"Charlie, she's lovely. Is this the girl you--" I had been in the middle of asking Charlie about the girl I had seen him dancing with when something beyond him caught my attention.

And oh Merlin, I hoped I was seeing wrong.

Charlie looked closely at me, concerned. "Mum?" he asked. "What's wrong?"

I continued to gape, at a loss for words. Arthur noticed, too, and leaned down. "Molly, darling?"

( Ah...ah...George )

I can’t pretend I understand many of the Muggle customs. I know Arthur wishes I did…well, I think he’s less concerned with customs as he is with eklectronics and makinationry, really. In any rate, as Hermione’s mother is a Muggle, Hermione wanted to add some Muggle customs in the ceremony. It is a very special day for Hermione and her mother—of course it is a special day for me, too, saying my sweet boy getting married—and I don’t wish to mess it up just because I don’t understand the meaning of something, so I prepared myself to really study hard.


However, Hannah’s explanation was remarkably simple, and I do confess, when she told me I almost ended up crying right there. The mothers lighting the candles of our children. The children lighting the candle of unity. Joining two families and two flames together…


…oh Merlin, and now I’m crying again.


I look over at Hannah, who gives me a small smile. I can see that she’s tearing up as well.


I square my shoulders and clear my throat. “Well, let’s get on with this or our children are never going to get married.”


"I agree," she says with a chuckle. "There will be plenty of time for tears later."


Together, we walk up the center aisle created by the chairs, take a lighted candle from the holders on either side of the podium, and step up to the unity candle. On either side is a candle, one signifying Ron and the other, Hermione. I look at her and we both nod, tipping our candles down and lighting the wicks for our children.

I’ve not let on that I’ve noticed, but I have. Hermione has The Glow. Having been pregnant myself six times, I’ve seen it in myself enough times to be able to tell. I can’t see that they would have planned to be pregnant before they were married, they know my feelings on that (not that I expect them to do something just because I prefer it).

But I’m not going to let on that I know. At least I’m not going to say anything. I don’t want to have to ask my own children if they’re expecting, they should tell me themselves when they’re going to have a baby.

That doesn’t mean I can’t try to ( Read more... )

I look in on Percy asleep in his bed. It is so good to see him again and to hear his voice. To hear him call me Mum, even if he doesn’t accept that I am. But it is difficult to hear him reject the name Arthur and I spent so long choosing for him. Not that he would be able to use it now that he is here in Japan, but I don’t think he’ll be able to use Rouge, either.

I slide the paper door closed and walk down the hall to find Charlie. Oh Merlin, I have missed him. As a mother, I may not have any favourites, but Charlie and I were the closest. He humoured me when Ron moved away by staying and letting me cook for him. He let me fix his burns from the dragon reserve. He would have tea with me when the others were too busy.

I find him in the back room, which is looking out on our little garden. It is the traditional zen garden that are so popular here, with the raked gravel everywhere and the small creek with the waterfall, but I have taken a small circle in the middle to grow some vegetables. It is a lovely garden, and I have found it calming. I wonder as I walk into the room and rest my hand on Charlie’s shoulder, if he does, too.

( A talk with Charlie )

I sit under the cherry blossom tree in the onsen (it means hot springs resort, I found out) and pet the silk obi I am embroidering. Japan has such a beautiful culture and beautiful crafts to keep me busy. Since I am not yet familiar with embroidering on Japanese silk, Noda-sama's wife Minami-chan suggested I work on an obi since they are long and mistakes can be easily hidden.

But embroidery isn't busy work and it can't take my mind away from England.

Hitoru-san walks out onto the cedar deck and bows to me. "Fushicho-san, you have a visitor here for you."

( A chat with Noda's wife )

Percy hasn’t sent one of my letters back for a little while now. I must say I am worried about this. At first I thought it was because he finally saw the error of his ways and wanted to reconcile, but when I got no letters from him, I began to get concerned.

I thought of asking Arthur if he’d seen him at work, but I know how Arthur can be when Percy is mentioned. He’s been a bit secretive of late, too. I think work is getting to him again, because he is always out in that tool shed of his. I don’t want to give him more stress by talking about Percy.

I shake my head and stir the stew. It’s a bit large for just us two, but Charlie might like the leftovers for his next day off. Or I could pack it up for Arthur’s lunch tomorrow.

( Going on a trip )

What an exhausting day. With the scare of the dress, which I practically went blind sewing— hand-making that lace, I’ll have you know! –to Ginny’s news, I’ve been in a right state all day. There is still so much to be planned and now I’ve Ginny’s health to keep in mind. Will there be enough food? Is there anything that would make her sick? Do I have to rethink this whole menu?

I climb the stairs, worn out from the day, and make for my room when I hear an odd knocking. I stop on the landing and look around. The sound seems to be coming from Ron’s room. That’s odd. He had told me hours ago that he was heading up to bed.

I stop to listen and the knocking stops for a moment. I step toward the landing of the next set of stairs when the knocking returns, this time a little louder. I’m not sure I like this. If we’ve another ghoul in the house, that will need to be dealt with before he sets roots.

( Finding more than I bargained for )

I’ve been cooking all day: fish and chips, spring rolls, pasties, those potatoes my Ron loves. Every spare inch of counter has been occupied by food and savoury scents have filled the air. It looks enough to feed my family for a week, but I know we’re expecting quite a bit more than just the nine Weasleys. I hope I’ve made enough.

The cake I baked special yesterday and spent late into the night decorating. I think he’ll like it. I do hope so. I haven’t had the excuse to bake him a proper cake since he turned eleven and that was so long ago. It was seven months exactly, in fact, before he met Hermione and Harry for the first time.

Has it been so long?
( Happy Birthday Ron! )

With Ron's birthday just around the corner and Ginny's reception in less than a month, I've had my hands full. It keeps me busy and helps to take my mind off the recent passing of Hermione's father.

Poor dear has been through the mill. I do hope her mother and she are mending things. I knew Hermione's parents really did care for her and her mother hated having the distance between them. I only wished that I could have told Hermione about the packages before her father's passing.

I look at the small clock on the mantle and head for the kitchen to put on some tea. Hermione should be here soon. She owled yesterday to tell me she would be by to talk to me about something.

( Tea with Hermione )

I Apparate into Hogsmeade and wrap my shawl around me as the cold February air bites at my face. I had tried the self own, but a helpful little voice on the contraption told me that they were out of range and were unavailable to take my call. I hadn’t wished to tell Hermione the distressing news of her father over the little folding thing as it was, so I suppose it is better this way. I just wished to get the message to Hermione as quickly as I could. Evelyn didn’t sound very hopeful when we had spoken.

I run along the streets, frustrated that the cold weather is turning my breaths into tiny clouds I have to try to see through. It makes the going slower. Finally I see the cottage and look for lights in the windows upstairs. There is only one light on, in the sitting room. I frown, despite myself. It doesn’t look as if they have been keeping to their schedule.

( In search of Hermione )