NOTE: I want to thank the beta for this chapter of the story. The knowledge that someone was waiting for this chapter spurred me on. Thank you very much.



The Second Five Wishes

I glared at the mirror in disgust. This damn thing had caused enough trouble in Harry's life already. I couldn't believe that he had wanted us to see his wishes. Speaking of which, I really was angry about that one with Ginny. I mean, who really needs to see their younger sister shagging their best friend. Yes, all of the Weasley boys think that Ginny belongs with Harry, but come on. Do I need to see it? No.

So here I stand. I made a deal with Hermione. In order to each view our wishes privately, we would each wish only four wishes. Then we would each wish our last wish together. I'm honestly terrified. When I looked in the mirror of Erised, I saw myself as everything my brothers were. I was Head Boy and a Quidditch star. I was popular and smart. And I was rich.

All of those wishes seem to so insignificant now. With You Know Who back, I should probably wish that we would defeat him. But Harry said that the mirror doesn't actually give you what you want. It only lets you see and live it for a short time. I think we were all grateful for that on his last wish. Eeew. Again, didn't need to see that.

Take a deep breath, Ronnikins. Now is the time. Hermione is waiting patiently outside the room for her turn. She's also keeping watch as well as making sure Harry doesn't have a heart attack. What do I wish for? What could I possibly want? Oh, maybe… nah! But then again… Okay. I wish I was married to Lavender Brown.

*****

"Ron? Ron? It's time!"

"I'm bloody coming!"

"I thought that's what got us into this mess in the first place."

Ron turned a bright red. "Not funny, Lav."

"I thought it was." A very pregnant Lavender Weasley stood waiting at the door to apparate to St. Mungo's Maternity Ward. "Besides, it got you moving, didn't it?"

"Let's just go."

Lavender laughed as her husband helped her arrange herself. "We're apparating, Ron!"

"Just hold this for a minute!" Ron grabbed his wand and then took back the small bag from his wife. "Okay."

The two vanished only to find themselves in the large Maternity Ward at St. Mungo's hospital. Within seconds, they were surrounded by Fred, George, and Charlie. Their voices got louder and louder until Ron felt himself getting a headache.

"That's bloody enough!"

The boys stared at their brother. Fred ventured, "It's okay, Ron. She's not going to spew the bugger right here."

Ron lunged at Fred. "Shut up!"

Charlie shoved Ron back. "Remember your pregnant wife, Ron?"

Ron turned back and found Lavender laughing at him. "What?"

"Let's just go, honey."

"I'm coming."

Charlie's snort was shocking. "I thought that's what got you into this in the beginning."

Fred started laughing while George kissed his sister-in-law on the cheek. "Here's to the jokes that make Ronnikins blush!"

Charlie snickered, "Get going, Ron. She's halfway down the hallway!"

*****

I felt my face turn bright red. Ugh, maybe marriage wasn't such a good idea. I mean… babies and bags and… blood. Ew! No, bad wish. Bad Ron for thinking of it. But I have to hurry now. I've wasted enough time on that wish. I'm not sure I could handle marriage. So, this time I'll wish for what Harry wished for… No Voldemort.

*****

"Ron! Ron! Mum! Make him give it back!" Ginny shrieked as she chased her older brother around the yard.

"Ronald! Give that book back to your sister!"

Ron stopped running and dropped the book as Ginny slammed into him from behind. "Mum! She took my magazine!"

"Who cares what she did, Ron? You're older. Act like it!" Charlie called out from his seat in the tree. He and Bill were going over recent stories. They weren't often together anymore as they both lived in other countries, but they liked to catch up when they could.

Bill agreed with his younger brother, "Go bug Nate or Paul. Leave Gin alone!"

Ron growled at his sister and went off in search of his other brothers. He found Percy and George sitting on the small patio near the house. They were discussing the politics of the business field. He could hear Fred through the upstairs window. He was testing new products without his twin. Laughter from the far corner of the yard signaled the location of his two youngest brothers Nathan and Paul.

"Nate! Paul!"

The two redheaded boys crawled out from under the bushes. Nathan glared at Paul as he ran toward Ron. "Paul pushed me."

"Did not."

"Did so."

"Not."

"So."

Ron laughed, "Stop it. Paul, I saw you push him. Nate, stop teasing him."

*****

I let my hand brush the glass while my laughter dies away. Nate and Paul were clearly Weasleys. Two more siblings for Fred and George to torment, but I'm not sure if George was simply playing with Percy's mind or if he had finally grown up. They're a package deal, the twins. Seeing one without the other is a little disconcerting.

Yeah, I know big words, too. Hermione thinks that I don't. Harry ignores that I know them because most of the time I use them incorrectly. But I'm pretty sure I got it right this time. Disconcerting means uncomfortable, right?

*****

"Ron! Ron!"

Ron looked up from his desk. "What now?"

Harry smiled as he entered the office. "We've got the reports. Moody's done it again."

"Done what?"

"This time he was caught waylaying Muggles because they looked suspicious. Don't ask what he thinks is suspicious."

Ron laughed as Harry sat down across from him. "I don't have to ask. To Moody, even his own mother would be suspicious."

"I know. Ginny's the one who found him."

"Can you tell me what my very pregnant sister was doing out in the field?"

Harry let his eyes drop to the floor. "She said she was fine."

"Since when have you listened to your wife, Harry?"

"Never." The Gryffindor agreed. "It was stupid. I know this, but does she listen to me?"

"Never." Ron smiled. "Ginny never listens to anyone but Hermione."

Harry nodded in agreement. "Your sister is bullheaded."

"So am I."

"Touché!"

*****

I guess it wouldn't be so bad for Harry to be with Ginny. Just don't go looking for me to be the one giving her away. It's enough to know that it went on. Don't need to see it myself. But Harry looked happy. For maybe the first time in his life… in our friendship… he didn't have that scary, haunted look in his eyes. I would give anything to make that Harry… the Harry from my most recent wish… the real Harry.

He thinks all I care about is the money his dad left him and the fact that everyone cares about him and not me. I just don't want him to know how much I worry about him. He's my best friend… my first real friend. I don't want to let his need to not be a burden to get in the way. I know he's attracted to Ginny. Hermione thought I didn't notice earlier. But I did.

If they need each other to be happy, who am I to refuse to believe it? Why can't I have that?

*****

"Ron? Ron?"

Ron set the toddler in his high chair. "What, love?"

His wife came up behind him and kissed the hollow of his neck before continuing on her way out the door. "I'll be late tonight. Don't forget! Nathan's going to have to stay with you guys tonight!"

Ron smiled at his two-year old son. "That's fine with us, isn't it, Nathan?"

Nathan looked into his father's blue eyes and burbled happily.

Ron nodded and set about getting Nathan's breakfast. As he moved around the kitchen, he talked to his son. "Now, I know you heard Mummy and I arguing last night. Mummy doesn't really think you're slow. You just don't like to talk little words, do you?"

Nathan giggled as his father made a funny face at him.

"Mummy's just very concerned that you don't talk yet, Nathan. I told her that I was the same way when I was younger. But you know Mummy. She took that as an insult."

Nathan put his pudgy right hand into his cereal and smeared it on his shirt. He then took a handful and stuffed it into his mouth.

Ron grabbed a tea towel and wiped up as much of the cereal as he could. "Nathan, let's try and use the spoon, huh? I know you know how. Uncle Harry taught you."

Nathan solemnly nodded and picked up the colorful spoon. He dipped it carefully into the cereal and crossed his eyes carefully in concentration as he brought the spoon to his mouth. The majority of the cereal made it into Nathan's mouth, but a small blob dripped down his chin and plopped onto the chair table.

Ron set his own bowl of cereal down and kept talking to his son. "That's good, Nathan. Uncle Harry will be so proud of you. We should tell him tonight, huh?"

Nathan's eyes brightened at the mention of his godfather.

"That's right! Uncle Harry's coming for dinner. And he's bringing Padfoot and Moony, too! Won't that be exciting?"

Nathan smiled through a mouthful of cereal and sputtered wildly. He waved his spoon in the air and bounced in his seat. "p… p…!"

"That's right. Padfoot!" Ron beamed at his son. The little boy had his own sounds for each of his parents' many friends. He laughed as Nathan moved onto the noise designated for Remus Lupin.

"grr… grr…!"

Ron took a bit eof his breakfast and waved at his son. "Yes, Moony, too. He'll be so happy to see you. He just adores you."

Nathan watched his father move around the kitchen. He liked spending time with his father. His mother was sometimes a little too serious about things. He wanted to surprise everyone tonight. His father was right. They should tell Uncle Harry all about the spoon tonight.

(Seven hours later…)

Nathan toddled into the living room and growled at the door.

Ron heard the bell and followed his son. Nathan seemed to think it was Remus. He opened the door and stared at the man in front of him. "Remus?"

The former Hogwarts professor smiled back at Ron and sidestepped into the living room. "Hello, Ron!" He noticed Nathan growling on the floor behind his father. "And there's Nathan!" He bent down and held out his hands for the little boy.

Nathan walked to Remus and was pulled up into a big hug.

Ron smiled, "I take it you like the new rules, Remus?"

The werewolf smiled. When Harry had been a baby, the Ministry had laws that forbid Remus from holding him. Now, after Arthur Weasley had become Minister of Magic, Remus was allowed to finally hold Harry's godson. "Hey, Nathan! Look at what I brought!"

Nathan gasped in delight. He held out his hands and patiently waited for Remus to put the stuffed dragon into his arms. He hugged the red dragon closely before holding it out to show his father. "phoo… phoo…!"

"That's right. Like Uncle Charlie!" Ron closed the door and watched Remus carry his son deeper into the house. The older man was looking much better since the new werewolf laws had come into effect. He seemed more at ease with himself. "You look good, Remus."

The werewolf smiled and jostled Nathan a little bit. "Thanks, Ron. It's been different. People know but they don't care. They're still afraid, but they don't care."

"I know the feeling. It comes from being best friends with the Boy Who Lived."

Remus sat down on the floor with Nathan as the bell went off again. He looked up at Ron and smiled, "Watch this." He got Nathan's attention. "Who is it, Nathan? Can you tell me who it is?"

Nathan frowned for a moment as if he were thinking very hard. "uh… uh…!"

"Anyone else?"

"p… p…!"

"Good boy, Nathan!" Remus hugged the boy tightly and sent him off toward the door.

Ron stood by the door as the bell chimed again. "How does he do that?"

Remus shrugged, "No clue. But he's always right. Scared the bloody hell out of Ginny once."

Nathan had reached the door and was banging on it to remind his father that people needed to get into the house. "d… d…!"

"I know, baby boy." Ron guided Nathan out of the way of the door as Harry pushed it open from the other side.

The Boy Who Lived smiled as he shook Ron's hand. "Ron!"

Sirius brushed past the two friends and swept Nathan up off the ground. "Nathan! There's my little Marauder!"

Nathan screamed in delight and wrapped his arms around Sirius neck. He began chanting. "p… p… p…!"

"I know little buddy! It's so good to see you. I hear today is your big day." Sirius ran his hand through the mop of shaggy red hair. "How many are you now?"

Nathan held out two fingers.

"Two! Bloody hell! You're an old man! Good thing I bought that cane, huh?"

Nathan giggled at Sirius. He planted a big kiss on the man's cheek and then struggled to get down.

Sirius let Nathan back on the floor and snickered as the redhead settled his eyes on his godfather.

"Come here, big boy!" Harry laughed as Nathan rushed in a burst of energy to cling to his right leg. "I can't walk now. Help someone! Help!" He staggered around the room as the other three men laughed. Nathan clung to Harry's leg and squealed as he went up and down with Harry's steps. "Help! He's got me!"

Harry trudged to the couch and sat down. He could reach Nathan and quickly picked him up to sit on his lap. "So how are you, Nathan?"

Nathan looked out at the group of men and smiled. He turned to look up at his godfather. "I used the spoon," he declared brightly.

Ron stared at his son. Did he just talk?

Sirius started cheering as Remus clapped.

Harry looked seriously down at his godson. "Did you make a mess?"

"No."

"Really?"

Nathan pinched his thumb and forefinger together. "Little one." He frowned for a moment as he began relating this morning's discussion. "Mummy is mad at Daddy."

Harry's eyes glittered with laughter. "What about?"

"Daddy is daddy."

The two older men roared in laughter as Ron stared in shock at his son.

Harry looked at his friend. "Takes after Mione, doesn't he?"

*****

I wiped a tear from my eye. Hermione and I? I've never thought about that before. Do I love her as more than a friend? Is she someone that I would spend the rest of my life with? I thought about Nathan for a moment. He was a beautiful boy. My son. This was different from my first wish.

When I had seen myself with Lavendar, all I could think about was escape. Children? Please! Me? Never! But looking into the eyes that Hermione had given our son, I couldn't imagine it any other way. I wanted desperately for Nathan to be real. I wanted him to be mine. Mine and Hermione's. Oh, gods! I'm in love with Hermione!