26-06-2015: Newest chapter. Please, read and review! :)

Molly Prewett 1966

Arthur seemed unusually distracted that evening. Normally, the kind Ravenclaw would listen carefully to her and pick up the subject easily - he was very bright, it really was only because of Professor Slughorn he needed extra tutoring in potions - yet today she needed to repeat her explanations thrice before the idea got through. It was as if he just wasn't there with his head, as if he was still contemplating something else, figuring something out. Of course she was annoyed by this, but more than that, it spiked her curiosity - whatever he was thinking off, it had to be fascinating. He always had such eccentric ideas!

She didn't know what won over in the end, annoyance or curiosity, but whatever it was it caused her to say, "Arthur, you are not listening to me. What is on your mind?"

Arthur jolted, but quickly hid his nerves behind that warm, open smile of his, that always flipped over some organ near her stomach. "Oh, I'm so sorry Molly. My thoughts just wandered away with me. Forgive me. Please, carry on."

She smiled softly at him, but he still hadn't answered her question. "Arthur. What is on your mind?"

His eyes widened, and he swallowed. She clearly was on to something more than some creative knick-knack he'd thought up, and her resolve only grew. She had to find out what it was. "Nothing, Molly. Really, nothing to bother you with. I'll pay attention, I promise."

She crossed her arms sternly. "Arthur, tell me, what is it? If you can't keep your attention with me then I would like to hear why."

Arthur's ears were set on fire. Then he blurted out, "You'll always have my attention, I can't keep it away from you." It were clearly words not meant to be said, as his ears seemed to become even redder.

Molly's face now became a deep red too, thoroughly flustered by the awkwardly escaping words. Arthur always was so sweet, always praising her and giving her compliments on the most random things. He always knew how to surprise her, he saw beautiful things in her she had never even noticed.

"What I meant to say was..." he stopped and inhaled deeply, avoiding her eye while he scraped up the courage to say what he wanted to the formidable woman - not girl, woman, for she had the power of a roaring lioness. Molly slightly leant in, listening eagerly.

He finally looked up, his face a steely and taut mask, as his mother's family had taught him, and leaning on the Weasley steadiness he'd graciously inherited from his father's side. Looking bravely in her fierce dark eyes, not willing to show his fear that she would shatter his hopes, his dreams in moments. When it came out he sounded grave, almost angry, to his great surprise.

"Will you go out to Hogsmeade with me?"

For one terrible moment her smile disappeared, rendering her face unreadable. She wouldn't laugh at him, Molly wasn't like that, but Arthur fearfully thought she was going to yell at him, loudly, how he dared to ask such a ridiculous thing of her. Then the mortifying idea came to his mind she was more likely to apologize, that she liked him as a friend, or even worse, as a younger brother she took care over, as she was a year above him. Or perhaps she would be confused by his question, after all, why would such a mature, powerful witch ever consider funny, clumsy Weasley an actual romantic interest? Merlin no, he'd have to explain to her what he meant, and then there was no way she would ever say yes! He was always embarrassing her, after all. If she was confused at all, of course, he'd never specified a romantic date, had he, she would think he'd want to go as friends, propose to bring people along with them, want to -

"Yes, I'd love that." She was smiling brightly. She didn't understand he meant it as a date, did she?

"You don't understand!" he yelled out frantically, his cool mask transforming into one of frenzied panic. "I-I… didn't mean as friends, I meant… I actually want… I like you, I like you very much, Molly, I like you when you're happy, but also when you're angry, and I love how your eyes gleam when you want something, I admire you, you are the greatest witch a wizard can wish for, and I'm hoping so much, you would go out with me on a date." he stammered. After taking a gasp of breath, he added, "Romantically, I mean."

She still beamed just as brightly, but just a bit redder than before. "I knew what you meant. And I'd love to. You're the kindest person I've ever met, truly, and you're brilliant, and yet you don't let anyone walk over you. I'd love to go on a date with you."

She meant it. She understood he actually had a romantic interest in her and still wanted to go out with him. She said, she would love to go out with him! His heart was cheering in joy, his brain was ecstatic, all rational thinking shoved somewhere far in the back, Arthur was so happy he knew only one way to respond. He didn't stop to be nervous, or to think it through. He just did. He shot up and kissed Molly full on the mouth.

Molly was thunderstruck when out of a sudden Arthur's lips collided with hers. It was only when Arthur stumbled back, his eyes wide and apologetic, she realized what he had been doing. He actually kissed her. Arthur had kissed her! And while he clearly hadn't been planning on doing so just yet, she discovered she rather enjoyed his clumsy, deeply hidden but also deeply felt passionate side.

She smiled mischievously, only enhancing his nerves. "I do hope you can do more than that."

Nothing could wipe away Arthur's anxiety away faster, and a broad, anticipating grin appeared on his face like magic. Both secret crushes out in the open, all bonds of shyness and uncertainty burnt and broken, it was their second kiss that counted.