Reposting this due to some kind of corruption. Also had to repost the chapters after due to weirdness with FF. Thanks to Michael Anonymous for letting me know.

Chapter 2 - Research

Molly decided to start her research at the Wizard's Central Library. Her first focus was on a potion that would influence gender, but after two Sundays worth of searching, Molly came to the conclusion that potions were a dead end. Plenty of wizards and witches had tried to create a gender influencing potion, but the results were so random that it almost seemed that the odds were basically the same with or without the potion. In addition, all the potential potions were designed with the goal of producing a male heir for a family. Molly had already given Arthur six heirs, now it was her turn. As she finished up her second Sunday of research, Molly was flipping the last couple of pages in the last book she had open. Her plan was to finish the book, return everything she had checked out and then pursue a different course the following week. Then she noticed a small quotation on one page that caught her eye. It read 'in addition, refer tome 16 for moste potente potion for carnal harmony with occultic alliance'. That notation caught Molly's eye. Although a bit vague, the reference to the carnal could indicate a potion with sexual influences. Molly made a note to check Lewin's Catalogue for Draughts and Potions, volume 16. Closing the book, she noted that the volume she currently held was number 3. Even though time was running late, Molly made a quick check of the card files for additional volumes. The files indicated volumes 1-6, 9-14 and 20-22 were all in the library. The interceding numbered volumes were listed as either unknown or missing. Volume 16 was on the unknown list. Sighing, Molly checked all her books back in and returned home.

Throughout the next week, Molly remained busy with her brood and her home, but her mind continually wandered. The next Sunday found her back at the library. This time she switched from potions to astronomical research, as she had read that certain celestial navigations could affect a woman's cycle and she wondered if there was a possibility that those same navigations might affect the gender of a child. By the end of her time, she was back at another dead end. Celestial navigations may affect women, but they had little impact on men and it was the man who ultimately determined gender. Frustrated, Molly left the library empty-handed again.

When Molly returned home, she found the place in chaos. Bill and Charlie had snuck into the broom shed and gone for a forbidden ride that had ended when they crashed into a large mud puddle. Unfortunately, the puddle also contained their twin brothers. Fred and George were bruised but mostly fine. They were mainly angry and unknowingly had flung Bill and Charlie out of the mud and halfway across the garden after the crash. Bill had a fine lump on his head and Charlie twisted his ankle. Although the four boys were a right mess, Arthur was grinning at the first evidence that the twins were definitely not squibs. A two year old squib would never have been able to sling a six or eight year old across the garden with nothing but an angry glare. Molly was happy, but she had had no doubts on the twins inherent magic and soon busied herself with early baths for her muddy lot of boys.

Over the first few days of the following week, Molly continued to ponder her research and how to pursue it further. One evening after the boys were finally tucked in and quiet, Arthur was feeling randy and began to caress and nibble on her neck in a way that usually always got her going, but Molly was still too deep in thought to respond as he wished. Arthur realized something was wrong and desisted as he asked "Ok Molly, what are you brooding about?"

Molly turned to her husband and the look of concern in his eyes was all she needed to see. She immediately began explaining to Arthur about her desire for a daughter and the research that had so far come to naught.

Arthur listened and waited for Molly to finish. He was a bit stunned. He knew of course how much she desired a daughter, but he hadn't realized just how badly. In truth, he also had wished with each pregnancy that he would get a 'daddy's little witch' of his own, but his family history made it unlikely. As Molly wound down, he pulled her into his arms and proposed an idea. "Molly my love, I had no idea just how much this means to you. I know you've been all through the Central Library, but there may be one other option. As a Ministry employee, I can search the Ministry archives and see what I can dig up. A large portion is restricted, but I can give it a try. I'll start with that volume 16 book you mentioned. What do you think?"

Molly turned her face up to her husband and her smile was light again as a glimmer of hope reignited. She began kissing Arthur quite ardently and soon made it very clear what she thought of his idea and what it meant to her.

The next day Arthur used his lunch hour to visit the Ministry archives. Checking the card file he was pleasantly surprised to find a complete set of Lewin's Catalogue. Unpleasantly, five of the volumes were listed as restricted, including number 16. 'Must be some nasty stuff in those' Arthur thought to himself. As Arthur pondered how he could go about securing a pass for restricted materials, he noticed a familiar face. Flynn McDuff was in the back corner of the library and nearly invisible behind a stack of books. If it hadn't been for Flynn's crazy mass of white hair, Arthur might not have seen him at all. Curious as to what had buried Flynn so deep in the archives, Arthur went over for a chat.

"Flynn! Hello there. It's been ages. How are you? How's Kevin?"

"Oh, hi Arthur. I'm well and so is Kevin. I think that spot of trouble might have finally sorted him out."

Arthur smiled as he thought back on an incident that occurred nearly a year ago. Flynn's youngest and favorite nephew Kevin had decided to celebrate his coming of age by drinking most of a bottle of fire whisky and then going out to party with friends. The group of young wizards had started in a wizard club, but had soon moved to a hot Muggle night spot instead. While there, Kevin had lost an impromptu dance contest to a young Muggle and had retaliated by enchanting the Muggle boy's shoes. The effect was that the Muggle had been unable to stop dancing. Kevin and his friends disappeared right after and it was a thankful thing that the Ministry monitored Muggle police frequencies. The Magic Reversal Squad was notified quickly that a boy had been sent to a local hospital for exhaustion and that his shoes were still trying to dance as the hospital tried to treat him. The simple prank had turned into a full night of work for the Magic Reversal Squad and several Obliviators, who had to banish memories from club attendees, first responders and hospital staff. Arthur was the head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office and was called in to track down the perpetrator. Using memory probes, it hadn't taken long for Arthur to have a clear sketch of the suspect, as well as his first name and the names of some of his friends. When Arthur had paid a visit to the family, he found that the young man was sincerely remorseful and his uncle Flynn had convinced Arthur to overlook the boy's first infraction. Flynn paid a hefty fine to St. Mungo's Charitable Fund and Kevin promised to keep his nose clean or Arthur would reconsider reporting him. Now it had been nearly a year and Arthur had heard nothing as Kevin had indeed kept his promise.

As Arthur remembered back on the incidents of the year previous, he still wondered what Flynn was doing in the archives. "Glad to hear Kevin has learned his lesson Flynn. May I ask what brings you to the archives? Looks like a hefty amount of reading you've got there."

Flynn looked up and sighed, running his fingers through his hair and making it stand up even more. "Oy! Arthur, I've got a piece of property I recently invested in and it came with unadvertised poltergeist activity. I've lost several tenants already and haven't been able to banish the spirits, so I'm researching the history of the area. Had to call in some favors, but I managed to get a pass to the restricted section and I think I am getting close to an answer."

At the mention of a restricted pass, Arthur's spirit soared. Flynn still owed him for keeping Kevin clear and now maybe would be a good time to call in the favor. "Restricted section huh? I actually was doing some research and just found out the one book I am the most interested in is also restricted."

Flynn looked at Arthur and a slow smile crept across his face. "Well I certainly owe you Arthur, what's the book? I have a couple here I'm done with and I can check yours out when I return these."

Arthur wrote down the book title for Flynn and his eyebrows raised a bit, but Flynn said nothing as he stood up and headed for the central information desk. Arthur moved a couple of books aside and sat down to wait.

Twenty minutes later, Flynn returned with Arthur's book. "Got your book Arthur. Took them a while to find it, and from the look of it, this one hasn't been opened since the last goblin war. A bit of an odd selection, but I am sure you have your reasons."

"Yes indeed Flynn. The book is for a bit of personal research. It's probably only in the restricted section because of one or two nasties in it, whereas I just need some older more mundane recipes. I do appreciate your help. I'll turn the book in when I'm done and just tell the archivist that I'm doing you a favor." With that, Arthur shook Flynn's hand and went to find a quiet table where he could delve into volume 16 of Lewin's Catalogue.

Two hours later Arthur thought he had found what Molly might be looking for. He was well past his lunch, but his job allowed flexibility and he could always fib and say the research was work related. The entry he found gave the details on 'ensuring the sire of a male heir for the propagation of familial lineage'. The text was a quite outdated, but basically described a very old rite by which a witch could mate with a merman in the mer's own environment with the aid of a water potion. After the mating, if the witch's betrothed immediately took her to himself then the ensuing conception would result in a son. Arthur shivered a bit at the thought of any witch wanting to be near a merman, as they were notoriously temperamental and occasionally violent. 'Anyway, siring a male heir is not our problem' Arthur thought. Then he continued on down the page and at the very bottom found one additional quotation: 'if a witch is desired, her propagation may be ensured by the aid of a veela'. That seemed peculiar to Arthur and he wished that more details had been given, but it seemed obvious that Lewin was much more interested in the need for a male heir than the unlikely desire for a family to sire a witch.

Arthur looked through the book a bit more, but found nothing additional that would assist in Molly's quest. He did notice several potions in the book that were quite vile and it was obvious why volume 16 was under restriction. With nothing else to be done, Arthur returned the book and went back to his office.

That evening when the boys were settled and Arthur and Molly had a few quiet minutes, Arthur delivered the news that he had located volume 16 and what the singular notation had indicated. Molly frowned as she replied to the news from Arthur's research. "A veela? How can a veela help?"

"Not sure Molly. The text didn't give many details on siring a girl. You know how the old pure-bloods focus mainly on producing male heirs. Perhaps we could find out if we asked a veela?"

Molly regarded her husband with a smirk. "And do you happen to know any veela Arthur? Maybe one we can make a floo call to? Or maybe send an owl?"

Arthur laughed. "Well yes, that is an issue. I guess we would first need to locate veela. I know I've heard of some in Bulgaria and the surrounding mountains. Hmm, I wonder…"

Molly waited for Arthur to finish his thought, but grew impatient as he continued to ponder. "What Arthur?"

"Hmm, yes, just an idea I had Molly. Maybe the Ministry has a contact in the area. I could try talking to Euan Peakes in the Department for International Magical Cooperation. We've worked together on a couple of issues with Muggle artifacts outside Britain. "

Molly's eyes began to light up and Arthur was quick to caution her. "Now Molly, this is just a first step in investigating this. It may come to nothing, so don't get too hopeful."

Molly sighed, shook her head and yawned. "Well, I know you'll do what you can Arthur. Now I think we should get some sleep."