HELLO!

Twice in one day, goodness, the muse has come back full swing!

Did I write this whole chapter today...maybe, just...maybe. Anyways, I really hope you like it!

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Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, and only the story line and any OC's belong to me.

As always for Sable and Lais xxx (I LOVE YOU BOTH)


Monday, 21st May, 1979

The Burrow

Ottery St Catchpole, Devon, England

The potent and rich fragrance of freshly blossomed flowers permeates through the air, packing a powerful punch as it hits the ginger haired boy's nostrils.

He's standing in the backyard underneath one of the lush green trees—revelling in the cool shade, and holding George Weasley to his chest, gently rocking the infant back and forth; the boy's head is curled in the nook of Ronald Weasley's shoulder and neck, his tiny hands making fists as he slumbers.

Ron tries to visit at least once a week and any other time he can—helping Molly deal with her little troublemakers whilst Arthur is at work or out on missions, and simply enjoying spending time with his family.

Hermione and Harry have both come with him at some point, and Charlie has grown extremely fond of the raven haired boy, insisting that Harry run around the backyard pretending to be dragons with him. Percy likes Hermione so much that he sticks to her like glue whenever she comes round, jutting out his bottom lip and begging for her to read him a story.

Bill strangely enough maintains a healthy distance from Ron's best mates, though he'll pester Ron with infinite questions about them when they leave.

Ron smiles as George gurgles in his sleep, a bout of summer breeze blows across the both of them, and he can feel George wiggling his toes against him as he dreams.

He came today because he needs to think, and he finds that spending time with the boy's always helps him clear his mind. It's hard to stress and be bogged down with worry when he looks at all of their bright, smiling faces. They have no idea about the war (Bill has an inkling that something is off, and by extension so does Charlie since they are practically joined at the hip), so naive and blissfully innocent.

Ron hears a loud peal of laughter and turns his head to see Bill bound out of the house, Charlie close on his heels as they pretend to duel with some faux wands. They stop in the middle of the yard, standing several feet apart, both bowing before they start yelling made up spells, shooting harmless multicoloured sparks at each other.

The warm sunlight shines across them, dancing along their freckled faces and playing with their ginger locks—adding an almost golden touch to them.

So innocent and no idea of the danger they all face. Ron swears in that moment that he will do everything in his power to ensure that those joyful looks stay on their faces, and that their innocence will remain intact for as long as it can.

Tomorrow is a big day. It's also a day full of uncertainty.

The Order had received some very promising intel that morning, and if it is to be believed, it could give them that edge they had been searching for; more concrete details on Voldemort's plans and movements.

It is going to be Ron's first official mission for the Order, and he'll be going with Remus, James and one other person—Michael is his name if Ron recalls correctly. He's never met the bloke, but Remus and James vouched for him and said he's a good fighter, focused and reliable. They're going in a smaller group to stay as under the radar as they can.

Ron doesn't know why, but there's a nagging feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach whenever he thinks about the mission; his mind travelling down the worst roads, thinking of all the terrible outcomes that can happen if things go sideways.

It probably won't help that I'll be worried about the others since they are doing something equally as mental, perhaps more so, Ron thinks with a frown and a heavy sigh through his nostrils.

Another breeze blows, tousling through his growing locks; he keeps meaning to chop off most of it, since it's almost long enough to cover most of his ears and it's beginning to bug him.

George opens and closes his fist against Ron's chest and he glances down at the tiny wizard. Memorising all the little details of his face, endlessly fascinated by how round his face is at this stage, and how he scrunches up his nose when he concentrates—something that travelled with him as he aged.

He looks so peaceful now as he slumbers away, drastically different from the charming prankster he grew into.

"So much can change in a handful of months," Ron murmurs to himself.

As the flower's perfume swirls into his nostrils, and as the summer breeze twirls around him, Ron's eyes drawn to the shadows shifting as the trees branches sway, and he can't help but think about the one person he misses more than anything.

"Ginevra Weasley," Ron whispers, letting the wind carry her name away.

"Pardon?"

The witch's sudden question startles Ron—who had been so consumed by his thoughts that he hadn't even realised she was standing beside him.

Molly tiredly smiles at him as she cocks her head in curiosity, bouncing a now fussing Fred Weasley. Her hair is messily piled on her head and sticking in every which direction it can, and she smells like roast chicken and treacle tart. She is wearing a long-sleeved, thin, navy blue shirt and a pair of light blue jeans with the ankles rolled up several times, and her feet are bare and wriggling around in the grass.

Ron clears his throat, figuring that it can't hurt to tell her about Ginny. He opens his mouth and then pauses. Should he tell her? After a silent internal war that elapses for a few long moments, he shrugs with a loud exhale.

"Ginny. Ginevra Weasley, your seventh child and my little sister," Ron says with a wistful smile. "Fire. That's what she is. A fierce and talented witch that is not to be trifled with...a sharp tongue and a big heart."

Molly frowns.

Ron raises an eyebrow and waits.

"Seven children?"

"Yes."

"Seven?"

"Indeed."

"Fucking hell," Molly whistles.

"I think you wanted a girl," Ron offers.

Molly purses her lips, "perhaps." She closes her eyes and leans her head back, absently rubbing Fred's back as he calms down and stares in fascination at his surroundings.

"I didn't think we could have girls," Molly says.

"What?" Now it's Ron's turn for his brow to knit together.

"I just assumed that we couldn't have girls," Molly repeats. "I dreamed of having a little girl when I was younger, always imagined I would have one...but after the twins...I didn't think it was possible," Molly says with a small inclination of her head.

Ron doesn't know what to say to that. Growing up he always got the impression that his Mother kept having kids because she desperately wanted a daughter, so to hear Molly say that is strange.

"Is something bothering you, Ron?" Molly asks, changing the subject.

Ron inhales deeply, "I have my first official Order mission tomorrow...during my time I was never an official member, but now, funnily enough, I am one of the more seasoned fighters. Yet, I can't help but feel anxious."

"I think...that unfortunately you've gone through more than you ever should have...and you will use that experience to serve you well. I don't really know what else to say," Molly confesses.

Ron is thinking of a response when she adds, "except, please be careful."

Ron smiles wryly, "I will. I promise."

Just as he finishes speaking, George begins to rouse, his hands splaying across Ron's chest.

Ron looks out at the yard once more and sees the boys play wrestling in the grass, Percy having wandered outside not too long ago squatting several feet away and watching them as he absentmindedly pokes at the ground with a thin stick.

Hopefully it's just me being paranoid and everything goes smoothly tomorrow, Ron thinks.

He tips his face to the sky, watching as the fluffy clouds lazily float across the bright blue sky, and thinks, all I can do is hope.