Angelina was tired of black. The battle was over and the May weather had turned into the first warm days of summer, yet she had scarcely enjoyed them. She attended funeral after funeral for the fallen of Hogwarts. Before long they bleed into each other; the same people, the same basic words said by a drab presider, the same clothes. But today's funeral was making it hard for her to get out of bed; Fred's. The raw pain of emotion clenched her chest, refusing to leave. Ang didn't think she could have any tears left, after crying all week, but each day brought fresh ones, sometimes silent, sometimes sobs that racked her whole body. She sat for a long time on the edge of the bed, staring down that little black dress. She knew how much George needed her, so with a tired sigh, she got ready.
She apparated close to the Burrow and walked from the top of the hill into the garden. Usually so full of life, the house and people gathered were a silent sea of ebonies, charcoal, and ash. Ang walked up to George who looked like he was barely standing. He nodded at her and tried to smile, but it came off as more of a grimace, the smile not quite meeting his eyes. And those brilliant blues had lost their mischievous sparkle that she loved so much. She gave him a hug.
They trudged through the apple orchard where they had enjoyed so many quidditch games and picnics, through the woods and to a small hill nearby. Fred's fresh mound set next to two others from the first war; Gideon and Fabian. At least the other twins were never separated. Fred would be suffocating close to the house, memories tangled with his gaping absence, a blessing and a curse.
She started crying, tears falling thickly as she squeezed George's hand. His mom stood a few paces away and sounded like a wounded animal howling in agony. She wanted to be anywhere but here. Soon it was over and they walked back to the burrow, standing in twos and threes, quietly chatting.
"Fred would have hated this. He would have wanted at least one prank or laughter." George said bitterly. Lee nodded next to George.
Ang smiled softly, and replied, " Maybe we can still give that to him. Still have any tricks up your sleeve?"
George looked at her, arching his eyebrows. " You know, I think I do."
He disappeared quickly, came back with his robes bulging. He turned, ignited the tip of his wand, and suddenly the air was thick with huge fireworks that went off like cannons, golds, silvers, reds and blues. A large dragon twisted and danced across the sky. Huge wheels rolled and bounced. The stunned crowd turned and watched for several minutes. At the end a huge double W rose in gold. George gave the first true smile of the day, hugging Angelina in one arm, Lee in the other, and said, "To Fred."