Molly/Rose

Prompt: Threat


Threat

July 16, 2023

The air was tense and strangely cold that morning, even though it was the middle of summer. There was no amiable chatter that usually took place around the breakfast table; the only sounds were the swish of paper as Percy flicked through the pages of the Daily Prophet, the clink of china as Audrey placed her hot cup of tea back upon the saucer and the incessant scratch of Lucy's quill as it flew across the paper. It was all trivial noise to Molly. Her mind was off someplace else, to a time three years previous, where it had been Lucy's fate that was hanging in the balance. She could remember her sister's anxiety, how she had been biting her nails furiously, how she had opened the envelope with shaking hands as though it was a Howler from the Minister for Magic. She remembered her father's words, how Lucy had a legacy to uphold.

The same words had been spoken to her not three minutes ago, and Molly could feel the pressure she was under.

"The only person who is a threat to your being Head Girl is Rose," Percy had told her seriously. "None of the other students have such pedigree and potential. But both of Rose's parents were Prefects. Your Aunt Hermione was Head Girl too when she returned to Hogwarts. And no doubt the school will take their impressive achievements as war heroes into account."

"But I was Head Girl too," Lucy interjected proudly. "So, hopefully that will have some weight."

Molly heard her mother sigh as her father and sister began discussing the likelihood of Molly receiving Head Girl-ship. She groaned loudly and buried her head against the desk in an attempt to drown them out. If she was completely honest, she couldn't care less about being Head Girl. Sure, being Hufflepuff Prefect was nice, and she certainly enjoyed it, but if Rose received Head Girl, Molly would be exceptionally proud of her.

She had never seen Rose as a threat. Even though they competed for top marks in every class, there were no bitter feelings towards the other. Sometimes, Molly hated how ambitious her father and sister were. Everything was a competition, and Molly always had to compete against Lucy's exceptionally high standards.

"Maybe if she'd gotten that Outstanding in her Muggle Studies OWL instead of Exceeds Expectations, she'd have a better chance," Lucy told Percy.

"Enough!" Molly cried angrily, slamming her fist against the table. "Stop talking about me like I'm not here!"

"Molly," Audrey warned her. "Don't raise your voice at the table, dear."

"How could you!" Molly snapped at her mother, glaring at her as frustrated tears leaked out of her brown eyes. "How can you let them do this," she gestured to Percy and Lucy. "How can you just sit here while they decide my future!"

"Molly!" This time it was Percy who spoke up as he frowned at his youngest daughter. "Do not speak to your mother that way."

Molly whipped her head against and scowled at him, the force of her turn causing locks of red hair to get caught in her mouth. She spat them out aggressively.

"Why is it so important to you that I am Head Girl?" she demanded from him. Without waiting for him to answer her, she continued. "I'm sick of you telling me what to do and how to live my life! I'm seventeen now! I'm an adult! It's my life. I'm not her!" she pointed at Lucy, who was sitting there in silence, watching the display with mild interest. "I don't care about badges, and medals and awards! I'm sick of living up to her standards. I'm sick of walking in her shoes! She's a bossy, ambitious, stuck up cow –"

" – Molly!" Audrey and Percy scolded in unison.

" – And I would rather die than be like her!" she finished, her voice venomous. She turned on her heel and stormed upstairs to her room, leaving the rest of her family sitting like statues around the table, identical expressions of shock on their faces.

"Rose isn't a threat, Dad!" Molly called from the top of the stairs. "She's my cousin!"


A/N: A different side of Molly. I don't blame her for finally losing it. I would hate to be constantly under that much pressure, especially when your older sister is Lucy. Just for your interest, Rose ends up becoming Head Girl, and it takes Percy a while to let it go. I know this doesn't actually feature Rose, but I quite enjoyed writing this. Hope you enjoy!

Ages: Molly (17), Rose (17).