Ron's Decision

Ron relaxed in a hospital robe, opened to expose his stomach. He held Hermione’s hand as she sat near his head. Harry sat on his other side. Severus was in a nearby room, wanking off into a cup. Madame Pomfery said she wanted a fresh sample to inseminate him with.

She had told him she would use magic to flush his abdomen with Severus’s semen. She knew just where his egg was floating, and without a woman’s natural defense system, millions of sperm would remain alive to fertilize him. The chances of a successful pregnancy will be higher.

He was nervous, and glad that Hermione and Harry were here. They understood his choice and both thought he had made a good one.

He knew he wanted this, he had thought about it too much to turn back. This was his chance, and he was going to take it. He would have a baby of his own. A baby he had chose to have. He couldn’t wait. The more he thought of it, the more excited he became.

Severus came out from another room and walked over to him, looking down and giving him a half smile. Madame Pomfrey came back with a tray and picked up her wand. “Just relax Ron.”

He looked up at the ceiling, ignoring the sounds of things moving about on the tray. He felt Harry’s hand on his shoulder, and a damp cloth running long his stomach.

“Last chance to chance your mind.” Severus said calmly. Ron shook his head and stayed still. A moment later he felt a wand tip against his stomach slightly to one side. He heard what sounded like a stream of water but he felt only a slight pressure.

He grimaced as he suddenly felt full, as if he had just eaten, then he seemed to deflate, and the feeling went away. His robe was closed and Madame Pomfrey pushed the tray aside. “Just relax here, don’t move around and don’t sit up. I’ll be right back.”

She hurried away taking the tray with her, Snape following. Harry moved closer. “That was the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“What happened?” He asked.

“She aimed her wand at the cup Snape gave her and lifted it like when you pull out a memory.” Hermione told him. “Then she sent it right toward you.”

“I think it entered through your pores,” Harry added, “because it slowly vanished right into you.” He gave a laugh. “You’ve just been impregnated by Snape.”

Ron gave a laugh of his own. “I know, I know. Thanks for coming.”

“I wouldn’t miss this for anything.” Hermione leaned down and kissed his cheek. “Although Ron. have you thought about where this kid is going to come out of?”

“Oh Hermione, you had to ask.” Harry rubbed his face with both hands.

Ron could only laugh at her curiosity. “Madame Pomfrey said she would have to use a muggle method. Cesa…..sencer…..”

“Cesarean?” Harry asked. Ron nodded. “It’s common and with magic it will be less risky.”

“Well I’m fine with what she thinks, so is Severus.”

“Severus?” Hermione asked raising her eyebrows.

“I’m having a child with him, I am not going to keep using the term professor.” He said.

“Are you sure you want to live with him though?” Harry asked. “Because even if you don’t want to live with your parents, Grimmauld Place is there. You’re always welcome, both of you.”

“Thanks Harry but we’ve decided to do this together. We‘ve decided to be a family.”

They both seemed assured but said nothing as Madame Pomfrey and Snape returned. “Alright, you need to rest now, I’m keeping you here for lunch, I also want to examine you during that time. If everything looks alright, you can leave in time to join your friends for diner in the great hall.”

They both wished him well and left the infirmary. Madame Pomfrey helped him sit up, bringing a lunch tray so he could eat while reclined in bed. Severus pulled up a chair and sat with him.

“What did my father talk with you about?” It was the first chance that had to be alone since his parent’s visit and Ron’s curiosity was getting to him.

“He wanted to be sure you made the right choice. You are his youngest son after all.”

“You’d think I was his only son.” He said with a roll of his eyes. “That’s all?”

“I suppose he wanted to make sure you would be taken care of, as well as the child. You won’t be returning home so he needed reassurance that you would be alright. He is probably scared when you think about it.”

Ron nodded, not only is his son going to move in with his former teacher right after graduation, but he’s going to get pregnant too. That alone probably has him losing sleep at night.

“I think he wanted to be sure you were wanted. Nobody wants their child to be with anyone who doesn’t want them.”

Ron looked up from his lunch. “Am I wanted?”

“Yes.” He didn’t hesitate to say it. Silence took over the infirmary as Ron continued to eat.

“Why did you really agree?” He asked.

Severus thought carefully before answering. “I suppose just like you I saw the opportunity as too good to pass up. I have also considered the options and alternatives, and the thought of a child of my own, raising it with the other biological parent is a chance in a lifetime.”

Ron nodded. He thought the same thing. He listened carefully as Severus continued. “Your own parents marriage had something to do with it. The last thing I want is to be stuck in a partnership like my own family. My mother and father were always yelling and fighting. If I ended up with someone who had parents like mine then it would fail, and a child stuck in the middle would come out scarred. Your parents have a strong marriage, so I know the example you have. You would try to make it work because you’ve seen in. I will try because I’ve seen the alternative.”

Ron was comforted for some reason. As if the thought that he had made the right choice was reinforced. Severus valued family, even if his own was less than perfect. He would try and work with him, if not for the sake of this child, then because he saw what happened when an effort wasn’t made.

After a moment he continued. “I am preparing my living quarters for after graduation. I have a spare room that I am using as a personal library, but I am clearing for you temporarily.”

Ron was speechless. They had talked about being a family, and Ron had understood that to mean they would share a room, but then again they also talked about taking things slow and focusing on the baby first. Given what he just shared of his parents marriage, maybe he didn’t want to rush things. Ron could understand his cautiousness, and he would be just as understanding.

“Thank you.” He thought Severus might leave for his classroom but he remained where he was. “Are you going to stay here longer?”

“Yes, I want to be here when she does her exam. I want to be there for all of them.”

Ron smiled. “That’s wonderful. My own father was with my mother for every appointment for every child.”

“How about chess?” He levitated a board closer, then vanished Ron’s now empty lunch tray to the kitchens, his chicken salad thoroughly enjoyed. Moving closer, the two engaged in a game to wait until Madame Pomfrey returned.

Ron loved chess, and to have an opponent as smart as Severus to play against was a thrill. He had to focus and eventually won two of the five games they played.

When Madame Pomfrey returned she told Ron to lay on his back. As he stretched out, he felt Severus take his hand in his own. It was the first time they had physical contact since this began and he found it comforting. Severus’s grip was strong, but gentle. He knew he was safe, and supported. Closing his fingers he held on as Madame Pomfrey began her exam. After several minutes she told him she was done and he could sit up.

“The embryo has nestled into the coils of your intestine, just under your stomach. It has attached to the underside of your stomach as well as a nearby blood vessel, almost as if it has two umbilical cords.”

“Do you think it will continue safely?” Ron asked.

“It looks to be sound and healthy. We have only to wait and see. Although I’d rather see you every two weeks rather than every month.”

“Alright.” Ron agreed.

“And let me know every symptom you have, no matter how unusual it seems.”

Severus and Madame Promfrey left him to dress. Ron was putting his shoes on when Severus returned. “You should eat something tonight, all you had was a salad for lunch.”

“I will make sure to eat right.” He assured him, and as he left, found that Severus was walking with him. They would eventually be as intimate as any two people could be with each other, and he knew he should become accustomed to it, but for now, the intimidation was still there.

As they entered the hall, he was gave Ron a nod then headed for the staff table where Dumbledore had a chair waiting beside him. If Ron was sharing what was happening with Harry and Hermione, then Severus would no doubt use Dumbledore as his confidant.

Ron made his way toward Harry and Hermione, who had saved him a place. Most of the castle by now had heard what was going on and he got some strange looks. A few girls looked then whispered among themselves, but he brushed them off. He didn’t care.

“How was it?” Neville asked. He had been told after Ron met with his parents but rather than jumping to conclusions the way most people did, he merely accepted Ron’s choice and said if he was needed he would help. Neville was one of the few people who understood what true friendship was, and Ron was glad for it. He also knew that an avid herbologist, Neville wasn’t to monitor the effects the plant had on him and if his pregnancy would be affected in anyway.

“It went fine. Madame Pomfrey says the embryo is settled in a comfortable spot and now all we do is wait.” He told them while filling a plate.

“Good,” Harry said, “although you know I am going to be sleeping on edge now, listening for problems in the night.”

Ron chuckled at him and looked down at his plate, suddenly seeing the food as unappealing. “What’s the matter Ron?” He glanced up at Hermione.

“I have no appetite.” He answered dropping his fork.

“And so it begins.” She said, drawing giggles from those around him.

“Come on Ron, at least some soup or bread. You’re eating for two now.” Harry said, handing him a bowl of vegetable soup.

“Right.” Ron forced the soup down, knowing that Severus was also watching him, and knowing both were right. He was feeding someone else now.