InsaneJournal

A Modern-Day Romantic

                "I must admit," said Molly, "I never fancied you much of a romantic."

                Mundungus just grinned. "Well, then you have me all wrong. It's a criminal type who's going to put the most stock in love, if you really think on it."

                "Why's that?" said Molly, clearing his dish after he nodded, indicating he was done.

                "I've dealt everything from drugs to sex to cauldrons that double as portable toilets." He paused a moment to revel in the redness of her face. "Even a life can be bought, for the proper ransom. But you can't steal love, nope. You can't."

                She turned back toward him, away from the sink, looking at him for a moment. "Well. That's—"

                "Beautiful?" he grinned and stood. "Yeah, well, what can I say? I'm a charming fella." He stretched a bit. "Tell Arthur hi, eh? I'm, uh, sorry about, well, my behavior at the raid last month. But, I espect he's used to all that by now."

                "Yes, I suppose so," said Molly distractedly. She sniffed the air as he left. He still smelled awful, dressed awful, and had appalling manners of speech and lifestyle. But he knew the importance of love, and for that she had to respect him.

                He turned around in the doorway. "Yep. You understand, don't ya? A tumble's just a tumble without love as a basis. All criminals, at least the smart ones, keep that in mind. Love is when you can look up and go, 'Well look at this, in't this nice? I'm being screwed up the arse for who I am, not just 'cause I'm so pretty.' Or, maybe not the arse, in your case. Then again, maybe so." He tipped an imaginary hat, giving her one last glance before turning around.

                Molly's wide eyes stared at the swinging kitchen door as he laughed to himself, heading toward the front entrance. Mundungus really did seem to have to ruin everything. "What a modern-day romantic," she frowned. She sighed and rolled her eyes.