Chapter 22 - Lucky Ron, But Harry Benefits I

No, no, no! This isn't real. This can't be real. Mum is going to kill me. Ron soon woke up again, finding himself in the empty quidditch locker room adjacent to the arena. He could feel Madam Bones' soft legs under his head as he looked up at her face beyond the fine, gentle curves of her mounds.

She was in her usual long coat, almost all black or dark gray clothes. On her short, close-cropped hair was a witch's pointy hat. A rare look of worry adorned her eyes, her thin lips pressed tight as she looked down at him.

"I-It's November," Ron muttered, calculating. "T-That means you're three months into pregnancy?"

Madam Bones was a proud, no-nonsense type of woman. She talked straight without letting emotions hinder her judgment. "That is true. It has started to become faintly noticeable."\

Ron didn't even try to wake up from her lap and frustratingly pressed the corners of his eyes. He could feel his heart on the verge of bursting, "I… I'm sorry, Madam Bones. Mum will probably throw me out of the house, but…" He couldn't believe he was saying it, but he knew he had to man up. "I'll take responsibility."

After all, he knew it was as much his doing as Amelia's. If he had controlled his urges that night, this wouldn't have happened.

"I don't want you to."

"What?" Ron lay shocked.

Amelia's expression changed and revealed her gentler side. The eyes didn't look as sharp, her brows relaxed, and a gentle smile bloomed on her lips. Her thin, strong fingers combed through Ron's hair, caressing his scalp. "I'll turn thirty-six this year, Mr. Weasley. While I hold no desire to marry or love, I always wanted children—especially after Edgar and his children's death."

"Edgar?" Ron questioned, not knowing that name.

"My brother, murdered by the Dark Lord years ago, alongside his children. Only my niece and I live to bear the Bones family name now." She explained and let out a subtle sigh, "I want to be called mother, and I suppose you can imagine the scandal if I were to approach a man just for that purpose."

Ron silently stared at her face, trying to understand her point of view. Especially the face he felt drawn towards. Even his loins were reacting with gentle, warm twitches. Not of carnal lust but of pure desire.

Amelia Bones was gallant, tall, extremely serious, pragmatic, and powerful in body and magic—normally not someone a person would consider desirable. But somehow, Ron felt attracted, finally explaining why he did it with her that night.

"So, you want to keep it a secret?" He asked her at last.

Amelia nodded firmly, "I wish to give my name and inheritance to this child. See them grow and—"

"How would you explain red hair? If the baby has them?" Ron questioned. "Not that many red-haired wizards in Britain, are there? Anyone smart will be able to track where you were nine months ago, and the only red-haired man you met at that time was me."

Amelia smiled, liking the look of worry on his face. It at least told her he was serious about this. "I have thought of that. I'll deliver the child in the States. A potion shall be prepared to change the child's hair in case of red hair."

Ron felt a strange ticklish weight in his chest at that moment. I'm going to be a father? I haven't even finished Hogwarts yet. But

He looked at Amelia's face, a woman a lot older, and admired it. If she has no problem maintaining secrecy, why should I

"Can I come and see the baby?" He meekly asked, unsure if she'd want him to be near the child.

"Mr. Weasley, you're seen as one of the most gifted wizards in the world at this moment," Amelia responded, caressing his face, which still had a hint of freckles. "You're tall, handsome, magically gifted, from a respected family—I will be more than happy if you can visit the child."

Merlin's beard, why is my heart pounding? Ron blushed at her words.

"You should return now." The woman stood up as if nothing had happened and returned to her usual, serious persona. "One more thing. You might get called to the Ministry in the coming days for the trial of Lucius Malfoy and the rest of the Death Eaters who attacked us. You'll be asked to give an account."

This was the first time he heard about it. "But I already gave my statement."

"Considering how powerful and rich the criminals are this time, they're being given a chance to defend themselves. That's why it's necessary for you to be there; To counter their defense." Amelia explained and walked towards the school alongside him. "The Wizengamot will vote after hearing all sides."

Eventually, she bid him farewell and headed towards the headmaster's office.

Ron walked alone to the Great Hall for breakfast. He didn't care much about the Ministry's business, but the idea of becoming a father still scared him greatly.

What have I gotten myself into? How is this being lucky

"Mornin', Weasley."

"Hmm?" Ron paused in his path and turned his head, realizing it was the most unlikely person. "Morning, Greengrass."

"Just Daphne." The blonde-haired Slytherin beauty chirped back with a charming smile, striking blue eyes glittering, and continued walking, vanishing after a turn.

Ron confusedly continued on his path too.

So much has changed ever since I caught Voldemort and won the award.

Who knew being strong and famous would change the behavior of so many people.

####

The Burrow,

"I can't believe this. Why do they want to invite us?" Molly Weasley was freaking out while holding a letter in her hands. "I don't have anything to wear."

Arthur laughed and proudly continued reading the morning newspaper. It was his own son's interview. Surprisingly, Rita Skeeter had written it, and nothing terrible was in it. "That's how the Pureblood community is. They didn't care about us yesterday, but now that Ron has boosted the family's name to such great heights, they feel obliged to invite us."

"What do they want from Ron?"

"Nothing for now," Arthur muttered. "They just want to be close to a family that's rising this quickly. Ron's future is bright, after all."

"Oh dear, should we go?"

"Of course we should. We'll at least know what they think about us, and if they are planning anything nefarious against our son," Arthur replied and got up. "Since it's a unique situation, let's go shopping, Molly. You haven't bought a new dress in years."

Molly frowned, knowing well how tight their expenses were. "But we don't have any m—"

"Ron paid for his own school supplies this year," Arthur revealed with great pride.

Molly sighed and rubbed her face, "He's grown so much, so fast."

Sadly, only if they knew how much their son had actually grown.

####

So many things changed after Ron received the Order of Merlin first class. There was simply no other award higher than that. Even though December had come, he was still the talk of every group.

Somehow, Rita Skeeter had also taken a liking to him, occasionally writing articles positive about him.

But by far, the most important thing Rita did was destroy the image of Dolores Umbridge. No longer did the new D.A.D.A professor acted obnoxious, giving painful punishments or forcing dumbed-down education on the children. At that point, she was scared of being let go from her Ministry job.

However, it was a double-edged sword. She became hate-fueled, focused on finding something negative about Ron so she could use it against him. It meant she used underhanded means to spy on him or make issues when none were needed.

Thankfully, he found a little respite in their bi-weekly secret training classes to train themselves in battle magic. Knowing Voldemort was undoubtedly not gone after Harry's continued dream, they found no other way but to prepare themselves.

Of course, Dumbledore fully supported them. With the Minister for Magic also being Moody, there was no pressure from any side anymore.

Like that, Ron found himself becoming the teacher in the secret classes instead of being a student. After all, he was the only one with an extensive amount of dueling experience, especially the experience of surviving the killing curses.

"Why don't you tell Sirius to apply for the D.A.D.A professor position for next year, Harry?" Ron sat down beside Harry after giving instructions to the class. "We can use someone like him to learn better. Our spells are quite limited."

"Ron's right." Hermione chimed in, another 'teacher' at the classes for self-defense. "We need someone with more experience who's willing to teach us dangerous spells. Professors won't help us."

Harry liked that idea, but the whole time, he looked distracted. "I'll try."

Ron, being right beside him, followed the chosen one's line of sight. And there she was, Cho Chang, swinging her wand while discussing how to do it better with her friends. Clearly, Harry was still lovestruck with her.

He's hopeless. Ron sighed but understood the allure. Cho was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful girls in the school. But if he doesn't try, it'll never happen

"Hmph! Boys." Hermione scoffed after noting both their gaze and left them to talk about 'boys stuff.'

Ron grabbed the opportunity, "Harry, just do what I tell you to if you want to date Cho. Even Cedric has transferred to France now. Give it a try."

"They haven't officially broken up yet," Harry blurted.

Ron scoffed and imparted some valuable lessons to his best friend, "Do you seriously think no girls would throw themselves at Cedric in France? Man has vampire looks—he's definitely going to leave Cho soon. But if you want to have a chance, you better start planting the seeds."

Harry frustratingly rubbed his forehead. "But how? What should I do?"

How is he so dense with women? Ron genuinely questioned; Isn't this the golden opportunity already

"Mate, listen and follow. From now on, give her a little extra time when teaching. Help her more, be more gracefully touchy. Stand behind her and extend your arm to guide her wand hand. Breath close to her ears, talk in whispers. If she has any interest in you, she'll blush or giggle like crazy. If she doesn't like you, she'll push you away or step away herself."

Harry stared at Ron's face like he was an alien. "T-That sounds crazy. What if she pushes me away?"

"Try again a few months later." Ron shrugged, "Maybe after she breaks up. But no harm in testing the waters now."

I'd have done that if I was you. Ron thought, never realizing it was his utterly enhanced confidence and lucky experiences speaking.

"So, should I go now?" Harry hesitantly asked.

Pa!

Ron slapped Harry's back and jokingly pushed him forward. "Go, my boy. Stick to her like you're a bee, and she's the sweetest nectar in the world."

Harry made an ugly face, "I felt a shiver in my body. Never say that again, Ron."

After that, Harry meekly left. But just then, Hermione returned and sat beside Ron, so close that their shoulders touched.

She stared at Harry's retreating back, "What did you tell him?"

"To test the waters. If it's a no now, there isn't much hope," Ron said.

Hermione chuckled, a little self-depreciatingly. "I'm sure she'd give you a chance if you'd try."

Ron scoffed, dismissing it. "Why would she? I never even talked to her."

Hermione looked at him from the corner of her eyes, "Oh please! With how famous you are. Every girl, even from senior years, will throw herself at you if you were to ask."

"And you?" Ron asked back without thinking much. "Would you?"

"I… I don't…" Hermione froze, stuttering. "But you would never ask me. We're friends."

"Why not? You're pretty," Ron blurted again. "I never saw it before, but after Yule Ball, I know you're among the best in scho—Ah, Ginny, you're mental!"

Without finishing his words, he jumped up and rushed to scold his sister for the wrong wand movement. Never realizing how red-faced and flustered his bushy-haired best friend had turned. This wasn't the first time it had happened, nor the last.

In the days that followed, Ron nudged Harry to get closer to Cho. Since she seemed more than happy to entertain Harry, the ship seemed on the verge of sailing. But during those days, Hermione's mood started to turn sour for no reason.

And on top of that, Ron found an unlikely girl asking to join the classes for self-defense.

"You know my family, Ron. We never openly supported the Dark Lord; we only followed the status quo for our own survival. I want to learn how to protect myself and my sister too."

Ron awkwardly looked at Daphne, "I'm afraid that's not a decision I can make alone. I'll ask Harry and Hermio—"

"No!" Daphne abruptly closed in on him, reducing the space between them to a single foot. Her long, blonde hair charmingly draped around her shoulder and back, and her narrow blue eyes were full of determination. Her stature was tall, body athletic; as she looked up at him. "I'm not asking to join your secret little group. I'll be hated by my house for that. No, I want you to teach me privately after classes."

"Why would I do that?" Ron asked back, having no interest in mingling with Slytherins, no matter how pretty the girl was.

Daphne stepped back and crossed her arms underneath her chest, making her charming figure stand out more. She scoffed, blowing out angry air. "Seriously? How can you be so clueless?"

What's she talking about? Ron had no idea why she was acting angry.

"I'll think about it. I don't have much free time to spare these days." Ron shrugged and tried to leave. "Good night, Daphne."

"Even if it's once a week." Daphne tried to stop him, but the proud expressions on her face didn't disappear. "P-Please?"

Please? Since when did Slytherin lose their pride and ego? Ron was confused before, but now he was wary. What's she plotting? Did Draco send her

"I'll think about it." He still chose to keep his answer vague and quickly left.

Thud!

"Ugh! You fool!" Daphne kicked the ground in frustration, and her black skirt fluttered. "I hate you, Father. Why make me do this? This is beneath me."

In the end, she fixed her hair that she had intentionally untied to appear more charming.

"Fine, if you want to play with me, let's see how long you can keep up."

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