Ron's Decision

Ron was able to relax only because of the potion Severus had given him. It contained a muscle relaxant to prevent his abs from giving them restrictive issues. He felt nothing, even as he heard the spell she used. It was a slicing spell but she was moving her wand slowly.



Severus kept his eyes down, focusing on what she was doing, and waiting for her instructions. She put her wand away and Ron felt a slight push on his body. She had her hands inside the cut she made and felt around, then she smiled at Severus.



“Ok ease your hands on top of mine. Grip the legs high up near the hip and ease the baby out slowly.” Ron held his breathe with the full view he had was able to see Severus lean in, his concentration evident.



If Ron could pick a moment of pure astonishment, it would be the moment he knew the baby had emerged. Severus’s face filled with wonder as he stared at what he now held in his hands. He heard a whimper and a cry, and could see Madame Pomfrey smiling as he took a cloth from the tray. There had been two cords, but they connected to a single navel in a Y shape. Severus cut it and wrapped the bundle in a white blanket, holding it securely in his arms while Madame Pomfrey took her wand again, being the spells she needed to close him up.



Severus took a few steps back to stand beside Ron. Harry quickly vacated his seat to the professor. There eyes met and the softness Ron saw in those black eyes was amazing. “You got your little girl.” He said quietly, leaning forward and easing the cotton blanket aside.



Ron smiled at a head full of black hair and pale pink skin. Severus leaned in closer, shifting his body and turning the tiny girl in his arms. When her eyes opened, Ron’s own bright blue stared back at him. She had a prettier version of Severus’s face, but she had Ron’s eyes. She was gorgeous and fell in love with her.



He turned his head, and as Severus brought her closer, he placed a kiss on her cheek, that would hold him until he was able to hold her. “Severus, here is some warm water, clean her up and while we get Ron here settled.”



Severus took her away, where Hermione was awaiting to help. Ron was closed up and a series of spells eased his pain, although the soreness of his muscles cramping would take some time to go away. He had done the equivalent of three hours of sits ups without rest, he would be ok in a few days.



She then used a spell to help his body ease back to where it was. He was finally able to take a full breathe without having to pant. The feeling of having gorged himself was also gone. The back ache was still there, but it was mild, very mild.



With Harry’s help he was able to sit up, he reclined in his bed while he watched the others. Harry helped Madame Pomfrey put away her supplies and the two trays she had beside Ron’s bed. Hermione came over after helping with the baby, and kissed his cheek. “She’s beautiful Ron, just beautiful.”



“Thank you.” He said, hugging her. “I’m sorry for yelling.”



“Don’t worry about it Ron, it was actually a bit funny.” She admitted.



“You find my pain funny?” He asked, but was chuckling along with her.



“No, I find your comments funny.” She moved aside as Severus came over with the baby. She had been cleaned, put in a little white gown, and wrapped in a pink blanket. Severus had a house elf bring a baby bag to the infirmary that contained nappies, and something to put the baby in.



Ron reached out and cradled the baby in his arms, looking down at her. She was looking up at him, opening and closing her fingers. He stared into her blue eyes and smiled. A flash went off and he looked up to see Hermione holding her camera.



Several pictures were taken. Ron and the baby with Harry. Ron and the baby with Hermione. Ron and the baby with Severus. And godparents Harry and Hermione with the baby.



Ron’s parents came in and just as he expected Molly burst into tears. “Oh Ron, she’s beautiful.” The baby was again passed from person to person and more pictures were taken.



“I could have helped you Ron.” She fluffed his pillow, also it was unnecessary.



“I was fine Mum.” He said, letting her fret for the moment.



“Ron did a good job.” Severus said, sitting on the bed beside him. He wanted to present Molly with a united front.



“I’m sure he did.” He kissed his cheek, and smiled as her Arthur handed Ron the baby.



“Congratulations Ron. She’s lovely.” His father kissed his forehead and gave his shoulders a squeeze, not wanting to crush the baby in a hug. Madame Pomfrey came back with a bottle of formula, and showed Ron how to hold her as she ate. Severus stayed by his side, watching carefully. He would be feeding the baby at times too, so he paid close attention.



“Have you chosen a name?” Molly asked, standing with an arm around her husband.



“We have agreed to hyphenate her name, so she will be Weasley-Snape, but as to her first name, I thought Ron should decide that.” Severus told everyone.



Everyone looked to Ron. It was so quiet he could hear everyone breathing but the only one he was paying attention to was the baby. She was calm and looking up at him with blue eyes. To him, she was perfection, the one thing he could say he made that was without any flaw.



“Anne.” He said quietly. “Her name is Anne Virginia Weasley-Snape.”



If anyone was upset by the name, Ron didn’t see it. If anyone was overjoyed, Ron didn’t see it. He hadn’t taken his eyes from her since she was finally placed in his arms.



The visit lasted for a few hours until Madame Pomfrey noticed Ron stifling a yawn. “I’m afraid I must insist that everyone leave now. Ron needs his sleep.”



Harry and Hermione said their goodbyes and left with a problem. Ron knew they had studying to do. Auror training was starting soon. Dumbledore helped Arthur in ushering his wife out who wanted to stay and help with the baby until Ron was rested and recovered enough. “Molly, he has Severus to help him.” Arthur told her, then leaned down and kissed his son’s forehead. “Congratulations again son. I expect pictures.”



“Alright dad.” He took his mothers hug and agreed to owl her if he needed help or even advice. He had already decided he would avoid seeking his mother out too much. It would not only make Severus feeling displaced in raising their daughter, but it would also make his mother feel invaluable and she would continue to push her presence when it wasn’t needed. He loved his mother, but one of her worst faults was her tendency to be overbearing. Maybe having control of seven children for so long made her habitual in some things, but he was a man now, whether she liked it or not.



Severus stayed with him, stretching out in a neighboring bed. Since he planned on taking a year off and helping, he would adapt just as Ronw as doing, getting sleep when the baby slept. He only remained half awake now. Ron was more tired because of the birth and may or may not hear little Anne if she woke. The baby slept in a transfigured bassinet between them. Madame Pomfrey extinguished the lights and let them rest.







Ron was woken by impatient cries. He sat up immediately and took Anne in his arms. Opening a charmed box nearby he pulled out a bottle of formula and fed her. Madame Pomfrey had given him the box as a present after the birth. She admitted that she wanted to see what he received at the baby shower before deciding what to give him, and settled on the box. Many mothers she knew who chose not to breast feed used the box. It kept the bottles of formula warm and safe without spoiling. It eliminated the need to heat up formula and babies could be fed right away. Many muggle born witches especially considered it a gift from the gods.



When Anne was feeding comfortably relaxed against his pillow. His light was eased a little brighter. He turned and found Severus sitting up in the bed he was on. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”



“It’s hardly the middle of the night.” He gestured to the clock. It was 8 in the evening. His labor had started just after lunch and had taken most of the afternoon. As it was he had only been sleeping for about an hour. Anne must have woken for a simple snack because she refused anymore after taking only a few ounces.



“Well now,” Madame Pomfrey came sailing into the infirmary, “how do you feel after a nap?”



“Much better.” He handed Anne over to Severus, then reclined back, letting her look at his stomach. Thanks to the spells she used, he had only a minimal scar, but he didn’t mind. It had been worth it.



“Ah, here is your dinner.” She gestured to a house elf who had two trays floating behind him. Severus moved closer, setting Anne back in her bassinet as the elf arranged their trays for them.



She left them to eat in peace, satisfied with how he was healing. She told him now that he had his stomach capacity back, she wanted him to eat a full meal. He had been pacing himself the last several months and wanted his protein intake to increase. He had no problem following orders and eagerly tucked into his chicken.



Anne began to protest the confines of her blanket and let out irritated whines. Ron had set down his fork but Severus stopped him. “I’ll get her, you finish eating, you need it.” He was grateful to be able to eat. He was starving and really didn’t want to stop. Severus had Anne well in hand and he held her easily with the blanket opened up, allowing her to kick about. She looked even smaller in his arms, but she looked safe.



Ron pushed the tray, now empty, away and reclined with his pumpkin juice. “You look as if you just Christmas dinner.”



“That was the best meal I could have asked for.” He joked, setting aside his cup aside. Reclined in Severus’s arms, Anne had fallen asleep again. He eased her back into the bassinet, letting the blanket rest over her body rather than wrapping her up.



Taking a seat on the bed facing Ron, he spoke softly. “Thank you Ron.”



Ron sat forward, leaning in close. “This isn’t a gift, we did this together you know.”



“No Ron, it is a gift,” he eased closer, taking his hand, “a greater gift then you could imagine.” He leaned in and kissed him.



Ron titled his head, and parted his lips, feeling the wonderful sensations that he felt when he last kissed Severus. His skilled tongue met his, and together they explored and tasted. Ron felt s hand weave in his hair and he was pulled closer, shifting until they were chest to chest. He found himself reclined along Severus’s lap, and dipped while his mouth was plundered.



He let his body go limp, held in a firm grip as he opened his mouth as wide as he could. They became more aggressive, holding tightly. Ron let out little groans that he eagerly swallowed down. As inexperienced as he was, he knew Severus was talented, and he couldn’t wait to experience that talent first hand.



“COUGH, COUGH.” Madame Pomfrey didn’t bother trying to make it look authentic, she merely said the words loudly. “Do I need to put you on birth control?”



Ron chuckled and sat up, reclining against his pillow again. “No Poppy, we’ll employ the rinse and spit method.”



“Severus, you are filthy.” She turned and left the room, shutting her office door behind her.