A/N: Hi everyone. I'm sorry for the wait . I would like to thank those who reviewed and added this story to their alert list. This chapters out because of you!
Update: Made some gramar changes...nothing serious in regards to plotline.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters depicted in this fic nor do I make money from this fanfiction. Harry Potter and related characters are owned by J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., and whoever else has legal claim to them. Not me!
Ron tried hard not to be sick as he and Hermione sat through the last spells that would bind the baby to him and release its magical dependence on Hermione. They had already been through an intense session of potions and spells design to sever the baby physically from Hermione's body, and the images that arose from that knowledge almost had Ron freaking out; if not for the firm and reassuring weight of Hermione's hand in his, Ron felt he would have fled from the procedure a long time ago. As the healer utter the last incantation, a part of Ron suddenly felt drained and he slumped over into Hermione's arms, feeling tired and not a little bit dizzy.
"Ron?" Hermione looked at him worriedly, but the healer hurried to reassure her.
"Oh, don't worry, that's normal I'm afraid. The babe's started to live off of his magic now so his body's beginning to feel the effect. He's doing really well actually; most men experience a little nausea afterwards and end up being sick."
Right on cue, it seemed, Ron wrenched himself out of Hermione's arms and began to be violently sick onto the floor. Hermione moved to help him, but finding herself a little weak herself, found herself pushed back onto the bed by their healer as a mediwitch came into the room to help Ron clean himself up.
"Don't worry we'll handle it. You're parts done now so you can go to sleep. We just have a few more diagnostic spells to do on your husband and then you'll both be released." Hermione struggled to get back up but soon found herself slumping over as the healer hit her with a mild sleep spell. Turning back to her other patient, Healer Margot sighed then began issuing orders to have put on a bed and anti-nausea potion brought in. As the mediwitch scurried to fulfill her orders, Healer Margot yelled after her, " And make sure its safe for pregnant persons!" Hearing this, Ron groaned miserably, and wondered, not for the first time, what he had gotten into.
It had been a month since they had fought and made up, after Ron was brought before Healer Margot the first time. After hearing Ron's decision, Hermione had immediately scheduled an appointment to get the procedure done as soon as possible, which unfortunately, was not possible until a month from that day. Ron had spent that month privately going back and forth on the subject, before deciding that it was the right decision when he caught Hermione giving a look of complete appreciation. If having their baby was going to keep Hermione happy, Ron would do it because he loved her and also, didn't want her to feel like he wanted a marriage of traditional gender roles. Coming from a traditional family, Ron knew that Hermione sometimes felt like she couldn't relate to him, as both her parents and herself were raised to believe that one's personal goals were just as important as the ones they shared with others. He knew that some part of Hermione must have felt that her marriage came out of a sacrifice of a part of herself; otherwise, why would Hermione ask this of him?
Ron could no longer ponder the answer to that question ad Healer Margot suddenly waved her wand in front of him. And then he was sinking into the warming comfort of darkness, where his thoughts took the form of dreams...
"The baby ... acclimated to ...new environment... he's ...well as... expect... severe morning sickness is normal Mrs. Weasley." Ron squirmed as conversation forced its way into his consciousness, becoming clearer as it flowed on. Groaning, Ron opened his eyes cautiously, squinting as the light hit his pupils.
"Ron?" Ron glance around until he spotted his wife standing to his right, with Healer Margot standing just beside her. As Hermione watch Ron's eyes alight on her she smiled weakly and asked, " How are you feeling?"
Ron didn't answer as his bleary confusion bled away into alertness. Realizing that he was at 's for a voluntary procedure he hurriedly sat up, regretting the action almost immediately when his stomach rolled in response to his quick movement. Both Hermione and Healer Margot hurried to restrain him.
"Careful, Mr. Weasley. You're body's undergone a serious change." Gasping, Ron pressed a hand to his abdomen in an effort to quell the nausea. Seeing that he was losing his battle the healer pressed a small vial into Ron's hand. " Drink this Mr. Weasley. It should help with the nausea, though you shouldn't rely on it too much because you can easily build a dependence against it. I'll give you a list of other things you should do to quell your queasiness before you leave."
Healer Margot paused to accio a chair next his bed and allow some time for the potion to work. Seeing the look of alarm drop off Ron's face Healer Margot continued, saying, "Now that you're awake and feeling better , I can give you an update about your condition and how the rest of this pregnancy is going to go," seeing Ron wince as she said the word pregnancy, Healer Margot added, " Oh, yes Mr. Weasley, you should get use to the word, for you have officially joined the world of pre-natal development." She chuckled slightly at Ron's look of distress and annoyance. Hermione looked on anxiously, eager to continue on with the diagnosis. "But we have more important things to discuss. Now you should be relieved to know that the procedure was a complete success and that you and your wife have not demonstrated any of the complications that sometimes arise with spells as complex as these. However," she stared intensely into Ron's face, "this does not mean you are off the hook. You should already have realized that as a man, your pregnancy is automatically classified as high-risk and that also you have an increase chance of developing complications." Healer Margot paused to get a nod from Ron, demonstrating that he was listening, "So, what does this mean for the next eight months of your life? It means that you will have a diet planned out that you will have to stick too, and not monthly, but bi-monthly checkups for your first trimester which will be increased to weekly and even biweekly checkups for your last two." Ron, who had been passively listening now sat up to protest.
" I can't be meeting with you every week. I'm an auror, I have work to do." Healer Margot looked at Ron sharply.
"I thought, Mr. Weasley, you understood what was being required of you before you went into the procedure. Not only do you need these check-ups, but I'm also expecting for you to take off time from work for the remainder of this pregnancy." Ron looked at her in shock, before his face flushed red with anger.
" Now wait just a minute. You never said anything about taking off time-"
" Now Mr. Weasley, I'm sorry if you misunderstood things but actively participating in an auror raid while pregnant is just not possible or even reasonable-"
"What-" But Ron was cut off as Hermione joined the conversation. Taking his hand to quiet him, she perched herself on the side of Ron's bed and directed her attention towards their healer.
" I'm sorry Healer Margot, for not talking with you sooner, but what Ron means to say is that we've consider the situation and have decided that Ron would not be in danger if he stays at work," seeing Healer Margot open her mouth to deny this reasoning, Hermione rushed on, " I mean we of course agree that active duty is out of the question but Ron can also take a desk job which would allow him to remain up to date on situations in the office without putting him in the danger associated with field work."
Healer Margot looked like she still disagreed but nodded anyway saying, " Well its not the best idea, as work can still be stressful, but I think that its reasonable and your decision to make." Ron grumbled under his breath, but both Healer Margot and Hermione chose to ignore it. Moving on, Healer Margot finished her presentation with a sheet of proper diets Ron was suppose to remain aware of, including foods that would decrease nausea, and also a planner filled with their appointments. As she gave the couple their release forms she also gave Ron a journal saying, "Since this is still a rare occurrence I would like you to write about your experience." Ron opened his mouth to refuse the book, but Margot backed away not taking it. " This is purely optional and if you don't want to do it you don't have too, but some of my patients said journal writing was a good stress reliever during the pregnancy even if you don't want to turn it in at the end." And with that, she left, leaving Ron and Hermione to return the forms to the front desk.
Sighing Ron gave the journal to Hermione, before turning to change out of his scrubs into his clothing. Finally dressed, Ron grabbed Hermione's hand before they both left St. Mungo's in search of something to eat, unaware of the figure following them in the shadows.
A/N: Also, check my profile for a poll about possible new stories! please review! ~DFW