Chapter 09
Children speak their hearts

Molly's POV

"I don't know why Ronald, William and Charles are so adamant on this meeting, but they really are going out of their books with their disrespect to me. Who did they think they were, shouting to me in public like that? I am their mother and the only living Prewett left, I know how to survive and I will let them remember that."
I think angrily, while trying not to show it as I enter the office of Minerva McGonagall, which she offered to us because all of us have been part of her house when we went to Hogwarts. I nod kindly at the woman, but she seems to agree with my delusional family and nods back severely, which I accept only because she always does so.
I shake my head and think: "No wonder my sons are so going against everything I taught them. If that is all Minerva does about them, it's no wonder they're losing their self-control and respect for their elders. I'll have to talk to her later." And with that and my self-esteem back in place, do I take my seat at the table.

Arthur's POV

"I know Molly thinks bad of her sons and that she's angry, but I'm Head of the family and if she goes out of her book with her rants, I will step in. I've let her walk over me long enough. Fabian and Gideon asked of me to care for her severely when she 1st got pregnant, but I never thought they meant I had to be hard and Dominating to her."
I then look at the woman and remember not just the many amazing times we had when we were still in Hogwarts ourselves, but also the many times she wanted me to push my eagerness or pride aside, only because she disapproved of something our sons did that made me proud of them growing up while she wanted me to scold them.

I then sigh, wondering how she could have changed from the girl who used to sneak out every night to the woman scolding others for it and look around at my family. Ron, Bill and Charlie seem to whisper softly about all the things they believe that their mother has to change and are obviously talking tactics about how to go on with that.
This makes me smile, because I know Ron is amazing with tactics, him being the top in Chess of all Weasleys and that talent has been lying dormant in our blood since my grandfather. I smile in pride of the one son I know is going to kick it further than all of my boys and then focus on being the Head of my family, seeing the importance of this meeting.

Ron's POV

"Finally! The chance I've been waiting for since that rant I heard her have in the kitchen." I think as the words she spoke are still clear enough on my mind and my anger for her reaction to the brilliance of her own sons still lingers in me. I try not to let it rise up in me just yet and focus on my discussion with Bill and Charlie.
Ever since those words, I knew I shouldn't meet the woman alone as I knew she would rant about one of our family again and if that were to happen – I would not have my hospitality and friendship with Harry to keep me from lashing out, not like that time when Harry was there to lead me out of the kitchen and do my chore.

And now I have the chance to finally make her see her mistakes and condone her for all the terrible things she has said and done to our family – constantly comparing us to our brothers, trying to change us into ordinary quill pickers, talking down on dad so badly he lost his will to go against her and with her actions driving our family apart.
Bill and Charlie are of course the living evidence of this, having not taken jobs in England, but either far away to the eastern side of Europe or even all the way in Africa, just to avoid her and even barely ever writing to us, just to make sure they wouldn't have her breathing down our letters and their necks all over again.

I shake my head, trying not to think of the first time when I felt crushed because they had been gone without writing for a month and then look at the woman, who has a deviant look on her face and a glint in her eyes that proves to me she sees no wrong in her actions and that she's actually going to try and lie the blame on all of us.
To this my lips thin in anger and we all sit down on the small round table that dad has transfigured out of professor McGonagall's desk and as we sit in order of family, I grab my wand and swish it silently under the table to expand the table a little – not much, but enough to make sure there's a seat size between Ginny and that woman.
I see dad looking at me, but I shrug, not wanting that woman near my little sister anymore, seeing how she treats all of us and how she's delusional in the belief that Ginny's a princess. The man nods and then transfigures a fly on the desk into a mallet and we all stand, swish our wands and official robes are transfigured out of our cloths.
The robes are a soft shade of mahogany with under that a soft red button up shirt with blinking black buttons and a pair of suede black pants with soft leather black shoes with ties. Each of us also receive a badge on our robes.
My siblings and I have the Greek sign of our birth into the family – Bill the first and thus a I and me the sixth and thus a VI – and dad gets the Latin word of leader on his, while the woman gets the Latin word of Birth giver onto her badge, although personally I believe that badge better suited to say some other word – any other word.

We then speak as one and say: "Cum tibi sit alius. Being yourself is being different." Before we all sit down, except dad, who says: "This family meeting is now in order. Request to Family Meeting came from Ronald Billius. Subject; to get mistakes and misunderstandings out of the way concerning all family members."
We all nod and while I know that I should let the eldest go first, had I discussed this with my brother and thus I say: "I would like to start, father." The man nods and I turn to the table at whole, knowing I have to spill my heart, my insecurities and all that I have, behind their backs, complained about whenever I was with Harry.

I take a deep breath, remember the many weeks that Harry helped me accept this and say: "I, Ronald Billius, admit to have a minority complex and state that this has been so since before I went to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." All my siblings look at each other and I continue, knowing I heavily shocked them.
"I feel as a minor, because I am the youngest of the males and us Weasleys are known for our strong males. However, growing up as the youngest male of six, made me insecure. I also, when I went to Hogwarts for First year, didn't believe I would ever pride the Weasley name as everything that could be done had already been done.
My brother William had been Prefect and Head Boy, my brother Charles had been Quidditch Team Captain, my brother Percival had been Prefect, Head Boy and best in class for 4 years straight and the twins had been the most popular of all Weasley siblings due to their pranks, even when said pranks got them in detention multiple times.

I felt – and admit to feel – overshadowed by them, but the lack of proper attention from one Molly Anne, also made me feel overshadowed, as she never remembered the things that made me different from my elder siblings, examples being that she never remembered that I didn't like Corned Beef or Maroon for my sweaters.
I have also, thanks to Molly Anne, for many years believed myself to be the boy who should have been a girl, this mostly due to Molly Anne stopping herself from ever getting pregnant again after Ginerva was born and being reprimanded for things Ginerva did daily without getting scolded, fueled this belief every day.
But what hurts the most – more than any of the things I stated earlier – is that, even when I try to be different and show I can bring pride to the Weasley name, Molly Anne scolds me and compares me to my elder brothers, as if I cannot bring her or the Noble House of Weasley pride if I was not an exact copy of them.
My anger comes from this and also from the fact she does the same to my elder brothers, Frederick and George. Most common and recent piece of evidence; a rant I myself and Harry James Potter heard her have in summer 1994 on the day of his arrival. A rant I remember to this day and that made me avoid Molly Anne for her own safety."

I now glare at the woman, her words ringing through my head yet again and making me have to take a few deep breaths before I say: "I accept your right of Free speech, but family does not talk down on family if guests are around and the words you have spoken are a disgrace to our family. I would like to quote the words that angered me most."
Dad nods and I state: "No ambition, unless you count making as much trouble as they possibly can. If they carry on the way they're going, they'll end up in front of the Improper Use of Magic Office." I now have to take a deep breath not to lose myself in my anger and grind out: "I don't know where we went wrong with them."

This makes us all glare at her, while I easily detect hurt in the eyes of my twin brothers and I say: "No one – and especially no mother – should ever believe they went wrong with their children. You see the wrong things, only because you're too stubborn to give the ideas of your own sons a chance – a chance that might make you see you were wrong.
You see ridiculous pranks, we see hours of hard work and planning. You see laughing – no offense – idiots, we see pranksters with a heart for the laughter of others. You see junk, we see talent in magic. And why do we see that?" I spat at the woman, my anger almost too much for me to handle as she looks at me wide eyed and I say:
"Because we're not stupid and we realize that to invent you have to tweak spells and maybe sometimes even create new spells and potions. And seeing all the products my twin brothers have created, I feel pride, because I know they made many new spells and potions. They have their own way of growing and that is a good thing."

The woman looks shocked and then I decide to end my rant, mostly because my anger is only tempered by my fear for Harry being down in the Chamber and I say: "Had Harry not been present I would have told you this back then, but now I have only one thing left to say. You see notorious pranksters, we see brilliant inventors.
And with us, my other siblings, from William to Ginerva, it's not different for you. You don't see us as your children growing up into adults. You see us as mashes of flesh and bones you can mold to your own sight – we see you as a heartless, stubborn, old-fashioned person we just have to be related to. I end my turn."
And with that I sit down, to the shocked looks of Molly Anne and the proud smiles of my siblings and father, who also has concerned love showing through in his eyes as he looks at me. Father then softly, caringly says: "Ronald, we will discuss your minority complex later. Now for those who follow Ronald's belief."

William's POV

I see my chance where I can get it, mostly because Molly Anne is still too shocked by Ronald's words to go against him and know we have to take advantage of that to break her stubbornness. I stand up, everyone but Molly Anne looking at me and feel like the older brother responsible for his younger siblings yet again as I say:
"I stand by my brother and his words. Molly Anne, you always, since I was 14, told me to settle down with a good job and a loving wife. I studied to go work at Gringotts, but the work I studied you send Howlers about, telling me to take an ordinary desk job – where I knew I would ruin Gringotts, just out of boredom if I did take it.
I also had several girlfriends and a single boyfriend, but you all caused them trauma's and I never saw them again. In fact, Geminy Cornwell killed herself 10 minutes after her visit at our home – 3 minutes after you led her out of our house and if you think I didn't hear what you told her, you really don't know me at all, Molly Anne.
That day, I could have easily gone to the Ministry and get you arrested for disturbing a young witch into suicide, but I didn't because I was 15 meaning Ginerva was only 5 and needed her mother. I never decided not to go to the Ministry for you, but for your daughter, the only female Weasley I will ever care about in this family.

And if you think I didn't know about that Howler you send my friend in Brazil, that made him break our friendship and send me that Cursed hat, you have another thing coming. You disapproved of everything I did and I knew if I stayed in England, I would break to your will – which is something a Weasley never does – so I fled.
You hear me, Molly Anne, you are the reason I never more got in contact with my English friends or my siblings. I knew any letter I send them would get me a Howler from you and I knew if I visited only for two days, I would get an almost 24 hour long rant as you are domineering, stubborn, old-fashioned and cruel.
Further more have you done nothing to this family but bring shame on us and make us ashamed of being your sons. Had father not loved you as much as he does and had we had any other, suitable female elder member in our family I would have disowned myself as your son just to escape the shame you bring me as yours."
The woman's shocked silent and I quickly spare a glance at Charlie, who nods, knowing it better be his turn next, as we debated with Ron. I nod at him and sit down, glad to have finally taken all of this off my chest as I finally feel the weight of Germiny's death being lifted off my shoulders, making a satisfied smile appear on my face..

Charlie's POV

I stand up, amazingly proud of how Ronald gave us a free reign at telling that woman who she really is and amazingly glad I can finally lift my heart of all the shame and anger the woman has been bringing me since I went to Hogwarts and start speaking, speeding up my words when I see that she wants to object or defend herself.
"Molly Anne, what you just heard of my dear brothers William and Ronald is shared even by me and you know full well it takes a lot to get me angry – a trait I proudly inherited of my father, Arthur." I smile at the man, who nods back with a smile while his eyes show clear heartbreak at what we're saying, before I go on:

"Your actions to me were no better than they were to William or Ronald and by the time I went to my Second year at Hogwarts School, I considered McGonagall, strict, to the point and ever strong-willed, more a mother-figure than I did you. And trust me, Molly Anne, when I say that I told her this and that she took to this role with pride.
You send me a Howler every time I went to hang around with Tonks, you send her over 300 hundred Howlers only in the first 2 years we knew each other and you even send daughters of your own friends – that you even have any is a miracle to me – to Hogwarts with the order to win my heart and marry me, while they knew nothing of me.

You weren't a mother, Molly Anne, not to me, not to your sons and certainly not to your only daughter. No, you were a Head Auror ordering around a Trainee and I don't accept that. When I went to study Care of Magical Creatures, I instantly felt the bond with them that proved I could easily make contact with any and all creatures.
I received a week of Howlers when Professor Kettleburn reported this to you. A week of Howlers for finding what my special talent in magic actually is. In my Fourth I found out about a small reserve for the Dragons and other Magical Creatures common to the English Isles and instantly I decided to study to work there.
I kept this from you until Career day when Professor McGonagall promised me she would help me pass my O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s as long as I would get to spend as much time with my family as possible. When she told you of the promise she made, you wrote her and me a Howler every day for over a month.

This made me decide to change my plans and I studied as hard as I could, almost every possible hour and even under the droning, tiresome, sleep-inducing voice of Professor Binns, while at the same time searching for a similar Reserve, but then in a country far away from you and your obsessive behavior and disgusting Howlers.
I found many brilliant reserves, all with amazing animals and salary, but didn't find Romania until halfway through my Sixth and studied even harder, passing my Sixth Year tests better than I passed my O.W.L.s. I studied for Apparation the hardest that year, if only to make sure I could Apparate away from you whenever possible.

Then came the end of my Seventh and that was the hardest period of my entire school career as just before Graduation I had several meetings with my siblings, each – except for the twins – individually and right under your nose without your knowledge, a fact which I considered – and still consider – a true blessing.
So now you know why I put so little time in saying goodbye to you before leaving with the friends I had already made from the Reserve as they tested me throughout my Seventh. None of them know it, but they do know one of my family members keeps me from visiting whenever I feel like it. And that member is you, Molly Anne."

And with that I sit down, believing the twins to be next. But then I see Percy hesitate, before a resolute face appears on his face and he too stands up, his hands straight on the table and his determined face aimed at our ex-mother, while his younger brothers sit back down, their eyes wide as they seem not to understand his anger.

Percy's POV

I know this is a shock to most of my siblings, as I often seemed to be the woman's favorite, which is as far from the truth as possible. I take a deep breath, knowing I have to face and openly speak of the worst crime this woman has committed – a crime worse than even Ron's Minority Complex – and then say:
"I know my siblings – especially Frederick and George – are most probably shocked that I join them in their anger at you and their need to let this anger be heard as well, but while you brought up the belief in them that I'm your favorite, we both know that's as far from being true as anything, isn't it Molly Anne?"

The woman whitens and I say: "For years, ever since William went to Hogwarts for his First year, you took me from my siblings and used your wand to hit my ankles, neck and back – if only to get me to study. The only other thing you allowed me to do was keep an eye on Ron, like I've been doing since his birth.

If I wanted to play, you gave me text books. If I wanted to eat, you brought food and a dictionary to my room. If I wanted to help the twins, you gave me a book on planning the future. Everything I did had to be about my future and the future you wanted and it hurts me to admit that I didn't inherit the same strength as my elder brothers to defy you.
And so I adapted myself, studied the law and the school rules and tried to be my best, just to get you off my neck. And while I studied, was my only motivation to get you arrested as soon as I had a Ministerial position. But then, a year before I went to Hogwarts, I heard the worst words come from your mouth ever.

It was the twenty-fourth of August and I know you remember that day too, Molly Anne as I heard you shout at the twins, constantly comparing them to me and saying that you would disown them if they didn't at least listen to me and my plans for the future a little more. I never felt more betrayed and distanced from my family than I did that day."
I now take a deep breath, tears shining behind my rimmed glasses and I say: "Your constant nagging of them having to be more like me caused them to see me in a bad light, caused Ron to want me to keep less of an eye on him – short said caused me to be distanced from those I always have and always will love more than I ever loved you.

And for that I will never forgive you. I do like my job at the Ministry, but because you already broke me before I even went to Hogwarts I didn't have the strength of will to get a Ministerial job at another country – I didn't dare flee from you. And neither did I feel the need anymore to arrest you as I didn't think anyone would believe me.
In my eyes you're not a Mother, you're not a Head Auror giving orders to a Trainee like you're apparently to William and Charles and you're certainly not human to any of us. You're nothing more or less than a will-breaking tyrant. And I feel ashamed and disgusted that I let someone of the likes of you break me."

And with that I sit down, shocked looks all around me, while father is now with thin lips and his wand far away from his hands on the table, while his hands are at the table ends and holding onto them tightly – obviously to keep himself in check.
I then look at my twin brothers, Fred and George tears in their eyes, obviously because of the reminder of that day and for how I felt about us distancing and I remember the time, before Molly Anne broke us apart.
It had been until I was 6 and the twins 4 that I would always look after them and Ron, make sure they played with him nicely, would talk to them as if they were 2 years younger if they pestered him and would always play their games whenever they pleased – making sure they allowed Ron to play with them too when I did.

But then Bill had gone to Hogwarts and mother – not even taking Charles and his rights as my older brother into regard – had taken us apart, putting me in my room and taking me all my games, replacing them for books that I shouldn't have been able to read for another year. But mother had forced me and had broken me.
From then on I had only seen my brothers and sister during meals or if they had a nightmare and even – sometimes then – if they had nightmares, Molly Anne would put me to read, work and study and would actually shout at the one who had a nightmare to be quiet because I was studying, something that only made them hate me in return.
I shake my head, trying not to think of all the ways she broke us apart as I know I have to be strong a little longer and think: "As soon as she's gone, I'm going to make sure things are like when I was 5 again. Of course I'll keep my job, but I'm going to explain the situation to the Minister and hope he can allow me a Part time job."
This makes me smile, my need to get a good and well-paid job no longer existent now that I have the belief I will not be under the iron thumb of Tyrant Molly Anne for much longer. And with a proud smile and the pain of all those years of separation off of my heart, do I see the twins nod at each other and stand up.

Fred's POV

My twin and I stand up, tearing slightly as we do miss the time we had when we regularly played with Percy and when he helped us help Ron and when he let us help keep an eye on our youngest brother and then, knowing this is just as important to my closest eldest brother as it is to all of us, do I start talking, trying not to choke up:
"First of all I want to verify that the words of Percival are true and that Molly Anne did indeed threaten to disown us if we didn't live up to him and his plans for the future. Second would I like to verify that Ronald's words are also true in the comparing of us to our elder siblings and the constant complaint that we are not like them."

George then goes on and says: "And of that we are most angry. That you have six sons and one daughter and that you actually want them all to be twins of each other. We are twins, yet the way we are different from others is an obvious disgrace to Molly Anne and that makes her a disgrace in our eyes to our family."
I then continue my brother's words and say: "Ronald's words of what he overheard you say last summer is one thing. But that we saved Harry James Potter, tried to make you see we did right and had you wave away our explanations as stupid lies is something we cannot accept."

George follows my lead and says: "Ronald cared for Harry James and we too cared for the boy we had gone to see as our fellow sibling since Christmas and so we did what you kept stalling to do – we went to see how he was doing. We rescued him and you shouted at us for almost 3 hours, not even letting us explain ourselves."
George huffs and I say: "We did the adult thing – something you should have done – and you still see us as immature brats. You never saw all that we have grown to be and that – that hurts. That our own mother can't even see us grow up, while she is around us almost 24/7 is something my brother and I will never forgive you for, Molly Anne."

And finally George ends: "You broke us from our brother, Percival. You never saw us grow up, but kept the belief we are immature brats. You even complained we can't be like our brothers and – worst of them all – you complained to us about doing things that are actually your responsibility and complained about us in front of guests."
I then look the woman directly in the eye and say: "You constantly tell us we need to change?" And George goes on: "But you could have taken an example out of father for years and you didn't." And together we chorus: "We will never forgive you, not for that – not for anything." And with that we sit down, angered.

Ginny's POV

I know my brother Ronald already lifted his heart – and that he extended the distance between Molly Anne and myself for his own sake – and so start speaking myself, having quite a few issues with the woman almost next to me. I stand up, glare at her, hurt for all she has done and say: "Molly Anne, even to me you're a disgrace.
Not to how you treated me, even though even that is too embarrassing and disgraceful to talk about, but for how you think you have the right to direct not only mine but the life of one of our friends – not a son, a friend." The woman wants to open her mouth, but Ron still has his wand in hand and silences her as I continue, growing furious:

"You think you have the right to tell Harry who to like and who to marry, you actually think you can demand of him and for what – for his fortune? None of us care for that, Molly Anne, and I can tell you here and now that you are a disgrace of our family if you think that we do and that I will never care for Harry that way.
Yes, he saved me back in my 1st year and yes, for that I will always be grateful, but that doesn't mean he will automatically marry me the next day, especially because I know that whole thing was partially my own fault. It means he cares for me as much as he cares for Ronald, Charles, Frederick and all other members of our family.
You see things that aren't even there and if you think I will marry or care for Harry only for his fortune, you've raised your daughter with deluded feelings and a blind eye. I am nothing like you and for that I am grateful. And if you wonder how it's possible that I never became anything like you, it's because you never raised me.

William and Charles always took care of me until they went to Hogwarts and even then they often came home for the weekend to play with me and it's thanks to them I can walk, talk and count. They are not just my older brothers, they – along with Percy and Ronald – are more of my parents than you can ever dream to be.
You cared nothing about raising me for 4 years of my life, so where you get the idea you can now tell me how to live my life I will never know. You did not have that right when I turned four and they left, you did not get that right when I was six and Percy went for Hogwarts and you did not get that right when I went to Hogwarts.

And then the image you have of me." I snort at this, the woman now glaring at me as if telling me to apologize, but instead I say: "You never reprimand me if I do something like Ronald or Percy, but if I do something that doesn't befit the idiotic little delicate princess image you have of me, I get a rant of – at the least – four hours.
How I didn't get deaf before the age of 8 – seeing you started ranting at me to be more of a girly-girl at age 3 and a half – I'll never know, but I feel grateful for that blessing. What I am not grateful for and what I even despise of you is how you can be blind enough to think you can raise a princess in the midst of 6 wild boys.

I am one of them, a wild tomboy and I am proud of it. I can do spells that make the boys scared, I have your temper, the only thing I am proud I inherited of you, and since that incident in my First year I have grown a backbone even you can't break. You might think I'm your little princes, but to us, you will never be our Queen in life."
I tell the woman, who is chalk white now, her anger completely gone when I told her of my backbone and I smile at my brothers, Ronald, William, Percival and Charles the most and Charlie says: "I know it's not my turn, but; that's the spirit, little Spitfire." And I smile at the nickname I got when I was 2 ½ years old.

Arthur's POV

I know what to do and while trying not to let this decision break my heart by reminding myself of my kids, do I think: "Gideon, Fabian, I'm sorry. I can't handle your sister the way you wanted me to and I can't take care of her anymore. I can't risk my children any further." And for some reason I feel their acceptance washing over me.
I smile and turn a stern eye on Molly, who looks at me pleadingly, but I thin my lips and say: "Molly Anne, you are supposed to be my wife and a mum to my kids. Instead you are a tyrant to them and just about broke our entire family apart, actually making my sons flee from our family home if only to escape you and your tyrannical behavior.
Your brothers – may they rest in peace – asked me to take care of you severely on the day you birthed William and now I know what they meant. But I am sad to say that I found this out too late as you are breaking our sons and our family bond with your stubborn behavior and your denial that you can be wrong in anything.
I have mentally apologized to your brothers and now I do it to you. I'm sorry, but I can't take care of you anymore. I have to take care of my sons and daughter and work on getting my family back together." The woman looks shocked, probably already suspecting what I'm going to do and I take a deep breath and say:

"I, Arthur William Weasley, Head of the Noble House of Weasley, hereby disown you from the Weasley family and I ask William to head for Gringotts to call for a divorce. You are no longer a Weasley and I will check your brothers and father's Will to see if they wrote anything about what will happen if I do call in a divorce."

The woman blanches, which makes me wonder if she really anticipated my plan of action and says: "Y-y – Arthur, you can't." But I shake my head with my eyes closed and say: "I can, Molly Anne. Your father accepted this of me when I asked for your hand in marriage and seeing how far you've gone, I have no choice but to do this.
I will look into your family tree to see if you have any family that can take care of you, but do know that I will inform them of our family's situation if I do. From then on you will be their concern and in their hands. And finally will I ask them to keep you away from my children. That is all I have to say. So I swear, so mote it be."

And all my sons and daughter – all of them smiling with tears shining behind their eyelids – say: "Cum tibi sit alius. Being yourself is being different." And with the calling of our family Motto we seal the divorce and the disownment of the woman from the Weasley family tree. I sigh and shake my head, thinking back.
Back at Hogwarts, when we still went, Molly and I had a wonderful time – sneaking out of the common room at night, sitting under gigantic trees, stealing kisses between classes – and when we were married and dreamed of our own offspring, Molly was the most wonderful woman I ever thought I had the blessing to meet.
But apparently getting a child and then more changed the wonderful woman, into a child-neglecting tyrant that broke my family apart and I know this was the only way I could start fixing the bonds I have with my sons and family. I then cringe and try to squish the little voice inside me almost begging me to undo the oath, but ignore it.
I then look at the woman again, feeling as if I'm finally seeing her for the first time and think: "You were once a wonderful person, Molly, and I hope that under someone's care who's stronger up against your will you will again be that person. That woman I fell in love with." But for some reason do I doubt that will happen.