Hi everyone.
Can you believe, this is the second-to-last oneshot of this fic? Seems like yesterday we started writing the first chapter.
Here's the new chapter.
Disclaimer: All rights go to J.K Rowling. We own nothing but the plotlines.
Love is Stronger Than Death
The reminders were everywhere. Molly's old chair in the corner of the living room, right next to the fireplace. All of her pots and pans, her recipes, her apron; the kitchen in general. Every room was a reminder- memories of the one they loved, the one they lost.
But Arthur had it the worst. He had to stay in the Burrow, day after day, constantly being reminded of the fact that Molly was gone.
So he moved out. It was too painful for him to stay in the Burrow. He tried to stay with his children and their families, but they reminded him too much of Molly as well. Ginny was the worst, because being the only girl, she automatically brought him back to Molly, but the similarities continued. Ginny's character, her fiery attitude, even her eyes- they were all Molly's.
Arthur knew he had to be alone, so he packed up his things and left. He moved out to the country, to a secluded little cottage next to a small lake. His only regret about his new house was that Molly wasn't there to share it with him.
He didn't tell anyone where he was going or when he'd be back, because, honestly, he didn't really know.
But living here was easier. There were no obvious reminders of Molly, only the sweet scent of wildflowers and the gentle lap lap lap of the lake, the soft hum of the warm breeze and the solidity of the sun. Because after having lost so much, after his life having changed so drastically, it was comforting to know that the sun would always be there for him, that he could count on it to come up every morning and go down every night.
The days turned into weeks, and the weeks stretched into months. During this time, Arthur had made a comfortable life in his country cottage, his days falling into a pattern, having a soothing rhythm about them.
And then suddenly it was October, and Arthur had spent over a year away from the Burrow, away from his family.
One day, Arthur was taking a walk outside, when suddenly he caught a whiff of something. It smelled like... it smelled like autumn. And all of a sudden he was crying, because autumn was Molly's favorite month and how could he have left his family for so long? They were going through the same thing, but they had lost their mother and how could he be so... so selfish to leave them alone like that when he knew what they were going through? They should be sticking together, not staying apart.
And so Arthur went back to his cottage and packed everything up, because while the months away had been good for him, he had known that this would have to end, that he would have to go back, someday. And that someday was today.
The Weasley siblings still held their weekly dinners, even though they had lost both their parents. But it was a tradition, and Molly was always religious about upholding tradition, and keeping this one going made the siblings feel that they were honoring her, in a way.
It was on one such Saturday evening that Arthur appeared. The siblings and their families were laughing and talking, even though it was still a little subdued, but they were all well on their way to being healed by now. And they still held the dinners at the Burrow, because it made them feel as though Molly was still there, as though she joined them every week.
They had just finished up dinner and Ginny and Fleur were bringing out the dessert when there was a knock on the door. Everyone looked at each other. Could it be...?
"Maybe it's the boogeyman!" George squealed, ducking under the table.
Everyone rolled their eyes.
"Maybe it's dad," Bill said aloud what everyone had been hoping for, but had almost given up on.
"Well, we're not going to find out just sitting here," Percy said briskly, getting up and crossing the room to the door.
The entire room took a breath as Percy grasped the knob and pulled open the door.
"HELLO! I'm Fillip and do you have a problem with random clowns attacking your home with turkey legs well I have the cure!" Fillip spoke very fast and then held up a garden hose. "Spray them with these and the clowns will disappear!"
Percy shut the door. "Never mind then."
A sigh of disappointment could be heard across the room.
Knock, knock.
"Fillip, go away!" Ginny whipped out her frying pan-weapon.
The knocking grew more intense as Ginny crossed the room and opened the door.
"FILLIP! TAKE THAT!" Ginny swung her frying pan. There was a thump as someone fell onto the doorstep.
Everyone stared in shock.
"Sh$&!" Ginny cried. "It's dad!"
"I am so sorry I knocked out dad," Ginny said. "I don't know what came over me, I thought it was Fillip at the door."
The family had congregated in the sitting room, where Harry had built up the fire and they sat, watching Arthur.
Hermione gave a faint smile as she said, "He's waking up!"
The Weasleys gathered around the sofa on which Arthur lay.
"Uhhh," Arthur said groggily, opening his eyes. "Where am I? How did I get here?"
"You're lying on the couch because Ginny knocked you out, and I'm not entirely sure how you got here. We're hoping you can explain," Percy said matter-of-factly.
Arthur rubbed his head. "I came back to see everyone-" As he said this, he appeared to gain more focus on what he was saying, "-and to apologize for being away for so long. I- I shouldn't have left you all like I did, but I felt as if I needed to get away from it all, and-"
Ron cut him off. "It's okay, dad."
As Arthur's children moved to embrace their father, even after all that had happened, after all the time that had passed, and after everything they had been through together, Arthur realized that the Weasley family's bond was too strong to be defeated by anything in the world.
Losing Molly was hard, but they would be okay. They would survive.
They always did.
Why was the light turned up so brightly? And why did her head pound and feel as if someone had stuffed it with one of her Weasley sweaters?
Molly sat up, her head swimming.
"Ugh, where am I?" She asked aloud.
"It would be easier to ask where you haven't been," a voice said. It sounded so familiar, but Molly couldn't place her finger on it...
A red-headed woman came into focus. She was standing, her vivid hair shining with such a contrast from the rest of the white world.
"I'm Lily," Lily Potter smiled. "But I suppose you already know who I am, since you've taken such good care of my son for all of these years."
And at that moment, Molly realized where she was. And what had happened.
A few tears sprang to her eyes.
"Don't worry, Molly. You'll be reunited with Arthur and the rest of your children, eventually," Lily said gently. "It was hard for me at first, but then I found James, and now we're happy, watching over Harry, his family, and yours. I guess… I suppose it's our way of saying thank-you for being Harry's mum when I couldn't." A few tears escaped Lily's eyes as well, but she was still smiling.
"And now, there's someone who wants to meet you," Lily said. "Take my hand."
Molly obliged, and together the two of them walked, through the white landscape.
"I didn't realize it would be so- so bright," Molly chuckled.
"Oh, you haven't seen it really. This is just a crossroads of sorts, I guess one could say… But I don't think you would like to go back as a ghost, would you?" Lily asked softly.
Molly sighed. If she did, and went back to see her family, it wouldn't be good for them. They had to move on and let go of her.
"No… I wouldn't."
"That's what I thought. But now, we're here." Lily stopped walking.
A figure approached through the mist in front of the two women.
Molly squinted. No, it couldn't be….
As the figure became clear and she saw who it was, tears of joy overcame her. After so long, she could finally see her son again.
"Hi, mum. It's Freddie."
"Oh, Fred!" The entire world halted, or what seemed like the world, and maybe it wasn't actually a world anymore, but Molly didn't care, because Fred, her Freddie was here.
"I'm so sorry," she sobbed into his shoulder. It wasn't fair he had to die so early. It wasn't fair about anyone who had died in the war. And as she wept, she realized, she was crying because she'd left everyone behind, and she'd never again get the chance to hug her children the way she was hugging Fred now.
"It's okay, Mum, really." Fred patted Molly on the shoulder a bit awkwardly. "You know, now, that you'll see everyone again eventually, and we'll be reunited here."
Molly gave a weak smile. "Really?"
Fred smiled at Molly. "We never really left, after all."
8 Years Later
Arthur sat up, blinking. He must have left the curtains open, the room was so bright.
His head felt fuzzy. His bed didn't seem like his regular bed, maybe he'd have to get a new mattress.
"Arthur?" A voice rang out.
It couldn't be. He hadn't heard that voice in almost a decade… Hearing it, it filled him with terrible sadness, longing, but also happiness and love…. it sounded like…
Molly.
"Arthur!" Molly sprinted towards him and hugged him tightly.
"Molly? How-," Arthur was speechless.
"It's okay, Arthur. We're finally reunited," Molly held the love of her life in her arms, and he held her back.
Their love had truly transcended life and death.
And now they were together again.
Please review! We'd like to hear your opinions on the Molly chapters as a whole and what you all thought of the writing.
The final chapter is not next Saturday, but the one after (Saturday January 16). Mark your calendars for the last chapter of The Life We've Dreamed of!
