The sounds of apparation were unmistakeable, and Fred processed what was happening and had his wand in his hand a little faster than some of those around him - but the sharp, cold sort of fear at the last time they'd been around Death Eaters kept him planted for a moment, eyes on George.
But that was George, and this was his whole bloody family and all of his friends. And there were people here who didn't have a clue what was going on, or what the Order was, and there was Verity, who'd just had a bloody birthday and who he'd dragged along and as soon as he thought of her he was sprinting toward where she was between the bulk of some guests and the Death Eaters.
Sodding brilliant girl, really, and Gryffindor brave like anything because she wasn't a part of this at all, really, and he could still see that she was leveling her wand on one of the bastards - then she was hit, and collapsing, and Fred wasn't even aware he was hexing until he saw Jugson vomiting after his curse and turning on him instead.