I... Never know how to start these. It has been... Almost twenty six years. You would've been forty-six today, Fred. It hurts to think of how much time has gone by. I just don't know. I would love to start one of these letters off as
today your son has asked me... but I cannot. I'm sure you know the reason why. I just... I feel silent. These words are hard to write despite them being rampant in my mind.
Twenty. Six. That is how many years you have been gone. You have missed so much. I walk around the shop we have created ourselves with those thousand galleons. I see the ingenious inventions you have sketched so many years before made into a reality that'd make you proud... That makes me proud. I walk through our shop and catch you in the corner of my eye. I gasp out your name and make a sprint toward you, in hopes you've come back to me. But... It is merely my own reflection. The years have gone by, I recognize you less and less. The years have not been kind to me.
Oh, Freddie. I cannot even fathom life without you. The years tick by. You never came back, not as a ghost, not to haunt me like you once joked you would if I didn't take the bludger for you. I'm now surrounded by mothers and fathers. Our own parents are now grandparents (and old!) and have been for quite some time. Oh, little Ginny has grown so much. Her bat-bogey hexes are deadly as ever to this day... But, she's so tall. You know she married Harry you know? I caught them with a toothbrush in my ear snogging as if not a single person was around. Don't look at me that way, my dear brother. I have a valid reason for that toothbrush in my ear. No, it was not a fork like Ron insists it was.
Oh Ron. You'd be proud of him, buddy. He's made quite the name for himself. Never thought he'd be an auror, that one. Harry and Ginny have three kids, now. They've been aging so fast my nephews and nieces. James Sirius... Albus Severus, and even Lily Luna that's the spitting image of Ginnes. Ginny's so proud of them, I tell you what. She won't shut up about them. James' off doing merlin knows what. Albus and Lily are still in school. Though, Lily dyed her hair blonde recently! No clue why, the red looked fantastic! I swear, James has a soul just like ours. The boy runs around joking and pulling pranks on everyone. Albus... He's in Slytherin! An actual Weasley in Slytherin! Who would've ever guessed? He's a sweet kid, you know.
Ron... Ronnie, Ron... Ron. Ickle Ronnekins has two fantastic kids. You know he landed Hermione?! No idea how he didn't end up with a fight with Viktor Krum over her. Boy, lucked out I tell you what. They have two fantastic children. Hugo... I just don't know what goes through his mind sometimes. I bet he'd be your favorite nephew, Fred. I bet you'd just love his randomness, the rants he goes on for hours and hours about Goblins that make no sense. The boy has a mind like Hermione, but he has his father's determination. He has red hair... Or I think he does, I can't tell. Last I seen him it was red... Blue... Green. Wait, the Winter Ball he had his hair on fire. I don't know. Though... You'd never believe what happened. The boy kissed a purist boy! Who would have ever pegged him for that? But, I guess changing minds one kiss at a time.
Bill and Fleur, despite Fleur being Veela, one of his boys were strong enough to result in Louis! A male veela, I didn't even know that was possible. Did you? Just, more wonderful kids. Though... They speak too much French. I never had a particular taste for that language. It sounds much like Gobbledegook to me. Percy had all daughters. Hah! Perce grew a pair finally, but still serious as ever. Charlie, actually never ended up with somebody. Not entirely sure what's going on there. But, he does have three children. Samael, Kastian... Oh. What's his little girl's name? I don't know why I keep forgetting it. She's lived in Romania for so long it simply slips my mind. I'm sure it'd come to me.
Fred. Oh, Fred. I. Our. I wish you were here. I wish I could spoil your children, laugh as we work side by side in our shop. Oh, the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes is doing fantastic! We have more than one shop now! I raised my kids in that house. I bet you'd love them. Sweet Roxanne and her feisty spirit. Roxanne looks exactly like her mother. You know what? I really wish she did not. Her clothes are way too revealing for my tastes. I know how you were... I know how I was. I... I just want her to grow up, not to have a ruined childhood you know?
We were doing so fine until that filthy attack at the carnival! Still no idea what the hell has been going on in this place. It's been like a loony bin for that last while, but everything seems to be getting normal again. I bet you'd get yourself beat up by little Roxy in one word, Fred. Call her Annie. I dare you to reappear and whisper Annie in her ear and find yourself missing an arm. That girl's got quite the punch you know? Oh, it makes me sad to realize she's not little anymore. She's turning eighteen this summer. Oh, you missed every day of her life. Her first smile at me froze my heart. The day she first kicked my shin and yelled
I hate you broke my heart. Why did we ever do that to ma and da? I never realized how hurtful it was. I had to give the largest hug I've ever had.
She's a chaser y'know. Ginny was a professional chaser for that feminist team for a while too. I didn't know we supported the Welsh? Apparently we do now! Little Roxy's ambitious as hell. She most definitely does not get that from me! I'm a lazy bloke, you know? Merlin. She's too much like her mother. I probably should slip her a potion in her sleep... Some sort of a boy repellent. You reckon Hermione could brew one?
Oh, Roxanne's just so fidgety. She can't ever settle down. Her personality is most definitely her mother's. But, I see us in her Fred. She's wild. She runs, constantly plays with things. I don't think she ever has a moment of downtime. She can't sit still. I don't think she takes me seriously at times. Oh, merlin forbid she do something unforgivable.
I saw her in front of the mirror the other day. She terrorized me. She called herself things in the mirror. I don't know. She. I just don't know. I hope she's alright you know? I try to talk to her. Tell her she could come to me. But, she doesn't. Teenager. Were we this bad, Fred? Were we really like this to mom and dad? Roxy has trouble eating. It's hard to get her to eat more sometimes. I just don't know what to say to her. I have a belly you know. I'm not a perfect portrait of being fit. But, I just don't know why. She's a gorgeous girl. I have to lock her up, to keep the boys away. I await the boyfriend she brings home just so I could hex him with Ginny's trademark... Or maybe turn him into a pig. Boy, I feel like boyfriend bacon now. She always makes a face at me when I suggest that.
Freddie... Freddy. I don't know how he spells it these days. Handsome young man, wears sunglasses indoors a bit too much. Geeze. When did I become a killjoy? I don't know. Maybe it's just the fact they're my children. You're not here, Fred... You're not here to tell me to mellow out, to tell me I'm being too harsh to my kids. I can stare in the mirror and hope to get a glimpse of you, but it no longer works. I have wrinkles across my face... My hair is graying.
Fred's like pure muscle you know? I named him after you. Fred Gideon Weasley II. He pierced his ears! I thought it was bad enough I had an ear blown off. But, I didn't make a big deal out of it. We all lost you. Not my ear. Have a nice fake ear now y'know... Until it accidently drops into a pot of coffee and melts away. I went ballistic the day I found out Fred pierced his ears without telling me! He pierced his beautiful ears. Why on this earth would a boy ever do that? I said no. I could swear I have said it several times. Why on earth possessed him?! Ears pierced?! Makes no sense. He's not his little sister!
My little boy's a man now. You know he's almost nineteen now. Where have the years gone? He even finished Hogwarts! Much more of a braniac than I am. His teeth, how did they get so perfect? I bet he secretly visited Hermione's parents when Angie and I were off on vacation. Oh, Fred. You'd love Angie. I know you would. Most gorgeous girl ever. Though, Freddy number two, he's better with money than Roxanne is. Roxanne goes shopping, buys clothes, very materialistic. Freddy here? He's more down to earth... He goes for comfort. I've only seen him stressed out just a few times.
He has you in him. He loves to prank folks. I think he's responsible for my missing toilet seat I never found. Not the greatest day in our house... Angie went ballistic screaming for it back. He jokes around, gives those snide smiles. He helps around in the shop and harasses the Snakes (perhaps minus his cousin?). You know, I have drafted my will right after you died? I did it just in case. I updated it not long ago, you know... After that attack. I just wanted to be safe. I'm leaving the shop to him over Roxanne. Roxanne will get our assets. I think my boy wants the shop more.
You'd love Fred, Fred. I bet he'd make a comedian out of you. That boy's better than us, combined! Don't let him in on that, okay? That's a secret just between us two. Though, I learned one very valuable thing about little Freddy. In the blink of an eye his temper can do a complete one eighty! Not a good idea to be on his wrong side. Though, I'm proud of him. He's very protective of Roxanne. Boy's a womanizer you know, hitting on the ladies left and right. He has no sense of shame. Sound like anyone you know, Fred?
Fred's the protector. I think he'd go to his death to protect what he loves and cherishes. I really wish he would not. I wish he were a coward. I don't want to lose my Fred. I already lost you Fred. I... If either of my children go. Or even my wife. I'll just break. I suffered enough heartbreak. My heart's not strong enough for one more heartbreak. Please, Fred. If you have the power of an angel, please watch out for my little boy? Please?
I miss my kids when they're tiny. Roxy fighting to get comfortable on my lap antsy because I'm too slow turning the pages in a book or won't pay enough attention to her... Fred, oh Fred used to play with my fake ear. I nearly choked to death the day he asked me why I was pinker than him when he held my ear up to one of the many mirrors.
My dear brother... Words simply. Words are hard to describe feelings. Ugh. Fred. Can't I just take your place? I cannot write down how much I miss you. Just trying doesn't clear my mind as much as I hope. I feel bad... I feel horrible that I try to write to let go of one of my life's greatest pleasures... The pleasure of knowing you. You were the best brother, the best twin, the best friend I've ever had. I cannot tel lyou how much I care... Because you are not here. Time goes by, I age up, but yet... I don't see you from the corner of my eye nearly as much. I feel abandoned. I feel like a husk. It doesn't hurt any less.
My children grew up with memories of you. Yet, there is so much more that I wanted you to share with them. All those conversations we had with our folks. The times and stories of dad or mom yelling at us. I wished we could have shared them together at a reunion like the good old days. Our family history looks blank without you. They missed out on you, the perfect uncle.
It's our birthday, Freddy. It's now just past midnight... No longer our birthday. I was surrounded by family and friends as I sat at this desk, just staring at this mirror from the corner of my eye. I used to keep a mirror on my desk, by my side... In every nook and cranny of our flat. I used to do it because you were at my side. My reflection I felt was you. I hoped it was worthy enough of being you. It sought me comfort. Aging didn't help as you were so young last I remember. Now, just one on the wall.
All these years later, George... I grow silent. My voice lessens. I don't know how much longer I can hang on. My children are leaving my house. My wife and I are growing old. I have time to think now. I don't like thinking. Thinking has always led me to no good you know? Outside the window... The glistening lights of Diagon Alley grow brighter, I just grow less within them. Every passing year I feel less and less bright. So many evenings I sat here staring out, with my children both gone. I just look down at the street and watch the crowds die away. I feel this is my life now. I forget to shave now. I forget the point. I just feel... Empty.
Fred. You brought me so much happiness. So much happiness. My wife brought me a great deal. Roxanne and Freddy brought me so much as well. But. I fear something will happen, I fear my thoughts are getting far too dark. My children are grown up. I don't like this. I wish I could turn back time, perhaps go all the way back and take your place... Or even watch my children grow up again. I'd take the day either of them told me they hated me over this pain I'm feeling right now George.
The thought of your absence covers my cheeks. My throat feels full, I have to swallow. My stomach just drops. I lose the butterflies in my stomach. I lose my sense of love. I just see, outside my window now, the stars vanished and rain had begun falling. The thunder across the skies raising all hell. Will this happen to my children? Oh. Heartbreak. I can't bear to think it.
Fred. Please come back to me. Please save me.
Please.
I beg you.
April 1, 2024.
