Fred Is My Big Stupid

“Say it, or I swear I’ll make sure Professor Longbottom knows about the crush you had on him our entire second year!”

Gasping in faux shock and horror, you slapped a hand to your mouth. “You wouldn’t, you monster!”

James grinned in response and sent you an exaggerated wink that seemed to use his whole head instead of just his eye. It was a unique habit that you adored in your friend, no matter how annoying he could be. 

Sighing, you relented. “Fine, I guess I love you.” But James was not content with your muffled tone. 

“Sorry, what was that?”

You leaned in closer, hand going to your mouth so he could hear you better. 

“I LOVE YOU!” you screamed, so loud that it could’ve shaken the entire Hogwarts express. A few wild eyes turned to you, but it was only nervous First Years that didn’t know you and James yet. And everyone at Hogwarts knew you and James. 

The dark-haired boy ruffled up your hair and gave you a gentle kiss on the top of your head. “That’s more like it.”

The two of you sat down in one of the compartments, empty for now but sure to fill up with some of your other friends any minute. It was your seventh and last train ride to Hogwarts after summer, and it was hard not to get sentimental about it. 

Everything had changed so quickly. Where had your childhood gone? It seemed like just yesterday your parents were dropping you off at King;s Cross Station for the first time, and a little boy with scruffy black hair came barging into your compartment, begging you to hide him from the angry kids he had just pranked. How was it all almost over?

James noticed the tears welling up in your eyes. “Hey, you alright?” he asked, voice devoid of its usual mocking tone. 

“Yeah,” you sniffed, “just gonna miss this ride, y’know? Feels like we’re growing up too fast.”

He nodded slowly, leaning back and letting you use his shoulder as a pillow. After a few seconds of silence filled only with the sounds of your poorly hidden whimpers he spoke again. “Are you sure it’s just that?”

You turned your face away immediately, choosing to lean against the window instead, staring out at the passing landscape. It was so beautiful. The same trees were there every year, standing tall in the summer sun. But they flew by so quickly. One second, the trees were out your window, and the next: gone. 

“I’m really sorry about...you know. This summer.” James tried to move closer but you inched away. He recoiled slowly, folding his hands awkwardly in his lap. You knew he was only trying to help, but you really didn’t want to talk about anything, especially the events of the summer. You just wanted to enjoy your last year of school, get out of Hogwarts and then you were all on your own, free to do whatever the hell you were supposed to do with your life. Shouldn’t be too hard. 

Before James could say anything else that would most certainly make the situation much worse, your compartment door opened, startling you and your companion. A tall girl with bushy, red hair tamed only by a thick headband stuck her head into your small space. 

“Hey James, Y/N,” she said, nodding at the both of you. “You haven’t seen your brother around here anywhere, have you?”

James rolled his eyes and leaned back in his seat. “Probably running around with that Malfoy boy again. I swear I can’t get a break from them. He even spent a week at our house over the summer! Can you imagine?”

The girl, James’ cousin Rose, huffed and crossed her arms as she blew a strand of hair out of her face, tired of dealing with him already. “I can imagine, actually,” she said, enunciating each word. “We were there, remember?”

Taking a second to recall the events of his hectic summer, a look of recognition finally crossed James’ face. “That’s right, you were the one who spoiled my prank on Scorpius! I worked really hard on that too!”

“And I worked really hard on all of the projects you destroyed in order to make your joke work, so forgive me if I wanted to see karma take its course.”

You had to stifle a small giggle at the antics of the family members, two of the many many Weasley children that ran around Hogwarts halls. Rose seemed to notice you again, her gaze softening as she glanced at your distraught form. She quickly fixed herself and pretended that nothing was out of the ordinary, but you had seen her glance. You could feel the awkwardness. 

“Sorry, Y/N. We’re not even at school yet and it’s already a mess.”

You shrugged. “When is it not?” You had always liked Rose, despite her being two years your junior and friends with Albus, whom James loved to torment and bully. She was, for the most part, a voice of reason in her little group, usually getting them out of trouble when they needed it and not dragging you or James into anything. “I think I saw Al heading that way, by the way,” you said, gesturing down the hall. 

She smiled gratefully before taking off down the train. 

“She’s so much like your Aunt.”

“Oh, I know,” James scoffed. “My dad might be ‘the chosen one’ or whatever, but at least I’m not the kid of the Minister for Magic. My dad peaked at 17 and went downhill from there, so I’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“Harsh, but you're not wrong,” you smiled. “Don’t tell him I said that though. I think your parents like me and I would like to keep it that way.”

“Lips are sealed,” your friend replied, sealing his words with the action of locking his lips. Sighing happily, you threw your legs onto James’ lap, thankful that the earlier conversation had been forgotten. As soon as you got comfortable, the door once again opened, all of your other friends spilling in and taking seats around you. You allowed yourself to relax, just a little, and you let the jumbled conversations lull you to sleep on your way to Hogwarts, onto what you prayed would be a normal final year. Oh how wrong you were.

-------

James’ head slumped against the Gryffindor table, already bored of the sorting ceremony and ready to head up to his room and catch up with his mates. This year there was no one interesting being sorted, which was uncommon because usually one Weasley cousin or another was starting their first year at the school. But Lily Luna and Hugo, the two youngest of the bunch, were now Second Years, meaning the tradition of betting on houses and yelling when they got it wrong was over. 

You found it hard to pay attention, even more so than James. Usually you enjoyed the ceremony, cheering loudly whenever another student was sorted into Gryffindor. But today, as it had been with you for the past many days, you just stared off into space, disassociating. 

It had been a rough few months for you, in many ways not known even to James, your best friend. You knew he wanted to talk to you, to be there to support you. But it was all so...complicated. You didn’t want to put him in an awful position by venting to him, so you decided to stay quiet and deal with your problems yourself. 

So far you’d done a fair job of it. No one had questioned you on any changed behavior so you figured you must’ve been hiding your feelings well. 

The appearance of the welcoming feast brought you back to reality. You hadn’t even noticed the end of the sorting ceremony nor Headmistress McGonagall’s opening speech. James had already started to dig in, shoveling as many chicken wings into his mouth as humanly possible. 

You grabbed a few bits and pieces of dinner--just enough to hold you until breakfast--and picked at your food as you listened to your friends discuss more stories they had from the summer. So many glowing memories that brought smiles to their faces. 

As the meal neared its end and everyone began to make their way to their common rooms, you were halted by a hand grabbing your shoulder and swinging you around. 

“Hey Y/N! Do me a favor, will you?”

A small grin crept onto your face as soon as you recognized the girl who had gotten your attention. 

“Another yearly picture, Dominique?”

The blonde 6th year cloaked in her house colors of silver and green nodded eagerly, thrusting a camera into your hands. “If you don’t mind.”

You grabbed the device and stepped up onto one of the tables, backing up enough in order to fit the entire group into one picture. 

“Weasleys!” Dominique yelled, cupping her hands around her mouth. “Get your arses over here and get in the picture! I’m looking at you Lucy, no getting out of this one.”

The Ravenclaw Head Girl who had been previously trying to shuffle out with the rest of her house sighed in defeat and took her place on one of the benches. There was quick movement and overlapping voices of almost a dozen kids, majority clothed in Gryffindor attire, as everyone followed Dominique’s orders. 

“So what were you and Scorpius off doing, hmm?”

“Sod off James, it’s none of your business.”

“Don’t give me that shit Al! You know I don’t like him--”

“Stop pestering your brother and being so judgmental, James! Scorpius is nice.”

“You’re just saying that cuz he’s a Slytherin like you, Dom.”

“I can’t help it if the sorting hat likes us best.”

“I mean, at least you’re not like Louis.”

“Hey! There have been some great Hufflepuffs throughout the years, ok? Cedric Diggory, Tonks--”

“Who both died young.”

“Shut up Roxanne.”

An ear-piercing screech echoed throughout the hall. Rose was standing next to you on the table, fingers in her mouth giving a loud whistle. Everyone, even the cousins that were older, immediately snapped to attention. “Guys, I really want to catch up with my friends, so can we please take one picture and go?”

Grumbles mixed with murmurs of agreement sounded from the 9 other Weasleys. Rose stepped down from the table and joined Lucy in the frame, followed by Albus, Louis, and Roxanne. Hugo and Lily Luna squeezed into the bottom of the picture while Dominique separated James Sirius and Fred II, who looked like they were planning a way to ruin the picture already. 

You cleared your throat as everyone got situated. “Ok guys, smile!”

As your finger went to press the camera button, you couldn’t help but feel jealous of all the smiling kids. 10 people, all one big happy family. No heartbreak, no loss, only joy and love surrounded the Weasleys. And you couldn’t be a part of that, no matter how hard you tried. 

A bright flash filled the room. 

“Thanks Y/N!” Dominique jumped up and grabbed the camera from you, running off with Albus to their common room without a second glance. You stood there frozen, thoughts running a mile a minute while the rest of the family dispersed. 

“Hey, loser!” James yelled at you. “You coming?”

“Yeah,” you said. You had to clear your throat in order to keep your voice from cracking. “I’ll-I’ll meet you up there, ok?”

He nodded before running off to catch up with Fred, leaving you all alone in the enormous room. 

You released a breath, a long sigh that seemed to be holding in all of your anxiety and nerves. It felt good to finally be able to breathe freely, away from everyone. And yet being the only one in the room, tall walls and ceilings towering over you, you felt just as small as ever. You needed to take a walk. 

You didn’t know where you were going. Honestly, you just wanted to see where the castle would take you. It hadn’t steered you wrong before and you hoped that today wouldn’t be the exception. 

As you ambled aimlessly, trudging up moving staircases and sneaking around dark corners, you let your mind wander. There was nothing specific on your mind--well, there was one thing that rested in the depths of your conscious that you wouldn’t allow yourself to ponder, but nothing other than that--so your thoughts drifted to the castle itself and the history surrounding it.

Over a thousand years Hogwarts had been standing. Witches and wizards centuries ago had walked these halls and taken these classes. Their legacy and spirit would always rest with the castle, no matter how many years would pass. 

Now that you thought about it, many wizards didn’t actually walk these halls. The 2nd Wizarding War had completely slipped your mind and you forgot that the Battle of Hogwarts, which only took place a little over 20 years ago, had completely destroyed that part of the castle in which you were now standing. 

Magic, however dangerous it may be, was helpful in expediting tasks, so the castle was rebuilt quickly and made to be almost an exact replica of its original design. But it wasn’t the same. A little piece of Hogwarts had died on that day, never to resurface again. 

You shook your head. You had to stop thinking like this, it wasn’t healthy. Focusing on death and loss, the permanence of a life taken. What happened in the afterlife? You knew there had to be one. Harry Potter himself had told you stories about when he met Albus Dumbledore in the afterlife, as well as seeing apparitions of his parents. But you couldn’t help but wonder how much of that was wishful thinking. There couldn’t be some perfect utopia where everyone was reunited with those they loved. It just wasn’t possible. If only there was some way to know. How you needed that right now. 

The moving staircase jolted suddenly, almost throwing you off the side. It swung hard and fast and made you hold on for dear life as it screeched to a stop, paving a path for you to follow. 

Hesitantly, you walked the last few steps and entered the corridor, which you thought to be probably the 6th or 7th floor. As soon as you stepped off the staircase it swung around once more, leaving you stranded at the top of the castle. 

Before you could even begin to worry about how you would get down, you noticed a movement occurring at the end of the hall in front of you. You barely caught a glimpse of it, only seeing it turn left and continue down another hallway. Against your better judgement you decided to follow. 

The second you turned the corner the mysterious figure was gone as if it had just vanished into thin air. You took a few steps down the hallway wondering what in the world you had just seen and how it could have disappeared so quickly. But the second you reached the middle of the hall you were distracted by another movement, this time on the wall to your right. 

An outline of something, maybe a window--no a door!--was being carved into the wall, as if by magic. You mentally slapped yourself. Of course it was by magic, what else would you expect? The intricate lines traced the walls of stone, creating beautiful designs carved into what had become wood. 

The door formed slowly, details coming together to create something that looked vaguely familiar, as if you had seen it in a drawing, or perhaps a textbook? You’d definitely seen it somewhere before, that was for sure. 

A loud thud signified the end of the door’s formation. In front of you, about an arm’s length away, was the handle. You grabbed it immediately, yanking the door open and walking inside. 

The room you entered was almost bare. It was about half the size of a normal classroom with only one window, if you could even call it that, and no other doors aside from the entrance. To your left was a fireplace which was, for some odd reason, in use. A cozy-looking red carpet sat in front of the fireplace, with one crimson armchair facing the wall. There was nothing else in the room. 

Although it was dark and gloomy and there was next to nothing, you couldn’t help but feel...comforted. Like there was some force that resided in this place that produced nothing but joy and laughter, that would make you feel safe and secure. 

You were drawn specifically to the armchair. From your angle and the poor lighting you couldn’t see if anyone was sitting there. You crept up, slowly moving to the left in order to get a better view. A brief flash of fear surged through you, making you second guess your decision to investigate--there wouldn’t be anyone up here to help you after all.

The suspense and dread in the pit of your stomach built and built, making your heart beat faster and your breath become more ragged. You were so close to seeing if anyone was in the chair, if they were being illuminated by the glow of the fireplace. Only a few more steps. Almost there…

You breathed a sigh of relief. It was just a large blanket, folded messily with a pillow sitting on top of it. Nothing to worry about. You were safe. 

“Hello.”

You screamed louder than you ever had before, swiveling around and straining your eyes. You reached for your wand as you stumbled around, cursing yourself for not casting lumos as soon as you entered. As your eyes fell on what had made the noise your terror made you freeze, feet stuck to the ground and mouth hanging ajar. 

What looked to be a ghost levitated in front of you, black and white and partially transparent. You were used to seeing ghosts--you did attend Hogwarts after all--but you weren’t used to them sneaking up behind you in darkly lit rooms. 

Your feet finally seemed to catch up to your brain as you slowly shifted backwards. The ghost didn’t follow, only stayed where it was. Where “he” was, you supposed. The apparition was quite obviously a male, probably a few years older than you from the looks of it. He towered over you due to the fact that he was suspended in the air, but you could tell that he was quite tall normally. 

“Hello.”

The ghost repeated himself in the same voice he had used before, mostly monotone but with a hint of curiosity, as if you were a new animal he’d never seen before and wanted to get a better look at. The thought of him looking at you as anything less than a person made you nervous and borderline sick. Was he going to do anything to harm you?

“H-hello,” you stuttered out, voice a barely-audible whisper. “Don’t hurt me. P-please.”

The ghost cracked a smile. A small one, granted, but it was there nevertheless, and it was all you needed to have your nerves soothed just the tiniest bit. 

“I’d never do that, love.” He cocked his head to the side, seeming to almost study you. It made you squeamish once again. 

Your back was now against the wall, hand still gripping the wand with full force. You took in a deep breath, not daring to blink in case he disappeared while your eyes were closed for the briefest of moments. “Who are you?”

The ghost moved, ever-so-slightly, and you flinched. He paused immediately, putting out his hands. “I’m just sitting down, don’t worry.”

He did as he said, sitting on the chair that faced the firepit. You started to wonder how a ghost was able to touch the materials of this world, but quickly figured that was a question for later, if you made it out alive. 

His eyes never left yours, a piercing stare that sent shivers down your spine. 

“Answer me,” you demanded. “Who are you?”

The remnant of the man finally turned his gaze away, choosing to stare at the fireplace as if deeply lost in thought. He relaxed into his seat, folding his arms into his chest. 

“I don’t know,” he said finally, voice quivering just the tiniest bit. “But I don’t think I’m supposed to be here.”

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As explosions rang through the castle halls and body after body fell, George, against his better character, thanked the heavens that it was someone else who had fallen; someone else’s family member to be the one to die. 

However, in a family with 8 other members, odds were not in his favor. Which ginger-haired Gryffindor would be the one to go? Would it be one of his older brothers, the ones he always idolized? Bill, with his nonchalance and confidence. Charlie, with his boundless zest for life and nature. 

Or perhaps one of his parents? The fierce Molly Weasley and lovable, curious Arthur. He didn’t know what would hold the family together if his parents were to go. 

He hated to think about his baby brother Ron, the one he always relentlessly bullied, or his older brother Percy, the black sheep of the family. He had too much to say to both of them. Too much to apologize for. 

He didn’t dare imagine it could be Ginny, but feelings for Harry could make her a bigger target than he hoped. He couldn’t let his little sister, the one he danced with and whose hair he braided be the one to go. 

Thinking honestly, there could be more than one to go. It could be multiple loved ones to die. Bill and his dad. Ginny and Charlie. In fact, there were so many loved ones that weren’t even family that could suffer from Voldemort’s rath. Lee Jordan. Alicia Spinnet. Or even Angelina Johnson. George didn’t want to think of that scenario. 

The one scenario he didn’t think of, couldn’t even bear to imagine, was the only one that came true. 

Percy Weasley sprinting up to him, words muffled through gallons of tears streaming out f his eyes and sobs that drowned out the intensity of the battle. 

“I-it’s F-fred. He’s...he’s…”

It was that moment that time stopped. This couldn’t be real, couldn't be true. How was this possible? Fred. Fred Weasley. Business partners, best friend, twin. No, it wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be. 

But no matter how much George tried to deny it, it was true. His brother, his ride or die, had died laughing while he had lived crying. Even after Voldemort was defeated, even after Harry Potter and good had triumphed over evil, it felt nothing like a victory. Only a sickening, heart wrenching defeat. George returned home that night, to the empty and noiseless shop. A building once so full of life, now diminished to only a half of the joy. A half of the heart. A half of the inseparable duo. 

But unbeknownst to George, and to anyone else for that matter, the explosion of the wall, the crumbling of stone, the last breath of life was not the end of the story. In fact, it was just the beginning. For the spirit of one war victim never left the Earth, never went to the heavens Harry had witnessed oh so briefly. It never even left the castle.  

As magic removed the debris and rubble and witches and wizards began to rebuild the remains of Hogwarts, a lost spirit roamed the abandoned corridors, confused about his presence. Who was he? Why was he here? And why didn’t he have a body?

A colorless poltergeist floated aimlessly up towers and down to the moat, trying to gather his thoughts and memories, which seemed to have abandoned him. No one paid him much attention as the years passed. Why would they? Compared to the other spectacles at Hogwarts, one more confused figure was nothing to worry about. And so no one bothered to ask. 

No one, except maybe a curious cat that seemed to follow him around in the depths of night, knew the identity of the mysterious stranger, the one that appeared so rarely and only for seconds at a time. No one, even the phantom himself, knew that Fred Weasley was a new ghost of Hogwarts. 

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