[Summary: Everyone always thought Molly and Arthur would stay together; forever. But what if they didn't? How would the youngest Weasley feel? And more importantly, what would drive these two characters to such extremes? In this series, we'll explore why such a loving family could be torn apart; falling unstable and if they'll every regain their once idolized strength. Starts the summer after GoF.]
An Ideal Family
By: FireSprite
Blackness, Like Glacial Indifference: I
The night was cold, clear. Stars shone from the heavens, twinkling down upon the inert earth. Blackness shone amid them, making the air frigid, tense. Souls wandered about, holding their breath, waiting waiting for nothingness to swallow them whole.
One lone hand, pressed against the frosted pane, ignoring the bleakness seeping into the skin, into the veins, creeping along until it reached the heart, covering it with it's own brand of glacial indifference.
Ginny frowned, taking her hand away from the perpetual darkness, curling it up into a ball, folding it onto her lap. She watched in a trance as the frost quickly seeped up to the window, leaving only the out print of her hand; isolated.
Turning quickly, not wanting to see her solitary hand; like her herself, her red hair brushed softy into her eyes. Pushing it out of the way, her gaze fixed upon the little blue box, now emitting a soulful harmonious sound.
Click.
Her hand returned to it's place in her lap, as the silence pressed upon her. But not for long. No, now she heard the sounds she had been blocking out with the sounds of the WWN. Angry voices. Hurt voices. Voices she didn't want to believe would be saying these things she was hearing, snapping at each other, back and forth. A never ending rally, seeing who would crack first; the only way out.
Arthur! I don't want you going. I told you, it's too dangerous!'
Molly. I'm sorry, but I have my orders. If I don't, how can Dumbledore count on me? We need this information Molly, it's so important if we're ever going to see peace again'
I don't see why Dumbledore would ask you. We have other ways and other people trained for this type of thing! Not you!' There was a hush, only to be replace with clinking coffee cups and the mirror yawning loudly, still half-asleep. Molly's voice continued after the moment of tranquility You leave, you'll die. Who will take care of us then? Who will take care of me?' She spoke quietly, with a sense of foreseeing shadows; walking in sin.
It's simple. Dumbledore trusts me. In a world of corruption, you need to know who is in the light and who isn't.' A break for a sigh. Ginny could just imagine her parents sitting at the breakfast table, steaming mugs of coffee, besides them; untouched. She could see her father, sitting there, looking at his hands in a distracted fashion. Her mum, would be sitting there, arms wrapped around herself, hugging herself and she leaned on the table, watching her husband. The talk continued. Molly, I have to. If I don't go, the bloodshed of so many others will be on my hands.'
Arthur. Please don't do this! At least do this for your children, not me! How will they grow up properly without a father here?' Ginny's mother begged.
Molly it's not like I'm going away forever! Just the summer, it'll be over before you know it. Besides, we've been over this a thousand times. And always the same results; I'm going, there's nothing you can say to stop me'
Arthur Weasley, you walk out that door' Molly's voice quivered You're never coming back in.' She replied, gaining some strength with the last few spoken words.
Silence, once again. Somewhere Ginny heard a happy sigh, resulting from one of her brothers; they, unlike her; was blissfully unaware of what was going on, dreaming their dreams.
So it's decided then' Came the quiet voice of her father's. It was a silent, desperate tone, speaking the words her father did not. Good bye Molly' A pause Tell the children I love them'
Ginny's eyes swept the yard, the visions becoming blurred images. Deftly, with the back of her hand, she wiped at the would-be tears. Then, she saw her father, walking out the front door, carrying a bag. His head was bent, shoulders slumped, as if carrying the world upon them. He walked to the end of the driveway, to the new car the family had bought earlier this summer, after winning some money.
Ginny remember that summer as if in a dream it seemed so far away, yet so close.
Ginny was lying on the carpet, immersed in the latest James Patterson novel (A Muggle author who Ginny simply enjoyed reading) Looking up at her father, she saw he was reading the Daily Prophet. Something on the back page caught her eye.
Is your family nuts over Nutso!?[The advertisement read]
Send us your family portrait showing good times and good laughs while eating Nutso!; UK's number one nut!
Winners will be awarded a years supply of Nutso! and two thousand galleons! Plus your family's picture will be used shown across the country in Witch Weekly!
Now who would be nuts to pass up Nutso! family contest?!?
Ginny got up immediately; abandoning the novel and running up to the attic. She knew she had seen the perfect picture, all she needed to do was find it!
She spent all day up there, sifting through boxes and boxes of pictures and family albums. Some of the pictures Ginny wanted to burn, others she laughed herself silly watching her seven year old self try to whistle along with Fred and George.
Finally she found it. It had been taken three summers ago, when Bill was home, celebrating his birthday. Fred and George, being ever so considerate had given him a box of Nutso! He smiled and proceeded to chuck some at them which, of course being Weasleys, ensued a family food fight. Molly had wisely gotten the family ghoul to take the portrait.
She smiled at the memory; letting her gaze become unglazed, as she looked down into the yard once again. There he was. Her frown returned; as did a sense of restlessness.
He had stilled at the car, looking back at the house, as if not really seeing it. He certainly didn't see the lone girl, sitting quietly at the highest window, watching him.
Then with a sigh, he got in, started it up, and drove away.
Why?' Ginny asked herself Why do you have to go? Is it worth it? Is anything worth anything?' She whispered, allowing the darkness to condescend upon her; the night to finally fall.
Squinting up her eyes as she vainly searched for any trace of the car that carried her father far far away from her, she remembered how it had all started, the week after the famous food fight.
Dumbledore had made a personal visit to the Weasley household around the second week of vacations. She had wanted to stay; to listen to what the headmaster had to stay, but she had been –against all her protests- ushered out of the room, quickly; the door closing in her face. They talked in hush whispers, not like the ones heard tonight, for she couldn't hear anything then except the occasional mumble.
The door opened about half an hour later, and Ginny –who had been in her room, listening to music at a low tone so she could hear when they were done- quickly bounded down the stairs to see if they would now give her any information.
Nope.
All she saw and heard were terse good-byes, a firm handshake and grave looks from Dumbledore and her Mum; looks of determination from her father.
Then the fights had started. Slowly at first- just an odd squabble first. If they were in front of the children, they spoke with weird looks and funny references. Ginny, like all the other Weasleys', were confused at what was happening, but assumed it would get better.
It hadn't.
Soon the fights were daily, only ending when her Mum ran out the room, wiping tears from her eyes as her dad, sat down, looking sad. And steadily- they became louder and louder. This nights' fight- Ginny reflected- had been one of the more quiet ones, as they both spoke with air of finality. Ginny guessed correctly that the reason was because whatever Dumbledore had asked Dad to do; he was to leave tonight.
Ginny sighed, sadly, watching her breath fog up the window, like steam escaping a shower. She rubbed a hand over her eyes- noticing how tired and how unloved she felt. She slowly got up and looked into the mirror in her room.
Is it me?' She asked the mirror Did I do something to cause – or perhaps deserve this?'
Honey, go to sleep' The mirror yawned, not fully aware of the vitality of an answer for Ginny's sake. You need your rest'
Ginny nodded, submissively and pattered over to her bed. She pulled back the covers and slipped under them. I've left the drapes drawn, she realized, yet she didn't want to close them. Oh well I'll probably end up staring into the sky all night
. She settled her gaze on the first star she saw. Closing her eyes she chanted Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. Wish I may, wish I might, grant me my one wish tonight'
Taking a big breath, she opened her eyes; gaze settling on the one star that shone from the heavens I wish we were a happy family again.' She said, looking at the star for some answers. It twinkled innocently back at her, not telling her whether anyone up there had heard.
The door opened. Ginny glanced up to see her Mum- eyes red and puffy from crying. She stood there looking around the room in a lost sort of way. Finally she turned to Ginny and said Good night Virginia'
Ginny nodded and replied Night Mum.', hopping up to give her a hug. She looked at her Mum, still holding her in her arm. I hope you have good dreams' She whispered faintly. Molly only nodded and closed the door quietly. I hope I have good dreams too' She said, climbing back into bed And that wishes really do come true'
A/N: Ok, the next part probably won't be up soon because I want to finish the whole series first, I just wanted to get this up to tell you I was still alive!! Any ways
Er, yes Reviews?
Disclaimer: I don't own em! *Sob*
