A/N: I absolutely loved this one. I thought a bit about what I could do with Arthur, and the new year after Voldemort is defeated. His children would be looking for guidance, and Arthur is a fantastic father. This was written on January 2nd and takes place on that day in 1981. Written for: (skippable)

Perfumers comp: Armani code luna: bergamot: less than 500 words, t rated, Arthur Weasley character prompt; hp chps comp: back to the burrow: write about Bill;

Sons

Sometime in the middle of the night, Bill Weasley, who was ten years old and up far past his bedtime, shuffled across the floor. Up simply because he had not yet been able to sleep, he needed to talk to someone or he was going to explode. Normally, he would bother Charlie (that's what brothers were for, after all), but he was trying, briefly as a resolution, to not take the piss out of his brothers.

At least, that's what he had promised Mum and exchange for a dessert of his choice.

Trying to be as quiet as possible, not exactly his forte though he was leagues above the twins, Bill slowly pushed open his parents bedroom door. He knocked twice softly, hoping his father would stir awake and his pregnant mother would remain fast asleep.

His Mum did wake up, and he groaned softly. "Bill, sweetheart," she whispered dully, with a hint of exasperation, "what could you possibly want this late at night?"

He padded over to Mum and gave her a quick hug. She returned it and kissed his forehead. "I'm sorry. Can I just talk to Dad real quick? It's... it's important."

"That's fine. Wait downstairs, alright?"

"Okay Mum. Good night." As he left he heard his Mum nudge his Dad awake and talk to him in hushed tones.

It was only minutes before his father was at the bottom of the stairs with a drowsy smile. "What seems to be the problem?"

Bill was silent for a little bit, and then he looked up at his Dad, who had moved to look out the window at the falling snow.

"Is it true, Dad?"

"Is what true, son?" Bill moved so he was alongside him.

"When everyone was here yesterday. You and Mum — you kissed, and you and your friends and us kids, but I think I was the only one who knew what was going on, Ron's only a baby — toasted. You said it was for the New Year. A year without Voldemort. I just... somewhere, Harry Potter doesn't have any parents, and I really want to know that it wasn't all for nothing." There was something passionate in his eyes. Arthur squeezed his son's shoulder, and knelt so he could be at eye level.

"Son, do you know well everyone who was here yesterday?" Bill nodded. "They fought Voldemort. They were constantly putting their lives at risk so that Harry Potter's parents did not die in vain, and so that he, and all of our children, will have excellent lives. You're growing up, and I understand you're worried, but everything is going to be okay. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Good. Because even if he does come back, all of my children are never going to have to worry about that again - your Mum and I will make sure of it. My sons, and my daughter..."

"Mum is having a girl?!" Bill couldn't hide his excitement.

"Don't spoil her too much." Arthur winked. "That's my job."