After Life

By Dani R

Fred thinks it's a bit funny, being dead. Not funny in the same way as his jokes, but more like an odd thing, quite strange. It's almost like he is floating, yet there are his feet planted firmly on the ground. The afterlife is not really what he imagined it being, but he isn't complaining. He feels lighter, happier, relaxed even. Surrounding him are his ancestors, and his friends.

And then there is Dumbledore, who is smiling at him, that familiar twinkle in his eye. Harry's died, but he hasn't really. Doesn't make much sense to Fred, but then not many things did here. Jokes, they are what sense to him most. "Boarding a train to move on?" he asks, scoffing. "A bit weak there Dumbledore, could have been a bit more creative."

Dumbledore laughs, stepping forward. "I do not control the ways in which we move on, Fred."

"I didn't board a bloody train…" Fred mutters.

"And neither did Harry." Dumbledore reasons, smiling with pride.

"Didn't think he would." Fred replies, shrugging. "Suppose he feels obliged to finish it. Hope he gives that old snake what's coming to him…"

"Ah," Dumbledore breathes, clasping his hands together. "I do hope so too. Dreadful it would be that we all died in vain, would it not?"

Fred says nothing and frowns thoughtfully. "Just my luck I had to die in front of Percy though…" he grumbles. "He's about as experienced as mums teapot when it comes to those kinds of situations."

"What do you suppose dearest George will do now?" Dumbledore muses.

"I-" Fred starts, then folds his arms, having not really thought much about what his twin must have been going through. "Suppose he'll cry a lot, at least I'd hope he'd cry a lot, I'm his twin after all. He'll keep the shop going, keep my memory alive and give me a laugh while I'm sitting here waiting for the bloody sod." He rambles and Dumbledore chuckles quietly. Fred grows serious after a moment to catch his breath. "He'll be fine, George. He knows I'm always with him."

Dumbledore simply smiles and turns his head to look at Lupin and Tonks. "I see that Remus is looking well, now."

"Death does that to you," Fred states, "Makes you look younger. Better than any muggle skin care product any day." He jokes. "Harry will take care of Ted, take care of everything…"

"Oh, of course he will." Dumbledore muses airily, eyes twinkling. "Of that I have no doubt." He continues as Lily and James Potter make an appearance with Sirius Black. "The world is no better hands than Harry James Potters."

That, Fred thinks with a smile, could not be truer. The world, George, his mum, everyone, they'll be safe with Harry looking after them.