Pilfered Progeny Stolen Dreams Chapter 7: A Meeting Of The Minds, a harry potter fanfic

Harry walked into his office building early the next morning.

Nancy looked up from her desk and smiled. "Good morning, Mr. Potter." She greeted, handing him a stack of notes.

"Good morning, Nancy… has Damitri come in yet…?"

"Yes, sir; he's in his office and needs to see you." She answered.

"Excellent… thanks Nancy." Harry glanced through the messages as he went to Damitri's office.

"Have a seat Harry…" Damitri said when he came in. "I can't tell you what happened at the clinic; they're quite thorough with their protective and binding spells down there..." he said as he pulled a digital recorder from his pocket. "But I can give you this…" he said with a smirk, passing it to Harry.

"Absolutely brilliant." Harry grinned, taking a seat.

"Slytherin cunning does come in handy, Harry..." Damitri smiled. "I've chosen a Weasley for our donor, so I need to speak with them to get permission before next Wednesday. I will not be a thief and take what has not been willingly given…"

"Of course, I'd expect no less of you Damitri. I'm fairly certain it won't be Ron; he's hardly ever home. Could be Charlie, it might even be one of the twins. Bill is married, so I don't believe it is him… and Percy is in Spain…"

"And I truly cannot see Arthur even visiting the clinic, despite his undying passion for all things muggle… that narrows the field to only those three." Damitri said thoughtfully. "Truthfully though, Harry, there is more than one way to get a specimen. It doesn't have to be a visit to the clinic. A date and a night of sex, and there you are…"

"That must be how they get most of their donations… I don't see many wizards going down to be paid for sperm donations…"

"Doesn't even have to be sex, come to think of it… a potion in a drink, and a spell… and the victim would never know…"

"It just doesn't seem like anything that Hermione would do…" Harry said with a troubled expression. "Parkinson, yes… but not Hermione…"

"Hermione may not be the mastermind of this plot. Parkinson appears to be above Mrs. Weasley; from what I saw Mrs. Weasley seemed rather reluctant to give me the pureblood treatment. She only did so after Ms. Parkinson pulled her out of the room to speak to her…"

Harry looked pleasantly surprised at that news. "Well, that's better than I expected, but somehow she's still in pretty deeply. Hermione's parents are muggle, you know, so I don't understand why she'd be involved in a scheme to 'purify' wizarding families…"

"It's not the bloodlines, Harry. Her focus seems to be the money from what you told me before."

"True… did she give you a cost…?"

"No, but I told her that money was no object."

"When do you take the next step?"

"Next week, on Terry's birthday."

"I'll have an answer from the Weasley boys before then, no matter which one of them it happens to be." Harry assured.

"Thank you… this is going to be an interesting case, Harry. I was getting rather bored until Mr. Weasley brought this case to your attention…"

"And if all goes well, you won't have a moment to be bored… not with a baby on the way…" Harry smiled.

"How is Draco doing…?"

Harry laughed. "He and Cissa are remodeling the cottage and out buying everything in the mall…"

Damitri laughed as well. "Will you even be able to recognize the house once they're done?"

"With Dray and his mother…? I just hope they don't decide it's too small…" Harry chuckled, rising. "I'll take this and transcribe it… oh. By the way; the Peterson case is closed…."

"Oh..? Mr. Peterson was found…?"

"Yes; in bed with three birds... His wife is suing for divorce."

"Somehow, I'm not surprised…" he smirked.

Harry laughed as he moved out of the office.

Damitri relaxed back, thoughtful but pleased with the current case. It was only natural that Harry wished that Hermione to be uninvolved or only on the fringes… but he believed somehow she was deeply involved in all this. Her reluctance and clear hesitance to proceed made it clear to him, however, that she might be ready to assist them and get out of the entire scheme, no matter what it cost her. That could be very useful…

Harry pulled out his cell phone, punching in a number. He only had to wait a few moments before the call was answered. "Hey Ron… how's practice going?" He asked when his friend answered.

"Pretty tough…" he grinned, sounding winded. "But I love it. It's an absolute blast…!"

"Hey. Can you get a hold of the twins and Charlie…? I want to meet them for drinks after work."

"Yeah, sure… just them, eh?" he asked teasingly.

"No, Ron, you too. I wouldn't leave my best mate out."

"Cool… where do we meet?"

"Hole in the Wall."

"All right… Rosie wants to go to your house tonight; she's got some homemade cookies to bring over…"

"I love Rosie's cookies; she can cook for me anytime…"

"Okay if I bring her by around seven…?"

"That'll be great; Draco will love to see her…"

"She's missed you too." He chuckled. "See you at the Hole after work, mate… I gotta get back in the air…"

"Give Blaise hell for me." Harry chuckled.

"Give HIM hell…?" He laughed. "He's giving ME hell, tryin to block his goals… there's a reason he made it in the majors, mate…"

"'Until later…" Harry laughed and hung up, then applied himself to his job. He grinned at Damitri's resourcefulness; wizards rarely thought to look for muggle technology since most of them didn't understand it. He pushed the play button on the digital recorder and listened to the information, typing it out himself to ensure the information was accurate, laying it out in table information to make it all make sense. He listened through it twice, comparing it to what he had and adjusting the information where he found any mistakes… satisfied, he hit the save and print button.

1 |___8__|_5'10"_|__139__|__O-___|__Cau___|__Blonde __|__Straight ____|__Hogwarts _______|__N/A_____________|____8____|__Grey ___|__Right____|___Pale_______|

2 |__97__|_6'2"__|__190__|__A+ __|__Blk____|__Black____|__Kinky ______|__Durmstrang______|__Unmentionable____|____6____|__Brown__|__Left_____|___Dark_______|

3 |__40__|_6'5"__|__201__|__A+ __|__Cau___|__Red _____|__Straight____|__Hogwarts _______|__Businessman _____|____8____|__Blue____|__Right____|___Pale_______|

4 |__32__|_6'0"__|__164__|__A-___|__Asn___|__Blk ______|__Straight____|__Other __________|__Ministry__________|____4____|__Brown __|__Right____|___Olive ______|

5 |__74__|_5'6"__|__130__|__B+ __|__Mix ___|__Brown____|__Curly______|__Hogwarts_______|__Self-Empl_________|____5____|__Blue____|__Right____|___Lt Brn______|

6 |__40__|_6'5"__|__201__|__A+ __|__Cau___|__Red _____|__Straight____|__Hogwarts_______|__Businessman______|____7____|__Blue____|__Right____|___Pale_______|

7 |___3__|_5'11"_|__165__|_OB-___|__Cau___|__Black____|__Straight ____|__Hogwarts_______|__Private Practice____|____5____|__Green___|__Right____|___Cream_____|

8 |__29__|_5'10"_|__170__|_AB+ __|__Cau___|__Blonde___|__Curly ______|__Beauxbaton _____|__Instructor________|____4____|__Hazel ___|__Left_____|___Pale_______|

He read over the list, thoughtful. Male gen… must stand for male generations of wizards, denoting purity of bloodlines… Number seven… that was definitely him. The list stated that there were only 8 more available… well, that left him wondering how many total they had to begin with… number one had nearly a hundred does available… Merlin. Who was that wizard…? Number one on the liist was Draco. Eight samples left of him… Number three was certainly one of the Weasley boys… but who were the others…?

Frowning in thought, he tapped his keyboard and pulled up a file he'd developed, a family tree compilation for several wizarding families… he'd begun it as a family tree for Draco, but it became a history of several wizarding families and had actually come in handy on several cases…. Six male generations for donor 1… That could be Rookwood, he was tall… could be Lestrange, as well… this list didn't consider female purity, only male… it was clearly designed to appeal to wizards who sought pure children. Harry snorted at that thought. If they'd followed the maternal bloodline, he wouldn't be on the chart at all, as his mother had been the daughter of two muggles.

Nancy tapped on the door. "Hey, boss man… you want me to pick you up some lunch…?"

Harry glanced at the time with surprise. He had no idea he'd been working on this for three hours already. "I hadn't been paying attention to the time… yes; if you don't mind, bring me something…?"

"Not a problem." She grinned as she strolled out, moving over to Damitri's office. He was rising from his desk as she moved in.

"No take out then, Mr. Zabini?" Nancy smiled.

"No, thank you… I'm going home for lunch." He answered, reaching for his jacket.

"Tell Terry I said hi." She smiled, turning to go.

"I will… don't let Harry work too late…"

"I'll chase him off about three or so…" she winked at him as they moved out of his office, strolling side by side as they moved out of the offices.

Draco sat down, glancing around with immense satisfaction. The room had been completely decorated for little Angel. There was a queen size four poster bed, draped with lacy white curtains and with a thick pink comforter stuffed with feather down over silken sheets and feather mattresses and pillows.

The walls were a bright blue, with light fluffy clouds painted on them all over, and magical paintings hung about the walls. One was of a young Unicorn, leaping and prancing about in its frame, another was a shy Demiguise, fading in and out of view; a third (the largest of the paintings) showed fairies flitting about a glen filled with beautiful flowers. The fourth painting was of a Kneazle kit, with a striped body and huge ears bearing spots, playing with a ball of twine. The furniture was in the classical style that the Malfoy family preferred, all in natural wood of a paler tone to keep the room light and airy looking. Shelves were against the walls, full of toys and books and things to occupy the time of a young child who had so recently come from the muggle world. Both Draco and his mother felt that it would be better to help her to merge gradually into the magical world once they saw how she adapted rather than dump everything on the child at once. The floor was shining wood now, with several soft carpets of white and cream placed about the floors.

Draco smiled at his mother, who laid the special doll they had purchased upon the pillows of the bed. "Well, mother…? What do you think…? Does it need anything else…?" he asked.

Narcissa seemed to think a long moment, then look slyly at her son. "A few house elves to help you would be appropriate."

"One will be sufficient, mum. That will be just fine…" he smiled.

"One will do, to start…" she sighed. "So, what are you planning to name my grandson?"

"We've months yet, mum…" he laughed softly. "Harry and I haven't even had time to make up our minds yet…"

"But what names do you like, son…?" she insisted. "And have you considered any girl names…? Those spells for detecting sex of children have been wrong before…"

"Girl names…? Well…" He shrugged. "No, I haven't even considered it… but. I have long thought it would be wonderful to honor his mother and name our first girl Lilly or Lillian…"

"Lillian… I like that." Narcissa smiled, taking a seat in the rocking chair.

"As for the name for a boy… Well, I'm not sure. I want to talk it over with Harry, but I would like to honor his father as well. I know father will go ballistic if I did that…"

"Your father will have to get over it… so you like the name James…? I always have… what was his middle name…?"

"Harold. That's where Harry's name came from." Draco smiled.

"James it is, then…" Narcissa smiled. "How about some tea, love…?"

"And chocolate cake…" Draco agreed immediately. "I have a craving for chocolate cake…"

"Toodles…" Narcissa called and a little female house elf appeared instantly, gazing raptly up at Draco only a moment before looking to Mrs. Malfoy.

"Missy Malfoy needin' Toodles…?"

"Yes. We would like some tea and chocolate cake." She answered with a smile at her son.

"Right away, mistress…"

"And you will no longer working at Malfoy Manor…." Toodles gazed up at her, ears trembling, waiting. "You will stay here, and will serve my son Draco and his family."

"Toodles gets to serve young Master…?" Her expression was one of joy and excitement, eyes as wide as saucers.

"Yes, Toodles… and soon you will have a little girl to care for as well…"

Her ears perked high and she literally trembled head to toe with excitement. "A little witch to tend…? Oh-h-h-h-h Toodles always wanted to tend little girl!" She bounced on her heels excitedly.

"Her name is Angel." Draco told her. "And she may be shy at first; she has been living in a muggle household and she has never seen a house elf before…"

At his words, the elf's ears drooped. "Toodles will not scare little witch-girl… Toodles hide, make her happy, makes her comfortable, taking care of little witch…"

"No, you won't hide." Draco corrected with a smile. "We will introduce her to you, and she will get used to you…."

"We will deal with that when she comes… now go on, Toodles, and fetch our tea." Narcissa said, and the elf vanished instantaneously.

Draco chuckled. "You're spoiling me, mother, to give me Toodles… She's my favorite out of all the elves in the Manor… Thank you, mum…"

"She's always doted on you, son… she'll be an excellent nanny for you and help you more than any of the others would dream of…"

"She was much more than just a house elf for me… It was lonely, growing up in the Manor all alone… I'm just happy that our son will have a big sister to run about and grow up with…"

"Harry always wanted a large family." Narcissa smiled softly. "And you always wanted a little sister when you were a child…"

"A sister, a brother… I would have actually settled for a cat…"

"I'll get you a cat for Christmas." She smirked as Toodles arrived with the tea and cakes.

"Oh, thank you Toodles… I think I love you." Draco sighed contentedly, pulling the cake before him.

Toodles giggled. "Master Draco being silly…"

"That's something you'll get accustomed to around here, Toodles." Draco smiled at the little house elf, picking up his fork and taking a bite, eyes closing in enjoyment. "Mmm that's good…"

That evening after work, Harry moved into the Hole in The Wall Pub, one of his and Ron's favorite places to go grab a beer now and then and just enjoy the ambiance of the place. It catered to wizards and muggles alike, but had private booths where wizards who preferred not to mingle could have their drinks in peace.

Fred and George were at one of the common booths, as they personally couldn't care less if they mingled with muggles or not. Fred waved him over, spotting him a moment before his twin did. "Hey, little brother…!" he greeted, handing Harry a beer as he moved over to sit down.

"So how's the Great Detective?" George asked.

"Keeping busy, what other way is there to live?" Harry responded, smiling at the two. They hadn't changed much since Hogwarts; he doubted if they ever would… "What have you two been up to?"

"Managing the stores…" Fred replied.

"And developing new products, of course." George added.

"So how's your better half?"

"He's as beautiful as ever…"

"Lucky dog…" Fred sighed, batting his eyes at Harry.

"You never had a chance, brother dear…" George smirked as Charlie moved up to join them.

"Didn't bring Ron with you?" Fred asked.

"No, he's on his way, though…. Practice ran long; Blaise called to let me know. So, Harry, what's up?" Charlie asked.

"I want to wait until Ron gets here… there's some serious shit going down, and I'd rather not have to repeat myself. Telling you all at once is the best way…"

"OUR family is involved in some kind of trouble?" Charlie asked.

"I swear we didn't do anything to break the laws recently…" George said instantly.

"He said to wait for Ronnikins, George; it probably isn't something we've done." Fred smirked at his twin. "Never could be patient, could you?"

"As if you're any better?"

"Oh shaddap and drink yer beer."

They were on their second round when Blaise and Ron entered the bar. "Hey guys…" Ron said with a grin as Charlie rose, giving Blaise a kiss. Ron took up a beer, nudging his brother George. "Budge over, Georgie…" he said with a grin.

"Hey, Mr. I-finally-got-picked-up-by-the-big-league-big-shot… how did practice go…?" Fred asked with a smirk.

"Great… I had an absolute blast…!" Ron grinned.

"So Harry, what's up…?" Charlie asked.

"Hold on…" Harry said, pulling his wand. He set up privacy spells around their table and area, and then did an extermination spell.

"What was that for?" George asked.

"In case of nosy beetles." Harry answered cryptically.

Ron laughed while the others looked a bit confused. "We'll explain that later…" he assured them, then his mirth began to fade as he looked at Harry. The protections, ensuring that reporters couldn't eavesdrop nor could any of the other customers… "Harry… I… I take it this is about my visit with you the other night…? You have something already…?"

"Oh, yes, Ron." Harry sighed, not sure how to break the news to his friend. Well, may as well just plow straight into the subject; after all, he didn't have too much information and there was a lot more investigation that needed to be done… "Well, you were right, to a point… it seems that Hermione is involved in something quite deeply… something, if proven, could put her in Azkaban for a long time…"

Ron's face lost all color. He swallowed hard, looking down at his beer. "I… Merlin… I was afraid of that…" he whispered.

"Hermione…?" George repeated in surprise. "But she's about as straight-laced…

"…and law-abiding as they come…" Fred added, his eyes as wide as his brother's.

"What the bloody hell would SHE have gotten into?" George asked.

"The other day Draco and I were at Covington Park. I had just come home from a trip and we were enjoying the day. We found a little girl there who looked a lot like me. I didn't think much about it until she fell into the river and I pulled her out; at the hospital they told us she was in foster care. We put in to adopt her…" Harry left off his story to take a drink of beer.

"Will you be able to?" Blaise asked. "I know you and Draco want a family…"

"I don't need to adopt her." Harry answered. "She's my daughter."

Ron bowed his head. Somehow, some way, this was all his fault… his wife had been selling Harry's sperm, that's the only possible answer for the entire situation… "Merlin… How could she…? Harry, I… I'm sorry…" he said softly.

George and Fred exchanged glances then looked back at Harry; the two then spoke in unison. "She's using your sperm to make a whole army of little Harry's…?" they asked.

"No, not just mine." Harry said, rolling his eyes at that. Why the hell would anyone want an army of little copies of him? "Snape works at the hospital…" he pulled a photo from his pocket and laid it on the table; it showed the twins. "Draco doesn't know about them, not yet. He's expecting and I refuse to stress him out any more than he already has been…"

Charlie picked up the photo and gazed at it, then at Harry. "It doesn't stop at the two of you either, does it…?" he asked pointedly.

"No… you always were the quick one." He answered, laying a folder on the desk. "This is the special listing of sperm donors they offer that only includes pureblood and powerful old family stock…"

George snatched the folder up first, reading through it. "Holy… she's got one hell of a stable here to choose from…" he murmured, laying it down so the others could see as well.

"Redhead, blue eyes… hey, that could be one of us…"

"We're sure that number three is one of you guys… that's why I asked you all here; I have no way of knowing precisely which of you that is…"

"Not me, I got mum's green eyes." Fred said loftily.

"Your eyes are blue, Fred." George chuckled.

"Are they?"

"Since the day we were born."

"I didn't donate any sperm…!"

"Well I didn't either… at least I don't think so… I know I've never been in any clinic…"

"THE REASON I asked you all here…." Harry spoke loudly over the twins to get them to subside for a minute. "Was to ask your permission to use your um… well. For you to be the donor."

"Are you trying to get preggers Harry?" George asked.

Fred hit him. "He'd use DRACO's, not yours, idiot."

"Shut up prat…!"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Merlin, give me patience… Guys…!" he interrupted and they looked at him again. "You all know my partner…"

"Of course we do, Harry. He's my uncle." Blaise answered, acting as if he hadn't even heard the two begin their argument.

"Well he and Terry are posing as our couple in need… and Damitri wanted me to ask your permission to use your… samples… to proceed…"

"They want to have a baby…? Stellar!"

"And they want a redhead…?"

"Even better…"

"They're a great couple and wonderful people… if its mine, I don't mind it at all." Charlie agreed, speaking loudly to be heard over the twins.

"Sure, mine too. What the hell, why not?" Fred shrugged.

"Same here… hey; I wonder how much I go for…"

"Two galleons and fifteen knuts!" Fred chuckled.

"…and you go for four silver sickles!" George shot back.

"I can't believe you're even wondering how much the charge is…!" Ron said, horrified at his brother's nonchalant behavior about all this.

"Hey you think it could be Ronny's…?" George eyed his younger brother.

"What…? No, not me…"

"Oh it could be…"

"She is your wife…"

"And you don't have to be at a clinic to donate…"

"Had sex with 'er recently mate…?"

Suddenly both twins cried out in pain. "OW! Bloody hell, Charlie…!" They complained, rubbing their shins that he had unceremoniously kicked under the table.

"Shut up, you twin tornadoes." He warned.

Ron looked shaken but didn't look up. "I don't think it's me… I… I can't know but… I… if it is… I'm okay with helping Damitri and Terry… they're nice folks…" he said quietly.

"Do you know how long she's been at this…?" Charlie asked softly.

"Years…" Ron said softly before he downed the rest of his beer in one long draught.

"Angel is five… so at least six years." Harry answered.

"Have you checked your Gringotts bank account, Ron…?" Blaise asked.

"Yeah; you oughta be really well off…" George commented.

"Shut UP, George." Charlie growled at his brother, who shot him a scowl but subsided for a moment.

"I never paid attention to it… hell, we never had a vault there; didn't have enough money to have one…" he said softly, staring at his empty glass. "Hermione handled all the money, I just… I just lived my life and enjoyed my job and my baby…" he mumbled. "I… I should have… I should have noticed years ago…"

"We need to keep this under cover; no talking to anyone about any of it, guys." Charlie said firmly.

"I don't know what we're going to uncover, or how many may be involved. I know Parkinson is in on it. We don't know what Hermione's particular involvement is, or Parkinson's… but someone is heading the operation…"

"Parkinson?" George repeated with a look of clear distaste.

"What would Hermione be doing working with that… that BITCH…?" Fred growled.

"Pansy works at the clinic… she… she helped Hermione get the grants to get her training and education at the muggle colleges…" Ron mumbled.

"Pansy is a healer at the clinic." Harry confirmed.

"She's a damned Death Eater!" Fred snarled.

"She was never marked, and the Wizengamot acquitted her of all charges…" Ron said softly. He'd had her over for dinner… and… Merlin… what had she done…? What had he done by being so damned blind…? This was all real; his greatest fears were coming true… he was going to lose his wife. He was going to lose his family… all that mattered to him…

Blaise watched Ron for a long moment, silent as the others debated Pansy's responsibility for various crimes against different people. Blaise reached out, putting his hand over Ron's and squeezing it gently. "I'm so sorry, Ronny…" he said softly. "I know you love her…"

Ron looked up at Blaise a moment, his eyes full of pain and worry. "Yeah, I… I love her so much, but… this is all wrong, so damned wrong…" he couldn't look at any of them any longer.

"Maybe she's being forced… anyone consider that…? Parkinson is pretty handy with an Imperious curse, I understand…"

"She took the money." Ron mumbled. "Forced or not, she still took the money…"

"Do you know how much…?" Fred asked.

"Not a clue… I just know it's been enough to pay off our house… and buy lots of expensive things. Even a muggle car…" he said, voice just above a mumble. "It's my fault she got desperate for money… I didn't provide for my family, I don't earn enough; hell, even dad managed to get enough for all of us…"

"Stop that right now, Ron!" Harry said firmly. "It is not your fault. I would have given Hermione the money and she knew it…"

"We all would have, Ron…" George began, realizing just how much his brother was blaming himself and not liking it one bit. He glanced at Fred, who gave him a nod to show he agreed.

"We're family, and family sticks together…" Fred said.

"You didn't make her do any of this, Ron." Blaise asserted as well; he had not relinquished his hold on Ron's hand. "This was all done by her choice, not yours."

"Yeah, I guess… but… Merlin, I wish I understood why…" he said, still clearly feeling that it was his responsibility.

"I know… but whatever happens, we're here for you…"

"Thanks… I have a horrible feeling I'll be leaning on all of you a lot before this is all over…"

"So how do we help, Harry…?" George asked, his eyes on his younger brother who had not once raised his eyes from his own hands. He didn't like anyone making his brother that depressed.

"Nothing. Act like you know nothing that is happening…"

George shrugged. "Simple enough… I can do it. But Ronnie… I don't think he can…" he said softly."

"I'll do anything I have to, to protect Rosie." Ron whispered, but his hands were trembling.

"You couldn't act your way out of a wet paper bag, little brother…"

Harry sighed, picking up the papers and photo. "Well, that's about all I have to tell you all right now… I need to head home. Thanks guys…" he said, then rose and reached over to Ron, giving him a brotherly hug. "We'll get through this, mate… together…"

"Yeah, I… thanks mate…" he mumbled softly.

"Hey Harry, give Dray a kiss for me." Blaise smiled. "Tell him we'll see him Sunday for supper…"

"Will do…" He smiled softly, releasing the spells as he turned and walked off.

Ron didn't even look up as Harry left, staring at his empty beer glass in silence, slumped slightly in his chair. Blaise silently slipped his arm about Ron, giving him comfort without a word. Ron found himself leaning against him.

"You know, Ron; you shouldn't go home tonight." Charlie said with a frown, looking at him with clear concern.

"I have to… Rosie… I can't…"

"We'll go and pick her up. You can both stay with us tonight; we have that guest room and you know it…"

"Okay, I… thanks…" he mumbled.

Blaise smiled. "Come on, Ron. We'll take care of you. See you later, boys…" he winked at Fred and George.

"Give Ronnikins a calming draught…" Fred started, looking at his brother in concern as well.

"…then put him to bed." George finished for him, tossing some money on the table as they rose to leave the pub as well.

"C'mon, baby bro." Charlie said, hooking one hand under Ron's arm.

Ron glanced at his brother, and then slowly rose to his feet, feeling like he was in shock… "Just when I thought things were finally looking up… this happens. How am I going to explain all this to Rosie…? She's so young…"

"You don't; not yet anyway…"

"But she's smart… she's got Hermione's brains…. She'll know. She's only seven but she'll know there's something wrong, I can't keep anything from her…" Ron said, clearly worried.

"She's definitely going to pick up on the fact that you're upset, unless we get you calmed…"

"I'm sorry… I'm just… I don't want to lose her, I love her…" he whispered, tears dampening his eyes. "A calming draught… it will help… I'll… I'll be all right…" he said, struggling to control his fear and rising panic.

"Yes, you will be." Blaise said firmly. "We'll see to that, won't we Charlie?" He stated as he and Charlie led Ron out of the bar.

The journey to their house was spent in relative silence, Ron growing more and more withdrawn and quiet. He allowed Blaise to lead him to the couch and sit him down, sitting on his right side. Charlie glanced at him worriedly and hurried to get the calming draught. He returned shortly with it, unstoppering it. Ron held out a trembling hand and Charlie helped him to drink the powerful calming draught.

The younger man slowly calmed, eyes closed, his hands steadying, the potion taking effect on him. He took a long, slow and slightly shaky breath. "I… thanks guys…" he murmured as Charlie sat on his left. "I'm sorry; it's all… all just so much…"

Both Blaise and Charlie put their arms about him. "We'll get through this…" Charlie soothed.

"And we'll take care of you, Ronny…" Blaise said softly. "No matter what happens…"

"I can't… you've got your own family. I don't want to be in the way of you two…"

"You're not in the way. This house gets awfully quiet some days…" Charlie assured.

Ron sighed, nodding, eyes downcast. "All right, for… for a day or two… okay. I just… I won't come between you two…" he murmured, then flushed as he realized he'd said 'come between them'… he couldn't be with Blaise; he was married to his brother…! Spending the day laughing and flying with Blaise had brought back all those old feelings from school, and the beers at the bar hadn't helped him to think straight either. "Um… I mean… you two are married and all…"

Blaise smiled and gave him a wink. "You're always welcome between us, Ronny…" he said teasingly. Ron blushed deeply and Blaise chuckled softly.

"Ron, you are more than welcome to stay here with us." Charlie smiled. "But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Hermione hasn't been found guilty of anything yet."

"She will be… She's been doing these awful things…" he said softly.

"I'll be good, Charlie..." Blaise sighed. "I promise not to pounce until after the trial…"

"She…" Ron started, and then looked at Blaise. "You… you what…?" he said as the dark-skinned wizard's words sank in.

"Well… you need to be here with me and Charlie." Blaise said. "This is where you belong."

"I just want all this to be over, so I can know… know what I have to deal with… know what I have to do…"

"Ron, you can't dwell on it like this. You're going to get yourself all worked up again, and need another draught before we even get dinner made. You can't let this control your life… you just got on the team. You have to live your life, Ron…" Charlie said firmly.

Ron pushed himself to his feet, arms folded tightly against his chest, moving to the window and out of the comfort of their arms that he felt that he didn't deserve. He stared out of it, his back to them. "I dunno if I can even do it now…" he whispered. "I can't focus on the team and on Quidditch, not with all this going on… I can't…"

Blaise moved to him, wrapping his arms about him. "I'm not going to let you quit." He said in a tone that allowed no argument. "Don't let whatever Hermione has done destroy your life…"

Ron felt his pulse quicken at the embrace of his teammate… he swallowed, feeling somehow worse. "It just feels like everything is all falling apart… I don't know… perhaps… perhaps it will all look better in the morning…"

"I'll go and pick Rose up from school." Charlie said. "Blaise, take care of him while I'm gone, eh?"

"Not a problem." Blaise assured, still holding Ron in his arms.

"Merlin, I… thanks Charlie…" Ron murmured, feeling worse. He'd forgotten about Rosie, even for a moment…

Charlie grinned and moved out without another word. He'd pick up Rosie at school, then stop by Ron & Hermione's place and get them some clothes for a day or so. Hermione ought to still be at work, from what Ron used to tell him… He'd just leave her a note telling her they were visiting for a day or two…

Ron hesitated, and then started to pull away. "I… I think I ought to… eat something…" he murmured.

Blaise reluctantly released his hold on him; he was quite enjoying holding his old school crush close in his arms. "All right… I'll just get supper started… steak and potatoes was your favorite, wasn't it…?"

"Yeah, I… thank you Blaise…" he said softly, giving the bar a longing look. Oh, to be drunk and not think at all anymore… "I… I'll help…"

*** Next Chapter: Twin Surprise

****Animal references are from "Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them" by Newt Scamander, published by Scholastic in 2001. ****