"What do you mean you're not coming with us?!" I snapped
"I can't" he said "I truly can't"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that danger follows me everywhere, I can't risk this place being found and something happening to you all or my child"
He got up and started toward the stairs his head hung low. Then he tiredly made his way up. I followed.
"Harry" I said softly going over and sitting beside him as he sifted through the boxes he'd brought
"Ron . . . I can't let those dreams come true, I just can't"
"What dream's?" I asked perplexed.
"And now Hermione with this baby . . . a fucking baby . . . now?"
I'd felt the same way when he told me. But I didn't expect to hear that come from him, and I was praying that he didn't suggest something drastic like her getting rid of it. I figured I'd never know unless I asked, so I did.
"You're not going to tell her to give it up are you?"
"NO!" he snapped angrily "Why the hell would you ask that?"
"You just don't seem too happy" I pointed out
He pulled out a ragged stuffed bear and fingered the shiny black eyes "No I'm happy, really happy, this just isn't the best time for her to be pregnant and I'm . . . afraid. I mean Ron, I'm gonna be a father. A father" he emphasized
The thought hadn't really occurred to me. I mean I knew Hermione was pregnant, and I knew how she got that way. But the premise of Harry becoming a father and Hermione a mother, the fact that we weren't kids anymore, that this wasn't Hogwarts and the world wasn't safe any more took me by surprise. I couldn't believe it.
"I don't want my kid to grow up like this, living in fear, not being able to see the world. Having to look over his or her shoulder every day. I don't want to do this any more Ron"
"I know this isn't easy but we can't risk this, without you there will be no stopping Voldemort"
"I'm tired Ron, I'm just tired"
I rubbed his shoulders which were very tense
"I don't want to repeat history Ron" he whispered in a shuddering tone
"Is that what you've been dreaming of?" I asked putting my arm around him and pulling him into an embrace I knew he needed. He nodded and I could feel his hot tears of frustration and fear dropping onto my leg
"I always wanted a son or daughter" he sniffled "Not only to carry on my name but I knew he or she would be the one thing that loved me most, but I just keep sensing its going to be my parent's demise all over again. I can feel it Ron, it's so strong"
He began taking deep breaths then. It had been a fear of his for as long as I can remember that he would die the same way his parents did. He and Hermione were really a copy of the late James and Lily.
"Hey its gonna be ok" I comforted "You can't think about things like that, you're not doing what your parent's did, Dumbledores your secret keeper and we're getting out of here. Everything's going to be ok but you have to come with us"
"I can't take that risk"
"Harry, we love you and you're being very selfish now. We're here for you, now the time to fight Voldemort will come but you can't go looking for it. You're not physically or mentally ready yet. Besides, I don't think Mum or Hermione could make it without you. And what's a Wheezy without a Potter?" I asked
He looked at me, his eyes rimmed with red "You're a good friend Ron" he told me embracing me tightly "Even if you did incite panic and get me smacked by Molly"
We laughed then, something rarely done in that house. Hermione padded in and Harry took her into his arms kissing her softly on the lips.
"Harry" she said "If you want me to get rid of it I will"
"No" he said stroking her stomach "We'll get through this"
She nodded and buried her head into his shoulder making soft sniffling noises. I knew she was relieved. I turned to give them some privacy and said before I departed. "Should I tell them all of your change of plan?"
"What change of plan?"Hermione asked
"I'm gonna stay" he told her
She then turned to me and came over hugging me tightly "Oh, thank you Ron I knew you could talk some sense into him"
I chuckled, I guess I still had it in me. I stroked her back and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Congratulations baby"
"Thank you" she said as she walked back over to him. I saw as she kissed him deeply and pushed him on the bed and chuckled. In this house that was really one of the more fun activities. I made a mental note to participate in as soon as possible.
"He's staying" I said going into the livingroom
"He is?" Mum asked turning away from talking in whispers with Remus something they'd been doing for a long time. She was about to go up there but I stopped her.
"You don't want to go up there just yet" I warned taking Draco by the hand and pulling him away from poking Tonks any longer. "They're a bit . . . busy"
She took a step back and sighed "Oh"
I began pulling Draco up the stairs "With that, don't bother us either" I warned
Draco's eyes lit up and he began rushing me up the stairs. I was sure I heard before I got into the room Mum sigh out
"Horny kids"
