Slowly Going

Chapter Four

A/N: Okay so in the last chapter I was supposed to write about what a Lethifold is. Well if you don’t know read Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander (J. K. Rowling).

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 GEORGE’S P.O.V.

For the first time in weeks I wake up without a pain in my heart. I remembered how Fred came back, not like him old self but he still came back. I slowly got up and looked around the room, searching for a shadow. I looked around the room twice but didn’t see it. I sighed knowing it was all a dream; no one can come back from the dead.

 I made my way down to the kitchen and saw everyone was already there. I took a seat and waited for the food, however a few minutes later I felt a nudge on my arm. Hoping to see a shadow, I turned my head and saw a small,  blond figure taking a seat beside me.

 “Oh sorry!” Luna said, noticing that she nudged me. I just looked down at my empty plate; not feeling like saying anything. I heard Luna sigh quietly and then the hair grazing against the floor as she pulled it back and sat down.

 I ate my breakfast and then went out of the Burrow. As soon as I exited the door I thought about the joke shop and disapparated. It felt horrible – as usual. I felt as though my breakfast was about to come out. I apparated into the store and saw every shelf over half empty from the last time it was open. I went into the back store room and found boxes full of shelves. I took a deep breath and began my work. A group of children crowded around the door but I just mouthed: ‘Sorry’ to them as I watched their faces fall into a frowns. I felt bad about it so I walked to the door, opened it and sighed before saying anything. “Sorry kids.” I said but their faces drooped even more, “Come back in an hour. The store will be ready by then!” I said as I watched the colour coming back into the children’s faces. They then quickly scampered off in different directions along Diagon Alley. I walked back into the store and waved my wand, I then stood there and watched as everything flew to its rightful place. “Fred, I am doing the right thing, aren’t I?” I said as everything settled.

*****

I watched as the children swarmed into the shop, running from here to there trying to look at everything before actually deciding what to buy. They bought their things and left ad left, some even stayed and used the stuff in the store, because Fred and I thought you can never really judge something before you have actually used it.

Three day past like this I either was busy at the store or locked in my own room. I didn’t speak to anyone and just saw them when I went down to eat.

 I exited the joke shop and walked across Diagon Alley. The moon was up in the cloudless sky, shining brightly. Well the moon doesn’t shine, just reflects the sunlight. I walked in the darkened alley, with the moon as my only source of ‘light’.

 “George?” I heard a voice call my name, I turned around to see who it was but only saw a shadow... A SHADOW!

 Stop it George! You’re hallucinating! I thought to myself. I shook my head and walked on, not knowing where I was going.

 “George, wait! What are you doing here so late?” I heard Fred’s voice and something nudged my hands. I looked down and saw the shadow beside me.

 “Fred?” I asked the shadow.

 “Well duh! What’s the matter with you Georgie? I have only been gone for three hours. You’re supposed to be sleeping!”

 “Wait, what? Three hours?” I ask, outraged at the lie, “You have been gone three days! I stopped believing that you came back...” I said, tears were threatening to spill out of my eyes.

 “Three days?” Fred whispered, confused. “I just went and Dumbledore.... DUMBLEDORE!” Fred suddenly shouted, making me jump. “George I have something you need to know!” Fred said this extremely quickly, yet I still comprehended what he said.

 “Are you okay, Fred?” I asked, clearly worried for my twin, my... shadow!

 “I ... thi...” Fred sighed, not being able to complete his sentence. He sighed and continued, “Goodbye Fred...”

 “What?”

 “Dumbledore said this ... this is breaking the natural balance and order of things. That soon everyone will want to meet their loved ones. I... I can’t come back... ever again!”

 “Bu...”I started, however I was interrupted by Fred.

 “I’m sorry, but I have to go now.” I watched as the shadow faded away, until only the blue eyes were left.

 “Goodbye, Fred!” I finally managed to whisper and the eyes vanished, “I love you, too!” I whispered into the darkness. I knew it was always that. In my dreams, Fred only wanted to tell me that. Those three words held so much in so little.

 I apparated back home and found everyone was still awake.

*****

 “Shadows are interesting, aren’t they?” I heard a dreamy voice say as I stared at my shadow. I tried making more use of myself after that night at Diagon Alley though there was no point because all I ever did was stare at my shadow.

 I looked at Luna and then back at my shadow, then Luna and then back at my shadow, hoping it will smirk or show bright blue eyes and wink, but nothing happened. I just stood and stares at the motionless shadow.

 “Once upon a time...” I answered Luna’s question.

 “Do you want to talk about it?” She asked, I just shook my head, “It’s okay to feel different!”

 “Thanks!” I looked at her and smiled, “You’re going back to Hogwarts tomorrow, aren’t you?” She nodded.

 “Well I better go pack...” and with that she turned to leave, but I stopped her.

 “Luna, wait!” she stopped, turned around and before she could say anything I kissed her lightly and disapparated.

 I landed in my room and immediately fell onto my bed and into a deep sleep.

*****

I walked up the steps and into the darkened room,  my hand went for my wand in my pocket but I realised it wasn’t there. I felt my across the room and stumbled on something a figure. I heard the figure laugh a soft, quiet laugh and knew it was Luna. However, the laugh soon quietened down and in place of it was an evil cackle.

 No that can’t be, it’s Luna!

 She said something inaudible to me. Suddenly the figure and atmosphere changed... Fred was in front of me, at the war zone.

 “Fred!” as soon as I said this a green bolt shot through me and hit Fred, making him fall to the ground...

*****

“NO!” I woke up screaming.

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A/N: Hope you like this chapter, and because I am writing a short story the next chapter will be the last!

 Oh and about the shadow thing – I once woke up and looked out the window. It was still dark because it was winter and 7a.m. and I saw a shadow with no figure to create it. It freaked the Hell out of me but gave me a great idea for this story!!!