dark times, they do funny things to people

@arthurxweasleyx

Arthur Weasley | 29 | Ministry | Neutral

108 posts

BASIC INFORMATION: FULL NAME: Arthur Weasley ALIAS/NICKNAME: Art AGE: Twenty Nine BIRTH DATE: February 6, 1950 BLOOD STATUS: Pure Blood AFFILIATION: Neutral friend of the Order GENDER/PRONOUNS: Cis-male He/Him CURRENT LIVING CONDITIONS: Living with his wife and children OCCUPATION: Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office Ministry

#lumos intro #lumostask

"Are you sure you were in Gryffindor?" Felicity asked. It wasn't that she didn't believe him, but it just seemed so odd to picture. All that curiosity stuffed into a room full of foolhardy jocks. "That sounds like something I heard in my own Common Room at least once a month. You definitely would've fit in."

She didn't plan on starting with tinkering. Just taking them all apart to see what made them up and how they functioned. Maybe she would try and put them together sure, but more likely she'd bring them back to Arthur. "Well, luckily I would only have to explain it to myself. That is the plus side of being a single parent, I think."

Her smile grew warmer, more personable. It was nice to feel complimented and known. "Thank you, Arthur. Anthony's got quite a while before he'll start sending things chasing, thank Merlin. I have my hands full as it is! I have no idea how you and Molly handle so many kids at once."

arthurxweasleyx

Arthur laughed softly, a hint of color rising to his cheeks. “Oh, I assure you, I was a Gryffindor through and through, though not the sort that went charging into danger without checking which end of the broom was front first.” His grin turned sheepish. “They mostly tolerated me because I could fix things. And because, occasionally, I’d blow something up in a way that was at least entertaining.”

He leaned back a little in his chair, eyes warm with amusement. “You’ve got the Ravenclaw knack for it, though, that need to understand before you act. I could’ve used a bit more of that when I was your age.” His tone softened as she mentioned being a single parent. “That’s no small thing, you know. Doing it on your own. I imagine you’ve had to explain a fair few messes to yourself and still find the heart to laugh about them.”

Arthur’s gaze flicked toward the corner of his office, where a few of his own half-finished projects were scattered among stacks of parchment. “As for the children, well, I wouldn’t say we handle them so much as stay just ahead of the stampede.” His smile grew fond, lines crinkling around his eyes. “Molly’s the reason we manage. She’s got a talent for turning chaos into something that feels like home. The rest of us just try to keep up.”

He gestured lightly toward her, tone sincere now. “Anthony’s lucky, you know. To have a mum who sees the wonder in things. That’s half the magic right there.”

Molly let out a sharp breath as another wave of pain rolled through her, clenching Arthur’s hand as though it were the only thing anchoring her to this world. Her cheeks were flushed, hair sticking to her temples, but her eyes — glistening with pain and fierce love — were locked onto his.

“Don’t you dare start getting sentimental on me now, Arthur Weasley,” she hissed, though her voice trembled more from emotion than pain. “You’ll have me crying like a ninny before the baby even gets here.”

She squeezed his fingers tighter, grounding herself in the warmth of him. That stupid blanket. She managed a watery chuckle, despite everything. “You did forget it. Don’t think producing it at the last second earns you points,” she smiled like a grateful idiot.

Another contraction hit, fiercer this time, and her words dissolved into a groan. She turned her face into his sleeve, breathing hard, letting his scent and the steady rhythm of his voice calm her fraying nerves.

When it passed, she slumped back against the pillows, exhausted already. Her hand found his again, curling into it like second nature.

“I know you’re scared,” she murmured, softer now, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment. “So am I. But there’s no one else I’d want next to me. Not ever.”

She opened her eyes, searching his face. “You and me, Arthur. We’ve done impossible things together. We can do this, too. For the fifth time.”

And just as the Healer called out for her to bear down, Molly gave him one last look. Fire and love blazing in her expression.

“Ready or not, let’s bring this little Weasley into the world.”

arthurxweasleyx

Arthur’s throat went tight at her words, something breaking loose in his chest that no amount of logic could contain. For a heartbeat, all he could do was look at her, flushed, fierce, brilliant, and wonder how he’d ever managed to be worthy of her fire. Then the Healer’s voice broke through, and the world narrowed to motion and breath. He tightened his grip on her hand, his own trembling now but never faltering. “Ready,” he said, though his voice cracked halfway through the word. “Always ready, love.” The next moments came in flashes, her cry, the Healer’s calm commands, the rustle of robes and sheets, the pounding in his ears. Arthur murmured what little he could between them: quiet encouragements, reassurances that felt pitifully small beside her strength. “That’s it, Molly. You’re doing it. Just a bit more, just one more.” Then it happened, a thin, sharp wail that pierced the air. Arthur froze, breath caught halfway in his chest, before laughter and tears tangled somewhere in his throat. “He’s here,” he whispered, disbelieving. “Merlin’s beard, he’s really here.” The Healer turned, swaddling the small, red-faced bundle before placing him carefully into Arthur’s arms. His heart nearly stopped. Ron was impossibly small, impossibly loud, and the most extraordinary thing he’d ever seen. He stared down, afraid to even breathe too hard, and then looked up at Molly with eyes that glistened behind fogged glasses. “Look at him,” Arthur managed, voice barely holding steady. “He’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.” His thumb brushed the baby’s tiny fist, which immediately latched around it with surprising strength. He let out a shaky laugh. “He’s got your stubbornness already, Molly.” After a long, reverent moment, Arthur leaned closer, transferring the squirming bundle carefully into her waiting arms. “Your mum’s been waiting to meet you,” he murmured, his smile trembling but certain. Then, softer, to her. “You did it again, Molly. You’ve given us the world.”

#scene #scene:molly

It was bittersweet, being here with his muggle family. Ted loved them all so much, it hurt. They had always kept in touch and had welcomed Andromeda with warmth and admiration, seeing how devoted they were to each other. But there was always this sense of loss, despite how much he'd gained. The two worlds were different. They were separate. He felt now, more than ever, the painful longing to unify them - somehow. He was no fool, he knew why the Statue of Secrecy existed. Yet these days, the opposition to even the smallest presence of muggles, was too, too strong.

At least Arthur understood. Filling his own glass, he smiled at the other wizard fondly and kissed his sister on the cheek. A few of the children scarpered, the sound of them pleading with Dora to change her appearance drifting through the open door that led to the garden.

"Oh, we buy everything," she told Arthur, turning the bottle around to show him the label, which listed all the ingredients, the place of origin and a great big bar code. Ted fully expected questions about that, either now or later. "No brewing skills here, I'm afraid!"

"What's a man cave?" the child replied, honestly curious. She didn't care completely, though. In the next breath, she added eagerly- "And can you show us a trick?"

"Seems like you know something muggle that the kids don't, Arthur." Laughing brightly, Ted handed the girl his own wand and let her wave it around uselessly. Seemingly disappointed, she gave it back.

arthurxweasleyx

Arthur chuckled, considering. “A place where men can be safely banished to tinker with their toys and hobbies, at least as near as I can figure it.” His grin widened. “Though I daresay, if I ever had one, it would end up full of half-mended plugs and kettle bits I’d been meaning to fix.” He drew his wand, eyes twinkling with mischief, and began a little routine clearly practiced for such curious company. Without pausing his cheerful conversation, he let the wand slip up one sleeve and out the other, vanish entirely, then reappear from behind his ear, his nose, and at last, after one rather dramatic cough, from his mouth. The children squealed and laughed, and Arthur pretended to look just as startled as they were. With a flourish, he finished by pulling a bright paper flower from his sleeve and handed it to the girl who had asked about tricks. “For you, miss,” he said warmly. “Freshly picked from the gardens of pure imagination.” Their laughter deepened, and Arthur’s heart swelled with the easy joy of it, the kind that came from being somewhere one was truly welcome. He leaned back slightly, eyeing the bottle Ted’s sister had shown him earlier. “Ah, pity,” he said with mock regret. “I’d hoped to try some of your Muggle-brewed coffee or tea. I keep hearing such fascinating things about your electric kettles.” He turned the bottle a little, squinting at the bar code with deep fascination. “Ingenious markings, aren’t they? A sort of trade cipher, perhaps? Or something to do with your electrical current?” He looked up sheepishly at Ted, the corners of his mouth twitching. “I suspect I’m revealing rather a lot about my ignorance, aren’t I?”

#scene #scene:ted

"It is important work." Felicity agreed. She didn't know if she was quite as interested as Arthur yet, but she knew it was probably only a matter of time. Until she had learned enough to really scratch the itch the curiosity would consume her. "We're lucky that we have someone as dedicated as you right now, or I imagine things could be worse."

Books on trinkets she could probably hide more easily than anything else. Trinkets could get seen as eccentric, anything else could be treasonous. She had too much to lose to do that, not now. "Just trinkets for now for me, I think. But I appreciate the offer. Truly I do."

She kept one eye on the blender. "It sounds a bit like me, when you describe it that way." Flick couldn't help but smile. If she didn't have Anthony to worry about she would offer to take it home with her.

"I make my son's toys float around for him sometimes, so I do get the appeal." Flick laughed, imagining a 'flying toaster'. It felt like quite the sight.

arthurxweasleyx

Arthur’s grin broadened, genuine pride warming his expression. “That’s kind of you to say, Felicity. Some days I wonder if people think I’m daft, rattling on about plugs and batteries, but then—well, I remember why it matters. Curiosity’s what drives half the great things we’ve ever done, isn’t it? The trouble’s just surviving the other half.” He gave a self-deprecating laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.

“I think you’re wise to start with trinkets,” he admitted. “A bit of tinkering is harmless enough, so long as you’re patient with it. The moment you rush or force a reaction, poof.” His hands mimed a small explosion, then fluttered back down. “And the mess is never half as fun to explain as it was to make.”

He followed her gaze to the blender, eyes crinkling with amusement. “Well, if it’s like you, then it’s got some fight in it and refuses to be predictable. I’d say that’s a compliment. Most things that last in this world do.” Her mention of her son softened his smile further. “Floating toys, now that’s brilliant. I used to do that for the boys all the time, until they figured out how to make the things chase each other. Nearly lost a lamp that way.” He chuckled, shaking his head fondly. “Still, it’s worth every bit of chaos, seeing their faces light up. Magic’s meant to delight, too, not just defend.”

#scene #scene:felicity

The moment her feet touched the cool floor of the hospital foyer, Molly swayed, clutching Arthur’s sleeve in a white-knuckled grip. Her breath came in sharp, uneven bursts — not from fear, but from sheer exasperation. And maybe a little pain. Fine — a lot of pain.

“You’d think, after five children, this would come with a bloody manual,” she muttered through clenched teeth, only half-aware of the startled Healer rushing toward them. “And you—” she turned a fierce glare up at Arthur, “—you forget the blanket?” There were now tears in her eyes. Hormones everywhere.

“Madam Weasley?” came the Healer’s steady voice, slipping between them like a calming charm. “Room five is ready. We’ve got a birthing ward set up and a Mediwitch on standby —”

The Healer motioned for a stretcher, which appeared with a pop.

Molly groaned as she was guided onto it — not just from the pain, but from the absurdity of it all. “Remind me again, why we didn’t just apparate?”

Molly huffed, eyes closing as the stretcher began to glide smoothly down the corridor. “Next time you’re carrying the baby.”

And with that, she were whisking her away. Away from her husband. “Where’s Arthur?” she screamed immediately. “He has to stay —“ the Healer began, “He has to stay by my side!” she let her have it. “Arthur!” she screamed.

arthurxweasleyx

Arthur’s fingers tightened around hers, steady even as his heart raced. “I’m here, Molly—always here,” he said quickly, his words a jumble of reassurance and half-panicked logic. “You know we couldn’t Apparate, not when there’s a chance of splinching, not when you’re, Merlin’s beard, Molly, you’re doing brilliantly.”

He tried to keep up as the stretcher began to move, his long legs tangling awkwardly with the Healers’ quick pace. His free hand hovered uncertainly over her stomach before resting there, a small, helpless gesture of comfort. “You and the baby will be just fine,” he murmured, though it was unclear who he was convincing.

When they finally reached the room and the Healers shifted her onto the bed, Arthur busied himself with the blanket she’d accused him of forgetting, triumphantly pulling it from the bag. “See? Never doubted me for a moment,” he said, offering a crooked smile that faltered the second she grimaced. “Right. Less talking, more hand-holding.”

He leaned close, brushing a strand of hair from her damp forehead. “You’ve done this five times, Molly,” he whispered, voice thick with awe. “But somehow, it still feels like the first.”

#scene #scene:molly

aurorasinistrax

“I’m sure you would have managed just fine if you hadn’t come in that day.” Aurora smiled softly, knowing full well that whatever Arthur chose for Molly, she would treasure it regardless.

She didn’t bother to argue, her own life with Remus was everything she had hoped for, and she knew it. “Remus keeps me grounded,” she admitted.

Her gaze dropped briefly to the papers in her hand before lifting back to Arthur’s, a touch of caution in her eyes as she held them out to him. “I don’t think it’s anything serious,” she said evenly, “but I’d rather have it taken care of.” The last thing she wanted was to risk of having her shop shut down.

arthurxweasleyx

Arthur accepted the papers with a reassuring nod, careful not to jostle them against his own stack. “You’re right to be cautious. Best to keep things tidy before they turn into some Ministry official’s excuse for a fine.” His tone was light, but there was a sincerity in his eyes, the kind that came from years of knowing how easily red tape could tangle good people.

“I’ll make sure it ends up on the right desk, not the bottom of a pile,” he promised, the corner of his mouth quirking upward. “And if anyone gives you trouble, you can tell them Arthur Weasley already signed off on it, might not mean much, but it’ll at least make them pause before losing your file behind a tea cup.”

He adjusted the bundle under his arm, then glanced back at her, his expression softening. “You’ve built something good, Aurora. It deserves to stay standing.”

#scene #scene:aurora

Ted had no doubt that Arthur was about to have an absolute field day in his parents' house. The man was muggle mad. Ted wouldn't have it any other way. "You know what muggles call sheds where men tinker around too much?" Glancing sideways, his features became wickedly humorous. "Man caves." He paused, then laughed brusquely. "I think you need a man cave, Arthur. Maybe you could extend the shed like you've done to that excellent house of yours. Give it a few extra rooms for cribs and children's things, and a large space for a wizard with a brilliant hobby."

He knew he probably shouldn't be encouraging Arthur so eagerly, but he couldn't help it. Maybe it was excitement by proxy. It was so rare to devote oneself to an interest these days. God knew he'd barely been able to do anything but work and sleep. He hoped Arthur was more fortunate with his free time, but how he did it between work and the kids, Ted would never know. His own - singular - daughter was challenging enough. As she span around and poked out a blue tongue, he rolled his eyes and snorted as her hair faded back its usual mousy brown.

"I hope she stays so delighted," he confided, now his turn to become wistful. "We've kept the war from her as much as we can. That reminds me-" They crossed the road, the cyclist now long gone and the street quiet and serene. "- my family knows there's trouble, but I haven't told them everything. I don't want to worry them. They just know there's an uprising of sorts and it's keeping me busy at work."

And with that, they reached the front garden where his parents stood waiting. Introductions were made, then they went inside where a couple of Ted's sisters and their children greeted them warmly. Those excess ice creams were gone in a flash.

arthurxweasleyx

Arthur shook hands and made promises to visit the garden once he’d been properly shown off. He smiled at the shared sweet tooth; it felt more familiar to be surrounded by family and children even if they weren’t his own. The sense of bonding, the small delights over something as simple as ice cream, made him hopeful, how could anyone see it and think of anything other than sharing in it?

As coats were set aside and the chatter swelled, Arthur found himself caught by the gleam of the light fixtures overhead, wondering if they ran on batteries or the larger current Ted had once tried to explain. He almost forgot to sit until one of Ted’s sisters laughed and drew him to the table with a welcoming pat on the shoulder. “We’ve heard you’ve a brood of your own,” she said, pouring him a glass of something cool and fizzing.

“Oh yes, yes indeed,” Arthur replied eagerly, warming at the invitation. “Six, well, five and a half if you count the baby, but he’ll be clamoring about before long. I daresay they’d love it here. So many clever contraptions, and such a happy house!” He raised the glass, peering curiously at the bubbles as if they might give away their secret. “Remarkable! Do you make this yourselves, or is it, ah, what’s the word? Store-bought?”

The children giggled at his turn of phrase, and Arthur’s ears went red, but his grin only widened. He leaned in, as though confiding a grand secret: “I do think Ted’s right about a man cave. Can you imagine? A whole room for nothing but tinkering. I’d hardly ever come out.” His chuckle was boyish, self-deprecating, but the glint in his eye made it clear he was already halfway planning it.

#scene #scene:ted #Store-bought

"Poor thing, to get made in anger. I know it's not alive but I can't imagine it's a pleasant state of being."

Growing up, Felicity had always assumed that wixen obsessed with Muggle artifacts were a bit barmy. What did anyone need gadgets and gizmos for when they have magic ready at hand? Now she thought she could understand them a bit better. There was something about blending magic and technology that was almost beautiful. The way it required someone to think about the world around them stretched the horizons of the mind and challenged possibilities. She wasn't sure if she'd ever want to tinker with the objects herself, but she had to admit observing this blender was certainly the most mentally engaging task she'd had in weeks.

"I'm not accustomed to hiding away my curiosity." Flick admitted. She would, because she wished to stay alive, but she didn't like the idea. "But I do know how to be discrete, how to stay alive."

She turned her attention to Arthur for a moment as she considered all this new information. "You must deal with quite a bit of trouble every day, I imagine."

arthurxweasleyx

Arthur beamed. “Nothing I can’t handle. It’s important work, you know—protecting knowledge, and more than that, chipping away at those far too prevalent ideals of Muggle fear and hate.” He nodded firmly, then softened, as if relieved to find someone who seemed inclined toward understanding.

“If you do feel the itch to dig deeper, books are usually the safest start. You can find Muggle history, culture, even their rituals, often for far less than the more practical gadgets. The real trick is money. Muggle currency can be confusing, depending on how you go about things. I still find myself short of the right notes at the wrong moment.” He chuckled, shaking his head.

His eyes dropped fondly to the blender. “Yes, it’s a bit sad when magic doesn’t sit well with the object. Sometimes it works in harmony, though helps the enchantment hold, for better or worse. This one, I think, is mostly benign. Temperamental, perhaps. Nips at fingers, switches on at odd times, runs hot. Annoying, but not explosive, which makes it practically a success compared to some.”

Arthur leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Once I had a wizard try to pass off quick levitation charms as ‘flying toasters.’ Popular novelty, apparently. Quite soothing, watching them drift about the room until they fizzled out. Not even as lively as a Bludger, really. But even so” he grinned, “you can see why I can’t help being fascinated by them.”

#scene #scene:felicity

its-jamespotter

"Oh, right she told me about that," James beamed, forgetting himself. He moved the weight of his basket to his other hand to pull Arthur into a proper hug. "Congratulations, mate. I can't believe you're going to be a dad of three. Your hands will be full...of love. How's the house coming along? I'm about to have a few weeks away from work if you need any helping hands. Or anyone to take any sweets. I know Molly has bragged about her cooking once or twice and I have bragged about eating it every single time." He gave a small and polite smile to Arthur as the other man did a lot to make him feel better for what he was about to buy. It was purely off what he was feeling in the moment or what he thought the baby would need. "I don't know what I'm doing...that seems to be normal though. Or I read it in one of the many books I found at the shop. Though it was outdated by a couple of years...and was hoping we would at least have an answer about life at this point."

James' nose twitched in disgust. "Together?" he asked, his face wincing. "I would suggest doing whatever she asks. Oh, the things we do for love, yes I am familiar with that saying. Whoever said that first definitely didn't account for how easy it is to do.

arthurxweasleyx

Arthur gave a short laugh. “Three? I long for those days, with some of the ways twins act. Double it for me, I’m afraid, and still trying for a girl.” His tone carried no regret, only a fondness for the chaos. He thought briefly of the Burrow, then smiled. “Expansions are going decently. Honestly, the house does most of the work, I’d swear it knows what to expect before we do. Every time I turn around, there’s another nook or cupboard cropping up, and somehow it always looks like a boy’s room. Perhaps the walls have resigned themselves.”

He gave a soft sigh, then brightened. “The boys would be delighted to have you over. If you can convince them to share their sweets, you’ll have done something I still haven’t managed. I’m not sure they aren’t tiny dragons, the way they hoard them, though they may get that from me. And Molly’s cooking, yes, you must try it. Even with her palate shifting, she can’t be beat. She’s taken to combining things I never would’ve dared, and somehow it works. Most of the time.”

Arthur’s smile softened as he glanced at James’ basket. “As for what you’re doing, books are fine, but you’ll learn more by tripping over your own feet. It feels like guesswork at first, then suddenly you realize you’ve been doing it all along. Together is lucky, yes, but don’t worry, you’ll sort out what can and can’t be mixed soon enough. Some smells that should be dreadful turn oddly pleasant. Molly swears by mint in everything lately, ice cream especially. It’s a blessing and a curse.”

#scene #scene:molly

Well, sounded like an adventure into Muggle London was in her future. She needed a few groceries she couldn’t in Hogsmeade or Diagon anyways, that would be a good enough excuse to ward off any suspicion from her parents. “Why would they hide them where Muggles couldn’t find them?” She asked, puzzled. “Muggles would be the ones using them most.

“A dead drop would be nice.” Felicity admitted. She did still want to find some of these in the wild per-say, but she really had next to no idea what to look for. “I usually only go into Muggle London if I need specific ingredients. And I certainly respect a health amount of wizard caution. My parents would… not be pleased about this, to put it lightly.”

Felicity nodded and jotted down Arthur’s advice on the first sheet of parchment, using her own personal coded shorthand. Then she spent several moments studying the whirring machine and writing down bits and pieces of her thoughts. “It almost seems… angry ?” She said at last.

arthurxweasleyx

“Yes, I think that’s part of the enchantment,” he said, tapping the side of the casing. “Some of these things are designed to lash out drive a usually stable Muggle gadget into overdrive until it burns out, sometimes even explodes. Others, well, I sometimes wonder if they hold on to a bit of frustration. Wizards trying to force perpetual motion or endless energy into Muggle devices without ever quite managing it.” He gave a small shrug, as though both explanations still held equal fascination for him.

He brushed his hands together, then turned back to her question about the books. “Most of what you’ll find is written by wizards who were curious enough to dabble but not always careful, or by Muggles who somehow glimpsed our world. Either way, the results tend to be, discouraged. Stamped out by some, outright forbidden by others. A curious mind has very few friends these days, fear and distrust have made sure of that.”

Arthur leaned forward, lowering his voice a little as if confiding a secret. “That’s why dead drops are useful. The things themselves can be risky, and being seen with them even riskier. But I’ve always thought it worth it to preserve them, to keep some bridge of understanding. Fragile coexistence is better than none at all. Just remember, tinkering, experimenting, even integrating, those are excusable in the name of study. But to actually use what you build?” He shook his head with a rueful smile. “That’s where the trouble begins.”

#scene #scene:felicity

Molly’s breath hitched, one hand braced against the mattress while the other clutched at her swollen belly. A sharp pang radiated through her core, and she sucked in air through her teeth, letting out a low groan.

“Oh —“ she grimaced, “Oh, Arthur,” she panted, her voice tight but firm. “He’s not waiting. These aren’t just those practice ones.” Another wave hit, and she closed her eyes, riding through it with a huff of determination. “He’s really coming. Fast.”

When she opened her eyes again, Arthur’s ridiculous grin and bouncing energy tugged a small, fond laugh from her, despite the pain. “You and that contraption,” she muttered, casting an amused glance at the magical hybrid chair. But she gave a slight nod, breathless but resolute. “Chair. Now, please.

The room pulsed with magic — anxious, excited, very Weasley magic. A couple of enchanted items blinked to life as if sensing the urgency: a teacup rattled off its shelf, and the old clock on the wall spun its hands once before shouting, “Maternity Ward!” in a shrill, excited voice.

Molly winced and gave it a look. “Yes, thank you, we know!”

The next contraction came sharper, faster. She gasped, gripping the edge of the bed until her knuckles went white. “Arthur. Fireplace. Now.”

But her eyes were shining, even through the pain. “And if you trip over that blasted duffel again, I swear, I will hex your trousers off in the middle of St. Mungo’s.”

arthurxweasleyx

Arthur’s eyes widened, and despite the panic tightening in his chest, a laugh burst out of him. “Molly, if you hex my trousers off in the middle of the maternity ward, we’ll never be allowed back in St. Mungo’s again!” He clutched the duffel to his side like a lifeline, hugging it close as though sheer force of will could keep both his dignity and its contents intact.

“Right, right, fireplace,” he muttered, half to himself, half to her, his voice pitched high with urgency. He maneuvered around the rattling teacup, nearly tripping over the duffel anyway, and gave a hasty glare at the enchanted clock as if it had done this on purpose. With one arm firm around Molly’s shoulders, he guided her toward the hearth, his grip tightening when she gasped through another contraction.

“Nearly there, love, nearly there,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to her temple even as his own hands trembled. “Hold tight, we’ll have you in a proper room before you can scold me for forgetting the baby blanket.” And with that, clutching Molly in one arm and the duffel in the other, he stepped them into the green flare of Floo, straight toward St. Mungo’s entrance, calling hoarsely for a healer the moment their feet touched down.

#scene #scene:molly #ron

Arthur had a brilliant mind. Part of Ted thought it a shame he was stuck in the Muggle Artefacts office instead of becoming some wonderful inventor. His work was important and it was wonderful that he pioneered the department, but still - the things he came up with. Half the time it was astonishing. Surely there'd be some value to the magical world if he could devote more time to his 'tinkerings'. But going solo didn't pay well. Arthur's family was growing. Ted understood.

"It's absolutely fascinating, Arthur. I really think you should do more with your inventions. But that's easier said than done, isn't it? Not easy to turn a hobby into a career." Making a hefty start on his Cornetto, Ted enjoyed the sweet chill and kept his eyes on Dora as she led the way to her grandparents' house. Even from this distance, he saw the tips of her hair start to turn blue, reacting to the bubble-gum flavoured treat she'd just started to demolish. "Dora!" he called out, gesturing pointedly as she turned around. "Your hair. Don't forget to be normal." Whatever that was.

Crossing the road, they were narrowly missed by a passing cyclist who rang their bell in vigorous objection. Ted snorted then pointed to a house not far away, where his parents stood waving.

"There are my parents. You sound like you've earned Molly's wrath for spoiling your appetite. Don't worry about that - Mum and Dad will probably have a treat or two themselves."

arthurxweasleyx

Arthur’s eyes lit up at Ted’s encouragement, though he gave a sheepish shrug. “Oh, I’d love to, you know. If I had half the time, I’d turn the shed into a proper workshop. Molly would have kittens if I did, mind you. She says we need more room for prams and bassinets, not bits of wiring and broken plugs.” His voice warmed with fondness at the mention of her, though there was the familiar wistfulness there too. “Still, one day, perhaps. There’s so much muggles have worked out without magic. I feel I’ve only scratched the surface.”

He chuckled as Ted called out to Dora, glancing at the girl with genuine delight as her hair shifted hues. “Remarkable, isn’t it? Tonks has it in her blood, of course, but still, it never fails to amaze me. We should all be so lucky to wear our delight so openly.”

The cyclist’s bell startled him a beat late; Arthur blinked, then smiled apologetically at the retreating figure before falling into step beside Ted. “Your parents look wonderful,” he said warmly, offering a little wave in return. “Molly will forgive me. eventually. After all, how often do we get a day like this?”

#scene #scene:ted

aurorasinistrax

Aurora’s smile brightened when she heard Molly had enjoyed the gift she’d helped Arthur put together, and even more so knowing the children were getting such joy from it. “You don’t know how much that means to me,” she said softly. She’d always hold a fondness for anyone curious about the stars.

Her gaze dropped briefly to the ring on her hand, a quiet swell of happiness rising in her chest. “I’ve been very well,” she added, almost glowing. In these dark times, it felt like a rare bit of light. A small, amused snort escaped her. “Some of my customers can be… interesting,” she admitted, though most tended to know exactly what they were after.

She glanced down at the stack of papers in her hand. “The Ministry needed a bit more information after the break-in,” she explained, shaking her head lightly. “I don’t mind doing it. I’m sure you’ve got plenty else on your plate.”

arthurxweasleyx

Arthur’s grin widened, boyish and genuine, at the mention of Molly. “She really did love it. And the little ones. Well, they’ve scarcely let it out of their sight. I owe you for making me look far more thoughtful than I’d have managed on my own.”

He followed her gaze, catching the subtle happiness that softened her features, and his expression gentled. “I’m glad to hear you’ve been well. It’s no small thing these days, to have something, someone, that keeps you steady.”

The papers in her hand drew his attention, and he shifted the stack he was already carrying beneath one arm, extending his free hand to take hers as well. “All the more reason you should let me carry those up. They’ll only sit on some clerk’s desk another week before anyone looks at them. If there’s one thing the Ministry never runs out of, it’s red tape. And I don’t mind, saves me from tinkering with something I shouldn’t while I’m at my desk.”

#scene #scene:aurora #ministry

She had to admit, it was a bit startling that Arthur hadn't ended up in Ravenclaw. All this marvelous curiosity stuck in with Gryffindors? Poor man must've felt stiffled. Though she supposed this wasn't exactly the type of curiosity that Hogwarts supported. She could use a new hobby, really. Not like she had the time for one at the moment with Anthony still so young but that wasn't really the point of it all was it?

"Where do you find these books, are they easy to acquire?" She'd have to find a way to get Muggle money without arousing suspicion from her parents. The Nott's had certain standards to uphold after all. "Don't worry about your handwriting, mine is horrendous when I get going on something. It took me ages to write essays back in school."

Flick fished out a quill from one of her pockets, the nice self-inking kind she couldn't do without. Finding some parchment took a bit off doing but she did manage it. "So I just... I just listen and I write what I think?"

arthurxweasleyx

Arthur leaned back against the desk, legs stretched out in front of him and one hand still fiddling with the blender’s innards. “Ah, finding the books is a bit like looking for treasure in a haystack. Some shops carry them tucked away where most Muggles wouldn’t notice, a few market stalls if you know where to look, and the clever ones write to libraries or subscribe to their periodicals. They’re very fond of lists, subscriptions, all sorts of things a wizard might never think to check.”

He tilted his head, smiling at her with that familiar twinkle. “As for learning, yes. Listen, watch, scribble down what you notice, and then try it yourself. Even if the blender doesn’t behave as the book says, that’s the best part. Those little quirks, the gaps the manuals leave, that’s where the real lessons hide. Magic makes more sense once you can see where Muggle ingenuity ends and our kind of cleverness begins.”

Arthur propped himself on one elbow, gesturing vaguely toward a pile of scattered parchment. “I could even set up a little dead drop for you. A few manuals I’ve taken notes from, safe for wizard eyes. No need to worry about money or raising eyebrows at first. Think of it as a sneak peek into their world, engineered with a touch of wizard caution.”

He leaned forward again, resting both hands on his knees. “And yes, write what you think, what you hear, what the machine tells you without words. Often the things the books leave out are the very things that teach you the most.”

#scene #scene:felicity

its-jamespotter

James looked down at the object in his hand. A wand cleaner. He'd been in a shop for a solid thirty minutes, and this was all he had to show for it. He held it up to Arthur, his expression a mixture of panic and profound embarrassment. "I'm already mad, Arthur. I'm so far past 'mad', I'm in a different postcode of mental instability. I've been walking around like a headless chicken with a shopping compulsion. I just bought a baby-sized quaffle, a set of glow-in-the-dark baby rattles shaped like dragons, and I'm pretty sure I have no idea where I even live anymore. I tossed the name Igar into the mix but Lily said that only belongs on Death Row, whatever that means. We have more names off the list than on the list." He gave a short laugh. Of course, it was diluted down to the simple act of planning out all the little dangers that he could when James used to be the one who ran through the word with a bulldozer. "That sure means a lot coming from you. How is Molly and the little Weaslettes?"

arthurxweasleyx

Arthur gave a slow nod, lowering his voice a little as though confiding something too big for the bustle of the shop. “They’re all well, though between you and me, Molly looks ready to pop any moment. We’ll have another little Weasley underfoot before long.”

His eyes flicked to the quaffle and the rattles in James’s basket, and he smiled with an indulgent kind of fondness. “Don’t fret, those aren’t mad purchases at all. You can’t very well start a baby off with a regulation quaffle, can you? And glow-in-the-dark rattles, well, you’ll be thanking yourself the first time one goes rolling under the bed at three in the morning.”

Arthur leaned in a touch, lowering his tone further with a conspiratorial grin. “And that wand cleaner? You’ll want it. Trust me. It seems daft now, but wait until the first time you’ve got a perfectly respectable wand covered in something you’d rather not identify. Mother and baby sick makes for a vile mixture, and if you don’t get it cleaned out fast, you’ll never banish the smell. I’ve done it the hard way, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”

His expression softened, fond amusement crinkling his eyes. “Molly’s current craving is pickles, sausage, and ice cream. Together. If you’ve never seen that make a return appearance, James, count yourself blessed. I suppose it’s all just part of the business of love, isn’t it?”

#scene #scene:james

where: the burrow / st. mungo’s. who: arthur; @arthurxweasleyx. when: august 26th.

It had been five months since Molly had seen Andromeda. She’d been five months pregnant at that point. Currently she was enormous. Her feet were swollen, she was walking like a penguin and only pickles, sausage and ice cream could cure her hunger.

She and Arthur had finally made it to bed — Arthur putting the boys down so Molly could make her way up the damned staircase she had grown to loathe. As they laid there she placed her head on his shoulder, a comfort that had been there since their days at school. “I can’t believe I have another month of this. And he’s moving around more than any of the others. I love it. It’s a reminder that he’s healthy and strong but, Merlin, I’m so tired,” she let out a sigh. “I love the bugger already but he’s going to be trouble. I can tell. Howlers all over the place.” She let out a small laugh and rubbed her giant stomach.

“I suppose I should try to sleep. If he’ll let me.” She twirled her hand and turned off the lights and leaned toward Arthur. “Love you, my dear,” and gave him a kiss.

She wriggled into the covers, lying on her back and closed her eyes. She lay like that for what felt like an eternity. Arthur was snoring. Lucky bastard.

Then suddenly — she was all wet. Molly shook Arthur awake. “He’s coming Arthur.”

arthurxweasleyx

Arthur blinked awake, Molly’s words cutting through the pleasant fog of his dream. It took a heartbeat for sense to settle in, and then his face split into a grin, half excitement, half nerves. “He’s coming? Oh, Merlin, we’re ready, don’t you worry, my love.” He reached for her hand, giving it a warm squeeze, though his eyes were already darting toward the foot of the bed.

With a quick bend, Arthur dragged a battered old duffel out from beneath the frame. Its seams had been reinforced three times over, though one strap still looked a little singed. “Right,” he said, nodding briskly. “Now, can you make it to the fireplace, or shall I fetch the chair?” His tone held a note of boyish eagerness that almost clashed with the gravity of the moment, but it was impossible to miss the care in it.

He was already halfway to the wardrobe where a peculiar contraption leaned, part wheeled-chair, part walking-stool, with faint enchantments humming under its frame. He glanced back at her, waiting. “I’d rather you be comfortable and steady than us depending on my muscles. Besides,” his grin widened, “it’s been far too long since I had reason to put this beauty to the test.”

#scene #scene:molly

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