Obtest: to supplicate earnestly; beseech.

May 10, 1978

Gideon Prewett zipped the bulging rucksack closed and looked up at the now-empty room. Molly had wanted to get beds for them, but he and Fabian had refused. There was no money or space for extra furniture and they wouldn't be at the Burrow long enough to put them to good use anyway. He looked over at his brother shrinking his bedroll down to fit into his pocket.

"S'pose it's time," Fabian sighed, his heavy heart plane.

"We can't stay forever," Gideon said, more to himself than Fabian. "The longer we're here, the harder it will be to leave, and we can't stay. The Order needs us."

"I know," Fabian muttered. He swung his bulging rucksack on his back. Gideon did the same, and they headed for the narrow, winding stairs.

Their sister was waiting for them. The house was miraculously quiet. The babies must all be asleep and Bill and Charlie looking after themselves in the garden. Molly sat halfway down the first flight of stairs, folding a pile of small jumpers with her wand. She looked around when she heard their footsteps.

"Please," she said quietly, looking intently at them both. She was not teary or angry or anything, just calm. "I know I can't keep you here until this fighting is through," she said. "But can't you stay just a little bit longer?"

Fabian and Gideon exchanged looks.

"Molly," Fabian started, but the tremble in her lip stuck the words in his throat. She bit her lips to stop it and stared up at them beseechingly.

"We're outnumbered nearly three to one now," she said tremulously. "And the boys miss you terribly when you're gone so long."

"We miss them, too," Gideon said helplessly. "But Dumbledore needs us, Molly. We need to be doing something about all this. You understand."

Molly nodded and looked down at her lap, creasing a blue baby blanket with her fingers. "I need you, too," she whispered. "Your nephews need you. Just a little bit longer. Please?"

Gideon and Fabian could not find the words to tell her no, and for a long moment they stood six steps above her, locked in her gaze. Then a door banged below and there was a call of "Uncle Fabian! Come and look! Come and look!" Three loud wails rose up simultaneously from the doors on either side. Molly had jumped at the noise and her basket of freshly folded clothes went toppling down the zigzagging stairs. A loud ribbit sounded from the kitchen.

Molly looked back up at them and now her eyes were swimming. "Please stay. Please."

And what else could they do?

A/N: I've been working on 21 Years Earlier lately. This would be a missing moment from the next chapter if you're interested. I'm only six months into it, though, so it might be a while. Anyway, love hearing from all of you!