Written for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (challenges & assignments)
A4 Religious Studies - Task 1: Write about leading others
Word Count: 349
Summary: Molly is trying to organise her family for Grandpa Arthur's birthday, and they're not the easiest people to lead...
Herding Mountain Goats
Molly eyeballed her cousins gathered around Uncle George's shop. They were too busy looking at the products and the adult Weasleys were too busy catching up. It wasn't often the family were together like this, so they all acted like they needed to fit years worth of news in a short space of time.
"Is anyone listening?" she called over the chatter.
Not one person was listening. Even Lucy, her sister and ally at these family gatherings, was too busy cooing over a Puffskein. Molly then sought out her father, Percy, but he was deep in conversation with Aunty Hermione, like he was always was when he cornered her, to talk all things Ministry. The only one who would listen to him properly.
Molly pointed her wand at her throat. "Sonorus," she muttered. She took a breath. "Everyone! I will say this only once because I'm tired of herding you all like a bunch of mountain goats!"
The entire room went silent as her family slowly turned to look at her, stunned expressions on all of them, including her own mother.
"Thank you!" she snapped. "Now, it's Grandpa Arthur's big seventy-fifth birthday in a few weeks and I think he deserves a special celebration! Don't you?"
"She's your daughter," George called across the room to Percy.
"Is there a problem here?" Molly demanded, rounding on her Uncle George.
George held his hands up defensively, nearly spilling his pumpkin juice over himself. "Nope. Nothing's wrong. As you were."
"She is my daughter," Percy whispered proudly to Hermione.
"I think we should throw him a party in a Muggle museum. Somewhere he'll really enjoy himself." Voice started to pick up at the idea of concealing magic for an entire evening while consuming alcohol. "If you can't do this for Grandpa Arthur for one night, then do you even love him?"
"Emotional blackmail, tick! She's yours!" Ron spoke up.
"Uncle Ron, do you really want to start something with me?" Molly demanded, knowing some secrets he'd been keeping from Aunty Hermione. Ron shook his head, catching her meaning.
"Good! Let's starting planning!"