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theazkabandreamer · 5 years

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A New Dawn

There was a damp chill lingering in Ottery St Catchpole that evening and the villagers noticed many strange and mysterious things happening during the day.

Owls were flying in broad daylight and many strange people were walking about dressed in funny cloaks and gathering on street corners, speaking to each other in hushed voices.

Some of the locals passed these people off as tourists dressed in Halloween costumes, but there was an incident in the village square where a strange man dressed in a black cloak vanished into thin air.

The local landlord suggested that too many pints may have been consumed, but witnesses were adamant that they had seen the man vanish right before their eyes and arguments raged over whether the witnesses were sober or not.

Yet across the village, none of that seemed to matter. Over a clump of trees stood a very odd building that none of the villagers had seen in a long time. What once was a stone Pigsty, now stood a very tall, very odd, very rickety house.

To the untrained eye, it looked as if it would topple over due to its lopsided appearance and there was no way that the local Council would ever grant planning permission to such an unstable building.

Yet the Burrow was used as a comfortable, cosy home for a family of nine wizards and at that moment there was a ruckus in the living room.

“Mummy, Fred and George have my book!” five-year-old Percy Weasley cried as the three-year-old twins charged around together.

“We got book, we got book, we got book,” they chanted.

“Fred, George, that book doesn’t belong to you dears, that’s Percy’s,” Molly Weasley said, trying to take the book but the twins were too fast. The twins ran, giggling as they carried Percy’s book between them but soon stopped as the book was snatched out of their hands.

“Thank you, dear,” Molly sighed gratefully to her eight-year-old son, Charlie as he handed Percy back his book and Percy retreated to an opposite end of the living room, throwing the twins a reproachful look.

“Now you two can sit down and play some games,” She said to the twins. “There’s plenty of things you could be doing. How about you play a game with Charlie? I’m sure you’d enjoy that.”

She went to take a step back, but Charlie shouted out.

“Mum, watch out!”

Molly looked down to see one-year-old Ron around her feet, trying to extract a Toffee Apple that was stuck to her robes.

“Oh, Ronnie dear, what have you done?” She asked softly, picking up the baby and unsticking the Toffee Apple from her robes. “It’s all dirty now. Let me clean it for you.”

She sat Ron down in an armchair and withdrew from her apron, a long thin, wooden wand which she tapped the Toffee Apple with. The bits of dirt vanished instantly.

“There you go,” She said kindly to Ron, whose little face lit up at the sight of his beloved Toffee Apple looking so clean. “You sit there with it, dear and I’ll come and wash you when you’ve finished.”

She passed the Toffee Apple to Ron, who let out a squeal of delight as he took it and began licking it again. The sight of Ron looking so happy made Molly smile. Of all her children, he appreciated her cooking the most.

There was the sound of a baby crying, causing Molly to tear her eyes away from her son.

“Ginny’s due for a feed,” She sighed. “Percy dear, could you fetch me her bottle for me?”

Percy obediently bookmarked his page and ran to collect Ginny’s bottle and Molly scooped her tiny daughter up and rocked her gently, singing softly to her, causing her cries to subside. Percy ran back with the bottle, giving it to Molly.

“Here you go, Mummy,” He said, looking up at her innocently in his oversized glasses.

“Thank you, dear, you were very quick,” Molly smiled at him and watched as he puffed his chest out in pride.

Molly fed Ginny the bottle as Percy sat watching her, asking her questions about Ginny which she answered.

Once Ginny had been fed, Molly put her down again and ten-year-old Bill came in, looking very sombre. Molly thought he was going to report something that he had heard on the wireless which he had been listening to all day.

“Are you alright, Bill?” Molly asked, looking at his face which was unusually pale. “You should stop listening to that wireless, dear. It’s enough to worry anyone silly these days and you’re too young to be worrying about all of that.”

“Dad’s late,” Bill said gravely. “He should’ve been home by now.”

The atmosphere in the Living Room changed considerably as Charlie and Percy looked at Bill worriedly. Even Fred and George picked up on what was happening and fell silent. Ron however, was still engrossed eating his Toffee Apple and took no notice as to what was happening.

Even though Molly loved Bill so much, she felt deeply irked that he would spend all day listening to the wireless. He seemed to feel that the weight of this war rested heavily on his shoulders. But he was much too young!

Why couldn’t he be more like Charlie, who was more carefree and happy to help with the de-gnoming or otherwise fly on his broom? Sometimes, Molly thought that Bill was too mature for his age.

“He’s been quite busy at work lately, dear,” Molly said soothingly. “What with everything going on out there, the Ministry needs all the help it can get.”

“But he’s never been this late,” Bill said, frowning. “Do you think he’s been attacked? Or is it something to do with all the rumours we’ve been hearing on the Wireless about You-Know-Who?”

“What? Dad has been attacked?” Charlie asked gaping at Bill in horror.

“He could be,” Bill said grimly. “It’s dangerous out there despite the rumours flying around.”

Charlie went pale and Percy looked close to tears.

“Mummy?” he asked, tugging at Molly’s robes. “Is Daddy coming home?”

Molly didn’t know what to say; She wanted to shout at Bill for worrying Charlie and Percy, but she knew that he was worried and that shouting at him would make things worse. Instead, she smiled and patted Percy on the shoulder.

“Of course your father’s coming home, boys,” She said softly. “He’s probably just been very busy today.”

Just then, there was a clicking sound and Molly and the boys jerked their heads around to the family clock to see Arthur’s hand moving from ‘Mortal Peril’ to ‘Travelling’. Molly let out a sigh of relief.

“Your Father’s coming,” Molly said to the boys. “See? I told you he’d be home.”

Molly couldn’t help smiling as Bill, Charlie and Percy looked relieved and with squeals of delight, Fred and George got up and both ran to the kitchen as Arthur’s hand moved with another click to ‘Home’ and then back to ‘Mortal Peril’ before there was a shout in the kitchen.

“Daddy!” chorused the Twins and Molly heard Arthur greet them before coming into the living room carrying the pair of them who once again, looked very happy.

“What a day,” Arthur said wearily as he put Fred and George down. “It’s been hectic, Molly. Hectic. I’ve been out all day trying to get wizards to stop celebrating, but far too many of them were too excited. In the end, we had to modify a lot of the muggle’s memories. There was this one lad, Mundungus Fletcher. He tried to hex me when I had my back turned. Thankfully, he got taken into custody. Hello boys.”

Charlie and Percy both ran up to Arthur and hugged him briefly.

“I thought something happened to you dad,” Bill said, frowning as Arthur sank into his armchair with a groan. Ron, who was still licking his toffee apple noticed Arthur and squealed with delight as he got off the sofa and ran towards him.

“Hello, Ronnie, what’s that you’ve got?” Arthur asked his youngest son who was still holding onto his half-eaten toffee apple which was dangerously close to sticking to the armchair.

Molly quickly extracted the Toffee Apple from Ron’s tiny hand before more damage could be done. Ron looked confusedly at the hand which he was holding his toffee apple and then to Molly.

“Look at you, Ronnie,” Molly said softly. “You’re all sticky. Let’s save this for another day. You could do with a wash, young man.”

“And I could finish your Toffee Apple,” Arthur said. “I’ve hardly had anything to eat all day.”

“Your dinner’s in the oven, dear,” Molly said, trying not to chuckle at the reproachful look Ron sent Arthur. “Charlie could you fetch your father his dinner, please and whilst you’re at it could you fetch a wet cloth for Ron? We don’t need any sticky faces here tonight.”

Charlie ran off to the kitchen and Molly looked at Arthur again. He looked exhausted. His glasses were askew and his robes looked dishevelled.

“What’s been going on, Arthur?” She asked him. “Bill’s been getting worried about you being so late. He thought you had been attacked.”

Arthur gave Bill an apologetic smile as Charlie came through with a plate of Cottage Pie for Arthur and a wet cloth for Molly.

“Oh, that looks lovely,” Arthur said, looking longingly at his dinner as Charlie passed him his cutlery and handed the wet cloth over to Molly who turned to Ron and began gently wiping his face and hands. “I’ll tell you later, Molly. No use worrying the younger boys.”

As Arthur tucked into his Cottage Pie, Molly took the opportunity and got the boys and Ginny washed, dressed and tucked Percy, Fred, George and Ron into bed.

Because Bill and Charlie were the eldest two, they were allowed to stay up longer than the other five.

Molly also had Ginny with her instead of having her in her cot. She found that Ginny settled down quicker for the night when she was with Molly.

When the boys came back into the living room ready for a mug of Hot Chocolate, they saw that Arthur had finished and his plate lay empty on the coffee table.

“I’m sorry that I’ve been so late tonight, Molly,” He said. “Things have been hectic and the current climate hasn’t helped things. I’ve been pulled off my regular job and have been out trying to stop any magical disturbances, but its’ been impossible. There was even a report of someone apparating in the village square.”

“Is it to do with all the rumours, Dad?” Bill asked at once.

“You’ve been listening to the Wireless, then?” Arthur asked Bill with a smile.

“He’s been glued to it all day and has been driving himself mad with worry,” Molly said.

“Is it true that there have been Dragons flying about, Dad?” Charlie asked eagerly.

“Not now, Charlie,” Bill muttered irritably. “What has been happening, Dad? There’s been Shooting Stars up in Kent, the Owls flying in broad daylight for the Muggles to see, the rumours about You-Know-Who.”

Bill paused, watching Arthur who took off his glasses and cleaned them.

“There were a lot of rumours on the wireless,” Bill said hesitantly. “And you mentioned that wizards were celebrating. Are the rumours true, dad? Has You-Know-Who finally disappeared?”

There was such a profound silence in the living room as everyone looked at Arthur. Even Charlie was interested and Molly wanted to know if the rumours were true.

“Bill, Charlie. Molly,” Arthur said, putting his glasses back on. “I think it’s best if you sit down. What I’m going to tell you is going to be a bit of a shock.”

Molly sat in her armchair with Ginny, her stomach bubbling with anxiety and a sense of forbidding welling up inside of her.

“Boys,” Arthur said, addressing Bill and Charlie. “Last night on Halloween, when we all had that apple bobbing party, You-Know-Who set out to Godric’s Hollow, looking for the Potters. He found them and I’m afraid that he killed them.”

There was a stunned silence and Molly felt as if the world had stopped. She didn’t know the Potters, but she was aware of what they did to help fight You-Know-Who and his crazed supporters.

“James and Lily?” She gasped. “The young couple who helped evacuate that village full of Muggles about to be attacked by You-Know-Who?”

Arthur bowed his head solemnly.

“I’m afraid so,” He said heavily. “May their souls rest in peace.”

“But what about their son?” Molly asked panickedly. “They have a son the same age as Ron. Surely he hasn’t- He’s not- He didn’t kill?”

Molly hugged Ginny close to her, tears welling in her eyes. So young. The Potter’s son was so young and the most disturbing thing was that it could’ve happened to any family in Britain. It could happen to them. Ginny was just born in August and Ron is the same age as the Potter boy. The thought of her children being ripped from her like that made her go cold.

“No, Molly,” Arthur said, looking strangely excited. “This is where it gets interesting. You-Know-Who didn’t kill the boy. The boy survived, Molly. He lives! But that’s not all. You-Know-Who’s powers somehow broke and he’s disappeared. Completely disappeared. He’s gone, Molly.”

Molly wondered if she were dreaming. You-Know-Who gone at last? This felt simply too good to be true.

“Is he dead?” Charlie asked in a hushed voice.

“Some in the Ministry seem to think so,” Arthur said. “But Dumbledore doesn’t. He told Millicent Bagnold that he thinks that You-Know-Who is still out there somewhere.”

“But what about the boy?” Molly asked. “If he’s not dead, what’s going to happen to him? Who will look after him? We haven’t got much room but I’m sure we could manage if we- “

“Dumbledore’s people got there first, Molly,” Arthur said wearily. “He’s been taken to his Muggle relatives. They’re the only family he has. There’s a rumour going around that he’s got a nasty scar on his forehead. Dumbledore seems to think that he’ll have it forever.”

“How could a baby beat a wizard like You-Know-Who, Dad?” Bill asked. “Of all the Aurors who could stop him, why does it have to be a baby?”

“I don’t know, Bill,” Arthur sighed. “It’s a complete mystery. Although some in the Ministry seem to think that the boy has powers that we don’t have, but it’s just speculation. We may never know.”

“That boy is going to be famous,” Molly said quietly. “Mark my words, every witch and wizard will know his name. No wonder Dumbledore sent him to live with Muggles- The poor dear- He wouldn’t be able to go out in public without people giving him constant attention.”

“He’s being called The Boy who Lived,” Arthur said. “There are a lot of wizards touting him as the saviour of the wizarding world.”

“But he’s just a baby,” Molly said. “He’s the same age as Ron for heaven’s sake and he’s just lost his parents.”

“James and Lily will never be forgotten, Molly,” Arthur said. “ The Ministry’s considering placing a statue of them in Godric’s Hollow. They are even going to preserve the cottage that they had lived in. It’s badly destroyed but it’ll be a monument to the Potters.”

The idea didn’t sit right with Molly, but the realisation of what had happened had finally hit her and she felt dazed.

“This is the first time in eleven years that our community can finally experience some peace,” she said faintly. “All those deaths; the Bone’s, The McKinnon’s, Fabian and Gideon, they’ll be a thing of the past and we can finally move past all of the killings, all of the violence. You’ll be able to go to Hogwarts knowing that you’ll see us again at Christmas, Bill.”

“Would I be able to study Dragons, Mum?” Charlie asked.

“You and your bloody Dragons,” Bill muttered but grinned nonetheless.

“Of course, dear,” Molly said, beaming at Charlie with fondness.

“This is a new age for us, Charlie,” Arthur said, stretching and getting out of his seat. “A new dawn. Some of You-Know-Who’s supporters have already been rounded up and many people have come out of trances. A lot of changes are about to happen and many for the better. Anyway, it’s late and I’m exhausted. Let’s get you two some Hot Chocolate before you go to bed. ”

Arthur made his way into the kitchen whilst leaving Molly with Ginny and her thoughts.

Molly looked down at the sleeping baby in her arms looking so peaceful. Ginny has a great future ahead of her. A future free of the violence and intimidation that plagued the last eleven years.

But there was someone who wouldn’t grow up knowing his parents. Her thoughts went back to Harry Potter. His parents were cruelly ripped from him and she wept silently for the boy who would never know his parents and held onto Ginny, vowing to protect her children.

“It’s going to be okay, Mum,” Charlie said quietly. “You-Know-Who’s gone.”

“I love you all so much,” Molly said tearfully, setting Ginny down and engulfing Charlie in a bone-crushing hug. “I hope you know that.”

“Course we know that, Mum,” Bill said, hugging Molly as well and Arthur came back into the living room carrying two steaming mugs of Hot Chocolate for Bill and Charlie who both let go of Molly.

“I think we should both have a special drink,” Arthur said, giving Molly a significant look. He made his way to the drinks cabinet and poured them both a liberal amount of Old Ogden’s Firewhisky.

“Let’s toast,” Arthur said in a hushed voice, handing Molly her Firewhisky. “To Harry Potter- the Boy who Lived.”

Molly and the boys copied him, their voices hushed as well.

Molly clinked her glass with Arthur’s and she drank, the Firewhisky searing her throat as it went down. As the whisky warmed her stomach, Molly felt for the first time in eleven years a spark of hope for the future that seemed to fill every part of her body.

She felt as if a balloon had inflated inside of her and she hadn’t felt this happy for a long time.

Molly and Arthur both shared a hug and Molly felt very grateful to her Husband. She was relieved that he was home safe. She had been getting rather worried herself when Bill was reporting the rumours from the Wireless.

There was a loud crunching sound and they all turned to see their hands on the family clock move from ‘Mortal Peril’ to ‘Home’. Molly shared a hug with her family. The danger had passed. They were safe.

The Weasleys weren’t the only household toasting Harry Potter. Up and down the country, wizards and witches were gathered around in their living rooms toasting the downfall of Lord Voldemort and the survival of the Boy who Lived.

Asleep on the doorstep of Number Four Privet Drive, with a letter addressed to Mrs Petunia Dursley clutched in his tiny hand, Harry Potter had no idea how special he was at this very moment.

#arthurxmolly #mollyxarthur #Molly Weasley #Arthur Weasley #Bill Weasley #Charlie Weasley #Percy Weasley #Fred Weasley #George Weasley #Ron Weasley #Ginny Weasley #Harry Potter

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divagonzo · 10 years

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Hi! I'm fan. I hope you don't mind me requesting for a fic with Molly having an issue letting go of her babies in particular Ron, as he choose to move in with Hermione. Thanks

A/N: this turned out longer than I originally anticipated but I hope it’s still amenable. Rated T for plenty of pepper crusted angst and drama in this one. And a gentle reminder, via the Solicitors, that I don’t HP, AW, MPW, RW, or HG-W. I have some green bean vines growing the garden. That’s the extent of my current ownership. - DG

OooOooO

Arthur sat at the dining room table reading the evening edition of the Daily Prophet. Since the war ended, they had been running two papers a day to update the Wizarding community about the potential captures of the remaining Death Eaters. He wanted to read the news and compare what was actually true and what was propaganda. Since the death of Alistair Parkinson, and with Pansy taking over as Publisher of the paper, it had turned back to a reasonable publication.

“Arthur, what time is it?”

He put the paper down on the tabletop and checked his wrist. “It’s 6pm. You’ve got an hour before they are due to arrive.”

“Well, I’m nervous. What if he’s not eaten since he left? I doubt those Muggles could feed him right.” Molly opened the door to the wood oven to check the bread before closing it quickly.

“Molly, I’m sure they were more than adequate to feed our son.”

“Well, I’ve got a huge ham roast, with apples, caramelized onions and mushrooms, as well as fried tomatoes and creamed parsnips, along with green beans from the garden. I’ve also made a loaf of bread and chocolate pudding. That should be enough for Ron and the rest of us.”

“It’ll be fine, Molly. If it was the entire family it wouldn’t be. But since it’s just them with us, we’ll have plenty.”

She turned and looked at her tired husband sitting at the table. “Do you think I should make something else too? Ron’s sure to have an appetite.”

“Molly, what you’ve already made will be more than adequate. Really. The rest of us will eat like normal people. You’ve got enough for eight, from the looks of it. Besides, Hermione probably eats like you do – half as much as I do.”

Molly stopped over the stove. “I’ve not seen Ron in two months, and before that, they were barely home before they left, and then before that, it was a year when they up and disappeared. I miss my son. I want him home.”

“And you’ve had all the other ones home most of the summer helping out. We’ve not had a full house like this in years. So what’s really going on?”

Molly turned and Arthur saw the pain on her face. “I want my baby home. I want my family intact. Ron’s too gentle to be like he is now. That’s not like him, running out on us and not telling us what’s going on. It’s not like him to disobey me, and you, in this house. What happened to my sweet boy? What happened to him?”

Arthur took the glasses off his nose and proceeded to clean them. Molly knew after 30 plus years of marriage that he was working up the courage to tell her something she’d not like to hear or know. Better to step in before he worked into his recrimination.

“Whatever you’re going to say, don’t. I know that he’s been through a lot while they were gone and I know he was protecting Harry and in the thick of the fighting. But that’s no excuse for him to disobey us as long as he lives here. I won’t put up with any further insolence from him. You understand?”

“Molly, that’s enough. If you keep that up tonight you’re going to drive that boy away for good, you hear? Do you want him like Charlie, coming home only for emergencies?”

“But he’s just a child, barely –“

“That’s rubbish and you know it. He’s of age now and a man in his own right. He has made his choices and you’re trying to use a time turner to make him eleven again. He’s a grown up and has seen things that probably would give us nightmares. Do you really want to treat him as a child, drive him away by treating him as one instead of an adult who has seen too much?”

“But, Arthur, he went to Australia with her, without our permission. That’s unacceptable.”

“That Her, as you refer to Hermione, is his girlfriend now. Don’t you understand the precarious position you put him in? It was either stay with us, bored out of his skull for months, pining for her, or keep his promise to Hermione and go with her, disobeying us. What would you have had that son of ours do? Break his word to his girlfriend after years of lacking the courage to be with her?”

“And that’s another thing, Hermione. He’s been sleeping with her before they were married. That’s scandalous, especially under our roof, no less! It sets a terrible example for Ginny, thinking she can do that too, with Harry.”

Arthur shook his head in consternation. “And I laid down the law on that. You nearly drove him away the first time with the rules of the house and you hurt that broken child by it too. Yes, they jumped into the relationship so quickly for my own comfort. But if you’ve not noticed, there was something wrong with Hermione. She’s not the same woman who was at the wedding last year. She’s changed for the worse, I reckon. I won’t mention the nightmares and screaming at 2am, or the fact that she barely talks anymore, ‘cept to Ron. And you’ve not noticed how sick she looked when we saw her last. You were too deep in grief over Fred to notice that she was barely able to sit up, much less do everything else she was doing.”

“It doesn’t matter. What they are doing isn’t right. He needs to be home, with us, being a teenager before going back into the thick of danger. Do you know he wants to be an Auror? Kingsley said he’d accept Ronald into training without his NEWTS. But he’s not ready for that, being shouldered with adult responsibilities. And she should be living at home, with her parents, not letting her reputation be impugned before they are married.”

“Now that’s enough, Molly Prewitt.

“Arthur,” Molly retorted.

“Look. They’ll be here shortly. I’m sure you’ll harangue him again. But don’t be surprised if he doesn’t obey you. You’re asking him to choose between you and Hermione. After the last year, you’re going to be sadly mistaken if you think he’ll stay at home and let her go.”

Molly folded the towel into her apron and sat down in the chair next to her husband. “I’m not asking him to choose between us. I just want him home so I can help take care of him. He doesn’t have to give up Hermione. She can stay here, in Ginny’s room, like respectable kids are.”

“Now you’re being barmy, Molly. You really think you can put that dragon back on the reserve?”

“If he wants to be treated like an adult with us, he needs to act like one. That means respecting our decisions while under our roof.”

Arthur looked at his wife. “He’s not going to move back, not after he’s been out from under our roof pretty much for the past year, living on his own with his two best friends. Our rules of the house are going to be too stifling on him.”

“Of course he will, Arthur. This is his home and it’s comfortable for him, and he hates to miss meals, and likes to have someone look after him. Do you think he can get that living in London with Harry and Hermione?”

“Mom, Dad?”

The couple at the table turned and saw their youngest son at the back door. He looked to have grown even taller since they saw him last. “Ron!”

Molly got up from her chair and bustled around the table. Ron stepped into the kitchen first, followed by Hermione. Molly engulfed him in a hug. “Oh my Ron! My sweet boy!” she muttered into his jumper. She didn’t see Hermione step into the kitchen and remove her jacket and hang it up on the hook behind the door.

Arthur stood up and held his arms out for Hermione while Molly was sobbing into her youngest son’s jumper. She walked into his arms and relaxed some in his comfortable embrace. She quickly pulled back from the hug and took a place at the table, further down from their seats. He watched the larger than life witch sit sedately at the table, pouring tea for Ron. Three sugars and some milk was his tea. For hers, she added a little milk before sipping on it.

Arthur frowned. Hermione looked deathly ill. The sparkle in her eyes was dim and her pallor was almost winter-like. The bags under her eyes didn’t help, either. He looked back to Molly as she was finally untangling from her son. “You really need a haircut and you feel like you’re still sickly. No matter. I’ve made up a feast for us tonight.”

She bustled back to the stove while Ron sat down next to his girlfriend. Arthur watched them settle in with comfortable silence. “So how was Australia? Did you see anything exiting? Do they really have fish in the sea that kill people, like water dragons?”

So, for the next half hour, Ron talked about Brisbane and the Gold coast, getting to go down to the beach and swim some on an off day. Ron talked about food, and how nice the weather was, and how the Grangers were once Hermione returned home with him in tow. He talked about the trip out into the Outback for a few days with them, taking the tent Bill loaned to them, and all of the other things that were fascinating.

While Ron was talking, Molly loaded the table up for dinner, placing the various things on there for them to eat. In short order, the table was full. “Well, tuck in.”

Ron made a plate, taking double helpings of ham with the gravy, and the creamed parsnips and beans. He speared some of the tomatoes and helped himself to the fresh baked bread. Within seconds, he tucked in and moaned in appreciation.

Almost everyone else followed suit, loading their plates with Molly’s cooking.

Hermione took a small slice of ham, some of the creamed parsnips and beans, and a slice of bread. The gravy, along with the fried tomatoes, was left there. “Aren’t you hungry, Hermione? There’s plenty for everyone. Ron’ll sure to leave some for you.”

Arthur looked and Ron had almost finished everything on his plate. “Slow down there, son. There’s plenty made up for dinner tonight.”

“Sorry,” he muttered into his plate. “We were out in London today and I barely had anything to eat since toast and a cuppa at breakfast. I was starving.”

“Well, go ahead and get another helping,” Molly smiled at her husband while plating more slices of ham and gravy, along with more beans and parsnips and tomatoes. “I made plenty tonight since I figure you didn’t eat much while you were gone.”

“Oh, I ate plenty, more than enough while we were there. And they had this thing called Shrimp on the barbie. They put prawns on a grill and cooked them that way. But what was strange was having pumpkin soup. Really strange, it was. But we had rissoles on the grill one evening and they were fantastic. It was like meatloaf without the ketchup on it.”

Arthur took another bite of dinner and quietly watched Hermione picking at her plate. The beans, along with the parsnips and bread, were gone, but she wasn’t touching the fried tomatoes or ham on her plate. He shook his head and tucked back into dinner.

“So, how are the Grangers? Are they settling back in at their residence?”

“They are, slowly but surely. Ron and I were there a couple of nights, just making sure that the wards were up and secure. Mum pitched a fit about her kitchen but that was a small price to pay for keeping them safe.”

Molly tutted between bites of her fried tomatoes. “You were gone so long. Why did it take that long? Did you take a holiday while you were down there?”

Arthur watched Hermione continue to push the tomatoes around on her plate. “When they left, they said they were going to Brisbane. They weren’t there. They decided it was just too busy for them so they moved down to the Gold Coast and worked at the dental school there. Once we located them there, it was easy to find their residence.”

Ron motioned with his fork at his dad. “Things were awkward, at first, but it settled down in short order. After that, we stayed with them while they finished their business there. That was what took so long. Who knew that having a dental practice had so many problems to close up shop? It’s nothing like what George has.” Ron looked down at his empty plate and switched it with Hermione’s. He tucked into what she hadn’t eaten.

Hermione looked at Arthur while ignoring Molly. “So while they were still busy with their remaining people, we’d go down to the beach and go swim, or do other things. So, yeah, you could say that we had a bit of a holiday while we were there. It was nice, getting to sleep and do some reading for pleasure, while Ron finished off what was left in their pantry.”

A clatter of Ron’s fork broke her conversation. “Sorry. I reckon I was hungry.”

Hermione shook her head. “Anyway, the cover story for my parents held up. I had told the family and neighbors that they were doing a year abroad, helping with a charity group. It might take a while for their clients to return to their practice but it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

Molly stood up and turned back to the stovetop. She returned with chocolate pudding and a saucer of clotted crème. “Here you are. I know you two like chocolate pudding for dessert.” She cut a generous slice for Ron, ladling a dollop for him before picking up a second plate.

“Oh, no, Mrs. Weasley. I’m full.”

Molly gave her a puzzled look. “You never turn down my chocolate pudding.”

“I’m not hungry tonight. I’m fine, really.”

Molly shook her head and turned to her husband. “A slice for you, Arthur?”

“Absolutely. I never turn down your pudding.”

While Molly went back to cutting another slice, Arthur watched Hermione. She was still so quiet. Ron was talking to his Mum between bites of pudding but she was terribly sedate.

“Is there something on your mind, Hermione? You’re terribly quiet tonight.”

Hermione looked up from the table and smiled wanly. “I guess I’m still tired from the trip. It took a lot out of me.”

Ron pulled the plate over and cut another portion from the cake, tucking in almost immediately. “Great pudding, Mum.”

Molly turned back to Hermione, sitting on Ron’s left. “So now that your parents are home, are you staying with them?”

Hermione looked up and looked to Ron, seeming in a panic. She looked back and swallowed once before finding her voice. “No, I’m not. They aren’t that pleased with me right now so I’m not staying with them. I’m going back to London when I leave here tonight.”

Molly turned to Ron. “So when are you moving back home, Ron? Your father and I would appreciate your return home. It’s been dread lonely without you here.”

Ron looked to Hermione before addressing his Mum. “Actually, Mum, I’m getting my things tonight. Harry’s offered me a room at Grimmauld Place and I’m taking it. I’m officially moving in with him this weekend.”

“And you, Hermione? Are you living there too?”

Hermione bristled at the unspoken allegation. “As a matter of fact, I am. Term starts in about five weeks and being in London will make things easier for me. I can come visit here, or see my parents up in Oxfordshire. There’s still plenty to do between now and start of term. I also have to meet with McGonagall in a week to discuss school arrangements.”

“Well, that sounds – “ Arthur started.

“That’s enough,” Molly interrupted. “I’ve had enough of you two playing grown-up and I’m fed up with it. Hermione, I can’t control you, but I can put my wand down. You’re not moving out, Ron, and that’s final. You need to be home with your family instead of out and about, living scandalously.”

“Mum?”

“You heard me. You have a place here, at home, with us. You’ve been gone too long from under our roof and it’s time you learn some manners again, young man. You’ve been most disrespectful these last few months, running off to Australia, when we forbid it and you’re not moving out, not until you’re ready to be an adult and handle real responsibilities.”

“Excuse me, but what do you think you’re accusing Ronald about? He’s an adult, of age, and been most responsible for the time we’ve been away. I don’t appreciate –“

Molly waved her hands at the young couple across from her. “Rubbish. You are nothing but kids playing grown up. What do you know of responsibilities, or taking care of yourselves? Do you know how to manage a household and the intense demands on your time, day in and day out?”

“Mum, I think –“

Hermione laid her hand on Ron’s arm. Ice was scorching the room, all wafting off of Hermione. “No, Ronald, let your mother finish what she has to say. I want to hear how we are kids playing grown up, or that we don’t know the first thing about responsibilities, or taking care of ourselves.”

“Hermione, stop – “ Ron tried to interrupt.

Hermione turned towards Molly across from them. “Please, continue. I want to hear how you think we really are.”

Molly blanched but pushed onward. “You know nothing about responsibilities of home, of seeing to the needs of my son here. You can’t comprehend – “

Hermione snorted in mock amusement.

“ – the financial struggles to make ends meet, or to keep a roof over your head or food on the table.”

Hermione’s expression hardened even further. “And you honestly think that since we’re shagging that I’m being wholly irresponsible and getting pregnant at 18, before I’m even finished school?”

“It’s a possibility. We don’t want you being burdened yet with children before you’re established in a paying job – “

“Oh that’s rich!”

“- or having a place you can call a home. Grimmauld place is not a home, not a stretch of the imagination.”

“Molly, I think – “

“That’s enough,” Hermione stood up from the table. “I’m leaving. I won’t sit here and continue to be castigated and insulted by your mum, Ron.” Hermione walked to the coat rack behind the door and slid into her jacket. She walked to the head of the table and hugged Arthur. The three people remaining at the table watched the young witch walk out the back door into the darkness.

The back door closed with a thud.

Ron turned back to his parents at the table.

Molly looked almost relieved at the situation. “Now, your room is upstairs. I’ll have breakfast ready when you get up in the morning.”

Ron stood up and put his large hands on the table. “What are you on about, Mum? That was rude of you. Why are you mad at Hermione? Did she do something to irritate you?”

Molly pressed onward. “I’m saying you need to be home, with your family, until you’re working and established in a job before taking on too many responsibilities, like a wife and children.”

“And you made this decision without asking us? You’re barmy tonight.”

“Ronald, don’t talk to your Mum that way.” Arthur spoke up from the end of the table.

Ron looked at his father, slightly abashed, before turning back to his mum across the table. “You’re wrong, and chasing away Hermione isn’t going to get me to do what you want. I’m getting my things from my room and going back to London, with my best mate and my girlfriend. I’m of age and there’s not a thing you can do to stop me, at least legally.”

Ron started for the stairs to his attic room. “Ron, don’t go!”

He stopped with a foot on the first step. “Why shouldn’t I? This was my home, but it’s not any longer. My home is with Hermione, and there’s nothing you can do or say to stop me from making that happen. And with how you treated Hermione tonight, I’d rather stay with her.” Ron looked exhausted and tired. “I can’t believe you’d treat her that way, just like you did with Fleur.” Ron thudded up the stairs two at a time.

Molly went to cleaning the table while Arthur sat in silence, waiting for the coming row. Sure enough, ten minutes later, Ron came down the stairs with his trunk levitating in front of him.

“Room’s clean and empty. Anything I missed can be tossed away or given to a charity shop.”

Ron walked to his father sitting there. They conversed quickly and quietly, too quiet for Molly to hear. He then turned to his mum but she had her back to the men. “Leaving? Well, go.”

Ron’s ears and neck turned a vibrant shade of red. “Fine then. Dad, I’ll pop in at work next week to see you.”

Ron opened the door and floated the trunk out. The door thudded in finality once again.

Molly continued to work at the sink as seconds ticked away from the clock on the mantle. Arthur sat in his chair at the head of the table, looking at the half slice of chocolate cake. He finished the conversation with himself in his head before coming to a decision, standing up from the table. He glanced once more at the witch at the sink. She was washing another dish, by hand, while the rest lay on the side countertop.

He shook his head in regret before making his way upstairs for bed.

“Was I so wrong, making demands of my boy?”

Arthur stopped and looked into the kitchen. “You thought you knew best and ran with it. It might have worked on Ron last year, before they left. The son we have now is a changed man, one who knows what he wants. And you forced him to choose between you and Hermione. I’m sorry to say, but in a choice, there was no choice. You pushed him too hard and he followed his heart, just like you did. And now, because of your temerity, it might be a while before we see him again.”

“But he’s just a boy, Arthur.”

He snorted in disgust. “A boy? No, my Mollywobbles. That’s a man who has seen too much, much too soon, and done things that haunt him. He’s not a boy by any stretch of the imagination. He’s fought in a war that should have never happened. But it did and now you’re pushing him away by making demands that he can’t honorably fulfill. So no, not a boy: a man who had to make a terrible choice. I just hope I can get him back to us.”

Arthur took another step up the stairs to their bedroom.

“But how can I just let him go?”

Arthur stopped once again. “You do it just like the others. I know you’re scared but holding onto him too tight is part of why this happened tonight. Yes, he’s acting out but he’s a grown man and can deal with his own consequences. But I don’t think you have to worry, at least with him seeing Hermione. But you should find a way to apologize to her for how you acted tonight.”

Molly turned away from the sink to her husband on the stairs. He saw the red on her ears, a trait her youngest son shared. “I’ll send an owl in the morning. But it was because I wanted Ron home, safe and sound.”

Arthur shook his head. “And he is home, safe and sound. But home now isn’t with us, but that witch he’s madly in love with.”

Arthur took the stairs to their bedroom, hoping a good night’s sleep would help them start afresh with their youngest son the next day. He had some bridges to mend with his youngest son, starting in the morning.

#replies #hpfic #romione #ArthurxMolly #rated T for pepper crusted angst #mine #time is Summer 1998 #Anonymous

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theazkabandreamer · 4 years

Text

A Mother’s Fury: Chapter Index

Molly Weasley had already lost a son during the Battle of Hogwarts, but seeing her daughter Ginny miss death by mere inches hours later was the final straw for her. Determined to kill the person who tried to kill her daughter, Molly embarks in a furious duel, determined to protect her loved ones from the evil Bellatrix Lestrange.

Part 1- The Duel

Part 2- Aftermath

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theazkabandreamer · 4 years

Text

A Mother’s Fury

Part 2: Aftermath

Part 1

______

Harry had won, Voldemort was dead. Molly wasn’t sure whether or not she was dreaming- She couldn’t believe it was all over.

It was noon and Molly hadn’t slept a wink after that exhausting night. She had spent the hours after Voldemort’s death receiving the thanks from many of those who had lost a loved one to Bellatrix. In the eyes of those people, she was as much as a hero as Harry was.

“Nice one, Mrs Weasley,” Neville Longbottom had said, grinning at her whilst holding the sword of Gryffindor. Molly remembered Harry holding that very same sword five years ago when he had saved Ginny from the Chamber of Secrets.

“Thank you, dear,” Molly said smiling at him. “Well done to you, too”

Molly made sure to give him a big hug. She had remembered hearing the news about Frank and Alice Longbottom and she was certain that if they were in the right state of mind today, they would be very proud of him.

She spent the rest of the morning sitting at the house tables. But no one was sitting according to Hogwarts House anymore. They were all jumbled together.

“Are you okay, Mum?” Ginny asked, jerking Molly out of her thoughts as she sat down next to her.

“Yes, dear,” Molly sighed. “I will be.”

The pain of losing Fred left a hole in Molly’s heart that she knew would take many years to fill. She still hadn’t entirely gotten over losing her brothers Fabian and Gideon. But losing a son was more painful and Molly knew that the entire family would have to pull together to get through this.

“Thanks for finishing off Bellatrix,” Ginny said quietly. “You were brilliant. I’ve never seen you fight before.”

Molly had earned a lot more respect from her family after defeating Bellatrix. She was initially shaken up after killing her-. The thought of killing someone was never on her mind. But after seeing how many lives Bellatrix had taken, how many lives she had ruined, Molly couldn’t have stood there and watched Bellatrix kill her daughter.

If she didn’t stop Bellatrix, she would’ve gone on to kill more people, splitting more families. Bellatrix didn’t know what it was like to be a mother. She didn’t know what it was like losing a son. She didn’t experience the joys that motherhood brought. The joys of holding your child for the first time, watching them take their first steps.

Bellatrix didn’t understand any of that and Molly felt a sliver of pity for her.

“I was doing my job as a mother, Ginny,” Molly said quietly. “It doesn’t matter if you are sixteen or thirty-six. I will always be here for you.”

“Thanks,” Ginny said, resting her head on Molly’s shoulder. “I appreciate it.”

The two of them sat there for a while watching things unfold around them. Families were reunited or mourning the loss of a member.

Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan were sitting with Parvati Patil looking very solemn. The poor Lavender Brown girl who Greyback had attacked was sent to St Mungo’s earlier, her condition worsening. They didn’t know if she was going to make it.

Horace Slughorn was pouring tea for Madam Pomfrey and her team of volunteers who all looked emotionally drained and exhausted.

Professors McGonagall, Flitwick and Sprout were talking with the newly named Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt. All of them looked grim as they surveyed the damage to the castle.

Argus Filch wasn’t sitting down. He was already sweeping the rubble, the large gash in his left arm bandaged up and Mrs Norris was at his heel. Molly had to admire his work ethic.

The three Malfoys were reunited together but looking unsure as if they were supposed to be there or not. Molly was pleased to see the Malfoys reunited with their son. There had been enough tragedy already. She felt no ill will towards Narcissa Malfoy who had a protective arm around Draco’s shoulder. At least she, unlike her sister knew what it was like to be a mother.

She caught Narcissa’s eye. She looked uncertainly at Molly and then to Ginny who was still resting her head on Molly’s shoulder. She gave Molly a nod and a small smile which Molly returned. Molly could see in Narcissa’s eyes the regret that she felt at Fred’s death.

Molly looked at her family and her sense of pride overwhelmed her. Apart from Fred, they had all made it. It was as if it were yesterday when they were all little boys playing in the Burrow, climbing trees and de-gnoming the garden.

But those days were long behind them now. The boys she had raised were now men in their own right and Molly loved them all so much.

Bill and Charlie were both chatting together as Fleur was tending to a cut on Bill’s arm. Molly smiled at the sight-. She felt ashamed of the way she had judged Fleur when she first met her. She clearly cared about Bill even when he was scarred by Fenrir Greyback, she remained at his side.

She was pleased to see Charlie with them. Because he was living in Romania, she didn’t get to see him as much as the others and had missed him a lot. Molly noted with a pang of irritation, that he could do with a haircut.

Arthur and Percy were sitting at the end of the table, Percy’s robes were ripped and he had a cut on his cheek but he and Arthur were chatting amicably. It was nothing but a miracle that Percy was back with them again.

A huge weight lifted from Molly’s shoulders as all of that sadness and pent up anxiety lifted away.

George and Lee Jordan were sitting together, looking lost without Fred. Molly couldn’t bear to look at George a second longer than necessary, but then Angelina Johnson joined them, said some words to George and then put an arm around his shoulders.

That single gesture of kindness brightened Molly’s heart. Of all the people affected by the loss of Fred, George felt it the most. But he needn’t suffer alone. He had many friends that could help him and for the first time in ages, Molly felt hope that things will get better.

Ron and Hermione were sitting a table away, their heads close together and Molly was sure that they were holding hands. Molly hadn’t seen Ron for months. He had grown a lot. He looked more of a man than he did in August and it pleased her that he and Hermione were finally together.

She had watched them growing closer together for a long time and had been doing wonders on Ron’s self-esteem.

Then there was Harry; the reason why everyone in this hall was still alive.

He was sitting a table away from Molly and Ginny with Luna Lovegood and he looked exhausted- the poor dear- He had spent the entire morning being thanked and his hand shaken by so many people.

He had come a long way from being that polite little boy who asked to get onto the platform. She had watched him grow over the years and he too became a man in his own right. She was as proud of him as she was her own children.

Ginny was also watching him, her head still on Molly’s shoulder.

“Are you going to talk to him?” Molly asked. She knew how much Ginny cared for Harry. Ginny had told her of their brief relationship last summer.

“He looks like he could do with some rest,” Ginny said. “There’ll be plenty of time to talk. We’ll have years.”

Molly was pleased with Ginny’s answer. There would be plenty of time to talk but for now, they had loved ones to bury and a world to rebuild. She hoped that they didn’t have to go through another war.

She had had enough trouble for a lifetime.

#Molly Weasley #Ginny Weasley #Neville Longbottom #Narcissa Malfoy #Harry Potter #The Weasleys #Hinny #Ronmione #bill x fleur #mollyxarthur #arthurxmolly

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theazkabandreamer · 5 years

Text

Bars on his Window

Arthur Weasley knew that his son, Ron was friends with Harry Potter when he started Hogwarts and he knew that Ron was having trouble getting a hold of him during the summer. He had talked with Molly and they both agreed that they would go to Harry’s house at the end of the week if he hadn’t written back to Ron.

Arthur had had a busy night; He had had nine raids and Mundungus Fletcher tried to hex him when he had his back turned. To make matters worse, he had come home to an irate Molly who was fuming because Fred, George and Ron had taken the Ford Anglia that he had enchanted and had flown it to none other than Harry Potter’s house and rescued him at the dead of night.

Arthur was proud of his boys- He couldn’t have been prouder. But under the withering gaze of his Wife, he told them what he thought was quite firmly, that they were very wrong. Very wrong indeed.

It was an absolute honour to have the Boy who Lived in his house. He had sat next to Harry at dinner, asking him all sorts of questions about the muggle way of life. It was a subject that never ceased to fascinate him.

Harry was quite taken aback when Arthur asked him what the function of a rubber duck was. He probably thought that Arthur was quite mad. Molly certainly thought so, but it was Ron, Fred and George’s sniggers that seemed to make Harry relax and he answered a lot of Arthur’s questions.

Molly seemed to be a lot less cold towards Arthur after his interaction with Harry. She had even smiled as Harry was telling him how a muggle microwave works. It was when they were getting ready for bed that Molly told him about the treatment that Harry’s muggle relatives had put him through and she was getting quite angry.

“Bars on his window, Arthur,” Molly stormed. “Bars on his window. Not to mention George telling me that they were starving him. No wonder he looks so thin. The poor dear.”

“Fred and George told me about that,” Arthur said grimly. “They even showed me the bars. It really is quite sickening.”

“I felt ever so guilty,” Molly said, her eyes shining with tears. “When I was shouting at the boys when they got back with the car, he backed away from me. I gathered right there that his Aunt and Uncle shout at him all the time- Not to mention the way they looked at him when they picked him up from King’s Cross last term. It was like he was a piece of dirt. Who in their right mind would ever look at a child like that?”

“He’s quite a polite boy, isn’t he?” Arthur said. “Good sense of humour, too. I was having a good chat with him during dinner, asking him how the Muggle things in his house work. He was really quite knowledgeable. Bless him.”

“You should’ve seen him on the Platform last year,” Molly said.’ He was ever so polite when he asked me how to get onto the platform,”

“Ron looks so happy now that Harry is over to stay.” Arthur said. “First time I’ve seen him crack a smile in weeks. But Ginny’s a bit too quiet, though. Didn’t she drive you and the boys crazy by constantly talking about Harry?”

“Yes, well,” Molly said, giving Arthur a knowing smile. “She is rather smitten with him. It’s quite common, really. Remember when I was rather taken with you?”

“I think I was too obsessed with Muggles to notice at the time,” Arthur chuckled. “Mind you, you haven’t changed, taking in all the waifs and strays and it seems that Harry is the latest one.”

“I want Harry to have a good summer here,” Molly said. “That boy deserves it so much. He didn’t ask to receive so much attention and the very thought of him remaining with his relatives makes me go cold. Thank heavens that Fred, George and Ron found him when they did, though. I would hate to think what would’ve happened to him if they didn’t come to get him and we had to get him ourselves.”

“Does that mean I’m forgiven for enchanting that car, then?” Arthur asked nonchalantly.

“I suppose so,” Molly sighed. “But if the boys take the car and fly it across the country again, I’ll go and put bars on their windows myself.”

“Maybe I should stick to those muggle grass cutters,” Arthur said to himself, repressing a chuckle. “They’re a lot less trouble.”

“You and your muggle contraptions,” Molly said fondly.

“I seem to remember you were quite fascinated when I was telling you how those telly viewers work back in our Sixth year,” Arthur said, giving her a small smile.

“Oh yes, I remember that,” Molly said, chuckling fondly. “You were ever so excited telling the common room about them. You haven’t changed. Still as mad as ever.”

“And you, my Mollywobbles are as beautiful as the day you captured my heart,” Arthur said, gently tapping her nose. “Now, let’s get some sleep dear and stop fretting about Harry. He’s staying with us now and he’s going to have a good time and he’s going to look forward to that breakfast that you’re going to cook for him and it wouldn’t do you good when you’re fretting over him.”

“Yes, of course, dear, I do get carried away,” Molly said sighing, extinguishing her wand. “We best get some sleep.”

With that, Arthur and Molly settled down to get some sleep. A part of Arthur couldn’t quite believe that Harry Potter himself was staying with them at the Burrow. But then he reminded himself that he was a normal kid, really. A normal kid who had no loving relatives of his own it gave Arthur an enormous amount of satisfaction that his family was providing that for the boy.

#arthurxmolly #mollyxarthur #Arthur Weasley #Molly Weasley #Harry Potter #The Burrow

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