chapter nineteen
Mid-September 2008
In the burrow
Molly was sitting in the living room waiting for Arthur to return, and she was knitting while she waited for him.
Molly started making Christmas sweaters so that she could finish them by the beginning of December. Even with the use of magic to help her, it took her a lot of time to make a sweater for each family member, due to the large number of family members.
It has already been a month since Arthur met his daughter from Minerva Athena, Arthur was visiting his daughter Athena at the end of the week, he had set aside Sunday to visit her, Saturday is the weekly family gathering of the Weasley and Potter family, so Arthur chose Sunday to spend some time With his daughter Athena, of course he consulted Molly before making a decision. Molly felt that agreeing to these weekly visits was the right decision, even if she was feeling jealous.
The idea of existence Arthur's child from another woman still bothers her whenever she thinks about her, despite Arthur's assurance to her that his relationship with Minerva is only a relationship of friendship and that she is only Athena's mother, but she was a little jealous of the idea of Arthur being with Minerva for some time, even with her knowledge that His main reason for being there is Athens.
She still remembers Arthur's joy when he returned from his first meeting with Athena, he kept talking to Molly about Athena, and to be fair, Molly found her a nice and smart little girl from the way Arthur talked about her.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the hole door opening. Molly guessed it was Arthur, her husband. Arthur entered the living room with a genuine smile on his face. "Mollywooples, my dear, l'm back ,how are you , How was your day?"
"It was good, my dear Arthur," Molly said. "How was work today?"
Arthur said, sitting down next to her and placing a kiss on her cheek, "It was a normal day at work"
Molly said, "Hermione came over today. She was buying some things and stopped by the Burrow on her way."
Arthur said, "Really, how are she and the children and Ron?"
Molly said, smiling, "They're fine. Little Rose told me about the new story she was reading with her mother, and she told me that she flew with her father on a broomstick and that she loved flying very much.
little Hugo, he reminds me of Ron when he was his age ، He's so cute, Arthur"
"Children grow up so fast, my dear," Arthur said with a smile. "Did she say she would come to the family gathering tomorrow?"
Molly said, "Yes, everyone will come, but I don't know if Charles will come or not. He has a lot of work lately."
"It's good that everyone is here," said Arthur. "because I always miss those children so much."
Arthur stood up to go to his and Molly's room and change his clothes.
"Wait, Arthur," Molly said, "There's something I want to ask you."
Arthur sat down again and said, "What is it, my dear?"
Molly said, "Can I go with you this week when you visit Athens? I want to see her and get to know her."
Arthur was surprised by Molly's request. He had told her a lot about Athena and that Athena wanted to get to know her and their children, but Minerva postponed confronting Molly for as long as possible.
Molly was worried about Arthur's silence, so she quickly said, "If it's not appropriate, that's fine, Arthur. I'll be satisfied with what you tell me about her."
"It's all right, Molly," said Arthur, "I've told her a lot about you and she's looking forward to seeing you too. I'll send a letter to Minerva telling her you want to meet Athena."
Molly smiled and said, "Okay, honey."
After that, Arthur went to the room to change his clothes, then write a letter to Minerva.
Molly began to think about whether her decision to meet Athena was correct or not, and whether her feelings towards the girl's mother (Minerva) would affect her dealings with this little girl.
How is she supposed to treat this little girl?.
Molly woke up early on Sunday, even though she slept late yesterday. because Yesterday was a family gathering.
But she could not sleep well, because today she will meet her stepdaughter, Athena, and she will also see Minerva.
At first, when she learned about Arthur's betrayal, she felt anger, pain, betrayal, and disappointment every time she thought of Minerva, but now these feelings have diminished a little, although they are still present.
Molly was repeating in her mind, "You are going there, Molly, to meet Athena. Not for Minerva. Avoid clashing with her. Now is not the time for confrontation."
Molly was surprised, and Arthur was also surprised, that Minerva agreed to have Molly come with Arthur today.
Molly was in the kitchen making some tea.
When Arthur entered the kitchen, smiled at his wife and said, "Good morning, Mollywobbles."
"Good morning, Arthur," Molly said.
Arthur said, "Minerva expects us to come to her house at eleven o'clock."
Molly sighed and said, "Okay."
Arthur said as he placed his hand on Molly's shoulder, "If you are nervous and unprepared, we can postpone the meeting with Athena. Don't pressure yourself, my dear."
Molly said while laughing nervously, "You made me longing to meet her because of your so much talk about her. I want to meet her today, Arthur. Don't worry about me, my dear."
Arthur hugged Molly and kissed her on the forehead and said, "Okay, my dear."
Arthur and Molly were walking through the village of Hogsmeade.
Arthur had told Molly that Minerva and Athena are staying at Hogwarts Castle at this time of year, but of course meeting them at Hogwarts will attract attention, so they will meet at Minerva's house in Hogsmeade.
They arrived at the house and Arthur looked at Molly and Molly shook her head in agreement, so Arthur knocked on the door.
They waited a few seconds, then the house door opened.
It was Minerva who opened the door. She looked at them and said, "Hi, Arthur. Hi, Molly. Please come in."
They entered the house and Minerva led them to the living room and said, "I will go make some tea and call Athena. Please have seats." She smiled at them and left the room.
Minutes later, Athena entered the living room.
Molly found a girl with bright red hair like most of the Weasley family. The girl's hair was long and she had green eyes. She was tall and had very few freckles on her face. The girl looked very similar to her mother, Minerva. Her facial features were like Minerva's.
Athena smiled and Arthur stood up and smiled lovingly at her and Athena hugged Arthur and kissed his cheeks.
Arthur said, "How are you, my little?"
She said, "I'm fine, Papa. A lot of things happened this week.I want to tell you all of them.."
Athena looked at Molly and smiled nervously at her.
Arthur said, "Ah, Athena, I want to introduce you to my dear wife, Molly."
"Hello, Athena," Molly said with a smile.
Athena smiled at her and said, "Hello, Mrs. Weasley, nice to meet you."
Molly felt as if she knew this little girl from before, she reminded her of her children and grandchildren.
Minerva entered the room and placed a tray of tea and biscuits.
She then sat in one of the armchairs.
Athena started telling Arthur about the events of the week, and Minerva joined them in the conversation a few times, and to Molly's surprise, she was also participating in the conversation.
Athena liked Molly very much, as Molly's personality made everyone love her and feel the motherhood, love, and security emanating from her.
As for Molly, she felt a strange familiarity towards her. Athena reminded her of her children. Every time she looked at her, she found something that reminded her of each of her sons and her daughter as well.
Athena was a kind, intelligent, energetic girl, and Molly loved to sit and talk to her.
Molly forgot about Minerva's presence and temporarily forgot her feelings towards her.
The four of them continued talking, and then Molly excused herself to go to the bathroom, and Minerva got up to show her to it.
When they reached the bathroom, Minerva said, "Molly, I need to talk to you."
"Not now, Minerva," Molly said. "I'm not ready to talk to you or discuss the matter now."
Minerva shook her head and said, "Okay, Molly. When you're ready, tell me."
Minerva sighed, she wanted to talk to Molly and apologize to her .
Molly and Arthur returned to the Burrow after their meeting with Athena.
Molly loved Athena and she and Arthur kept talking about her.
They were sitting in the living room drinking tea when Arthur said, "Molly, there is something I would like to ask your opinion about."
"What is it, Arthur?" Molly said.
Arthur said, "I want to formally make Athena a Weasley. I want her to be officially my daughter, and I want to write that I am her father in her official papers, and i want to admit that she is my daughter."
Molly was a little shocked and said, "What, did you tell Minerva that?"
Arthur said, "I have not told Minerva yet, and I do not know whether she will agree or not, but Athena has the right to have a father, and to belong to her father's family and bear her family name."
Molly said, "Dear Arthur, this matter will cause problems and tension in the family. Things are almost back to normal. Think about it again and don't rush."
"It will happen sooner or later," said Arthur.
Molly sighed and said, "Okay, Arthur, but discuss the matter with Minerva first. She is her mother, after all. She must agree, too."
Arthur said, "Okay."
October 2008.
Gathering of the Weasley brothers, Bill, Charles, Percy, George and Ron.
Ron said, "Why are we talking about this in such secrecy?"
George said, "Do you want Ginny to kill us, Ron? If she finds out we're talking about this, she'll curse us with the worst spells."
Ron said, "She's our little sister, why so afraid?"
"It's just...," George said, and suddenly his eyes widened and he pointed his finger, shouting, "Oh, it's Ginny over there!"
Bill, Charles, Percy, and Ron all stood and looked in the direction George had pointed, but they did not find Ginny there.
George started laughing while holding his stomach from laughter, and his brothers looked at him angrily.
"George, this is not the time for such pranks," Bill said.
"Yes, George," said Percy, "it is an important matter, and no joke."
"You freaked us out, George," said Charles.
"Calm down, all of you," George said. "I was explaining to our little brother Ron, Why shouldn't we tell our little sister Ginny about it."
Ron looked at George angrily and opened his mouth to respond.
Bill said, "Okay, everyone sit down. What are we going to do about the little girl? We can't neglect the matter any longer."
Charles said, "I did not expect my mother to separate from my father, but I did not expect her to forgive him so quickly, but the matter of the little girl is a completely different matter. The family avoids this issue and no one talks about it, as if this girl does not exist."
Percy said, "The family is almost back to normal finally. Opening this topic and discussing it will create tension in the family again."
"It's like a wound," Charles said ، "Leaving the wound untreated won't help. We have to work it out and discuss it, Percy."
"I agree with Charles," Bill said.
Percy sighed and said, looking at George and Ron, "What do you two think?"
George said, "I have no objection to resolving and discussing the matter, but nothing change the presence of a half-sister for us, and that she will remain a reminder to the whole family of our father's betrayal of our mother."
Ron said, "I support Percy's position. Opening the issue will bring nothing but sadness and pain to our family. Think about our mother. She has returned to normal. I do not want to bother her, and I do not want anything to remind us of what happened."
George sighed and said, "I still can't believe we have a half-sister and her mother is Professor McGonagall."
Ron shook with shivers and said, "Don't remind me, George, it's hard to believe. Who would have thought this would happen?"
Bill said, "What's happened is happened. We must discuss our position on this girl."
"Father never speaks of her," said Percy, "what if our father decides to avoid the girl, and considers her non-existent?" ، My opinion is to consult our father before anything else, and if his decision is to consider the girl as non-existent. We must respect his decision. And this is better for our family and for this girl as well."
Charles said, "I don't know. I feel like it's a little selfish, but at the same time I don't want to upset my mother and Jenny or threaten the stability of the family. But what is the poor girl's fault in all of this?"
"I'm sure Professor McGonagall is a good mother to her," George said. "She was a wonderful, caring, trustworthy and strong teacher."
Ron continued, "And a traitor, She betrayed my mother's trust in her and our trust in her."
"Ron, we're done with this," George said.
"You see," said Percy, "so that I don't want you to bring this up."
Charles said, "We will ask our father for his opinion first, and then we will decide our attitude towards this girl."
"I agree with Charles," Bill said.
"Okay," Percy said.
"Okay," George said.
Ron sighed and said, "Okay, but what about Ginny and our mother?"
Bill said, "After we know our father's opinion and his decision regarding this girl, then we will decide how we will talk to Jenny and my mother."
George said, "Wait, here's something we forgot. What if Professor McGonagall has a boyfriend or a lover or a husband? And he represents a father figure to the little girl?"
"Though I doubt it," said Percy, "it is also possible."
"It won't change the fact that she's our sister, and she has a right to know the truth," Bell said.
Ron said, "What if Professor McGonagall refuses to tell her daughter?"
Charles said, "We must know our father's decision before anything else."
"And we also have a right to tell the girl," Bill said. "She is our sister, after all."
"Are you really interested in this right, Bill?" Ron said.
"If Professor McGonagall refuses to tell the girl, we might tell the girl when she's seventeen," George said.
Percy said, "Do you think the little girl is a witch?"
Charles said, "Guys, that's enough. We're moving away from the original topic. We'll ask our father about his opinion and his decision first."
"Well, I'll talk to him soon," Bill said.
The Weasley brothers spent the evening talking and drinking among themselves about many topics.
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