memories
Alicia gripped onto Percy's hand, squeezing too hard to truly be comforting. When he winced, she relinquished her hold and flashed him an apologetic glance. He gave her a weak smile in return.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Alicia asked, her lips trembling nervously. "It won't bring him back. You know that, don't you?"
She'd been hesitant when Percy had first asked to see her memories of Fred. While her recounting stories of high school days with her friend had been a turning point—the impetus, even—for her relationship with him, this seemed a step too far. She searched his face desperately, looking for any sign of uncertainty.
"I just want to know him," Percy said, insistent. "I missed out on so much…"
Alicia's heart panged with sympathy. But she had to prepare him for what was coming. And so, she said gently, "And you know…you do know that he wasn't always kind to you? I wasn't always kind to you."
She wished she could take all those things she'd said back—that she hadn't egged Fred on so much when he complained about his pouncy older brother. It had felt natural at the time to assume that Fred and Percy would never get along. And it felt more natural still to encourage Fred with laughter, even when his jokes became cruel. But now that the brothers had reconciled—and that one brother was dead—Alicia wished she'd acted differently. She often wondered if she might've convinced Fred to be more compassionate and understanding.
Percy softened. "Is that what you're worried about? That I'll think less of you?"
Alicia didn't want to say the words out loud.
"I just want to know him a little better," Percy said.
His voice cracked, and Alicia's hand instinctively reached for his. She rubbed soothing circles on the back of his hand with her thumb. Although she still felt hesitant—although the thought of Percy hearing her lips say such things made her heart clench—she knew she would not deny him. With a sigh, she pressed her wand against her temple and uttered the spell.
He thanked her, his eyes wet with tears, and she placed her memories in the Pensieve for him.