Hold Me Close

Love

“The Canons are going to go all the way this year,” Ron said, tossing the Remembrall up and down idly.


“I think so too,” Stacy said, blushing slightly.


“It’s nice to talk to a girl about Quidditch for once,” Ron said smiling.


“Your girlfriend doesn’t like Quidditch?” Stacy asked incredulously.


“Nah. She doesn’t really like anything but books,” Ron said, chuckling.


“How on Earth did you end up with a girl like that?” Stacy asked, then turned pink.


“You know, I’m not really sure,” Ron said, frowning slightly.


It had never really occurred to him just how little he and Hermione had in common. Their relationship really didn’t make any sense.


“Can I ask you a question?” Ron asked, shifting the Remembrall to his other hand.


“Sure,” Stacy said, tucking a blonde lock behind her ear.


“Have you ever been mad about someone you knew you couldn’t have?”


Stacy nodded, looking at the floor.


“Me too,” Ron said, looking at her pretty blue eyes.


Suddenly, Ron wrapped his arms around Stacy, and kissed her softly on the lips. Stacy kissed him back for several moments before she pulled away, face blushing furiously.


“Ron, this is wrong. She’s pregnant. You’re going to be a father. We can’t…..”


“What if we could?”


“I could never come between you two. I could never be a part of that, Ron. That other woman is the reason my parents aren’t together anymore. I can’t be that other woman,” she said, her eyes glistening with tears.


“What if I wasn’t with her. What if she wasn’t pregnant with my child?” Ron asked, being very careful to choose his words.


If he actually said he wasn’t with her, and that the baby wasn’t his, he would die.


“But you are. And she is,” Stacy said softly.


“If she wasn’t though. Would you be with me? Would you be my witch?”


“Ron, life doesn’t work that way. We can’t erase what time has done. In the hypothetical event that you weren’t with her, and that wasn’t your baby, then yes. I would be honored to be your witch. You make my whole world stop,” she trailed off, her eyes dreamy. “but we can’t let this happen, we just can’t,” she continued, tears forming.


Ron kissed her again, hungrily claiming her mouth. He loved the way she tasted. He loved the feel of her delicate curves against him. He felt like he had never felt before. He thought he loved Hermione. When he held Stacy in his arms, he realized he never knew what love was until that moment. He never wanted to let her go.


“Ron, this is wrong. We can’t do this again,” Stacy said when he finally released her.


“I know,” Ron said softly.


He had to talk to McGonagall, and soon.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Hermione held her hand against her swelling abdomen. Severus had come to her again last night. She shuddered delightfully as she remembered his fingers trailing on her skin. She wished she could go back to that moment and never leave it.


He had been summoned by Voldemort. She was worried that the news of her pregnancy had made it back to him. If it had, she would not be able to lend any practical help in the search for the horcruxes. She knew she couldn’t put the baby at an increased risk.


She could lend her brain though. There could be any number of places to find that cup, and she knew she could help them figure it out, even if she couldn’t help them destroy it. Hopefully she would not have to worry about it. Hopefully, Voldemort had not discovered her condition.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


“Professor McGonagall?” Ron asked as he entered her office.


“Yes, Mr. Weasley. What is it I can help you with?” she asked, inviting him to sit down.


“I need to talk to you,” Ron said, taking the comfortable armchair in front of Minerva’s heavy mahogany desk.


She looked at him expectantly.


“I want to let someone else in on the oath.” he said nervously.


“Mr. Weasley, have you lost your mind?” Minerva began.


“I’m in love. I know she could keep it secret. I love her, and I want to be with her,” Ron said, his eyes sorrowful.


“Mr. Weasley, I am sorry. It is too big of a risk. You would have to tell her you have a secret, and that she would be willing to take the oath. You cannot let her take it blindly. If you can convince her to take the oath, then I will consider obliging. I want to hear from her myself that she is aware of the risks and willing to take them. This had better be love, Mr. Weasley. Don’t let me down,” Minerva said sternly.


“Thank you, Professor,” Ron said grinning broadly. “You won’t regret it.”


He turned to go.


“Mr. Weasley?”


“Yes, Professor?”


“If by some miracle, this witch is willing to put her life on the line for you, you had better be discreet. One misstep, and your reputation could be shattered, not to mention the risk you would be taking for the Order.”


“Yes, Professor. I understand,” Ron said seriously.


Minerva stared at the door Ron had just closed behind him. After all, she understood what it was like to be in love.


A/N: I couldn’t leave Ron miserable. After all, what he agreed to was pretty admirable. Please Review.