HPNSA - BOOK ONE

CHAPTER 3 – RON FINDS OUT
TIMELINE: MIDDLE OF 4TH YEAR TO MIDDLE OF 5TH YEAR




“I say he is…” Fred said. Ron had just told him and George that he had kissed Harry on the lips and was now feeling all weird about it. “You’ve always had this thing for Harry, that was quite obvious. It was only a matter of time before it got out into the open.”

“Shut up, Fred!” Ron said, suddenly regretting the decision. “It’s not helping. I could have kept this to myself you know. I shared it with you both to get some help…not so you can mock me.” Ron knew it was a bad idea sharing intimacies like this with his twin brothers, them being famous for being pranksters.

However, he was desperate. Normally he’d share this with Harry but seeing that this IS about Harry, that wasn’t an option. He thought of sharing it with Ginny, but figured she was far too young to be violated by such thoughts. Then he tried to tell Hermione. He almost made it but the thought of her never looking at him the same way again scared him. He was unsure of this ‘thing’ with Harry is just a phase he’s going through or for real. He considered it for a while, but decided against it as it would spoil his chances with her since he fancies her as well.

“I need help…” He said finally, almost begging them to be serious.

The twins knew how difficult the situation was; Ron’s feelings were deeper, far deeper than the kind of sexual libido most kids his age experience during puberty. There were many signs that he loved Harry even before he was aware of it. He sticks up for him during the most dangerous situations like the chess game during their first year at Hogwarts. Risking all odds to rescue Harry from the Dursleys when they locked him in his room due to Dobby’s work, then later on helping him through the Chamber of Secrets. Last year he risked a phone call just to talk to him.

“Why don’t you just tell him then…” George suggested - it almost made Ron choke on the butterbeer he just gulped.

“Are you mad? Why would I tell him that?” He asked after a minute, though deep inside he was considering the suggestion.

“Well, you’ve got nothing to loose. He’s your best friend Ronald. The good thing about best friends is that they would not judge you for being honest.” George answered.

“Though, the friendship may sour if he doesn’t feel the same way about you.” Added Fred.

This made Ron think: Does he? Harry did kiss him back. Harry may feel something for him, Ron thought. It was a risk that might be worth taking after all.

“Does he?” Fred said, gingerly raising his eyebrows a bit to emphasize the question.

Ron just smiled at his two brothers and after making them swear to secrecy left to plan on how to tell Harry about how he really feels.

Ron found Harry in their room in the Gryffindor Dormitory that day, alone and doing their essay for Professor Binns.

“Ron…” Harry said upon seeing him; he was lying on his stomach and was only able to finish half a parchment, they needed four. A lot of parchment was on the floor crumpled, while some were on the bed. “I thought you went to Hogsmeade with Hermione.” He asked.

“No.” Ron answered taking off his robe and placing it on his bed; he felt uneasy the moment he saw Harry and could not hide it. His mouth was dry and his palms were sweaty because he was about to ask Harry something that he’s been itching to ask but could not find the courage to do so. It was long overdue he thought and if he were to prolong it further, he’d go mad.

“It’s due Monday…” Harry said.

“Harry…” Ron said sitting on his four-poster.

“Yes?” Harry asked sitting up and arranging his parchment.

“Do you think I’m gay?” He asked. He saw Harry’s face turn deathly white.

“No, why do you think that?” Harry said. “Are you?”

Ron found the question difficult to answer since he was facing the one person that would determine whether he was or not. So, he loosened his necktie, and unbuttoned his shirt and tried to answer the question as honestly as he could.

“I think I am. I think I’m attracted to another guy…” He said blushing so much his face nearly matched the colour of his hair.

“Are you…are you talking about the kiss?” Harry said.

“Well…” Ron felt like a bucket of water was dumped on his head – Harry remembered. It must have meant something to him. “Did you like it?”

Ron wanted to run out of the room – it was a stupid question to ask, ‘did you like it?’ but right now his mind was filled with it and how he wanted to do it again. He was sure Harry was going to loathe him for it. He was queer, and had the ‘hots’ for his best friend.

“Yes I did.” Harry said.

Suddenly the room became smaller; for a time he was deaf to everything else because his heart was pounding loud drumbeats into his ear. “Oh…” Ron said.

Then he stood and moved towards Harry who was glued to where he was. Ron could almost touch the excitement in the room like it was water. He sat on Harry’s bed and looking into his eyes he said, “I did too. I guess I’m gay then.”

“No. Ron, I think you should know something…I…” Harry said.

Then the door opened and Ron jumped to his feet. It was Neville and Dean. Ron never felt more annoyed at seeing them both and did not hide it.

“Don’t you two need to be somewhere else?”

“What? Oh I see, you two lovers want to be alone, do you?” Dean said jokingly.

“N-No. Of course not! It’s just…ah! Forget it. See you later, Harry.” Then Ron left. Whatever it was that he and Harry needed to sort out would have to be done later. At least he knows one thing; they felt the same way about each other.

***

“He does.” Ron announced the next weekend to Fred and George.

“I knew it!” Fred said.

“Well, it’s obvious isn’t it? Well, now you know, don’t go telling mum. She’ll freak if she finds out.” George said.

Just then, Harry came running in from behind. “Ron, wait up!”

“Harry…” Ron said, Fred and George looked at each other and grinned at Ron, then left.

Today they were to meet the students from Beauxbaton and Durmstrang who were going to take part in the Tri-Wizard competition being held at Hogwarts this year. Cedric Diggory passed them by and Harry gasped and followed him with his eyes. Ron felt annoyed seeing this and looked at Harry who seemed to be oblivious of him.

“What?” Harry asked.

“Nothing.” Ron answered though deep inside he began to feel angry. It was not long since he and Harry confessed to each other that there was something special between them and now he’s flirting with someone else. What’s more is that Cedric seemed to be entertaining the idea and has been giving Harry suggestive smiles when he passed them by in the corridors.

Ron’s jealousy escalated when Harry was announced as a contender in the Tournament. He felt that Harry went through great odds just to be with Cedric all the time that he even thought of a way to get passed the age line. For months, he did not speak to Harry, which made him focus his attention on Hermione, only to be crushed by Viktor Krum during the Yule ball. Although he hated Krum for pursuing Hermione, he hated Cedric even more because he thought he pursued Harry. However, the second task in the tournament changed his mind.

Four of them were summoned into Dumbledore’s office one very early morning. Standing there were Hermione, Cho Chang, Gabrielle, and Ron. Ron wondered why they were there and what they had to do with the tournament.

“We need your help for the second task.” Dumbledore said. “We have chosen you because you are the person each contestant would miss the most. You are, right now, the most important person to each of the contestants in the tournament.”

Ron looked around him and paired each one to a contestant: Hermione was clearly Krum’s, Gabrielle was Fleur’s sister, and Cho Chang would be for either Cedric or Harry. Then it occurred to him Cho Chang was for Cedric, leaving Harry for…

“Ms. Granger has been chosen for Viktor Krum. Ms. Chang you are Diggory’s.” Dumbledore turned to the little girl with blonde hair. “You little miss are for your sister, Fleur. And you…” Dumbledore turned to Ron and smiled. “Mr. Weasley, are Harry’s.”
Ron felt awkwardly happy that he was chosen to be Harry’s hostage. He smiled and deep within him he knew that this was the end of the long debate about Cedric. Harry loves him above anyone else; he was whom Harry considered as the most important person in his life.

***

The end of their fourth year was a violent one; Voldemort was back, the Death Eaters were again active, and a student of Hogwarts – Cedric Diggory – died. Harry was the lone witness and people talked behind his back that he was mad and might have murdered Diggory to get the cup. By the time summer came, Harry was more or less filled with dread and so much pent-up anger that he started a small rebellion against the world. Unfortunately, this included Ron, Hermione, and the rest of his allies. He especially felt angry with Dumbledore not giving him enough information to get him by.

The first few months into fifth year were spent in angst and jealousy since he found out that Hermione and Ron had been spending a lot of time together. He loved them both but he did not appreciate them being together, not while he feels strongly for Ron. He kept biting their heads off every opportunity he gets and though Hermione found this new Harry a bit odd, Ron knew better. He had been thinking about breaking up with Hermione because he was clearly not in-love and Hermione noticed this.

One time Harry found Hermione crying in the library hiding behind a large book.

“Hermione what’s wrong?” Harry asked.

“Ron broke up with me.” She said sobbing terribly.

Harry nearly smiled but thinking it would be insensitive to do so controlled himself and said, “Oh. I’m sorry.”

“Well, I guess I should have expected that. He was clearly interested with someone else. I wonder who?” Hermione said, whimpering, and muttering to herself. Harry heard Padma’s name mentioned somehow. Harry felt it was time he told Hermione the truth about him and Ron.

“I’m sorry, Hermione. But I think he’s interested in me.” Harry said.

“You?” Hermione said. “Oh…”

“Yes. We’ve been well, closer since, well…” Harry said.

“Does he know?” Hermione asked.

“No. Not yet. I haven’t told him.” Harry said.

“Then how? How can he be interested in you, if he doesn’t know about…about you-know-what?” Hermione said. Her voice mirrored the contempt in her eyes.

“Look, I don’t want any trouble between us, alright? Ron has been trying to fight it because he thinks he’s gay. I don’t have the courage to tell him what I am.” Harry said.

“So, I’m supposed to feel better? I gave up my virginity to him only to be replaced by you?” Hermione was clearly not happy about this turn and Harry felt deeply responsible for breaking her heart.

“I’m sorry.” Harry said. “I wish there was another reason, but I do believe that he does really love me. Does that really seem impossible?”

Hermione fell silent. After a while, she brushed the tears from her eyes and smiled at Harry. “I guess I’ve always known. He talked of no one else but you. I just didn’t want to accept it.”

Harry sat beside her and placed his arm around her shoulders. “It’s no wonder that we both fell for him. I hope this does not cause a rift between us, because I need your more than ever. Now that I am beginning to embrace the other half of me, I will need someone who can relate to talk to.”

Hermione smiled again, and closing her book she turned to Harry and said, “Viktor studies the Dark Arts in Durmstrang, Harry. I wonder if they have any information about…about your kind.”

“Wizards don’t have any record of ‘us’.” Harry said.

“Those who study the dark arts may have some. Otherwise, why would Dumbledore warn you against the Dark Lord and his followers?” Hermione said.

Harry pondered this for a while; he did not want to risk getting information to the wrong hands and he does not know Krum enough to trust him with his life. But if he was to fully understand himself, he has to get more than just a textbook description of Nymphrodites, and this may be the only way how.

“Alright, please ask him, but as much as possible try not tell him I am a…a you-know-what.” Harry said.

“Of course, I’m not stupid.” Hermione said.

“Thanks.” Harry said. Hermione made a move to go but Harry stopped her. “Hermione…”

“Yes, Harry?”

“I really am sorry about…well about what happened to you and Ron. It’s just that, this is the first time I’ve ever felt good about being a you-know-what.” Harry said.

Hermione smiled at him and held his hand. “I love you both. You know that. I just wished I hadn’t given him my virginity at all. I’m not really that bitter, Viktor has always been an option.” She was laughing now.

“He would be a fool to let you pass.” Harry said.

“You know, had it been another girl, I’d be furious. Somehow I just feel, unusually relieved and happy that it’s you, maybe because I care about you so much. If you ever have kids, I’m godmother, alright?” Hermione then stood and left.

Harry was left there fantasizing about the day he would give up his virginity to Ron, and have kids with him. Then again, he wondered if Ron was still interested. He broke up with Hermione but perhaps it was for another girl. It has been a long time since they had any interaction at all that would be even slightly romantic. The idea that had him initially excited was now ebbing away and he went back to cursing his life as a Nymphrodite.

***

It was nearly Christmas and Harry found himself teaching spells to members of the DA. They had finished practicing the Patronus Charm and two by two, the members left the room of requirement leaving him and Ron alone.

“Here, let me get that.” Harry said. Ron picked up the throw pillows scattered on the floor and was holding more than he could handle.

“Mistletoe…” Ron said looking up at the small mistletoe hanging above him and Harry.

“Oh, yes.” Harry said. He tried taking the pillows from Ron’s hands but Ron did not let go. He looked up at Ron and saw in his eyes a burning desire.

“Do you think we can…it’s tradition…” Ron said with difficulty. Then he dropped the pillows on the floor and holding Harry’s face with both hands, he kissed him. Harry felt the world fading away as though they were both falling from the sky.

It was not until they were both nearly out of breath that Harry broke the kiss. Their eyes met, their breaths hot and wavering, and without the need for further explanation engaged themselves in another, deeper, and more convulsive kissing, as if both were parched from days in a hot desert and each other’s lips was the oasis that nourishes – body and soul. Harry raked his fingers through Ron’s thick auburn hair igniting him; Harry felt him stiffen as he was crushed against Ron’s hard body. The cushions that were on the floor used in their DA sessions proved useful again as Ron guided Harry towards the pile until they both fell flop on top of it. Ron drank from Harry’s lips greedily while rubbing himself on top of him. When the kiss broke minutes later, both were gasping for air.

“I was beginning to wonder …” Harry said moaning as Ron began kissing his neck.

“You had me worried with Diggory for a while.” Ron said. Then he tried to remove his shirt but Harry stopped him.

“No. We mustn’t, not here.” Harry said although inside he was screaming.

Grunting, Ron stopped. “Alright.” Ron said. As he tried to stand, Ron’s knees wobbled a bit and so he had to hold onto something to support him self.

“Careful…” Harry said.

“Well…I wasn’t expecting that…” Ron said, standing up and fixing his disheveled hair and buttoning his shirt. He loosened the belt round his waist a little for the erection shrunk his trousers and it was very uncomfortable. He then looked at Harry’s trousers and noticed nothing changed – like nothing reacted.

Harry saw the expression on his face and decided it was time to tell him the truth. “Ron…” Harry began feeling much more relaxed now that they have this whole business out in the open. “I think you should know something…” then he reached inside his pocket and got out the page from the Perpetua Book that he tore and kept. He handed it to Ron who opened it and read the title with a confused look on his face.

“Nymphrodites…?” He said. Ron began reading the page, “…Nymphrodites are beings that bear the body of a man but the reproductive organ of a woman…” the last part he read very slowly. Then it dawned on him Harry is NOT a boy. He looked at Harry as though he never knew him. “…Harry…”

“Yes…I am…” Harry answered almost instantaneously. “Professor Dumbledore told me before the summer holidays after second year…” Then he walked towards Ron and read the page with him. “…The body of a man, but the reproductive organ of a woman…great ha? First a scar then this…wonder how many more curses I have to collect…” He said.

“What are you talking about, it’s brilliant!” Ron exclaimed.

“Brilliant?” Harry said. “Brilliant that I’m not normal?” Harry asked sarcastically.

Ron screwed up his face and said, “That’s not what I mean…”

“So what do you mean? What is so brilliant about being this…this thing?” Harry said.

“It’s brilliant because it makes everything perfect.” Ron said.

“Perfect? How can it be perfect?” Harry said.

“Well…” Ron grabbed Harry by the waist. “If you have the reproductive system of a woman, that means you can get pregnant, which means we can get married, which means we can be together for a very long time. Like say, Forever?”

Harry was laughing now. Hearing Ron enumerate the possibilities between the two of them made Harry realize perhaps this wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

“Ah, so I gather you plan to have a family with me.” Harry said.

“Well, I was thinking about that, and adoption did pass my mind. But then this is so much better, don’t you agree?” Ron said. “Wait…have you told this to anyone?”

“Only Hermione.” Harry said.

“Oh. How did she take it?” Ron said frowning.

“Quite well, I should say. Considering she knew before you two became an item.” Harry said sarcastically.

Ron ribbed him. “Well, shall we make an announcement then? I would love to lay claim on you before word goes out, there may be other Diggories out there.” Ron said.

“No, Ron, no one must know. Dumbledore warned me that should the news go out, Voldemort would hunt me down for the Iranna.” Harry said.

“Right.” Ron then took the page again and read it. “I missed that one. Well, I won’t let anyone near you then. Are you sure, Hermione and Dumbledore are the only ones who know?”

“The Dursley’s…” Harry answered.

“They know you’re a Nymphrodite.” Ron asked.

“I don’t know exactly. But Aunt Petunia always called me a freak. That’s the equivalent I should say.” Harry said.

“Well…” Ron said. The he started jumping up and down, hooting like a crazed owl.

“What?” Harry said.

“You and I are like…together, right?” Ron said.

“Yeah…we are, Ron. Finally we are.” Harry said and then they kissed again, tenderly this time, and Ron kissed Harry’s forehead afterwards, then using the invisibility cloak, they walked back to the Gryffindor common room together. Ron kept the page that Harry showed him about Nymphrodites.

****

“HA! Who’s queer now??” He said sarcastically. “Bet you never thought of this did you?”

“Nymphrodites…why are you showing us this?” Fred asked a bit bewildered.

“Harry…” Ron whispered, sitting down closer so that no one else inside the Three Broomsticks would hear their conversation. “He and I are together now…” He said excited to share this fresh twist in his life. Finally, he has something that no one in his family will ever have – not in a hundred years.

“Are you saying that Harry’s a…”George asked his eyes growing wider.

“A Nymphrodite, yes!” Ron whispered then he started tapping the table with his hands rhythmically.

“Well, what do you know, little Ronnikins has a…what do you call him? Her?” Fred asked.

“It?” the twins said together, laughing afterwards.

“Shut up!” Ron answered a bit flummoxed that his twin brothers still found something to tease him with. “Harry is still a he, which makes it perfect. And, he does love me. We’re together.” Ron answered feeling proud.

“Look…” Fred said. “Have you read this part? They are hunted down for this.” Fred said pointing to the bottom of the page. “Hunted from the day they are born. That doesn’t sound right.”

“Let me see that.” George said taking the page from Fred.

“So?” Ron asked finally unable to understand what Fred wanted to point out.

“So? The Dark Lord is after him for this…” Fred answered.

“You idiot, he doesn’t know.” Ron answered quite annoyed.

“You git! Voldemort knows he has this Iranna thing, that’s why they are hunting him!” George said.

“No he doesn’t. He’s hunting Harry for an entirely different reason.” Ron answered.

“How do you know that?” George asked.

“Because Dumbledore warned Harry not to let the news about him and this get out. Which means, no one knows yet. Well, except you, me, Hermione, the Dursley’s, and Dumbledore.” Ron suddenly became worried.

“Well, considering there are quite a *few* of us, it’s only a matter of time before it got out!” Fred said

“And if this gets to the wrong hands, it will be a whole new ballgame. He will seek Harry out more vigorously in order to get this- this Iranna.” George said.

Ron looked at the tattered page closely and read the part that Fred showed him and there, as clear as daylight, it mentioned that the Iranna gives immortality. Voldemort’s entire quest has been about immortality. “Oh no…” He said.

“Now he gets it!” Fred and George said together, nodding their heads in agreement.

“This is not good.” Ron said.

“No kidding…” The twins said.

An awkward silence followed while Ron goes over the page as though finding some form of escape from the growing fear inside him. There just wasn’t enough information there. Ron sighed and folded the page.

“This must never go out. Burn that page.” Fred said then after several minutes, his tone was a bit milder now. “Maybe you should tell Mum…”

“You’re mad!” George said. “That’s right tell mum, you might as well tell the entire Order while you’re at it.”

“Or Dad, then, you two are so scared.” Fred answered. “Someone has to know about this, someone who can support the two of you, especially Harry. Right now, there are a few of us that know, but for how long?” George was shaking his head and kept telling Fred what a bad idea it was while Ron read the page again. Then he noticed something.

“Look at this…” Ron said, pointing at the lower text on the page. “No Nymphrodite ever got married, nor bear any children. They are capable though, but none have had that, none have had what we have…Harry is the first to experience love as a Nymphrodite.”

“Of course, can you imagine the publicity? Young man marries Nymphrodite, has twins. They are hunted from the day they are born. Ron, you do something like this you might as well invite the Dark Lord to your wedding night. He’ll be in deep shit; and so will you.” George said.

“We were looking forward to that.” Ron immediately remembered how Harry’s face lighted up at the possibility of them having a family together. “Well, guess we can always live together without marriage…or children.”

“Sorry Ron. I know you wanted to hear something else. Look at it this way, you still have each other, and a lot of time to snog.” Fred said grinning devilishly.