Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter series.
Warnings: Hinted death.
Note: Written for the ABC Fast or Slow Challenge (Lee Jordan/ Lucy Weasley/ Lake/ Lacewing flies/ Legilimency) and the Game of Life Challenge (Molly Weasley II and pirates)
An Old Game
Molly opened her eyes, blinking before settling them on the form sitting excitedly beside her. She slowly sat up, smiling before grasping the hand of her little sister securely. She stared at Lucy's orange hair that she always cut just below her chin, much to the dismay of her father. It was a few shades darker than Molly's own, which was more of an auburn red. Lucy's eyes sparkled up at Molly, a pretty spring green that always had her parents wrapped around that little finger of hers, something that had annoyed Molly greatly when they were younger but now couldn't bring herself to argue against.
"What do you want to play today?" Lucy tilted her head to the side curiously.
"Pirates, of course!" Molly answered as if it should have been obvious, eyes shining in amusement at the beam aimed her way.
The salty smell of the ocean hit her as the two laid back on the beach, the hot sand pressing against their bare arms and legs, the sun shining its warm rays down on them. Molly wiggled her toes, digging her heels into the sand. She tossed her wooden sword to the side, closing her dark blue eyes to listen to the sound of the waves. In the distance, the sound of seagulls could be heard.
Her sundress stuck uncomfortably against her sweaty skin, and she could feel sand grating all over her, but with her sister by her side, all tuckered out from a day full of play, Molly knew she wouldn't trade anything in the world for this moment.
Molly turned, taking in the way the sun shone down on her little sister, creating an almost angelic glow to her. Small white flowers adorned her head like a crown. Molly loved her sister. They fought a lot in the past, and Molly regretted some things she did, or rather didn't do at times. But she hoped that Lucy had forgiven her.
She startled out of her thoughts when Lucy angled her face to the side, grinning brightly at Molly who hastened to return it before the two shared a happy giggle.
"How is she?" Audrey wrung her hands nervously as she waited outside her daughter's room. Her husband was silent, hands clenched tightly, face set in a stone expression.
"Well," the healer shuffled the paperwork on his desk, "we have performed Legilimency, as you have decided to go through with. We would like to assure you that while she remains silent and unresponsive to the outside world, her mind is another story. Now we just have to find a solution to somehow pull her back out."
Throughout the explanation, Percy's hand had found itself atop Audrey's, providing and seeking comfort.
"But you will find a way, right?" Audrey searched his eyes desperately. "You will bring my daughter back, right?"
"We will do our best."
Audrey pursed her lips but nodded. It was the best answer she could get out of him.
"Thanks, Healer Jordan."
Lee smiled slightly. "Anything for some old friends."
Molly flipped the page of her textbook, staring at the words intently while scribbling furiously with her quill. Hogwarts was great and all but summer work really put a damper on things.
She could hear Lucy skip into the room, but Molly refused to look up from the book. Lucy stopped by the table, peering at the work curiously before starting her pestering.
Molly let out a sigh, not bothering to hide it.
"Molly, play pirates with me," Lucy whined, "you've been working ever since you came back from Hogwarts! Please?"
She could feel irritation and annoyance build up inside as Lucy continued to beg. Gripping her quill tightly, she dug the tip onto the parchment, causing a blotch of ink to well up in the middle of her sentence.
"Lucy!" Molly snapped. "Quit bothering me! I'm not a kid anymore! Just go play by yourself!"
There was a heavy silence as Molly stared harshly down at her sister whose eyes were wide as saucers. Lucy's bottom began to quiver before she caught it between her teeth.
"Fine," she whispered, "I'll play by myself."
With that, Lucy scurried out of the room, leaving Molly alone in the study room. She felt a brief twinge of regret, but she brushed it off before focusing on the Goblin Wars once more.
She was so engrossed in her studying that by the time Molly looked up again, the sun had finally set, casting an orange glow into the room. With a wide stretch, Molly stood up from the stiff chair, closing the book and making her way to the kitchen where her mother should have dinner ready by then.
"Hi, Mom," Molly said, taking a seat at the table. She looked around and frowned. "Where's Lucy?"
Her mother paused in her cooking before turning around in alarm. "I thought she was with you."
"No, I was studying," Molly shifted nervously in her chair. This didn't feel right.
Her mother wrung her hands worriedly as she paced in the kitchen. "The sun has already set. Where could she be?"
Dread filling her stomach, Molly's eyebrows knit together as she thought hurriedly. Where would Lucy be? What was the last thing Lucy said to her before she left? Pirates.
"The river!" Molly exclaimed, jumping out of her seat.
Her mother froze before fear engulfed her features. The two rushed out the door, running as fast as their legs could take them.
Molly woke with a start, jerking up from her position on the soft green grass. A gentle breeze swept some strands of hair across her face, obscuring her vision. Some lacewing flies could be seen in the distance, flying over the lake.
She immediately recognized the serene atmosphere to be the Black Lake. Looking down, she could see that she was in her uniform, Gryffindor tie and all. Molly distantly realized that Lucy would have loved to attend Hogwarts. If only she could…
She looked down in surprise when she felt something wet fall on her hand, closing her eyes to prevent any more tears from falling. Funny, why was she crying? Why was she sad?
"Are you sad?" Lucy asked her sister, worry shining in her eyes.
Molly hurriedly brushed her hand over her face. "No, I'm happy."
"Okay," Lucy let it slide though there was still some doubt in her voice. "What do you want to play today?"
"Pirates," Molly answered reflexively.
"Are you sure? We've been playing that a lot."
"Yeah, I'm sure."
Molly wondered why there was such a heavy feeling of guilt in her chest.
