I wanted to take this chance to thank you all once again for being so wonderful and sticking with me and my story. An extra thanks to you who have taken the time to review. Your witty remarks and speculation or so much fun to read and I would love to hear more of what you have to say. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this next chapter. I hope it lives up to your expectations. Happy Reading, Noterwomann

Chapter Nine: Not Again

"You must understand what kind of position I am in, Mr Weasley. Yes, this is an extraordinary case, I don't argue that, but the Ministry doesn't make it a habit to hand over a child to their parent's killer."

"I did not kill her parents!" Realizing the futility of shouting, Ron took a breath to calm his rising anger. "As the Ministry report clearly states-"

"But you were leading the team that is responsible, were you not?"

"Yes. But neither death could have been prevented. The Blythes were under arrest. We were taking them into custody and they fought back. We followed proper Ministry procedures. My team does everything wizardly possible to bring every prisoners in alive. Following protocol we stunned Vyvica Watter Blythe, unfortunately she fell forwards over a balcony. There was nothing we could have done to prevent her death. As for Timothy Blythe, he was killed by his own spell deflected back on him."

"Look Ron," Winifred Edgecombe removed her glasses and set them aside before folding her hands over his application. "I like you. You know that, right? And I think you'll make an excellent father. I'm also well aware of you and the work your squad does. I admire all that you've accomplished since you've joined the Ministry. Personally," she brought her hands up to her chest, "I would love nothing more than to grant your petition here and now. But there's too much stacked against you. You're connected to the death of the parents of the child in question. Who's to say she won't meet the same fate at your hands?"

"Excuse me!" Ron bolted to his feet, his eyes flaring dangerously with anger. "Are you questioning my character?"

"No, Ronald. I'm not. I assure you these questions are not coming from me. Please," she motioned to the seat he had been sitting in, "sit down. Sit." She prompted again when he remained standing. "You're not the only person who has to answer to superiors. I can't just hand the Blythe baby over to you. However, I can do everything in my power to make this happen. But in order to do that you need to help me. These are the types of questions you are going to be faced with at your custody hearing. You need to find a better way to answer them. Losing your temper like that is not going to help you win your case."

Ron took a calming breath. "I'm sorry." He forced the tension out of his body through his fingers by flexing them several times. "I've worked very long and very hard to get to where I am. And I'm sorry, but I take great offence to any suggestion that I would ever deliberately hurt anyone, most especially an innocent child."

"I understand. Like I said, I've been following your career. You have a clean record."

"So why are we debating this?"

"Because," she sighed. "It's protocol. Something I'm sure you understand."

Sighing unhappily Ron nodded. "Yes, I understand."

"Good. Now let's try this again. If you are granted custody what is our assurance that the child will not meet the same fate as her parents?"

"The child in question has been living under my protection for nearly a month and a half and has not come to harm. In fact she has grown and thrived under my care."

"You are a single man. Are you sure you can handle the pressure of raising a child on your own?"

"The Ministry trusts me to lead upwards to twenty people into some of the most volatile situations the Death Eaters can cook up. I am use to thinking on my feet and maintaining control. If I can be trusted by the Ministry to handle their most sensitive cases then I should surely be trusted to manage the wellbeing of one little girl."

"But she won't always be a little girl. Eventually she will grow up. Are you prepared to answer questions she might have when she gets older?"

"How do you mean?"

"You will be this child's sole source of information. Are you prepared to answer the questions she will undoubtedly have over the changes her body will be going through?"

A highly uncomfortable, almost panicked look crossed his face for a moment. "Is any father prepared to answer those types of questions?" He asked, shifting in his seat, adjusting the collar of his cloak. "If there are any questions she is not comfortable asking me or I am not comfortable answering, or if I don't have the proper information to answer her questions with, there is no lack of female companionship in my family. Taking after my father, three of my five brothers have married strong, kind women. My mum takes an active role in everyone's lives, mien and in extension, the baby's, included. I also have a sister who I am very close with. In fact, if everything goes according to plan, I have every intention of asking her and her husband, Harry Potter, to be the godparents. My family has dinner together every Thursday evening and we randomly stop in to visit with each other. We're all very close. And if that isn't enough, there are also several female cousins the baby will be raised alongside of. Harry and Ginny had a little girl three days ago, that means their daughter and mine will be growing up alongside each other and when the time comes they will be going to Hogwarts together. The Weasleys, together as a family, will teach her how to be a strong, upstanding, independent woman."

"That's wonderful. Family support is crucial in cases like this. I was acquainted with Fred and George while in school. I always liked them. Have they settled down any since?"

"George has settled down a great deal since marrying Asken. He turned into a right old sap when his daughter Melani was born. He's still got a wicked sense of humor though. Nearly every single one of the products he solely developed for the joke shop has been best sellers. Fred," Ron rolled his eyes, "hasn't changed. After seeing what happened to George when he married Fred swore he never would and has become even more of a rebel since. He's a good uncle though. Melani loves him to death."

Winifred nodded. "Really? I always thought he and Angelina would have married."

"So did she. Angelina doesn't come around so much anymore."

"I can understand that." She shook her head sympathetically. "Hopefully Fred gets his act together. I would hate to see him alone for the rest of his life. How will you support her?"

"Support who?"

"The Blythe baby."

"Oh right. For a moment I thought we were still talking about Angelina. Err…How will I support the baby? Well, I'm one of the top paid Ministry employees. I make more than enough to support us both."

"You are an Auror, correct?"

"Yes." He said slowly, insinuating that the answer was quiet obvious.

"Captain of the Alpha Squad?"

"Yes." He said again.

"Tell me, your missions. They are incredibly dangerous. You handle the most sensitive and dangerous cases the Ministry has. If you were to die on one of your missions what would become of the child?"

Ron stared at her blankly for a moment.

"Mr Weasley?"

"Sorry." Ron sat back in his chair. "I'm afraid your question took me by surprise. I don't really know how to answer. I hadn't really brought that under consideration before."

"Perhaps you should. Auror's have a high mortality rate. If the worse were to happen what would happen to the child and do you think it fair that she lose another father?"

"I won't let that happen."

"And how do you intend on preventing it?"

"Ms Edgecombe," Ron moved forward in his seat so that he was sitting on the edge and was in a position to look directly into her eyes. "I am the best at what I do." He said earnestly. "My team is made up of the Ministry's finest. We're a well oiled machine and we have each other's backs. We do everything in our power to ensure that everyone returns from every mission."

"But there have been casualties?"

"Of course there have. Like you said, being an Auror is a risk. But isn't there a risk in everything you do. Stepping out your front door every morning is a risk."

"But the point is that your job puts you in more danger then most."

"Yes, but every day that danger lessons. That is my job, Ms Edgecombe. I go to work every morning to ensure that this world stays safe for everyone. I hunt down the people who threaten our peace and safety and I bring them in so that they can't cause any more harm. And if you'll allow me to be blunt, I care very deeply about that little girl. I love her. She has suffered enough already, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that it doesn't happen again. My first and foremost concern will always be her."

Winifred Edgecombe returned her glasses to the bridge of her nose. "Very well Mr Weasley." She smiled reassuringly. "I will push your application through. Normally adoption proceedings take several months, but you and your team have already done most of my work for me." She flipped through the pages of his application, stopping to scan pages here and there. "I see that you have your supervisor, Roland Greene, and Harry Potter listed as character references. That's good." She assured him. "You've also convinced me you deserve this child, so I will be endorsing you as well." She flipped closed the application and pulled her diary towards her. "I will set your hearing for the first available slot." She flipped a few more pages. "Maybe something will open up. What I need you to do in the mean time is set about making provisions. At your hearing you can be assured they'll question you on what will happen to the child if you were to die on the job. You need to prove to us that she'll be well taken care of. And if you want my professional opinion, you might want to consider a change in career."

"Why? There are plenty of members of my squad who have children."

"Yes I know. I realize it doesn't seem fair, but we can't stop Aurors from having natural children. Unfortunately for you we can decide not to let one adopt. On the other hand, as I know I've said before, your reputation precedes you. You're well liked here at the Ministry and that will help your case. It also doesn't hurt that you have character references from Roland Greene and Harry Potter. Harry Potter, Ron, you couldn't ask for better."

"What exactly are you trying to tell me, Winnie?"

"I'm trying to tell you that I don't really think your application will be denied. I would go so far as to say that you should be the legal father of the Blythe baby is several months at the most. But there is always the chance that things might not go our way. So, I want to help you do everything in our power to make sure that doesn't happen. We need to cover all our bases, anticipate their every objection and have a suitable argument. Do you understand?"

"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst."

"Precisely." She smiled.

Ron nodded his head. "Alright. Thank you, Ms Edgecombe." He returned to the formality of before and reached across her desk, offering her his hand. "I appreciate your assistance."

"It's my pleasure Ron." She said pointedly, taking his hand and giving it a curt shake before releasing it to rise to her feet. "You have a long road ahead of you," she led him to her office door, "but I think you'll come out of this just fine. I'd like you to set up another appointment with my assistant for later this week."

"I'll do that."

"Very good. Until then."

"Thank you, Winnie."

"You're welcome."

"Ron!" Harry stumbled out of the grate and into Ron's darkened study. Gaining his feet he stepped further into the room and pulled his wand out of his pocket, banishing the soot from his clothes. "Ron!" He called again into the silence. Leaving the study behind, he moved into the hall and stopped, straining his ears for any sound. When he heard the ceiling creak overhead he moved toward the staircase and started to climb.

When he reached the landing he didn't stop but continued on down the hall towards the open door at the end. A light was on inside and its soft glow spilled out into the hall. As he drew closer to the door he could hear the gentle hum of his friend's voice as he spoke in the dulcet tones he only used when he talked to the baby. When Harry reached the door he came to a stop and leaned his shoulder against the jam, crossing his arms over his chest.

In the nursery Ron was sitting cross-legged on the floor, his back to the door so Harry remained unseen. In his lap was the Blythe baby, her back leaning against his stomach. Scattered around them on the floor was bits of empty packing material and in the corner was a new crib made of highly buffed mahogany wood, complete with bedding of pale blue embroidered with silver and gold stars and moons. Floating over the new crib was a matching set of shiny metallic stars and one larger milk white crescent moon that dipped and twirled gently as if they danced to an unheard lullaby. "What do you think?" Ron jiggled the baby's right foot. "Is the color right?" He tipped his head from one side to the other, leaned forward slightly then settled back again. "You're right." he sighed after a few moments. "Plain walls won't do." He waved his wand and the pale blue disappeared from the wall. "It's not special enough for my little girl. Unfortunately for you," he set aside his wand so that he could lift her with his hands supporting her under her arms and turn her so that she was looking at him eye level, "your dad's a real dunderhead when it comes to decorating. You're Auntie Ginny, now she's really good. You should see what she's done with your cousin Si's room. If the bed was a little bigger I'd steal it for myself." He bounced the baby lightly on her feet. "Maybe we can convince your aunty to come over here and whip this room into shape. What do you think of that idea, little girl?" A few of his fingers flickered against her side causing her to squirm as her sweet laughter filled the room.

"I think that can be arranged."

"Harry," Ron's head whipped around in surprise, "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to hear you admit you're a real dunderhead."

Ron scowled slightly at the mirth he saw on his friends face. "When it comes to decorating."

"Not what I heard." Harry laughed.

Ron rolled his eyes. "Yeah well, you're no better. Your place was a mess until Ginny started cleaning it up for you."

"What ever you say, Dunderhead." Harry nodded at the new piece of furniture set in the corner. "I see you finally broke down and bought a crib. It's nice."

"Yeah," Ron set the baby against his shoulder so that he had a free hand to get to his feet. "I chose the star pattern because it was cute enough for a little girl but not so sweet it made me sick."

"Took you long enough to buy her one."

Ron shrugged as he swooped down to retrieve his wand. "I didn't want to jinx myself in case I had to give her up." He stuffed his wand into his pocket.

"You still might." Harry said uneasily.

Ron shook his head sternly. "No." His other hand came up to protectively hold the baby to his shoulder. "I won't let that happen. She's mine now and no one's going to take her away from me."

"Far be it for me to be the pessimistic one, but there is a chance that you might not have a choice. I'm just saying," Harry held up a hand when Ron began to protest, "I need you to be aware of the chance that the court might not side with you."

"If that happens the Ministry had better be prepared to not only lose one of the best Aurors to ever work for them, but to fight their way through the entire Weasley family to try and take her away."

"The Potter family too."

"I was sort of counting you with the Weasleys, but thanks mate." He began to sway gently back and forth, tenderly patting the baby's back in rhythm. "It's good to know you have my back."

"I've had your back since we were eleven years old. That's never going to change."

"Merlin," Ron rolled his eyes playfully, "gives us a couple kids and we turn into a bunch of pansies. What are you doing here anyway? Why aren't you at the hospital with my sister?"

"Probably because she came home today and I was worried about you. We both are."

Ron looked at Harry skeptically. "Why?"

"Because of the way you left the other day."

Ron turned his back on Harry, continuing to sway gently on his feet. "There were too many people there, and someone was getting a little crabby." Ron gave the baby's back an extra little tap. "I was planning to stop by and see Ginny and the baby tomorrow. You didn't have to come and check on me."

"I would have come sooner but I wasn't about to leave Ginny alone, especially not with Si getting into everything like he has been lately." Harry stopped a moment as if to debate the wisdom of his next words. "Ron…I saw the way you were looking at Hermione before you left."

"Really?" Ron pressed a gentle kiss to the baby's cheek as he ambled toward the crib and tenderly placed her inside, motioning Harry out into the hallway with his head as he did. "And how was I looking at her?" He used his wand to flick out the light before closing the door.

Harry waited until Ron was looking at him once again. "Like she ripped your heart out of your chest."

Ron stood stone cold for a moment before turning his head away. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Please, don't play this game with me. That's not the first time I've seen that look on your face. She's done that to you before. We both know she has. How many times while at school did she cause the same reaction?"

Ron swallowed audibly before licking his lips. "You don't think…" He tried again, "You don't think she saw, do you?"

"No." Harry shook his head after a moment. "She was too focused on Bryony."

"Good." Ron rubbed at his temple. "I don't want her to know that she still gets to me."

"Sorry to break this to you, Ron, but she knows."

A panicked look contorted the tall redhead's face.

"Fred told me about the disagreement you two had in the hallway."

Ron's face darkened with color. "No one was supposed to hear that."

"So he gathered. Sounds like it didn't take very long for Hermione to get a response out of you. Fred said you were wound tighter then a spring. Why didn't you just go and speak with her like she wanted?"

Ron's eyes glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. "How do you know that's what she wanted?"

"Because, she's been living in the same house as Ginny and me for the past few weeks. You hear things when you're sharing a house, not that she talks to us about the subject. I think she feels a little awkward seeing as were best friend and little sister to you. Most nights she floos her friend back in Spain. She's trying to, Ron. She wants to be your friend again. Can't you at least try and be hers?"

"No." Groaning heavily, Ron sagged against the wall and sank until he was sitting on the floor. "I don't think I can." He lifted his knees so that they were bent close to his chest; braced his elbows on his thighs and threaded his fingers through his hair. "I've been so angry with her for such a long time I don't know how else to be."

"It's been five years."

"I know that. But I look at her and all the old feelings come rushing back at me until I can't see straight. I worked so hard to be ready for this and the moment I see her I forget everything. I just see her running away again."

"She didn't run away."

"Yes she did."

Sliding down the wall so that he was sitting next to Ron, Harry braced his hands on his raised knees. "So why don't you talk to her about it?"

"What's the point? Nothing's changed."

"Everything's changed."

"No it hasn't. She still sees me as the same boy I was five years ago. Everything I've worked for, everything I've accomplished has meant nothing."

Harry turned his head, his eyes narrowing on Ron. "Is that why you've been working so hard? To prove yourself to Hermione?" Ron's silence was answer enough. "Look, I love that girl. I really do. But don't you dare belittle your accomplishments by comparing them to some skewed idea you have over what you think she thinks you should be."

Ron's hands dropped from his face. "What are you doing here, Harry? Shouldn't you be home with Ginny?"

"She'll be fine until I get back. Molly's staying with her. Right now I'm more worried about you."

"There's no need for that." Ron struggled to his feet. "I'm fine. Go back to your wife."

"Ron, you can't keep avoiding this."

"I had been thinking of holding the naming ceremony yesterday, but with Ginny and the new baby I've decided to wait until next weekend. I hope you and Gin won't be busy. According to the research I've done on the family the godparents are traditionally named at the ceremony as well, so I'm going to need you both there."

"If you don't want to talk about Hermione just say so."

"Fine." Ron turned to look directly at Harry. "I don't want to talk about Hermione. Will you and Gin be there?"

Harry sighed heavily. "Yes. We'll be there."

"Good." He offered Harry his hand and helped haul him to his feet. "Now I just need to talk to Mum and see if she would be willing to host. I would do it here but this place isn't big enough to hold the entire family."

"I don't think it'll take much to convince her. Is there anything I can do?"

"No." Ron shook his head. "Just take care of my sister and my new little niece."

"Wow," Harry playfully slung his arm over Ron's shoulder and pulled him toward the staircase. "Being a dad's changed you. "

"Yeah, yeah." Ron pushed Harry's arm off. "But seriously, I love that little girl." He said straightforwardly. "I don't know when it happened or really even how it happened, but I do. She hasn't been with me that long but I can't imagine my life without her. It's almost like she's a part of me. Do you know what I mean?"

"Yeah mate," they stepped off the steps into the foyer. "I do. I felt the same way the first time I held Si."

"How 'bout a drink before you head home? Gin won't mind will she?"

"No, she won't mind. I don't think she expects me home for a while yet."

Ron led Harry into the study. "Whiskey?"

"Sounds great."

Ron moved to his liquor cabinet and poured Harry and himself a draught of Whiskey. He handed Harry his glass before he conjured a fire, brightening the room as it cast the night shadows into the corners of the room. When the fire was lit he took his seat and the two men sat in comfortable silence for several minutes, both of them lost to their own thoughts.

"Harry," Ron asked with the glass held to his lips. "Do you think I'm doing the right thing?"

"What do you mean?"

Ron took a sip of his drink before lowering the glass to his thigh. "I spoke with Winifred Edgecombe today. We went through my case and she brought up some valid points. And I can't stop thinking about what she said. I don't want to ruin this but- I just want to be fair to…the baby."

"I'm afraid I'm not quiet sure what you're getting at here, Ron."

"Do you think it's fair of me to go through with this adoption?"

Harry stared at him in bewilderment. "Where is this coming from?"

"I just want to do right by her, Harry. I've already ruined her life once. I don't want to be responsible for doing it again. I couldn't bear it if she grew up to hate me."

"Why would she grow up to hate you?"

"Damn it Harry. It's my fault she doesn't have parents. My fault."

"No." Harry protested instantly. "No it's not."

"Yes it is. They wouldn't have died if my team had been more careful."

"They wouldn't have died if they hadn't been Death Eaters. They wouldn't have died if one of them hadn't tried to kill you. You can't keep punishing yourself about this. It's over. The Ministry cleared you of cause. It's not like you set out to kill them."

"Will she see it that way? How do I know someday she won't blame me?"

"Because," Harry tried, sensing the torment that was raking his friend. "I know you. And she'll know you too. No one who knows you would ever believe that you tried to hurt anyone, let alone kill them. She won't be any different. Besides, you can't worry about what might happen someday in the distant future. Just worry about what is happening today. Focus on getting custody of her and worry about that problem if and when the time comes. Don't start punishing yourself for something that might never happen."

"But…"

"It's not going to happen." Harry cut him off, his voice leaving no room for argument. "You're too good a dad. You love each other to much for that to ever happen. That girl is lucky to have you as her dad."

Ron took another sip of his drink to wet his tongue. "Harry?"

"What?"

"What happens if I die?"

"God. You're being awful cheerful today. I'm so glad I stopped by."

"I'm being serious." Ron set aside his glass. "I never gave it much thought before because no one was depending on me, but what if I don't come back from one of my mission? What's going to happen to her?"

"It's not going to. You're too careful."

"But what if it does?" Ron pushed to his feet in one fluid motion. "I can't stop thinking about it, Harry. Am I being fair to her? I've already cost her one set of parents. I don't want to be responsible for doing that again."

"Ron," Harry left his seat to step up beside him and place a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Despite what you probably think, this is good. You're thinking like a dad."

"By worrying all the time?"

"Yeah. It's the reason I stopped being a field agent and took my current post. It wasn't until Morris died that I really realized how dangerous my job was. I've only ever told Ginny this, but it was almost me. If Cosmos hadn't been standing in front of me when the curse detonated I never would have made it out of there. Gin was pregnant at the time and I realized that I almost missed meeting my son. I didn't want him growing up not knowing me the same way I didn't know my dad."

"I never heard you talk about this before."

Harry shrugged sadly. "I guess that's because I still miss him. Cosmos wasn't only my partner, he was one of my best friends. After you, Hermione and Gin of course."

Ron nodded. "Just like Parker and me."

"Exactly."

"Harry," Ron picked up his glass and slowly finished the rest of his drink, "Do you ever stop worrying?"

Harry paused a moment to think before shaking his head slowly. "I don't think you do. I think it's a lifelong commitment, you know? Have your mum and dad ever stopped worrying about you?"

"No." Ron admitted.

"See what I mean. Once you're a parent, it never stops. And if you want my opinion, if you don't go through with this adoption, you're going to regret it for the rest of your life."

"I only want what's best for her. And I think if that means I have to give her up…"

Harry put a hand on his friends shoulder sensing how much the idea of letting the Blythe baby go upset him. "Ron, what she needs is you. She didn't know Timothy Blythe long enough for him to be her real father. You're as much her dad as she is your little girl. In fact she's done the impossible and turned you into a dad. And like it or not you're going to be one for the rest of your life, regardless if she's a part of it or not. For both of your sakes I hope that doesn't come to pass. I kind of like who she's turned you into." Harry pointed his finger at Ron. "Finally someone has you wrapped around her finger tighter than Ginny has me. Turnabout is sweet." The minute hand on the mantle clock clicked into place in the silence that followed and Harry's eyes glanced toward the small face. "I should be going. It's almost time to put Si down." Harry finished his drink before walking the empty glass to the liquor cabinet. "Gin wanted me to extend an invitation for you and the baby to come have dinner with us tomorrow."

"Tell Gin thanks but-"

"Hermione won't be home for dinner." Harry cut in before he could finish. "She's flat hunting tomorrow. She'll be gone all evening."

Ron stared at him evenly as if trying to decide if he could be trusted. "What are we having?"

Harry grinned as he began to tick off one of Ron's favorite meals. "Roast-beef, baby reds, rolls, carrots, gravy," His grin grew wider as Ron's eyes fell closed. He could see his friend practically salivate as he imagined biting into the savory meet. "I had you at Roast-beef, didn't I?"

Ron nodded with his eyes still shut. "Hell yes. You play dirty."

"Ginny plays dirty. She planned the meal."

"Tell her well played. We'll be over after work."

"Excellent. Well, I really should be off."

Ron set his glass aside before walking Harry to the fire. "Give everyone my love."

"Will do. And Ron," Harry stopped with his fingers in his floo powder sac. "Try not to worry so much, you'll give yourself an ulcer."

"A what?"

Harry shook his head with a laugh. "Never mind. I'll see you tomorrow at the office."

"Good night Harry."

"Night Ron."

Ron watched Harry toss some powder into the fire before drawing closed the top of the small bag and stuffing it in his pocket. The redhead covered his eyes when the fire flared a dazzling green and his friend was swept home on the warm, tumbling ride.

Refilling his glass, Ron sat at his desk. He turned his chair so that he was looking out the window into the back garden. To his right he saw the rope swing suspended from the oldest and strongest tree, catch in the breeze and rock back and forth on the current. His lips twitched into a smile as he imagined himself teaching his daughter how to swing a few years from now the same way his dad taught him. He could almost hear her laughter as she kicked her little legs trying to make the swing carry her higher.

The smile slowly faded as the image expanded in his mind so that he could see all of the back garden. His eyes drifted away from the little girl on the swing to the back stoop where a slightly older Hermione sat watching, a small child with red hair at her side, resting his head in her lap and a smaller bundle held protectively in her arms. Her hand slowly lifted to wave at them, a bright smile on her face, before her hand came to rest on the little boys head.

"No." Ron shook his head, clearing it of the image. "Not again." He spun the chair back around and grabbed for the Whiskey. He swallowed what was left in the glass before wrenching open the top drawer and rifled around for the picture he was looking for.

He stared down at Hermione's face. "I won't let myself go there again. Do you understand?" He placed the picture face down as he closed his eyes. "I can't go through that again."