Molly Weasley bustled around the Burrow with her usual energy, orchestrating the preparation for lunch with practiced ease. The kitchen was alive with the clatter of pots and pans, the aroma of roast chicken mingling with the scent of freshly baked scones. As always, the Weasley home was a lively, somewhat chaotic place, filled with the sounds of children and the warmth of family.

When Rufus Scrimgeour, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Alastor Moody arrived in their sleek Ministry vehicle, Molly could not help but feel a pang of anxiety. She had heard whispers about the seriousness of the Ministry's concerns, but this was the first time the visit had felt so significant. Despite her reservations, she was determined to make a good impression. She greeted Arthur’s guests with a warm, albeit somewhat anxious, smile.

“Minister Scrimgeour, Kingsley, Moody, welcome to the Burrow,” she said, her voice steady though her heart was racing. “Lunch will be ready shortly. Please, make yourselves comfortable.”

As she directed her attention back to the kitchen, she was grateful for the opportunity to focus on something tangible. The roast chicken was browning perfectly, and she meticulously arranged the side dishes. It was a familiar comfort amidst the uncertainty of the visit.

During the meal, Molly noticed the guests’ subtle unease. Rufus Scrimgeour, though polite, seemed unusually focused on the Weasleys’ lives and the details of Arthur’s work. Molly tried to keep the conversation light and engaging, discussing the family’s day-to-day activities and, of course, the children’s latest exploits. Fred and George were in particularly high spirits, their laughter ringing out as they regaled their guests with tales of their latest pranks.

Molly felt a mixture of pride and exasperation as Fred and George animatedly described their newest inventions. She knew their antics were sometimes a source of concern, but they were her children, and she couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of affection for their boundless energy.

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However, Molly’s attempts to steer the conversation away from their pranks seemed futile. Rufus Scrimgeour’s apparent interest in the twins’ activities seemed genuine, though it struck Molly as somewhat peculiar. It wasn’t like him to be so invested in the whimsical inventions of teenagers.

The conversation eventually shifted to more serious topics, particularly the wealth redistribution law that Scrimgeour was advocating. Arthur was understandably skeptical, questioning the implementation and efficacy of the proposed measures. Molly, ever the optimist, tried to offer a more supportive perspective, hoping that the initiative might genuinely help those in need.

As the meal drew to a close, Molly was preoccupied with the unease she felt about the extended visit. She had sensed an underlying tension throughout the day, and her concerns only deepened when the conversation took a darker turn.

When Kingsley Shacklebolt’s questions about Percy’s pet rat, Scabbers, began to reveal something troubling, Molly’s heart sank. She could see the fear and confusion in her children’s faces, particularly in Ron’s panicked reaction. It was a painful contrast to the usual comfort and security of their home.

The revelation that Scabbers was, in fact, Peter Pettigrew was a blow that left Molly reeling. She had trusted Scabbers as part of their family for years, and the thought that he had been an animagus all along was almost too much to bear. Her emotions were a mix of betrayal and sorrow, and she struggled to maintain her composure in front of her family and the visiting Ministry officials.

As the evening unfolded, Molly’s mind raced with questions and fears. How had they not noticed the truth? What would happen next? The Burrow, which had always been a sanctuary of warmth and family, now felt like the epicenter of a dark and disturbing mystery. Molly could only hope that the Ministry’s intervention would bring clarity and resolution to the unsettling events that had unfolded in her home.