Chapter 14
Saying Goodbye
5 days after Ron had told his parents and Harry at the Burrow, Mrs. Weasley went to Everwood. She brought with her the Healer she'd met when they'd gone to Hogwarts together. Ron was on bed rest in his house and Jeremy happened to be there, checking in on Ron, when they arrived. Ron was briefly surprised, but it didn't take long for him to remember that this was his mum, and that he was sick. He realized at that moment that he'd be seeing a lot more of his mother.
The Healer that she'd brought, Healer Cunningham, had been filled in on Ron's case already by the other Healers at St. Mungo's who'd come to Ron's flat a week previous. Ron was happy that he'd filled Jeremy in on the magic world so that he didn't have to go into any more of those machines that took pictures of his brain, being that the Healers could do that magically. After a week, Ron had given up on Harry.
The fact of the matter was that Ron was getting worse. A lot worse. And it didn't look like they would be able to save him in time. Ron had accepted his fate, ready to leave the world knowing that he'd spent some of his life with the person he loved. If it made it easier for Harry to not be around while Ron died slowly, Ron understood that.
10 days after Ron had last seen Harry at the Burrow, an episode took over Ron's body and never went away. For days it never slowed, making him retch a few times an hour. He was glad for the Muggle IV that seemed to never let his body dehydrate, because he sometimes let his mind wander to what would happen if he retched all of his bodily fluids. Ron could feel that it was his last few days. Ron knew he would be dying soon.
On day 12, Ron allowed his family members to come say goodbye. Saying goodbye to his brothers was hard for him, of course. They looked defeated, especially Fred and George as they realized not a joke in the world could solve this situation. Ginny, though, saying goodbye to her was the hardest. She sat on his bed with her hand pressed against the side of his face. She didn't cry, instead looking determined and deep in thought. Then she took his hand and pressed it against her stomach.
It took a moment for Ron to realize what she was doing. When he finally figured it out, he gave a questioning look. She smiled lightly.
"It's a boy. I know it. And he'll be named after his favorite Uncle Ron. Because you will be his favourite, Ronald. You will be the first one to hold him and the first thumb that he wraps his fingers around. You will be the one to teach him to fly and to show him how to love unconditionally. You will know this child, Ronald,"
Ron grimaced. She never wanted to accept situations that didn't end ideally. Her optimism annoyed him. But then he sighed and pulled a smile, because if that's what she needed to think to get through this, then he would allow it. He leaned up and kissed her cheek.
"I love you, Gin," he whispered.
"I won't say goodbye to you, Ronald," she said, that determined look back on her face and in her tone.
"Okay."
On day 13, at 5:36pm, Harry came into Ron's room. Ron was asleep on his bed, face pale as the snow, the red in his hair was dull, lips white, dark circles under his eyes. He nervously scratched his fingers over his scar before making his way over to the bed. He summoned a chair and put it next to the bed, sitting down and grabbing Ron's hand. Ron woke, calmly, looking up at Harry.
"Hi," Ron tried to say, but his raspy throat barely allowed it. Harry smiled gently.
"Hi," he said back quietly.
"Harry?" Cam said as he entered the room. Harry turned in his seat to look at Cam. "Wow. You know, they said you'd come over and come up here. I, personally, didn't think you'd have the balls. You know I didn't get why he wasn't telling you. I figured if you loved him, you wouldn't leave just because he was sick. But I did what Ron wanted. And now I know why he didn't want you to know. Thought you'd just leave for the hard times and then show up at the end to say goodbye, did you? Fucking asshole."
Harry bit his lip and grimaced, reaching for his scar nervously again. "Yeah, I know I'm a prick, Cam. I was just confused. But this isn't goodbye. He won't die."
Cam laughed incredulously. "Look, man, I know you haven't been around so I'll fill you in. They've given him 24 hours. And to be honest, I'd like to spend that 24 hours with my best friend, letting him be around the people who love him,"
"Cam." Ron rasped.
Cam sighed and walked over to Ron. "I'm sorry, dude, I just…I just can't pretend it's okay,"
Ron smiled. "'S okay, mate. 24 hours is a long time to spend with me,"
Cam shook his head and squeezed Ron's hand before leaving the room, trying not to cry.
"I mean it, Ron. You aren't going to die. I'm shit with words, but I think…no I know…Ron, I love you. But I know you won't die,"
Change in POV
My heart went out to Harry for this statement. I just wanted everyone to accept it instead of fighting it. Oh, well, I suppose. My sickness was winning, my heart was breaking, but I loved Harry for finally saying the 3 words I'd always longed to hear coming out of that beautiful mouth. It hadn't quite taken me yet, though, so the story continues.
Hopefully I'll be getting out the next chapter pretty soon! R&R! Thanks, lovlies!
