Chapter Text
The battle was over, the great evil was finally gone. Everyone should be rejoicing, happy they no longer have to live their lives in fear, delighted in the safety that was left.
Sure, there were people lost during the battle, but the triumph of winning was far greater than the grief for the casualties. They had died an honourable death, sacrificing themselves so more could live on.
It’s over. Over. Everyone should be happy.
Not him.
Not George.
Not when the other half of his soul was ripped away from him.
Not when he was brought to face the cold and stiff body that lay motionless on the floor.
Not when the failure of not being able to get to him in time was crushing what was left of him.
George didn’t know if he could ever feel happy again without his twin, his other, better, half by his side.
(He knows he couldn’t. It was why he kept going back over and over after all. George couldn’t live without him.)
It was as if something was hollowed out inside him, leaving him feeling nothing, nothing but the pain of losing someone so close to him. It was worse than anything he had felt before, even worse than the spell that had cut his ear clean off.
George didn’t know how long he just sat on the cold ground. He was aware, but he wasn’t. It was as if he was floating in a dream.
Eventually, there was no one around him anymore. There was no other company except for the loss that surrounded him and the thoughts in his own head.
Each time, he told himself it would be easier.
It wasn’t.
He wasn’t even there with him when he died this time! It had been Percy.
It was still better than if he were to die alone.
‘It was quick’ Percy had said, ‘He was smiling when he… passed’
The smile was still lingering on his face, he looked peaceful.
A flash of anger took over George.
How dare he die with a smile like everything was alright? What about their dreams? What about their future? WHAT ABOUT HIM??
But as quickly as the feeling came, it left.
And George was left alone again.
Minutes passed, then hours.
The rest of his family came back.
They covered his body with a sheet.
George didn’t stop them.
He didn’t protest when they pulled him away, didn’t react when they arrived back at the Burrow, didn’t say anything as he was ushered into their room and sat on the bed.
He just waited.
Only when everyone else went into their respective rooms, and all motion ceased in the house, did George move.
He left the confines of their room, and walked into the shared living room. The picture their mom had insisted the family take before Ron’s first year was sitting there on the mantel.
He took it into his hands.
A layer of dust had covered the frozen picture. It had never been developed properly, and the people within did not move, just like a muggle picture. But that was exactly why the ability had been able to work.
His gaze lingered on the figure of his brother. The smile on their faces had been so happy then, not a hint of sorrow or loss to be found.
George yearned for a time when he didn’t have to carry this burden. But he couldn’t bring himself to regret his decision either. He had chosen this path the first time, and he would choose it over and over again.
Because if his twin no longer lived within this timeline, then he wouldn’t either.
Steeling himself for the countless time, George clapped his hands together. The action was both familiar and foreign to him, the crisp sound ringing in the silent night.
“I’ll save you this time, Fred. I promise.”
And he was gone.