Arthur whistled as he made his way up the lane that led to the back door of the Burrow. Even though winter was approaching, he still enjoyed apparating to a point just outside of Ottery St. Catchpole and walking home. When he entered the kitchen, the smell of Molly's cooking immediately invaded his nostrils. He removed his cloak and shoes before padding over to his wife, catching her in a hug when she walked past to finish setting the table.

"Arthur!"

"What?" He asked, drawing her close to him.

"I'm trying to get dinner on the table, and you're holding me up, that' s what."

"Well, Molly, I order you to sit down and let me finish with the preparations."

"No, I'll do it, you've been at work all day, you don't need to do my job too."

"I don't need to, but I want to. Sit."

Molly obeyed, settling in her chair at the table, watching as her husband finished setting the table and served her before serving himself.

"Thank you, Arthur."

"You're welcome Molly-girl. It looks delicious." He replied, lifting his fork to dig in to the meal he knew his wife had slaved over, as when it was just the two of them; she tended to cook the Muggle way, if only so it'd take longer. After a few moments of silence, Arthur remembered the owl he had received from Remus before he had come home. "Molly, we need to go to Headquarters when we're finished."

"For what, dear?"

"Mundungus overheard something in Hogsmeade and Remus thinks we should know about it as it deals with our children and the latest Educational Decree that was approved."

"Oh dear. What are they up to now?"

"I've no idea, Mols."

"Arthur, I've got duty tonight, did you remember?"

"Wha-? Oh, yes, I did. What time do you have to report?"

"Eight. I should be home before you're up again to go to work."

Arthur nodded, glancing at his watch. "Well, if you've got to report at eight, we'd better get going and hear what Remus has to say about the kids."

Without a word, Molly stood and collected the dishes, placing them in the sink. "Will you wash these or should I put the charm on them now?"

"I'll wash them, Molly. Come on." He held out her cloak for her, draping it over her shoulders before he pulled his own back on. "Apparate together or separately?"

"Together. I'd rather not be alone for any length of time in that part of town."

"All right." He pulled her close to him, and apparated to a secluded walkway about two blocks from Grimmauld Place. "All parts accounted for, love?" He asked playfully, knowing full well he hadn't left anything behind, of him or his wife.

"Yes, Arthur. Stay close." Arthur nodded, reaching for her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze before he set off at a brisk pace towards Headquarters. After they arrived and Remus had ushered them inside, they settled in the parlor along with Sirius, since there was no one around to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"Well, as I told you in the owl I sent, Arthur, Mundungus was in the Hog's Head on Saturday and overheard Harry, Ron and Hermione conduct a meeting about forming a club to teach themselves Defense Against the Dark Arts as Dolores Umbridge is only teaching them out of the book and not allowing them apply what they've learned. He also said that several students were at the meeting as well, and he can't be sure, but he thinks Fred, George and Ginny were there as well. The group isn't a horrible idea actually, except that the newest Educational Decree states that no organization, society, team, group and club meant for students can not exist without Dolores Umbridge's knowledge, and you know she won't allow it."

"Are they going to continue with it anyway? Even if it's illegal?" Molly asked anxiously, the last thing they needed was for their children to get expelled and thrown out of Hogwarts, in her opinion, Hogwarts was the only place that was truly safe.

"I don't know. Sirius was going to talk to them tonight." Remus replied, nodding in Sirus' direction.

"Surely you aren't? I've told you, its dangerous, especially with that Umbridge woman practically running the place now. Is it really worth your head to talk to Harry?"

Arthur remained silent; knowing he and Molly would have a discussion about the matter later, in private.

"Yes, it is Molly. He's my godson."

"That may very well be, but its not going to do you a lick of good if you wind up in Azkaban again, will it?"

"No, but I'm careful. Now, is there anything you want me to pass on to them?"

"Yes, actually. I'd tell them myself, but I've got duty tonight, and I can't very well send an owl without the fear of getting them in trouble if its intercepted. Tell Ron that on no account whatsoever is he to take part in an illegal secret Defense Against the Dark Arts group. He'll be expelled for sure and his future will be ruined. There'll be plenty of time for him to learn how to defend himself later and that he is too young to worry about that right now. I also advise Harry and Hermione not to proceed with the group, even though I accept the fact I have no authority over either of them and I simply beg them to remember that I have their best interests at heart."

"Yes, Molly. I'll make sure they get the message. Shouldn't you be at the Ministry?" Sirius asked, briefly wondering why Arthur had hardly spoken during the whole exchange, though he figured Molly talked more than enough for the both of them.

Molly nodded, standing. "Arthur, don't forget, you said you'd do the dishes and don't wait up for me." She kissed him quickly and said her good-byes, before she left to relieve Mad-Eye.

"Arthur, you've been awful quiet, is something wrong?" Remus asked once Molly had left.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just stressed is all, and wishing Molly was staying home tonight."

"Oh? Any particular reason?"

"Not really, I just worry about how well she's holding up through all of this. I know she puts on a brave front for the children and to some extent me as well, but she doesn't need to."

"She may not need to, but she's a Gryffindor just like you, me and Sirius."

Arthur nodded and sighed. "I know. Doesn't stop me from worrying about how well she's holding up though, especially since I've seen her fall apart in the past. She's lost weight over this entire mess and I know it can't possibly be healthy."

"She'll be all right Arthur. She's got you and the rest of us." Remus said, patting Arthur on the shoulder. "Shouldn't you be getting back? It wouldn't be to your advantage if you left the dishes undone, would it?"

Arthur chuckled and shook his head. "No, it won't be. I'd better get going if I want to have a peaceful evening. That woman won't let me have it first thing in morning, she'll wake me up the minute she gets home and let me have it then." He stood, excusing himself from the other two and heading home via the floo. When he arrived, he put the charm on the dishes and headed into the living room, to catch up on some reading.

"Arthur, dear, wake up." Molly shook her husband gently, shaking her head at the fact he hadn't gone up to bed the night before, and had fallen asleep in his chair.

"Hmm? Molly?"

"Yes, its Molly. Wake up, Arthur." She repeated, marking his page in the book he had been reading and placing it on the side table.

"What are you doing home? I thought you were on duty." Arthur still hadn't opened his eyes, and Molly held back a giggle. He really was adorable.

"I was. You fell asleep waiting for me. Wake up and come up to bed with me, I called in for you." She replied, leaning over and kissing his forehead.

"You didn't have to do that, Molly-girl. I planned on working today." He opened his eyes, and pulled her closer, kissing her briefly.

"I know I didn't have to, but when I saw that you were sleeping down here, I figured I would, I know you're going to be sore."

"You've got that right love. My back just isn't up to me sleeping anywhere I please anymore."

"Come on. We'll eat breakfast and then we'll go up to bed, and if you'd like me to, I'll give you a back rub."

Arthur smiled, kissing her forehead before he moved to stand up. "Sounds good to me, dear. All clear last night?"

"Yes, last night was quite uneventful."
"That's good then. Molly, I'm concerned about you, you know?" Arthur said, almost surprising himself with his words.

"Why? I'm fine, dear. I promise."

"I know you're okay, and I know you can hold your own in most cases, I'm just worried about how you're holding up, is all. You probably didn't realize, but I woke up two nights ago and heard you crying, love."

Molly bowed her head; she had hoped her husband hadn't caught on to her nightmares. Things were bad enough without the miscarriage coming back to haunt her and the dreams of her finding her family dead certainly didn't help either. "Do you know why?"

"I have an inkling, yes. I know you'll never stop loving and missing the babies we lost all those years ago, and I know you're having a hard time with the war again. But you're not in this alone, next time you have a nightmare or the miscarriage comes back, wake me up."

"How'd you know that's why--?"

"I know my wife, Mollywobbles, and I'm here for you, all right? You don't have to face your fears and your nightmares alone. Its my job to comfort you." He gave her a firm hug, burying his face in her hair.

"That it is, Arthur. Thank you, I do appreciate knowing that you know what's been bothering me, and that you're there for me when I need you."

"Of course I am. Now, how about some breakfast, and then we can catch up on some sleep together, hmm?"

Molly smiled widely, hugging him tightly. "Sounds good to me, just let me change into my pajamas, all right?"

Arthur nodded, kissing her head before releasing her and allowing her to go upstairs and change. When she returned in her snowflake patterned fleece pajamas, he gave her another hug and kiss. "Comfortable?"

"Yes. Any requests?"

"No, I'll let you whip up whatever your little heart desires. You know I eat anything."

"That you do, dear." She said, yawning as she made her way into the kitchen. "Thank you, I see you remembered to do the dishes as I asked."

"Of course I did Molly. You know I go to great lengths to avoid your wrath whenever possible."

She chuckled as she got out her frying pan and began preparing breakfast. "Yes you do, Arthur. Another reason why I think you're positively adorable."