Chapter Eight
Boys Night Out
October 15th 2007
Ron Weasley had just finished a shift at the Ministry where he worked as an Auror, he knew most of his family thought he'd give up on becoming a dark wizard catcher once Harry decided against it. If he was honest with himself he didn't blame his best friend for wanting to do something that didn't include being in the public eye constantly, however that didn't stop the redhead from missing his best friends presence in his day to day life. Unbeknown to Harry; the redhead had organised a boys night out to Hogsmede. He only hoped Ginny wouldn't castrate him for not telling her first. As he arrived home through the Floo network he came face to face with the very person he had been thinking about, sitting talking to his wife.
"I was just thinking about you."
"Oh really. Something you've forgotten to tell us about yourself?"
"Shut up Harry. I was wondering if you wanted to go into Hogsmede with a few of the guys."
"I don't think I'd be good company. At least not for the guys, Seamus will want to get drunk. I don't want to ruin other peoples fun."
"I promise to keep him in line. The guys have been asking about you. Especially the ones who were in the DA."
"Ronald be reasonable. I don't think you get how hard being pregnant is." Hermione scolded her sulking husband.
Harry sighed knowing there was probably no way he was going to get away with it, after all he really did miss his best friend. Giving up being an Auror was a big thing for him. Laying a hand over his now visible baby bump he decided to do what he'd done when they were in school, agree and stop the argument before it got going. Despite the fact his head was pounding and his back was aching.
"Don't fight, please. Ron we can go out but the minute I start to feel uncomfortable I'm allowed to leave. Now where are you planning on going?"
"Well believe it or not I did take the fact your nearly three months pregnant into account. Booked a room at the Three Broomstick for a meal, if Seamus wants to go out later then he can but he isn't dragging you around clubs and the Hogs Head."
"Wow Ron I'm impressed. In that case I'd love to come. But just one thing."
"What's that?"
"You're telling Ginny." Harry laughed at the mortified look on Ron's face. He was so easy to wind up.
"That was mean Harry." Hermione scolded.
"Sorry Ron. I'll go tell Gin now. I think she's looking after Samantha today whilst Severus takes Siri to see Poppy, he's been feeling sick recently."
"I'll Floo over around 7pm then if you get tired we can be home by 8pm."
"See you then. Bye Hermione, give Rose a kiss from me when she wakes up."
"You know I will. Bye Harry."
Harry exited the Floo network in his usual uncoordinated fashion, his stomach rolling with nausea as it usually did after Floo travel, though this time he didn't know if it was the travelling by Floo or another round of morning sickness. He could hear Ginny in the kitchen getting dinner ready for Albus and James. Dropping his jacket on the couch he made his way toward the kitchen wrapping his arms around Ginny's waist kissing her neck gently.
"Mm this is a nice welcome. How'd your visit go?"
"Ron talked me into going out for dinner with the guys. He thought of everything, dinner at The Broomsticks around seven and then if I get tired early we can go and leave the guys there. I hope you don't mind?"
"Of course I don't. You deserve a night out. Just don't overdo it."
I won't I promise. Are Severus and Siri home?"
"They are, they're upstairs. Severus asked for you to go up and see them when you got in."
"I'll go up now, Albus Severus Potter don't throw food around."
"But Da no fair."
"Do you want to go stand in the corner?"
"No don't want to."
"Then don't throw bread at your brother."
"Okay."
Kissing both boys on their foreheads he made his way upstairs grateful his godfathers now had a bedroom on the second floor rather than the third like they had during his fifth year. They may have tried to hide their relationship but it was hard to get anything past him,, it came from lie of watching his back when Vernon was in one of his moods, knocking gently on the door he opened it slowly.
"I'm home for a little bit. How's the patient?"
"Welcome home Harry, Poppy gave us some good news though it's taking Siri rather a while to get used to the idea. He's pregnant."
"Congratulations. If you need us to move, we can go back to..."
"We have plenty of room Harry. How are you feeling?"
"A little sick but I think that has more to do with Floo than anything else, even using muggle transport I'm nauseous. The only form of magical travel I enjoy is flying and I can't even do that. But it's all worth it. You'll have quiet tonight I got roped into dinner with the guys."
"Don't push yourself to keep up with them."
"I won't I promise. I'll let myself out I don't want to wake him."
"I'll let him know you we're here."
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After putting Albus and James to bed Harry headed into their bedroom to change deciding on a pair of elasticated joggers and a smart shirt instead of dressing to forgo the aftershave remembering it made him queasy now he made it downstairs just as Ron was coming out of the Floo. It shocked him just how much he'd missed his best friend, they'd gone from sharing a dorm together for seven years to weekend dinners at The Burrow. Kissing Ginny goodbye he slipped his wallet into his back pocket following Ron through the Floo (for the first time in his life) exiting the fireplace without stumbling. Instantly he heard his former roommates and some of his best friends called out to him. Seamus was the first to talk as he sat down in the comfortable backed chair.
"Whoa Ron told us you were pregnant but I didn't quite believe it."
"Why wouldn't you believe it. I'd do anything for Ginny. The option is there for a reason."
"I didn't say it was a bad thing. Rather you than me though."
"Let's eat. I plan to enjoy myself and then get home early so I'm not half dead in the morning."
"Well you're the guest of honour what do you fancy?"
"Nothing big. I think I'll have the chicken wrap with fries and a glass of ginger ale." Harry handed the menu back to Rosmerta as Ron, Seamus, Dean, Neville, Bill and Charlie placed their orders accordingly. As he had suspected they ordered butterbeers and Fire Whiskey.
〰〰〰〰〰〰
Five minutes later Rosemerta was back with their drinks telling the the food would be out soon. Resting his head against his arm as he took in everything that was being said, sometimes he wishes he'd still pursued his dream of being an Auror but he knew it was not only too risky but he'd had his fill of chasing down Dark Wizards. Once their food came talk soon turned to work and children.
"Bill I was just wondering how Fleur and Victorie are? I should have been by to see them sooner."
"They're both going great. Victorie and Teddy are inseparable something tells me they may get together when they're old enough to date."
"Wouldn't surprise me, though font let Remus know he'll lock Teddy in his room until he's 30."
"Just wait until our lot get to Hogwarts."
"Minerva's going to end up retiring, she looked after James when I first found out the implantation had been successful, she looked exhausted and that was after one morning. I dread to think what Fred II is going to be like, George is going to pay for his past pranks. The Marauder's mark two."
"George was at the house with Angelina the other day, Fred and Roxy were driving him mad. Then add Fred and Alica's daughter to the mix and Fred and George look like angels."
Harry couldn't help but laugh, every word his brother in law had just spoken was true, every prank and joke the twins had pulled over the years was coming back to bite them on the butts add James to the mix and Hogwarts wasn't going to be the same again. As the night wore on Ron noticed his best friend was beginning to tire; remembering his promise to not only his wife but his sister, he made sure everyone knew he was taking Harry home.
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Conscious of how exhausted Harry was, Ron picked up a stick whispering portus underneath his breath making sure it was safe for a pregnant person as the familiar tugging in his navel as they were transported home. Once they entered the living room Ron quietly helped Harry to the couch wondering if it had been such a good idea to take Harry out. Before he could speak Harry looked up tiredly smiling.
"I had fun tonight. Don't feel guilty. Can you Floo Ginny tell her I slept on the couch tonight. It's too late to go home."
"Sure thing Harry. She might be worse if she's not told."
"Don't remind me. She's like her mum when it comes to stuff like that."!
Ron laughed as he made his way back to the fireplace stating Grimmauld Place as his destination before kneeling down sticking his head into the fireplace, (not one of his favourite things to do) calling out for his sister.
"Gin you there?"
"Ron where's Harry? Did something happen?"
"He's fine, he asked me to call you. He's nearly asleep on the couch, I think it's best if he stays here tonight. I'll send him back in the morning. We came away early like I promised you we would. I had my eye on him all night."
"Thanks Ron. You really are grown up."
"Ha ha ha. See you in the morning sis."
"Night big bro."
Ron cut off the Floo call turning to talk to his best friend closing his mouth as he noticed the sleeping man on the couch. Pulling out his wand he levitated Harry into the spare bedroom switching his clothes for pyjamas before pulling the covers over him. He watched a few minutes before heading to his own room climbing into bed beside Hermione. Tonight had been good, though he wouldn't be dragging his brother-in-law out again any time soon. His health and the health of the baby was much more important than his selfish need to see his friend. With that thought in his mind he drifted into a deep sleep.
