Chapter Five – London, Year Two
Molly was getting married in six months. In six little months she would become Mrs. Arthur Wealsey. Then why was she so miserable?
Lord Voldemort was everywhere it seemed. Not a day went by when the Daily Prophet had a story on him and his followers. Some people went as far as to not call him by his name, claiming even the name frightened them.
Molly paced in her bedroom. After her father's death, Molly moved home to be near her mother. It was agreed that the house would be sold after Molly was married. Her mother had no desire to live in an empty house. Maddox, being the wonderful person that he was offered to let their mother move in with his family. Mrs. MacKenzie declined, stating that she'd feel in the way, and would prefer to live with her brother, who was also recently widowed.
She looked at her hourglass. She and Arthur were going out tonight and he should have been here by now. She ran downstairs, "Mum, has Arthur been in the fire at all?"
Her mother was on the couch, crocheting, "I would have told you if he was, Margaret," she said, not even looking up.
The doorbell rang. Thank goodness, Molly thought. She could see his familiar profile through the glass in the front door. She opened the door, he was holding some wild flowers. "Thank you," she said.
"Why are you assuming these are for you?" he teased.
"Because I know you. Accio flower vase!" A crystal vase flew from the china cabinet. Molly waved her wand again, and the vase filled with water. Gently, she placed the flowers inside and put the vase on the hall table.
"I'm leaving for the night, Mum," Molly told her mother.
Mrs. MacKenzie waved her hand, "Good night."
Walking on the drive, Molly said, "I don't know why I'm living there. Mum barely knows I'm there."
Arthur took her arm, "You're doing a very good thing, Molly."
Molly sighed, "I know." Molly knew she had to say something. "Arthur, instead of going out to dinner, can we go back to your place and talk?"
"Talk? What do you want to talk about?" he asked worriedly.
"I'll tell you when we get there," Molly said.
They both apparated at the same time to Arthur's small apartment. She positioned herself across from Arthur and took off her engagement ring. Holding the ring out to him she said, "I'm breaking our engagement."
Arthur stood there, motionless. Molly tried to place the ring in his hand, but he wouldn't accept it. "Molly, what are you doing?" he cried.
"I can't get married Arthur. I'm sorry," she said calmly.
"Are you going to tell me why?" he asked.
Molly went to sit down on Arthur's small couch. "This isn't because of something you've done, Arthur. You've been wonderful. It's a very important decision I've made."
Arthur sat down next to her. "Why are you doing this?" he asked.
Molly looked down at her hands. "Because I don't want to want to be hurt again," she whispered.
"Molly, I don't understand."
"I love you Arthur, I do. There are so many crazy things happening right now. I can't bear the thought of losing you! What if you're killed? I wouldn't survive if I lost you like I lost my father!" Molly cried, tears starting to run down her cheeks.
Arthur looked at her, "So you're breaking up with me because of the slight chance I might be killed?"
"It's not just that Arthur. I don't want to love anyone. If I don't love anyone, I won't be hurt if I lose them."
"But then you won't have anyone to lose, Molly. And even if you stop loving them, they might not stop loving you. And what if something happens to you?" Arthur said gently.
Suddenly the argument, which sounded perfectly reasonable an hour ago, made no sense.
Arthur put his hands on her shoulders. "Molly, no one is safe. No one. We cannot let this madman ruin of lives. If we don't get married because you're worried about me being killed, he wins," he kissed her forehead, "Besides, I'm not going to let you go!"
She wiped the tears from her eyes, "I'm being silly, aren't I?" she muttered.
Arthur took the ring that she was holding and silently slipped it back on her finger. "I guess it's good to know that you love me so much that you're willing to break up with me," he teased.
Molly kissed him passionately. "I love you," she whispered, as the kissing grew in intensity. After ten minutes, Arthur pulled away.
"We should stop," he said quietly.
Molly and Arthur had decided that they would not make love for the first time until their wedding night. No use having the first of the seven kids early, Arthur joked. Molly was glad they had decided to wait, but at the same time she couldn't wait until her wedding night.
"Let's go have dinner," Molly suggested.
"Good idea!" Arthur said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Before she knew it, Molly's wedding day was here. May 14th, 1970. After her father's death, her mother agreed that a smaller affair would be for the best. It was their family and some friends from Hogwarts and work.
Molly looked at herself in the mirror. She never did lose those ten pounds her mother said she would need to lose in order to find a boyfriend. Arthur certainly never seemed to mind. Her ivory dress was simple. The empire waist dress fell just above her knees. It was sleeveless, with a square neckline.
Molly wore her hair up in a twist. There were a few stubborn curls that refused to be tamed, which framed her round face. Instead of a veil, she wore a small wreath with ivory ribbons in the back. Molly felt like a princess.
Emma and Aelecia entered the room, wearing their bridesmaid dresses. The dresses were identical to Molly's but were a very light blue. Both girls sighed when they saw Molly. "You look perfect," Emma cried.
"I can't believe you're getting married today!" Aelecia said, hugging Molly. Molly beamed, knowing that today would be one of the best days of her life.
"It'll be your turn soon enough!" Molly joked. Michael and Aelecia were engaged, but Aelecia refused to marry until she was qualified as a healer, which would be at least three years from now.
"I can't believe you're making me walk down the aisle with a squib," Emma joked. Arthur's groomsmen were Michael and his cousin, Zachary, who was a squib.
"I couldn't have you walk down the aisle with Michael, now could I?" Molly laughed.
"Hope he's good looking!" Emma was single again.
"Miss Molly, it's time," Maddox entered the room. Molly felt tears in her eyes. A month ago, Maddox had asked if he could have the honor of walking Molly down the aisle. She had planned on walking down herself since her father died. But when Maddox suggested it, she could see no other option.
Emma and Aelecia sighed again and went to the door. Michael and Zachary (who was good looking) were waiting. Maddox offered her his arm. She could hear the music coming from the hall. Emma and Zachary started walking, followed by Michael and Aelecia.
Maddox looked at Molly. "You're going to be a wonderful wife and mother, Miss Molly," he told her.
"Thank you," Molly whispered. Emma and Zachary
Molly stepped into the hall and started taking her last walk as Molly MacKenzie. She looked around. All of her brothers were there, with their wives. Twelve children, ranging from five years old to two months were there, with another one on the way. Molly's mother hadn't wanted the children at the ceremony, but Molly refused to exclude them. Her nieces and nephews were a very important part of her life.
She looked ahead and saw Arthur, the man she was going to pledge to spend the rest of her life with. He was beaming at her. When they reached the alter, Molly kissed Maddox on the cheek. Maddox then shook Arthur's hand and sat down.
And they were married.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Arthur, we're both too tired, let's just go inside," Molly pleaded. It was after the reception, and Molly and Arthur were about to enter Arthur's apartment for the first time as man and wife.
"This is tradition, Molly," he laughed as he picked her up. "I have to carry you over the threshold!"
"Da Dum Dum Dum," Molly was humming the wedding march.
"We already did that part, silly," Arthur said.
"I know, I just like the song!" Molly giggled.
"Are you going to let me get us into the apartment?" he asked.
"Okay, I'll be good now," Molly promised. She was almost too excited to be still.
"Molly Weasley, I promise to love you for the rest of your life. Even if, as you mother kindly reminded you today, you don't lose ten pounds before you have a baby," Arthur smiled.
"Oh don't remind me! I can't believe she said that as I was eating a piece of wedding cake!" Molly shook her head, knowing her mother would never change. "Arthur Weasley, I promise to love you for the rest of your life. Even if you lose all of your hair and become blind as a bat."
He kissed her quickly. "Here we go!" he said as he took a giant step into the apartment. He placed her onto the floor gently. Molly looked around and smiled. He had taken a trunk full of her possessions the other day. Seeing some trinkets out, she knew he had unpacked for her.
Arthur cleared his throat. "Well, shall we?"
"Let me freshen up a bit," Molly said in a voice she didn't recognize.
She walked into the bathroom with her overnight bag. Quickly she took off her wedding dress and changed into a light green lace nightgown that Aelecia and Emma had bought her. She took down her hair and knew she was ready.
Arthur was sitting on the bed. He had taken off his jacket and dress shirt, leaving him only in a t-shirt and pants. His shoes and socks were by the side of the bed.
He stood up when he saw Molly. "You look beautiful," he said quietly.
"Thank you," Molly said, not knowing what else to say.
"Are you nervous?" Arthur blurted out.
"Oh yes," Molly answered quickly. She walked over to him and took his hands. Suddenly, all the nervousness was gone as she looked into his eyes.
Afterwards they held each other close. "Are you glad we waited?" Molly asked.
Stroking her hair, he said, "I am, Molly. I just wished it didn't hurt so much for you."
"Don't worry about that," Molly said, blushing, "I know it's only the first time. And besides, everything else was wonderful."
"It was, wasn't it?" Arthur grinned. "I bet we end up practicing a lot to get these kids."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two weeks later, after their honeymoon in St. Ethel, an all wizard village in the Cayman Islands, Molly and Arthur were ready to start their new life together. At first, Molly found it hard to sleep with someone else in the bed. When Arthur slept on his back, he had a tendency to snore. She was finding things out about herself as well. Molly had no idea that she grinded her teeth.
Their life fell into a bit of a pattern. They would get up in the morning and go to the Ministry, since they both worked there now. Arthur had the same lunch schedule everyday, and Molly would try to join him. However, Molly wasn't always guaranteed a lunch, things being so hectic.
Saturday night they kept for themselves. Molly had read in Witch Weekly that couples should try to have a date night every so often. Then once a month on Sunday, they invited one of Molly's brother's families over for lunch.
As dull and boring as this sounded to Aelecia and Emma, Molly wouldn't change her life for the world. Though if she could change one thing, she would stop her mother giving her hints that she and Arthur were waiting too long to start a family.
"What does she want?" Molly asked Arthur one night, exasperated.
"Probably a honeymoon baby, Molly. Shall we go into the bedroom and try to conceive?" Arthur said slyly. Arthur was reorganizing his battery collection, which he seemed to do every other month.
Molly swatted him on the arm, "I'm in the middle of making dinner. We've only been married six months!"
Arthur sighed and looked at Molly, "Your brother Maddox and Marlene were pregnant within two months," he said in such a perfect imitation of her mum that Molly burst out laughing.
"Tell your mum the truth, Molly. We're only twenty. Let's enjoy each other a bit before we rush off and start having the seven kids!"
Sometimes Molly wondered if Arthur really believed her about the curse. Whenever they talked about children Arthur made jokes about all the children they would have.
"You do believe me about that, don't you?" Molly asked quickly.
Arthur looked at her. "I do. I think anyone would after seeing your family tree," he said softly, "I'm really worried Molly. You grew up very comfortable. I'm terrified that we're not going to have enough money for the luxuries you take for granted."
Molly opened her mouth in protest, but Arthur cut her off. "I'm serious Molly. I don't make a lot of money, but I love what I do. When you stop working, I'm afraid you're going to start resenting me because of my paycheck."
Molly's eyes filled with tears, "Arthur, I'd rather be poor and have you happy than well-off and you be miserable! Please believe that," she cried.
"Really?" Arthur asked.
"Really!" Molly answered, "Arthur, you're going to spend one fourth of your life at work. If you're not happy there, it will affect every other aspect of your life, including me. We'll find a way."
Arthur smiled at her, "I needed to hear that, Molly. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now help me finish dinner so we can go practice making a baby."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She was at work two months later when she ran to the bathroom for the second day in a row to throw-up. "What a horrible case of the flu!" she thought to herself.
Only later, at home, when she looked at a calendar, did she start putting the pieces together. As she cast the spell to confirm, she only glanced at the result. She already knew.
Molly was pregnant.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N – I have a very important question to ask. I feel really dumb needing to ask this, but it's necessary. Who's older? Bill or Charlie? Does the books give a definitive answer? I've always seen Charlie as the oldest. Is that right? I need to know before I start the next chapter. First one to answer gets a prize...shoot, I mean will be really cool. Yeah, that's it. First one to answer is cool!
Molly was getting married in six months. In six little months she would become Mrs. Arthur Wealsey. Then why was she so miserable?
Lord Voldemort was everywhere it seemed. Not a day went by when the Daily Prophet had a story on him and his followers. Some people went as far as to not call him by his name, claiming even the name frightened them.
Molly paced in her bedroom. After her father's death, Molly moved home to be near her mother. It was agreed that the house would be sold after Molly was married. Her mother had no desire to live in an empty house. Maddox, being the wonderful person that he was offered to let their mother move in with his family. Mrs. MacKenzie declined, stating that she'd feel in the way, and would prefer to live with her brother, who was also recently widowed.
She looked at her hourglass. She and Arthur were going out tonight and he should have been here by now. She ran downstairs, "Mum, has Arthur been in the fire at all?"
Her mother was on the couch, crocheting, "I would have told you if he was, Margaret," she said, not even looking up.
The doorbell rang. Thank goodness, Molly thought. She could see his familiar profile through the glass in the front door. She opened the door, he was holding some wild flowers. "Thank you," she said.
"Why are you assuming these are for you?" he teased.
"Because I know you. Accio flower vase!" A crystal vase flew from the china cabinet. Molly waved her wand again, and the vase filled with water. Gently, she placed the flowers inside and put the vase on the hall table.
"I'm leaving for the night, Mum," Molly told her mother.
Mrs. MacKenzie waved her hand, "Good night."
Walking on the drive, Molly said, "I don't know why I'm living there. Mum barely knows I'm there."
Arthur took her arm, "You're doing a very good thing, Molly."
Molly sighed, "I know." Molly knew she had to say something. "Arthur, instead of going out to dinner, can we go back to your place and talk?"
"Talk? What do you want to talk about?" he asked worriedly.
"I'll tell you when we get there," Molly said.
They both apparated at the same time to Arthur's small apartment. She positioned herself across from Arthur and took off her engagement ring. Holding the ring out to him she said, "I'm breaking our engagement."
Arthur stood there, motionless. Molly tried to place the ring in his hand, but he wouldn't accept it. "Molly, what are you doing?" he cried.
"I can't get married Arthur. I'm sorry," she said calmly.
"Are you going to tell me why?" he asked.
Molly went to sit down on Arthur's small couch. "This isn't because of something you've done, Arthur. You've been wonderful. It's a very important decision I've made."
Arthur sat down next to her. "Why are you doing this?" he asked.
Molly looked down at her hands. "Because I don't want to want to be hurt again," she whispered.
"Molly, I don't understand."
"I love you Arthur, I do. There are so many crazy things happening right now. I can't bear the thought of losing you! What if you're killed? I wouldn't survive if I lost you like I lost my father!" Molly cried, tears starting to run down her cheeks.
Arthur looked at her, "So you're breaking up with me because of the slight chance I might be killed?"
"It's not just that Arthur. I don't want to love anyone. If I don't love anyone, I won't be hurt if I lose them."
"But then you won't have anyone to lose, Molly. And even if you stop loving them, they might not stop loving you. And what if something happens to you?" Arthur said gently.
Suddenly the argument, which sounded perfectly reasonable an hour ago, made no sense.
Arthur put his hands on her shoulders. "Molly, no one is safe. No one. We cannot let this madman ruin of lives. If we don't get married because you're worried about me being killed, he wins," he kissed her forehead, "Besides, I'm not going to let you go!"
She wiped the tears from her eyes, "I'm being silly, aren't I?" she muttered.
Arthur took the ring that she was holding and silently slipped it back on her finger. "I guess it's good to know that you love me so much that you're willing to break up with me," he teased.
Molly kissed him passionately. "I love you," she whispered, as the kissing grew in intensity. After ten minutes, Arthur pulled away.
"We should stop," he said quietly.
Molly and Arthur had decided that they would not make love for the first time until their wedding night. No use having the first of the seven kids early, Arthur joked. Molly was glad they had decided to wait, but at the same time she couldn't wait until her wedding night.
"Let's go have dinner," Molly suggested.
"Good idea!" Arthur said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Before she knew it, Molly's wedding day was here. May 14th, 1970. After her father's death, her mother agreed that a smaller affair would be for the best. It was their family and some friends from Hogwarts and work.
Molly looked at herself in the mirror. She never did lose those ten pounds her mother said she would need to lose in order to find a boyfriend. Arthur certainly never seemed to mind. Her ivory dress was simple. The empire waist dress fell just above her knees. It was sleeveless, with a square neckline.
Molly wore her hair up in a twist. There were a few stubborn curls that refused to be tamed, which framed her round face. Instead of a veil, she wore a small wreath with ivory ribbons in the back. Molly felt like a princess.
Emma and Aelecia entered the room, wearing their bridesmaid dresses. The dresses were identical to Molly's but were a very light blue. Both girls sighed when they saw Molly. "You look perfect," Emma cried.
"I can't believe you're getting married today!" Aelecia said, hugging Molly. Molly beamed, knowing that today would be one of the best days of her life.
"It'll be your turn soon enough!" Molly joked. Michael and Aelecia were engaged, but Aelecia refused to marry until she was qualified as a healer, which would be at least three years from now.
"I can't believe you're making me walk down the aisle with a squib," Emma joked. Arthur's groomsmen were Michael and his cousin, Zachary, who was a squib.
"I couldn't have you walk down the aisle with Michael, now could I?" Molly laughed.
"Hope he's good looking!" Emma was single again.
"Miss Molly, it's time," Maddox entered the room. Molly felt tears in her eyes. A month ago, Maddox had asked if he could have the honor of walking Molly down the aisle. She had planned on walking down herself since her father died. But when Maddox suggested it, she could see no other option.
Emma and Aelecia sighed again and went to the door. Michael and Zachary (who was good looking) were waiting. Maddox offered her his arm. She could hear the music coming from the hall. Emma and Zachary started walking, followed by Michael and Aelecia.
Maddox looked at Molly. "You're going to be a wonderful wife and mother, Miss Molly," he told her.
"Thank you," Molly whispered. Emma and Zachary
Molly stepped into the hall and started taking her last walk as Molly MacKenzie. She looked around. All of her brothers were there, with their wives. Twelve children, ranging from five years old to two months were there, with another one on the way. Molly's mother hadn't wanted the children at the ceremony, but Molly refused to exclude them. Her nieces and nephews were a very important part of her life.
She looked ahead and saw Arthur, the man she was going to pledge to spend the rest of her life with. He was beaming at her. When they reached the alter, Molly kissed Maddox on the cheek. Maddox then shook Arthur's hand and sat down.
And they were married.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Arthur, we're both too tired, let's just go inside," Molly pleaded. It was after the reception, and Molly and Arthur were about to enter Arthur's apartment for the first time as man and wife.
"This is tradition, Molly," he laughed as he picked her up. "I have to carry you over the threshold!"
"Da Dum Dum Dum," Molly was humming the wedding march.
"We already did that part, silly," Arthur said.
"I know, I just like the song!" Molly giggled.
"Are you going to let me get us into the apartment?" he asked.
"Okay, I'll be good now," Molly promised. She was almost too excited to be still.
"Molly Weasley, I promise to love you for the rest of your life. Even if, as you mother kindly reminded you today, you don't lose ten pounds before you have a baby," Arthur smiled.
"Oh don't remind me! I can't believe she said that as I was eating a piece of wedding cake!" Molly shook her head, knowing her mother would never change. "Arthur Weasley, I promise to love you for the rest of your life. Even if you lose all of your hair and become blind as a bat."
He kissed her quickly. "Here we go!" he said as he took a giant step into the apartment. He placed her onto the floor gently. Molly looked around and smiled. He had taken a trunk full of her possessions the other day. Seeing some trinkets out, she knew he had unpacked for her.
Arthur cleared his throat. "Well, shall we?"
"Let me freshen up a bit," Molly said in a voice she didn't recognize.
She walked into the bathroom with her overnight bag. Quickly she took off her wedding dress and changed into a light green lace nightgown that Aelecia and Emma had bought her. She took down her hair and knew she was ready.
Arthur was sitting on the bed. He had taken off his jacket and dress shirt, leaving him only in a t-shirt and pants. His shoes and socks were by the side of the bed.
He stood up when he saw Molly. "You look beautiful," he said quietly.
"Thank you," Molly said, not knowing what else to say.
"Are you nervous?" Arthur blurted out.
"Oh yes," Molly answered quickly. She walked over to him and took his hands. Suddenly, all the nervousness was gone as she looked into his eyes.
Afterwards they held each other close. "Are you glad we waited?" Molly asked.
Stroking her hair, he said, "I am, Molly. I just wished it didn't hurt so much for you."
"Don't worry about that," Molly said, blushing, "I know it's only the first time. And besides, everything else was wonderful."
"It was, wasn't it?" Arthur grinned. "I bet we end up practicing a lot to get these kids."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two weeks later, after their honeymoon in St. Ethel, an all wizard village in the Cayman Islands, Molly and Arthur were ready to start their new life together. At first, Molly found it hard to sleep with someone else in the bed. When Arthur slept on his back, he had a tendency to snore. She was finding things out about herself as well. Molly had no idea that she grinded her teeth.
Their life fell into a bit of a pattern. They would get up in the morning and go to the Ministry, since they both worked there now. Arthur had the same lunch schedule everyday, and Molly would try to join him. However, Molly wasn't always guaranteed a lunch, things being so hectic.
Saturday night they kept for themselves. Molly had read in Witch Weekly that couples should try to have a date night every so often. Then once a month on Sunday, they invited one of Molly's brother's families over for lunch.
As dull and boring as this sounded to Aelecia and Emma, Molly wouldn't change her life for the world. Though if she could change one thing, she would stop her mother giving her hints that she and Arthur were waiting too long to start a family.
"What does she want?" Molly asked Arthur one night, exasperated.
"Probably a honeymoon baby, Molly. Shall we go into the bedroom and try to conceive?" Arthur said slyly. Arthur was reorganizing his battery collection, which he seemed to do every other month.
Molly swatted him on the arm, "I'm in the middle of making dinner. We've only been married six months!"
Arthur sighed and looked at Molly, "Your brother Maddox and Marlene were pregnant within two months," he said in such a perfect imitation of her mum that Molly burst out laughing.
"Tell your mum the truth, Molly. We're only twenty. Let's enjoy each other a bit before we rush off and start having the seven kids!"
Sometimes Molly wondered if Arthur really believed her about the curse. Whenever they talked about children Arthur made jokes about all the children they would have.
"You do believe me about that, don't you?" Molly asked quickly.
Arthur looked at her. "I do. I think anyone would after seeing your family tree," he said softly, "I'm really worried Molly. You grew up very comfortable. I'm terrified that we're not going to have enough money for the luxuries you take for granted."
Molly opened her mouth in protest, but Arthur cut her off. "I'm serious Molly. I don't make a lot of money, but I love what I do. When you stop working, I'm afraid you're going to start resenting me because of my paycheck."
Molly's eyes filled with tears, "Arthur, I'd rather be poor and have you happy than well-off and you be miserable! Please believe that," she cried.
"Really?" Arthur asked.
"Really!" Molly answered, "Arthur, you're going to spend one fourth of your life at work. If you're not happy there, it will affect every other aspect of your life, including me. We'll find a way."
Arthur smiled at her, "I needed to hear that, Molly. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now help me finish dinner so we can go practice making a baby."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She was at work two months later when she ran to the bathroom for the second day in a row to throw-up. "What a horrible case of the flu!" she thought to herself.
Only later, at home, when she looked at a calendar, did she start putting the pieces together. As she cast the spell to confirm, she only glanced at the result. She already knew.
Molly was pregnant.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N – I have a very important question to ask. I feel really dumb needing to ask this, but it's necessary. Who's older? Bill or Charlie? Does the books give a definitive answer? I've always seen Charlie as the oldest. Is that right? I need to know before I start the next chapter. First one to answer gets a prize...shoot, I mean will be really cool. Yeah, that's it. First one to answer is cool!