Lost & Found ~ A George Weasley Love Story

2 ~ Midsummer

Wednesday, 24 June 1998
Turku, Finland

Aino had been packing her charmed backpack for the family's midsummer trip to archipelago as a pitch-black owl flew through the open window. He carried a letter with him. She recognized the owl that belonged to Mr Robards. They had sent a couple of owls to one another after the death of David, but the lettering had died down soon after the funeral.

David. Aino's hand went immediately to her neck finding the ring hanging from a golden necklace. She still was not ready to let the ring go but didn't want to wear it in her finger either. She had put all of her thoughts on the funeral and had somehow believed everything would have eased after that, but it did not happen like that. Nothing had eased, if something, it had become more complicated.

Aino sighed and took the letter from Mr Robards' owl. She petted him and gave him a couple of treats before ripping the envelope open. She took the piece of parchment out and started to read.

Dear Ms Kalla,
Happy Midsummer!

I hope you are doing fine and spending the holiday with your family. I am deeply sorry I have not written after the funeral. My hands are full of work with "rebuilding" the ministry after the war. What does your autumn look like? Will you be helping your father as a receptionist once again? If you happen to be still unsure of your plans for next semester, I will have an offer for you. Please visit me in London if interested. I promise you would like it. It will give you a fresh start.
Write me back!

Yours truly,
Gawain Robards

ps. Do not spoil my owl with too many treats, he'll manage the distance just fine.

Aino hummed contemplatively. She was yet to have plans for the autumn. She had thought of finding a real job after working for his father for a couple of years. Her father, Risto Kalla, was a known healer who had his own surgery. She had worked there as a receptionist after graduating trying to find out what she wanted to do. The downside in home-schooling was that they didn't get that much information about career opportunities.

After thinking about it she was very fond on knowing what Mr Robards had on mind. She could really use a fresh start. Everything in Finland reminded her of David. Even though half of his family was from Great Britain they rarely spent time there together. Gabriel had also told her that he would most likely head to London after the summer. That meant she would not be all alone there.  She looked up from the parchment at the owl who tilted his head to her as if waiting for her response.

"Aino, are you ready?" The door swung open revealing a grinning Onni. He looked between Aino and the owl confused, "What's going on?"

Onni was Aino's little brother. His straw-coloured hair was always messy, and Aino used to call it a bird nest when they were younger. In reality, Aino was jealous of his thick blonde hair since her own, despite being long, was thinner and brownish. Onni looked like a stereotypical Nordic person with his blue and grey eyes and sharp facial features. He was almost two meters tall which was a lot even though Aino was not short either.

"Mr Robards sent me an owl. He offered me a job I think", Aino muttered. She wanted to hear his opinion on what she should write back. She trusted her brother with all her life. Even though Onni was the little brother and Aino was used to take care of him, lately it had turned upside down. After David's death he had been her rock.

"Hmm... Where, the ministry of Magic in Great Britain?" Onni tapped his chin with a thoughtful look on his face.

"I don't know, he asked me to visit", Aino answered, "What should I write back?"

"You do not lose anything if you go. To be honest, sis, if you are happy, I am too. So, go and hear what he has to offer. Then decide", Onni wrapped his arms around Aino's shoulders.

"Thank you. Go and tell dad I'll come soon, I'll only send the owl first", Aino smiled up at her brother. What would she do if it wasn't for him?

~

Wednesday, 24 June 1998
The Burrow – Devon, England

George laid down on his old bed. The other bed in the room remained empty. It felt wrong to be in the room without Fred. Their room. The truth was he had never lived alone. One of the main reasons he had stayed in the burrow was that he could not have lived at the shop alone. Although he had lately come to a realisation it was better for his family if he wasn't staying in there either.

George had thought about hurting himself. He wasn't him without Fred and he didn't know if he ever could. After all, he didn't know who he was. It had always been Fred and him. In that particular order. Sometimes it felt wrong for him to speak when Fred wasn't there to start the sentences. He had noticed that since he was little. Fred was the more outgoing and confident of the two of them and George had no idea how to go through social situations without him. If he, for example wanted to open the shop again, how could he ever talk to the customers without him. George shook the thought away. He was not planning to open the shop anytime soon.

A knock on the door luckily interrupted his thoughts. "George, can I come in?" It was Ginny's voice.

George sat up on his bed. "Yeah", George managed to mutter as the door creaked open.

Ginny gave him a small smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Terrible", George answered bluntly. Out of all the siblings, he had always been closer with Ginny. They had. Therefore, it was easier for him to open up to her rather than the other family members.

Ginny let out a half-hearted laugh and sat down besides his brother. "Me too", she sighed squeezing George's arm. "Do you remember the time we three decided to bake a cake for mum's birthday?"

George locked his eyes with his little sister. He indeed remembered. They did not manage baking spells and caused a small explosion in the kitchen. Mother had been mad even though she had already gotten used to the mess the twins caused every now and then. Maybe it was because of the kitchen though. George couldn't help but smile at the memory and nod.

"I'm only saying that those memories won't fade away, you know. I'm missing Fred too", Ginny stated sadly.

"I know Ginny, I know. It's just hard to live without him", George avoided eye contact with his sister. They had not talked about Fred together and even though it was painful he could not help but wonder why they had not done that before.

"I know. It's hard for all of us", Ginny said back sadly, "But it would make it a bit easier if we wouldn't have to worry about you too. Lee owled me. You haven't been answering to his letters."

"I don't know what to say. It will never be the same between us without him", George muttered. He had not opened any of the letters, but he kept the stack in his drawer. He had recognized the handwriting of his friends so that he knew at least Angelina Johnson, Oliver Wood and Katie Bell had tried to reach him. However, the majority of the letters were from Lee.

"George do not shut your friends out. They lost Fred too. We lost Fred too. And I'm sure none of us want to lose you at the same time."

Ginny's words hit George. He hadn't thought it before but him shutting down had probably made his family and friends suffer twice as much as they already had. He felt stupid and childish but above all selfish. How could he, out of all people, be the one who did not care about the feelings of his loved ones? He should start living at least a little. If not for himself for his friends and family who cared about him too.

"Thank you, Ginny. I'll owl Lee today, promise", George nudged Ginny with his elbow, "I mean it sis, thank you." George sighed before continuing, "And maybe I should apologize to mum as well, I've troubled her a little too much..."

"Yes, you indeed have", Ginny smiled genuinely at her big brother. She really hoped George would keep his promises.

George had always been the more stubborn one of the twins and Ginny was surprised he would listen to her this soon after Fred's death. Whenever they had been fighting, it was always Fred who wanted to settle it first. Ginny could not help but hope that this was a sign of growth. Although she did not want to think it just yet, it was possible that something good had come from Fred's death.