Goodbye Fred Weasley...

The Birthday...

I'm writing this as if set on April 1st, on the real April 1st - Happy Birthday Fred and George Weasley ❤

It had been almost a year since Fred had died. This was going to be George's first birthday without his twin. George lay in his bed, holding a framed photo of Fred. It was a moving. He stared at the photo. This was the way George would always remember him: laughing, smiling, poking fun at Ron. He smiled and turned his head. It was midnight.

"Happy Birthday Freddie," he whispered, "the big Two One! Remember what we said we were gonna do for our 21st? We can do all sorts now." He laughed. Fred winked at him. George kissed the top of the photo frame and set it on his bedside table and fell asleep.

Everyone had woken especially early that April Fool's Day. Mrs Weasley had made a special breakfast spread with bacon, eggs, toast and hash browns. Fleur had crafted a beautiful cake decorated with sparking meringues and fizzing sweets. It was brightly coloured and featured two redheaded figures soaring around on sugar paste broomsticks. 

The whole family, plus Harry and Hermione, quickly bustled into position as they heard the top step creak. George came down from his room, the photo of Fred tucked under his arm.

A unanimous cheer of "Happy Birthday Fred and George!!" rang throughout the kitchen as George was bundled on with hugs. Bill and Ron rescued him from the swarm of kisses from his mother and pulled out a chair for him. Ginny barged past Ron and plonked a present infront of George.

"Open mine first!" she squealed. Mrs Weasley swiftly moved the present away from George and replaced it with a plate of food.

"Let's eat first, Ginny dear." she smiled smugly, and everyone sat down to enjoy the breakfast feast.

After breakfast, it was time for presents. Ginny, once again, tossed her gift at George and smiled sweetly at him as he opened his new Flying with the Canons annual. He beamed. This was no ordinary annual. His sister had splashed out on a hard back, limited edition cover annual. He hugged her in delight. There was more Cannons merchandise from Ron. He got some hard-to-find potion ingredients from Harry, a spell-creating book from Hermione, some intriguing French patisserie sweets from Bill and Fleur. There was also new dress robes and Quidditch tickets from his parents.

After all the presents were opened, Mr Weasley flicked his wand and all the wrapping paper collected itself together before disappearing with a pop. Everybody went to get dressed. George was wearing his new jumper from Charlie.

Once everyone was ready, the Weasley's (plus Harry and Hermione) apparated to the cemetery. To their surprise, Fred's tree had already been visited. There were several birthday cards at the base of the tree. A balloon that sent up a small firework every the wind blew was tied on the branches. They all gathered around the tree, smiling. Everyone had presents for Fred too.

Mrs Weasley had knitted Fred a scarf that she wrapped around the trunk of the spindly tree. Ron placed the chess set he bought for Fred at the base of the tree. Charlie had gotten hold of the Marauders Map from Lupin just before the battle, concealed it in a box and enchanted the box to respond the same way the map did to unwanted intruders. George placed down a framed photo of himself as his gift. Hermione bewitched the tree to flash different colors, as if decorated with Christmas light.

Once all the presents had been laid down. Fleur bought out her sugar craft creation and lit 42 candles on it. The group sang happy birthday to both twins. As they reached the end of the song, a breeze rushed past them, blowing out 21 candles. George then went on to blow out the rest.

Nobody had any doubts, for as the breeze passed, they all heard a faint, familiar laugh and a whisper: "Happy Birthday your holeyness..."