&&

“I was there last year, so I know my way around.” That was one tackle done. “And I have friends - Astoria has already assured me that she will be here still.” She smiled softly, glad for her best friend’s continuing attendance. She’d feel lost without her, she knew. “I just… I hope I find a place that means I belong.” She hadn’t ever found that at Beauxbatons, and she was hoping to find it at Hogwarts.

&&

“i have no doubt you will, love,” molly replied. it was scary, starting a new school. you had to deal with the anxiety of moving, the not knowing anyone. it wasn’t easy. “and i know you’ll meet a lot of other people as well.”

.

      “You handled 7 , why not 8 ?” She lightly laughed . “I’m sure the more the merrier . Although ginny wont be the baby of the family anymore if you do decide to have another . “ She smiled at molly .  When she asked her how was she , she knew what molly meant . Losing her cousin . or so she thinks he was . “ I’m fine . “ Words she repeated all summer . 

&&

“baby 8 might be more of a reality than we think,” molly said as she laughed. besides her husband, zaya was the first one molly had verbalized that she might be pregnant. it wasn’t something she had thought would happen, considering her age. “i’m sure ginny’ll be glad not to be the baby anymore.” molly looked at zaya and knew she wasn’t fine. “if you need anything, love, arthur and i are always here for you.”

“I know.” Seamus shrugged. “But I’m not one to say no to beauty, no matter how old they are.” He giggled as they entered the bookshop and picked up the nearest book to him. He flicked through it for something to do with his hands as Molly asked about his issues.

“I just… I haven’t spoken to Dean in a while.” He frowned. “He was… we fought. When You Know Who came back. And we had a big argument and I said shit I didn’t mean and now I-… I miss him.”

&&

molly gave seamus her infamous mom look. while she did find it flattering, it was interesting to her that seamus could find someone who was twice his age attractive. especially because her body stopped bouncing back after she gave birth to the twins. she had a mom body, that was for sure.

“people say shit they don’t mean, love,” molly pointed out. “have you reached out to him since?” she asked. she didn’t want to pry, but she was now in mom mode.

“I think Hufflepuff.” Gabrielle pondered, not wanting to get her hopes up too much. “Everyone I have met seems very friendly, though - so I don’t mind where I end up.” At this point, it was simply about belonging somewhere. She’d feel much better when she had a place to be and rules to break.

“I miss home.” She admitted shamelessly. “But I’m excited for a new adventure, and nothing is ever boring at Hogwarts, so I can’t wait to get into my studies and discover what’s next.”

&&

when molly found out she was gryffindor, she was pleasantly surprised. she remembered how desperate she was to get into that house that it almost seemed impossible. she would have been happy with just about any of the houses, but she was glad the hat had chosen gryffindor.

“it’s a little daunting starting a new school, i imagine,” molly said. it was already scary enough starting hogwarts, she remembered, she couldn’t imagine moving to a different country and starting a new school.

MINISTRY OF MAGIC MASQUERADE GALA :

after her bought of nausea in the bathroom, she made her way into the bedroom she shared with her husband and crawled into bed next to him. “do you have to go to work today?” she asked. she was usually good at working through illnesses, she had to be with seven children. but now that they were older and could manage by themselves, she allowed herself some time in bed. 

@thefunctionofaduck​

»

♕ —- “I feel like I probably should have figured out the basics by now,” she said jokingly. She was sure it wouldn’t matter in the long run. She definitely had no plans of taking NEWT level potions anyway– not that Professor Snape would let her into the class– and she was fine with that. There had to be a career choice in her horizon that didn’t require a vast knowledge on potions. 

♕ —- Lavender smiled. “I don’t know how you did it Mrs. Weasley, I think you deserve your own statue. Especially with all those boys.” She adjusted her basket in her hands before she cleared her throat and bravely asked, “how is Ron by the way? I haven’t really seen him much lately and with everything…” Her voice drifted off, not really sure what else to say but she did worry. She still cared for him, even if he didn’t like her in the way she wished he would.

&&

“you’ll get the hang of it, love,” molly said reassuringly. “and even if you don’t, you can always buy ‘em from a store. that’s what they’re there for,” she said as she laughed softly. there were a few potions molly made sure she always had at the house and a majority of the time, she bought them just because she couldn’t be arsed to make them herself.

“i was lucky i have a husband who put up with all of us,” she said, laughing once more. “i don’t know how he did it because if i wasn’t hormonal, the kids were jumping off the walls.” she was truly the luckiest person to have married arthur. she couldn’t imagine having a family with anyone else. “he’s good,” molly said as she slowly nodded her head. “same old ron. lots of sleeping and lots of eating.”

It had been crazy ever since the mass breakout from Azkaban news, and there was no day Fleur wasn’t feeling anxious about the idea. The logical part of her mind told her that they wouldn’t go to Diagon Alley, it was too public, too open, too easy to be recognized; but still, the possibility was there and it was terrifying. It didn’t help the nightmares, and she hadn’t been sleeping well ever since. But Mrs. Weasley had such a warm presence, it made her feel safe. “Have you been well?” She asked as she served the tea and a croissant, then walked around the counter to offer a seat at a table by the window.

&&

if there was one thing she remembered from the first war, it was how illogical fear made her. but she also knew she had to do what she had to do in order to protect herself, her husband, and her children. it hit differently this time, though, because at least with small children, if she needed to go out, she could rely on people staying with them at home. but now? they had to go out and shop for school. it was scary. “as well as one could expect,” she said with a smile. “how about you, love?”

Sirius was never used to mothering – he hadn’t had a mother that cared, nor were the house-elves ever fond of him due to the string of mud and disaster he always left in his wake as a child. He wasn’t used to the push back of someone (save Remus) trying to look out for him anymore. A Mrs. Euphemia Potter had done the same thing all those years ago but she’d been gone for the better part of thirty years; she’d passed those mother-hen-like qualities onto her only son. But Molly Weasley was an altogether different – and all the more perseverant – beast. 

“Molly, truly, I’m not hungry.” Lies. He could almost physically feel the weight of it, as the whiskey settled onto his empty stomach. But, he was upset. He was angry. He had his walls so far up that it would have taken a few dozen sledgehammers to even come close to breaking it down. He would truly appreciate the sentiment in hindsight, but he never really would admit it. 

&&

when she didn’t get a response from sirius, she knew she had met her equal in the stubborn department. it wasn’t often that it happened, but she did run across it occasionally. “if you insist on drinking this early,” molly said as she eyed the coffee cup, “at least do me the single favor of eating something,” she replied. “your stomach can thank me later.” not only was her stomach turning at the idea of drinking so early, but at the idea of drinking on an empty stomach. 

molly took a bite of her own food as she eyed sirius, a little worried. she knew the man didn’t often get mothered anymore, but this was something else. it was clear something was going on.

“Oh sure, but then I’d have to tell you that if you’re used to being called Mommy, I’m more than happy to oblige.” He replied as cheekily as he could, winking playfully. He shook his head when she spoke about her son. “Nothing I can’t handle, Molly, don’t waste your time worrying about me.” He grinned, happy go lucky as he always was. There was a nicety about flirting so freely. The only other time he got to do this without consequences was with Dean… and that ship had long since sailed… they didn’t speak much anymore. The reminder of it made his face fall a little, looking somewhat lost agan.

&&

molly couldn’t help but to match seamus’ cheekiness with a roll of her eyes. “i’m more than twice your age, love.” she reminded her. “it won’t work.” it was all in good fun, but she was happily married. this was also one of her son’s friends. “you alright, love?” she asked when she watched seamus’ face fall ever so slightly.

Arhur’s smile was soft as Molly sighed and relaxed. She truly deserved it - spending so much of today rushing around after the kids at Diagon Alley. He had tried to get the day off, but they had insisted they needed him. A greecian vase had been very much misused by a very ambitious man, and he had to sanitise and catalouge that as well as other artifacts that came in. 

“It is… apparently they have twelve children.” He hummed. “I can’t imagine the chaos if we had twelve… seven plus magic is enough to manage.” He chuckled gently, leant in to press a kiss to Molly’s lips. “Sleep, dear. You’ve been up early, and you need the rest.” He had managed to get 9 ¾ drop off day off, so he would be there to help then, but it would still be quite the rushtown.

&&

molly had hoped her husband would make the trip to diagon alley with her. not only because it would have made things so much easier, but if only to spend time with him. it felt like he was spending more and more time away from home and she understood why, but it didn’t make it any easier. 

molly hid her face in arthur’s chest and stubbornly refused to go to sleep. “we never get to spend time with each other anymore,” she said after returning arthur’s kiss, a smile etching itself on her face. 

The woman’s presence was comforting, and Gabrielle was beginning to see how Ron and Ginny, and even Fred and George came out as they did was becoming clearer and clearer. She smiled and nodded as she was asked about the school year. 

“It’s my first year as a Hogwart’s student.” She grinned, clearly excited at what she could be in for. “I can’t wait to see what house I am in, or who teaches me.” She had been in love with the ancient school grounds when she first arrived as a Beauxbatons student, and being able to stay was insane. A dream come true, really.

&&

“the sorting hat was my favorite part about my first year,” molly said as she thought back to when she first had the hat placed on her head and the uneasiness of not knowing which house she would be in. “do you have a preference yet.

she remembered wanting to be in either gryffindor or ravenclaw when she first arrived at hogwarts and was happy when she heard gryffindor in her ears.

“I don’t mind.” Seamus shrugged. “They all already know I think you’re hot shit, Mrs Weasley. I don’t think me being around you’ll be much surprise to them, if I’m honest.” He laughed. They didn’t pick on him, either - not unless it was telling him Molly was far far out of his league. And when they said that, he couldn’t even argue with them. Of course she was.

“I got the good friends.” He continued. “They don’t pick on me much; not seriously.”

&&

“i do have to remind you that i’m old enough to be your mother, love,” molly pointed out. while she found it flattering to an extent, she also knew it was just a school boy crush. she was also happily married with seven children. “i’m sure ron gives you the most shit about it.”

Gabrielle smiled and nodded, stepping up to link arms with Molly. She was friendly to strangers, always had been. One never knew when they would next meet their new best friend, after all. And kindness in general was a good trait to inhabit, she thought.

“Thank you very much.” She tipped her head in gratefulness. “You’re very Kind.” She would have to have been, to raise such children as she had.”

&&

“we can’t have you two separated this early in the day,” molly replied. she was a mother, after all, and she hoped someone would do the same thing for her children if they ever found themselves in this situation. not being able to find the person you went out with, especially in such a crowded place, was always a little daunting. “are you ready for the school year to start?”

“If you wanted one, you would have gotten one already.” Arthur pointed out helpfully. He chuckled and settled into their bed more. It was old, and filled with blankets Molly had knitted herself. He loved each of them. 

“You’d be surprised. It seems the Americans are always doing English things bigger.” He grinned, looking toward the screen as the menu started up. He pressed play and let the remote drop. The arm lounged around her shoulders, and traced random runes on her upper arm.

&&

“i know, i know,” molly said, knowing arthur was right. feeling soft runes being traced against her arm, molly leaned into arthur even more, letting her body fully relax into her husband. she let out a soft sigh, a sigh that said this is my happy place. she felt her eyes become heavy as the heat from her husband pushed her closer to sleep.

how arthur managed to figure out how to play muggle dvds worked was beyond her. but hearing the familiar clicking of the remote and the sound of the movie starting, she was glad. “it’ll be hard to beat our family.”

   she smiled in the soft, warmth way her sister was known of, shaking her head a little with a chuckle.    “   some habits will never go away,   “   eris said, hands moving to gently wrap a small jar in light-colored, decorative paper. slytherin, she hated that thing. how ariadne could keep everything so bright and sweet and soft — the shop, house, her clothes itiching eris’ skin even though before azkaban she did walked around in white too – now it just made her want to throw it out and burn burn burn.

   “   on the other hand, you are always prepared, so it isn’t such bad thing, isn’t it, mrs weasley ?   “  

&&

“it’s one of the habits i wished i hadn’t kept,” she said as she laughed. while it was obvious habit she had kept due to the fact that she had seven children, now that they were grown and they didn’t need nearly as much stuff for her to carry, it was added weight she didn’t want in her purse. “i don’t know if i’d consider having receipts as prepared,” she said as she laughed again.