Twin Dilemma

No DNA test required here.
I am not part of the Harry Potter Conglomeration. I can’t even afford to buy 1 chocolate Frog so no money is being exchanged for my benefit. Just messing about with the legal aged characters in “up close and persona” situations.


Chapter 22: O’ Brother where art thou?

Fred awoke with a start from a fitful sleep. His mouth was dry and his throat was scratchy He didn’t recognize where he was. He was covered in soot and everything smelled smokey. He turned over to nudge his brother. All he felt was empty air. He sat up and looked around. George! Where was George?
The previous night came flooding back to him. He lowered his head into his hands as he began to keen. He was sure he had killed George in the stupid duel they had fought! His own twin! Fred felt wretched as his body was wracked by sobs. How was he going to live without his George? What was he going to tell his Mum? His Dad?
He stopped crying as panic set in. The Burrow! What had happened to the Burrow? What if the flames had spread to the house and burnt it down? Fred was terrified. He stood up and scrubbed away his tears. He looked around him and realized he was in the broom shed. He dimly remembered crawling through the flames in his room to the window and escaping onto the kitchen roof and sliding down the rain spout. He pushed open the shed door and walked with all the determination a six year could muster. He slowed as he approached the big bushes and peered around them. He was greeted with a wonderful sight – his home was still standing!
A rush of gratitude welled up inside him. He saw some people near the back door. It was his family! He ran toward them. His Mum was sitting on the stoop being comforted by his Dad.
As Fred neared, he overheard her saying how her precious twins were missing- her little pranksters. She blamed herself. Somehow she had failed them. She was too hard on them.
Arthur patted her back and told her it wasn’t anyone’s fault. He felt Molly freeze in his arms. He turned and saw what it was that made Molly pause. One of his sons was running toward him! Arthur leapt up and ran towards him. He scooped him up and swung him around with joy while Molly shed tears of joy. She scooped the boy out of Arthur's hands and crushed him to her bosom, nearly suffocating him with her hugs and kisses. Bill and Charlie joined in the hugging, shedding tears of relief.
Fred began sobbing anew with the guilt he felt over causing his family so much worry and for truth he was about to reveal. His body heaved with his sorrow until finally his cries quieted down and he was able to catch his breath.
Molly took his face in her hands and gently wiped the ash and tears away. “Can you tell us what happened Freddy? Do you know where George is?”
Fred hiccuped and shuddered. “Yes,” he whispered. “George is dead. I killed him.” He broke down again.
Molly gathered her son into her lap and rocked him, calming his gasping breaths while stroking his hair. She reached in her night dress for her wand and conjured up a soothing potion and gave it to Fred. When Fred calmed down he told them what had happened with the Wizard’s Duel. Everyone sat down at the picnic table and listened. He told them how George had just gone up in flames with the salamander. His voice broke as he sobbed then wailed for his loss. His family embraced him as their silent tears joined his.
Then Charlie piped up. “Fred, George isn’t dead! He’s just missing.”
Fred looked up at Charlie and then at his Dad and Mum who nodded their heads in agreement.
Bill added: “It says so on Mum’s clock.”
“Then where is he?” demanded Fred.