Love, Babies and other Familysecrets

Chapter 1: Fate

Molly Weasley didn't like to think back. Yes, her life had been and was better than some other's lives. But still. She could not forgive her parents' betrayal. It was the wedding of their eldest grandchild after all. Molly had been crying in Arthur's arms all night long. Not because Bill left their close-knit family circle, but because, yet again, her parents had ignored her invitation.

When her children had been young, they would often ask why only Grandma and Grandpa Weasley came to their birthdays. Never once had her children seen her parents.

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Everything began in Hogwarts. She was always a vivacious, joyful and indeed pretty young girl. Arthur and she were dating for two years now. It was her seventh year and he had graduated last year. Currently he was working for the Ministry of Magic. Molly was very good in school and planned her happy future with Arthur. Their master-plan was to move together and see how things went from there. Arthur had found a nice flat in London and was making it presentable for his girl-friend, much to the sorrow of his salary and his free time. They were both head over heels in love with each other. And, as everyone knows, love blinds people.

Neither Molly nor Arthur saw the impending danger coming from her parents. One evening in February Molly was gently awakened by Professor Minerva McGonagall, a young teacher, who was about to take over Albus Dumbledore's position as Head of House and Transfiguration professor.

"Molly, I'm sorry but you have to wake up again. Your parents are here."

Minerva's voice was very gentle.

"But, Professor, I'm that tired from all the learning. Madame Pomfrey said I should go to bed", protested Molly.

"I know. But your parents want to talk to you now. They are quite insistent. Please get up and dress."

Had she another choice? No, not really. Molly had learned many many years ago that it was better, and less painful, to obey her parents. With heavy heart she got up and dressed quickly in her school uniform. Professor McGonagall smoothed the wrinkles in Molly's robes with a gentle hand and stroked her hair. Molly was surprised. True, McGonagall had a soft core but she was also a pro in hiding that core beneath a granite exterior. Something was wrong. Molly's eyes travelled slowly over her Professor's appearance. McGonagall seemed ... troubled ... worried ... and slightly angry for some reason. What had happened? What could account for the Professor's state? Suddenly she was afraid. Something was happening.

----

Professor McGonagall led her to the headmaster's office. Also in the room were her parents and Albus Dumbledore. Professor Dippet was talking to a young man standing by the fire. Molly knew this man. He was a Slytherin who had graduated last year with Arthur. His blonde hair and arrogant but aristocratic features made him a charming and very good-looking fellow. But she knew about his pranks on the teachers, the assaults on muggle-borns and the total lack of regard for girls and their wishes. What was he doing here? But before she could think of a reason, her mother had come over to her. Very stiffly she embraced her daughter and pecked her cheek. William Buchanan just nodded at his daughter.

"Good, she is here. Could we proceed now? Really, Professor Dippet, Professor Dumbledore, I can't think of a reason why she should be here. All I ask of you is to make sure she graduates and is taken under the motherly wings of a female teacher who prepares her for her wifely duties."

Never had the voice of her father sounded that cruel. Wifely duties? Did this mean she was to marry? But whom for goodness' sake? With a pleading look at her mother she was about to open her mouth and voice these questions ... But her mother just shook her head and gave her a narrowed eye. She was not to speak. As usual.

Suddenly she felt sick, her knees went wobbly. Lucius Malfoy's presence just began to make sense. But, no, that couldn't be! Not him! Please, not him. Everyone but him. No, not everyone. Arthur! I love Arthur! Desperately Molly turned to her mother again but she had already turned to Malfoy. Molly saw her father taking her hand and for a moment hope flickered in her heart. He wouldn't be that cruel and marry her off to a Malfoy. They were notorious to be cruel to their wives and unfaithful! But her father stirred her towards Lucius Malfoy and put her hand in his.

"You are betrothed to Lucius Malfoy. He asked my permission this afternoon. Both sides of his family are pure-blooded. He is wealthy and can give you a carefree life." Then he turned to Malfoy and added:

"She is well educated, comes from good breeding and is obedient."

"I am aware of her advantages, Sir. She will be a good wife and makes sure that the name of Malfoy survives."

Malfoy's voice tripped with false happiness. His gaze was different. He let his eyes wander over her body. Malfoy's eyes rested on her hips and her breasts. His gaze seemed to undress her. Molly thought she was going to be sick. Then she heard McGonagall's hiss behind her. McGonagall too had noticed the look of naked lust in Malfoy's eyes and she didn't like that. Mr and Mrs Buchanan though were unawares. To top the whole thing, Mr Buchanan said in his brisk voice:

"Yes, she will breed easily. Big breasts good for nursing and broad hips good for birthing. I'm sure that she'll be quite sensual after the shock of the wedding night. Just like her mother. Isn't it right, Ginevra?"

Molly's mother blushed deeply and cast her eyes to the floor. But Molly had seen the disgust in her mother's gaze. And something else ... almost ... triumph. Suddenly she understood. Her mother ... no, the woman who had birthed her, was satisfied to know that Molly had the same misery ahead of her than she had. A loveless marriage to a cruel man. Molly backed away from her parents. She turned around and ran out of the headmaster's office.

"Molly! Come back this instant!"

Her father's bellow reached her along with her mother's sneer:

"She'll get used to it."

----

"Molly? Please wait."

A very different voice reached her ears. Soft and gentle and utterly calming. She had never heard such a sweet tone from Minerva McGonagall before. Molly staggered to a halt and collapsed against a nearby wall. She sobbed uncontrollably. This was just a dream. A nightmare. Next thing she would lie in her bed. Sweat-drenched but safe. Her head bumped against the wall and it hurt, but she didn't wake up. Finally it dawned on her: it was really happening. She was Lucius Malfoy's fiancée. Again great sobs shook her body. This time however gentle arms wrapped themselves around her and held her tight. Minerva's murmured words of comfort didn't reach her but it wasn't important. What could she have said anyway? They sat there in the now moonlit corridor and the older woman tried everything to calm the younger one. Molly didn't know how long they had sat there when soft footsteps approached them. Albus Dumbledore bent down towards them and gently proposed to accompany them to the Hospital Wing. Carefully the two professors lifted the unresisting body of Molly up and half led, half carried her to the Hospital Wing.

----

Poppy Pomfrey was shocked to see the usually cheerful Molly in a state of trance. Molly's eyes were blank and blind, her resistance none-existent. Madame Pomfrey shot a questioning glance at Albus and Minerva. Doing so she noticed that Minerva looked as if she was sick. Poppy's nursing instincts automatically kicked in. She stirred Minerva gently towards a stool and made her sit down. Then she took Molly's arm and towed her onto a bed. Molly just lay there, mute and unmoving. Minerva's eyes rested on Molly.

"Albus, please explain to me what is going on. I can't help either Ms Buchanan or Professor McGonagall if I don't know what got them in such a state."

Poppy's voice was gentle but firm. No excuses, no weak lies. She wanted the truth.

Albus sighed deeply. He knew Poppy well enough to interpret her determined look correctly.

"You know about our marriage laws?"

"Yes, of course. They are still very medieval. Parents are allowed to marry their children off, even against their wishes. Husbands can do everything they want to their wives because wives are the property of their husbands. And so on. I hate these laws! I loathe them!"

Her tone was one of disgust.

"Me too", said a very small voice from the bed.

When the adults turned and looked at her, Molly's eyes flowed over again. She cried although she had thought earlier that she had no tears left.

"How can mum and dad do that to me? I don't want to marry Lucius Malfoy. I love Arthur. We ..."

She couldn't continue. It hurt too much to think about Arthur and their almost future. New sobs shook her body. Almost instantly Minerva jumped up and hugged her. Poppy however looked disgusted and furious. But, to be on the save side, she asked:

"You are to marry Lucius Malfoy?"

The only answer were more sobs and a violent shaking throughout the young woman's body. Minerva's eyes flashed dangerously and her voice shook with suppressed anger.

"Yes. They've just sold her. And to that disgusting bastard! The way he looked at her. How dare he!"

Albus laid a reassuring hand on Minerva's shoulder. With a merry twinkle in his eyes he said:

"Not everybody can be married to a perfect husband like me ..."

The glare of his wife shut him up quickly. It was clear that she was in no mood for jokes.

"Albus, you must have seen ..."

"Yes, I have. I wanted to slap that cocky grin off his face. I'm as angry as you are. I, too, think our laws are out-of-date but we can't change them right now. It takes time."

"But we do not have time, Albus. Don't you see? Molly loves Arthur. Oh, stop it, Miss Buchanan. I must have been blind not to notice. The whole school knows. But Mr Malfoy hates Mr Weasley. I think that is the reason he wants you for. To get to Mr Weasley."

Molly stared unbelievingly up to Professor McGonagall. Then she moaned.

"Oh no. I can't marry him. Please help me. What can I do?"

"Well, your father said you should finish school. That means we have time until term ends. He also said to put you under the wing of a female teacher."

"Yes. 'To be prepared for her wifely duties'. How revolting!"

Minerva was nearly retching and Poppy stared disbelievingly at her. Then she snorted very unlady-like.

"But I'm not a virgin anymore. Do you think that would change matters?"

"No ... or rather yes but to the worse", Poppy said sympathetically.

Dumbledore continued with supreme indifference to the women's comments.

"As I was saying. We still have time and Minerva, as your mentor in all things marital, will be able to get you out of the castle. Naturally under the pretence of buying a wedding dress and all this. But in reality you can meet Arthur."

"Oh, Professor Dumbledore, we could really do that?"

Hope lit up on Molly's face. Her usual sweet smile curled her lips shyly.

"Of course. We won't let you down, dear", Albus reassured her, smiling amiably at her.

"No, certainly not. I was trapped in a horrible marriage before I found the courage to leave. And the only reason neither Minerva nor Pomona had to endure a thing like that, is that they are strong and independent women", Poppy said hotly.

"You were married?" asked Molly and was momentarily distracted of her own fate.

"Yes, I was. My family is pure-blooded. They didn't like the idea of me being a nurse. To prevent such an awful thing from happening, they married me off to a boy of equally good breeding. He was mean and, when it became obvious that I couldn't conceive any children, became even more cruel and started to abuse me."

Her voice was sad and, even so she tried to hide it, fear showed in her eyes. Molly hadn't the heart to ask what exactly he had done to her. But she felt her own fear returning. She could and would not marry Malfoy. Rather die than be trapped in such a marriage.