POV Arthur Weasley
— Darling, enough, there's nothing we can do about the magical engagement anyway. — Arthur exhaled tiredly and looked at his wife, the look of displeasure on her face something the man had learned to use to his advantage over the years.
— What do you mean, "Enough!" — Molly didn't shout, as she was wont to do in public, for shock value and to demonstrate her rudeness, but she didn't lower her voice too much either — it was just her and her husband in the house anyway. — Do you see what's going to happen now?
— You are overdramatizing the situation. — The man sighed heavily again and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
— No, you don't seem to understand... — the woman fixed a penetrating gaze on her husband's face and literally refused to let him go. — We don't have THAT much money to pay him, and Harry can get himself out of danger. — It wasn't easy for the woman to admit it, but the knowledge of her son's adventures and those of his friends depressed her, not only because of the danger to her children, but because where Potter had gotten off scot-free, most adults would have scratched their heads. Molly was sure that either what Dumbledore had said about Lily's blood protection was true, or the boy was phenomenally lucky, which was even better than the first. — You've heard Ron's stories, and we've seen his memories together, so there's no chance.
— Yes, — Arthur nodded, acknowledging his wife's words, — the information about the adventures of a trio of troublemakers always comes as an unpleasant surprise. Not in the sense that some plans didn't come to fruition or opportunities were missed, but in the sense that the Headmaster allowed all these situations to happen at Hogwarts in the first place. Arthur couldn't help it — vows are meant to be made wisely, and it was only years later that the man realized how important it was, but it was too late to object. — So I don't understand your hesitation, my dear.
— He doesn't. — The woman shook her head and sighed heavily. — We have a debt to repay for saving Ginny, you realize that, don't you? — The woman studied her husband's face in silence for a few seconds, then sighed heavily again and shook her head. — You read the book, didn't you? Did you read it carefully? — The man shrugged, but his eyes were still filled with incomprehension and skepticism. — Arthur, you're the head of the family, so why should I think for you as well as myself? Why haven't you realized the value your parents have left you over the years?
— Why don't you understand? The book is very clear about the vows and oaths, and I understand what they mean, and I appreciate the book. — Arthur took offense, which was telling.
— You and Ron are so much alike sometimes, — the woman sighed, shaking her head disapprovingly. — Sometimes you don't realize the value of a treasure that is literally within your reach. — The woman was silent for a while, then continued in a half-whisper and to the side. — And such a girl... such potential... and he, the fool, doesn't even realize it... — sighing again, and also making a mental note to talk to her youngest son about this topic when the summer vacation starts, Molly returned to the topic of conversation.
— Do you realize that no one else in Britain has such a complete set of magical laws? Not even the Black Library had a complete version, let alone the other clans. Your clan, Arthur, had preserved the most valuable thing they'd ever had, and you hadn't even bothered to study that treasure, only to read about the oaths and vows you'd foolishly made to Dumbledore. Though if you hadn't been so lazy in your youth, you could have avoided those mistakes even then. — The woman rarely mentioned the latter — only occasionally, but when the opportunity presented itself, she didn't miss it: what if her husband thought a little more about it and started thinking "before" instead of "after"? And then, Merlin was not joking, he might start teaching the children the same thing... though it was unlikely.
— Please, don't start! — The man grimaced: this subject was like a bone in his throat, but he couldn't deny that his wife was right.
— Because of your infantilization, I have to think for you. — The wife pointed her finger at her husband, and Arthur just shrugged. — You see? — Molly shook her head again. — And if you won't or can't think for yourself, then listen to what I'm saying. And what I'm saying is that Ginny's Life Debt needs to be repaid, and if Dumbledore hadn't intervened with his 'it's too soon, they're just children' attitude, it would have been done already. Now we're going to have to go all the way. — The woman looked very determined at that moment, a familiar fire in her eyes... not always a good thing, so Arthur pulled himself up immediately, frowning slightly.
— I hope you're not going to... — the man began, but his wife cut him off, immediately catching her husband's train of thought.
— Unlike you, my dear Lazy, I have studied the book thoroughly, and therefore I understand what we can and cannot do. — The woman paused meaningfully, once again jabbing her spouse with his unwillingness to learn. — We will not harm Harry, but what is to prevent us from influencing what is in the boy's best interest? I didn't take vows and oaths with Albus... that much. — Molly had to admit with a grimace. — So I might as well explain something to the heir and last male of the magical family.
— Albus won't like it.
— I don't give a damn about him! Because of him and that narrow-eyed man, we missed the best option.
At these words, Arthur just looked up, hiding a heavy sigh.