AN: Thanks so much for all your support with this story! It's not the simplest story for me to write, but every follow, fav, and review makes it easier! I honestly couldn't do it without you guys. :)

.

Chapter 9: Family Matters

.

Headquarters was empty and quiet when they arrived. The walk through the trees to get to the large building was hushed as everyone took in their surroundings. It was very different from the other times they'd visited. Before, it had just been a project; a task to complete. Now it was their home and their safeguard. They emerged from the cover of the trees and took in their new home for a few moments underneath the shining moonlight.

It seemed like a haunted mansion under the moonlight with the dark trees looming all around it. There were no lights coming from its windows and that added to the less than homey feel. It was massive though. It had four stories and an attic and took up all of the space in the clearing. It truly resembled a dark gloomy estate of some sort.

James was the first one to move forward to enter, so closely followed by Sirius that you couldn't really be sure which of them was leading. Nikki, Fred, George, and Hermione trailed behind the duo and soon enough they all stood in the foyer of the structure, unsure of what to do next.

"Well I suppose we ought to unpack," Fred suggested, shattering the disquiet. They all agreed and started up the extensive staircase to find their long ago claimed bedrooms and try to make them feel like home. James and Sirius stopped off on the second floor where their respective bedrooms along with Remus' were located while Hermione, Fred, George, and Nikki continued up past the third floor where Lily and Alice would stay and to the fourth.

The fourth floor comprised of nothing except bedrooms while the ground floor held the kitchen, dining room, and sitting room. The second floor held the Marauder's rooms and the a large study. Lastly, the third floor contained Lily and Alice's rooms, the library, and a slightly smaller study. The fourth floor not only housed the rooms of Fred, George, Nikki, and Hermione, but three empty guest rooms as well. It went unspoken amongst those present in designing the building that the rooms would primarily be for Severus, Regulus, and Dan should they ever need them, and then for whoever else may need sanctuary from the war.

Fred left the others to their own unpacking and entered his room across the hall from George and next door to Nikki. His room looked very much the same as all the others. Directly across from him was his bed pressed against the wall under a decent sized window overlooking the forest on the southern end of the house. On the wall to his left was a nightstand shoved against the bed and on his right was a small wardrobe and a sturdy looking, if cramped, desk.

Every one of the bedrooms had the same furniture and although they were free to change the appearance of things as they wished Fred didn't really see the point. This place would never really feel like home, no matter how cozy he made it. Home was the shop and the Burrow and the smell of his mother's cooking and the sound of Ron and Ginny arguing. Not this cold empty place. And the way Fred figured it, the sooner they could move out of here the better.

That would mean that the war was over and that they could go back to really living. Him and George could start up a shop in this time period and Hermione and George would get married of course and maybe, just maybe… Maybe Fred could see what Nikki thought of trying things with him.

The truth is that he'd fancied her for a while now. Probably since the very day he'd met her if he was being honest. He'd taken good long while to admit it to even himself though, and by the time he had, it was a matter of pride in not conceding to George and everybody else that they were right. He could tell George knew he wasn't in denial anymore, but that didn't stop the prat from constantly nosing about the subject like he didn't have a clue.

Fred upended his bag on his bed and immediately regretted it as everything he owned came tumbling out, several things bouncing off the mattress and rolling across the floor. He hadn't realized before quite how much stuff he'd acquired over the six months he'd been back amongst the living.

Fred sighed and dropped down to his hands and knees to collect the few things that had escaped. He was flat on his belly stretching for a Ton Tongue Toffee that had had the misfortune of rolling under the bed when George strolled in. His twin paused in the doorway and then smirked at the picture Fred made. Fred scowled and finally managed to close his fingers around the toffee before climbing back to his feet.

"Acquainting yourself with all of the nooks and crannies then?" George asked lightly. Fred turned his scowl on him, but otherwise chose to ignore the question.

"What do you want?" he asked without heat. George shrugged and wordlessly began helping Fred regrow his shrunken possessions and relocate them around the room; a cauldron in the empty corner opposite the foot of the bed, several books stacked haphazardly on the desk, a moving photo of him and George and all of their friends in this time period placed carefully on the nightstand.

"Didn't see much point in personalizing the place. The sooner we're out of here the better right?" George replied with a shrug. "And I figured Hermione's probably in her room customizing the wall color and trying to get the curtains and floor colors to complement it so I decided I'd much rather come help you than get roped into all that."

Fred snorted and smirked, able to picture Hermione doing just that. It only took a few minutes for the twins to finish unpacking. Fred was just closing the wardrobe after depositing his clothing inside when his door swung open yet again. It was Nikki this time. Fred grinned just seeing her and avoided George's knowing smirk by swiping his fingers through his hair.

"Hey Nik. What brings you to my humble abode?" he asked, flourishing his arms widely, but cringing internally at just how idiotic he sounded. Nikki grinned and rolled her eyes while George made kissy faces behind her back. Fred decided to ignore his twin and had to work hard to restrain himself from glaring.

"I was just going to go see if Dan has gotten home yet," Nikki answered, completely oblivious to Fred and George's silent war. "Figured I should let someone know before I took off."

Fred frowned and even George stopped fanning himself dramatically at the announcement.

"You can't go by yourself," Fred told her and then immediately regretted his word choice when she glowered at him. "I mean you shouldn't," he quickly amended. "Just in case, you know... I'll go with you okay?"

Nikki contemplated him for a moment; seeming to debate whether or not she should tell him off for telling her what she can and can't do or just let it slide this time. Finally, she shrugged and turned to leave the same way she came in.

"Fine," she agreed over her shoulder, somehow managing to trod heavily upon George's foot on her way out the door. Maybe she hadn't been quite oblivious to George's shenanigans. "Whoops. Sorry George," she said sounding completely unapologetic as George cursed and limped out of range. Fred smirked at his brother and jogged to catch up to Nikki.

"See you Georgie!" he called out cheerfully.

Nikki and Fred didn't talk much as they made their way out of the house and then through the trees to the apparation point, but then they didn't need to. It was a comfortable silence; companionable and easy despite the shadows of trees in the glow of the moon. It was the type of silence that you usually wouldn't find between people who had only known each other for six months.

Once they reached the apparation point Fred wordlessly reached for Nikki's hand rather than offering her the crook of his arm as he normally would. Nikki looked up and they locked eyes for a moment before she tentatively placed her hand in his. Fred's heart started pumping roughly in his chest the moment her fingers ghosted over his palm and then interlocked between his own fingers. He offered her a crooked grin before turning on the spot and whisking the both of them away from the darkened forest.

Something was wrong.

As soon as Nikki and Fred arrived they dropped each other's hands and drew their wands. The door was only hanging on by its bottom hinge and was half open. They didn't even need to exchange a glance before they were falling into a defensive crouch and cautiously entering Dan's home. Fred let Nikki take the lead, content to watch her back and know that if someone snuck up on them from behind it would be him that bore the brunt of the attack.

Nikki motioned that she would check the sitting room so Fred vered into the kitchen to do a quick sweep. The house was much too quiet and the fact that Dan hadn't showed up at Headquarters sent a thrill of fear down Fred's spine. Maybe he just hadn't made it back from St. Mungos yet. For Nikki's sake Fred prayed that was the truth.

The kitchen seemed to not have been touched, but Fred did a hasty sweep through the larger cupboards and the pantry, just to make sure there weren't any surprises lurking in wait. He jerked back from the supply closet when he heard Nikki's cry of pain. He tore out of the kitchen and sprinted to the sitting room, wand held up and a curse already on his lips.

The curse faded away without being uttered and his wand dropped to his side when he entered the room. It was a disaster. The couch was overturned and charred. Books were shredded to scraps and littered across the floor and the broken punchdrunk furniture. There was a hole in the far wall, revealing the shadowed alley between this house and the next. The fireplace was half collapsed on itself and the coins they had left for Dan were spewed across the floor; the crystal dish that once held them smashed to pieces.

But Fred didn't notice any of this. All he noticed was Nikki kneeling on the floor beside Dan. Dan who was sprawled on his back, eyes wide open and staring blankly at the ceiling with his wand still held loosely between his stiff fingers.

Fred was frozen. He couldn't move. He could only stare in shock while Nikki draped herself over her brother's chest. It was so quiet. That's all Fred could think. It was too quiet for this kind of tragedy. There should be crashes and yelling and screaming and crying. Why was it so quiet?

Finally, Fred managed to convince his legs to carry him forward the last few steps before they dropped him heavily to the floor at Nikki's side. She didn't react to the sudden noise in the soundless, broken home. She didn't react when Fred rested his hand on her back or when he reached over and pushed Dan's eyelids closed after several minutes of them staring accusingly at him.

You should have protected her from this, Dan's empty eyes seemed to be silently screaming. Fred should have made sure she never had to lose her brother again, and now she had and this time it was for good and ever.

They kneeled in silence for what felt like hours before Fred finally hooked a hand under Nikki's elbow a tugged, trying to pull her to her feet. She flopped lifelessly back onto her brother and wrapped her arms tighter around his chest.

"C'mon Nik. We gotta get out of here," Fred murmured, breaking the long, heavy silence. Nikki ignored him so he cupped her cheek in his palm and turned her face up to his. It was only then that he realized why the silence had felt so unnatural. Nikki's eyes and face were dry. She hadn't cried at all. Instead her icy blue eyes looked just as lifeless and blank as her brother's had. Fred sucked in a sharp breath. He'd much prefer the crying.

"We really have to go Nikki," Fred whispered imploringly, for some reason it felt wrong to be making even the slightest noise, but they really needed to leave. It wasn't safe. Nikki didn't say a word, but this time she let Fred pull her up to her feet. She stumbled slightly and Fred caught her and tucked her securely against his chest before turning and disapparating on the spot. There were no longer any wards in place to stop him.

They arrived in the wood surrounding Headquarters and the moonlight filtering through the trees no longer seemed peaceful and beautiful. It felt twisted and ominous. Fred moved them down the path as quickly as he could; his heart skipping a beat at every whisper of the wind through the branches of the trees and every snap of a twig under the unseen wildlife.

He had his arm around Nikki's waist as he half carried, half dragged her through the looming trees. Her lethargy was more worrisome to him than hysterical crying or furious vows of revenge would have been. It was like she'd just given up and that was terrifying. Finally he spotted faint patches of warm yellow light poking through the gaps between the trees and breathed a sigh of relief.

He maneuvered them up the steps leading to the door and then over the threshold. He shut the door behind them just as Sirius was walking by, obviously following the sound of chattering and laughter coming from the kitchen. No doubt Remus, Lily, and Alice had returned with food from the store. Sirius' steps faltered as he caught sight of Nikki leaning against Fred, making almost no effort to hold up her own body and staring blankly into space.

"What the hell happened?" he exclaimed roughly.

"It's Dan…" Fred trailed off glancing down at Nikki. "I need the girls and George. Quickly."

Sirius didn't move from his spot at the foot of the stairs, still staring at Nikki in concern. He moved his gaze to Fred looking fearful.

"Is Dan…" he let his question fade away as Fred shook his head grimly, his lips pressed into a hard line. Sirius looked again down at Nikki in dismay, before straightening his shoulders and growing completely serious. He nodded at Fred and then hurried off to the kitchen to do as Fred had ordered. Fred's stomach turned as the laughter and voices coming from the kitchen cut off abruptly and silence took it's hold once again.

One of the girls gasped, Fred thought it was Alice, and he heard James breath out 'no' in horror. Then they were all gravely filing out of the kitchen.

The women all seemed to understand what Fred needed from them without him having to say anything. Nikki needed her friends now more than ever. Fred just hoped that they wouldn't smother her. He needn't have worried though. They had been dormmates and friends for years and years after all. Much longer than he'd known her. Lily stepped forward while Alice and Hermione hung back so as to not overwhelm Nikki.

George sidled up to Fred looking reserved and intense. They traded a look and again Fred didn't have to ask before George simply nodded his compliance. Fred shot him a grateful glance before he turned his attention back to the girl tucked against him. He moved to stand in front of her, squatting down so he could be at eye level with his hands holding her shoulders to steady her as she swayed at the sudden change.

"Nikki," he said gently, trying to gain her attention. He took her chin in his hand and turned her face towards his when she didn't respond. After a moment her gaze turned slowly to his face although it didn't quite focus. Fred tried to keep the piercing worry he felt from showing and instead aimed for projecting strength and a deep calm that he in no way felt.

"Nikki I'm going to leave you with Lily here for a little while, alright?" Fred told her softly. "Me and George are going to go-," Fred's voice cracked and cleared it so he could continue. "Me and George are going to go get Dan and bring him here alright?" Fred finished in a strained whisper. Nikki's gaze slid away from his face at the information and she continued to look lost.

Fred's brow creased with worry and on impulse he planted a soft kiss to her forehead before passing her off to Lily.

"I think she's in shock," he explained needlessly. Lily simply nodded and wrapped her arm around Nikki's waist and led her off the the sitting room while whispering soothing words with little meaning into her ear. Alice followed after them as did Hermione after one last concerned glance back at Fred and George.

"Do you want us to come help?" Remus asked after the girls were out of earshot. Fred shook his head.

"I need you guys to do a perimeter check. Look for anything that might mean someone has been here or been watching. Footprints, matted down grass, a bit of thread caught in a bush. Anything," Fred directed. The Marauders looked nervous, but nodded and all drew their wands.

"And after you've checked outside do a quick sweep of the house as well. We don't need anymore surprises. All of Dan's wards were dismantled and he was clearly overpowered. They knew how to get to him and I don't want to take a chance that they might know how to get to us as well," Fred stated grimly.

The boys nodded looking tense and more serious than any seventeen year olds had the right to look. They exited the house closely followed by Fred and George before they all split up. James and Sirius took off around the right side of the house while Remus took the left and the twins went straight into the treeline to follow the narrow path back to the apparation point.

Fred and George didn't speak as they moved through the trees, the leaves whispering across their path in the breeze. Fred couldn't help but think how different this silence was from the silence that he and Nikki had shared as they walked this path only an hour or two earlier. While his silence with Nikki had been companionable and pleasant, this silence was tense and foreboding.

He and George quietly crept down the path with their wands drawn and unconsciously keeping an eye on each other's blind spots. When they finally reached their destination they hesitated. Fred suggested apparating to the alley across the street from Dan's rather than directly to his doorstep; just in case he had visitors. George agreed and they each turned on the spot and disappeared with a sharp crack.

This turned out to be an insightful idea. They appeared and were startled by the amount of activity across the street under the sickly green glow of the Dark Mark. Fred and George quickly dropped into a crouch and pressed their backs against the alley wall, hoping to blend in with the darkness and shadows of the alley before simultaneously turning and applying Disillusionment Charms to each other. Fred stared up at the green apparation in revolution. He and Nikki had failed to notice the Dark Mark before because they had apparated under the awning hanging above the front stoop.

"Now what?" George hissed, watching as a black body bag was levitated out the front door and then apparated away by two wizards. Fred didn't have a good answer. He watched as a young Auror with her hair tied back in a brown ponytail came out of the front door holding something small between two fingers that reflected gold in the faint light . She was showing it to a wizard who appeared to be the Auror in charge. Fred frowned and squinted trying to see what it was. If only he could hear what they were-

George was one step ahead of him. Fred watched as a stringy fleshy something slithered past him on the ground, moving towards the pair of Aurors. George nudged him with his elbow and offered him an Extendable Ear of his own. Fred accepted it gratefully and held up one end to his ear while the other snaked off towards it's target. After a few moments of nothing, the two Aurors voices filtered through the long string.

"caught it's magical signature on the scan. It was on the floor with a bunch of other coins in front of the fireplace. Seems it got mixed in," the younger, female Auror holding the golden object was saying.

"But why would the Death Eaters go through so much trouble to plant a tracking device on a Healer? It doesn't make any sense," the elder replied sounding frustrated. The first Auror shrugged.

"We've seen stranger. He must have just gotten on the bad side of the wrong person. He probably didn't even know that whoever it was was connected to You-Know-Who. Then the evil git, whoever it was, decided to follow him home and get rid of him so he slipped the Galleon in the guy's pocket, tracked him back here, and took him out," the first Auror said with an unconcerned shrug. The Head Auror scowled.

"I still don't like it," he said. "There's too many holes. Too many unexplained details. Like all the dishes in the sink. Way too many for one guy who hadn't even had a chance to settle in after getting home from work. And the extra bedding set out in the room upstairs. Someone else was definitely staying here. Our stiff might not have even been the intended target."

The younger Auror shrugged again, obviously not all that worried with the unresolved details.

"Well whoever it is is lucky they weren't here or we'd have two bodies to ID and cart out of here," she replied flippantly. The Head Auror scowled again and then sent her off to do more work, but not before taking the Galleon and holding it contemplatively between his fingers.

Fred and George shared a glance and then reeled in the Extendable Ears and disapparated without speaking a word. They arrived back in the forest and hurried back to the house, not wanting to say anything about what they'd just learned until they were safely inside the wards.

They removed their Disillusionment Charms before entering the house and were immediately greeted by the Marauders who seemed to be just returning to the ground floor after searching the upper levels.

"Where is he?" James asked, sounding strained. Sirius craned his neck to look behind them like they were hiding Dan's lifeless body behind their backs.

"The Aurors got there first," George explained curtly.

"Did you find anything suspicious?" Fred changed the subject. He wouldn't feel safe until he knew no one had traced them from Dan's house to Headquarters. Remus shook his head.

"Nothing," he said.

"Good," Fred said with a terse nod and then turned towards the sitting room. "We all need to talk. The Aurors found a tracking device."

The Marauders traded bewildered looks and followed him and George into the sitting room where the girls were all sitting quietly. Nikki sat in a chair by herself staring into the distance while the other three were crammed onto the sofa exchanging concerned whispers. Fred's business like demeanor fell for a moment when he saw Nikki sitting unchanged from when he had left.

It would make him feel so much better if she would show an emotion, any at all. He didn't care if she screamed and raged and threw things or if she broke down and cried for hours. Anything was better than seeing her so… So lifeless. He unwillingly remembered the day she had stormed into the Hospital Wing and chewed out him and Hermione for giving up on George while George had been kidnapped. It made his chest ache to see that fire so easily snuffed out. Fred turned away.

"The Aurors were there," Fred announced, mostly to the female population of the room since he'd already told the Marauders.

"They didn't catch you did they?" Hermione immediately asked, getting to her feet nervously.

"What do you take us for? Amateurs?" George attempted to joke, but it fell flat given the severity of the situation.

"We overheard two Aurors talking about something they'd found," Fred continued on. "It seemed like it was a Galleon with a tracking spell on it. They found it with the other coins we left for Dan on the mantelpiece."

Everyone was shocked into silence for several moments and then Hermione went ghostly white and sat down heavily with her head in her hands. Fred and George traded glances.

"Hermione? Love, what is it?" George asked approaching her warily. Hermione lifted her head and Fred was shocked to see tears pooling in her big brown eyes.

"The Death Eater," she choked out after a moment where she obviously was trying to gather her composure. "In Knockturn Alley. When he put that note in my pocket. I'm so stupid," she stuttered out in a horrified whisper, dropping her head back into her hands. Fred stared at her in shock while George knelt down in front of her and tried to reassure her that she couldn't possibly have known.

It made perfect sense in hindsight, as most things do. Why would Voldemort believe for an instant that she would actually show up to that insane meeting mentioned in the note? Of course the note was just to hide the much less noticeable coin that was also being slipped into her pocket. A coin that would send out a beacon from wherever it was taken, despite wards and charms.

It was pure luck that they hadn't all been ambushed and more than likely killed. It was terrible that it was Dan that had to pay with his life for their mistake. It was terrible that Nikki now had to live without her brother that she'd just gotten back because they'd overlooked a stupid coin. Fred turned his gaze to Nikki and was startled to see her gaze had turned to Hermione and that she actually seemed to be seeing her.

Before he could react any further Nikki got to her feet and walked over to Hermione. The room went silent causing Hermione to look up and gasp when she saw Nikki standing there.

"I'm so sorry Nikki," Hermione whispered hastily, her voice cracking as she swiped away at her tears. Nikki squeezed her shoulder reassuringly and forced her lips to turn up at the corners in a sad mockery of a smile that didn't come anywhere close to reaching her eyes. Rather than reassuring Hermione, it seemed to make her feel worse.

Nikki didn't seem to notice though. She still wasn't quite all there, but as she turned away from the group to leave the room she caught Fred's eye for a split second. That was all the hint Fred needed from her to know that she wasn't ready to be alone quite yet. So without another word to the rest of the group he followed Nikki.

He caught up to her at the base of the stairs and wrapped an arm around her waist. She immediately sagged against him as though it had taken all of her energy to walk out of that room on her own two feet. It was slow going, but eventually they made it up all four flights of stairs and down the hall to Nikki's room. Fred tried to sit her down on the edge of her bed, but she fisted her hand into his shirt and an expression of pure panic overtook her features.

It was then that Fred knew that it wasn't simply that she wanted company during this dark time. She was absolutely petrified of being alone. Fred slowly and gently worked her fingers loose from his shirt and then pressed a chaste kiss to her knuckles once they were free. He didn't say anything as he squatted down in front of her and slipped her shoes from her feet. For some reason her unwillingness to talk was affecting him and he got the feeling that she wouldn't appreciate needless talking anyway.

So he decided he'd stay mute so long as she was mute. After her shoes were off he kicked off his as well and set both pairs against the wall by the door. Then he move over to her wardrobe and pulled out the comfiest pair of pajamas he could find without having to dig through too much of her things. He held them up to her for her approval and waited stubbornly until she stopped ignoring him and finally nodded.

Fred set them in her lap and then walked out to stand in the hall, her worried gaze following his every step. He stopped just outside the doorway and gazed imploringly at her. He hoped to Merlin that she would be okay to dress herself. While he knew that there was a negative zero chance of him acting on his feelings for her right now even if she was naked in front of him, he didn't want to have to feel like a skanky perv for lusting after her when her brother had just been murdered.

Luckily she gave a barely perceptible nod after several long seconds and Fred smiled. He pointed to his spot on the floor to reassure her that he would be right there and then shut the door just enough that the latch touched the door frame. Then he immediately broke his silent promise and dashed next door to his room. He rapidly changed into a pair of sleeping shorts and an undershirt, not even bothering to shut his own door and then fairly sprinted back to the spot he promised he would stay.

His rushing seemed a bit much after he'd stood and waited for two minutes without hearing anything from the other side of the door. Finally, he tentatively knocked and reared back in surprise when the door was immediately whipped open before he could even drop his hand back to his side. Nikki stood there with her long flannel pajama bottoms on and a tank top and the top to her pajamas on over the tank top, but unbuttoned.

She gestured helplessly to the buttons, her cheeks pink with either frustration or embarrassment, Fred couldn't tell, but it was good to see none the less. His Nikki was still in there somewhere under that emotionless facade. Fred tried to keep his smile to himself as he entered the room. He raised his eyebrows, but she avoided looking at him and instead resumed her seat on the edge of her mattress with her hands in her lap.

It was then that Fred noticed her hands were trembling. That explained why she was struggling with the tiny buttons. He gently lowered himself down to kneel in front of her and took it upon himself to do up the troublesome buttons for her. It was kind of his fault after all for choosing a set of sleeping things that were so difficult to put on properly. When he was finished he tugged the hem to straighten out the shirt for her and then looked up to her face to see her regarding him carefully, almost nervously.

He frowned wondering what was going through her head. He wasn't going to ask though. She would talk when she was ready and he didn't want to push her. He clambered to his feet and gestured for Nikki get fully into the bed. Immediately, her nervous expression morphed into anxiety. Fred refrained from rolling his eyes. She still thought he was going to leave her on her own.

He sighed and climbed onto the bed so that he was seated at the head with his back resting against the headboard and his legs folded Indian style. Then he held his arms out for Nikki to come sit with him. She didn't hesitate before scuttling across the short distance and seating herself in his lap. She curled in on herself until she had her feet tucked underneath Fred's knee, her cheek pressed into his chest and her arms wrapped around his waist. Fred draped his arms around her back and across her middle and held her tightly.

They didn't move unless it was to stretch out an ache or a stiff muscle and even that was rare. Fred wasn't sure if Nikki managed to fall asleep, but her breathing was deep and slow so he counted it as good enough for now. George and Hermione drifted by the open door at one point and George poked his head in briefly with a concerned frown. Fred twitched his shoulders in response to the question and George nodded, accepting the answer before turning in for the night.

Fred stayed awake awhile longer, unwilling to drift off quite yet. It seemed unimaginable that just this morning they'd been living with Dan and teasing him about this and that and now they were on their own and Dan was gone. He hadn't really allowed himself to stop and think about it yet. There had been other things he had to take care of to keep the people who were still alive, safe. And how could he possibly focus on his own grief while Nikki was drowning in hers?

Honestly, Fred was terrified for Nikki. Last time she thought her brother was dead she took to self harm and suicidal thoughts. Fred prayed that it wouldn't come to that this time. He didn't know how he'd be able to handle that. He could hardly lock her away in some padded room somewhere. How do you convince someone that their life is worth living? How do you convince someone that they don't need to hurt themselves? How do you make sure they know that if something were to happen to them it would tear you apart?

What even made someone want to hurt themselves or consider suicide? Fred didn't know where to start to even begin to understand. He was Fred Weasley for Godric's sake! He cracked jokes and pulled pranks and made people laugh. He lived his life chasing that light at the end of the tunnel. He had no experience with drowning in the darkness in between.

It was with a nasty jolt that he realized that while he, Fred Weasley, didn't have any experience with any of this, George did. George had a better idea of what Nikki was going through than Fred did. The revelation left Fred with a churning stomach that George had ever felt like this on his behalf and an irrational jealousy that George could identify with Nikki where he couldn't. He could probably make her feel better than Fred ever could.

Fred rested his cheek atop Nikki's head and closed his eyes. His heart was heavy and it hurt and ached with every breath and he just felt drained and empty. He couldn't imagine how Nikki felt. He hoped she was asleep now so that hopefully she was feeling nothing. He wasn't so foolish to think that any dreams that might visit her would be pleasant ones. On impulse he pressed a long kiss to the top of her head before turning and resting his cheek on the spot he'd kissed once more. He was surprised, but pleased when she squeezed him around his middle in return.

He decided it was high time the two of them got some sleep. The day had been awful and tomorrow wouldn't be any better. They would need their rest. So Fred shuffled himself and Nikki around until they were laying down and sighed in contentment when his spine cracked loudly as it finally straightened out. Nikki curled herself into his side with her head on his shoulder and her arm around his chest. Fred held her close with both arms and before he could convince himself not to he nuzzled his nose into her sweet smelling hair and drifted off to sleep.

.

AN: Umm sorry? Hope you guys weren't too attached to Dan… Or Nikki's feels… So uh review? :)