Even Though They Never Stick To Their Resolutions, Molly Has Made It A Weasley Tradition That The Whole

Even though they never stick to their resolutions, Molly has made it a Weasley tradition that the whole family must pick a resolution and share it with the others. One year, when the kids are grown and groaning about having to pick a resolution that they always ignore, Molly gets fed up and decides they’ll do this “Secret Santa” style. They’ll draw names out of a hat and pick anonymous resolutions for each other because she’s just not giving up on a resolution. One year she might actually meet her goal. She encourages the family to take this seriously by bribing them with a special Christmas meal in February if they take their resolutions seriously for just one month.

Molly’s assigned resolution is to stop critiquing her children for their appearance or identity, which she immediately protests but Arthur gently reminds her that this was her idea and perhaps one of her kids is trying to get her to realize something.

Arthur’s is to laugh more.

Bill’s is to visit home more.

Charlie’s is to write them letters first instead of always having to be written to first.

Percy’s is to try something new that doesn’t have to do with schoolwork.

Fred’s is to apologize when he upsets someone.

George’s is to take a risk just for himself.

Ron’s is to be more accepting of his strengths and good qualities.

Ginny’s is to at least be honest with herself about her feelings.

Just the resolutions they assign to each other stir up some complaining and questions. Molly insists she doesn’t critique, just be a mother. Percy complains he’s already got enough on his plate. Fred is sure Percy is just trying to get Fred to stop teasing him, which is not going to happen. George has no idea what his resolution even means, and Ginny insists she doesn’t get hers either. Ron just sulks. Arthur, Bill, and Charlie are the only ones to start out with a good attitude about their resolutions.

But one of Molly’s decadent Christmas meals so soon again has them all at least willing to try. When Molly sees that, she agrees to try as well.

It’s a very trying month. A lot of stuff spills out between the family. With Molly pursing her lips, Ginny finally feels free admitting that she’s a girl and she can be a girl and a tomboy and that’s okay. And she’s bi (”welcome to the club, sis” Bill tells her). George is coming out as aromantic (which earns him a high five from aroace Charlie). Even Percy is admitting that he’s asexual (he rolls his eyes at the high five, though). Molly’s first instinct is to deny all this, but a look from Arthur has her pursing her lips and going silent, actually resulting in her doing some soul searching.

Percy’s new thing happens to be dating, which he’s more comfortable doing after saying out loud that he’s asexual and feeling like he can tell others, too. Charlie never knows what to say, so he takes advice from Tonks on what he should say. His resolution ends up helping Arthur to fulfill his own assigned resolution to laugh more. George helps Fred understand what his resolution means, and Fred helps George realize what his resolution means. When Hermione calls out one of their pranks, Fred actually apologizes to her and the third year tester, who had really just wanted to hang out with the twins. George decides to go for it with Angelina, who tells him she’s flattered and honestly feels the same but doesn’t want anything to ruin their Quidditch dynamic. It’s disappointing but also somewhat freeing for George, who usually doesn’t do anything if it doesn’t involve Fred.

As resistant as Molly is towards accepting that her resolution, it’s Ron who really has the hardest time with his own resolution. No clarifying moment comes to Ron to get him to stop comparing himself to his brothers (or Harry). It’s a lot of support from his siblings, whom he’s embarrassed to talk to about this, and Hermione and Harry that ensures he sees any progress at all, as small as it is.

It’s one of the best Christmas dinners they have, especially since they’ll get two that year. It surprises them who assigned their resolutions, though. Molly was sure hers was Bill, but it turns out to be a grinning Ginny, who’s smiling and laughing and talking more freely now that Molly is finally calling her Ginny. Arthur thought his might be one of the twin’s - probably George, but it turns out to be Molly, who kisses him and tells him she loves his laugh and he deserves happiness. Bill thought his was probably Molly’s, but it’s Fred, who does enjoy his visits but also enjoy’s their mother’s attention being a little diverted away from him and George’s own shenanigans. Charlie thought his might be Bill’s so there was less pressure for him to regularly write but was completely surprised to learn it came from Percy, who feels comforted by letters from his older brothers, feels like he can also make his own place in the world after Hogwarts. Percy was sure his resolution was from Fred, who just wanted him to make a fool of himself or take himself less seriously, but Bill winks and tells him not to forget there’s more to life than just classes. (”School is still important!” Molly can’t help but cut in.) Fred had wondered if his wasn’t from Bill trying to get him to mature just a tad or something, but a red-faced Ron admits it was him and that sometimes he takes it too far. Fred bites his lip and apologizes for ruining spiders forever for Ron, who actually genuinely laughs. Ron suspected Ginny might have given him his, but Arthur gives him a warm, fatherly smile, and tells him he hates seeing him so conflicted and down about his own abilities and potential. Which leaves Ginny realizing her resolution was from George, though she had suspected Charlie, who had been the first in their family to come out and the first who had realized Ginny might have her own secret to tell. George gently slaps her on the back and reminds her that that some of the rest of them were intuitive and knew their siblings pretty well, thank you very much. Ginny gets up to hug him and thank him. She’s so much happier now.

All in all, it turns out to be a pretty good start to the new year.