Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1
August 1976
Percival Ignatius Weasley is born just as red-headed as his two older brothers. Unlike his brothers, he is a tiny wisp of a babe. Bill and Charlie had both been of a fairly large size, Charlie being particularly plump. Born a month early, Percy seems much more fragile. At least to his mother's eyes.
Arthur Weasley talks quietly with the midwitch, discussing what steps should be taken next in his new baby's care. He nods attentively. “Yes, of course,” he says. His eyes, however are stuck on his wife.
Molly Weasley frets and fusses over her smallest child. Tear tracks are still visible on her face, from both, the labor and her happiness. She strokes a finger gently down his little cheek. “Couldn't wait to come out!”
The midwitch smiles and says, “Yes, well, he’s gonna be a proper driven lad, mark my words.”
Arthur smiles too, chest puffing out proudly. “Eager little chap, isn't he?”
“My little Percy.” Molly says, holding her baby close against her chest. “I'll get you proper plump and rosy in no time.”
“Very well, all seems to be in order. You know who to floo if you need anything.” The midwitch says, content with a job well done. “Congratulations!”
Arthur shakes her hand vigorously, “Yes! Thank you!”
“Rosie,” Molly adds, “Would you be a dear and tell my brothers to come in?”
“Of course,” She replies, closing the door gently as she leaves the room.
Not a moment later, the couple hears joyful shouts from the other side of the wall. Fabian and Gideon burst in with wide smiles, ferrying in two little red-headed boys by the hand.
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December 1977
Much to Bill's delight and Charlie's annoyance, Percy toddles after his brothers all day long. He wobbles every now and then, but the little boy gets steadier and faster every day.
"Catch!" Says Bill, eyes bright as he throws the soft ball at Charlie.
They've been throwing it back and forth for a while now, wasting no chance to call each other's name or announce their throw. Sometimes it's said calmly, sometimes it's yelled between giggles, and sometimes it's a frustrated shout after one too many failures at catching the ball.
"Ugh!" Charlie stomps a foot as the ball slips right past his fingers. He scrunches his nose in displeasure, but he picks the ball backup. This time, he throws it as hard as he can, "Bill!"
"Woah," Bill startles and fumbles, but the ball doesn't hit the ground. He grins at his little brother. "Good one!"
Just like that, Charlie's frown disappears, replaced by a wide grin and an extra bounce in his feet. "Yes!"
The happy shout reaches all the way to the kitchen. Molly smiles a little and waves her wand towards the potatoes, hard at work making supper for her boys.
Percy, seeing his brothers so excited, also joins in with wordless shouts of celebration. He smiles when they smile and shouts when they shout and he bounces with excitement every time they throw the ball. On and on it goes, their voices rising and falling above the distant sounds of their mom's cooking.
"Here!"
"Catch!"
"Charlie!"
"Bill!"
"Catch this!"
"Yes!" Charlie holds the ball up in the air. "Pehcy, catch!"
"Wait-!"
Percy looks up at his name just as the throw is in motion. The ball bounces off his head and the little boy falls down on his bum with a startled thump.
“Charlie!” Bill scolds him. They both rush towards the toddler.
“I’m sorry! I forgot he's too little!”
Percy looks up at his brothers with big watering eyes. Bill bends down to wrap his arms around him and stand him back up, still hugging the little boy, “You're alright, Percy.”
“Please don't cry!” Charlie adds helpfully. Right on cue, little Percy starts to wail. “Oh buggerit!”
“Charlie!” Bill dismays, frantically patting Percy on the back to calm him. “Don't cry, it's alright!”
“What’s all this fuss about?!” Their mother bustles into the room, heading straight for the smallest boy. “Oh dear!”
She takes the toddler into her arms and shoots a look at her other sons. “Bill! Charlie! What happened?”
“I’m sorry, mummy! I told him he's too little!”
“Twasn’t me! He just fell!”
“Boys!”
“Charlie said a naughty word!”
“I didn't!”
“Charlie!” Their mum scolds, but quickly turns her attention to her youngest, who is still fussing. She pats him back gently as she soothes him. “Shh… It’s alright love, you're alright.”
After a moment, the sniffles dies down and Percy is calm again. The two eldest brothers look at each other and down at the floor.
“I'm sorry, mummy.” Says Bill.
“Bih!” Says Percy, still perched on their mother’s arms, now holding out his hands towards his oldest brother. As nothing happens, he starts to wiggle. “Bih!”
Their mum sighs, “Oh, alright then.” She sets little Percy down, who immediately toddles towards Bill. “Be careful, you lot!”
“Yes, mummy.” Properly reassured and the urgency gone, their mother walks back to the kitchen, a hand on her back to alleviate the discomfort caused be her swollen belly.
Crisis averted, the boys resume playing.
---
March 1978
“Mummy! Pay!”
“I'm sorry dear, mummy can't play right now.” Molly says, one hand holding a cup of tea, the other rubbing her stomach. She holds back a wince as she feels a vicious little kick right near where her hand rests.
Little Percy, innocently oblivious to his mother's discomfort, scrunches up his nose and tries again, “Pay!”
“No my love, not right now.” Molly says again. She frowns a bit and turns her head to the side, calling for her wayward sons. “Bill! Charlie!”
From up the stairs, a child's voice calls down, “Wha’ is it?”
“Charlie! Come down here a moment. Bring your brother.”
“Coming!” The five year old hops down the steps with no regard for his mother's nerves. He's followed by his older brother only slightly more sedately.
“Biw! Chawie!” Percy doesn't waste a chance, “Pay!” He demands.
“Hi, mum! Hi, Percy!” Says Bill, as if he hadn't seen them twenty minutes ago. Always a charmer!
“Hi, dear.” She smiles, “Do me a favor, the two of you, and play with your brother.” She says, nodding towards the toddler.
Charlie scrunches up his nose just like Percy had a moment ago. “Do we have to?”
Molly gives him a stern look, “Yes.”
“But he's a baby! He can't do anything!”
“Charlie…”
“It's alright!” Says Bill, “We can play Giants! Percy will be the tiny wizard who snuck into our land!”
“Okay!” Charlie's eyes widen with excitement. “And I'm the biggest giant ever! And we have pet dwagons! And then! And then…”
“We chase the little wizard!” Says Bill, suddenly tickling Percy and chasing him around the room as the toddler shrieks with laughter.
Charlie grins, running to cut Percy off and giving his best attempt at a fearsome roar. Percy's giggles grow louder as he tries to flee again, now running straight towards Bill. Bill catches him with arms wide open and throws himself onto the ground dramatically, “Ah! The wizard got me! Charlie! Help!”
“I'll save you!” Charlie roars once again as loud as he can.
Molly shakes her head fondly as she watches them run around. A smile tugs on her lips even as the shrieks of laughter rage war on her headache. She looks down when she feels yet another kick against her hand. “I hope you two are quieter than this lot.”
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April 1978
The twins are not quiet in any way, shape, or form.