Chapter Eighteen – The Order, Year Two (Part 2)
Molly and Arthur were lying in bed. Ron, Harry and Ginny would be leaving for Hogwarts in two days. Hermione was spending the rest of the holiday break with her parents.
Arthur brushed back some hair that had fallen in Molly's face. "Could you believe Ginny at dinner?" he asked.
Molly laughed. Ginny had announced that she wanted to become a professional quidditch player. No one at the table for a moment doubted she could. Fred and George had gone to the two matches that Gryffindor had played in this year and announced that she was even a better flyer than Harry. Harry just shook his head and agreed with them. Apparently, now that she would fly out in the open, she had become very, very good.
"Should you tell her…" Arthur started.
"About the curse?" Molly asked, finishing his thought.
Arthur nodded. "She should know," Arthur said firmly.
Molly sat up and brought her knees to her chest. She couldn't believe that she could do that again. She had lost weight in the last year. She was running around so much that she didn't even notice it at first. If she had to guess, she would say she was back to the weight she was before she had Bill.
"I don't want to tell her," Molly said.
"Molly, she's going to have seven children. She needs to know that," Arthur said, also sitting up.
"No, she doesn't Arthur," Molly said determinedly. "Maybe she'll look at her genealogical charts and figure it out for herself. I refuse to sit her down like my mother sat me down."
"What do you mean?" Arthur asked.
"Arthur, when I was Ginny's age, I wanted to be an Enforcer more than anything. Then my mother told me about the curse and I changed all of my plans because of it. I don't want Ginny dreaming of becoming a quidditch player and then changing her plans because of me!"
"You didn't want our family?" Arthur said sadly.
"Don't ever think that, Arthur Weasley. Marrying you and having our children was the best thing that could have ever happened to me," Molly said forcefully, settling herself in Arthur's arms.
"I just want Ginny to know she can do what ever she wants to do. I don't want her tied down by a curse!"
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The next day, Ginny came in from the cold, her cheeks red and her eyes sparkling. "I don't know how I can have such good aim with a quaffle, and not be able to throw a snowball," she laughed.
Molly had been sitting down at the kitchen table, watching the snowball fight they all had been having. "Ginny, talk to me," she said.
Ginny was struggling out of her coat, "Sure, Mum."
She sat across from Molly. "Is everything okay?" she asked.
Molly reached across the table and patted Ginny's hand. "Everything's fine dear. I was just thinking about last night."
Ginny blushed. "You don't think it's stupid that I want to be a quidditch player, do you? I really think I can do it, especially with the new broom," she said, chewing the bottom corner of her lip. Ginny's brothers had put together their money and bought Ginny a new broom for Christmas, the redesigned Silver Arrow. Molly suspected that Fred and George did most of the financing.
"I don't think it's stupid at all, Ginny. I think it's wonderful," Molly said happily. Ever since she realized how in the wrong she was being upset with the twins' career choice, she was determined to support her youngest children.
"Do you ever think about a family?" Molly asked casually.
"I want kids someday, I know that much," Ginny said. "Probably not for a while though. Having a baby wouldn't be the best thing for my quidditch career!"
"Do you know how many?" Molly asked, reminding herself not to tell Ginny anything about the curse.
"Two girls," Ginny said promptly, "Just a year or so apart, so they can be friends."
"That's what I wanted too," Molly said, smiling.
"Really?" Ginny asked, "Well, no offense Mum, but I hope I do better in the birth control department when the time comes."
"Oh, Ginny," Molly said, "I love our family, even though it wasn't what I expected."
Ginny giggled. "I would hope so!"
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"Molly, you're going to tire yourself out. Please stop pacing," Arthur asked quietly.
"I can't help it," Molly snapped. She was nervous about tomorrow night. The Order had gotten intelligence that the Death Eaters were planning a large-scale attack tomorrow night. They also had a partial list of what would be attacked. Molly would be participating in her first actual battle, and to tell the truth, she was terrified.
Arthur patted the seat next to him on the couch, and reluctantly, Molly sat down. She grabbed her knitting. She was getting a seven-month start on this year's Weasley sweaters.
"What color should I choose for Fleur, dear?" Molly asked.
Suddenly, Molly heard a loud crack, and a witch she didn't recognize appeared in front of them. Molly and Arthur both stood up, wands out.
"It's Tonks!" the witch yelled, "The attacks are tonight. They're outside now. We have to get out of here!"
Without hesitating, Molly ran to the stairs and yelled, "Bill, Fleur, apparate to Headquarters now!"
Molly heard the cracks from upstairs and turned to Tonks. "Is anyone else home?" Tonks asked desperately.
Arthur shook his head and said, "Let's go."
A moment later they were in front of number twelve, Grimmauld Place. "What is going on?" Molly screamed. Death Eaters outside of the Burrow?
"I don't have time to explain," Tonks said quickly. "The attacks are tonight. Just go and find as many from the Order as you can. I have to go!" And with that Tonks disappeared.
Molly, Arthur, Bill and Fleur ran into the old house. Quickly, they discussed who was going where. Then they all split up and went to different fireplaces.
She scattered the floo powder as quickly as she could and stepped into the fire. "Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore's office," she cried.
Three minutes later, she was in his office, telling Albus what had happened. Molly flooed back to Headquarters and waited for other Order members, to tell them what was happening.
Four hours later the fighting was over.
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Molly and Arthur stood hand in hand, looking over the total destruction of the Burrow. The Death Eaters had completely annihilated the place. Even their chickens had been killed. For some reason that struck Molly as being worse than destroying their home. They killed innocent chickens.
As they walked through the ruined ashes, Molly saw that her grandfather clock had not been destroyed. The glass was cracked, but it was the only thing still standing.
Molly kept picking things up, trying to see if anything was salvageable. Not much was. Behind her, she heard a couple of cracks, and then voices talking to Arthur. She looked at who was there and saw at least ten Order members. They were all wearing work clothes.
Kingsley smiled at her gently, "We're here to help."
Molly gave him a small smile, "Thank you." Then she took out her wand and went to work.
A few hours later, Bill and Fleur apparated over. Molly's face was smudged with ash and her hair was a wreck. She didn't care. All she could think about was rebuilding the Burrow.
"I know this es selfish, but I am sad that everything for zee wedding 'as been destroyed," Fleur said sadly.
Molly closed her eyes, she hadn't even thought about that. She had been working on the wedding for more than nine months, and now everything was gone. Bill put his arm around her. For some reason, that small gesture touched Molly. She buried her head in his shoulder and let herself cry for everything that had been lost.
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When Molly had the envelop in her hand, two weeks later, she was ready to say, "I told you so," to Arthur. As the Burrow was slowly being rebuilt, Molly, Arthur, Bill and Fleur were all staying at Headquarters.
She smiled, rereading the letter. This was going to help such a great deal. Arthur walked into the kitchen after his workday was over. "I can't believe how crazy it's getting, Molly," he sighed.
"I have good news, Arthur," she said.
"Merlin knows I could use some good news," Arthur laughed. Molly pushed the envelop along with the contents across the table to Arthur. She watched his face as he read the letter.
"I thought we…I mean, I said I didn't want one…so how?" Arthur stammered.
"I took out that policy behind your back, Arthur. It's a little secret I've had all these years. Didn't think we would actually have to use it," Molly said proudly. Years ago, Molly had taken a small house insurance policy out on the Burrow. Arthur hadn't wanted it, said it was unnecessary. But Molly managed to make the payments every month from her household budget.
The envelope had a check for money to rebuild the Burrow.
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Molly had resigned herself that most of her family's possessions had been lost. But everyday they cleaned up the mess, something new would be found. Today, Molly started jumping up and down for joy when a box of Christmas ornaments had been found. Most importantly, the seven silver ornaments that celebrated her children's first Christmases, were in tact.
Molly and Arthur were with the builders when Remus Lupin apparated in front of them. He motioned them away. "Yes, Remus?" Molly asked worriedly.
He handed Arthur a large leather pouch. Arthur looked inside and shook his head. He handed the pouch back to Remus. Remus refused to take it.
"Arthur, Molly, this gold is from various members of the Order that wish to remain anonymous," he started, "I actually don't know who collected it. I was just given the job to give it to you."
Arthur showed Molly what was in the bag. There were easily five hundred Galleons. "Look, we know you had an insurance policy to rebuild the place. But what about everything you have to buy? You've worn that robe four days in a row, Molly," Remus said gently.
"It's all I have," Molly said softly.
"Exactly," Remus said, "Please take this."
Arthur shook Remus' hand. "Please let them know how grateful we are. Truly grateful," Arthur said hoarsely.
Molly and Arthur held each other for a long time after Remus left.
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Before Molly knew it, her eldest son was going to be married in four days. Mr. and Mrs. Delacour and Gabrielle were traveling up from France today. Since the inside of the Burrow wasn't livable yet, they would be staying at the Leaky Cauldron.
Fleur couldn't keep still, she was so excited. Molly was working now stop, trying to have everything ready for the wedding in time. Tonks had been very helpful, telling Molly about a thrift shop that Molly hadn't known about. Molly had found the bridesmaids robes there. The groomsmen were just going to wear their own dress robes.
It was time to meet Fleur's family for the first time. Molly, Arthur, Bill and Fleur went to the Leaky Cauldron to have dinner with them. When Fleur saw her parents and her sister, she gave a slight shout of joy and ran over to them, her words tumbling over in French.
"Do you understand what they're saying?" Molly asked.
Bill shook his head, "Guess I'm not that good yet," he joked.
Fleur brought over her family. Molly looked at Fleur's little sister. She looked exactly like Fleur, though almost ten years younger.
"Molly and Arthur Weasley, these are my parents, Jean-Luc and Therese DelaCour," she said proudly.
Greetings were exchanged all around. At ten o'clock, Gabrielle was sent to bed. The other adults stayed up well past two in the morning. Learning how to become a family.
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Molly went outside on the day of the wedding. The Burrow had been rebuilt, though it wasn't the same Burrow as she remembered it. They rebuilt it smaller. They didn't need so many rooms anymore. It was only three stories high now, and it no longer looked like the wind could knock it over.
Some of the guests had started to arrive, though the ceremony wasn't for another hour. Molly was staring at the house, when someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around quickly and saw Maddox, Marlene and Betsy in front of her. Molly brought them in for a long hug.
"It's been too long," she cried. Molly looked at Betsy and gave a little shriek. Her little niece was at least six months pregnant.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Molly cried, bringing Betsy in for another hug.
"I wanted to tell you in person," Betsy smiled. Betsy had been married two years ago to a muggle. Arthur had the time of his life at that wedding, dressing like and pretending to be a muggle for the evening.
"I'm going to be a great-aunt!" Molly brought her hand to cover her mouth. She couldn't believe how emotional she was today.
Betsy excused herself, wanting to talk to some of her other cousins that were arriving.
"You're going to be grandparents," she said enviously to Maddox and Marlene.
"Don't worry, Miss Molly. I'm sure you're going to be one soon enough," Maddox laughed.
"It's so good to hear you call me that," Molly said, wiping a tear from her eye.
"Molly!" she heard Arthur cry from a window in the Burrow. Molly excused herself and ran into the Burrow. Even though the inside wasn't finished yet, they were still using it to dress and get ready.
Bill was waiting downstairs, looking extremely handsome in his dark green dress robe. "Oh, my baby!" Molly wailed.
Bill smiled at Molly and took out a small box. He opened it and showed Molly a corsage. It was simple, a white rose, with baby's breath, but it was beautiful. Bill pinned it on Molly's light blue dress robe. Molly didn't seem to have enough hands to wipe away her tears fast enough.
Charlie came down the stairs then, along with Bill's other groomsmen, Moshin, a good friend of Bill's from Egypt. Her other sons were all in the living room, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
After a little time passed, filled with nervous chatting, Professor Dumbledore came into the living room. "Are we ready?" he asked. Molly was thrilled that he agreed to marry Bill and Fleur.
Bill nodded, and walked out with his brothers to take his place. "Fleur! You can come down now!" her mother yelled. Ginny and Gabrielle came down the stairs quickly, wearing matching light green dress robes.
Fleur started her descent down the stairs, and everyone couldn't help but stare at her. Instead of a robe, she wore a plain white dress. She was so beautiful that she didn't need a fancy dress.
When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she blushed and said, "I am ready to be married."
Arthur took Molly's arm and they started the procession. When the ceremony began, Molly stopped trying to wipe her tears away; she just let them fall. Arthur put his arm around her and whispered, "We have another six of these, you know." Molly just smiled and patted his hand.
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Molly sat at the head table like a queen. All during the reception, people kept coming up to her and congratulating her on the wedding. Molly basked in all the attention. Now guests kept wondering when the next Weasley would get married. Molly had a sneaking suspicion that it would be Percy. She didn't tell anyone that though.
After dinner, there were some speeches. Charlie stood up. Just the other day, he told Molly that he was agonizing over what his speech should be about. Molly couldn't wait to hear what he had to say.
"I'm not very good with public speaking, unless I'm talking in front of dragons," he started. "As many of you know, less than two months ago, we lost our home and most of our possessions to a Death Eater attack. The Death Eaters came with one purpose in mind: To destroy the Weasley family. Well, the Weasleys are a pretty stubborn bunch."
"You got that right!" a voice cried out, as some guests started laughing. Molly had a feeling that the voice belonged to Harry.
"I'm glad people agree with me," Charlie joked. "It will take a lot more to destroy the Weasley family than to ruin the house where we live. The Weasleys will only be destroyed if we stop calling ourselves a family, and if we stop loving each other. And as of today, our love for family is only expanding, now that we welcome Fleur and her family into our own. That love we have for one another will keep growing, and more and more people will be called family. The Weasley family will never be able to be destroyed. Thank you," Charlie sat down, his freckled face almost as red as his hair.
The guests started clapping furiously. Bill and Fleur stood up and gave Charlie a long hug. Molly had never been so touched in her life.
"Dance with me, Molly," Arthur asked later in the reception. Molly held out her hand gladly.
A slow number had just started and Molly rested her head on Arthur's chest and put her arms around his waist. Arthur let his chin rest on Molly's head. They had danced like this many, many times before. But she was amazed that still, even after all these years, every time they danced, it still thrilled her.