Chapter Forty One

Bond of Blood and Magic

"Queen to C3."

Harry stared at the board as his white queen moved to take Ron's knight. He smiled inwardly and was glad Ron couldn't feel him gloat. It was one of the things he missed about having a body of his own. He watched Ron's expression. Did he detect fear in there? But he saw something: a gleam in his eye. He knew that gleam, he had it whenever Ron was about to make a kill.

"Pawn to C3," Ron said calmly.

Harry watched as the tiny black piece hacked at his queen. Ron picked up the pieces and laid them aside. He looked at him with an eyebrow raised and a grin. Harry could almost hear Ron's voice inside him: "Didn't you ever learn anything by living inside me?"

Harry had three pieces left, two pawns and his king. There was nothing much left to move about for strategy when you have that many pieces left. He urged a pawn forward, knowing it could be taken by Ron's bishop so he could position for a checkmate.

But Ron didn't take it. He moved his bishop back. Even Harry knew that was just a stall to prolong the game. Ron sometimes did that when he wanted to bait someone for sheer fun… or if he wanted to talk about something. Harry could sense, however, that it was the latter.

Harry had finally come home today after being gone for nearly three months. He had originally intended to come home immediately after receiving Ron's owl, but Maddy had tactfully persuaded him that maybe another week away would be good for both of them so they wouldn't brood too much about Ron's and Hermione's upcoming wedding. They spent every waking minute seeing sights, and exploring muggle and wizarding historical areas in Italy. When it got too boring, Maddy suggested a bit of harmless adventure. Like two mysterious superheroes out of the Dudley's muggle comics, they helped solved crimes by listening in to muggle police dispatches and running after petty criminals themselves. It was good fun and they had a laugh whenever the muggle police were baffled with the perpetrators literally left at their front door.

They left Italy and headed east past the Mediterranean towards Africa. They spent a good deal of time in Egypt then traveled north to Iraq and Turkey. They explored old tombs and temples and dared each other to enter infamously cursed places. They got into a few minor troubles, but they always managed to get out somehow, at times within an edge of their lives. And after one adventure, they were ready to tempt fate for another go. It was the kind of reckless behavior Harry had longed to do now that he didn't have to feel responsible for the rest of the wizarding world. And he had the time of his life doing just that with a girl who seemed to feel as immortal as he did. Before they knew it, their one month leave had ended and with it loomed the day of Ron's and Hermione's wedding. Three days before the intended date, Harry and Maddy went back to England both more lighthearted and ready to face reality again.

Harry came into the Manor rather late. He had hoped to steal into his bedroom without Ron and Hermione knowing and just announce his presence in the morning. He figured Ron had moved into Hermione's room by now. But Ron had caught him halfway up the stairs.

"You're back," he said rather casually. Then as if sensing Harry's agitation, Ron quickly added. "Hermione's not here. She said she'll be working late—getting her new office ready at Hogwarts. She accepted a part-time teaching job and she starts this term. Want a game of chess?"

And that was all. They played without talking like so many times that they did as if there was nothing bothering them. But Harry could sense it. Ron wanted to tell him something. He knew what it was, and now that the game was almost over, Ron was about to fess up.

"Guess you probably know that well… I suppose you've suspected that… and Mum probably told you… about Hermione and me…"

Harry looked at Ron. "Look, there's no need to feel uncomfortable about it. I know. Congratulations. I'm happy for both of you. I came home just for it," he said and he meant it.

"Thanks mate. I wanted to tell you sooner. I didn't tell you by owl because I wanted to tell you in person. I want you to be my best man."

"Sure, of course I'd be Ron. I'd be happy too."

"Good, then," Ron replied. He used a finger to loosen the collar of his jumper. Harry was puzzled. Ron didn't seem any less nervous now that he had the news of his marriage to Hermione out. Something else was bothering him.

Ron stared back at the chessboard. He continued loosening his collar in the same nervous manner. Finally he spoke: "Knight to H4, checkmate!"

Now Harry was nervous. What could make Ron so agitated that he would abruptly end the game? He usually talked over something important while stalling. Clearly whatever this was, it was too serious to be talked about without the distraction of chess.

"Look, there's something else," Ron finally said.

"What is it?" Harry asked, bracing himself for the worse, though he couldn't imagine anything more uncomfortable that Ron telling him he and Hermione were getting married.

Ron swallowed hard and stared at the board. Harry had to crouch forward to hear him.

"Hermione's going to have a baby."

"Oh," Harry said and he smiled. "Well, congratulations again, I suppose. Already? It's just been what? Two months?"

Ron shook his head but his gaze was still on the board and Harry's heart began to race. "It's three months, Harry. It's been three months, not two."

Three months not two, for some reason that last line stuck in his head. What difference did it make if it was three months, and not two? Three months? Three months?

"It's a bit unexpected," Ron said a bit uncomfortably. "I mean, I'm twenty years old, Harry. What do I know about being a father? My dad was great but I'm not sure I can ever be like that. This is like a big thing, a big responsibility and I'm not sure I'll be able to do it without making a big mess."

Harry was still unsure where his best friend was getting at, but he decided not to interrupt. Three months. Three months. The thought kept ringing on his head.

Ron was still staring at the board. "This baby's going to be another person and she's going depend on me and I'm…" He finally looked up to meet Harry's gaze. "I'm scared okay. I just don't know what to do." He paused again for what Harry felt like an eternity. "But… I suppose it's not too scary if I'm not alone in it."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, only half-listening. Three months, three months. But Ron had been in the hospital for almost a month. It doesn't add up. They couldn't have— THREE MONTHS! OH HELL! Suddenly, he realized what that could have possibly meant! At the same time Ron looked him straight in the eye and dropped the bomb.

"It was you, Harry."

Those four little words hammered into his chest. And though he already knew what Ron meant, it was still very confusing.

"I-I don't understand…"

Ron breathed as if he was trying to calm himself. "Mickey found out for us. Remember how she can recognize you through your magical signature. Even after you freed her, Mickey can still do that. She knew just by looking at Hermione, it was a Potter. The baby has your magical signature. Yours and Hermione's, but not mine. Mickey can even tell the baby's a girl."

Harry's mouth went dry. A baby? A girl? His? A reminder of his betrayal to the two best friends in the world! Harry suddenly felt lower than a slug. Here he was alive, in a new body and the man responsible for keeping him that way—the best friend who had given him so much already after his own betrayal—was telling him he had just robbed him yet again.

"Ron, I'm so sorry," said Harry miserably. "I never wanted it this way. I'll do whatever you want me to. If you don't want the baby, I-I'll take her when she's born. I'll go away. You and Hermione will never have to see me again."

Harry was known to have great reflexes. He could sense an assault even a split-second before it hit. But for the second time in his life, all his reflexes seemed to have shut down. He was caught totally unprepared when his best friend pushed the chess board aside and landed a hard punch at the right side of his face. The impact was so hard it sent Harry slamming against the wall.

"DAMN YOU TO HELL, POTTER!"

Harry didn't pick himself up or assess with his hand the damage Ron just inflicted. He just hung his head. "Do whatever you want Ron, I deserve it. Kill me, if you want to. But please… don't do anything to the baby. Please..."

Ron answered with solid upper cut that left Harry even more shaken and bleary eyed.

"That was for being a bloody thick idiot!"

Harry shook his head to clear it. He could feel his nose gushing out blood. Ron was glaring at him with his arms folded.

"Do. You. Think. I. Am. That. Stupid?" Ron clenched, emphasizing each word. "How can you think of me that way? It's MY baby too! Don't you ever forget it! It was my body and the hell I care if the baby has YOUR bloody magical signature and not mine. SHE'S MINE JUST AS MUCH SHE IS YOURS! SO DON'T INSULT ME!"

Harry blinked and was about to apologize again for… whatever. He didn't exactly understood what he should apologize for. He didn't quite understand where Ron was getting at.

"And you are completely daft if you think I'd want you dead! What the hell did I put up sharing almost two years of my life for? I have half a mind not to tell you what I'm supposed to," said Ron. He gave a great sigh then continued in a normal tone: "I admit, I was mad you at first. But after all that and a month to cool off… damn it Potter, I still can't hate you." He breathed deeply to calm himself then continued. "Look, it's your baby and it's mine. There's no denying it. Hermione and I talked about it and we decided well… we want you in. I want you in. I want you to be the dad with me."

Harry was speechless. Even after all that Ron had done for him, his best friend could never cease to touch him.

"I know I said I can't share Hermione with you. I never will. Let's get that clear. But it doesn't mean I can't share my child with you. Just this one," Ron added harshly.

"O-of course… I-I don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything," Ron said sarcastically. "You might say something stupid and I'll be forced to hit you again."

Harry just nodded seriously. Ron finally broke into a smile and reached a hand for him to pull him from the floor.

"Go on mate. Go clean up before Hermione gets here. She'll have it on me if she found out I just knocked the lights out of you."

"Thanks," Harry finally muttered. He used his wand to siphon out the blood.

"All part of the territory of having a best friend who shares almost everything with you."

Harry managed a smile. "So I'm going to be a dad too?"

"Yeah, we both are. Glad we didn't get rid of that nursery after all. Well—I mean if you don't mind that she stays here a few times."

"What are you talking about? Of course she's staying here, you live here."

Ron shook his head. "Not for long. Hermione and I are moving out mate. I promised you I'd give you back everything, it includes this house. We're scouting to buy some property somewhere so we can nest on our own."

Harry understood and respected Ron's want for privacy. He didn't fancy sharing a house with him and Hermione anyway.

"I'm sorry about Hermione," he said.

Ron shook his head. "I don't want to hear anything about it. She doesn't know how you feel anyway. Let's leave it like that."

"Thanks," replied Harry. He knew Ron would never speak about this again. It was just his way. They would go on as before, as if it had never happened. Harry was glad for that.

There was a popping noise near the door and Hermione appeared. Harry felt a little flop in his heart, but was surprised that it wasn't as strong as it used to be. Her eyes lit when she saw him.

"Harry, you're home," she said in surprise. She stopped in front of him before giving him an awkward hug. Harry could feel Ron eyeing them suspiciously and he quickly let go of Hermione in the same moment that she did. She quickly turned back to Ron and took one of his hands in hers as if to reassure him.

"We were worried about you," she said, though her hand was still giving Ron an affectionate squeeze. It put a grin back to Ron's face.

"No, you were worried about him," Ron said. "As I told you, I have complete confidence in Harry coming home alright."

Hermione scowled at him, but Harry could see how much she adored Ron.

"Did you tell him?" she asked Ron a little nervously.

"Yeah, all of it. My duty is done as we bargained."

Hermione seemed to relax a bit but looked shyly at Harry. "So you know?"

"I know," Harry blushed.

Hermione didn't look at him. "We didn't tell anyone yet. We wanted you to know first. So I told Ron he should tell you as soon as you get back."

"And that was a horrible thing you made me do!"

"Oh stop complaining. It's only Harry."

"You try doing it, then. Telling your best friend he's going to be a dad with you. You have no idea."

"Well what about me?" Hermione retorted. "How am I suppose to tell my parents their future grandchild has two fathers?"

That shut Ron up. But Harry was thinking of something else.

"But what about your family Ron? Who's telling them?"

Ron and Hermione suddenly lit up with mischievous grins.

Harry groaned.

Harry apparated into the Burrow's living room. He was quite surprised to find it empty. He had expected it to be full of Weasleys at this hour. He waited for Hermione and Ron to appear. He had a full five minute wait before he realized they had no intention of joining him immediately. A look at the Weasley family clock told him they were still at "home" and their hands did not move at all. He tried not to think of exactly what they were still doing back at the Manor to delay their coming. Instead, he proceeded to look for company.

He heard something clanging in the kitchen and went there. He found Mrs. Weasley busy at the stove cooking up a feast. She had her back to him but quickly turned when she sensed his presence. A look of surprise crossed her face when she saw him and she backed away fearfully. Harry realized Mrs. Weasley was looking at him as if he was a stranger. But before he could reassure her, Fleur appeared from the kitchen back door and gave him the same look of shock. She stepped in front of Mrs. Weasley and uttered something harshly to him in French.

"Hello, Harry! You're back!" another voice broke through and Harry saw Bill enter from the same kitchen door with Fred. They noticed the two witches' expressions.

"It's okay Mum, it's just Harry," assured Fred.

"Oh! Of course, dear," replied Mrs. Weasley. "I am sorry. It is just that you gave me a fright. I'm not used to seeing you… well… you know what I mean." She gave Harry a welcome hug. "It's just that I've never seen you before like this. I'm glad you're finally home."

Harry hugged her back. But from the corner of his eye, he could see Fleur still giving him an unnerved look. Bill noticed his wife's expression and laughed.

"What's the matter dear? Bad ex-boyfriend memories haunting you?"

If looks could kill, Bill would be a corpse right now. Fleur glared at him so fiercely that for a moment Harry thought Fleur was finally going to show her husband the less than charming side of her "Veela" abilities. But Bill just laughed even harder and squeezed her shoulders.

"Don't worry, it's just our Harry in there."

"Of course," Fleur said haughtily. "I am only surprized." And she proceeded to give Harry a kiss on each of his cheeks.

"Why didn't you tell us you were coming home?" admonished Mrs. Weasley. "Oh no matter, you are just in time for Ron's and…" she trailed off and was suddenly uncomfortable.

"Their wedding tomorrow, I know, Mrs. Weasley," said Harry. "I came home just for that. Ron has to have a best man. I came from the Manor. Hermione and Ron are coming in a bit later."

Mrs. Weasley brightened. "Why don't you three help Ginny, Angelina and George set the plates outside? We're having dinner in the yard."

Harry nodded, took a few plates with Bill and Fleur and carried them out in the yard where Ginny, George, and Angelina—who was currently Fred's girlfriend—were arranging tables and chairs with their wands.

"Look who's come home?" Bill announced. Everyone else stopped to greet Harry back and questioned him on his long holiday. Harry had filled them in on what he had been up to for the last three months while they set the table. By the time they were done Mrs. Weasley arrived with Mr. Weasley levitating in the food.

"Where are Ron and 'Ermione?" asked Fleur impatiently. "Zhis dinner party eez suppozed to be for zhem, before zheir wedding tomorrow."

"They're coming," Harry assured.

"Oh I 'ope zey 'urry," she replied. "I want everyone to be 'ere."

"For what?" asked Ginny.

Harry echoed Ginny's question in his head. He noticed Fleur seemed to be excited about something.

"Later," said Bill curtly. "When everyone's here."

There were two popping sounds and Ron and Hermione appeared, both looking flushed but happy.

"Finally the love birds decided to show!" Fred exclaimed. "Let's eat, we're starving." Angelina nudged him to mind his manners.

"But you were going to say something dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked Fleur.

"Oh, later, Mum. I want everyone fed first," said Bill. "Go on, sit." Fleur looked liked she was going to protest at her husband, but Bill had whispered something to shush her.

Harry moved over on the bench so Ron could sit next to him, while Hermione sat across next to Ginny. Everyone immediately got down. Mrs. Weasley allowed them to have a few spoonfuls, but her impatience finally got the better of her and prompted Fleur to speak up.

Fleur was blushing as she glanced around at the table, looking as if she was bursting with anticipation, she held on to Bill's hand. "Shall I?"

Bill nodded and Fleur looked thrilled.

"We want you all to know. Bill and I… we are 'aving a baby."

There was a sudden silence the whole length of the table before it erupted with cheers. Mrs. Weasley was the most ecstatic and had flown to Fleur's side and hugged her. "I knew it! I knew it! A baby in the family! A grandchild!"

Everyone was eagerly hugging Fleur or shaking Bill's hand and asking about details of their coming baby. Everyone, that is except, Ron, Harry and Hermione. They looked at each other furtively, all wondering if Mrs. Weasley would take their own news the same way.

They had discussed the subject of telling the rest of the family about their own baby and decided Harry should reveal it to each member of the family after Ron's and Hermione's wedding, beginning with Ron's siblings and last to his mother. Ron had warned that his mother was rather conservative in her ideas of marriage. "She just might condemn us," Ron had explained. "A few years back, Mum found out Charlie had this girlfriend living with him and Mum gave him the cold shoulder for months. Best to let her know after we're safely married and we got the rest of the family on our side. It would soften the blow at least. I don't want her again thinking Hermione's a scarlet woman."

Harry sighed. He would cross that bridge when he got there. For now, he, Ron and Hermione would be keeping their secret.

"You know, this is just perfect," Fred said when his mother had calmed down enough to sit. "We get another test subject for this new invention we made."

"Not that again!" Bill exclaimed.

"What? What eez zhat?" asked Fleur.

"It's our new pregnancy test wand," George explained excitedly, holding out what looked liked an ordinary wand. "It works just like a wand, only it can only do one spell. It tells you if you're pregnant or not. It's quite useful for hospitals. St. Mungo's actually willing to invest in it. And it's not a joke this time."

"Not a joke! One of my colleagues at the bank who tried that spent two weeks with two pink lines constantly hanging over her head!" Bill complained. "She still refuses to speak to me. That's the last time I'll get anyone else to try your products—and I don't care whether or not they're tested."

"Well it was in its initial stages, this one has effects that wear out much sooner," defended George. "You see Fleur, we got the idea from one of those muggle pregnancy test kits. In the muggle version, you use this strip and lines appear on it when you use it on a urine sample. One pink line means you're not pregnant, two means you are. Well this time, the lines appear just above your head. But don't worry, this time Fred and I got down to making the lines appear for only half an hour."

"Zo you are testing eet on me?" Fleur asked, doubtfully.

"Don't worry, it has no side effects, and it's not even messy. Just think, you can use it in case you and Bill get another baby."

Fleur scowled at her brother-in-law.

"Oh, come on Fleur… Alright, if you're not convinced, I'll try it first on Fred here." He pointed the wand at his twin and muttered a spell. The wand emitted a pink spark and hit Fred. Immediately a single line appeared about half a foot above his head. "See, one pink line. Fred's not pregnant."

"Oy, unfair! Two can play that," Fred said. He got out another wand and pointed it at George. In a moment, George was sporting a similar single pink line.

"Still need convincing, Fleur?" George said. "Let's try Hermione then."

"NO!" Harry and Ron both shouted.

But it was too late. George already hit her with the spell. Everybody stared on top of her head, and Harry watched as their expressions changed from mirth to utter confusion. There, for all the world to see were two clear pink lines.

"Uhhm… must be not working right," said Fred. "Fleur... will you?"

Fleur just nodded. Fred uttered the spell and she sported the same two pink lines.

"Er… must be a mistake then," said George. "Mum, do you mind?" He pointed the wand at his mother and muttered the charm. A single pink line appeared on her head. "You're not currently pregnant Mum, are you?"

"No dear, I think I'm passed that age," said Mrs. Weasley. "But… er… Hermione dear… are you?"

Hermione froze, unwilling to meet anyone's eyes. Mrs. Weasley's gaze directed towards Ron and it had disappointment written all over it.

Ron cringed and kicked Harry underneath the table. Harry winced.

"Ronald Bilius Weasley, I thought I raised you better than that!" Mrs. Weasley began. Ron kicked Harry harder and this time he gave an involuntary yelp.

"Ronald what are you doing? I am talking to you," Mrs. Weasley warned. But Ron just elbowed Harry further. His message was clear: "Do something!"

"Ronald!"

Harry stood up after one final hard kick from Ron. "Don'tblameRon," he garbled stupidly.

Mrs. Weasley didn't appear to understand him. Ron gave him a vicious push.

"Ronald stop hitting Harry! What has come over you?"

"Bugger! Just tell her Harry!" Ron shouted. He was already turning purple with desperation.

"Tell me what? Ronald, I think this concerns you, not Harry, so stop using him as a distraction!" Mrs. Weasley admonished. "And watch your language!"

Everyone else at the table was attempting to slink away discreetly but Ron pounded his fists on the table. "Nobody's leaving!" he declared. "You might as well all know, saves us the trouble." He turned to Harry. "Just go tell everyone, they're bound to find out anyway!"

Harry couldn't look at anyone straight. He stared at the table as if his life depended on it. "Hermione's going to have a baby," he began. "Ron's and—and mine…"

Harry suddenly knew what it felt like to be publicly executed by firing squad. He could feel everyone's eyes were boring into him like bullets.

"Sorry…" It was Fred who broke the stillness in a confused tone. "I thought I just heard you say, it's Ron's and yours, Harry?"

Harry wished someone would just Avada Kedavra him right now.

"Go on explain, Harry," Ron urged.

Harry wanted to strangle his best friend. He was really making him suffer for this. He breathed deeply and finally looked up. "Please don't make me repeat that again," he begged, but nobody responded. They just stared at him with looks of disbelief and puzzlement.

Finally, Ron stood up next to him and relieved him of his misery. "Alright, I'll say it plain: Harry, Hermione and I are having a baby. Don't ask how it happened. Just believe me when I tell you it's mostly Harry's fault."

Harry wanted to crawl somewhere and die. Hearing it said like that felt even worse.

"But Hermione and I forgave him and we both decided to share being the Dad. There. You can denounce us now, but don't even think of blaming Hermione. It was never her fault." He reached a hand to clutch at Hermione's to reassure her.

Mrs. Weasley got out from the table and Harry held his breath as to what she would do. She came to Hermione and suddenly hugged her like a daughter.

"There, there, dear. It's alright. No one blames you. It's my grandchild after all and I'm happy to have another even with the rather different… circumstances." She released her and came next to Ron and hugged him the same way and whispered something to him that brightened up his face. When she came to Harry, he was too ashamed and too grateful to even hug back.

"I understand, Harry dear. You did love her so. A mother always knows," she whispered to him through her choked voice.

Mr. Weasley suddenly interrupted with a toast that lightened the mood. Everyone else gladly joined in and celebrated their new baby as gaily as they did Bill's and Fleur's. Fred and George even started joking about it and Harry expected that he and Ron would never hear the end of it.

When dinner was over and everyone was settled with one last cup of hot cocoa in the Burrow living room, Harry got ready to apparate home alone (Ron and Hermione opted to stay overnight at the Burrow). But he stopped when he heard someone call his name.

"Can I talk to you alone?" It was Hermione, and Harry recognized her speaking to him in parseltongue.

Harry glanced around and saw Ron busy talking with his father. He nodded and followed her in one corner of the living room by the fire where they would not be overheard, but still within sight of company. Harry though, didn't need to worry about being overheard. For Hermione's next words were in parseltongue.

"How are you?" she asked tentatively.

"What do you mean?" he asked in the same language.

"Harry… I think you know what I mean."

Harry felt himself turn red. "I'm sorry."

"I don't want to hear it," she said and Harry was struck by the similarity of her words with Ron's. "But I hope nothing changes with us, Harry."

Harry looked at her straight. "No, nothing changes between us," he said wholeheartedly.

"Thank you, Harry."

And she was gone to rejoin Ron. Harry watched as Ron placed an affectionate arm around her waist. He could imagine that waist would soon enlarge with the tiny thing she carried. He felt a rush of warmth at that thought that though he could never have her, there was a part of him inside her. It was another human that was part him and part her. And the idea that the baby was also a part of Ron somehow made it perfect.

"How are you?" another voice called to him, this time, it was in English.

Harry turned to find Ginny with a look of concern.

Harry glanced back at Ron and Hermione, their arms linked and their faces flushed with all the happiness they could ever hope for. His two best friends caught his eye and gave him identical smiles.

Harry smiled back. "I'm good. I'm really good."

A/N: A lot of people guessed it right that Hermione's pregnant, I think that's rather obvious. Still, I'm giving credit to everyone who did mention it: mushroom, LoVinSoMe1SpeCiaLWill There Ever Be a Rainbowmrmistoffelees, and tonks. As for "Harry's comfort," a lot of reviewers mentioned Ginny. Well, Ginny can be a comfort for him too, but has it ever occurred to anyone that the person that can comfort Harry most after all his troubles is not a romantic partner, but his daughter? As I said before, I wrote this not as a romance fic but as a friendship fic between Ron, Harry and Hermione. I thought that what could bond them even more is a child they share together.

Just to clarify how Harry's fatherhood came to be: Remember the magical signatures? Wizarding families have a unique magical signature (think DNA) and it gets passed on to their children. Even though it was Ron's body that Harry used, the baby contained Harry's magical signature because Hermione conceived with Harry not with Ron. Ron is still the biological father, while Harry is what I'd like to call a "magical father." I know I've taken liberties with JKR's world concept. It was just a thought experiment for me when I was thinking how magic works but it did turn out well for this story. Unfortunately, my concept of magical signatures and elves was debunked after Book 6 came out. Well it was good til it lasted.

There's just the epilogue to go before I close this story. I can't be grateful enough to all those who stuck to this story until the end. It was great reading your reviews.