Thank you dwntempo for reviewing. It's always great to get new reviewers…I really appreciate it. Hope you enjoy this chapter! Thank you Sham Harga for thinking my story was lovely even though you normally don't read non-Marauder fics. That means a lot to me!
Disclaimer: The characters still don't belong to me and the song used is "Remember When," by Alan Jackson.
Part IV:
Chapter 1: Remember When
Remember when I was young and so were you
And time stood still and love was all we knew
Arthur watched Molly quietly, sitting in the corner of the Gryffindor common room. She was sitting cross legged on the sofa, reading a book. She was smiling, even laughing a little as she read and he was curious to know what in that book was so entertaining.
He was sort of jealous of the stupid thing too.
Out of the corner of his eye he noticed her shut the book. Then she looked at him. It was a knowing look, a wink and an invitation.
Then she was standing in front of him and he couldn't do anything but take in her body: full curves (she was skinny, per say, but she had the loveliest shape) and red hair in a tousled bun. She was sexy…most definitely sexy.
"Thought I didn't notice you watching me, did you Arthur?" she asked in a stern voice she tended to use on the younger students she was taking points away from.
He grinned and stood up, kissing her briefly. Her mouth always tasted delicious. It was really quite stupid of him to kiss her before talking because then he couldn't remember what it was he had meant to say in the first place.
She kissed him again but then pulled away quickly, slapping him playfully. "Arthur!" she exclaimed, sounding minimally scandalized. "We could get in trouble for such tomfoolery!"
He gave her a look. It was the samelook that his sons, Ron especially, would have down to a "T." It was the "What-the-hell-are-you-going-on-about-woman?" look. "They're not going to give us detention for kissing Molly-dear," he said lightheartedly.
Then he kissed her again, this time long and full, partially because he wanted to and partially to prove to her that they wouldn't get in trouble for kissing.
They'd been kissing for a while when the moment was interrupted by a commotion from the boys' dormitory stairwell.
A boy with round glasses and a thick mop of black hair pulled away from the staircase.
Molly stepped out of Arthur's embrace and put her hands on her hips. "You're very lucky I didn't catch you James Potter! Lest I'd have to warn you on up to your bed!" she called up the stairwell.
Her words were followed by laughs.
Arthur smiled and pulled her toward him again. "Well Miss Head Girl, I don't think you've been doing your job very proper, do you?"
She grinned back at him and time was forgotten quickly.
You were the first, so was I
We made love and then you cried
Remember when
Molly lay with her head on the feather pillows, red hair fanned out with Arthur's head lying on her bared breast.
She felt so wonderful. So whole and wonderful.
She felt loved.
She kissed his red hair while her fingers traced up and down the smooth skin of his back leisurely. "You were worth the wait, Arthur Weasley."
Her eyes darted around the room. She felt suddenly sneaky. This was not what the Room of Requirements was meant for. She smirked. That didn't matter right now. What mattered was that she was here with Arthur and they had just made love for the first time.
She kissed his head again; comforted by the shallow breaths he was taking, by his breath lingering on her skin.
Remember when we vowed the vows
And walked the walk
Gave our hearts, made the start, it was hard
"You don't regret any of this, do you Molly?"
She looked up, seeing her husband of one year come in through the kitchen archway. His nephew Kristofer was sleeping in his arms (they were babysitting for his brother Daniel).
"Regret what dear?" she asked idly, going back to attempting the Muggle way of donning socks.
"Us…me…I told you that I wasn't a rich man. I'd probably never make a lot of money." He looked away bashfully. Her heart went out to him. "I can't really give you what you deserve Molly. I can't give you much of anything."
There was joy, there was hurt
Remember when
"Don't say such things Arthur," Molly said with a sad smile. She stood up and went over to him, putting her hands on either side of his face. Baby Kristofer slept unaffected between their bodies. "You've always given me what I've needed. Love. Undying love and affection, you have, Arthur. I'm so blessed."
"I'm not rich, Molly-
"Shh, I've never wanted a rich man, Arthur. I've always only wanted you." She looked away with a delicate sigh and an even more faded blush. "I've always only wanted you…and your baby."
Arthur stood in shocked silence until he felt like an idiot. "A baby Molly?"
She looked up into his eyes, a grin filling them, spreading all the way to her toes until she felt blissfully happy. "I expect he'll be arriving in another six months time or so. I haven't actually gone to see the doctor-
"You haven't yet?" Arthur interrupted, serious concern filling his soft features. "Isn't that dangerous?"
Molly laughed and shook her head. "I was hoping you would come with me Arthur."
"I always wanted to name a son William," he said, his eyes lighting up with ideas on all that he would teach his son. On all the things he could show him. Maybe he would appreciate the Muggle way of life as he did.
Remember when old ones died and new were born
And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged
"You, Arthur Weasley, may go to hell whenever you like! I don't care to see your face anymore!" Molly exclaimed loud enough so that he might get the point and quiet enough so that Billy wouldn't wake up.
Arthur balked. "Excuse me Molly?" He couldn't understand what she was so anxious about, or angry about. It wasn't as if he'd meant to do anything…least of all turn her hair blue with that shampooing spell.
"Oh you heard me right and clear, Arthur!" she snapped back. Her eyes were flashing angrily and Arthur was quite aware that it was possibly the worst time he could find her attractive, but he did.
We came together, fell apart
And broke each other's hearts
"I'm sorry for turning your hair blue Molly," he said timidly as he climbed into bed next to her. She was turned away from him but he could tell she was still awake.
"And I'm sorry for telling you to go to hell," she replied quietly. It was the quietest she'd ever been with him, he thought. There was something pleasant and something odd about it all at once. It meant she was truly being honest but that she was, at least for a time, truly upset with him. He didn't like it.
"I love you Arthur," she said. Her voice was a bit stronger this time. More affirmative, much like the woman she was.
He put an arm around her, drew her close to his chest, and kissed her temple.
He was nuzzling her, kissing the back of her neck, when Billy woke up. He woke up screaming. Molly moved away from him, preparing to deal with her squalling son but Arthur gently pushed her back down, kissing her forehead.
"I'll take care of Billy. You just sleep," he directed gently.
She smiled gratefully.
Remember when