The only family I have Left.

Chapter 21

Fred and Gracie continued down the hallway, the distant sounds of the castle eerily quiet compared to the chaos they remembered. Fred's steps were slow and deliberate as he took in the remnants of a place he once called home.

As they reached the grand staircase, familiar voices echoed from below. Gracie's pace quickened, tugging Fred along with her. The sight of George standing at the base of the stairs sent a jolt through Fred's chest. He looked almost identical to Fred—a mirror image—yet so different.

"George," Gracie called, her voice trembling with anticipation.

George looked up, his eyes widening as he saw Fred. For a moment, he stood frozen, unable to believe what he was seeing. Then, with a surge of emotion, he ran up the stairs, meeting Fred halfway.

The brothers stood face-to-face, neither speaking, just absorbing the reality of the moment. Tears welled up in George's eyes as he reached out to touch Fred's shoulder, as if to confirm he was real.

"Fred... it's really you," George choked out, his voice thick with emotion.

"Yeah, it's me," Fred replied, his own voice unsteady.

George pulled him into a tight embrace, the weight of the past years dissolving in that moment of reunion. The two brothers clung to each other, silent tears of relief and joy streaming down their faces.

Gracie watched, her heart swelling with happiness at the sight of their reunion. She knew that whatever mystery had brought Fred back, they would face it together.

As the group descended the stairs, they found themselves greeted by more familiar faces. Friends and family, once lost, were now found. The castle seemed to come alive with the return of its inhabitants, each person miraculously back from beyond.

In the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall stood at the head table, her eyes scanning the crowd with a mixture of amazement and concern. She saw the Weasley twins enter, followed closely by James and Lily, and the look on her face softened.

"Welcome back," she said, her voice steady and strong. "It seems we have a new mystery to solve."

The hall filled with whispers and murmurs as the returned witches and wizards gathered, their faces reflecting the same blend of disbelief and hope. Fred felt a sense of unity and purpose he hadn't felt in years. They were back, and together, they would find the answers.

As the first rays of dawn began to filter through the high windows of the Great Hall, Fred realized that this was more than just a return. It was a new beginning. They would face the unknown together, stronger than ever before.