A/N: Another story for the HPFC Random Characters Challenge! (It's fun. :D) Hope you like it.

Disclaimer: If you recognize it, it does not belong to me.

The First of the Second

May 2nd was the official day of remembrance, but George couldn't help but remember, every day. Every time the door opened in the shop, in the flat, even in the Burrow, George looked up, half-expecting to see his lost twin's face coming through the door, instead of on a picture on the wall. And every time his heart wept a little, disappointed that it was not getting what it really wanted.

It was one afternoon, after George had closed up the shop, that his mind had began to wander. He sat down behind the counter, lost in his thoughts. He began to think of the war, like he did so many times. But this time, instead of focusing on his twin, he began to think about the antagonist of the entire situation, Voldemort. How he had caused so much misery, so much pain, so many deaths. If only he had never come back.

Come to think of it, how did he come back? George's mind whispered. It was Harry – Harry was there, but he didn't cause it, he came through the portkey. And not alone, either. Didn't he go with Cedric, Cedric Diggory?

Cedric. Pretty-boy Cedric Diggory. He'd admit, the first of the fallen in the second war wasn't given all that much thought.

George had thought about how Fred died, as well as the others, but as he thought about Cedric's, he shuddered involuntarily. To think that you have won the TriWizard Tournament only to be thrust into an unknown place and die unexpectedly seconds later? Yes, Cedric had had it badly.

Come to think of it, George wasn't sure if his name was even on the memorial. He was about to dwell on this further when the door to his shop opened and George jumped up 

suddenly, banging his head on the counter. Swearing, George got up and turned to face the door.

Ginny looked at George curiously.

"What in the world were you doing behind the counter?" she asked. George paused for a minute, contemplating whether to tell his sister what he was thinking about. But he knew that thinking about the war always made her quiet and shut off, and he changed his mind.

"Nothing," he said. "Just thinking."

"Well I'm afraid I have to tell you to get your butt over to The Burrow. You're going to be late if you stand there any longer, and you know how Mum is…"

George muttered a thanks and started up the stairs to his flat, when he turned back to his sister. She had been following him and raised her eyebrows when he turned back.

"Yeah?"

"Do – do you know if Cedric Diggory's name is on the – memorial?" George asked, pausing before saying the last word. Ginny's eyes grew slightly softer, and she looked down.

"Yeah," she said quietly. "Harry made sure. It's right between those from the first and second wars." George pulled one arm around her.

"Hey, just wondering. Now come on, I have something to show you. I was talking to Angelina the other day and she gave me something to give you…" And the two siblings walked up the stairs smiling as George made a mental note to go and find Cedric's name on the memorial the next time he went.