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Dinner and Truth

By unspoken agreement both Hermione and Ron filled out their incident reports without using Harry's name. They knew the moment that someone spotted Harry's name on a form he would be mobbed at the university or at his home. Only four hours after the incident at Harry's university it was apparent that the rogue they were tracking had once more disappeared into the background, with no residual magic or indication that the casting they had done affected them in any way. Ron knew that Hermione was starting to hypothesise about 'unconscious magic' and the like, which he hoped she was wrong about. That was a whole new bag of wet kneezles, and Ron didn't want to open it.

Charlie was reading Rose a story when Ron Flooed in, and Arthur was in the kitchen, getting underfoot as he examined appliances while Harry cooked. On the table in the dining room there was already a stack of books about electrical wiring and appliance repair, the kind that you bought to do it yourself. If Ron knew his father, Arthur would read and reread these to squeeze every last drop of information from them before returning the books and borrowing more.

Ginny Flooed in as Ron stepped into the hall, and Rose looked up from her story with Charlie curiously. She beamed when she spotted him and wriggled down off Charlie's lap, hurrying over for a hug and kiss, asking about his day and telling him that she'd made a very special picture just for him. Ginny appeared as Rose was promising to give it to him before bedtime, and she kissed her Aunty hello as well, patting the round belly that Ginny was sporting very gently before returning to Charlie to finish the story.

"Ron, can you give Rosebud her bath when the story is finished?" Harry called from the kitchen and Ron called an affirmative back, before offering Ginny a tour of the house. She accepted, and held his hand as he walked her through the downstairs section, and then led her slowly up the stairs to see the top floor. Once in the master bedroom, Ginny pushed the door shut and sat on the bed with a soft grunt.

Ron grinned at her fondly. Ginny was as beautiful now as she had been when she was a slender, grown woman. Not that he'd tell her that. She'd think there was something he wanted from her or that he was taking the piss. Ginny shifted on the bed until she was comfortable and folded her arms, fixing him with the glare that she'd learned from Molly.

"You and Harry are sleeping together aren't you?" her question was sharp and to the point, and Ron stalled for a moment, trying to think what her reaction to the truth might be. She'd always had a little crush on Harry, and he had the feeling that her boyfriends at school didn't last because she was comparing them mentally to his best friend.

"There's only one bed," he played dumb, and she glared at him, not at all fooled.

"I meant you're shagging him, Ron. Don't play dumb with me, I know better," her voice was stern and he sighed, leaning against the wall opposite with his hands in his pockets. Better to lay it all out before her now, rather than foster false hopes in her. He only hoped that she wouldn't be too badly hurt.

"Ginny… yes we're sleeping together. I've loved Harry for a very long time, and it turns out that he feels the same way," the conviction in his voice was crystal clear, but Ginny's reaction wasn't one he expected. She smiled happily and patted the bed beside her. When he sat down she slung an arm around him and he rubbed her back automatically, knowing that she was well into the back and leg ache stage.

"I'm glad to hear it Ron," Ginny said in a soft voice, "You deserve some happiness, and Harry too. Rosie loves you, I can tell, and… you'll be a great dad."

"Thanks," Ron murmured, and let her cuddle close for a while, this peaceful moment burning itself into his memory. He heard the patter of small feet up the stairs and Ginny stirred out of his arms, letting him get up and haul her to her feet.

"I'm going to go bother Harry in the kitchen," her eyes twinkled, "You give my niece her bath."

"Yes boss," Ron said lightly and opened the door before Rose could knock. She beamed up at him and took his hand, tugging him towards her room while Ginny laughed and waddled slowly down the stairs. Ron collected fresh clothes for Rose and admired the picture she'd drawn for him. It was of himself and Harry, standing in front of the Hutch with Rose held between them. It was very well drawn for someone of her age, and Ron realised that she'd inherited her mother's artistic ability. They agreed that they would hang the picture on her pin board, and then went to have her bath.

"You're staying forever, aren't you?" Rose asked as he combed her hair afterwards. She was flushed from the heat of the bath water, and sitting on his lap in her room contentedly.

"I am," Ron nodded, and she turned to hug him tightly.

"Good," the muffled reply was a blessing, and Ron made a mental note to tell Harry about it later. As it turned out he didn't have to - Rose announced it at dinner. Harry merely rolled his eyes and told her not to speak with her mouth full, and Ron wiped her chin where she had dribbled. If his best friend wasn't too concerned about being outed by his daughter, Ron could see no reason for panic. After all, they were together and Ron had no intentions of leaving.

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