Ron's Decision

Ron yanked up another stalk of plants from the ground, pulling so hard that he fell on his ass. “Bloody herbs, can’t make this easy for me, must have been in the dirt for centuries!” He hauled himself off the ground, dusted off his jeans and continued with his chore. He was in the forbidden forest pulling up roots for detention.

Once again he had let his smart mouth get the better of him. He should have just answered McGonagall truthfully and said he didn’t study rather than trying to joke and saying he had no time between parties. Now he was knee deep in foliage stalking the greenhouses.

He stuffed a root in his bag and turned. He looked left and right. Great, on top of all the blisters on his hands, now he was lost. “Hagrid?”

When he got no answer he randomly took a path and followed it. “Hagrid?” He let out a sigh. “Brilliant, I’m going to be stuck in this forest until something eats me.”

As he pressed forward he tripped on a tree root and fell face first into a pile of leaves. He raised up on his elbows and looked around him. He couldn’t recognize the plants growing. They were low to the ground, spreading out like a green blanker beneath the tree. He wasn’t the best student, but now in his seventh year, he could name the most basic of plants and herbs, but this was unfamiliar to anything.

Suddenly movement off to the right caught his attention. The plant growth was moving, as if on long vines. They began creeping toward him and the Devil’s Snare popped into his head. Maybe this was their defense in case someone, namely him, had stumbled upon it. He quickly hauled to his feet, but he rose without looking and lifted himself right under a thick branch, that echoed in his ears as his head collided with it. Ron saw the vines moving closer as blackness overtook him.

“Mr. Weasley?” Ron slowly opened his eyes and tried to focus. He blinked several times until Madame Pomfrey came into view clearly. “How are you feeling Mr. Weasley?”

“Tired, and my head hurts.” His voice came out raw because his throat was dry too but he didn’t mention it.

“I can imagine. You hit it pretty hard, but the potion I gave you will soon clear it up.” She turned and handed him a bottle. “Here take the rest of it.”

He swallowed it down, glad to have something wet to ease his throat, even if it was somewhat bitter.

“’Ere now, how our young Weasley doin’?” The massive form of Hagrid appeared beside Ron.

“Hagrid. I was looking for you in the forest.” He said, trying to sit up but quitting after a moment.

“Well, I found you instead. Layin’ about in a pile of dead leaves.” He said.

“Dead leaves?” He again tried to sit, but Madame Pomfrey pressed on his shoulder. “I fell into bright green leaves, alive too. They started moving towards me.”

“Moving?” She addressed Hagrid. “A Devil’s Snare perhaps?”

“No it was a nest of vines, but leafy vines, not the thick arms Devil‘s Snare has. They were alive, I know they were.” He struggled to sit up.

“Alright then, calm down. I’ll go on back and take a look. Maybe Professor Sprout will know what they are,” he turned, “don’t you leave here until Madame Pomfrey gives you the say so.”

“Ok Hagrid.” He smiled, thinking Hagrid was the biggest softy in England, even if he tried to be tough at times.

Ron went to sleep again, after Madame Pomfrey had told him she would send him back to Gryffindor tower in the morning. Morning however brought new issues. He woke with a stomach ache, and she had insisted on more tests, taking most of the morning to complete them. He was sitting up in infirmary sleepwear, wondering when he would leave and getting more and more impatient, but she returned and moved a chair beside his bed. Great, Ron thought, she is going to lecture.

“Ron, I’m having Professor Sprout and Professor Snape examine the root you were found in closer.” she began. “I’d like to know the properties it carries.”

Ron’s heart sped up. “You mean I’ve contracted something?”

“Not really. But it has done something to you.” She watched his confusion appear on his face. “Ron, I’m not sure how this happened, but you have an egg implanted in your abdomen.”

“An egg?” He was more confused now than ever, and feeling slightly panicky. “What are you talking about, you mean those vines planting something in me?”

“No. I mean you have genetic egg in your abdomen, waiting to be fertilized.” She said.

Ron’s eyes shot open. “You mean like an ovary style egg, that type of egg?”

“Yes. I can’t tell its origin, but it appears to be made up of your genetic material, and from what I can tell its fresh.”

“Fresh? What do you mean fresh?” He sat up straighter.

“A woman is born with all her eggs already in her ovaries, and begins releasing them when she starts puberty. From the tests I performed your egg is brand new.” She leaned in. “You mentioned the plant began moving closer to you. Some plants procreate by moving pollens or seeds to other plants.”

“Are you saying this happened to me? I thought you said this was made up of my genes.” He had calmed down, but only by a little.

“It is. And I wish I had definite answers for you, but I only know what I learned from my exams of you. When Professors Sprout and Snape finish examining the roots we will know more.”

Ron remained silent for a moment as his thoughts gathered and processed. “Are you saying that I could get pregnant? I could have a baby?” It seemed an unusual questions, but what had happened to him was more then unusual as well.

“Yes, I’m saying just that. I know this is a lot to take in, but you have an unfertilized egg inside you. Just as witches and wizards use magic to help with getting pregnant, you could easily find a donor to supply you with sperm you would need.”

“Would that work, male and male?” He didn’t want to mention it to her, but this didn’t seem embarrassing, it seemed opportunistic.

“As I said, this egg if made up of your genetic material, but it is a standard egg. Anyone you choose would be the other contributing factor, just as with any woman who gets pregnant, the resulting child would be a combination of you and the other parent.” She watched his features and was astonished at what she saw. “Are you thinking of finding a donor?”

“I don’t know.” He toyed with his blanket. “How long will it last?”

“I can’t say, I’d like to test you again this evening, that way I can see the rate of growth. Women release an egg and have a few days to get pregnant before the egg exits with the next menstrual cycle. This may be the case with you. But Ron, you shouldn’t take advantage of this just because you can. You graduate in 6 months time. Don’t you have plans for after school?”

“Yes, but I doubt they will be possible.” He rubbed his eyes. “When will you know more?”

“I’m not sure but as soon as I do I will summon you and let you know. As a school staff member I can’t persuade you in either direction, I can only tell you to think carefully on what you decide.”

“I will.” He said then fell silent again.

“We should notify your parents.” She told him.

“Do we have to?” He wasn’t sure he wanted his parents to know. At least until he had made a decision.

“You’re seventeen now, so legally I can’t do anything without your permission, but it would be wise.” He could tell she wanted to bring his parent into this, but Ron thought otherwise.

“I will let them know when it’s time.” He said firmly. Madam Pomfrey nodded and released him, promising to send for him when she had more information. He walked back to his house slowly. A baby. He could conceivably have a baby. He thought about what Madame Pomfrey said, how he shouldn’t take advantage if this just because he could. But when would he have another chance? What if this was only a one time deal? Could he just let it pass him by?

He found Hermione and Harry in front of the fire. “Ron! Are you alright?” She jumped up and hugged him, Harry followed suit. When they were seated, Ron made sure nobody was within ear shot then leaned in close and told them what had happened.

“Are you serious?’ Harry was shocked.

“Yes, she explained it to me. When she knows more about what happened she will let me know.” Ron kept his eyes shifting around to make sure he wasn’t heard.

“Are you going to find someone?” Hermione asked.

“I’m not sure.” He looked from one to the other. “What do you think?”

“You shouldn’t do what we suggest? Hermione told him. “This is your decision.”

“I know, and it will be, but I value your opinions and advice,” he said, “that’s what I need right now. If this gets out everyone and their mother in la will be giving me advice, but I listen to you two.”

Harry leaned forward. “If you decide to find a donor, find someone older.”

“What has that got to do with it?” Hermione asked.

“Someone older will be more understanding about this. Anyone our age will put too much into the whole male pregnancy thing and be conserned with how they will be seen by others. An older man will be smarter and see it for what it is, the chance to have a family.” He looked back to Ron. “Think about it. You’re gay Ron, the chance of having a family would have to be through alternative methods. This is a chance to have one of your own.”

“He could have one of his own and be gay.” Hermione put in, and Ron had to admit, she had a point.

“True, but he would have to donate to a woman and find one willing to give up her child. If you found another gay man, you could have a partner of your own and be a family. A family you create together.”

Ron let his words sink in. He hadn’t thought of that. Since he came out to Harry and Hermione, he had thought only of finding someone to share a life with. Now he had the chance to not only find a partner, but to create a family. Madame Pomfrey told him it would be his genes too. He never imagined he would have his own child. Let alone a complete family.

He looked over to find Hermione watching him. “Well?”

“To be honest it sounds like a fantastic chance, but you would need to find a responsible partner, who would be willing to support you. You haven’t finished school and the baby will take up time if you want to stay with it right after it’s born. Not a lot of mothers return to work right away, so you would need someone who was able to help you out. Staying at home and having a baby would mean dealing with your parents, and as much as I love them, your mom isn’t shy about giving her thoughts.”

Ron had to smile. As much as he loved his mother, he knew Hermione was right. “Perhaps Harry is right,” she continued, “perhaps an older man would be an ideal choice. A gay man who wants a family but of his own. If he was successful then maybe he would help you with your designs.”

He let his head roll back. They had given him a lot to think of, just as he knew they would. They were his friends, that’s what they were for. He said goodnight to them both and went to his dorm room. Settled in bed, he reclined and looked into nothingness.

He knew a gay man who had the means to take care of a baby and him too if need be, and he was older. He was successful and smart, so he would see this as the opportunity Ron saw it as. He would listen to the pros and cons and make a decision just as Ron had. Plus if he decided in the negative, chances were that he would keep this to himself. For some reason Ron wanted this the stay quiet until he had made a choice.

Would he be willing to donate? Would he even want a family? Would he think the idea horrific? He knew he wanted to take advantage of this, and the only way he would find out if he could was to ask. He put out his lamp out and went to sleep.