[Despite it all, despite this blatant reminder of what she's missing at home, Fred does manage to elicit a reluctant snort of laughter from his sister. What else can she do but laugh when he's so clearly trying to make it happen? But even so, it does little to ease the knot in her chest, mostly because she doesn't know how to take this at all. Ginny is thrilled to see family here, even more so that it's the brother she needs the most borrowed time with, and on her birthday, at that!

... but he's... No. No, what if the City saw fit to be even kinder to her today? What if it not only brought her brother but it brought him back from before his death? That could happen, couldn't it? He hasn't said anything to prove otherwise. "Died and gone to heaven," that could be joke. Please let it be a joke.

It is her birthday.]

I never said it wasn't true, Freddie. But I reckon you should be paying me a few compliments as well, seeing as it's my birthday. [There, Fred, that warmth creeping into her voice could almost be a smile.] Tell me where you are so I can head over and hear it in person.