A/N: Hugo was hard. I didn't know whether to make him more Ron- or Hermione-like, so I settled as in-between as I could write him.
Hugo thinks of Ron as a god--he always has the answers. So in this chapter, I hope you can feel the pain both are going through due to the story Ron tells, but I feel it need to be told at an early age. Follow?
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. I'm just adding turmoil to their All Was Well lives!
Hugo Weasley
Locket
"Hi, Dad!" Running in, an innocent seven-year-old.
"Hey, mate." Smiles. Welcome laps to sit on.
"Mummy asked me if I thought you were the best dad ever, and I said yes. So she said to tell you that. She told me you were insecure--that means you aren't very proud of yourself. But you should be, Daddy!"
Slight blushes. Hugs. "Thanks, buddy. But I'm not always such a good bloke."
Blue eyes widening. "Nuh-uh."
"Yeah-huh."
"When?"
"I was seventeen--ten years older than you. Mummy, Uncle Harry and I were on a quest to fight the Bad Man--'member Mummy's stories about him?"
"Yep. He was mean to people like Mummy!"
"Yeah, he was. Anyway, he put bad things into seven different objects. One was a locket." Winces. "We had to take turns wearing it, and it magnified our bad feelings. One of my feelings was anger. Also, jealousy, sadness, and insecurity, like you said."
"Yeah. What happened?"
"I got very angry and Mummy, and I sort of went mad. I yelled at her and Uncle Harry, and I made them very sad. And then I left the quest, which was very mean of me, because I could have left them to die."
Tears. "But Daddy, how could you have done that?"
Deep breaths. "I'm sorry, Hu. I thought it would be best to tell you early on. If you don't want me to go on--"
"No, Daddy, do--is it a happy ending?"
"Yes. Of course it is, because Mummy and I got married. Well--I went to Uncle Bill's house, and soon I felt guilty. So I left and went back to Mummy and Uncle Harry. And they forgave me, even though I didn't really deserve it. Then we destroyed all the objects, and we went and fought the Bad Man, and we won! And then Mummy and I got married and had two little kids named Rosie and Hugo, and we lived happily ever after."
"Oh, good, it ended like one of Mummy's Muggle fairy-tale stories!"
"I'm sorry I made you sad, Hugo, but are you glad I told you?"
"Yes, Daddy. 'Cause now I think you're even better, for going back and not leaving Mummy and Uncle Harry to die."
Laughter. "Well, I'm not sure that the story should have made you prouder of me, but whatever you say!"
Giggles. "Wanna play chess, Daddy?"
"But you always beat me, even at seven! And I'm even playing my hardest!"
"It's okay, Daddy, I'll let you win this time!"