Written for the One Character Competition, where I had to write a fic under 631 words about anything. I had to use five of fourteen prompts, and chose: frown, pause, pleasant, busy, and touch.
Also for the Snakes and Ladders Competition, where my character was Arthur Weasley. And the As Strong As We Are United Competition, with the prompt scarlet.
Word count: 594
Moira O'Keefe stood solemnly beside Molly, reaching down to tuck a curl behind her friend's hair. "I've never seen you look so beautiful," she said, "And I don't think it's just the dress." Molly blushed, but Moira kept speaking before she could interrupt. "Arthur Weasley - who would have thought?"
Molly's laugh did more to accentuate her rosy cheeks and happy face than Moira's excellent makeup application had. "Everyone would have thought. We were made for each other, and you know it. Everyone knows it."
Moira frowned, suddenly growing serious. "If everyone knows you were made for each other, why aren't your parents here?"
"They like Arthur," Molly said fervently. "They just think that eighteen is too young, and, well, it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission. Could you please help me with the buttons of my dress? I think it's nearly time."
Moira looked like she wanted to pursue the subject further, but kept her mouth shut, for which Molly was grateful. She turned around so her best friend could do up the last of the buttons on her wedding dress, and in doing so, she looked out the window of the small cottage they had rented for the day toward the arch that had been conjured near the edge of a field. Arthur stood there already, his favorite brother at his side and the minister standing by. Arthur shuffled nervously, as though trying to look busy, and smiled weakly at the few guests milling about.
"Okay, Molly, I'm done. And I think it's time." She smiled and held out her arm as they walked out of the cottage.
Upon seeing her, their friends from Hogwarts stopped chatting and immediately stood to either side of the makeshift aisle lined with scarlet rose petals. With neither pomp nor circumstance, with no music accompanying her entrance, Molly still didn't feel like anything was missing because she was staring straight ahead at the man who would soon be her husband.
Her walk seemed like an eternity, and she couldn't wait for it to end so she could stand beside him, touch his hands, find herself falling in love again, like she did at every instant. But she forced herself to savor the time she spent approaching him. Arthur Weasley was wonderful, so unashamed to be himself, absolutely engaged with life and interested in living it to its fullest. He approached everything with fervor, and loved her the same. Arthur was not a timid man, but his passion was different than hers, complementary. He was perfect for her. She couldn't wait to grow older beside him.
They arrived to the front and paused, Moira and Molly kissing each other's cheeks as Moira moved to stand beside her. Arthur took her hands and led her to face him, then whispered, "You look beautiful."
The ceremony passed in a pleasant blur as Molly and Arthur nodded in the appropriate places and spoke when necessary, but each was waiting impatiently for the moment when their lives would begin as husband and wife. Finally, the minister seemed to be reaching the end of his thoughts about marriage and love and happiness; Molly snapped to attention in time to repeat her vows, place Arthur's simple ring upon his finger, and receive her own.
The minister turned them to face their small audience and said, "I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Weasley." And as her husband turned to her and placed an unashamed kiss upon her lips, Molly Weasley couldn't imagine a more perfect start to forever.