Molly took a deep breath as she sat down in Arthur's armchair, a cup of tea in hand, hoping to get rid of the horrible feeling she had in the pit of her stomach. Arthur was on duty, and wasn't due home until daybreak, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. She had been anxious about him having guard duty again tonight, as he had covered for Remus the night before, and had slept maybe five hours over the past two days. He had assured her he would be all right earlier, over dinner, and she had bid him farewell with an extra long hug, kiss and her love. Now, however, she wanted him home, if only to know he was safe. Her eyes fixed on the clock, checking to make sure his hand was far away from 'mortal peril' and breathed a sigh of relief to see that it was on 'work', where it usually rested when he was at the Ministry for any reason. The thought gave her some comfort, though she bowed her head in a silent prayer to whatever powers were listening that her husband would return to her safe and sound come morning as planned. She took a sip of her tea before she pointed her wand at the fireplace, starting a roaring fire and summoned a blanket. She draped the blanket over her legs before she rested her head against the back of the chair, feeling drowsy. She knew she should go upstairs and try to get to sleep, but without Arthur around to ease the unsettling feeling in her stomach, it was better if she just stayed up. She closed her eyes, sighing wearily, she had had just about the same amount of sleep Arthur had over the past couple of days, and she didn't know how he did it.
'He must have some sort of reserve energy stored that allows him to go without sleep for as long as he does,' she mused, pursing her lips together and setting her tea on the side table. She wrapped herself in a hug, her eyes focusing on the clock again. It was nearly two in the morning, but that wasn't the first thing her eyes registered. Arthur's hand was moving, and it was bypassing 'traveling' and all other points around the clock face. She gasped in horror as it came to a shuddering halt on 'mortal peril', where it remained for what seemed like several minutes. She stood and began pacing, praying to Merlin that he was all right, keeping her eyes glued to the clock face. She knew she shouldn't have let him go on duty tonight, but she also knew her husband wouldn't have listened to her concerns anyhow, and she still would have believed him that he would be all right. She breathed a sigh of relief as his hand moved again, this time moving to rest on 'hospital'. Immediately, she made her way upstairs to change, hoping the hospital would be contacting her soon to go sit with him, praying that he wasn't too bunged up. When she arrived back downstairs, she was startled by the phoenix that was perched on one of the arms of Arthur's armchair. She recognized the animal as belonging to Albus, and she briefly wondered if he had in some way knew what was going on with Arthur. She took the note from Fawkes, and with trembling hands, she opened it and read carefully.
Molly,
I'm sure that by now you know that something terrible has happened to Arthur and that he is at St. Mungo's receiving care. Remain at the Burrow until the hospital contacts you, as the cover story I have to explain why Arthur was where he was depends on that. That said, Harry saw the attack happen, and says it's a snakebite. I'm sending him along with your children to Grimmauld Place. Sirius has been alerted of the situation as well.
I've also taken the liberty to alert Bill, and I suspect he will join you at the hospital after he alerts the others.
Albus
Molly took a deep breath as she turned Albus' note over and quickly wrote a reply, giving it to Fawkes as an owl began pecking at the window. She watched as Fawkes left, and moved to open the window, hoping it was a notice from St. Mungo's, as she wanted to be near her husband and to know that he was going to be all right. The owl swooped in upon the opening of the window, and after Molly had taken the envelope from him, he quickly flew back off into the night. She tore the envelope open, closing her eyes briefly before she began reading, hoping that whatever injury Arthur had sustained that it was at least treatable.
Mrs. Weasley-
We regret to inform you that your husband has been admitted to the hospital in critical condition. We are working to stabilize him and we recommend that you come as soon as you are able. We advise you to use the Floo Network as well, as emotional distress can result in splinching. Upon your arrival, please check in with the Welcome Witch.
Best regards,
St. Mungo's Staff
After dashing off a quick note to her younger children, she summoned her traveling cloak before she folded both notes and dropped them into her pocket, making her way to the fireplace, deciding to heed the advice given to her by the hospital, it wouldn't do if she wound up in the hospital as well because she splinched herself, Arthur needed her. Taking a handful of floo powder in her hand, she scattered it amongst the flames in the fireplace, stepping in quickly and clearly stating her destination. When she arrived, the hospital was eerily quiet, too quiet for her taste.
"Can I help you?" The Welcome Witch asked, spotting Molly glancing around the room.
"Yes, yes you can. I'm Molly Weasley; I received a note telling me my husband, Arthur Weasley, was brought in and that he's in critical condition. Is it possible for me to see him?" She replied hurriedly, hoping she would be able to go back to him immediately, she needed to know he was all right.
"I'm sorry, they're still working on him. You're more than welcome to take a seat and I'm sure someone will be out shortly to talk to you."
"Thank you." Molly said sadly, not looking forward to the wait, She chose a chair on the far side of the room, making herself somewhat comfortable, knowing that this wait wasn't going to be a short one. She folded her hands in her lap, fighting her urge to cry. Twenty-six years with him as her husband wasn't enough. She wanted at least fifty more, and if he died tonight, she had no idea what she would do. "Fall apart, that's what you'll do, Molly" her mind stated, and deep down, she knew that would most likely be the case. There wasn't an event in her life that had shaken her to the core during which she didn't have Arthur.
"Mum?"
Molly looked up at the sound of her eldest son's voice, and offered him a wan smile. She patted the seat next to hers, indicating that he should sit. "Thank you for coming Bill."
Bill nodded, settling in the chair next to his mother. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, surprised by how small she felt against him. He stroked a thumb across her shoulder, offering her the comfort he had to offer. "Have you heard anything yet? I notified Charlie and Percy, as soon as I heard."
Molly relaxed under her son's embrace, suddenly feeling extremely old. She had spent nearly twenty years raising the man next to her, and now he was here taking care of her. She rested her head against Bill's welcoming shoulder, holding back the tears that were threatening. "No, not yet. They're working on getting him stabilized, and the Welcome Witch told me someone will be out to talk to us soon. Thank you for notifying your brothers, maybe Percy will come home, with your father's condition."
"Mum, I wouldn't hold my breath where Percy is concerned. I know you want him here, but I doubt he'll come." Bill said gently, hugging his mother tight. "And it was no problem, Mum. I'll stay as long as you wish me to."
Molly sighed, knowing her son was right. Percy was stubborn, and no matter how serious Arthur's condition might be, he would most likely stay away. "I feel old. I spent half of my life taking care of you and here you are, taking care of me."
"Well, what kind of son would I be if I didn't come to my mum's side when she needed me? I know when I'm needed, and you can count on me, even if you can't count on my dimwitted brothers."
Molly smiled at that, fighting the urge to scold him gently. "I know I can, dear, and your old Mum appreciates it." She reached up and patted the hand that was still resting on her shoulder; confident she had raised her children right. After all, this gesture from Bill proved it. He should be in bed, but instead he was in the cold waiting room with her, waiting to hear news on his father.
"Mrs. Weasley?"
Molly looked up at the woman who had addressed her, a medi-witch with a chart under her arm. "Yes, I'm Mrs. Weasley. What is it? Is my husband all right?" She asked swiftly, feeling her stomach turn over, hoping for the best.
"He's stable, yes. However, he lost a significant amount of blood, and he's unconscious at the moment. We've given him a Blood-Replenishing Potion, but he's not out of the woods yet. There seems to be something in the venom of the snake that bit him that is preventing the blood in the wound from clotting. You can go sit with him if you like, maybe he'll regain consciousness with you, though if he doesn't wake up within the next forty-eight hours, we might lose him."
Molly inhaled sharply at the woman's last sentence, and she felt Bill's hand grip her shoulder firmly. Her mind slowly processed the rest of the medi-witch's report, and she had some hope that Arthur would pull through. He had to. They were supposed to grow old together, and he needed to be around to give Ginny away at her wedding. Molly was going to use every ounce of power she had to make sure he didn't leave her, even though she knew her husband was resting in the hands of fate.
"Will you take me to him?" She asked finally, standing. At the medi-witch's nod, she turned to Bill. "Would you mind too terribly if your mother went back alone? Just for a little while?"
Bill shook his head, knowing his mother needed some alone time with his father. "Go on Mum. I'll be fine, but I'll stick around, and if you need anything, come get me."
"Thank you Bill." She turned and followed the medi-witch down the corridor, taking several deep breaths to prepare herself for what she might see when she saw her husband. The medi-witch led her to a private ward, and Molly gasped when she saw how pale Arthur was. To her, the sheets looked blue, and his bright hair seemed extremely out of place. She sank into the chair that was next to the bed, reaching out to grasp his hand that was at his side, entwining her fingers with his noticing that his hand was cold.
"Arthur, love, I'm here. I came as soon they owled." She whispered, bringing her other hand over to rub his, instinctively trying to warm it. She leaned over and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek, hoping he sensed her presence. For a long while, she just sat there, rubbing his hand and offering silent support to her husband, knowing there was little she could do to help him.
A/N: I contemplated making this chapter longer, but I think there'll be plenty of references in later interactions between Molly and Arthur for everyone to piece together what happened after this. :)
