Ron sat up in his bed as he felt the little bit of food he'd eaten rise back up his throat. He leaned over, vomiting onto the floor. Ever since the first snow, he had spent most of his days standing near the edge of the wood, staring longingly up at the fortress until one of the Hamleters brought him back to his cottage. Eventually he'd grown very sick and now could barely get out of bed.

"Ron? Everything alright?" Dolores asked, entering the room.
Dolores was the Hamlet Nurse. She was tall and slightly fat, with tan skin, brown hair, and brown eyes. She had spent the last few days in Ron's home, taking care of him and trying to cheer him up.

"Oh no . . .not again." Dolores muttered, rushing over to Ron and helping him up.
She laid him back down, then went back into the kitchen, returning with a wet cloth and glass of water. Lifting Ron's head Dolores brought the glass to his lips, allowing him to drink the water. She let Ron rest his head back against the pillow, then began to gently wash the sweat from his forehead.

"Don't worry, Ron, you'll be all right soon." she said as comfortingly as she could.
She left the cloth on Ron 's forehead and walked back into the kitchen, returning with another cloth and a basin of water. She cleaned the vomit off of the floor, then took the basin outside and dumped it. She found Ron crying when she returned to the bedroom.

"Ron?" she called out softly.

"What? What is it?" Ron asked.
"I . . .well . . .are you OK?" Dolores asked.
"Am I OK? Am I OK? Do you think I'm OK, Dolores? Everything I've ever had . . .everyone I've ever loved is gone." Ron replied.

"Oh Ron. . .that's not true. Everything's going to be alright." Dolores said.

Ron ignored her; "Did I ever tell you why I came to this Hamlet in the first place? Do you know what happened?"

Dolores stared at him for a moment, "Uh . . .no, but . . ."
"My family was fine with me. They didn't mind that I like other men. But my Village . . .they were different; they hated me for it. I was treated badly, very badly. People would throw stones at me, I was shunned . . .eventually I had to lock myself in my home and hide. But then . . .then one day the Villagers had enough. They set our home on fire. Everyone . . .my entire family burned to death. I was the only survivor. But I had nowhere to go. I just wandered around until someone told me about this place, and I came here. And you . . .all of you allowed me to stay, and then I met Harry.
I'll never forget that day . . .how he was sitting out there by the river, looking so gorgeous in that green shirt. I knew . . .I knew from the moment I first saw him that I was in love with him. I knew that I wanted to hold him, marry him . . .make love to him. He made everything in my life better . . .it was just perfect with him. We were so happy together. And now . . .now he's gone. I'll never see him again."

"Ron. . .please, don't cry. It's alright, it really is." Dolores said.
"No . . .no it's not. Not when Harry is up in that horrible place." Ron replied.

Dolores sighed, "You . . .you should get some sleep, Ron. It won't do you any good to stay up all night upsetting yourself."

"Yeah . . .sure, OK." Ron said, rolling over onto his side.

Dolores watched him for a while then sighed again and left the room.

When Harry woke up he was lying in his bed, still being held in Draco's arms. He could feel his husband's hands rubbing soft circles against his back, occasionally running through his hair. He smiled softly and nuzzled his face into Draco's chest, making himself more comfortable.

"Draco?" He whispered.

"Yes, love?" Draco replied.

"I'm gonna be sick!" Harry ran to the on-suite bathroom and vomited violently.

"Are you okay? Should I call for a Nurse?"

"No Draco I will be fine" smiled Harry returning to bed

"How long have I been asleep?" Harry asked.

"A while . . .it's very late." Draco answered.

"Oh. How late?" He questioned.

"It'll be dawn soon." Draco said. "You should go back to sleep."

Harry looked up at him, "Will you still be here when I wake up?"

"I can't be in the sunlight, Harry. You know that." Draco said.

"So close the curtains." Harry replied. "Please, Draco?"

Draco sighed and let go of Harry long enough to get up and close the curtains before returning to the bed. "It'll be dark in here." He stated. "Very dark."

Harry smiled and curled into Draco's embrace, "That's OK. I don't mind the darkness anymore. In fact . . .I've grown rather fond of it."

Several weeks passed by, and Draco and Harry had never been happier together. They spent almost every minute of every day together, laughing and kissing and touching each other. Harry had begun staying up at night and sleeping during the day with Draco, slowly adjusting to his husband's routines. And when Draco had drained most of Harry's blood again, he stayed in bed with him, refusing to leave his side, plus Harry's apparent daily vomiting episodes had ended and he had put on some weight.

They were inseparable. Currently, they were lying together on the couch in the library, Draco listening intently as Harry read aloud from one of his books.

"I like this book." Draco said, interrupting him. "I like it a lot."

"So do I." Harry replied. "It's very good."

"You know what else is good?" Draco said.
"What?" Harry asked, looking up at him.

"This." Draco answered grabbing Harry's chin and pressing their lips together.
Harry wrapped his arms around Draco's neck, pulling him closer. He felt Draco's tongue roll smoothly over his lips and he opened his mouth, allowing Draco to enter. He moaned softly as their tongues danced.

"Yes," He breathed as they pulled apart, "that is very good."

He laid his head down on Draco's chest, the two of them enjoying a long silence. Though as they enjoyed each other's company, a question that had been plaguing Draco's mind for a long time finally surfaced.

"Harry . . .d-do you . . .do you still . . .love him? Ron?" Draco asked nervously.
Harry hesitated, "Well I . . .I do love him, I always will. I'm sorry, but I can't help it. B-but I . . .I love you too, Draco. So much."

"But, are you . . .happy here with me?" He asked.
"Yes, of course I am." Harry replied honestly. "It's just . . ."
"Just what?"

"I . . .I just wish I could see him again . . .just one more time. I barely got to say goodbye." Harry said.

Draco held him tightly, "There . . .there is . . .one way you can see him."
"There is? H-how?" Harry asked.

Draco rose off the couch and took Harry by the hand, leading him through the fortress. They walked down into the basement, to a room that Harry had never seen before. The walls were all lit with torches, and at the top of the far wall was a window that allowed the light of the full moon outside to shine in and illuminate the entire room. The room was mostly empty except for a well in the very center. Draco led Harry over to the well and they stood directly in front of it.
"This well can show you anything you ask it to. All you have to do is tell it who you want to see and it will find them and show them to you." Draco explained.

"So I . . .I'll be able to see Ron?" Harry asked.
Draco nodded, "Yes. And anyone else you may want to see. Anywhere . . .not just in the Hamlet."

"Then . . .I could see Mother as well?" Harry questioned.

"Of course. Here, watch." He leaned over the well looking down into it, "Show me Harry's mother."
He motioned for Harry to look down into the well. Harry leaned over and looked down into the water, half expecting to see nothing but his own reflection. Instead he saw a dark bedroom. He gasped when he saw his mother lifting up the sheets and sliding into the bed, then laying herself down to sleep.

"It . . .it's really her." He said.

Draco smiled as well, "Did you think I was lying?"

"No, I just . . .I don't know." Harry replied. "Mother's OK . . .he hasn't hurt her." He added with a smile.
"Good. Now, go on. Ask it to show you Ron." Draco said.

Harry looked down into the well again, "Uh . . .sh-show me Ron."

He watched the water changing, until it showed his old bedroom. He gasped again, though this time not happily. He saw Ron lying in bed, coughing violently before throwing up. He saw Dolores rush to his side, carefully tending to him before Ron pushed her away in tears.

"Oh no . . .no . . ." He stared down at the image in horror.

"What is it?" Draco asked.

" Ron . .he's . . .he's sick! He's sick and he won't let them help him. It's . . .it's because of me!"

"It's not your fault, Harry." Draco said.
"But it is. I'm here . . .s-safe and . . .and happy. He's sick in bed . . .and I'm perfectly fine." Harry looked away, crying to himself.

Draco watched Harry for a moment, wanting to reach out and touch him, but unable to make himself move. He knew he would never be able to take Harry's pain away, lift the guilt from his shoulders, even if it wasn't Harry's fault. He felt tears prick his eyes as he found the only solution.
"Harry. . .y-you . . .you must go to him." He said.

Harry stared at him, "W-what?"

"Ron. . .h-he needs you now, so go to him." Draco replied.

"B-but Draco . . .I . . .I can't just leave you. I love you." Harry said, resting his hand on the side of Draco's face.

"I love you too. I love you more than I could ever say, but I can't keep you here. Not when there's someone else who needs you . . .someone who'll die without your care." Draco replied.

"But I . . .Draco . . .I'm… I'm . . p..p." Harry didn't know what to say.
He loved Draco dearly, and would never want to leave him. But at the same time, he missed Ron and wanted to see him. He knew that he could never stop loving either one of them, and there was no way he could willingly choose one over the other. But he also knew that Draco was right; Ron would probably die without him.
"Take Maia." Draco said, interrupting his thoughts. "She knows the paths of the wood, and she'll take you back to the Hamlet. Don't try to rush or she'll get scared and run off the path, and you don't know the way. Let her guide you and you'll probably get there by tomorrow evening . . .when you get there, keep Maia; she's grown fond of you."

"Draco . . .I love you. I always will. I just wish things could have been different." Harry said.

"I know." Draco replied.

His eyes filled with tears, Harry leaned up and kissed him deeply, trying to put his entire heart into just one kiss, knowing deep down that as Draco returned the kiss he was doing the same.
"I'll never forget you."
"I'll always love you."

They couldn't tell who said what, though it didn't matter. Both statements were true and equal in meaning. Blue met green as they stared at one another lovingly, before Harry gave a sad smile and backed away. Draco watched him as he left the room, and left his life.

Ron whimpered softly as he slowly regained consciousness. He could feel a warm, wet cloth wiping sweat off of his forehead. He allowed his tears to trail down his face, not caring about the sharp pain in his stomach from not eating. He felt warm metal against his lips; a spoon. He didn't want to eat, didn't want to live, but he parted his lips and allowed himself to be fed. He expected the bitter taste he had come to know, only to find the soup pleasant and delicious. His eyes shot wide open as the familiar tasting liquid slid down his throat.

"H-Harry?" He whimpered, tears blurring his vision.

Harry rested his hand against Ron's cheek, "Shh . . .it's OK Ron. I'm right here."
Ron blinked away his tears and reached out to touch Harry's face, "I-it's you . . .it's really you! Oh Harry. . .I thought I'd never see you again."

Harry smiled softly as Ron sat up, "It's OK, Ron. I'm home now."

Ron stared at him for a moment before using all of his strength to throw him arms around Harry and pull him closer. "I've missed you so much."
"I missed you too, Ron." Harry replied sincerely, returning Ron's embrace. "More than I could ever say."

"B-but . . .that monster . . .how did you escape?" Ron asked, pulling away just enough to look Harry in the eye.

"I didn't escape, Ron. He let me go." Harry answered.

Ron stared at him, "What? H-he let you go? That . . .that horrible monster?"

"Oh but he's not a monster, Ron, not at all! Draco . . .he's really very kind and gentle and . . .and loving. He has a bit of a temper and absolutely no table manners at all and he snores but he's no monster. No . . .he's just very lonely." Harry replied.

"Lonely? What are you . . .Harry I . . .I don't understand." Ron stuttered.
"He lost his parents when he was thirteen . . .they were hit by the sunlight and killed. He's . . .well he's spent over a hundred years all alone . . .anyone would grow at least a little bit . . .bitter under such conditions." Harry explained.

"What are you saying to me, Harry?" Ron asked.

"Draco is a good man . . .no different than you." Harry answered.

"Draco? Now you call him by name? Harry. . .tell me . . .what happened up in that fortress? Tell me everything." Ron said.

"Well . . .as you know I was brought there so that Draco could take my blood, which he did. But for some reason he allowed me to live and gave me a room in the fortress. A very nice room at that. His servants . . .they tended to me as though I had lived there all my life; they were very kind to me and I was allowed to explore the fortress grounds all I wanted. At first . . .the only contact I had with Draco was at meals and in the sitting room afterwards, and at first he truly did seem like a monster. I wasn't kidding when I said he has no manners; he ate like a beast and all I wanted was to go home.
But then one day I was lured into the wood by several rogue Valkiers who wanted to drain my blood and . . .and use me for their own satisfaction. Draco rescued me. After that he started teaching me to ride a mare, and he suddenly became so much kinder. He really was a true gentleman; holding open doors and helping me up the stairs. And then . . .he gave me the fortress's library. Oh Ron, I swear it had every book ever written, and he gave it all to me. And then . . .then it just . . .happened."
"What just happened?" Ron asked.

Harry held out his left hand, "I . . .we fell in love, Ron. That's what happened."

Ron grasped Harry's hand and studied his ring, "You married him."
"I . . .I do. I love him, Ron, I'm so sorry. But please . . .don't think that it means I love you any less. I thought of you every day, from the moment I awoke you were the first thought I had. You were always in my mind, Ron, always. I love you so much, please believe that."

"Harry. . .all this time I thought you were being mistreated. I don't know whether to be relieved or upset at how happily you've been living." Ron said.

Harry looked away, tears rolling down his cheeks, "I can understand if you don't want to see me anymore . . .after all, you have been fasting while I was well taken care of. You have fallen ill, while I have been in good health. If . . .if you want me to leave then I will."

Ron tightened is grasp on Harry's hand, "I love you, Harry. Since the first moment I saw you, the only thing I wanted was your happiness. Tell me . . .are you happy here with me?"

"Oh Ron, of course I am. I love you so much, and I would be happy just to sit in the same room as you." Harry said.
Ron smiled, "Then neither of us will ever leave this room again."
Harry giggled, "Well, I think we might have to leave the room sooner or later."

Ron kissed him softly, "Maybe. But we'll at least stay here in this Hamlet together . . .forever and ever."

They laughed for a moment, before Harry grew serious once more, "Ron, there is something else you need to know. It's . . .very important."

"Whatever it is you can tell me, I promise it won't change anything." Ron said.

"Oh yes it will." Harry replied.
"Harry, what is it?" Ron asked.

"Ron. . .I am pregnant."

Ron stared at him, carefully going over the words in his mind. "His?"
Harry nodded, "Draco's."
There was a long silence and just as Harry was sure Ron would reject him, "No."

"W-what?" Harry asked.

"No." Ron repeated. He rested his hand gently on Harry's stomach, "This isn't his . . . Draco's child, it's mine. Ours."

"Ron . .y-you aren't angry?" Harry asked.

"Of course not." Ron said. He reached out to wipe the tears from Harry's eyes, "Now stop that crying. Tears do not suit such a pretty face."

He took Harry into his arms, holding him against his chest. They sat there in silence, rejoicing in the fact that they had each other once again.
"Ron . . . you should finish eating." Harry said after a while.

"I don't need food." Ron said. "I've got you, and that's all that matters."

"I worked hard on that soup, you know. And you're just going to let it all go to waste?" Harry asked.
"I'm not hungry." Ron said.
"If I recall correctly, you did say something about being able to eat my food forever. And now you're not going to? Were you lying to me, then? Or are you implying that my cooking skills have decreased?" Harry questioned.

Ron smiled, "I don't know. I suppose I'll have to eat it to find out. You win."

"That's more like it." Harry said with a smile, reaching over to the beside table and picking up the hot bowl of soup.

"I can do that myself, dear." Ron said as Harry held the soup-filled spoon to his lips.
"Of course you can. But I'm your wife, and I intend to take care of you like a good wife should." Harry replied, pushing the spoon into Ron's mouth.

"Your cooking skills are better than ever, my love." Ron said once he had swallowed.

Harry smiled and blushed, "Why thank-you."

"Now give me that spoon." Ron said.

"No, I said I was going to take care of you and that's what I'm going to do." Harry replied, pulling the food out of Ron's reach. "I'm going to feed you whether you like it or not."
Ron said nothing and instead allowed Harry to continue feeding him. It didn't matter to him that he was being treated like a small child; the only thing he cared about was that he had Harry back in his life.

Harry smiled happily to himself as he washed his and Ron 's breakfast dishes, quietly humming some random tune. Three months had passed by since he had returned to the Hamlet. Things had been difficult at first. The Hamleters were utterly shocked that Harry had returned, but quickly accepted him back. Ever since he had returned, the monthly sacrifice had not been collected; it was as though Draco no longer cared to feed. Harry had grown used to sleeping during the day and staying up all night, a routine that couldn't work in the Hamlet. It felt strange returning to his plain cotton shirts, a completely different feeling compared to the cashmere wool and silk he'd become so accustomed to. He missed being woken up by Old Pansy and Hermione each day, missed spending time in the gardens with Marie and Anthony, missed playing with Padfoot, and missed all of the fortress servants. But most of all he missed Draco.

As much as he loved Ron and loved spending time with him, there was a huge difference between him and Draco. Ron had always kept him away from the Hamlet's mares and the other animals, while Draco had allowed him to play with Padfoot all he wanted and even taught him to ride a mare. Ron was usually very clumsy and had a knack for tripping over his own feet, but Draco was always graceful and easily caught Harry anytime he fell. Ron never had a problem speaking what was on his mind, usually getting overexcited and goofing up what he was saying; Draco's mind was a labyrinth that Harry loved to lose himself in as he tried to figure out what the other was thinking. Ron didn't read, while Draco was as addicted to the written world as Harry was. But it was the overprotective, clumsy, goofy, non-reading Ron that Harry had fallen in love with, and nothing would change that, no matter how in love with Draco he was.
Harry let out a sad sigh as he thought of Draco, then smiled softly. He looked down at his stomach, rubbing the growing lump gently. He had begun to show a few weeks before, earning the congratulations of almost the entire Hamlet. Though recently he had noticed the strange, suspicious looks he was getting from the other Hamleters. It seemed they weren't happy with the fact that his child was Draco's and not Ron's. Sighing, he finished washing the dishes and stepped outside, instantly being greeted my Maia.

"Hey there, Maia. Miss me?" He asked, laughing when she whinnied loudly.

The Hamlet had been more than confused the first time they saw that Harry had learned to ride. Being overprotective, Ron had insisted that Harry never go out alone, if at all. Harry quickly found himself unable to follow Ron's request and took Maia out by himself for a quick ride every morning. He got her ready quickly before hopping into her saddle and taking off towards the wood surrounding the Hamlet where the strongest men went hunting each day. He had decided it would be best to stay away from Draco's wood, knowing that if he went riding there neither he nor Maia would be able to stay away from the fortress.

"Careful, Maia. Slowly now." He said, pulling lightly at the reigns as Maia began to run. "Don't want to hurt the baby, do we?" She snorted, but slowed to a trot anyway. Harry gently rubbed her neck, "Don't complain; after the baby is born I'll barely be able to come at all."
As though completely understanding his words, Maia neighed softly in disappointment.

"Master? Dinner is ready." Old Pansy said, entering Draco's bedroom.

"Thank-you, Pansy. I'll be down in a moment." Draco replied, staring blankly out his window.

"Oh, Master, you mustn't mope like this forever. The mistress wouldn't want to see you so unhappy." Old Pansy said, gently resting her hand on Draco's shoulder.

Draco sighed heavily; "I know that. I just miss him so much."
"Why not see how he is through the well?" Old Pansy suggested.

"I can't. If I look at him through the well, I know I will never be able to take my eyes off of him again." Draco stated.

"Will you go to see him when the baby is born?" Old Pansy asked.
Draco's head snapped up suddenly and he stared wide-eyed at Old Pansy, "Baby? What baby?"

Old Pansy looked shocked, "Harry he . . .he has been pregnant for almost five months now. You didn't know?"
"N-no . . .I had no idea. How long did you know?" Draco asked.

"Almost the entire time. He wasn't feeling well, showing all the signs of pregnancy, and after a few weeks we confirmed it." Old Pansy answered.

"We?" Draco questioned.

"Yes. Hermione, Marie and myself. We're the only ones who know. Harry asked to keep it a secret, but I assumed that he had told you." Old Pansy replied.
"He didn't . . .didn't tell me a thing." Draco replied a mixture of confusion and heartbreak in his voice. "Why would he keep that a secret from me?"

"Not to jinx himself, perhaps?" Old Pansy suggested.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, it is more common for bearers to lose the baby than women. He most likely wanted to keep it a secret until he felt it was safe to tell. But he never got the chance to after you made him leave." Old Pansy explained.

Draco nodded, "Yes, that's probably it."

"So what will you do when the baby is born?" Old Pansy asked.

Draco appeared lost in thought for a moment, "I don't know. I really don't know."