Chapter 3: Is There Something I Should Know
Disclaimer: I don't own part of Harry Potter. This is for entertainment purposes only and not meant to offend.
"I have some good new, and bad news. Which would you like first?" Dr. Potter said, with a serious expression on her face.
Hermione, always the one to face disappointment head on, said "bad news first".
"Well, it's just as your other healers have said, Hermione. Due to the scar tissue in your womb, there is no way that you'd be able to carry a baby to term. Unfortunately, there is no way to reverse the damage."
Hermione sighed, and turned to Ron, squeezing his hand. "Well then, that's that." Her eyes were misty, but she refused to cry. She had done enough of that lately for a lifetime, thank you very much.
Dr. Potter continued. "Even though your uterus isn't viable, your ovaries are in good condition with many healthy ovum. There's no reason why you wouldn't be able to be a biological mother, even if you can't be the birth mother."
Hermione looked taken aback. "I've done a lot of research on surrogate mothers. The biological mother's eggs are harvested and mixed with the father's sperm and then implanted into the surrogate, who carries the baby to term. But there have been a number of cases where the surrogate becomes attached to the baby and doesn't want to give it up. I don't think I could bear that. Not to mention watch some other woman carry the child that should be growing inside of me." Hermione's eyes were now moist. Damn those tears. "Besides, that's one of the muggle ways of dealing with infertility. I've seen magical and muggle doctors, and they've all told me there was no hope. You said you had good news?" Ron placed a supportive arm around his wife's shoulders.
"Yes, you are quite right. That is an option to muggle women, one not without moral and legal issues of it's own. As you know, I've done extensive research into infertility in witches. While it is rare, it does happen to a number of magical couples, especially since the war. Another lasting effect, courtesy of Voldemort." This time, no one flinched at the sound of the defeated wizard's name. Those days of fearing his name were long since gone, thanks to Harry. "By studying muggle infertility treatments mixed with magical spells and potions, I've believe that I've stumbled upon a way for magical couples to conceive and deliver healthy babies, without the need for a surrogate. But there are risks involved. And as this is an experimental treatment, there is always the possibility that it won't work."
Ron knitted his eyebrows together, as if trying to wrap his mind around what his sister had just said. "I'm sorry, but I'm confused. You said that Hermione can't carry a baby, but that we don't need a surrogate. Who would carry the baby?"
Ginny looked into her brothers eyes and smiled. "You would" Ron's face paled, a look of utter confusion now crossing his visage. "The experimental treatment I've developed would allow the mother and father to conceive a baby and for the father to carry the baby to term. Through a series of potions and charms, the embryo would be implanted into the father's abdomen and the father would be the one pregnant. But as this is still in the experimental stage, I'm not sure how or if it will work in humans. We, I mean to say, my research partner and I have had some success with animals, but we were unsuccessful in locating a suitable human candidate. That is, until now. Do you remember the potion I gave your Ron, the one that made you so ill? That potion tested for certain genetic markers that would make a good male pregnancy candidate. If someone met the minimum criteria, the potion would cause a mild reaction of nausea. Your results were off the chart, Ron. No one has responded like that. Of all the males we tested, you were the only one to even feel slightly sick. All of the successful animal trials have also had a positive result to the potion. I think you are an ideal match. But I'm going to be up-front with you. We don't know what the risks are in humans. This could be very dangerous for you, and it could even be life threatening, Ron. But I will do everything in my power to make it as safe as possible."
Ron's facial expression was blank, as if he was watching a foreign film where everyone was speaking in another language. Hermione rubbed his back and spoke softly in his ear. "Are you alright? Say something." After a few moments, Ron spoke. "I... I don't...no words to describe. Are you sure about this? I mean, you haven't tested anyone. I have so many questions, I don't even know where to begin."
"Why don't I explain the procedure and risks first, and then I can answer any questions you have. First, you would have to take a potion for three months to prepare your body for implantation. This potion would serve to raise your hormonal levels needed to support an embryo as well as form the necessary organs. The side effects of this are moodiness, quick temper, mild abdominal discomfort, backaches, headaches, and food cravings. After the third month, we will be ready to perform the spell which will transfer the embryo to your body. This may or may not work. There is a high risk for miscarriage at this point. If you do become pregnant, you will have all the normal symptoms of pregnancy. However, because of the need for maintaining your hormonal levels, you will need to take another potion daily. You will experience severe morning sickness, which could last throughout your pregnancy due to the hormonal levels needed to sustain a male pregnancy, however it will diminish after your first trimester. Because of this, your appetite will exponentially increase to accommodate the growing fetus and to insure that you receive adequate nutrition. You will likely start showing a bulge immediately and will gain significantly more weight than a pregnant woman. In our animal experiments, the males gained on average 3 times as much weight as the females. If this holds true for humans, you can expect to gain anywhere from 70 - 90 pounds. The male body wasn't exactly designed for having a baby, so you can expect frequent stomach aches as your organs adjust to the growing fetus. The baby would need to be born by C-section, for obvious reasons. And as lovely as all of this sounds, there is a bright side. You will get to experience first hand one of natures miracles - the feeling of your baby moving inside of you. And when you hold him or her for the first time, you'll forget everything you went through to have that little person in your life."
Ron and Hermione seemed to have a million questions to ask Ginny. As they were nearing the end of their questions, Ron asked, "What about my job? I know that I won't be able to go out on missions if I'm gigantic, but what about in the beginning? When would I need to come in out of the field?"
"You will be able to maintain your current activities while taking the preparatory potion for the first three months. But once the embryo is transferred, you will not be able to do anything strenuous, including your undercover work. Which brings me to another point. If you decide to go through with this, I would like to use your pregnancy as a case study. If it succeeds, this could benefit so many couples suffering from the same predicament. You will be the first, Ron. You and Hermione will need to decide if you want to let others know. You have to prepare yourself for the reactions of others. Not everyone will be kind. But you may be surprised at how supportive others will be. I don't expect you two to make a decision today. Go home, discuss it, think about what you would be getting yourselves into, and if you are willing to take the risks."
Hermione and Ron each hugged Ginny, and made an appointment to come and see her in a week to notify her of their decision.
Over the next few days, they talked of nothing else. Hermione made a list of pros and cons, with the con list now topping 2 feet of parchment. Only one pro was listed "We will have our baby". The decision wasn't made any easier by the fact that Ron loved his job and he loved being Harry's partner. Being pregnant would mean taking a desk job and Harry finding a new partner. Neither of these things particularly appealed to him.
"Hermione, before we go any further, I think we should talk to Harry. After all, this would affect him at work and it would be easier on Ginny if she could at least share this with him. I know that I would hate to have to keep something like this from you, especially if it involved our best friends."
Hermione smiled and placed a hand on Ron's cheek. "I agree, darling. We shouldn't keep this from Harry, of all people. Even if it isn't successful, I would still want him to know."
"I agree. Why don't we go see him and Ginny tomorrow evening." Hermione said, as she gave a reassuring smile to her husband. "Ron, there's something else that we haven't talked about. Ginny said this could be dangerous, even life threatening. What if something happened to you or the baby? I couldn't bear to lose you. If there's a chance that you could die just trying to have our child, then I don't think we should go any further. But this is a decision you have to make. How much of a risk are we willing to take?"
"Darling, I know you're worried. Frankly, so am I. But I'm not scared of dying. I would never want to leave you, but I have a dangerous job, as you are well aware. And I could be hit by a flying rock out of the blue. You never know. But I would gladly give my life if it meant bring our child into the world. Besides, women have doing this since time began. It's always been a risk, childbirth. I'm more worried about the actual pregnancy. Do you think I can handle it?"
"Well, I'm honestly not sure. I've always heard that women can bear pain much better than a man. Guess there's no way of knowing until it happens."
The next evening, the Weasleys paid a visit on the Potters. Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione were seated in the kitchen, drinking tea. James had been sent off to bed. Harry was the first to broach the subject. "So, you never did tell me Ron. What did Ginny find in those test she ran on you two? I'd ask her, but I know she won't tell me anything. Dead annoying, all this confidentiality mumbo jumbo." Harry said, as he tipped his cup to his lips.
"Well, that's why we're here. Ginny gave us wonderful news. Hermione and I might be able to have a baby after all." Ron said, trying to figure out how exactly to tell his best friend a partner that he might be the one pregnant.
"That's wonderful! Congratulations you two. Why didn't you tell me as soon as you found out? I knew my brilliant wife would find something. Hermione, Ginny saved all her old maternity clothes and I'm sure you..." Harry couldn't finish, as Hermione interrupted him.
"Um, Harry, thank you for the offer, but I won't be needing them. Actually, Ginny said there was no hope of me becoming pregnant." Hermione said, softly.
"What? But I thought you said..."
"I'm not finished, mate. Ginny found a way for Hermione and I to conceive a child, but it wouldn't be Hermione carrying the child." Ron said. His jaw was set, awaiting the reaction of his best friend.
"I don't understand. How will you conceive a baby if Hermione can't get pregnant?" Harry said, his face screwed up with confusion.
A/N: I know, it took me a bit longer to get this chapter up, but I rewrote part of it because I didn't like the way it was coming out. I was originally going to have Ron deliver the baby the old fashioned way, but when I thought about what "organs" he would need for that to occur, I kind of grossed myself out. Did anyone see this plot point coming? I know a few of you thought that Ginny would carry the baby for them. While I like the idea, I thought it would be much more interesting to make Ron pregnant. Hope I haven't turned you off the story, but as anyone who has experienced infertility knows (and I am speaking from personal experience here guys), you will do ANYTHING to conceive a child. Don't worry, the story will get a bit lighter in future chapters. And for those of you wondering why I kept referring to Ginny in this chapter and the last as Dr. Potter, I wanted to distinguish her as a professional when dealing with them in the clinic instead of as a sister. And I didn't like the way Healer Potter sounded, as that is the term they used in OotP.
BuckNC: I know, Dr. Potter is a little hard to get used to. But like I said, I wanted her to be the utmost professional with them. Not 'ickle Ginny'.
AnonymousPHancock (too lazy to log in) - I love the addition to your name. You really should log in. I love reading other people's favorite stories. I've found some really good ones that way. But then I guess you'd have to change your name again, eh?
LJ Fan: Hello, fellow sap-ete. Sorry to make you late for school. But you really need to get your priorities straight. What's more important than reading my little fanfic? LOL. Did you ever see Radio? BTW, I saw 50 First Dates, and didn't cry once.
Fredngeorgegirl: Glad you liked it. Yeah, it's sad that they haven't been able to have kids. But hopefully that will all change very soon.
Michelleywelley: Ron, alas, has a weak stomach it seems. He is sick a lot, isn't he? Guess morning sickness, if they decide to go through with it, won't be kind to him. (Evil grin). BTW, loving your story!
Brittney-Btrflies: Yes, I am quite mean. In fact, in some circles, I am known as the Root of All Evil. But you can call me RAE.
Marn: Even though you said you hate cliffhangers, it got you to send me a review, now didn't it? Come on, you know you like it.