Ron's Decision

Ron entered the empty classroom to find Professor Snape sitting at his desk among a pile of parchments. A massive book on foreign growing roots sitting on the edge.



He set down his quill as Ron approached him, weaving his fingers together. “Madame Pomfrey said you may have questions, but wouldn’t they we better suited to Professor Sprout?”



Ron gave an uneasy smile and nodded. “I’ve already spoken to her, and I understand everything that happened to me.” He gestured to the book. “Were you able to harvest anything from the dried leaves?”



“No, the plant is only of use when it is in full bloom. As you can surmise, it’s uses revolve around fertility problems.” He continued to watch Ron as he paced. “What is it you want?”



Ron had thought over and over about how he would say what he wanted to say. He had finally decided that being up front and blunt was the best way, however face to face with this man made him rethink his position. Yet, he wasn’t in Gryffindor for nothing.



“I would like you to donate for me.” He said, halting his movements, and standing still. “I would like this chance, and your help to have it.”



Severus was floored. This was in no way close to anything he could imagine Weasley asking for. He was essentially asking to get pregnant and by him! This was not something he would answer without thought and a hell of a lot more information. “Mr. Weasley, would you come with me?”



Ron followed him back into his office. It was filled with books, and stacks of parchments, as if it was transfigured into the room-of-missing-assignments. He sat in a chair that Professor Snape pulled out for him, then tried to relax as he sat in a chair beside him.



“Now, I did hear correctly when you ask me to donate semen so you can have Madame Pomfrey inseminate you, didn’t I?” He spoke calmly, and Ron was grateful. As nervous as he was, he was glad one of them could remain on control.



“Yes Sir. You heard right.” He said.



“Well then, you can hardly be surprised that I would have questions for you.” He lifted a single eyebrow.



“I knew you would. I will answer them all, well as best I can explain myself. I’m not as bookish as you,” he looked about at the stacks of books on the shelves, “but I will try and be as clear as possible.”



Severus nodded, and inhaled deeply, letting it out slowly. “Why do you want a baby? You are young, and almost done with school? Why do this?”



This was easy enough for Ron to answer, he had been thinking since he had found out what happened. “To be honest Professor, I’m sure you have heard, its no secret that I am gay.” The older man nodded. “I had al but given up on the chance to be a father without some kind of agreed upon arrangement. The thought of sharing a baby with someone else pales when compared to the family was raised in. Adopting a child with another man is of course but I would be subjected to a panel that looked into every aspect of my life, trying to judge me by their standard. This child would be mine, my own genes, my own blood, mine to raise. I’m not sure if that makes sense but that’s what I want. A baby of my own.”



Severus was silent for a moment before he spoke. “I understand it. I’m gay as well.”



“Yes, I know.” He shut his eyes as the Severus looked closer at him.



“How did you know, may I ask?” Severus didn’t live in the closet, he hadn’t since his own Hogwart’s days, but he was curious as to how Weasley knew it.



“I was at the Rainbow festival this summer.” Severus nodded, remembering the picnic in celebration of gay pride.



“I could have been a supporter, as there were several heterosexuals who attend the fair routinely.” He suggested.



Ron grinned at him. “Do they support gay pride by snogging other men?”



Severus gave a single chuckle. “I didn’t kiss him, he kissed me.” Ron could merely smile and nodded, as if sensing the crap that was handed to him. “You have always felt this way about children?”



“No. When Madame Pomfrey told me what happened, I began thinking seriously about it. When I realized I was gay, my mother and father each knew I would not have a traditional family so I thought about it only briefly then. Now that this chance is mine, I thought more and more, and of course spoke to Harry and Hermione.” He admitted, although it was a given that the trio shared everything among themselves.



“They knew you were coming to me?” His face held a great deal of doubt.



“They unknowingly confirmed what I was thinking.” He said.



“What exactly does that mean?” He asked, leaning closer.



“When I made up my mind to have a baby, I knew I would go to you. When I asked Harry and Hermione their opinion, they only strengthened what believed.” He said.



“What did they say?”



“Harry told me to go to someone older than myself. An older man would have the patience and maturity to deal with the situation as unusual as it is. An older man would probably want a family of his own too, if he wanted children at all.” He stopped and as he still had the full attention of the man he was speaking to, he continued. “Hermione told me an older man would also be established enough to support both the child and me while I care for it. To be honest, I wouldn’t like a nanny or au pair. I was raised without one.”



“I was also raised without one.” Severus confirmed. “You said they strengthened what you already decided. Why me?”



Ron swallowed. He knew this would happen. He couldn’t avoid this question and it was only fair that he didn’t. “I wanted to come to you Sir, because you would understand how I feel, and just like Harry and Hermione said, you would be able to make sure the child was provided for, but aside from all that, you would value this chance the way I do. If you wanted children, you would have to seek an alternative method as well. You would have to share a baby. This way, if we work together, we can give this child a real family. Not an adopted family, or a summer trade off. A family like I had, with two parents.”



Severus fell silent and thought carefully. This was obviously something Weasley had given a great deal of concentration to, given as short a time as he had to think on it. He was citing his case with clear examples and using his own family as a model.



He thought about his own parents and how many times he fell asleep listening to arguments. His model of parenthood had been an example of what you shouldn’t do. To this day, he disliked conflict in relationships and was unhappy when they turned sour. This young man however was offering him something he had thought was unobtainable. Fatherhood.



One previous partner of his had mentioned adopting a child, however he didn’t see himself committed forever to that particular man. A family to Severus meant a firm lifelong commitment. His parents may not have been harmonious but they were married and neither strayed from the other.



He looked over at Ron, who was watching him intently. “What will you do, if I refuse?”



“Let the opportunity pass me by.” His voice was somewhat sad.



“What about Potter, Longbottom even?” He didn’t know why he was pushing it, but he was.



“I want a partner to raise this child with, not a donor. Potter and Longbottom cant support themselves let alone a child, and even if I chose to work, the child would end up with someone else for most of the day.” He ran his hand through his hair then looked back at him. “I hate to make it sound as if money is a factor, but in a sense it is. Women have been judging a man on how well he can take care of them and any children that come along, I’m doing the same. You have the resources to allow me to care for our child, not strangers. That’s father material.”



Severus didn’t know how to respond to that. He had never considered himself husband material, let alone father material. This ginger Gryffindor considered him worth having a child with, and for some reason Severus took pride in that. However, if he was to provide what was needed, then it was only fair that he would be considered in the equation as well.



“I need to be assured of a few things before I agree to this.” He ventured.



“Of course.” Ron was watching him with avid interest. He was ready to agree to anything for this. The desire for a child had increased when he saw how the Professor was listening to him. It meant that it would be possible and that appealed to him.



“First of all, you mentioned a partner, and I agree in every sense. If we do this, then you live at Spinner’s End, not the Burrow. I want to live with my child, not visit it.” He said.



“I’m fine with that.” He was secretly pleased. He didn’t want to have a baby at home while under the watchful eye of his mother, but he wasn’t going to tell her that.



Severus nodded, and moved on. “And if we raise this child together, we do it together. Each decision involves both of us, especially the important ones. I am not adverse to asking parents even friends for advice, but the final words should be ours.”



“I couldn’t agree more.” He said, continuing to meet his eyes.



Severus felt more and more sure of this. “You mentioned staying home with the child afterwards, what plans did you have for afterwards.”



Ron was a bit confused. Why was he sidetracking? “I plan to design broomsticks but that can wait until I have more time and a bigger savings to do it. My brothers have offered to help, but I haven’t decided.”



“Then when you are ready you will let me finance your designs.” He stated.



“That’s not necc…..”



“Listen to me.” He leaned forward, focusing on Ron. “You said you wanted someone who could support the child and you while you care for it. Consider this part of it. Consider it a loan if you wish. When your designs begin to pay off for themselves, return it.” He would say what he had to say to get him to agree, even though he had no intention of taking it back.



Ron thought for a few moments and couldn’t find anything wrong with it that was severe enough to refuse. “Alright then, when I am ready, we will work it out then.”



Severus nodded. This final request could go badly, but he had to have it. “You also said you wanted a real family, so do I.” Ron nodded. “Everything that a family entails Ron.” He gave him a pointed look.



“I understand.” Ron said. “You want sex.”



“I want a partner. Sex I can get from everyone. If we share the responsibilities of having a family, then we share everything, including a bed. I wont demand anything from you, but if we are going to be a family, then we will be a real one.”



Ron gave him a small smile. “I know, and I have no problem with it.”