drabble, Prompt: To my (blank), I leave, WC: 497
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To my family, I leave you with my final will and testament.
The Ministry Official read the words in a slow, monotonous voice, starkly contrasting Fred's vibrancy. Molly breathed in sharply, as if surprised. Somehow, sometime, Fred Weasley had written a will.
To Percy, my personal joke book. You can publish that, earn some galleons, and get out of your job. Plus, everyone needs a laugh nowadays and George needs a new partner.
Percy smiled, a glistening tear on his cheek.
To Charlie, the man who is an island. The first time you came back from Hungary you brought back Horntail scales. Mine have been in my pocket ever since. Now maybe you can have the same, ridiculous luck I've had. Don't be a stranger.
To Ron, I leave my half of the store for you, for whenever you want it. George and I always have your back.
Ron looked shocked for a moment, staring at George from the other side of the room. George didn't speak, but nodded in Ron's direction. That's all it took for Ron to collapse back onto the sofa, face in his hands.
Words blurred together over the next couple of minutes as other names were called. I can't quite remember all of it, because the shock of hearing my own name exploded through my body and time itself. I was utterly nonplussed; never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be in Fred Weasley's will.
To Hermione, the biggest book I've ever read. Of Mice and Men. PS. I enjoyed it immensely.
Instantly, my chest is compressing, filling with emotion. I'd lent him the book, a mere 80 pages long, in a warm corridor nearing curfew. We'd shared the moment intimately, fingers brushing, smiling discreetly in the shadows.
To my best friend and brother, I leave you my bed. I couldn't think of anything we don't share. I'm sorry to disappoint.
George was gone, folded into himself, lost in thoughts and in total disrepair. It was like watching a car crash.
Minutes later, I was approached by the Ministry Official alone.
"Miss Granger?" He caught me in the kitchen, absentmindedly washing up to keep unwelcome thoughts at a safe distance. I turned to him. "Mr Weasley wanted me to give you this discreetly. A letter. I haven't read it, so I don't know what it contains. But he explicitly said I was to give it to you away from prying eyes."
"Thank you," I murmured, wiping my hands and taking the sealed envelope.
He left us in disarray. My heart felt blocked up, chest aching, desperate to read what private words Fred had written to me. I wanted to know what he wanted me to know more than anything, so I could hold onto him for just a little bit longer. Finally, I bade everyone goodnight and, drawn to Fred's old room, flopped down onto his familiar bed, peeling open the seal. I took a deep breath.
My Dear Hermione...
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Thanks for reading!
