Harry wasn't sure what to think when Ron showed up outside his door at three in the morning. From the way Ron leaned heavily on the door frame, Harry knew it was safe to assume he was more than a little tipsy, though he still seemed to be aware of himself and his situation since he waited for Harry to invite him in. Harry rubbed his hair sleepily, making it extra-messy, as he moved back so Ron could pass. Once he had closed and bolted the door again, he turned towards Ron who was simply staring at him.

Seeing that his stance wasn't going to change, Harry sighed softly and croaked out, "Why don't we talk about it in the morning?" and moved towards his bedroom.

Ron stopped him by reaching out to grab his shoulder. When Harry turned back, expectantly, Ron could only stare at the floor unable to find the words. He heard a sigh and then Harry's hands on his shoulders, leading him to the kitchen.

"Come on lets get you some coffee."

In the kitchen, Harry pulled out the machine and a can of coffee grinds, deciding to make it the muggle way in order to buy some time. Ron seemed really tight-lipped about whatever was going on with him and Hermione, and Harry hoped that the drinks he already had might loosen him up a bit. Pulling out a chair, Harry watched as Ron took the one next to him before sitting down himself.

Silence overtook the kitchen. Ron had pulled out his wand and was lazily floating napkins in a small circle. Then he sighed, letting them drop onto the table, and finally blurted out, "Hermione's pregnant."

Harry burst into a huge smile. "Congratulations! God, I thought you were about to tell me something bad. What were-" Ron held up a hand to stop him.

"Thanks, Harry. But I'm not sure its such good news," Ron began and then, with a blush on his face, he continued, "Hermione doesn't want to carry the baby." Harry gasped in surprised.

"She wants an abortion!" Ron looked at him confused.

"What's an aborshen?"

"It's how woman get rid of babies in the muggle world."

"Like an orphanage?" Harry now looked at Ron in confusion. They were obviously not on the same page.

"I thought you said Hermione didn't want the baby."

"Yeah but she doesn't want to get rid of it! She wants me to carry it." Ron stopped and began shredding napkins, waiting for Harry's reaction. Harry stared at Ron.

"What?"

"She wants me to carry our baby."

"Is that even possible?"

"I don't know. Yeah. Look," Ron turned his body towards Harry, his hands still shredding napkins in a mechanical fashion, "Yesterday, she tells me she's up the duff and takes me to the doctor and we see it, our baby. And then, she drags me into this office with this crackpot healer and tells me she wants me to have it." Ron sits back with an angry flush covering his cheeks. Harry had trouble formulating a response to his story.

"Um.. well, thats...Really?" Harry finally ask incredulously.

"Yeah, she just springs it on me. And then, of course, I got a little angry," Ron gave Harry a sheepish look, "and we started yelling at each other...and some things were said and I just ended up leaving. Went to a pub, then came here." Harry nodded once in understanding then looked thoughtful.

"What other stuff did you guys yell about?" he asked curiously.

Ron shrugged and gave a gruff, "I don't know." Harry opened his mouth to push the topic but decided to drop it when he saw Ron's expression.

"Okay, fine. Do you know what you're going to do?" Harry asked. Then as another thought hit him, he added, "I mean why does Hermione want you to carry it anyway? Is there something wrong with her?"

Ron shook his head, "Everything's fine physically, its just that... Hermione wants," Ron paused to collect his thoughts, the alcohol obviously beginning to affect him, " She thinks that this pregnancy will ruin her career."

"What? Why?"

"She's up for promotion," at Harry's incredulous look, Ron rushed on, "You don't understand. She's been working on this project for months now. We've barely been around each other since New Year's, she's been working so hard. But," Ron paused, trying to understand his thoughts before the liquor pushed them out of his mouth, "its all been for a good cause. I mean she's working on a revolution!" Harry was stunned at the pride that consumed Ron's voice and listened as Ron rushed on enthusiastically, "She wants to change the laws on magical creature and wizard relations, so she's been lobbying Ministry officials for the last few months. You won't believe how many nights I've come home to her licking envelopes." Harry smiled, amused. "She's also been writing governments abroad, like the Americans, to get them to put pressure on our ministry to be more excepting. And, on top of all of that, she's been working on a better wolfsbane potions and replicating blood for vampires." Ron took a deep breath, "Merlin Harry, I'm totally in love with her."

"I'm inclined to agree with you. Which leads me to wonder what you're doing here."

"I don't know Harry. Apart of me is angry at her because she's devoting more time to her job then me. But then, apart me already knew this would happen." Ron paused. "On our wedding day Mum took me aside. I thought she was going to do her usual spiel about her baby growing up. But, she started talking about Hermione. Don't get me wrong; my mum loves Hermione. She just understood something I'm just beginning to realize. I'm a family man, Harry," Ron looked into Harry's eyes, " My family means the world to me. I'd give my life for any of you in a second. And I know Hermione would too, but there are other factors that are just as important to her. My mum called her a career woman, but its not just about her career. These our her life goals, what she feels is her mission in life, kind of like you and Voldemort. And right now, she's probably feeling like she so close to fulfilling her purpose. I don't want to stand in the way of that." Harry nodded understandingly.

"So... I guess this means you've already come to a decision."

Ron looked at the shredded pieces of napkin on the table and sighed.

"Yep. I'm getting knocked up." Harry laughed and clapped Ron on his back.

It was much later, in the early hours of the morning, that a figure crept back into the kitchen. There was a whisper, and a green flame suddenly burst in the fireplace. A head appeared a second later

"I was hoping you would floo me. Is Ron ok?"

"Yeah, but I have to say I'm impressed. You've got him to do what you want without telling him the other details." Hermione frowned.

"Can you not say it like that? I don't want any praise for manipulating my husband. And coincidentally, it wasn't all my doing. I let some details slip. He knows we're suspicious."

"Well that's okay, as long as you didn't mention my name."

"I didn't."

"Good. We don't need Ron to get involved right now. But, then again, we probably won't have to worry about that for some weeks. What with the baby and all." The last sentence was said nonchalantly, obviously baiting an amused response from Hermione. And Hermione gave it freely.

"Oh Harry, you have to promise me you won't give Ron a hard time."

Harry smiled mischeviously.

"I won't."