For Hogwarts, Assignment 6
Gardening, summer task: Write about someone enjoying the hot weather by means of a garden party, barbecue, or similar.
Sweat beads her forehead. With a heavy sigh, a Molly wipes it away before fanning herself. Agreeing to a summertime adventure while pregnant might be the death of her.
She's about to suggest they turn around and go back to the Burrow (preferably through Apparition) when Arthur stops suddenly. "This is the spot!" he decides, looking around.
Molly almost points out that it's just like every spot, but she stops herself when she sees the excitement in his bright eyes. "It's a lovely spot," she agrees, pulling her thick red hair off her neck in hopes of letting a gentle summer breeze caress her damp skin.
Arthur quickly lays out the blanket, smoothing out the red and white checkered material and checking for any stray rocks. "Have seat, love," he instructs; Molly does.
She smiles to herself as she watches as Arthur busies himself with the basket. It really is a lovely spot in the shade, away from the blistering warmth of the sun. Little rays filter through the tree branches and illuminate her husband's red hair, making it look like embers are dancing over his head.
"Just think," he says, pulling out a platter of sandwiches and setting the before her, "our next picnic will be as a family."
Molly feels something in her stomach. She doesn't know if it's a sudden eruption of giddy butterflies or a flutter of gas, but she doesn't care. A family. Hearing Arthur say those beautiful words makes her giggle like a silly schoolgirl. "I hope our sweet child will enjoy it as much as I do," she says as Arthur retrieves apple slices and bottles of water.
She can see it so perfectly in her head. One day, she Arthur will visit this little spot beyond the Burrow. She'll lounge in the shade and watch as their children laugh and play, their tiny feet padding over the cool grass.
"To us," Arthur says softly, thumping his water bottle against hers in a toast.
"To a long, happy future with our family," she agrees, her hand resting on her pregnant belly, a smile tugging at her lips.
And as she rests her head on her husband's shoulder and nibbles an apple slice, Molly can't help but think how tolerable the hot weather is quite pleasant with Arthur by her side.