Forgiveness

Two weeks later, the remainder of the Weasley family was brought together, save Ron and Hermione who would be returning later that week; they had finally found Hermione's parents and restored their memories. Today, the family would celebrate Percy and Ginny's birthdays. Molly was ecstatic when she found out she would be able to celebrate her little girl's birthday. She even managed to convince Charlie to come.

Arthur had arrived early. Papers were spread over the entire kitchen table. He had taken up his new position of department head that Monday. Kingsley had not been exaggerating about the workload. Arthur was thankful for the peace and quiet while the kids were setting up outside for the party. He ignored a floorboard creak as someone entered. It would still be an hour before guests started to arrive.

"Hey," Molly said softly as she sat across from him. An unexpected rush of emotions cascaded over her. Seeing her husband after a month reminded her how much she still loved and missed him.

Arthur glanced up and schooled his features. His wife's appearance did not completely surprise him. Percy had warned him that she and Charlie would be there. However, he did not expect her to approach him. "Hi," he said dismissively. He returned to his work.

"You've gotten a promotion, I hear."

"Yup."

"How have things been with Ginny and Harry living with you?"

"I told you she would be safe, and she is," he said a bit harshly.

"I know. The boys told me you're doing better."

Arthur still didn't look up. "I suppose." This exchange was already tedious. Why was she trying to get information from him if the kids had already told her? There was no other reason for her to speak to him that Arthur could think of.

Molly wanted a two-way conversation. She gently took his writing hand.

Arthur looked up at her. "Do you mind? I'm trying to work."

"I'm trying to talk to you." Molly had planned this conversation. She had played out multiple scenarios in her head. If Arthur was stubborn, it would not go well.

Arthur sat back in his chair, but did not remove his hand from his wife's grasp. Admittedly, it was nice to feel her touch again. Ever since they had separated, he pushed her to the back of his mind in an attempt to convince himself that he didn't miss her.

"Arthur, I am sorry things had to go this way. I hope you know I still love you."

"George, told me what happened," Arthur interrupted quietly.

Molly hesitated. She knew it was a strong possibility that Arthur would find out. However, she never thought he would be the one to bring it up. That wasn't even where this conversation was headed.

"He told me that you were out all night with Collin," Arthur deadpanned.

"Conner," Molly corrected, though this may not have been the best time. "Is that all he said?" She knew Arthur would not have the whole story. She knew what it had looked like, but she and Conner were doing nothing wrong.

"You were hugging him…and he kissed you."

"On the head," Molly reasoned.

"He still kissed you, and you let him."

"That entire situation was out of context."

"Oh, so you didn't flirt with him afterwards?" Bill and Percy had come to him with that information. It was something they felt he needed to know, but not so serious that Molly should tell him herself.

"What? Of course not!" Molly said indignantly. "Or…at least, I don't think so."

"It sure seemed that way to the boys."

"Well, if I did, I did not mean to. You have no idea how lonely I've been, Arthur. I just needed someone to talk to. I wanted to escape from all this mess."

Arthur took his hand back. "Then talk to me," he demanded.

"You have not been willing to talk."

Arthur had to admit she had a point there. "Okay…Talk to Andromeda, or any of our other friends, just not him." His tone became stern. "I told you how I feel about that."

"I thought we were trying to keep this a secret." That was partly why Molly did not talk to anyone else, but she did really enjoy spending time with Conner.

"Tell The Prophet we are having problems. Shout it from the rooftops," Arthur said, temper rising. "I don't care, as long as you don't go near him!"

"Do you not trust me?" Molly asked calmly.

Arthur did not reply. He used to trust her completely. Now, he wasn't sure what to think. It had been a month since they had seen each other. Her "friendship" with Conner seemed to have progressed a lot in that short time. From what his sons had told him, Molly had grown quite fond of Conner.

"Conner and I are good friends. I'm comfortable talking to him. That is all," Molly claimed.

Arthur stood and waved his wand. All the papers flew neatly into his briefcase. He looked her in the eyes. "Affairs are not always physical, Molly," he stated evenly before leaving her alone at the table.

In the upstairs bathroom, Arthur paced in anger and frustration. He punched the wall. If Molly hadn't spoken to him, he was sure he could have tolerated her being there. For her to approach him and deny anything was going on between her and Conner was absolutely audacious. Arthur took out his flask. He stared at it, contemplating. Over the past two weeks, he had done well with only drinking after the kids had gone to bed. It was barely noon. If he drank, it would calm him down. If he didn't, he was sure he'd blow up. Everyone was so happy he seemed to have things under control, and it was his son and daughter's birthday party. He didn't want to disappoint them. He took a long drink from the flask anyway. This wasn't what he wanted. None of this was what he wanted. What he wanted was for things to go back to normal: Fred wouldn't be dead, he never would have had that one night stand, he never would have hurt the love of his life, the family wouldn't be split, Molly would have never met Conner, he and Molly would still be together in the Burrow happy as ever. He hit the wall again then took another drink. Before going back downstairs, Arthur cast Reparo on the holes, wrapped his bloody knuckles in a bandage – he never was good at healing spells – and cast a Cheering Charm on himself. The charm wasn't strong enough to last more than a half hour, but hopefully, it would last long enough for him to reign in his anger.

George had been looking for his dad when Arthur came downstairs. "Hey, Dad. Could you go pick up the cakes? They weren't ready when we went earlier."

"Sure. Where at?"

"The bakery in Diagon Alley. Thanks." George went back outside.

Molly came in from the kitchen, having heard the exchange. "Here. I'll come with you."

"Why?" Arthur asked sharply.

"You'll need help carrying them," Molly stated matter-of-factly.

"Haven't you done enough?"

"I haven't done anything, actually," Molly answered his double-meaning about the party and about her and Conner.

"You're not going, Molly." Arthur did not move.

Molly passed him, moving to the door. "Either we both go or you can stay here, but you did just tell George you would get the cakes."

It seemed like Molly would go with or without him, and he had said he would pick up the cakes. Arthur had no choice. "Dammit, Molly!" he cursed under his breath, following her out the door.

oOoOo

When they apparated in Diagon Alley, they continued their discussion.

"Did George put you up to this?" Arthur asked. He didn't know why George would do such a thing or why Molly would go along with it, but it was worth asking.

"No. He's not even talking to me." Molly walked in the direction of the bakery.

"Why are you doing this then?"

Molly suddenly stopped and turned around. Arthur nearly ran into her. "I thought we should do something together."

"I don't see how that's a good thing right now."

"If we continue avoiding each other, nothing will ever work out. I don't think either of us wants that."

"Things will not work out if you keep seeing that bloke," Arthur stated.

Molly did not respond. She turned around and continued to make her way to the bakery. Arthur followed.

Neither husband nor wife spoke to one another until after they got the cakes. They were almost back to the apparition point when Arthur spoke up.

"It hurts."

Molly stopped and looked at him. She barely heard what he said, but she heard.

"I don't think I've told you this, but…it hurts. It hurts when I see you. It hurts when I think about you. It hurts knowing that you're spending time with and confiding in someone else."

"I didn't know," Molly whispered.

"And I still can't get past what I did to you. I hate myself every day for it. I just want things back how they were."

Molly did not know what to say. This was the most honest her husband had been in months. This is what she had longed for for so long. She had lost all hope that this would happen. So many things had changed. She was speechless.

Molly swallowed the lump in her throat. "People have probably started showing up. We should get back."

Arthur watched her disapparate. He took out his flask and drank from it before apparating back to Shell Cottage. He didn't know what he expected her reaction to be, but he didn't think she would walk away.

oOoOo

Guests had already begun to arrive when they got back. The birthday party would not be as large an affair as the engagement party. Only immediate family, Audrey's parents, Aunt Muriel, a few Order members, and some of Percy and Ginny's friends would be there.

Immediately, Arthur had to put up a façade. The Cheering Charm he used had already worn off and it didn't work all that well to begin with. He set the cake down next to the other in the kitchen before heading to the back garden.

Muriel marched up to him as soon as he walked out.

"Ah, so you are here," Muriel stated.

"Of course I'm here. It's my kids' birthday," he shot back.

"What the devil did you do to upset Molly so badly?" she questioned.

Arthur narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"She shoves the cake at me and locks herself in the guest room after coming back from the bakery with you. What did you do to her?" she repeated, poking Arthur in the chest.

Instead of responding, he went upstairs where the guest room was. Bill was already there.

Bill looked at his dad. "What happened?"

"I don't know," Arthur muttered. He knocked on the door. "Molly? Molly, will you let us in? Please?"

There was no answer.

"I'll take care of this, Son. You go on outside."

"Are you sure? I can handle this."

"That's fine," Arthur assured. "I think I might know what this is about."

Reluctantly, Bill left his father.

After a few more attempts at getting Molly to open the door, Arthur sat down in the hall. Several minutes passed. He checked to make sure no one was coming then took another swig from his flask. He had just finished eating a mint when Molly opened the door. Arthur stood.

"Oh, you're still here," she said quietly.

"Yeah," he breathed. "Is this about what I said?"

"I wanted honesty. I just wasn't expecting it." Molly wouldn't look at her husband. "I don't think we should talk. During the party, that is." She squeezed past him in the narrow hallway. Arthur watched her descend the stairs.

Molly did her best to be cheery. Her face wasn't red since she used a cooling charm before coming outside. It looked as though most everyone had arrived. Guests had already begun eating on the finger foods. Kingsley approached her with a broad smile.

"Molly, it's nice to see you," he said as they hugged.

"You too, Kingsley. It has been quite a while," she commented.

"I know, and I'm sorry about that. I hope you can forgive me."

"Of course. You're doing a wonderful job with the Ministry." She patted his arm.

"Well, thank you." He grinned. "I hope this promotion isn't taking up too much time from you and Arthur. It should only be for a few months until the department gets settled."

Molly forced a smile. "It's fine. You know how he loves Muggles. Never can get enough of them.'

Kingsley raised an eyebrow. "So he's enjoying it? When I asked him to head the department, he wasn't too keen on it. I practically had beg him."

Molly didn't know what to think of this. Quickly, she thought of an excuse. "Well, maybe he was having a bad day."

"Yeah…maybe…" Kingsley said uncertainly. It dawned on him that now may be an opportune time to ask about Arthur. "Is he doing alright? He hasn't seemed like himself recently – Well, for the past several months really."

Molly was unsure of how to answer. For a second, she thought about being honest. Arthur did say he didn't care if other people knew, but there was a stipulation to that. She decided to keep her answer vague. "You know, a lot has changed." She glanced across the garden at Arthur who had come outside soon after she had. "We've…all had to adjust in our own way."

"Well, if either of you need anything, I'll be there."

oOoOo

Arthur quickly found himself in a conversation with Hagrid and Charlie. He was hoping to avoid the half-giant, since things had not gone well the last time they had spoken. Arthur sensed the hostility Charlie still held toward him as well. Arthur had immediately asked Hagrid about the new creatures he had gotten in order to postpone talking about himself. That was a good tactic. Hagrid had gone off into long ramblings about each of his "babies." Every now and then he would ask Charlie for confirmation.

"She can be a bit feisty," Hagrid was saying about a Murtlap. "It's jus' because the others pick on her. She's a sweetie at heart. Isn't tha' right, Charlie?"

"Sure is, Hagrid."

Hagrid chuckled. "She actually bit me a few weeks ago. Real nasty bite, that was." A blue serpent-like creature slithered out of one of his pockets. He picked it up. "Oh, yer not supposed to be here. This is little Steve," Hagrid said, showing Arthur the Occamy. "Always doin' that, he is. Sneaks into one of our pockets and goes on his own lil' adventure. Doesn't he, Charlie?"

"Yes, he does, Hagrid." It was obvious Charlie was not happy to be in a conversation with his father. Earlier, Arthur saw him talking animatedly. Now, he said as little as possible.

After what felt like ages, Hagrid had finally finished telling Arthur all about his creatures. Arthur found he actually enjoyed hearing Hagrid's stories. Well, he always had.

"Sorry 'bout that," Hagrid apologized. "I didn't mean to ramble on like that."

"No need to apologize, Hagrid," Arthur assured.

"Anyway, have things gotten better?" Hagrid asked.

"You could say that. I've gotten a promotion and my kids come over for dinner a few times each week." Arthur cast a sideways glance at Charlie. Hagrid didn't seem to notice.

"That's good. So, yeh've gotten everything under control now?"

Arthur scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, yeah, all under control."

"And Molly?" Hagrid ventured.

Up to this point Arthur had been tolerating Hagrid's questions. The half-giant always seemed to poke his nose where it wasn't wanted. "Look, Hagrid, none of this is really your business," he snapped.

Charlie spoke up now. "Is this how you treat everyone who shows concern? That's good to know."

Kingsley approached at that point, plate of finger foods in hand. "Arthur!" he greeted.

"Kingsley," Arthur responded, shaking his hand.

"Ooh." Kingsley grimaced as he noticed the bandage wrapped around Arthur's knuckles. "What happened there?" This brought Hagrid and Charlie's attention to them as well.

"Oh, it's nothing," Arthur waved off the concern. "A little accident."

Charlie glared at Arthur. He had a feeling he knew what had caused the injury. "I knew you hadn't changed," he sneered before stalking off, earning quizzical looks from the other two men.

Before any other questions could be asked, Arthur excused himself and went back into the vacant house. While he took a drink from his flask, Andromeda came downstairs with Teddy. Arthur saw her see him. He quickly put the flask back in his pocket. She didn't say anything.

"Wow. He sure has gotten big," Arthur commented about Teddy, attempting to take the attention off himself.

Andromeda moved so Arthur had a better look. "He has." She smiled then became somber. "He's the only thing that has kept me going since Ted and Dora…"

"I think everyone's needed something to keep them going after this last war."

"Like alcohol?" she deadpanned.

Arthur looked up from tickling Teddy's tummy. "I don't appreciate the insinuation," he said evenly.

"That's not the way to live, Arthur, you know that. You have a huge support system. All you have to do is ask for help. No one will think any less of you."

"How about you deal with things your way and I''ll deal with them mine?" Teddy, whose hair was now red, had a tight grip on Arthur's watch. The man's demeanor softened. "Hey there, little fella," he said softly. "That's not yours. Come on. Let go." He gently coaxed his watch from the giggling baby's grasp. "Thank you." Arthur booped him on the nose.

Muriel saw this. Neither Arthur nor Andromeda had noticed her until she began her snide remarks. "Oh, is this one yours as well? I hope you already told Molly," she quipped.

"No, Muriel. This is Andromeda's grandson, Teddy." Arthur remained calm.

"Well, pardon me," Muriel said sarcastically. "It's only reasonable to assume. You never could keep it in your pants. How else could someone have so many kids?"

"Muriel, stop talking," Arthur warned, passing her.

Instead of stopping, she followed him. "I wonder how many Weasley bastards will be running around in a few months. I'm sure you aren't getting any from Molly."

Arthur should have known she wouldn't stop badgering him even if others were around. When they were outside and she was still going on, he turned around. "You better shut up and leave me alone now or I swear…"

"What? You'll hit me too?" she challenged.

"I never hit her," he snarled.

Molly hurried over from across the garden. Muriel was anything but subtle. "Aunt Muriel –"

"Molly, when are you finally going to divorce him? You've not even spoken to him in a month and it's the happiest I've seen you in ages."

Arthur scoffed. "Is your life so boring that you have to make up stories and harass people?" At least, he hoped she was making this up.

"I just don't like it when my only niece is mistreated, especially by her own husband."

"Muriel, you are causing a scene," Molly hissed. Arthur hadn't noticed that everyone was watching them. That shouldn't be surprising. The garden was not very large and Muriel had not tried to keep her voice down.

"You're a pathetic drunk, you know that?" Muriel accused. She turned to Molly. "What have I always said? 'He likes the booze too much.' Even before you married him. I'm certain that's why you two have always had money problems."

That is not true," Molly stated.

"Why is it that I smelled alcohol when I went inside then? He. Is. A. Drunk." She punctuated the statement to make her point seem more valid.

"I am not a drunk," Arthur interjected.

"That is exactly what you'd say if you were," Muriel said.

"He has quit." Molly looked to Arthur for confirmation, "You have quit, haven't you?" as if daring him to say otherwise.

"This is not the time or the place," Arthur said lowly. He knew it would not be helpful if he lied again, but he did not want to discuss it in front of all these people.

Molly took Muriel by the arm and began leading her inside.

"Unhand me!" the old woman protested.

"Arthur!" Molly snapped.

Arthur glared at the garden's occupants before following his wife.

Muriel snatched her arm out of Molly's grasp once they were inside.

"I tried walking away. I did," Arthur said. "Ask Andromeda."

"I believe you, Arthur," Molly replied, not taking her eyes off of her aunt. "That was an entirely new low, Aunt Muriel," she chastised.

"I was defending you. You obviously can't defend yourself."

"That was attacking Arthur, not defending me. Besides, I don't even need defending. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thank you very much." She put her hands on her hips. "Now, you need to leave."

Muriel made to protest.

"No, I've tolerated this long enough. You do this at every gathering. Percy's engagement party was one thing, but this is absolutely unacceptable. Tell the kids good-bye – Ginny is at the beach with her friends – and then leave," Molly ordered.

Muttering under her breath, Muriel shuffled out to the garden.

"Great! That's just great!" Arthur said sarcastically. "Everyone knows now. Why do you have to tell her all of our personal business?"

"Two hours ago, you said you didn't care who knew," Molly pointed out.

"I meant for you to talk to one or two of our closest friends, not for everyone at our kids' birthday party to find out from some insane old woman!"

"What she did was wrong, but that does not give you the right to sink to her level," Molly chided. It was clear she was preparing to go off on a rant.

"Wait," Arthur stopped her. "We both need to take a minute. Muriel got us all worked up. Screaming at each other won't help," Arthur reasoned.

Molly agreed. The couple took a few minutes to cool down. Arthur resisted the urge to drink since Molly was with him. He got a glass of water and leaned against the kitchen table. Molly paced the open area of the kitchen.

"Okay," Molly let out a deep breath. "I'm ready if you are."

"Yeah." Arthur ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry for raising my voice."

"So am I. And I'm sorry about Aunt Muriel. I never thought she would go that far."

Arthur stuffed his hands in his pockets. He looked towards Molly, but not directly at her. "Are you planning on divorcing me?" he asked softly.

"No, I don't intend to," she assured. "You know never to listen to anything Aunt Muriel says." When Arthur didn't say anything else, she repeated her earlier question. "Have you stopped drinking?"

"I had, but…"

"You started back?" she finished for him.

"Yeah." Arthur crossed the kitchen so he was further away from Molly.

"Have the boys been lying to me?"

"No. As far as they know, I'm not drinking. And I haven't lied to them. They haven't asked."

"Your drinking has never been a serious problem before. Why is it now?" Molly asked.

"'Why is it now' what? It still isn't a problem," he claimed then added, "On the contrary, it's a solution."

Molly's eyebrows knit together. She crossed her arms. "Arthur…why do you think I left?" she asked, astonished.

"I lost my temper a few times, but –"

"That was at least a daily occurrence. You were borderline abusive," she stated.

"And I would drink to calm down. It doesn't fix things, but it doesn't cause problems either. It helps," he said.

Molly rubbed her face. She couldn't help wondering if Arthur had been drinking today like Muriel claimed, but she really didn't want to know. "You can't be serious," she breathed.

"I am. It helps."

Molly couldn't believe what her husband was saying. How could he think alcohol was the solution rather than the problem? It had clearly torn his family apart. It had turned him into a different person. His whole life, along with others' lives, was a mess because of it. At one time, she knew Arthur better than anyone in the world, but now, she didn't know what to expect. This time apart was supposed to help them find themselves. It was working for her, but it seemed Arthur had lost himself. She shook her head. "I don't know you."

"Molly –" Arthur began, but she turned away.

"Help me with the cakes," she said.

"Mollywob–"

She cut him off again. "The cakes, Arthur."

No one brought up the incident. They all ignored what had happened between Muriel, Arthur, and Molly. The ones at the beach did not even know anything had happened. Every now and then, Molly would catch herself watching Arthur.

A couple hours later, after cake had been eaten and presents opened, all the guests left. The Weasley kids ran off to the beach, except Charlie who had gone home. Their parents had insisted they would clean up, so Molly and Arthur found themselves alone once again.

After cleaning up, Molly took this opportunity. There was something she wanted to do since she had first gotten there. Arthur was sitting on the garden wall. She came up behind him and gently placed something around his neck.

"What are you doing?" Arthur asked, puzzled.

"I wanted to give this to you earlier." She closed the clasp on the necklace.

Arthur picked the knut up in his hand and looked at it. He stood and faced his wife. "I don't want it. It's just a stupid knut."

"You've always put so much stock in this and I thought it was silly. You're right. It is just a knut. It's not lucky. It never was."

"How could you say that?" Arthur huffed, offended.

"You've worn this every day for thirty years. It never stopped anything from happening. As time passes, good things happen, but bad things have to as well. You're views never changed. Not during either war, not when you were working twenty hour days and we could still barely make ends meet, not when you were attacked by that damned snake…not when we lost Gracie," she finished softly.

"If it was never lucky and part of me knew that, why did I wear it every day?"

"That's something you have to figure out yourself."

Arthur stared at the coin and thought for a long moment. His "lucky" knut was never a symbol of luck. It represented love and happiness. When he wore it, it was like Molly was with him.

Molly saw a familiar glimmer in her husband's blue eyes. Before she knew what she was doing, she kissed him. After the initial surprise, Arthur deepened the kiss. Molly suddenly pulled away. She had just found out what she didn't want to know, and it reminded her that he hadn't changed.

"I shouldn't have done that," she fretted. "I forgive you. I do, for everything that's happened these past few months, but –"

"What do you want, Molly?" Arthur interrupted abruptly. He loathed how she kept giving him mixed signals. "You continuously contradict yourself. For once, stop playing games with me," he pleaded.

"I don't know anymore. A few months ago, I would give anything to have you back. Conner was only supposed to help with that. I was upset, and sad, and angry, dwelling on the negative…Conner ignited something in me," she tried explaining.

There was the kicker. From day one, Arthur had told her to stop seeing him. She never listened. The Irishman had always caused more problems between the two of them. Now, he was doing something for Molly that Arthur wasn't given the chance to do. "If you had told me how you felt, I could've tried giving you what you wanted. I could've surprised you with a romantic night out, or a weekend away, or just time together. Whatever you wanted." Arthur had always done his best to support his family. He worked hard. He had always been a loving, attentive husband. He had always been there for his kids whenever they needed him. "You know I would do anything for you," he stated.

"You wouldn't stop drinking for me," Molly calmly pointed out. "Not this time."

"I've done my best. Ever since you came out to the shed, I have tried to stop. Believe me."

"That's beside the point," Molly said. She was not getting into this again. Arthur really had no room to talk when it came to contradicting oneself. "I never told you how I felt because I didn't even know these…." she searched for an appropriate term, "…desires even existed until Conner coaxed them out. Arthur, I'm sorry. I never intended for any of this to happen. This isn't the end of us, I hope. I just need time to explore these new feelings and find myself again…and you apparently need to as well."

Arthur's heart was ripped out. Another man was giving his wife something he never knew she needed. She never even gave him the chance to fulfill those desires. He should have been the one to reveal them to her.

"I stand by what I said earlier," Molly continued. "I'm not planning on a divorce, but at some point, I may have to ask you to make a choice. You can't ask me to stay married to someone who isn't even trying anymore." She knew how much this must be hurting him, but it had to be said.

Arthur glared at her, his jaw tightly clenched and his face slowly turning red. If he said anything, he knew he would regret it. He couldn't stand there another second. After summoning his briefcase, he walked away.

A/N: Thank y'all for all the reviews, favorites, and follows this past week! I really love getting those notifications and reading what y'all thought. I hope y'all enjoyed Chapter 27!