This whole collection is written for the 100 Word Prompt Collection Challenge (36. Firstborn)

This chapter was also written for the Greek Mythology Competition (Chiron - write about a character who is typically not something)

Summary: Ron makes a promise to Rose, but he then remembers he made another promise to Hugo on the exact same day

Not So Weasley

"Dad?" Rose came flying down the stairs of her Huddersfield home, two thin strips in her hand. "Dad, I was wondering if you could take me to the Quidditch on Sunday? Cannons versus Puddlemere?"

Surprised, Ron set down his quill and looked at his daughter with wide eyes. "That's not like you to ask, Rosie," he said, his voice filled with pride.

Rose flushed. "Well, it's interesting, in a way." Rose shrugged. "Will you take me?"

Beaming, Ron nodded. "Of course, Rosie!" He accepted the tickets from her. "Seven o'clock game. Alright, we'll make sure we leave at six."

Rose threw her arms around her father's neck. "Thanks, Dad!" She disappeared up the stairs as quick as she'd come.

Still smiling, Ron turned to where he thought his son had been just a moment ago. "Hugo, where'd you go?"

Hermione, who'd been sitting in an armchair to his left, ruffled her own work papers. "He went upstairs," she said bluntly.

"Never mind, I'll see if he wants to come with us tomorrow. I'm sure we could get an extra ticket, though with the Cannons doing so well for once, they're selling ou – what?" He'd finally noticed Hermione's expression.

"Sunday, Ron," she said, as if that was supposed to mean something.

Ron frowned.

"You promised Hugo a whole day of just the two of you… with no Rose?"

Ron's face dropped. "I completely forgot."

Setting her own quill aside, Hermione looked at him with concern. "Ron, for the twelve years of Hugo's life, I've given you the benefit of the doubt. In those times I've found him in tears over the fact that he thinks you love Rose more than him, I've defended you, because I know you love him. But, when you make that promise to him and then as soon as Rose comes to you, you agree to her, how am I supposed to defend that?"

"I do love him!" Ron snapped.

"I know you do, Ron. He's your son, and I was there when you saw him for the first time. I saw the look in your eyes when you held him. But –"

"But what?" Ron asked irritably.

Hermione sighed, keeping herself calm. "Rose is our firstborn, and she's special to you, I get that. But she's one of two children you have, and sometimes I do think you forget that. Sometimes I do find myself wondering –" Hermione looked away from him at this moment, "if some subconscious part of you really does love Rose a little bit more."

Rather than snapping at her again, Ron's expression changed to anguish. He shook his head. "It's not true. It's definitely not true. It's just… I feel like I relate to Rose more, you know? She reminds me more of me."

"She is so like you, Ron! Her temper and all."

"Whereas Hugo… I don't get Hugo. He's quiet, he's shy, and he hides his feelings well. You know I'm not good at reading hidden emotions. I spent most of my school life thinking you didn't like me, after all. Besides Quidditch, we don't really have much in common. Rosie and I, we have a lot, and I guess I just feel more comfortable with her. Hugo's a mystery."

Hermione contemplated him, their work forgotten. "Well, isn't that more of a reason to get to know him better? He tries, Ron. He tries so hard for you to notice him, and it seems he's constantly let down. I see it on his face, like just then. I know how much you love him, but you need to tell him that, not me."

Ron nodded, getting to his feet. "I know. But what do I tell Rose?"

Hermione shrugged. "I don't think her sudden interest in Quidditch has anything to do with you, but of a certain boy's whose father is part owner of Puddlemere. No doubt it was Scorpius who gave her the tickets. I'm sure she'll be perfectly happy if I, or even Harry or a complete stranger took her."

Ron nodded. "What do I say to Hugo?"

Hermione shook her head. "That I can't tell you, because I don't know what's in your heart. Only you can know that."

"I love him more than anything in this world."

"Then maybe that's where you should begin."

…

Hugo was sitting on the floor of his bedroom, a small remote-controlled car racing around him. It had been a gift from Hermione's parents last Christmas. Hugo had always been fascinated by Muggle toys.

Upon seeing Ron enter, a flash of anger across his face was the only acknowledgement he gave his father.

"Hey, mate," Ron said, plonking himself on the side of his son's bed.

Hugo said nothing.

"I see you still like that car." Ron scratched the back of his neck. "You know, I've never really paid much attention to how it works. Your mother knows more about that than I do."

"It's easy," Hugo said bluntly.

"I bet." Ron watched for a moment, searching for the right words. They weren't coming easily. He knew the right buttons to push with Rose, but Hugo was different. Rose was a Weasley through and through, and he supposed Hugo was not. Perhaps he had more Granger in him. "Listen, mate – Hugo – I'm going to lay it down right now. I'm not going to get any father of the year awards any time soon. Sometimes I get it wrong – most of the time, probably – but I do try."

When Hugo didn't say anything, continuing to zoom his car around the room, Ron ploughed on.

"Hu, I'm sorry I let you down today, and all those other times I've done it. I have no excuse, I'm just sorry."

"So, you're still taking Rose to the Quidditch. She only wants to go because Scorpius is going. She doesn't actually care about going with you."

"Rose'll have to find someone else to go with," Ron said. "I made a promise to you first, and I'm going to keep it. It's just a Quidditch match."

This made Hugo stop. He swung around to face his father, eyes wide. "You love Quidditch, though!"

Ron shrugged. "Yeah, but I love you more."

This affected Hugo more than Ron imagined. Tears threatened to fall.

"Yeah, I don't say it enough, and I'm sorry, mate. I don't love Rose more than you, I love you both the same, but I'm sorry that I've made you feel like you're second best. I know what it's like to feel like that with older siblings. It's the last thing I wanted for any of my children."

Hugo set the controller on the floor, moving to sit on the bed with Ron. He was growing taller, Ron observed. He at least shared a physical appearance with Hugo.

"I'm sorry I'm a disappointment," Hugo said.

"A disappointment?" Ron cried. "Why'd you ever think that?"

"Well, I'm useless at magic, I'm rubbish at Quidditch, and no matter how hard I try, there's always someone who's better than me at something – mainly Rose."

Ron laughed, drawing his son closer to him. "Welcome to my world, only I didn't have a big sister to compete with, but five older brothers. Even Fred and George were better than I was and they spent half their time joking around. Most of their time, actually."

Hugo's eyes widened. "You were bad at magic too?"

"Rubbish. Only managed to pass first year because your mother did most of my homework for me."

"But you're good now!"

Ron shrugged. "Matter of opinion, really. But the point is, don't compare yourself, Hu. You're you for a reason, and you know what? If you weren't you, you wouldn't be the son that I love."

Despite himself, a smile escaped from Hugo's mouth. Ron returned it.

"And for the record, Dad, you're a pretty good dad."

"I could be better, though, eh?"

Hugo grinned.

"Now, tell me how this bloody thing works." Ron picked up the controller from the floor. He pressed one of the buttons, causing the car to backflip. "Merlin's pants!"

Hugo laughed, snatching the controller off him. "You just need to use these," he said, pointing to the two sticks. He moved them effortlessly, causing the car to zoom around the room again.

"Maybe you can show me more of that on Sunday," Ron said. He took the controller back. "So, I just, move this?" He moved the left stick forward, and the car hit the far wall.

Hugo laughed. "It just takes practice," he said.

Just like being a father, Ron thought. He stood up. "You wanna come back down?"

Hugo shook his head. "I'm fine up here."

Ron nodded. "Well, you know where we are if you need us."

Hugo nodded. "You going to break the news to Rose?"

Ron shook his head. "As you said, it's not me she's going for. I'll just tell her your mother's taking her."

Hugo grinned. "But Mum knows less about Quidditch than Rose!"

Ron smiled back. "Yeah, kind of wish we were there to watch, huh?" He closed the door as he left, letting out a sigh.

Hugo was a good kid. He was just different. He knew the Weasley personality like the back of his own hand, but maybe it was time he started to learn the Granger just as well.

Ron shook his head.

"No," he said, descending the stairs, "I need to get to know Hugo."

My claim for the 100 prompts challenge was Ron/Hermione/Rose/Hugo. So that is 100 chapters of Romione family fluff. It is basically like my collection 'Coming Into Winter' just with new stories.

Also, I've read the Cursed Child Script, and some chapters may be based off that canon, and some may not. I will make sure I put appropriate spoiler warnings on the chapters that relate to Cursed Child (for those of you who have seen it/read it, please expect a chapter very soon of Hermione confronting Ron about the 'I want another baby' comment.)