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Ginny wakes him far earlier than he would like. Arthur yawns and sits up, rubbing his eyes. "Good morning, Gin," he says with a small smile.
His daughter bounces slightly, lips pursed like she's considering something. "Daddy," she says after several seconds of silence. "I'm bored."
Arthur almost laughs. It just seems so silly for her to wake him up simply because she's bored. Still, he's flattered. With it being summer, all her brothers are home, and she could have chosen anyone else. Instead, his six-year-old has chosen to wake him up and spend time with him. It melts his heart. "Well, we simply cannot have that, dear," he says, climbing out of bed and lifting his daughter up, grinning when she giggles. "You, young lady, are getting too big. Soon you'll be too old to even want to play with your dad anymore."
Ginny shakes her head, her red hair thumping against her freckled face. "Never gonna happen, Daddy!" she says. "You're my best friend."
And Arthur definitely doesn't want to cry at that. The fact that his eyes prickle suddenly is completely unrelated.
Molly continues to sleep, oblivious and unaware. Arthur studies his wife for a moment, considering. While he's awake, he may as well do something nice for her too. "How about we surprise Mummy with breakfast, Gin?" he asks.
His daughter's eyes light up, and she nods eagerly. "I'm hungry!" she announces, a little too loudly. Somehow it doesn't wake Molly up.
"Well, let's go then."
…
Arthur is reasonably sure that in the entire history of the Burrow, the kitchen has never been this much of a mess. He doesn't know how Molly does it so effortlessly. When she's in here preparing meals, it's like the mess just cleans itself. Then again, she has always been far more skilled in domestic magic than anyone he's ever known. Dumbledore had even offered her the opportunity to teach a special class on the subject, but Molly had declined.
Still, Ginny is happy. Her clothes are covered in crumbs and flour, but at least she's smiling. Really, what more could a father ask for?
"Daddy, do you think Mummy will like this?" Ginny asks, wobbling on the chair and stirring the beans while Arthur slices the bacon to fry up.
"Of course she will. And I'll make sure she knows what a big help you were," he tells her.
Ginny makes a face. "All I'm doing is stirring!" she says with a huff and a pout.
Arthur resists a laugh. All his kids are fiery in their own way (even Percy, who is the most well-behaved of the seven), but none have the same sort of spark as Ginny. Arthur doesn't think he's ever met anyone quite like her, though there are moments when she reminds him so much of Gideon. Of the three Prewett siblings, Gideon had been the boldest, the one who so deeply embodied everything that Gryffindor stands for. Sometimes Arthur thinks that if Ginny ended up in any other House, the world might actually end.
"Stirring is very important," he assures her. "What would we do if the beans stuck to the pot and burned?"
Ginny wrinkles her nose, confirming that she understands. "I'm stirring!" she says, and it's with a new confidence, like she's found a sense of purpose
Arthur just smiles as he watches her. Sometimes it still amazes him that he is a father, that he has children who are so unique, yet still so similar in their own ways. It isn't always easy, and he finds himself stressed more than he will ever admit. But this is his life, his perfect little family.
"It's raining!" Ginny cries, and she jumps with excitement, nearly falling out of the chair.
Arthur is quick. Without a second's hesitation, he dashes forward, steadying her before she can lose her balance. "Careful, Gin," he cautions.
She looks at him with those big brown eyes, bottom lip poking out in a pout. "Can we play in the rain?" she asks, and her voice has a faint whine to it. It's Arthur's weakness, the reminder that he can never deny her anything. He wonders if she's figured that out.
He checks the clock (the regular clock, not the enchanted one) and does a quick calculation. Molly will be awake in about half an hour. All it will take is a simple charm, and he can keep the food warm until it's time to eat. All in all, he thinks it should be doable.
"Okay," he says. "But not for too long. Maybe you and your brothers can have a mud fight later."
…
By the time they return, they're both drenched, but Arthur can't help but to smile. Ginny holds his hand, and she laughs, so clearly pleased with how the morning has gone.
"Well, it looks like you two have had fun." Molly stands in the kitchen, smiling brightly at them. "Imagine my surprise to wake up to an empty bed and breakfast already prepared."
Arthur now notices the mess in the kitchen has been tidied up, and he clears his throat. "Sorry, dear. Should have cleaned a bit first, but Ginny used that voice on me."
Molly chuckles and kisses his cheek. She draws her wand and casts a quick drying charm on him and Ginny. Another wave, and Ginny's hair is neatly brushed and pulled back with a blue ribbon. "Ginny, dear, go wake your brothers."
Ginny's face brightens at that, and she's gone before Arthur can even blink. Arthur chuckles. He's sure they'll hear the boys grumbling and fussing soon.
Alone, Molly looks at him, and she smiles so brightly that Arthur thinks he might melt. "You are a wonderful father," she tells him.
He shakes his head. It isn't like he's done anything out of the ordinary. After all, aren't fathers supposed to take care of their children? He hears some of the blokes at work talk about babysitting their own children, and that has never quite sat right with Arthur. "I'm just doing what a man should do," he tells her, kissing her gently. "Now, sit down, Molly. Let me fix your plate."
