Chapter Twenty-One
"Wait... What do you mean you don't want me to go?" Ron demanded, watching as Draco casually sipped his tea. His husband, whom he forced himself to remember that he loved dearly, had only been able to tolerate tea and toast for breakfast the last couple of days. At that moment, Draco looked up with an innocent expression that Ron didn't believe for a second.
"But Ron, you know nothing will come of it." Draco replied with a condescending smile. Ron scowled. "Besides, I thought you were going to visit your brother today."
"Fine." Ron relented. "I guess you can go on your own. I just... I wouldn't mind being informed about certain things." Ron tried to put emphases on his words, though he didn't look over when Draco sent him a vaguely shocked glance. "But, I understand if there is nothing to tell."
"Which there isn't." Draco stated, before standing. "I should get ready... After I throw up."
Ron watched Draco rush out of the room, eyes narrowed in thought. He wasn't stupid and Draco knew that. It was one of the things Draco became most angry about; often times causing him to defend his husband when others insinuated that Ron wasn't of average intelligence. So, Ron didn't know why Draco was avoiding the subject. It really wasn't like him.
Which only served to make Ron even more upset.
Ron remained quiet for the next half hour, listening to the soft sounds of Draco moving around in the bedroom upstairs. He sat on the sofa, debating whether he really wanted to go to Percy's or simply remain at home and brood. His decision was made for him when Draco came downstairs in a robe that didn't belong to Draco, but to Ron. Ron could tell because it practically hung off of Draco's shoulders, and there was a tear at the side-seam.
"Draco?" Ron asked, blinking. "Are you sure you don't want me to go?"
"I'm positive." Draco insisted. "Why do you ask? Do you not think I can manage a decision on my own, Weasley?"
"No, that's not it at all!" Ron protested, standing. He gestured at Draco a minute, trying to find the right words and miserably failing. "I just… Look, you're acting funny is all!"
"…Right." Draco shook his head in exasperation. "I'm going to be late. I'll see you this afternoon, okay?"
"Yeah, fine." Ron sighed and watched as Draco left in a puff of green flames. He definitely needed someone's advice. For once he didn't think he could rely on asking Hermione, who would probably be critical over the whole affair, or his parent for fear of looking bad in their eyes. He really was only left with Percy, because Ginny would tell Hermione, Fred and George would find it amusing, and Bill and Charlie were too far away. Besides, Percy was in a relationship and expecting a child, making him the most likely candidate in this situation.
Ron grabbed his wand from where he left it on the dresser in the bedroom upstairs. As he made his way back downstairs he paused, briefly, to look into the nursery. Ron's eyes scanned the room, noticing that some of the items had been moved around. He frowned, having not realized that Draco had been in there at all.
This plagued at the back of his mind as he reached the fireplace. It was yet another thing to add to Draco's sudden burst of strange behavior. Sighing to himself, Ron stepped into the floo and called out Percy's apartment.
"Just go, Oliver!" Percy's voice was hissing as Ron stepped out into the living room. Percy and Oliver were staring at one another, each positioned on the other side of the room. Oliver looked like he was pouting. "I'm fine!"
"But, Percy-" Oliver started.
"No!" Percy snapped. "You have a job to do, Oliver. You're a quidditch player; it's what you do. I'm fine, okay? You are blowing this out of proportion. I appreciated all of the concern, in fact it's rather sweet, but I don't need to be coddled."
"But, Perce, you slept until noon yesterday." Oliver began, his eyes wide with worry. Ron wondered, briefly, if they were going to notice him standing there at all. "I've never seen you sleep past eight. This odd behavior… I can't help but worry."
"I'm up now, aren't I?" Percy countered.
"Well, yeah, but…" Oliver paused. "Are you sure you don't want me to call practice off?"
"Oliver." Percy's tone had reached a point that told Ron he was about to explode. Oliver apparently noticed as well, because he let out a sharp sound that was nearly a squeak and darted out of the room. Percy let out a soft sigh, before his eyes trailed over and landed on Ron. "May I help you?"
"Uh, I just thought I'd come over for a visit. It's been a while." Ron admitted. He dusted his robes off before walking over to the sofa and sitting down. Percy eyed him a moment, checking for any ulterior motives. "Maybe we could… Well, talk?"
"I suppose…" Percy gave a shrug and sat down in one of the overstuffed chairs. Ron picked at the hem of his shirt. "What did you want to talk about?"
"It's-"
"Okay, I'm out of here." Oliver walked into the room, his uniform stuffed into a large knapsack. He walked over and, dipping down before Percy could protest, pressed his lips against his husband's. Ron glanced away and cleared his throat. "Oh, hey, Ron!"
"Oliver." Ron greeted.
"See you later, love." Oliver winked at Percy, bringing forth a dark blush from the redhead. He bounced over to the floo, waving goodbye as the flames swept him away. Percy scratched at the side of his head, avoiding Ron's gaze.
"How… Domestic." Ron teased. Percy scowled.
"You were saying before we were so rudely interrupted by my husband?" Percy raised an eyebrow. Ron suddenly felt like he was on the witness stand or something. Percy had that effect on people, especially his younger brothers.
"I wanted to talk to you about Draco." Ron said. "He's been acting really weird the last couple of days and… I wanted to know your opinion on it, is all."
"I'm hardly an expert on Draco Malfoy's behavior, and you know it." Percy pointed out.
"Well, no, but you are aware of how men act when they become pregnant." Ron replied. Percy's eyes widened marginally and he nodded. "He's been throwing up… Sleeping a lot, as well. He's sometimes a bit dizzy, too."
"Everyone's symptoms are different, though they do resemble that." Percy said. "Do you think he's hiding it from you? Is that why this is bothering you so much that you're asking me and not him?"
"I don't think he'll take my asking very well, to be honest." Ron rubbed tiredly at the side of his face. He looked up as Percy stood. "Where are you off to?"
"I believe this sort of conversation requires tea." Percy announced. Ron followed his brother into the kitchen, which was far too clean for Ron's tastes. They sat at a small table with the teacups their mother had given Percy on his wedding day. The cups had red lace designs on them. "Basically, Draco is pregnant and won't tell you."
"Basically." Ron agreed.
"Did you give him a reason to think you didn't want a child?" Percy asked, giving him a pointed look. It made Ron uncomfortable, but he had to admit that Percy had a point. He wasn't always thrilled about the idea of children.
"Yeah, but that's changed. We talked about it... Sort of." Ron insisted.
"How can you 'sort of' talk about something this important?" Percy asked, out of morbid curiosity.
"I... I don't know!" Ron let out a growl of frustration. Percy raised an eyebrow. "Look, I've gotten used to the idea, okay? I kind of... Well, I wouldn't mind seeing a little kid with Draco's scowl and my sense of humor."
"Have you told Draco this?"
"Not exactly." Ron mumbled.
"Look, Ron, what you need to do is prove to Draco that you want this baby." Percy said, his voice soft and sincere. It was a bizarre tone to be hearing from Prefect Percy, but Ron had noticed a lot of things that were out of the norm since Percy had married Oliver.
"Okay." Ron looked at Percy expectantly. Percy scowled.
"I'm not figuring it out for you, Ron." Percy informed him. Ron slumped in his chair, frowning. "Look, it's very simple, do something that shows him that you care about the child. Buy baby clothes, or something along those lines."
"I suppose I could go shopping..." Ron agreed.
"If I may... What made you change your mind about all of this?" Percy asked.
"I guess I finally adjusted to the idea." Ron said, smiling slightly. "Besides, it's pretty obvious that Draco likes the idea. I like seeing him happy and if this does the trick, well, I guess I'll go along with it."
"Not very noble." Percy commented.
"Just because I'm a Gryffindor doesn't mean I'm necessarily noble."
"I suppose." Percy shrugged.
"I should ask Ginny and Hermione if they want to go shopping with me." Ron said. He watched as Percy blanched. "What?"
"Nothing, you'll see is all." Percy replied. Ron narrowed his eyes, but decided to say nothing more. He was too busy, after all, wondering how Draco's doctor appointment was going.
In the Cambridge clinic, devoted to the advancement of fertility and as a result home to that district's Wizard Survival Act, Draco sat in a wooden chair, the warmth of Ron's robe comforting his nerves. He stared at the little dragon figurine sitting on the desk, his mind drifting back to the conversation he had had with Molly concerning Charlie's dating habits. His eyes drifting up to meet Dr. Wooldridge's and he felt pity for any man that decided to date her.
"Would you like to tell me why you haven't informed your husband of the latest news?" Dr. Wooldridge asked.
"Does it really matter?" Draco countered. Dr. Wooldridge raised an eyebrow. "Because, if you ask me, I don't think it does at all."
"Indeed." Dr. Wooldridge was obviously amused. Draco found that annoying about her, how she always seemed to find something in a situation to amuse herself with. It reminded Draco of his father or, for that matter, Severus Snape. Dr. Wooldridge sat back in her chair, one finger tapping against the desk in thought. "I suggest telling him as soon as possible, Draco. Most wizards do not like secrets, as you can imagine."
"I'm well aware of that, doctor." Draco gave a slight smirk. "I was planning on telling Ron soon. I was merely… Biding my time."
"Hmm, nonetheless I suggest you take my advice." Dr. Wooldridge stated.
"Thank you." Draco stood. It was about time he left. This place had a habit of making Draco feel inferior and weak. "If that is all?"
"There's no need to be so formal with me, Draco." Dr. Wooldridge gave her traditional, snake-like grin. "I'm your doctor, not your lawyer."
"I'll keep that in mind." Draco said his goodbye and left the office. He held his breath as he apparated home. Nervousness was already taking over. When Ron showed up he was going to tell him the news. Until then, Draco figured he would calm himself down with his potions.