An Outdated Map

Saturday Evening

A/N: I cried like a baby writing and editing this. I can't edit anymore. I have a headache from crying LMAO. I hope you enjoy this, oh and this is not the end! A few more chapters left! Lemme know what you think.

"Don't you know I'm no good for you?
I've learned to lose; you can't afford to
Tore my shirt to stop you bleeding
But nothing ever stops you leaving"
when the party's over – Billie Eilish

Within seconds, Diagon Alley was filled with the familiar cracks of apparition. The sound of laughter and chatter following, bouncing off every stone and wall. The cheerfulness of fond memories imbued into the air around them. She whipped her head around, thrown by the commotion and unable to pinpoint where her friends ended up. Her eyes roamed the crowd around her, listening as the rising energies came to a peak above their heads.

With an extravagant flourish, she watched as George cleared his throat theatrically. The sonorous charm used causing the sound to reverberate against the cobblestone. She held back a grin at his antics. There was a time in her past when she wished he could tone it down. Now she wished for the exact opposite. She never wanted to see him diminish himself for any reason. She was happy to know he still kept that part of him in the aftermath. She closed her eyes, the anticipation thrumming through her veins and startled only slightly when his voice boomed across the crowd.

"Everyone inside!" George called out over the ruckus, "First round of firewhiskey on me!"

Cheers went up from all around. Hermione shrank back but smiled. She was utterly overwhelmed although letting the feeling carry her. As uplifting as the feeling was, the tightening in her chest alerted her of her swirling anxiety. Too much, too fast. She needed to take a moment. Moving off to the side, she kept a keen eye as witches and wizards alike began clamouring forward, making their way to the Weasley Wizard Wheeze's front doors. George could be heard above the noise, making egregious bets as they went. Harry caught her eye as he wrapped an arm around Ginny's waist and sent her a hopeful smile. Hermione nodded, agreeing to participate. He gave her an understanding nod and turned away.

She hung back, taking a minute to breathe. She concentrated on nothing but the steady rhythm of air filling her lungs and the corresponding exhale. After a few minutes a sense of normalcy filtered through, and she felt like she could breathe again. She scanned her immediate area, noting the sparse patrons on the street. Everyone had gone inside. With renewed energy, she stepped up towards the front doors of the shop. She peered in through the front window, hand out and poised to turn the handle but found herself frozen.

She could see the warmth in there. The hue escaping into the bleary day overhead. Everything painted in a heavenly yellow. She blinked several times and blew a huff of air through her lips. Licking her lips, she felt at odds with the atmosphere inside. Noting that even with all the grave losses they experienced, there was still optimism to be found. Plentiful reasons to live and carry on. To be alive. Her eyes bounced from each smile to each laugh, and every kiss on the cheek. The claps on the shoulder, a round of toasts, it brought her back and forward simultaneously.

Her hand suspended in the air, still unsure of her decision to join the festivities.

"Freddie?" She called out into the evening air.

~(HP)~

Fred had been standing out of sight, keeping a weather eye on his charge. He grinned at the tomfoolery of his twin. The show bringing about affirmation that no matter what came around, George would prevail. His brother had been surrounded by friends and family. The love they shared for one another lifting them up and pushing them to carry on.