Letters From Molly

A.N.: Thank you to all who have reviewed so far. I am so pleased you are enjoying this. I hope you enjoy this first letter as much. Thank you as always to my wonderful pre-beta nattieb, and my beta Melandry for all the hard work they do. I hope you enjoy.

William, Billy, Bill:

My dearest, firstborn son. You will forever hold a special place in my heart. You introduced me to a love I never knew could exist. In a world that was being turned upside down by evil, you came into the world pure, offering nothing less than love to me and your father. Your life gave my life meaning again, showing me what I had always been meant to do: be a mother.

There are so many things I remember from your early years. Your first steps, your first word (wand) - so many moments I will never forget. I remember fondly the first time you ever told me you loved me. I was pregnant with Charlie and having an especially hard day. You were playing with your toy broom in the family room and I was lying on the sofa watching you. I remember you stopping and staring at me for a few moments before you came over to me and took your pudgy toddler hand, rubbed my face and said "I wuv you, mummy." My heart soared. Tired as I was, those few words gave me a boost of energy and I played with you the rest of the afternoon.

When I realized I was pregnant with Charlie, I was worried that you would be jealous and that you would feel ignored. I also worried whether I would be able to love another child as much as I loved you. When I finally got to see you after Charlie's birth, you plopped yourself right on the bed next to me, gave me a sloppy kiss, and asked to see the baby.

Your father gently placed Charlie in your arms, helping you hold him. He began to talk to you and tell you all the things you could teach Charlie when he was big like you. After that you took on the role of big brother quickly and with ease and I couldn't remember why I ever doubted how you would react. You were protective (as always) of him, never letting anyone hold him before they passed your inspection, and taking the time he was being held by someone else to "love mummy."

Charlie quickly became your best friend as he grew older and I was so grateful for that, especially when I found out I was pregnant with Percy. You and Charlie were always doing things together (mostly getting into trouble), but you always kept him safe, taking your role as big brother very seriously even then.

As you gained more brothers over the years, and finally a sister, your established role of big brother (or biggest brother, as you informed Charlie when you were seven or eight) never wavered. You took control, keeping all your siblings in line during lessons or entertaining the younger ones while I worked around the house. You always seemed willing to help everyone, and that included helping your father and me and making sure that both of us were taken care of.

It really wasn't just your family that you looked after, either. I noticed that when you first met Harry and Hermione you immediately took them under your wing, commenting that since they didn't have big brothers you were happy to be theirs as well. You did the same with the Order, always stepping up and making sure others did their part.

Your father and I were never prouder of you than while you were at Hogwarts. You excelled in your studies, you were a Prefect, and you became Head Boy. You escorted two of your brothers in turn to the Hogwarts Express while your father and I watched. When you finally graduated and decided to leave for Egypt, I knew my life would never be the same without you there in the house.

Those years seemed to pass quickly, and we saw you less and less. I was so pleased when you decided to move back to England. It meant so much to all of us for you to be nearby, but especially to me. I don't know if I ever told you how much I relied on you for help in this family. With your fathers work he was often away from home; I knew the boys needed someone to look up to, and Ginny adored you. You always told me that I was the number one woman in your life; I think that was why I had such a hard time, at first, accepting Fleur.

When you Flooed home that day and told me that you were planning on getting married I didn't know what to think. You were my baby and I knew there was no one in this world good enough for you. Fleur was (and is) a lovely a girl and I was worried, though I am now ashamed to admit it, that she was with you solely for shallow reasons I tried not to show my concerns over the marriage but I knew deep down that this new woman, this woman who was taking my baby away from me, was going to break your heart.

It is hard for most members of this family, but I will admit when I am wrong. After the attack at Hogwarts a month before your wedding, I learned how wrong I was. Fleur has been a wonderful addition to this family and her strength has aided you so much. I look on her now as one of my own.

The struggles you have endured through the years since you were attacked have been many. When the goblins of Gringotts found out about the attack you were quietly sacked, and have since struggled to find a steady job, but you get by. I know you are proud of what you are able to provide for your family. The hardest struggle was when you learned you were unable to have children with Fleur. But you adopted three wonderful babies who have been blessings to this family.

I know through the years I have clung tightly to you, begging you to cut your hair (and you still need a bit of a trim) and such. Always remember though, Bill, it was out of love-something I know you know. No matter what Ginny says, I love you all the same amount, though in different ways; I am sure you understand that after raising children of your own. You are and always will be my baby.

I know you realize the full meaning of this letter: that my life is finally coming to its end. I want you to always remember one thing: if you miss me, or if you ever need me, just remember I will always live in your heart. I will always be watching over you, loving you always.

I loved you first, so I've loved you longest.

Mum

Bill lifted his head to gaze at his sleeping mother. His eyes shed tears onto the parchment that bore the letter she had so tenderly written for him. He rose from the chair he had been sitting in beside her bed and knelt on the floor, his head resting beside her hand as he wept. He soon felt her hand stroking his hair and soothing him the way only a mother could.