Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Harry Potter franchise.
Author's Note: Welcome back! If you have not read Year 6, I recommend you do so by following this link: Book 1-Year 6
Molly Prewett took her mother's arm at Platform 9 3/4 after ending her sixth year at Hogwarts. One squeezing second later they arrived in front of Prewett Manor. Her father arrived with them, holding her school trunk. Before they could open the front door, Molly threw her arms around her father in excitement.
"Oh, Father!" she exclaimed, "You've really invited the Weasley family here?"
"I have, and in just under three weeks' time they'll join us for a meal and conversation," Simon Prewett smiled at his daughter.
"But understand," Molly's mother, Eleanor, said as she opened the front door, "that this doesn't negate anything to do with your courtship with Ethan Rosier."
"That is ridiculous," Molly said disdainfully, "I cannot be more clear that I don't want to be with him."
"Well," Mr Prewett said as he closed the door and directed Tilly the house elf to take Molly's trunk upstairs, "the meeting with the Rosiers is next Saturday, so it can all be discussed then."
"So soon?" Molly asked.
"We have a busy summer ahead of us," Mrs Prewett said with a smile, "and your father and I agreed that it's prudent to get these meetings handled upfront," she hugged her daughter, "We'll explain everything later. For now, get refreshed from your journey. Tilly will send up food for you, I'm sure you're tired."
Molly nodded and hugged her parents again and climbed the stairs to her bedroom. She entered the open doorway and looked around the already lit room. It felt strange to be back, with so much having changed since the last time she was there.
She locked the door behind her and immediately opened her trunk to pull out the bottles of Concealment Draught she'd gotten thanks to a rather dodgy conversation with Professor Slughorn. She took a small sip straight away and put one bottle at the bottom of her undergarments drawer, then stashed the second bottle at the top of her closet, under some spare blankets.
Once that was done, she sighed in relief. She had three months to get through, but the two very important days that she would need the Draught for most were just weeks away.
She began unpacking her clothes and found the oversized maroon jumper that she had nicked from Arthur's birthday. Molly smiled to herself and held it up to her nose. She caught just a hint of his scent and her heart ached. They had only been apart for hours, yet she missed him. She put the jumper under her pillow and continued unpacking, setting her knitting supplies up on her nightstand.
After a few minutes, there was a knock at her door.
"Miss Molly?" Tilly called, "Is you hungry?"
Molly opened the door and let the house elf in, then closed it behind her.
"Tilly!" Molly exclaimed, "I've missed you!"
"Tilly has been missing you too, Miss!" the elf squeaked and set down the tray of food that she brought up.
Molly dropped to her knees and hugged the little elf, who let out a yelp of surprise, but returned the gesture.
"Is you all right, Miss?" Tilly asked in concern.
"I'm fine," Molly said genuinely, "I'm just glad to see you."
Molly stood up and looked over the tray, she was very hungry, but something in the back of her mind was nagging her.
"Tilly," she said slowly, "You would warn me if there was anything I shouldn't eat or drink, wouldn't you?" she looked from the tray to the elf's large brown eyes, "if anyone put something in my food…like a potion?"
Tilly looked Molly directly in the eyes and nodded.
"Tilly woulds, Miss Molly. You has always been Tilly's friend, and Tilly will helps you this summer."
"Thank you, Tilly," Molly smiled broadly at the elf as relief washed over her, "So? Is this okay to have? Nothing in it?"
"Nothing in it, Miss." Tilly nodded, "Mr and Mrs just wants you to be happy and gets rest tonight. You eat and Tilly will unpacks for you."
"Thank you," Molly said gratefully as she sat at her vanity table to eat.
The house elf made short work of the trunk, but left Molly's wand and school supplies in it as she moved it into the closet. When she finished, she took the tray from Molly.
"Tilly, I can't thank you enough," Molly patted the elf on the arm, "for everything last year, and now you've agreed to watch out for me this summer-"
"Tilly is very glads you is home, Miss," she said with a curtsy and left the room.
Molly slipped on the maroon jumper , turned out her lights, and climbed into her bed. It wasn't very late, but she was tired. She held tightly onto the Weasley coat of arms and drifted off to sleep.
Molly awoke the next morning to the sun already streaming through her bedroom window. She stretched luxuriously and rose from her bed to change into a lightweight dress as her mother was old fashioned and disliked Molly in shorts.
She took a bit of the Concealment Draught and went downstairs and found her mother in the dining room finishing her breakfast, a clean plate set out for Molly.
"Good morning," her mother smiled at her, "You've risen late."
"Sorry Mother," Molly said, "I guess I was more tired than I thought."
"No matter, come and sit," Mrs Prewett said and motioned to the chair opposite her.
Molly sat down and watched her mother pour her a cup of tea from the pot on the table. She had a sinking feeling in her stomach- could this have Veritaserum in it? They were alone in the room so she could not look to Tilly for a signal.
Mrs Prewett passed the tea to Molly with a smile. Molly stared at the cup with trepidation, but raised it to her lips, took the tiniest sip she could, and lowered it back down.
"We have a very busy schedule this summer, my dear," her mother said, "we'll be spending a good portion of time visiting the seaside at Aunt Muriel's summer cottage, and there will be engagement parties-"
"For whom?" Molly asked with narrowed eyes.
"For your brother, Molly," Mrs Prewett said in surprise, "Didn't Fabian write you? He and Miss Travers got engaged a few days ago."
Molly sat in stunned silence. Why hadn't her brother written to share this news? After a few seconds, she realized she did not feel compelled to speak, and felt more confident that she had not been given truth potion. She took another small sip of tea.
"No, he didn't," she answered, slightly hurt.
"Well, I expect he was waiting to tell you in person," her mother said airily, "Do try to act surprised when he tells you."
She poured herself a cup of tea from the same pot she had done for Molly's, and stirred sugar into it before taking a sip. Molly smiled, surely there was nothing in the tea if her mother was drinking from it.
"If you didn't know about Fabian's engagement," Mrs Prewett continued, "then you also likely have not heard that your brothers have moved out?"
Again, Molly felt shocked but had no irresistible urge to speak or share truth. She shook her head no.
"Another recent development," her mother sighed, "although not unexpected. Gideon and Fabian are grown men, they can't be expected to remain here forever."
"Are they living together?" Molly asked.
She could not, for the life of her, picture her twin brothers separated, even if one was about to get married.
"For now, yes," Mrs Prewett nodded, "although I expect Gideon will not want to stay with them too long, especially after babies start arriving."
"Is she-Abigail, I mean- is she-?" Molly stammered in surprise.
"Not to my knowledge," her mother raised her eyebrows, "I just meant in general. Anyway, besides the engagement parties and holiday with Aunt Muriel, we also have a witches tea with some of the esteemed families, and of course your important courtship luncheons with both of your suitors."
"Mother, why are you so keen to push me to Rosier?" Molly asked impatiently, "I don't want him, I want to be with Arthur Weasley!"
"Your father and I both want to see you taken care of," her mother said, "and the Rosiers are an esteemed family whom your father has known for a long time-"
"And what about all this Dark wizard business?" Molly exclaimed, "How am I to be safe and cared for when the elder Mr Rosier has come out in support of that?"
Mrs Prewett's smile faded and she looked down into her empty teacup.
"That," she said quietly, "is why we are holding the meeting between us and the Rosiers sooner rather than later. An understanding must be reached."
"I don't understand, what does that mean?" Molly leaned forward.
"I'll speak no more on it now," Mrs Prewett said with an air of finality.
Molly's mother's stood up and crossed over to squeeze her daughter's shoulder.
"I'm glad to have you home. In a few weeks, you, Miss Travers, and I will take a trip to Diagon Alley for some new robes and frocks ahead of our seaside trip. It will be a nice opportunity for all of us to get to know each other better."
She left the room and Molly finished her tea excitedly. Diagon Alley meant being near the Leaky Cauldron, and a chance to see Arthur, who was working there that summer. She raced up the stairs to her room and grabbed a quill and parchment from her trunk. Molly sat at her vanity and scratched out a quick letter with a huge smile on her face.
2 June, 1967
Dear Arthur,
We've only been apart for a day, but I miss you already. I've just learned that my brother Fabian is engaged!
Mother says that in a few weeks she and I will make a trip to Diagon Alley to shop. I don't know when yet, but will keep you updated. I'd love to see you whenever it is. If I know your schedule, I'll pop in to say hello.
Good luck at the Leaky Cauldron this summer. Don't worry about writing back, I know you'll be busy and we'll see each other soon.
Love,
Your Molly
She tossed her quill aside and folded the letter to fit a Muggle envelope that she had stashed from last summer. Molly retrieved a letter from the false bottom of her jewelry box she'd saved from last summer to copy Arthur's address, then affixed several stamps from the booklet she had purchased last summer as well, recalling that Arthur had told her once that letters by Muggle post needed to have many of them to reach their destination. Once her letter was ready, Molly slid into a pair of shoes near her door, went back downstairs quietly, and slipped through the front door into the warm summer sunshine.
She smiled brightly as she walked down the pavement toward the Muggle post box not too far from her home and deposited the letter. She knew Arthur would greatly enjoy receiving a letter the Muggle way, and she also had no owls at her disposal since her brothers had moved out.
It was such a lovely day outside that when she returned to Prewett Manor, she went round to the back garden and walked slowly through the quiet rose hedges. After several twists and turns, she meandered out and went back inside her home.
The first week of summer break passed quickly for Molly. She spent a great deal of time practicing her knitting, and had finished a hat that she thought looked pretty good.
Gideon, Fabian, and Abigail came by for dinner the night before her meeting with the Rosier family, and she wasted no time in yelling at her brothers for not telling her that they'd moved out, and also for their sparse letters to her at school.
After dinner that night, Molly found herself very nervous after her brothers had left and her parents went to bed. She crept downstairs and tiptoed into the kitchen, where Tilly was putting away the cleaned dishes from that evening.
"Hello Miss," Tilly squeaked softly.
"Hi Tilly," Molly whispered, "can I join you?"
"Of course Miss," the elf said, "Miss Molly can't goes to sleep?"
"That's right," Molly shrugged, "I'm too anxious about tomorrow."
She grabbed a pot and put it in the cupboard, then sighed and paced around the kitchen.
"Tilly is knowing that tomorrow and Saturday next is most important," she looked at Molly with her huge eyes, "Tilly is having to makes special food for both days, Miss."
Molly stopped pacing and spun around to face Tilly.
"Special food?" Molly asked.
Tilly nodded silently and Molly swallowed hard.
"And will all of the dishes be special, or only certain things?" she asked.
"The sweets and tea, Miss," Tilly whispered after checking the kitchen door, "Now gets to bed, Miss Molly."
Molly nodded and crept back upstairs to her room and locked the door behind her. She instinctively checked her undergarments drawer to ensure that the Draught was where she left it that morning, and exhaled deeply when she saw that it was. She knew knitting would be no good, she was too worked up.
Molly wished she could Apparate legally. Her family didn't keep Floo Powder in the house, and she didn't have an owl to send a letter. She had no means to contact Arthur, but she was desperate to see him. He always calmed her down when she was agitated, and would usually make her laugh with a joke or bizarre fact about Muggles.
She changed for bed and willed sleep to come unsuccessfully. She wondered how Ted and Andromeda Tonks were faring, and if the Black family had gone looking for their eldest daughter after they'd heard the news of the elopement. Her thoughts went to Dorcas, and hoped that her friend's mum was doing all right. She thought of Marlene, and wished for her to be able to see Dorcas this summer. She had an inkling that Marlene's feelings for Dorcas reflected how she, Molly, felt about Arthur, though her blonde friend hadn't expressly said anything.
At some point Molly must have drifted off to sleep, because her eyes blinked open several hours later according to her clock. She heard a faint tapping on glass, and sprang up from her bed to open the window. An owl flew in and held out his leg for her to remove a small scroll of parchment. Once the letter was loose, the owl took off again immediately. Molly closed the window and turned on her lamp to read the letter.
9 June, 1967
Dearest Molly,
Of course I would write you back. Honestly, Mols, I'm shocked that you thought I wouldn't.
Congratulations to your brother! My parents have been trying to get Bilius to settle down for years, but I think he's a lost cause- he seems too happy as a bachelor.
It's indecent how much I miss you after only a week apart. I can't wait to see you. As far as my work schedule, I work every day except Wednesday and Thursday. Unless you get to Diagon Alley on those days, there's a good chance that you'll find me.
Thank you for the Muggle post, by the way. I'm sure my brothers would love to do an exaggerated impression of my reaction when I saw your letter if you asked them.
Don't hesitate to write if you need anything. Just over a week and then we'll see each other. I made certain to tell Tom at work that I won't be in that day.
All my love,
Your Arthur
Molly read the letter twice and lay back down with a smile on her face and the parchment clutched to her chest.
When Molly opened her eyes again, the sun was up, and judging from how brightly her room was lit, it was rather late in the morning. Arthur's letter was still pressed to her chest; she grinned and read it again, then hid it in the false bottom of her jewelry box. As was her habit now, Molly took a drink of Concealment Draught before she left for the lavatory.
She locked the door behind her and turned on the taps for her shower. When the hot water hit her, she felt the familiar excitement that water brought to her body. However, that morning she was far too anxious to enjoy herself and took as fast a shower as she could before returning to her bedroom.
Molly picked out a modest and plain dark blue dress. The neck was cut high and the hem hit mid calf. She wanted the Rosiers to know, even by something as seemingly trivial as the clothes she wore, that she did not want Ethan. She defiantly put her Weasley coat of arms on the outside of the dress, and begrudgingly, for the first time since last August, slid the Rosier coat of arms bracelet on her wrist.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she did her hair and makeup, and Molly took another generous drink of the Draught for good measure. She glanced at the clock and noted that she had less than an hour before Ethan and his father would arrive.
She paced around the room in her heels, tapping her fingers onto any surface she could find. She supposed it was an effect of the potion she had been drinking, but she felt the need to remain in her room more often than not, cloistered away, her secrets safe in her solitude. It was a small price to pay if it meant preventing her parents from knowing that she and Arthur had gone further physically than they were allowed in their current stage of courtship. She knew if they were to find out, it would mean the end of her courtship with Arthur.
Molly moved from pacing to sitting impatiently on the end of her bed. She knew she needed to calm herself, so she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to picture what Arthur could be doing at that moment. It was late enough in the day that he'd be starting work at the pub. She grinned as she pictured him, lanky and towering over the seated patrons, clumsily weaving between the tables. He'd have an apron around his waist, she thought, maybe with a quill crumpled in the pocket.
She opened her eyes and sighed. She missed him.
"Molly, come downstairs!" her mother called, loudly and impatiently.
Molly stood, took several deep breaths, and exited her bedroom.
"There you are," Mrs Prewett said in exasperation, "I've been calling you for several minutes."
"I'm sorry, Mother, I didn't hear you," Molly said honestly.
"No matter now," her mother waved her hand, "turn around, let me get a look at you."
Molly turned slowly on the spot to be inspected. When she finished, Mrs Prewett nodded.
"A bit plain, but it will do," she said, "I'm glad to see you wearing the Rosier coat of arms."
"I wanted to have it available to give back," Molly deadpanned.
Mrs Prewett shook her head but didn't comment as she ushered Molly into the parlour. She sat in her usual chair while Molly perched nervously on the sofa. Molly's father entered and sat in his chair.
"Molly," Mrs Prewett said as she smoothed her skirt, "I know over Christmas your father and I broke your trust. I'm sorry for that. In an effort to remedy that, I will tell you now that Veritaserum will be given to you and Ethan today."
"I suspected as much," Molly sighed and looked between her parents, "Why is it necessary?"
"It's a valuable tool," her father answered, "I think you'll agree that you got quite a bit off your chest Christmas night that you might not have otherwise."
Molly was silent. She could feel the Concealment Draught working.
Nothing needs to be said, a calm and soothing voice in her head told her.
"Molly, before you go into your father's study," her mother spoke as she uncharacteristically fiddled with her chair, "is there anything that your father and I should know?"
They suspect you, the voice whispered, they think you've had sex. Confess nothing.
"No, Mother," Molly said convincingly, "there's nothing to tell."
Mrs Prewett looked at her husband.
"If you're sure," Mr Prewett said as he raised his eyebrows at Molly, "because if there is, I can guide the questions away from-ah, delicate topics."
They want you to confess without potion. They'll use it against you.
"The only thing either of you need to know," Molly said, "is that I want out of the courtship with Rosier. I'm in love with Arthur Weasley."
Her parents looked at her and each other but said no more. Molly touched the Weasley pendant out of habit and stared straight ahead at the empty fireplace.
Tilly entered the room, balancing a large tea tray in her arms and a vase of flowers on her head. Molly hopped up and removed the vase, setting it on the table. Mrs Prewett looked disapproving.
"Tilly," Mrs Prewett said, "Go and wait by the door for our guests."
The elf curtsied and did as she was told. Within a few minutes, the doorbell chimed and Tilly could be heard at the door. Molly's heart raced and she took several steadying breaths.
"Misters Claudius and Ethan Rosier to see the Prewett family," Tilly squeaked as she showed Ethan and his father into the parlour.
Mr Rosier shook hands with Mr Prewett while Ethan bowed to Mrs Prewett and then to Molly.
"Please, won't both of you sit down," Mrs Prewett said graciously.
She conjured a chair for Ethan's father, who sat next to Mr Prewett. Ethan sat next to Molly on the sofa. He gave her a small smile, which she did not return. Mrs Prewett poured everyone tea, and offered finger sandwiches around. Once everyone had settled, Mr Prewett sat up in his chair.
"Thank you both for coming here today," Mr Prewett nodded his head at the Rosiers, "I thought that before we had our discussion, we could enjoy tea together."
Claudius Rosier inclined his head and took a sip from his cup, and indicated for his son to do the same.
Molly remembered that Tilly had told her the tea and sweets were laced with Veritaserum, so she helped herself to a finger sandwich, it not being sweet. She took a small bite off the end, trying to get as little filling in her mouth as possible, just in case. She lifted her teacup to her mouth but kept her lips closed and pretended to sip, completing the charade with a fake swallow as she lowered her cup.
"Molly, how was your school term?" Ethan asked as he set his cup on the table.
"It went well, thank you," she said too politely, then added, "How are things at the Ministry?"
"Things there are the same as ever," he smiled, "Stability is one of the Ministry's strengths. It would take quite a shock to create change there."
He looked at Molly significantly, and she nodded, remembering their last in person conversation about how this uprising was, in Ethan's opinion, likely to fail.
"That's good to hear," she said and took another small bite of sandwich.
Tea concluded after more polite, forced conversation, and Molly's father invited the Rosiers and Molly into his study. It was set up as before, with the fathers behind Mr Prewett's desk and the younger two in front.
As soon as the four were inside, Mr Prewett used his wand to seal and silence the door, just as he had done at Christmas. He turned to Molly and Ethan as he pulled a small bottle from his inner jacket pocket.
"Veritaserum, to ensure an honest conversation," he said and unstoppered the bottle.
"Where do you get this, Father?" Molly asked suddenly, "It's not as if you can just purchase it in the apothecary."
"My dear, you are not the only Prewett with a knack for potion-making," he said, "If you and Ethan will stick out your tongues, please."
"And if I refuse?" Molly asked, her temper rising.
"That would be unwise, missy," Mr Rosier said rudely from his chair, "It would mean you have something to hide."
Molly glared at him and opened her mouth. Her father administered three drops on her tongue, then on Ethan's, before closing the bottle and placing it back in his pocket. Molly was thankful it was such a small amount, surely she had taken enough Concealment Draught to counteract its effects.
Mr Prewett seated himself and looked at Ethan.
"How has this courtship gone?" he asked.
"Very poorly," Ethan answered immediately.
"And why?" Molly's father asked.
"Mostly because of me," Ethan said, his cheeks flushed.
Satisfied that the potion was effective, Mr Prewett nodded and turned to Mr Rosier.
"Claudius, before we continue questioning, I myself have some concerns about this arrangement."
"You do?" Mr Rosier narrowed his eyes at his old friend, "I thought we had agreed on everything last summer."
"We had," Mr Prewett straightened his back, "but some things have changed since then. I think you know what I'm talking about."
"Really, Simon," Mr Rosier scoffed, "it only makes sense! Why shouldn't the oldest and most powerful families be elevated in our society? Why shouldn't we consolidate our power? Isn't that exactly what we're trying to do here, with our children?"
"It's not the same, Claudius," Molly's father said.
"Isn't it?" Mr Rosier asked calmly, "Did you not gain the backing of the Yaxley family when you married Eleanor? Aren't the Rosiers and the Bode family a closer unit because of my marriage? This group is only trying to consolidate all of us into one united front, and if you just attend a meeting you would see it's nothing sinister."
Mr Prewett considered what his friend said and nodded. Mr Rosier folded his hands on the desk, pleased at having won the argument.
"May we continue? And will you attend attend the next meeting between the heads of pure-blood families?" Claudius asked.
"Yes," Mr Prewett said, "to both questions."
"I thought this group was trying to take over the Ministry?" Molly burst out, "What about the disappearances?"
"My dear girl, you are ridiculously misinformed," Mr Rosier said coldly, "Why don't you leave these concerns to the men who are in charge of things?"
Say nothing, whispered the soothing voice in Molly's head, He's trying to rile you up.
She was at once grateful to hear it, for it meant that the Concealment Draught was working. She contented herself with glaring daggers at him as he turned his attention on her.
"Molly," Mr Rosier said with narrowed eyes, "Are you still a virgin?"
Answer him, called the voice, Make this believable.
"Yes," she spat at him, "and it's still none of your business."
"It is my business," he glared at her, "Just as it's Ethan's business to know what his future wife has gotten up to."
"I am not his future wife!" Molly stood up and leaned over the desk in anger.
"Please sit down, Molly," her father said, and turned to Ethan, "Have you had a physical relationship with anyone since our last meeting?"
"No," said Ethan.
"Do you want to continue this courtship?" Mr Prewett asked.
"Yes," the younger man said.
Molly gave him a disgusted look.
"And why is that?" asked Molly's father.
Ethan hesitated by pressing his lips together, but could not keep in the truth.
"Because I don't want to lose my inheritance," he whispered.
Molly cackled and Mr Prewett raised his eyebrows.
"Ethan, do you have romantic feelings toward Molly?"
"No," Ethan said, "But I used to. I could again, maybe, with time."
"Molly, do you have romantic feelings for Ethan?" asked Mr Prewett.
"No," she said as calmly as she could, "You know I'm in love with Arthur."
"Define being in love," sneered Claudius Rosier, "What are your feelings about that blood traitor?"
It's all right, answer him. The whole truth now.
"Arthur is everything to me," Molly looked between the three men in the room, "He's my best friend. He's who I want to talk to when I have a problem, he's the one who makes me laugh. I trust him, and I know he'd never purposely hurt me. He accepts me for who I am, not who I'm expected to be."
She closed her eyes and pictured his lopsided grin and his blazing ginger hair. She opened her eyes and looked directly at her father.
"I don't want to be apart from him. I miss him even now, when it's been barely a week since I saw him last. Please Father, I'm begging you to let me out of this courtship with Ethan Rosier."
Her eyes were misty when she finished. Her father leaned back in his chair and exhaled deeply.
"Ethan," Mr Rosier said, "Please describe your feelings for Molly."
Ethan looked at her and smiled sadly.
"I hope that she considers me her friend," he said, "I think she's pretty, but I don't believe she'll ever fall in love with me. Even if we get married, I understand now that her heart is Weasley's."
"Then why do you want to carry on with this?" Molly demand angrily, "Just let me go!"
"I can't!" Ethan said as he rose to his feet, his face red, "I told you before that I had too much to lose. I am the heir of the Rosier family, and to claim my inheritance I must get married and have a child."
"Why does it have to be me?" Molly asked.
"I have no other prospects," Ethan said as his hands shook, "You were promised to be mine, and I've been discouraged from finding anyone else for years."
Molly put her hands over her face and groaned.
"Young lady," said Mr Rosier, "has the blood traitor you love so dearly touched you?"
"What?" Molly's head snapped up and her eyes filled with rage, "If you mean how your son did, then no, Arthur is a good man-"
"No," Rosier said , speaking over her, "I mean, have you and Weasley engaged in a physical relationship outside the boundaries of courtship? Has he…have either of you touched each other?"
Act insulted, whispered the voice.
Molly immediately dropped her jaw and gave him an offended stare.
Good, now remember the loophole that Arthur came up with.
"Arthur and I have only kissed," she said as her face went crimson.
Mr Prewett smiled thinly and set his hand on the desk.
"Enough, Claudius," he said, "There's no need to embarrass my daughter further."
Molly stood up and turned away from all of them, her face still red and her heart about to beat right out of her chest. She could not believe it worked, and felt vindicated for the dodgy, suggestive behavior she took part in to get the Concealment Draught.
"Sit back down, Molly," her father said.
She did and took several deep breaths.
"Ethan, is my daughter anything more to you than a means to an end?" Mr Prewett asked seriously.
"Yes, she is," Ethan said and looked surprised at his own response, "I still think we could be a good team down the road," he turned to Molly and touched her forearm, "I would be kind to you, Molly. We could be friends, and you would want for nothing."
"I would want him," she said before she could stop herself.
Her eyes widened, because she no longer could hear the soothing whisper of the Draught in her head. She had not planned her response to Ethan's statement, it had just slipped out. It was just her and the Veritaserum in a room full of people who could not discover her secrets. She looked at her father.
"Please, Father," she whispered desperately as tears itched behind her eyes.
"What are your life goals, Miss Prewett?" asked Mr Rosier?
"I want a family," she answered immediately as her heart simultaneously pounded and spilled her deepest truths, "Children of my own and a happy home. I want a husband who loves me, and who understands me. I would like to have my own restaurant."
"Restaurant aside, don't you think Ethan could provide you with those things?" he asked.
"Yes, he could, but I don't want him to," she said and looked at Ethan, "I'm past trying to hurt you. I just know we're not meant for each other, Ethan."
"Molly," Mr Prewett said gently, "I have some things to consider before I make any decisions. As of right now you remain in a courtship with both Ethan Rosier and Arthur Weasley. You are excused."
He waved his wand at the door, breaking the enchantments. Molly left the room immediately without looking back and did not stop until she was safely locked in her bedroom. She took another sip of Concealment Draught and flopped on her bed to write Arthur a letter, crying and thanking Merlin that her plan had worked.