Ag Science, task 4: Write about something that has layers.
Word Count: 931
The bottom layer is chocolate cake with chocolate icing and topped with crushed chocolate chip cookies, Ginny's favorite. Well, Molly isn't sure if it's actually Ginny's favorite, only that her daughter's eyes always light up whenever there's chocolate around.
"Mum!" Fred cries, storming into the living room, his freckled cheeks a livid purple. "Ginny's stolen my Chocolate Frogs!"
Ginny comes running in behind her brother, and it takes every ounce of control not to laugh. The proof is all over her face. Streaks of chocolate are smeared across her lips and chin. Still, she folds her arms over her chest, stomping her foot in defiance. "Have not! He's lying, Mummy!"
Molly just shakes her head and sets her knitting aside. She climbs to her feet and scoops her youngest up. "Come, my little chocolate thief," she says. "Let's get you cleaned up." She pauses and looks over at Fred who is still visibly fuming. "You can have a cookie before lunch, dear."
And just like that, her son's anger fades. His eyes widen, lips twisting into a wide grin. "Thanks, Mum!"
The second layer is a soft yellow. Molly has never known anyone to love lemon cake the way Ron does, but she doesn't question it. If it makes him happy, then that's all that matters.
She tops the cake with cream cheese icing before adding ribbons of candied lemon peel. Perfect.
"Limmim," two-year-old Ron says proudly, holding up the fruit and grinning a mostly toothless grin.
"Hand it here, Ronnie," Molly says, holding out her hand expectantly. "Lemons are too sour for little boys.'
Instead, Ron sticks the lemon in his mouth, sucking and chewing. Molly waits for the inevitable fallout when her youngest son gets lemon juice on her tongue. She can still barely stand the taste without plenty of sugar to balance it out; she can only imagine what it must be like for his sensitive taste buds.
Ron doesn't seem to mind. He makes a face, but he still grins. "Limmim!"
The third layer is a perfect split. Fred and George agree on so much, but cake has never been one of them. George's half is strawberry with chocolate icing, while Fred's half is vanilla with buttercream.
"How come there's more vanilla?" George asks, huffing, his bottom lip quivering.
"It's equal," Molly assures him.
George doesn't look convinced, and Fred does nothing to ease the tension. He hovers over the cake, grinning triumphantly, like he's won the greatest prize. "See? There's about five whole inches of vanilla!"
"Mum!"
Molly heaves a sigh and pinches the bridge of her nose, leaving a smear of cake batter behind. "Next year, you two are getting separate cakes." She adjusts her apron. "I promise."
Percy's layer is a basic yellow cake with pecans mixed in, topped with fudge frosting. Once frosted, Molly tops it with extra pecans.
Percy likes to watch Molly bake. She doesn't think he really pays attention to what she does. Instead, he sits at the table, digging into the bowl of freshly harvested pecans and munching on them as he splits his attention between Molly and his book.
"Why don't you ever use pecans?" he asks, straightening his glasses.
Molly considers. Fabian always loved pecans too, and their mother would make a special batch of brownies just for him. Of course, Molly and Gideon would always convince their brother to share or trade for their own special snacks.
"I think you have a clever idea," she tells him. "Would you like to help me?"
Percy hesitates. It's clear that he prefers reading to actually doing. A moment passes, and he sets his book aside. "What do I do?"
Next comes a moist white cake, drizzled with a mixture of sweetened condensed milk and whipped cream, then covered with shredded coconut. Sometimes she wonders if Charlie genuinely likes coconut, or if he keeps up the illusion out of pure spite.
"Nobody likes coconut!" Bill insists with confidence and certainty that only a six year old can have.
"Yes-huh!" Charlie counters, tiny hands forming fists. Molly is afraid she may have to intervene. "I do!"
"You've never even had coconut!"
Charlie seems to be rendered momentarily speechless by his brother. After several moments of silent reflection, the younger of the two makes his way over, looking up at Molly with sad but determined eyes. "Mummy! I want coconut!"
The final layer smells of spices and warmth as Molly adds the cream cheese frosting. Carrot cake hasn't always been Bill's favorite, but he's requested it for every birthday since his first year at Hogwarts.
"They call me a carrot-top!" Bill frets, tugging at his red hair. "Why can't I change my hair color, Mum?"
Molly sighs. She remembers her own issues with her hair color. Over the years, she's learned to embrace it. Still, it can be difficult. "You look lovely with red hair." She affectionately caresses his cheek. "Besides, carrots are delicious."
Her eldest scowls at that, shaking his head. "I hate carrots."
A thought occurs to her, and she summons a large bowl. "Well, that's because you've never had carrot cake before."
His eyes widen, curiosity overtaking his frustration. Bill approaches, leaning against the counter. "You can make a cake out of carrots?"
Molly takes a step back, smiling to herself. It isn't the prettiest cake, nor is it as elegant as some of the others that she's made in the past. Like her family, it is unique and made up of so many different layers, and it sometimes clashes in seemingly impossible ways.
And still, she loves it.
