Ginny sighed and picked up a rock out of the pile of rubble that Filch was trying to sweep up. He glanced at her curiously.

She plastered a fake innocent smile on her face. "Just looking." She lied, not setting the rock down. Filch glared at her. "Put it down." He said.

Ginny scratched her head like she was thinking about it.

"No, I think I'm okay with keeping it."
"We need it to rebuild the castle, girl."
"Nothing a little magic can't replace."

Filch glared at her for a moment, but then his gaze softened. "I'm-uh-sorry about your brother." He said gruffly.

Ginny smiled slightly. "Thanks." She whispered, gazing at the stone in her hand sadly.

Filch sighed. "Keep it." He whispered. "But don't tell anyone where you got it."

Ginny looked at him in surprise. Filch raised his eyebrows. "Unless you would prefer I took it back...?"

"No! No, that's alright. Really."

Filch smiled...or was it a grimace? Ginny couldn't quite tell. There wasn't much of a difference.

She turned to walk away and talk to Luna and Neville.

"Ms. Weasley?" Filch called after she had taken four steps. Ginny took a deep breath and spun back around. Her eyes widened when she found that Filch had a tear streaming down his face. He quickly wiped it away.

"Make it a tribute to your brother." He told her. Ginny blinked. "I thought you hated him." She said, confused by Filch's change of heart.

Filch...made an odd expression with his mouth. Ginny still couldn't tell whether or not it was a smile.

Whatever it was, it scared her a bit.

"I hated him while he was here, Ms. Weasley...but once he and his brother were gone I realized that the two of them made my life...interesting..."

Each word he spoke seemed to be done with a great effort. It must have been hard for him to say, though Ginny wasn't quite sure if it was because he was upset or because he wasn't used to speaking kindly of anyone.

Ginny smiled at him. "That's a good idea, Mr. Filch." She said quietly. Filch looked away from her and continued to sweep up the rubble. Ginny stood there for a moment longer, expecting another few words from the old man.

When he did not speak again, Ginny decided it was her cue to walk away. She blinked. A tear rolled down her cheek.

Though whether or not it was for Fred or Filch, she couldn't tell.