May 2, 1999

Molly paced back and forth in the living room at the Burrow, wringing her hands and constantly sneaking glances at the fireplace. Arthur sat in his favorite armchair, a bemused expression on his face as he watched her. "I'm sure someone will get us when it's time, dear. They won't forget about you, so you may as well relax some."

"We're about to be grandparents and you can just sit there all calm? Bill could be here any minute!" Perhaps to prove her point, Molly's oldest son chose that moment to step through the fireplace. He looked flustered and a little nervous as he brushed the ashes off his robes. "Well?" she said, with no formal greeting, leaning towards him, eyes saturated with curiosity.

Bill smiled at her. "It's time. Fleur just got a room at St. Mungo's."

He'd barely finished speaking before Molly had her arms around him, squeezing him tightly. "Oh Bill, you're about to be a father!"

Arthur coughed in an attempt to get her attention. "Molly dear, perhaps we should Floo into St. Mungo's, rather than suffocating Bill in congratulations?"

"Oh. Yes, of course," she said, pulling away from her son and grabbing some Floo Powder from beside the fireplace. "St. Mungo's!"

As they stepped out into St. Mungo's, they were greeted by an older witch in Healer's robes. "Molly Weasley? It's been so long since I've seen you! And the last time, the circumstances were terrible as well."

Molly instinctively tightened her grip on Arthur's hand as she remembered sitting by his bedside, wondering if he was going to make it. She shuddered, but quickly composed herself. "Madam Galen," she said, "It has been too long. Thankfully, this time we're here under much happier circumstances. My oldest, Bill, is about to be a father! Bill, this is Madam Galen; she was my supervisor when I worked here before you were born."

"It's great to meet you, Bill, and congratulations! Though I must say it's a shame your mother decided to stay home to raise you. She was on track to be St. Mungo's best Healer."

Bill smiled and laughed quietly. "I believe it. She worked some wonders for us as kids." Turning to Molly, he continued. "I think we should get up to the room. Fleur's contractions were just starting when we left, but just in case..."

"Yes, of course, dear. Madam Galen, it was great to see you."

With one last smile, Molly followed her son out of reception and into a lift, stepping into a waiting room on the seventh floor. Bill left his parents in the already-crowded area and went to be with his wife.

The hours spent waiting went by slowly. Charlie, who was most used to being active, sat impatiently twiddling his thumbs, occasionally getting up to pace about the room. Percy tried to busy himself with a quill, working on a new paper for the Ministry and trying to look disinterested in the fact that he would soon be an uncle. George and Ron were in an animated discussion about who would finish top of the league in Quidditch.

"I don't know what you're talking about, George. Sure, Puddlemere's good, but have you seen the Cannons? They look better than they ever have! Surely they have a chance this year."

"You know what, you're right, Ron. The Cannons have done exceptionally well this season, and I would bet 10 Galleons to a stranger that they won't finish last by as many points as they did in '97."

Ron spent a moment in deep concentration. "But in '97 they were twenty points behind the next team."

"Exactly," George said, grinning. "This year I'm sure they won't lose by more than ten."

Chuckling, Molly turned her attention to Harry, Ginny, and Hermione, who were discussing details for Ginny and Harry's wedding, which was set for the eighteenth of September.

"We should have forest green and yellow for the colors. I think it would be beautiful in the fall."

"Ginny, you're only saying that because you just signed with the Harpies," Harry said impatiently.

"So what? It's my wedding."

"It's our wedding," Harry corrected, "And I think we should do red and gold."

"You and your Gryffindor pride. We're out of Hogwarts, you know."

"Honestly you two, you should've had the colors picked out ages ago. Did either of you even read the schedule I created?" Ginny and Harry exchanged guilty looks. "Well, why don't you compromise?"

"With what, green and red? It's not Christmas," Ginny said.

"I was thinking forest green and gold," Hermione said. "Could you live with that, Harry?"

"I guess. As long as the wedding cake is shaped like a Snitch again. I loved the one your mum made for my birthday."

"And I'd be more than willing to make you another, Harry dear," Molly said.

"Thanks, Mrs Weasley."

At that moment, Bill came down the hallway, sweating and looking nervous. "Bill? Is everyone all right? Fleur? The baby?"

"They're fine, Mum. Fleur just had the baby! It's a girl! And, considering the date of her birth, we've named her Victoire."

Everyone got up to surround him in hugs and congratulations, and underneath her celebration, Molly remembered the date. One year ago, she was standing amidst piles of rubble at Hogwarts, defending her daughter, losing her son. There would always be a hole inside her where Fred belonged, but now- now she had a granddaughter. As the chaos of family celebration died down some, Molly approached her son, surprisingly nervous. "Do you think Fleur would let me go see her?"

"Of course, Mum. We can go back there now." Molly followed her son along the familiar hallway of St. Mungo's and turned into Room 719. Fleur's hair was matted to her forehead, and for the first time in years of knowing her, she looked less than completely put together. But despite her obvious exhaustion, she was glowing as she looked at her daughter, who was cradled carefully in her arms.

"She ees beautiful, yes? She has ze red hair of ze Weasley family. But I think she has my eyes."

Fleur passed the newborn to her mother-in-law, and Molly held her with the expertise that came from raising seven children of her own. "Hello, Victoire," she said to the child, then looked at Fleur. "I've brought a present for her- but until she's old enough, will you look after it for me?"

"Of course I will," Fleur said earnestly. Molly handed back her granddaughter and fished through the pockets of her robe until her hand touched what she was looking for. Untangling the chain as she pulled it out, she presented her daughter-in-law with a small heart-shaped locket made of gold.

"Eet's wonderful, Mrs Weasley."

"Thank you. My mother gave it to me when I was young, and it seems fitting to give it to my first granddaughter. Daughters are such a blessing, Fleur. I'm sure she will make you and Bill very happy." Fleur was beaming by the time she finished speaking, and clasped the necklace tight in her fist. She swallowed and seemed to choke on whatever words she was trying to say. "I'll leave you and Bill alone now," Molly said, leaning down to kiss the soft hair of her granddaughter before returning to where her own husband and grown-up children were waiting.