Chapter Nine – The Burrow, Child Three
"Arthur! Arthur, where are you?" Molly cried from the kitchen. She was holding Percy, who was crying again. Out of her three babies, he was definitely the fussiest.
"Out in the garden, love," Arthur yelled back.
"Are the boys with you?" Molly yelled through the window.
Arthur laughed, "Come see for yourself!"
Molly strapped Percy onto her back and went outside. The sun was so bright that Molly had to hold up her hand to shield her eyes. She saw her two sons, Bill and Charlie sitting on the ground staring at each other. Bill had just turned six and Charlie, five.
"What in the world are they doing?" Molly asked her husband.
Arthur laughed, "Having a staring contest. It's been going on for almost a half an hour. I never knew they could sit so still."
Molly looked down at Arthur; he was holding a pad of paper and a pencil. "You're drawing!" Molly exclaimed. "You haven't picked up a pencil in ages.
Arthur blushed, "Not much time to draw these days," Arthur said. "I figured they were sitting so quietly that I simply had to take the chance and draw them. I'm a little rusty," he admitted.
Molly sat down next to Arthur and looked at his work. He had captured their two eldest sons perfectly. "This is beautiful," Molly told him, "Bill needs a haircut, doesn't he?"
"Ah, leave the boy alone. His hair is fine," Arthur said, shading in the henhouse behind them.
"I'm just saying," Molly said.
"I know, love. I know," Arthur patted her hand and smiled.
Bill then jumped up from the ground. "I win! I win!"
Charlie held his hand out. Bill took it and helped his little brother up. "You always win at that," Charlie muttered.
"I hate to make you stop drawing, Arthur. But you know what you promised the boys today," Molly said gently.
"And I'm not complaining. It's not everyday that a father gets to teach his sons how to fly on a broom."
"Flying. Flying. Flying," Bill started chanting. Quickly, Charlie joined in.
Molly couldn't stop laughing. Bill and Charlie were jumping up and down in rhythm to their chant. "I'll get the brooms." Molly went to their woodshed and found the two small brooms the boys got on their birthday. When Molly was shopping for their presents, she couldn't believe she found them in the second hand shop. Molly had given them a quick polish and they looked like new.
"Don't forget my broom," Arthur called after her. Molly picked up his as well. Molly was still amazed that she hadn't gotten on a broom since she was eleven years old. She still had no desire to fly.
Molly watched the lesson while she fed Percy. "Put your broom to the right of you," Arthur started. Bill and Charlie complied quickly. "Now stick out your right hand and say 'Up!'"
Bill and Charlie said the word at the same time. Bill's broom made a halfhearted attempt to get off the ground, but Charlie's broom went straight into his hand. "Good show, Charlie," Molly called to him. Charlie beamed at her.
"This is how you mount your broom," Arthur told them, demonstrating. Bill and Charlie couldn't take their eyes off of him. They mounted their brooms. "Now kick off the ground and then come right back down."
Bill watched Charlie kick off the ground. Charlie hovered in midair for a moment and then came back down. Bill then kicked off and fell on his face. Molly gasped and started to stand up to see if he was all right, but Arthur shook his head. Bill stood up, told his broom up and mounted it. A moment later he hovered in the air. "Look, Mummy!" he cried.
"Very good, Bill!" Just then, Percy started crying, as if he knew he was missing out on the fun. Molly stood up, "I better take him inside," she whispered to Arthur. He nodded and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Be careful, boys!" she called to Bill and Charlie, who looked like they were having the time of their lives.
Molly was pacing around the kitchen. Her sons knew from experience not to make her upset when she was pacing. Pacing meant she was already upset. Bill and Charlie looked at each from the living room. "What did we do?" Charlie asked Bill.
"I didn't do anything," Bill whispered back. "Maybe it was the baby." Together Bill and Charlie turned their heads to look at their younger brother. Percy was sleeping in his bouncer.
"Baby, you're in soo much trouble," Charlie said.
"That baby's not in trouble," Molly snapped, having overheard the entire conversation. Bill and Charlie pointed to each other. "He did it," they said at the same time.
"Neither one of you is in trouble," Molly said, trying to stop pacing. It was no use, she kept on pacing.
Bill thought about that for a moment. "If it's not me, or Charlie, or the baby...Is it Da?" Bill asked.
"It has to be Daddy," Charlie added.
Molly took a deep breath. Arthur was due home any minute. "Bill, Charlie," she tried to say in a calm voice, which seemed to frighten them even more, "Could you please bring Percy up to your room and stay there until I call you down?"
"But you said we weren't in trouble!" Bill howled at the unfairness of it.
"You're not in trouble. Believe me," Molly said, hands on her hips. Complaining, Bill took Percy out of his bouncer and together with Charlie they walked up the stairs.
A minute later, Molly the crack announcing her husband's return from work. He put his arms around her and kissed her cheek. "Well, I can't tell you how glad I am to be home," he told Molly.
He then noticed Molly wasn't moving, "Dear, is everything okay?" he asked timidly.
"I went into the woodshed today, Arthur," Molly told him, her eyes flashing.
Arthur hung his head and sat down at the kitchen table. "I was going to tell you about that..." he faltered.
"Oh were you?" Molly asked dangerously.
"I was. It was such a bargain, that it seemed foolish to pass it up," Arthur said, still not looking at Molly.
"What ever possessed you to buy a muggle car?" Molly yelled.
Arthur looked up then. "I thought it would be fun to look at," Arthur said quietly.
Molly sat down and put her head in her hands. "How much?" she asked quietly.
The fact that she stopped yelling frightened Arthur even more. "How much, dear?"
"You said you bought it. How much did you pay for it? I would like to know," Molly said.
He told her.
"You paid WHAT?!?" Molly screamed. Arthur relaxed just a bit, now that she was back to yelling. She lowered her voice to a whisper, "That was our Christmas money, Arthur."
Arthur's eyes widened. He looked at her sadly. "I forgot."
"Can you return the car?" she asked him quietly.
Arthur shook his head. Molly groaned. "Christmas is in two weeks. We'll figure something out."
"I'm sorry," Arthur said, holding out his hand. "I really am, Molly. You know how I go a bit nuts over anything that has anything to do with muggles."
Molly patted his hand and sighed, "Why don't you go upstairs and chat with the boys. Be warned, I think they're thrilled that it's you in trouble instead of them for once."
Arthur nodded and headed up the stairs. Molly closed her eyes. What in the world would they do about Christmas? She opened her eyes and looked in the living room. Next to her rocking chair, was her yarn basket. There was plenty of different colored yarn. Which gave her an idea...
"Happy Christmas!" Molly cried. Bill and Charlie jumped up and down in excitement. Percy was asleep in Arthur's arms.
"Percy first," Arthur said.
"Can I open it?" Charlie asked.
Molly handed him the small package. "Of course," she said, smiling.
Charlie grinned and ripped open the wrapping paper. He proudly showed the family the small book ornament engraved with Percy's name on it as if he had picked it out himself. He walked over to the tree and placed it next to his own ornament.
"My turn!" Bill yelled.
"It's both your turns," Molly laughed. She handed them each a small package. She smiled at their delight at the candy she had bought them. Then she handed them each a larger, bulkier package.
They both opened their packages at the same time. Each held a sweater that Molly had knitted. Bill's was navy blue and Charlie's was forest green. One the front of each sweater was their initial. "It's really soft, Mummy," Charlie said. Bill said nothing, just put the sweater on over his pyjamas and smiled.
"One for you two, dear," Molly said. Arthur pulled out his light blue sweater and also put it on.
Bill and Charlie started whispering to each other. Bill got up and walked to the side of the couch, picking up a small package. "This is from Charlie and me," Bill said.
"And the baby," Charlie added.
"And the baby," Bill repeated.
Molly smiled at her sons as she unwrapped the present. She was careful not to rip the paper. Inside was a small spell book, all about gardening. She could tell it was second hand, but that didn't matter. "Thank you very much," she said, bringing them in for a hug.
That evening, they had the traditional feast over at Maddox' house. Only Percy had been added from last year. Bill and Charlie loved playing with their cousins. And the wives all loved to fawn over the new baby.
It was a very happy Christmas.
"Are you lot ready?" Molly yelled to her sons, who were upstairs changing. Percy was walking slowly around the living room, holding out things for balance. He was now just over eighteen months old.
Bill and Charlie came pounding down the stairs. Bill was now seven and Charlie, six. Today was Halloween. Molly and Arthur were going to take the boys out into town to a small fair that was there. Molly was worried, but Arthur begged to go to the fair.
She and Arthur decided to risk it and wear their wizarding robes to the fair. It was Halloween after all, no one would notice.
Bill and Charlie were in the costumes that Molly had made them. Bill was dressed as a knight and Charlie was a dragon. Little Percy simply had a wizarding cap on his head.
Arthur brought his arms around Molly's waist. "How are you feeling?" he asked gently. Molly was in her third month of pregnancy. Like her last pregnancy, they didn't want to take any chances.
"I'm fine," Molly said, squeezing his hands.
Together the family walked into town. Molly had rarely gone into the small village, choosing to go to Diagon Alley for all her needs. The village square was beautifully decorated. There were carved out pumpkins lining the street. Molly noticed a couple of muggle scarecrows as well.
Arthur quickly bought caramel apples for the family. When Molly had found out how much Arthur wanted to go to this event, she saved as much as she could. Molly bit into the apple and thoroughly enjoyed every bite.
Molly saw that there were pony rides. She knew Charlie would love to do that. They walked over to the ponies and Molly paid for two tickets. Charlie could barely get onto his pony he was so excited. He kept stroking the pony's mane.
"Mummy! Can I have the pony?" he cried as the ride started.
Molly laughed but shook her head no. Arthur took her hand in his. "This was a good idea, Arthur," she told him. "The boys are loving it."
Arthur took out the remaining muggle money from his pocket. "I'm no good with this money," he complained. "I really don't have any idea what's left," he whispered.
"I'm no good with muggle conversions," she told him. At that time the ride was over and Bill and Charlie ran up to them. "Again!" Charlie cried.
"Maybe in a bit, son," Arthur told him, the money still lying on his palm.
"I'd like to go into the haunted house," Arthur said quietly. "Molly do we have enough?"
"I don't need to go inside," Molly started, "I can stay out here with Percy."
"The sign says fifty pence each, Dad," Bill said quickly, "You have five pounds in change, so there's plenty of money for the haunted house and for Charlie to have another pony ride." Charlie's face lit up while Molly and Arthur stared at their oldest son.
"How did you know that?" Molly asked.
"It's just maths, Mum. You're the one who's teaching maths to me. I like maths," Bill stated, matter of factly.
Molly nodded, impressed with her son. "Now Charlie, if only you could learn to like maths as well," Molly started.
"Mum!" Charlie cried, "I like the pony!"
Molly was now in her seventh month of pregnancy. She was waiting in Aelecia's waiting room for appointment. Arthur was about to be dangerously close to missing another appointment.
Just as the secretary called "Weasley," Arthur rushed into the room.
"About time," Molly smiled.
A witch led her into one of the doctor's office. Arthur helped Molly up onto the table. "I don't want this sounding bad, Molly," Arthur started.
"What?" Molly asked.
"Your belly seems larger this time, as opposed to before," Arthur said quietly.
Molly laughed, "I was going to ask Aelecia about that. I've gained more weight this time around, too."
A few minutes later Aelecia walked into the room. "Let's see how the baby is coming along, shall we?" she asked.
Aelecia pressed her hands across Molly's stomach. She then pointed her wand at her stomach and said one spell after another. Ten minutes later, Aelecia looked up.
"Well," she said.
"Well?" Molly asked, "What's well?"
"Everything is looking wonderful. The heartbeats are strong, and you should be carrying them to term, unlike Percy," Aelecia said.
Molly's mouth opened. "Heartbeats?" she asked, "Them?"
Arthur gripped her hand, "Aelecia, what are you saying?" he asked.
Aelecia looked at the surprise on their faces and laughed. "You two are going to be having twins."
Molly and Arthur looked at each other and started laughing. It looked like they would be having seven children after all.
A/N – The chapter you all have been waiting for is next! The long awaited arrival of everyone's favorite pranksters, Fred and George!