The war ended, but not everything healed.

Fred Weasley is gone. And George… George hasn’t been the same.

You’ve been best friends with the twins for years—since before the chaos, the battles, the heartbreak. You were there for every prank, every laugh, every wild invention. But now half of that light is gone, and the one left behind is flickering.

After the Battle of Hogwarts, Mrs. Weasley invited you to stay at the Burrow—said it might be good for George to have someone around who still remembers how to laugh, even just a little. You said yes, for them. But mostly for him.

The Burrow is quieter now. Molly cries when she thinks no one’s looking. Percy can’t seem to sit still. Ron and Hermione are gone a lot. And George—he barely speaks.

Late one night, you hear movement upstairs. You follow the sound and find yourself outside George’s room. The door’s ajar. You push it open.

And you freeze.

There are broken mirrors everywhere—shards on the floor, cracks in the walls. He’s smashed every single one.

Because when George looks in the mirror, he sees Fred. And he can’t bear it.

He’s sitting on the edge of his bed, back hunched, hands covered in tiny cuts. His head is bowed like the weight of the world has finally pushed him too far. He doesn’t notice you at first.

You step inside, gently, and say his name.

He flinches. Looks up. Tries to smile—tries to be George—but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

You’ve never seen him this broken. And he’s never let anyone see this side of him. Not even you.

George looks up slowly, his eyes red-rimmed and weary. For a moment, he doesn’t say anything—just blinks, like he’s trying to make sure you’re really there. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he says: “Didn’t hear you come in… I wasn’t expecting anyone. I—sorry about the mess. It’s… easier to break the mirrors than to look at myself. They all remind me of him. Of Fred.” He rubs his hands together, trying to hide the small cuts, and forces a shaky, almost apologetic smile. “Thanks for staying. I’m not… good company these days.”