Sugar : Fred Weasley

64: Without Her

[author's pov]

The roof of the Burrow was a silent sanctuary, its solitude offering little comfort against the storm of Fred Weasley's thoughts. He sat on the edge, his legs dangling over the side, the vast, empty sky reflecting the emptiness he felt inside. The world below was tranquil, a stark contrast to the turmoil within him.

Fred's thoughts were consumed by Victoria. It had been months since he'd last seen her, and each day without word from her deepened his anxiety. The uncertainty gnawed at him, an insidious worry that left him feeling hollow and restless. He imagined the worst, conjuring scenarios where she might be in danger, suffering, or worse.

George joined him on the roof, the old wooden shingles creaking slightly under his weight. He sat down beside Fred, his own weariness evident in his eyes. The two brothers shared a moment of silent understanding, both weighed down by the same heavy burden.

"You alright, Fred?" George asked, his voice breaking the silence. His tone was gentle, but the concern was unmistakable.

Fred looked away, blinking rapidly to stave off the tears threatening to spill. "It's just... I can't stop thinking about her. Every day, it's like a fresh stab in the gut. Not knowing if she's safe, if she's even alive... It's tearing me apart."

George's hand rested on Fred's shoulder, a small gesture of solidarity. "I get it, Fred. I really do. But listen—she hasn't shown up on any of our lists from Potterwatch. If something had happened to her, we'd know. And we haven't heard anything."

Fred's voice trembled as he spoke. "But what if they're keeping it quiet? What if she's in danger and we just don't know? I can't stop thinking about it, George. It's like this dark cloud hanging over everything."

George's grip tightened on Fred's shoulder, and he turned to face his twin with a look of profound empathy. "I know it's hard. I wish we had more answers. But the fact that she's not on those lists is a glimmer of hope. It means she might be okay, or at least she's not in the worst situation right now."

Fred wiped a stray tear from his cheek, the weight of his worry pressing heavily on him. "It's just... Everything feels so uncertain. The shop, the Order... it's all on hold because I'm stuck here, consumed by this fear. I hate feeling so helpless."

George sat closer, his presence a comforting warmth. "You're not alone in this. We're all in it together, fighting for the same thing. And we're all waiting, hoping for good news. You've got to hold on to that hope, Fred."

The silence between them was thick with unspoken fears and mutual understanding. Fred leaned into George, finding solace in his brother's steady presence. The tears came more freely now, mingling with the silent night air.

George's arm around Fred's shoulders was a silent vow of brotherhood. "We're a team, Fred. We fight together, and we hope together. Even when things seem dark, we have each other."

Fred nodded, his voice barely a whisper. "I just want her back. I want to know she's safe."

No matter how many times he denied it, he felt like she was gone. As if she were dead...

As the sky above them deepened into twilight, the brothers sat together in quiet companionship. The weight of their shared worry was heavy, but the strength of their bond offered a sliver of comfort. The uncertainty of Victoria's fate was a heavy burden, but in the company of his brother, Fred found a measure of peace, knowing that he was not facing the darkness alone.

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