I. Molly and Bill
Crash
22 June 1996
Molly gritted her teeth, preparing the tea service. Bill and the girl were whispering to one another at the dining table. Suddenly, the girl let out a giggle that made the hairs on Molly's neck stand on end.
Forcing a smile, Molly swept out of the kitchen and set the tray on the table. Then, after pouring three cups, Molly sat down opposite her son and the girl, and raised her cup to her lips.
"Mum," Bill said softly. "Fleur and I—" he glanced at the girl, "—we…we're engaged."
Molly's teacup fell to the table with a crash.
II. Molly and Charlie
Soft
27 December 2006
It was a few days after Christmas, and the Burrow had emptied out for the most part. Charlie was still sprawled out on the sitting room floor, his face buried behind the Daily Prophet. Exiting the kitchen, Molly moved to join him.
"So," she smiled at him. Charlie lowered the newspaper slightly, his eyebrows raised. "How's Romania?"
Charlie hoisted the paper back up to his face, looking amused. "I'm not seeing anyone, Mum."
Molly blinked.
Charlie had once been as sensitive and sentimental as any of her children. Sometimes, Molly wondered whether years of solitude had hardened him beyond repair.
III. Molly and Percy
Last Dance
1 August 1997
Molly sunk, weak-kneed, onto a bench beside Arthur, sighing happily as, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bill pull Fleur close for a dance. The music had slowed, and the number of people in the yard had diminished considerably since morning. The wedding would surely be over in a few hours.
"May I have this dance?"
The shock was electric. Molly leaped to her feet, swiveling for the source of the voice.
But no one was there.
No Percy.
"Molly, are you all right?" Arthur looked worried.
"I thought I heard—" Molly's eyes stung. "Never mind."
IV. Molly and Fred
Fight
26 August 1998
Molly sifted through the contents of her bedside drawer. She hadn't properly tidied her bedroom since Bill's wedding, a year ago; the mess of parchment was appalling.
Sighing, she picked up a stray letter. Then, she nearly dropped it.
It was from Fred, dated late-April of 1996, when he and George had abandoned their studies. Molly had been furious.
I don't care what you want, Mum. George and I know what we're doing.
Goodbye,
Fred
Molly buried her face in her hands. She would give everything she had to hear his voice again, even if it was for a fight.
V. Molly and George
Born
27 July 1997
Molly's heart constricted, her vision blurring with tears. Hand trembling, she touched George's bloodstained cheek. "How do you feel, Georgie?" she whispered.
George frowned, fumbling with the side of his head. "Saint-like."
Molly's heart screeched to a stop. She withdrew her hand, her mind freezing.
"What's wrong with him?" croaked Fred, voicing Molly's thoughts. "Is his mind affected?"
"Saint-like," George repeated. The ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. "You see…I'm holy. Holey, Fred, get it?"
Relief like no other crashed over her. Sobbing, Molly embraced him tightly.
George Weasley had been trouble from the day he was born.
VI. Molly and Ron
Breakable
28 June 1998
Molly yawned, glancing around the sitting room. It was late; only Ron was slumped on the sofa, snoring. With a sigh, Molly climbed to her feet, heading for the staircase—
"NO!"
Molly swiveled around. Ron was thrashing wildly in his sleep, his breathing sharp and shallow.
"No—leave her alone—leave her alone!" he screamed, beating the sofa cushions. Molly sprinted towards him, heart pounding.
"Ron—"
"LEAVE HER ALONE!"
"Ron, wake up!"
Ron lurched upwards, gasping for breath, and the overwhelming terror and desperation in his eyes caused Molly's heart to plummet like a stone.
Her son looked broken.
VII. Molly and Ginny
I Know
17 April 1998
Ginny was lying on her bed in Auntie Muriel's guestroom, staring at the ceiling. Molly was struck, suddenly, by how old she looked.
"Ginny," Molly said softly, stepping towards her. "Sweetheart, you must understand how unsafe it would be for any of us to go to Shell Cottage right now."
Ginny didn't respond, and Molly, admitting defeat, headed for the door.
"I love him, Mum."
Molly froze. Then, slowly, she turned around to face her daughter. Ginny was sitting up, a blazing, determined look in her eyes.
For a moment, it was like looking into a mirror.
"I know, Ginny."
VIII. Arthur and Bill
Hold On
24 December 1996
"What were you, Harry, and Remus talking about before?"
Arthur looked up. Bill was standing in front of him, frowning curiously. "Oh, nothing," breezed Arthur. "Just work."
Bill nodded, sinking into the armchair opposite Arthur's. Arthur glanced around. The room was empty. Ron, Harry, Remus, Ginny, and the twins had all practically raced upstairs the instant Fleur had begun singing.
"Mum hates her."
Arthur followed Bill's gaze to where Molly stood in the kitchen, shooting irate looks at Fleur, who was still humming by the wireless.
Arthur sighed, patting his son's arm. "Hold on," he said quietly. "She'll come around."
IX. Arthur and Charlie
Tea
25 February 1977
Arthur frowned and sipped his tea, pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose, as he studied the front page of the Daily Prophet.
A small cough from across the dining table caught his attention. Arthur looked up. Four-year-old Charlie was diligently perusing a blank parchment, legs crossed and brow furrowed—precisely like Arthur's.
Arthur chuckled softly. Charlie jumped, looking slightly embarrassed.
Without a word, Arthur flicked his wand, conjuring a tiny teacup from thin air. Smiling, Arthur poured a dash of his tea into it. Then, he pushed it across the table towards his son.
Charlie beamed.
X. Arthur and Percy
Naked Truth
7 July 1995
The sitting room was eerily hushed. Arthur could still feel his heartbeat pounding in his ears. The twins, Ron, and Ginny had been sent to their bedrooms, and Molly was in the kitchen. Arthur had a sinking feeling that she was crying.
Suddenly, there was a clatter of footsteps from the stairs. Percy reemerged with his trunk, glasses askew and eyes bloodshot.
"I'm leaving," he said in a strangled voice.
Arthur looked at him.
"Percy," he said quietly. "Son, the truth is plain, and I—I don't want you to realize it too late—"
The front door slammed shut.
XI. Arthur and Fred
Murmur
2 May 1998
Arthur wiped his brow. You-Know-Who's chill-inducing voice was still ringing in his ears, as he followed Molly into the Great Hall. All around, people were hunched over bodies, murmuring incantations and reassurances.
Bill, Percy, and George were gathered in the middle of the hall. Arthur heaved a great sigh of relief, hurrying forward.
Nothing could have prepared him for that moment. Molly's terrible, anguished wail pierced him like a knife. The murmurs in the Great Hall vanished; all Arthur could hear was a screaming in his brain.
And all he could see was the frozen smile on his son's face.
XII. Arthur and George
Winter
12 December 1998
"Dad, why can't you just tell me what you found?" George asked dully, shivering.
Arthur glanced at George, who was looking miserable as he followed his father up Stoatshead Hill. Wind and sleet were swirling around them in needle-sharp gusts. Suddenly, Arthur stopped in his tracks. "Look, George."
George looked up. His eyes widened.
They stood in a sparse thicket. Snow covered every inch of the branches.
And Arthur smiled as his son slowly approached the nearest tree, as though drawing warmth from the nine words engraved messily onto the trunk:
SIRS GRED AND FORGE
Knights of Ottery St. Catchpole
XIII. Arthur and Ron
Dust
15 August 1998
Arthur followed his youngest son into Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, wrinkling his nose as the familiar stench of mingled mildew and must greeted his nostrils. He glanced around the dilapidated parlor. An inch of dust covered every surface in the room.
Ron, however, was grinning broadly. Arthur was astounded to see a trace of fondness in his expression.
Arthur shook his head slowly, bemused. "Are you sure you and Harry want to live here?"
Ron nodded firmly, stepping forward. "This house was there for us, Dad."
Arthur blinked. It was as though the filth and dust were invisible to Ron.
XIV. Arthur and Ginny
Fingertips
24 July 2000
"I'm so proud of you, sweet pea," Arthur whispered, ignoring the lump in his throat as he guided Ginny down the aisle.
Ginny beamed. Squeezing Arthur's hand, she leaned up and kissed his cheek. "I love you, Daddy," she murmured. "I'll never forget I was a Weasley first."
Swallowing, Arthur led his daughter down the remainder of the aisle, past rows of awestruck guests, towards an equally awestruck Harry. He let his daughter's warm hand slip through his fingertips…he let her go, at last, because he knew she was happy…
In the end, that was all he'd ever wanted for her.
XV. Bill and Charlie
Space
31 August 1982
Bill leaned down and latched his trunk. Then, dusting his hands, he took a step back.
Suddenly, there was a sniff from the other end of the bedroom. Bill looked up. Nine-year-old Charlie was perched on his bed, frowning.
"What?" Bill asked warily.
"There's going to be a lot more space in here, now you're leaving," Charlie mumbled.
"So?"
"So…" Charlie bit his lip, teetering on the edge of speech. Finally, he looked up at Bill, chin trembling. "So, it'll be weird." He paused. "And I don't think I'll like it."
Bill smiled slightly.
"I'll miss you, too, Charlie."
XVI. Bill and Percy
Futile
12 August 1993
Bill watched in disbelief from the doorway as Percy cradled his Head Boy badge tenderly, before placing it upon his bedside table in the Egyptian hotel room he and Charlie were sharing.
"Perce," Bill breathed. "It's a badge, not a baby."
Percy jumped, swiveling to glare at his brother. "I've got every right to be proud!" he said hotly. "Being Head Boy is an honor—!"
"I was Head Boy, too," Bill interrupted calmly. "Don't let it get to your head, Percy. There are more important things."
Percy snorted, shaking his head, and Bill knew his efforts had been futile.
XVII. Bill and Fred
Push
1 September 1984
Bill followed his mother and siblings through the suffocating crowd at King's Cross Station and towards the familiar barrier separating Platforms Nine and Ten. Two by two, his mother and Ginny, Charlie and George, and Ron and Percy disappeared into the wall, until it was only Bill and Fred left behind.
Bill glanced to his right, grinning. Fred was bouncing eagerly on his toes.
Casting a furtive look around the station, Bill gestured to the trolley he was manning. "Climb on," he told Fred in a low voice. "I'll push you onto the platform."
Fred's eyes lit up in wonder and Bill laughed.
XVIII. Bill and George
Ignore
12 July 1998
Bill gaped around at the catastrophic shop. Aisles were in disarray, products littered the floor, and Bill had a sneaking suspicion that the buzzing noise he'd heard upon entry was a Wildfire Whiz-bang, ready to explode.
Suddenly— "Oy! We're closed!" bellowed a voice, and George came stumping out from behind the alcove. He saw Bill. "Oh, it's you."
"Hi, George," Bill said quietly.
"Hey," George muttered.
"All right?"
There was a pause.
"Sure."
Bill stared at him, but George refused to meet his eyes. "George?" he asked gently.
Finally, George looked up.
"You've got to stop ignoring our letters, mate."
XIX. Bill and Ron
Nightmare
31 July 1985
Bill grimaced in his sleep, eyebrows knitting, as suddenly, a shadow was cast over him. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
"Argh!"
Ron's pale, wide-eyed face was looming over him.
"What the—!" Bill broke off in alarm, sitting up and shoving Ron away. "What d'you think you're doing, Ron?"
Ron sniffled. "I had a nightmare," he whispered tearfully. "Spiders, an' stuff."
Bill sighed, rubbing his eyes. "And you couldn't have woken Charlie this time, or Mum, or—y'know, anyone else?"
Ron's lip trembled. With another heavy sigh, Bill moved over, patting the empty space next to him on the bed.
XX. Bill and Ginny
Reach
15 May 1998
Bill frowned. The Burrow's sitting room was quiet, and a cup of untouched tea sat on the coffee table. Suddenly, there was a loud clatter of breaking china from the kitchen, and Bill sprinted inside, drawing his wand.
Ginny was standing on her tiptoes, arms stretched towards the top of a cupboard. She glanced at him. "Can you get that for me?" she asked, pointing to a saucepan. "I can't reach."
Swiftly, Bill reached up and retrieved the pan. "You're making dinner?" he asked, surprised. "Where's Mum?"
Ginny's smile faded.
"She hasn't left her bed all day," she said quietly.
XXI. Charlie and Percy
Shine
22 July 1995
Charlie narrowed his eyes in greeting as Percy swung open the door to his flat.
"What are you doing here?" demanded Percy, eyes widening in astonishment.
"I'm not here for small talk," said Charlie harshly, considering Percy appraisingly. "I'm only in town for two days to help the Order."
Percy sniffed, and Charlie glared at him.
"I'm surprised at you," he barked. "I can't believe you'd choose the Ministry over your own family."
"Mr. Fudge says—"
Charlie cut him off, "You know, the sun doesn't shine out of Cornelius Fudge's every claim, Percy."
And with that, he swept away.
XXII. Charlie and Fred
Waiting
3 September 1989
Charlie crossed his arms, furiously repressing a laugh, as he gazed from one anxious-looking eleven-year-old to the other. It was Charlie's first night of Prefect patrol for the year, and he had arrived downstairs to find his twin brothers pelting a suit of armor with Dungbombs.
"I'm supposed to get Filch if I find students breaking curfew," Charlie said sternly.
"But you won't, right?" Fred asked quickly. "You're not like Percy!"
Charlie's lips twitched.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" he barked. "Scram!"
The twins bolted, Fred flashing a wicked smile as he leaped up the staircase, out of sight.
XXIII. Charlie and George
Free Advice
9 October 2003
"Wow," Charlie gaped at the little, violet box in George's hand. He let out a long, low whistle. "I can't believe little Georgie is going to pop the question."
George rolled his eyes. "I need your help," he said. "How do I ask her?"
Charlie snorted. "Yeah, that's right. Ask your only single brother."
"No—seriously," George bit his lip. "What the hell do I do?"
Charlie stared at him. "Well…I think you're supposed to get down on one knee."
"Right, thanks," grumbled George. "How much do I owe you for the riveting advice?"
"For you?" Charlie winked. "No charge."
XXIV. Charlie and Ron
Echo
31 August 1985
"Mum, Ron keeps copying me!"
"Mum, Ron keeps copying me!"
Charlie glared at his brother, crossing his arms. But then, much to his horror, Ron too folded his arms across his chest and scowled.
"Mum!"
"Mum—!"
"Ronald, enough," their mother interrupted sternly, hurrying past the two of them. Ron fell silent, smirking. "Charlie, have you packed your trunk?"
"Er—" Charlie hesitated. "Nearly," he lied.
"Well, hurry!" She peered out of the kitchen. "Ron, go help Charlie."
"But Mum," protested Charlie, "He'll keep copying me!"
"No, he won't," their mother said firmly.
Ron's wicked grin begged to differ.
XXV. Charlie and Ginny
Burn
26 July 1993
Charlie kissed the top of Ginny's head, as she leaned against him. The entire family was crowded around Bill's tiny Egyptian flat, chatting loudly. Ginny was ogling a shiny, recently acquired burn on Charlie's forearm.
"Does it hurt?" she whispered.
"Not anymore," he smiled reassuringly.
Ginny gazed at it; then, suddenly, she curled up against Charlie's chest, and Charlie felt his throat swell shut painfully. From what he and Bill had wormed out of Ron, Ginny's first year had been traumatic.
The pain and fear in her young eyes hurt Charlie far more than anything a dragon had ever inflicted.
XXVI. Percy and Fred
Whitewash
27 June 1993
Percy looked up as Fred sauntered into the dining room, looking positively gleeful.
"'Morning, Perce," Fred announced brightly, settling down at the breakfast table opposite his brother. "Pass the toast?"
Percy surveyed him suspiciously as he nudged the platter of toast forward. "You're oddly cheerful this morning."
Fred shrugged, reaching for a slice. "It's finally summer, isn't it?"
They sat in silence for several moments.
Then— "So," Fred began nonchalantly. "Snogged Penelope lately?"
Percy choked on his breakfast, keeling forward in his chair. When he straightened, his face was as pale as the whitewash peeling from the dining room walls.
XXVII. Percy and George
Color
31 August 2010
"Merlin," breathed George, gazing down at his newborn niece. He smiled up at Percy. "She's something, all right."
Percy beamed. "We think she'll keep Molly on her toes."
"I don't doubt it," laughed George, gently brushing Lucy's rosy cheek. Then, sighing, he climbed to his feet. "I'd better head home. Freddie was throwing a tantrum—"
"George?" Percy interjected quietly.
George looked up, frowning. "Yeah?"
Percy stared at him. "I want you to be Lucy's godfather."
Percy had always known George's eyes to be bright brown.
But in that moment, they shone so brilliantly that they were something else, altogether.
XXVIII. Percy and Ron
Contagious
21 October 2006
"Thanks, Perce," Ron croaked gratefully, accepting the goblet of steaming, crimson-colored potion from his brother.
Percy shook his head. "Twenty-six years old, and you still can't brew a decent Pepperup on your own," he muttered. Ron rolled his eyes.
"Hermione does it better," he argued, snuffling loudly.
"Where is Hermione?" Percy glanced around.
"Work," grinned Ron. "It's just me and Rosie today," he announced, gesturing to the bassinet in the corner of the room.
"Hopefully you don't get her sick, too," Percy chuckled.
"It's not really contagious—"
Suddenly, Percy sneezed. Then, he straightened, exchanging a horrified look with Ron.
XXIX. Percy and Ginny
Garden
30 March 2003
"Did you grow all of this yourself?" Percy asked interestedly, glancing around the lush, sprawling garden in the backyard of Harry and Ginny's new Godric's Hollow villa.
Ginny looked up from the rosebush she was trimming. "Oh, Merlin, no," she laughed. "Mum planted most of these as a housewarming gift. I'm just doing my best to maintain them."
"You're doing great," Percy nodded approvingly, leaning down to observe a particularly beautiful hydrangea. "This one's nice."
Suddenly, Ginny crossed the garden, plucked the hydrangea, and placed it in Percy's unsuspecting hands.
"What—?" he gaped.
"Give it to Audrey."
Percy blushed.
XXX. Fred and George
Elephant in the Room
26 December 1994
An uncharacteristically uncomfortable silence hung between the two redheaded teenagers sitting by the fireplace.
Finally, Fred sighed, "George, I didn't want to be the one to bring up the hippogriff in the room, but—"
"Why did you ask her?"
"Pardon me?" asked Fred, eyebrows raised.
"I told you I wanted to ask Angelina," George muttered, looking down. "Why did you?"
"Well, time was running out, and you hadn't," Fred pointed out, gazing evenly at his twin. "But we're just friends, Angelina and me. You know that, right?"
There were several beats of silence. Then, George looked up, smiling slightly.
XXXI. Fred and Ron
Company
13 July 1997
"George and I bought this for you," Fred whispered, slipping a rectangular book into Ron's lap.
Ron glanced down at the book, raising his eyebrows. "Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to—nngh—!"
Fred had slapped a hand over Ron's mouth and bodily dragged his brother out of the sitting room and into the adjacent kitchen.
"What the bloody hell was that for?" demanded Ron, roughly shaking off Fred's arm.
"Given our present company," Fred nodded towards where their mother, Fleur, and Ginny were discussing wedding plans by the fireplace, "You'd be a real halfwit to finish reading that title out loud."
XXXII. Fred and Ginny
Steady
21 June 1981
Three-year-old Fred couldn't sleep.
Frowning at the ceiling, he heaved a sigh and expertly swung himself out of bed. Then, he sidled out of his and George's bedroom and padded stealthily up the staircase to his parents'.
His father lay, spread-eagle, across his side of the bed, sheets twisted into a messy knot near his knees. His mother, however, lay neatly beneath her quilts, her enormous stomach apparent, even in the darkness. Quietly, Fred crawled under the blankets next to her and curled into her side, and the steady flutters of his unborn sister's movements eventually lulled him to sleep.
XXXIII. George and Ron
Missing
28 July 1997
George looked up, scowling slightly, as he caught Ron staring at him again. "What is it?" he snapped.
Ron jumped and blushed beet-red, turning back to his cornflakes. "Nothing," he mumbled. "Just getting used to the fact that your ear's missing."
"It's not missing," George said sharply. "Don't say 'missing,' like it's going to come back. It's gone, Ron."
Ron stared at him. "All—all right."
George reached up and carefully brushed the thin, white scars which outlined the small, clean hole. He flinched, shaking his head.
There was a small pause. Then, Ron leaned forward and gripped George's shoulder.
XXXIV. George and Ginny
Perfection
29 November 1999
George glanced around the Burrow's backyard, where his family had assembled for Bill's twenty-ninth birthday—though it had since turned into a congratulatory celebration. Fleur was pregnant. Ginny was sitting alone on the grass, balancing a Butterbeer on her knees. George approached her.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked quietly.
She smiled, patting the patch of grass next to her. George dropped to his knees, and Ginny leaned her head against his shoulder, interlacing their fingers.
"I love this," she whispered, after a moment. "I love our family. It's—"
"—perfect," George finished hoarsely. He paused, swallowing. "Almost."
XXXV. Ron and Ginny
Secret
11 April 1997
Ron looked up as the dormitory door clicked open, admitting Ginny.
"Waiting for Dean," Ginny explained, spotting Ron's raised eyebrows. Ron scowled.
Humming, Ginny strolled around the room, pausing to peer interestedly down into Ron's trunk.
"What're you—?" Ron broke off, horrified, as Ginny bent down and withdrew a thick golden chain. Immediately, he lunged forward and snatched it away.
"Does that say 'sweetheart?'" Ginny demanded, sounding revolted.
Ron ignored her.
"If you want to break up with her, just do it, Ron."
Ron's eyes widened. "How d'you—?"
"Please," she scoffed. "It's not exactly the world's best-kept secret."
XXXVI. Molly and Arthur
Something Borrowed
22 November 1970
Molly struggled to clasp her cloak around her enormous stomach as, arm-in-arm, she and Arthur apparated to the Ministry to apply for their marriage license.
She had her something old. Molly fingered the century-old brooch, once her grandmother's. And her baby, due early next month, was her something new.
Her cloak was her something blue. A fresh, hopeful blue.
Finally, her something borrowed…Molly rummaged through her pockets. Oh, no—surely, she hadn't forgotten. Eyes wide, she turned to Arthur.
His palm was outstretched. On it, lay a single silver sickle.
"You borrowed it from me," Arthur whispered, winking.
Molly beamed.
Author's Note:
This was written for Morning Lilies's "Connect the Weasleys" Challenge. It's a really amazing challenge and I highly recommend it, especially to all you Weasley-lovers out there.
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO READ THIS! Love you madly!
Ari