#polyphobiia

     The muscles in his back were wound so tightly that it was only      when his fingers curled around Jameson’s that he relaxed at all.      His lips slowly curved, turning up into a smile as he took in the      sight of Jameson in a suit. 

                    “You didn’t have to wear a suit, you know.” 

DOES IT SAY SOMETHING THAT I ALSO MADE THEM AND THEY’RE ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME AS THIS?

It shouldn’t have been what kicked him into action but as Billius, his older brother, stood before him declaring his love for his best friend, Arthur became infuriated. It had taken him years to realise what Molly Prewett meant to him. She had always been his best friend and confidant. Truly the only girl he had ever opened up to. They balanced one another out, she was fiery like her hair and he was enthusiastic but calming. Together, they had the perfect friendship. 

It had only been a few weeks before that Arthur had realised those feelings of friendship were perhaps something more. It had all started when Arthur had the sudden realisation that he had never been on a date like the other boys in his dorm. He had never even looked twice at a girl that wasn’t in a friendship sort of way, nor had any girl looked at him like that either. It was understandable to him, he was tall and sort of goofy. His hand me down robes and love for muggle artifacts did him no favours either. Or so his brother had told him.  

Then, one night whilst studying in the common room, Arthur realised there was one girl who looked at him twice. A girl who never made fun of the fact that he had second hand everything or that he enjoyed muggle items a little more than he did magical ones. There was only one girl who he wanted to tell about his new discoveries or listen to how her day went. When others went on dates to Hogsmeade, he would be by her side, carrying her shopping bags and buying her a butterbeer at the The Three Broomsticks. It was like the sun cleared and then he knew. Molly was that girl, she was his beautiful best friend with a kind heart and a fiery temper that only made him smile.

                                        He was in love with Molly Prewett. 

Once he had his discovery, he had decided to sit on it and be patient. Why rush something that seemed inevitable? There had never been anyone between them and what they had was so special, so why rush it? Arthur couldn’t bear the thought of scaring Molly off before he had found the right way to express his feelings for her. 

But then his brother had to speak up. His affections for Molly made Arthur realise that if he didn’t act, he could lose her. So he went to work, thinking about all the things that Molly liked. Her favourite sweets, her favourite singer, Celestina Warbeck, even her favourite colour. If he could put them all together in some way, perhaps in a date, than surely she would fall for him. 

As he put his plan into action, the flaws began to show. When he finally figured out her favourite song, he couldn’t quite figure out the words and singing about ‘broken billywig wings’ just didn’t sound right or romantic. When he tried to purchase her favourite sweets, he realised that he was a few knuts short as well. Nothing seemed to be going right for him. 

Then, one night, he sat across from Molly in the library as they talked over their Potions homework, she had always been more gifted at potions than him. His attention was caught on the red curls that laid over her shoulder, shining bright. The candlelight made her pale cheek look pink and warm and he wondered what it would feel like to press his hand against it. He was positively distracted until he heard a throat clearing.

        “Honestly, Arthur Weasley! Are you not listening to a word I’m saying? This essay          is due in two days and you’ve barely started.” Suddenly that soft light couldn’t hide the irritated look on Molly’s face. 

How long had he been staring for? He couldn’t even remember the last thing she had said to him. 

              “Umm...” An unintelligent answer was all his brain could form.

The anger flared up suddenly, he could see it in the flush of her cheeks and the narrowing of her eyes that made him want to wither away from it. The chair flew back as she stood up and began stacking her books and rolling up parchments. 

“I don’t know why I bother if you’re not going to listen! You asked me for help and then you do this.” 

She continued to rant and rave, and Merlin, she was a beauty to behold. As she slung her bag over her shoulder, Arthur finally jumped into action. He grabbed her hand, preventing her from walking away. 

     “Molly, please —” He started but she snatched her hand away from him just as quickly.

              “Don’t you dare grab me Arthur Weasley or I’ll hex you into next  —”

But he didn’t let her finish, he covered her lips with his own, hands coming up to cup her cheeks that had turned hot with her anger. She might hex him into next week, or maybe even next year but, for just one kiss, it would be worth it. He had never kissed anyone before and yet, he knew this was what it was meant to feel like. It was like magic was coursing through him and everything had become electric. 

He waited for hands to push him away or for a hand to slap his cheek but none come. When he felt utterly breathless he broke away, watching her with a gentle expression. Her eyes were still closed, lips parted and her cheeks an even brighter shade of red than they had been before. Slowly, her blue eyes blinked and opened. 

It was now or never, he realised. He had already kissed her so there was no point in hiding it how. A red curl had fallen loose from her hair and trailed down her neck, his fingers curled around it, tucking it back into place as he finally met her eyes.