Counting Down (Molly/OPEN)

[Louis Weasley]

In three days school would be out for the season, yet, the castle had started to feel quieter than it should have as everyone were too busy to pack away their belongings to ensure that they have left nothing important behind, though, not that it mattered if they did seeing everyone would return right after the Christmas break was over. From left to right, the Ravenclaw Common Room was filled with eerie sense of emptiness as the fire burned quietly in the fire place that if anyone wasn’t at all used to the quiet, they would probably be terrified at the hollowness of place. Luckily for Louis Weasley, he was used to the silence that it did not bother him at all, in fact, for as long as he could remember, he had always enjoyed the occasional silence of which the place could offer. Of course, being the few that had done all their packing, Louis was left sitting in the common room by himself, boringly flipping through the pages of his History of Magic text book on the couch facing the fire place. Still, his mind was nowhere in the room, nothing of which he had read for the last hour even come close to entering his brain.

ooc; this is rubbish... hope it's alright though, i'm a horrible thread starter...

[Molly Weasley]

Molly walked around the common room muttering frustratingly to herself looking for other clothing that she may have left out of her bag. Molly then realized that she definetly had forgotten something. She just groaned slightly. She pulled out her wand and said softly, "Accio sweater." Molly looked at her sweater as it came rushing into her arms, she then placed her folded sweater in her bag. Molly then closed her bag and then smiled simply. Molly then walked down the stair to the common room she was quite glad to be done with her work for the day. She had picked up her astronomy book as she left the dorm room. She then looked around the common room for a nice spot then saw her cousin! Louis! "Hi Louis!" She said happily. Molly enjoyed talking to her cousins even if all their parents didn't particularly get along with her father.

[Louis Weasley]

Louis’ mind was off, wandering, thinking about the next year after his OWLs, there was so many thing that he would have to take into consideration. Which classes he wanted to take, would he want to be an Auror like Victoire or a Curse-Breaker like their father or would he like to return to school and teach. It felt like time was passing by faster than he would have liked. It felt like it was just only yesterday that he had arrived at Hogwarts, now, he happened to be a fifth year trying to decide which path he would like to take. It was tiring. However, before Louis got deeper into his own thoughts and a battle with himself, he was awakened by a familiar voice calling out to him. Shocked, Louis’ body shot up; forcing the book he had on his lap off and fell on the floor. “Molly!” He said, surprised as the familiar face of his cousin came into view. “You startled me,” He added as he shifted his body mass forward to retrieve the book. Though he was surprised, Louis was still glad to see Molly appeared before him. It was, at any rate, better than being startled by some random first years. “Have you finished packing?” Louis asked, finding that he was far calmer than he was a minute ago. He placed the book on the table by the chair, waiting for Molly to join him.

[Molly Weasley]

Molly had been having a good day because of the fact that she'd finished packing finally after 2 hours or so. She then sat down on the chair near him while she said softly, "Yeah, I finished just a few moments ago, are you done?" She then smiled at her cousin as she groaned being so tired and sick of being awake. Molly then looked over at Louis, "Are you glad to be going home?" she asked as she pushed her hair off of her face and sighed. She didn't really want to go home, but her dad had insisted on the fact that she had to go home for the break. She just always felt so far away from everyone on her break. It just seemed like she'd never get to see her family. Other then when she was at school.

[Louis Weasley]

Louis was glad that Molly decided to join him. At least there will be some level of decent conversation between them, even if the topic of conversation turned out to be about the holiday. “Yeah, I did that yesterday,” Louis answered truthfully. It was never a surprised for Louis to be one of the first few that actually finished packing, it wasn’t as if he was dreading school, it was just that Louis was never the type who would leave things to the very last minute. Glad? The term floated across Louis’ head. He wasn’t even sure of the actual answer to the question. Sure, he had always liked to go home, however, it had been quite chaotic for the past few weeks, and actually, it had been for more than the past few weeks that if Louis remembered it right the chaos had begun from the time the term had started. So, Louis wasn’t even sure of what to expect. “Umm... I suppose,” He added half-heartedly as he tried not to over-think of the situation. Instead, Louis forced himself to pay attention towards the conversation and decide to ask Molly the same question she had asked him. “How about you?” Louis asked casually, tapping his fingers lazily on the armrest. “Glad to be going home?” He added, still as casually as he did before.

[Molly Weasley]

Molly looked over at Louis with a smile. She hadn't packing. She waited slightly to find out if he was excited or not to go home. She wasn't never was. It just wasn't her thing. Sure, she liked her family and her home, but it just never seemed to feel that 'homey' to her. She looked up as he said he supposed he was excited to go home. Molly looked up after he asked her if she was glad to be going home. She shrugged a little bit then said softly, "I'd rather be going to stay with Grandma and Grandpa, but dad won't let me... So I guess I'm okay with going home... Kind of..." she sighed and picked at her fingernail for a moment or two.

[Louis Weasley]

Louis grinned; it looked like he wasn’t the only one who was less than ecstatic to go home for the season, as it turned out, Molly doesn’t seem to be overjoyed by the idea of going home herself. Though, Louis was sure it was not of the same reason as his and he could have easily guess as to why the idea of going home wasn’t as interesting to Molly either. Luckily for him, Molly decided that making a guessing game as to why either of them wasn’t too happy about going home was not as much fun as talking about their grandparents. “Yeah, I know what you mean,” Louis said at the mention of The Burrow, a small smile crept up on his face thinking about his paternal grandparents’ house. It was small, but cozy with that lingering homey smell that can never be beaten by any other houses, the only problem was, there was no way that all the Weasley and the Potters could even fit under that one roof, not with the number of them put together. Still, year after year, they have all had fun trying to squeeze into the tiny house and have their Christmas dinner outside on those rare years where their parents decided it would be fun to get together.

“Bet Uncle Charlie will be back for Christmas, it’s always fun when he’s around,” Louis said simply. If there was one uncle (other than the Harry Potter himself) that Louis had always considered to be cool, it was Charlie. His stories about his adventures and the dragons that he had encounter were always the best part when they all get together. Of course, their grandmother wasn’t all too happy about being Charlie retelling all the horror about his work, but, she had never stopped him before. Not when Charlie was surrounded by his nieces and nephews that would listen to him attentively. Well, as attentively as they could before George decided to throw something funny into the room. Alas, it was always interesting when the Weasleys and Potters got together.

[Molly Weasley]

Molly looked up at Louis when he said he knew what she meant. Molly missed being with her grandparents her mother didn't think that she should see her grandparents very much. Molly looked up at Louis and said softly, "My mom doesn't want to go to Grandmas and Grandpas house this year for christmas. She wants to have a 'family' christmas," She rolled her eyes and sighed a little. "She doesn't even want us to go and see them..." Molly said softly and stared at her hands for a moment. Her mom was just being unfair, they always dropped into her grandparents house, just to say merry christmas at least. She was figuring she'd just drop in on her own even if her sister didn't want to, she was definetly going to.

Molly looked over at Louis for a moment as he spoke about thier uncle Charlie, she then smiled a little. Her dad didn't like his family it seemed like. She looked up at the ceiling for a moment and then said, "I'd love to see uncle Charlie, dad always talked about him, but I've only seen him a few times, which is quite sad." Molly smiled a little thinking about the few stories that she'd heard from Charlie. "I really do think I'm going to try to get back for christmas, I'd love to see Charlie," Molly said softly.

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[Louis Weasley]

Louis nodded, he knew his Uncle Percy and Aunt Audrey a little too well for his liking. Unlike his father, Percy wasn’t exactly close to his mother and after he had gotten married, apparently it wasn’t all better – or so as Louis heard or rather what he learned after eavesdropping on one of his parents’ private conversation. “Well, if Uncle Charlie’s coming home, dad would probably move the Christmas to The Burrow,” Louis said, he wasn’t certain that his father would, but, he couldn’t helped but wished that it would be so at the end. It was always better to be arguing over who would get to use the toilet first than being stuck at home with just his parents. Not that they’re bad people, but Louis had always liked it better to spend Christmas with his grandparents and cousins as well. At least he knew that there will be a high probability of the Potters being there. It wasn’t strange as Molly and Arthur Weasley were the only grandparents James, Albus and Lily had left. It would be a far better Christmas in Louis’ book.

“I haven’t seen him since last Christmas either,” Louis said thoughtfully, remembering back the last time he had seen his uncle. Charlie was never the kind who would stay at home. He was always the kind that would go off on one adventure to the next. Perhaps for that reason that he was really popular among his nieces and nephews. He would always have a new story to tell. “I suppose I could write to Uncle Charlie and ask if he would really come home for Christmas,” Louis added. It wasn’t such a bad idea and it wasn’t unusual for Louis to write to his Uncle either. In fact, he had probably written to Charlie just as much as he had written to his grandparents, if not more seeing that they’ve all been close since he was very young. “I’d love to hear more stories about the dragons,” He continued with a grin on his face thinking; Maman wouldn’t be pleased...

[Molly Weasley]

Molly didn't know for sure if she would get to see his family at christmas time. She was really hoping that she would. She loved her family so, even if she didn't get to see them very much and they did annoy her quite often but she really did want to see them. She looked down at her hands and sighed slightly and then looked up at Louis hearing him say that. "I wish my dad would do this as well" Molly said simply and then looked over at him. Molly wasn't usually the kind of person to be down in the dumps, but she really cared for her parents and her family as well as her extended family. Molly then looked down at her hands and sighed. She really wished she could see her family that her father wasn't the biggest fan of.

Molly looked over at him. "Dad didn't want to go last year... I haven't seen him for 4 years which is quite upsetting," Molly said simply and then looked over at him. She really wished she could see them, but it probably wouldn't happen not if her mother could help it, she was guessing. "Thats an idea... you could" Molly said softly and then looked over at him. Molly was not going to get to see her family much that is what she was guessing. Molly smiled simply, "I'd love to hear some more stories that would be excelent. I can't see it happening though... well not any time soon at least," Molly said softly, "I hope dad lets us go there." She then stared at her hands and sighed as she thought about not getting to see her grandparents.

[Louis Weasley]

The truth was, Louis wasn’t sure of what he could say to make Molly feel better. It must have been hard for her to be stuck with a father like Percy. It wasn’t that Louis was complaining about who he was related to, but it was just a pity that they couldn’t all come together for the season. Especially when Grandma Molly and Grandpa Arthur had always been more than happy to let them all cram in the small space of their house. Still, at the back of his mind, Louis had never considered any of his Uncles to be a bad person, they just had different views on things and maybe, just maybe Percy wouldn’t mind compromising once in a while. “Hmm... I could ask dad if he’d talk to Uncle Percy,” Louis said thoughtfully. It was an idea, but he highly doubted that Percy would even listen to his father. He would probably politely decline the initiation instead. “But, I wouldn’t put my hopes up too high, my dad had been busy at the bank,” He added, making an excuse instead of voicing out what was playing in his head. It was easy to say his father would be busy than making a monster out of his own uncle. He was sure Percy had some good side... Maybe.

“Yeah, we did miss you and Lucy last year,” Louis said sincerely. Last Christmas was fun; however, he could help but felt that some of his cousins were left out. It was too bad that Molly had to miss out on Charlie retelling the story about the Hungarian Ridgeback that Harry had to battle during his fourth year. It was an amazing tale, one of which Louis loved to listen to year after year. “It just wasn’t the same without you and Lucy,” He added truthfully. As much as Louis was never comfortable around Percy, he had always enjoyed the company of his cousins; Molly and Lucy. It was ashamed that they weren’t around the year before. It would have been nice. “Enough talk about things that had passed,” Louis said quickly, trying not to dwell too much in the past. He knew enough it could never be good for anyone. Instead, he tried to change the subject again. “I’ll draw up a letter to Uncle Charlie later tonight,” Louis said excitedly. “Maybe he’ll get the reply to us in time.” He added with a reassuring smile.

[Molly Weasley]

Molly wasn't too sure about why she was in such a depressing mood. She got to go home right? She eas happy about that. Why should she be so sad about things that hadn't even happened yet. That was just crazy. She looked over at Louis when he said about talking to his father about her dad... "Its okay Louis, I think I can convince my dad to go and see Grandma and Grandpa. I've become quite convincing." Molly said in a little more cheerful of a way. She was sure she'd be able to convince her dad. Or at least she would try pretty hard. "My mom will just have to deal with it," Molly said softly. She then smiled thinking about how happy Lucy would be if she could convince her parents to go to Christmas dinner with the family.

"We had missed being there, mom was sick last year though, she didn't want to get anyone else sick... so none of us got to go" Molly said softly. She then smiled. She was glad to heard that her family had missed her sister and herself. She was happy to hear it when he said to talk about other things. "So, how have your classes been going?" Molly asked, her main concern really being about school work. She'd asked her parents for quills and books for christmas, she just really wanted to spend most of the break reading and writing letters to her friends, instead of spending time with her mom and dad. She got along with them, but not enough to spend the whole time with them.

[Louis Weasley]

Louis couldn’t help but felt slightly relieved when Molly turned down his offer. As much as he had loved the idea of having all of his cousins under one roof for Christmas, the last thing he wanted was for his father and Uncle Percy to ended up having an issue with each other. Not knowing just how long it would last either. The truth was, Louis never really knew the extension of his father’s patience towards his Uncle, vise versa. “I’ll look forward to seeing you and Lucy at The Burrow,” Louis said sincerely. It would be a nice idea to have Molly and Lucy for Christmas, but, knowing Percy, he would much rather not put his hopes up high too much. If Molly, Lucy and Aunt Audrey decided to show, that would be great, if they don’t, it would be just like last year, they missed them, but the show must go on.

“Aunt Audrey was sick?” Louis asked, sounding concerned. “I didn’t hear about that,” He added. It was the truth, what was it with adults and hiding things from children? The thought made Louis groaned slightly. He hated being treated like a kid just because he was the youngest. But, Molly didn’t dwell on the matter about her mother; instead, the conversation shifted its course when she decided to ask Louis about classes. Slightly amused by the question, Louis grinned. He never understood why people kept asking about his classes year after year when he had never even once whined about any of them. “I’ll get by,” Louis said. True, he did more than just ‘get by’, but he wasn’t going to boast about it. He was sure that anyone who knew him knew enough.

[Molly Weasley]

Molly looked over at Louis she knew that she may have some troubles convincing her parents to go to the family dinner it really all depended. Molly smiled then he said that he would look forward to seeing her and her sister at the Burrow that year. "I look forward to seeing.. everyone, will Victorie be going?" Molly asked with a little smile. Her and Victorie had always gottten along particularly well, she didn't even really understand why, she figured it was probably just because they were a lot alike.

Molly looked down at her feet softly and then sighed a little bit, thinking back to the last christmas her mom had been so sick, they were pretty worried about her. "Yeah, only Lucy, Dad and I knew about it, we made up some excuse I don't even know what it was, she was okay about a week or two after" Molly said softly and smiled a little about her mom getting better. Molly couldn't never think of things to change the topic to, but for Ravenclaws she knew it was almost always a safe assumption to ask about classes, especially Louis. She smiled at the 'I'll get by' she always got a bit of a smile when people said that, it didn't make perfect sense for Louis but it wasn't too too bad of a response.

[Louis Weasley]

“Well, there’s no way Maman and Dad would leave either Dom or I at home alone, but, I can’t speak for Victoire,” Louis said thoughtfully. The truth was; Louis wasn’t even sure if they would even see Victoire during the holidays, not with all the recent attacks and the fact he really hadn’t seen Victoire since the beginning of the term, though, he hadn’t shared about his concern of her with anyone so far, instead he had much rather hoped for the best. Of course, Louis had to hope to see his eldest sister for the holidays. It would be strange if they couldn’t at least share the Christmas dinner together. Still, Louis was not one to put too high of a hope on something either, after all, Victoire was an Auror and it wouldn’t surprise him if she ended up not showing her face. “She’d probably be busy,” Louis added, clarifying what he had meant when he said that he can’t speak on Victoire’s behalf. Then again, maybe Victoire would prefer to spend Christmas with Teddy without James walking in on them.

“I’m glad Aunt Audrey’s alright,” Louis said sincerely. Though he wasn’t at all close with his aunt, he still felt that it was only right to be at least concerned of her well being since they were family. “If you send a letter, do tell her I wish her best,” He added. Louis had always been rather polite to elders. Despite the fact that at times he found some that make his skin crawl with annoyance because of their ignorance. “And I promise I haven’t failed anything,” Louis said jokingly when he noticed a smile on Molly’s face. He knew that perhaps even Molly thought he wasn’t giving an honest answer, alas, he preferred not to think about it. After all, he hadn’t actually lied.

ooc; sorry for the late reply...