A/N – Yet another dialogue disclaimer. Some dialogue may be taken from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Remember, I own nothing! Just wait, next chapter, I won't have any books to take the dialogue from. It will all be my own again!
Chapter Sixteen – The Order, Year One
Molly and Arthur sat side by side on their couch at the Burrow. Just the day before, Harry had announced that you-know-who was back. Arthur took Molly's hand. "We're going to fight then?" he asked.
Molly nodded. "We have too, Arthur. I couldn't face myself if we didn't. Poor Harry..." she trailed off. Molly felt like she could cry; yet no tears came. She knew she had to fight. There was no way she could go back to the Burrow and pretend that everything was fine, not after last night. She hated seeing Harry in so much pain.
"He's like our seventh son, isn't he?" Arthur asked.
She squeezed his hand. "He is, Arthur. He is." Just then Bill came through the front door. He sat down on the coffee table in front of them.
"I've just been to Gringotts," he told them. "I've requested a transfer to the main branch in Diagon Alley."
"Bill, you don't have..." Molly started.
Bill put up his hand. "Mum, I have to be here to help. I know I wasn't that old when you-know-who came to power last time, but I remember. I remember how you two tried to talk about things that had happened without sounding scared. I even remember reading some of the headlines in The Daily Prophet."
Molly was shocked. "We always tried to hide the paper from you. You still read it?" she asked.
Bill grinned. "I did. I would take it out of the garbage. I'm going to fight."
Molly put her hand on his cheek. "It will be nice to have you under the roof again," she said softly.
-------------------------
"I've been promoted!" Percy announced proudly at dinner.
Molly's fork stopped halfway to her mouth. "Promoted?" she asked. She was confused. Percy had been written up a month ago for failing to recognize that his boss wasn't sending in owls. And now he was going to be promoted?
"I am now the Junior Assistant to the Minister. I will be working right under the Minister of Magic himself!"
There was an unsettling silence around the table. The only family member missing from the table was Charlie, who was still in Romania. He had wanted to come back to London as well, but Professor Dumbledore asked him to stay there. The Headmaster was hoping to gain support from as many foreign witches and wizards as possible.
"Who told you about this?" Arthur asked sharply.
"The Minister did. Right when I was about to leave, he came to my desk. Only a year out of Hogwarts and I'm the Junior Assistant," Percy said pompously.
"Did he ask you any questions?" Arthur asked.
"Questions? No, not really. The only thing he asked was if my loyalty was to the Ministry. I told him not to worry about that," Percy chuckled softly.
"Percy, this doesn't make any sense," Bill started. "Didn't you get into a lot of trouble over Crouch?"
Percy's cheeks reddened. "I was given a verbal warning. Why doesn't it make sense? They know I'm a hard and ambitious worker."
"Your loyalty is to the Ministry?" Arthur asked, "Not to this family and to Dumbledore?"
Percy waved his hand. "You really don't believe that story, do you? That you-know-who is back? The Minister thinks it's ridiculous, and quite frankly so do I. That Potter boy needs some help."
"That Potter boy?" Molly asked, "Percy, he's stayed under this roof!"
Arthur stood up quickly. "Fudge has been snooping around, trying to find out if anyone's working with Dumbledore."
The Percy stood up. "And he's quite right. If you work at the Ministry, your loyalty should be with it, not Dumbledore!"
"Our family's loyalty is with Dumbledore and Harry, Percy. Fudge knows it. He probably wants to use you to spy on us and Dumbledore," Arthur said loudly.
Percy's face went very white. "I can understand that we have different opinions, Father. But how dare you say that I'm just being used here! Just because I am working my way up, unlike you, whose had the same job for years."
Molly stood up then as well, "Percy, that's enough."
Percy looked at her wildly. "Since the day I've stepped foot into the Ministry I've had to prove that I'm different from Dad." He looked straight at Arthur. "Your problem is that you have no ambition! You're content to play with your muggle toys when you have seven children to support! Why have seven children if you can't afford them?!"
Arthur banged his hand on the table. "You will not speak to me like that, Percy! I understand you're upset, but I am still your father." The rest of the family was on their feet; their mouths open in horror.
Percy laughed. "Why not? The Minister will find out if you're in league with Dumbledore. How can you be such an idiot?" Percy started to walk away from the table. "Fine. You can go down with Dumbledore. I'm not going to stay here and watch it." He ran upstairs, taking the steps two at a time. Five minutes later he came running down with a duffle bag.
"I refuse to live with a family full of traitors," he spat. "I'm going to make sure everyone at the Ministry knows that I am no longer part of the Weasley family." And with that, he apparated out of the Burrow.
-------------------------
Molly woke up in the middle of the night, her heart racing. She had just had a nightmare. Her children all lay dead around her feet. "It's this house," she muttered to herself.
This was the first night that the Weasley family was staying in Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. Sirius Black had been kind enough to allow the Order of the Phoenix to use his home as Headquarters.
Arthur rolled over. "Molly?" he said groggily.
"I'm fine, Arthur. Go back to bed," she whispered to him.
He put his arm around her. "What's wrong, love?"
Molly turned her face away. "You're thinking about Percy, aren't you?" Arthur asked.
Molly sniffed, and that was all the answer Arthur needed.
"I need to see him," she said determinedly.
Arthur sighed. "I'll get his new address at work tomorrow, will that do?" he asked.
Molly kissed him softly. "Thank you."
She was able to sleep through the rest of the night.
-------------------------
Molly stood nervously outside of Percy's apartment building. Honestly, she shouldn't be taking the time to visit since Headquarters was such a wreck. Hermione would be arriving tomorrow. Molly knew that she would be willing to help with everything.
She walked through the hallway that was her third eldest son's new home. Molly looked at the little sheet of parchment Arthur had given her. "4F," Molly mumbled.
Knocking on the door, she took a deep breath. She heard footsteps coming towards the door. The door opened slowly and Molly was face to face with Percy.
"Percy," she said quietly.
Percy said nothing. He just looked at her.
"Percy, please. Let's talk," Molly begged.
His face didn't change as he slammed the door in her face. Molly was too shocked to even cry.
-------------------------
BONG!!!
Molly woke up at once. She had never heard that sound before, yet she knew exactly what it was. The grandfather clock that she had been given so many years ago for Christmas, had stuck midnight.
Someone in her family was in mortal peril.
Molly ran down stairs as fast as she could. She was alone at the Burrow, which she hated. She faced the clock. The longest hand on the clock was facing upright, straight at the number twelve. Someone where out in the world, Arthur was dying. And Molly couldn't do anything about it.
Molly went back upstairs to change out of her nightgown. She had no way of getting to Hogwarts since the floo network was under watch. She paced for a moment, thinking of what to do. Then she went back downstairs.
She needed to find Bill. She looked at the clock. His hand pointed towards "social," which she assumed meant he was with Fleur. Quickly, she apparated to Fleur's small apartment, hoping she wouldn't be interrupting anything.
"Bill!" she cried.
Bill suddenly came out of the bedroom, wearing only pyjama bottoms. He looked at her face and asked, "Mum? What's wrong?"
"Your father's pointing at mortal peril," she said softly. Bill's eyes went wide. "I need you at home right now."
"I'll be right there, Mum," Bill promised, as Molly apparated back to the Burrow.
Two minutes later, Professor Dumblebore's phoenix appeared, holding a note. "Thank you," she told Fawkes. She read the letter.
Molly,
Arthur has been taken to St. Mungos. He is still alive. It is now safe to go there. The children have been taken to Headquarters. They need to stay there. Albus.
"What's wrong Mum?" Bill asked. Molly was startled, she hadn't heard him apparate.
Molly handed him the letter from Albus. "You're father was on duty for the Order tonight. I'm assuming he's been attacked in some way. I need to write to the children," Molly said, grabbing a piece of parchment.
Dad is still alive. I am setting out for St. Mungo's now. Stay where you are. I will send news as soon as I can. Mum.
She handed the parchment to Fawkes. "Please take this to Headquarters," she said. In a flash of brilliant light, Fawkes was gone.
She looked at Bill. "Let's go." Together, they apparated to St. Mungos. Molly ran to the reception desk. "Arthur Weasley was just brought here? Can you point me to him?" she asked.
"Third floor," the witch behind the counter said.
"Thank you," Molly said, hurrying towards the elevator. When she and Bill got to the third floor, they came upon another desk. "Arthur Weasley, please," Bill said.
"Can't have visitors yet. They're still working on him," the wizard told them.
Molly and Bill settled themselves into two chairs. After an hour, a Healer walked up to them. "Are you here for Weasley?" he asked.
Molly jumped out of her seat. "Yes," she cried.
"Follow me."
Bill took Molly's hand as they walked towards the room. She smiled at him gratefully as they entered the small room. Arthur was sleeping.
"He should be fine. He's lost a great deal of blood, but that's nothing a blood replenishing potion won't help."
Molly sighed a breath of relief. "Thank you," she said softly.
Molly knew then that she would have a love/hate relationship with that clock for the rest of her life.
------------------------
"Why did I do it?" Molly said, between sobs.
Fred and George looked at each other, alarmed. "Do what, Mum?"
Molly held up a green sweater with a blue "P" on the front. "It just came back. Owl post!" she cried, blowing her nose.
"You sent that git a sweater?" Fred asked.
"He's my son!" Molly yelled, "He gets a sweater!"
"Mum, he knows Dad is in the hospital. He hasn't even asked how he's doing!" Fred yelled.
"Probably doesn't even care," George added.
Fred sat down next to Molly and put his arm around her. "Mum, Percy is nothing more than a humongous pile of rat droppings."
This caused Molly to wail even louder.
"That's enough, Fred and George," Remus Lupin said, "Why don't you go upstairs for a while."
Molly wiped her eyes with the sleeve of the sweater. "I never thought he'd return it. Never in a millions years. That's one of my favorite things about Christmas. Knowing that where ever my children are in the world, on Christmas Day, they're wearing their Weasley sweater."
"Sooner or later, everyone is going to know the truth, Molly," Remus said, patting her hand. "Percy will be part of your family again."
Molly looked at Remus. "I know," she sighed, "But I worry what will happen when he comes back. The twins hate him even more now. Even Bill and Charlie are badmouthing him. And Charlie never has a word to say against anyone."
The sat in silence for a few minutes and Molly thought about her son. Then the rest of her children bounded down the stairs and demanded to see their father on Christmas Day.
-------------------------
Molly was baking some bread in the kitchen one afternoon. It was a pleasant day outside. She had gotten used to the idea of being alone during the day over the years. It didn't bother her as much as it used to.
Suddenly, she saw two figures on broomsticks approaching the Burrow. When the figures where closer, she saw that they were Fred and George. Molly's heart started racing. Something must be horribly wrong if they were flying.
Fred and George came through the front door smiling and laughing. Molly narrowed her eyes and put her hands on her hips. "What are you boys doing home?" she asked dangerously.
The smiles stopped. "Mum," Fred said.
"Mum," George repeated.
"Well?" she asked.
The twins looked at each other and nodded. "We've left Hogwarts."
"WHAT?!?!"
"We have a space on Diagon Alley, Mum. Our business, it's starting," Fred said, words tumbling over one another.
"YOU DID WHAT?"
"Our products are ready. We're really going to start our business!" George said eagerly.
"YOU'VE LEFT HOGWARTS?!"
Fred and George just looked at each other. "We've left Hogwarts, Mum."
"I don't believe this," Molly said, sinking into a kitchen chair. She put her head in her hands, "Where did I go wrong?" she asked.
"Stop it Mum," George ordered.
She looked up quickly. "Excuse me?" she asked.
"We're proud of what we do, Mum," Fred started.
"Our joke shop is going to be huge," George continued.
"I'm sorry if you don't think it's good enough for us," Fred said.
"I know all we do is disappoint you, but we are ready to move on," George finished.
"Disappoint me?" Molly asked, tears forming. "Boys, you don't disappoint me. You both infuriate me sometimes, but disappoint, never."
Fred and George sat down next to her. "But then why do you get so mad at us?" Fred asked.
"Yeah. Why did you destroy all of our products last year?" George asked her.
Molly took a hand of each twin. "That's time you should have been studying. You too are so smart. I'm upset that you never took you classes seriously."
"We learned enough to open our own business, Mum. That's what we want to do," George said quietly.
She wiped the tears falling down her cheek with the back of her hand. "Why couldn't you have waited until the school year was over? There are only a few months left."
"There's nothing left for us at school. No quidditch, no nothing," Fred said softly, "The school was suffocating us."
Molly decided by then that she would support her twins in their endeavor. There were so many other things to worry about in the world.
"I suppose you'll want your room back?" Molly asked.
"Err...if you wouldn't mind, that it," Fred said.
"I don't want to be hearing loud explosions anymore," Molly warned.
"Oh, don't worry about that," George said brightly, "Our shop on Diagon Alley was plenty of space for a workshop."
-------------------------
"I yelled at him, Arthur," Molly cried, "The last thing I ever said to Sirius was cruel."
Arthur put his arm around her shoulder. Molly and Arthur were at platform, waiting for the Hogwarts Express to come in. "There, there, love," he said, trying to comfort her. They were standing away from the rest of the crowd.
"He smelled of liquor, Arthur. I snapped, and said he needed to clean up his act for the sake of his godchild," Molly said sadly.
"You were trying to help, Molly. Sirius was never happy there. We know this," Arthur said.
"What in Merlin's name was Harry thinking? What could have possessed him to lead six students to fight you-know-who?"
"Molly," Arthur warned, "Don't say anything to Harry. Albus said he's in a right state over the whole thing."
"I want to protect him, Arthur!" Molly said fiercely, "But how can I when he runs off like that?"
"He's almost sixteen, Molly. He doesn't need us to protect him. He can protect himself," Arthur told her.
Just then the Hogwarts Express came into view. Fred and George strolled through the barrier, wearing the dragon skin jackets that they never seemed to take off.
Many a joyful reunion later, the family was ready to leave. As they headed towards the barrier, everyone stopped at once.
Percy was waiting for them by the barrier.
-------------------------
A/N – Argh! This was by far the hardest chapter to write. OotP just has so many good Weasley moments that it was hard to choose! It's a little longer than the other chapters for that very reason.
I know this chapter was a bit angsty. Next chapter will be happier. A very happy event happens in the Weasley family. And if you've read The Forgiveness Within, you what that event is! Thanks for reading, and please review if you have an extra moment! : )