This Thing Called Love

'Thanks, Jane,' I said to the British Airways flight attendant, who happens to be a witch, taking a sip from my glass of champagne.

'My pleasure, Mr. Harry Potter. If you need anything else, just let me know.'

'I will,' I said. 'Thanks again, Jane.'

'And sir, if it's not too much to ask, could you give me your autograph? It's not everyday that a person would get the opportunity to see you, sir.'

I smiled and then signed a piece of paper before handing it to her.

She smiled before leaving. I saw her walk to their quarters and whisper something to two other flight attendants. And then, they looked at me before giggling. I raised my palm, nodded and then smiled at them before looking away and closing my eyes.

I am still not used to that strange attention that I get from women. Fame drives them weak in the knees, I guess. I have always been a "chicken", as what Seamus would call it, when it comes to ladies. I am a very shy man. I'm not like him and Dean who have these abilities to deal with any girl. Ron didn't really go through what I went through because he had Hermione right away. If you are shy, you won't get anywhere. But since I am famous, all I have to do is sit there and they would come to me. Ever since I reached sixteen, I have been a "babe-magnet." It is flattering...

But I only wanted one.

The only girl that I see every time I look into blank space.

It wasn't supposed to be this way. I never viewed her as a girlfriend material... Let alone, a "love" material. She is my best friend's baby sister. So that kind of makes me her older brother as well. I was the one who helped Ron torment the boys unworthy of her or dared to make a move on her. She is a very shy, dainty, conservative, but energetic and witty girl. She is always smiling and laughing. She's the type of person who will brighten up your day. I never saw her in this light. For me, she was just like Hermione, another friend or a sister.

All that changed when Mr. Weasley asked me a favour.

I was so excited because the English Team's seeker just retired and they wanted me to take his place. Sirius and his family and Remus and his family knew about it first because I stayed in their houses as soon as I got out of Hogwarts. I couldn't wait to tell Ron and everybody else.

I went to their house two days before my expected day of arrival. I stormed in the house looking very excited. 'Ron,' I yelled, panting a little. 'The---'

The Weasley house is always noisy. I was used to a group of jovial people greeting me when I arrive. But the house was particularly quiet. I saw all the Weasley men sitting in the sitting room, except for Bill and Charlie. They were standing by the fireplace. They all looked at me sadly. I didn't know what to do. I just shut my mouth and stood there in silence.

'Harry,' said Ron, standing up from his chair and walking towards me. There was something wrong. He was forcing himself to smile and none of them even bothered to say hello to me.

'Is something wrong?' I whispered to him. He was about to say something when Mr. Weasley spoke.

'Bill---' he said.

I started to wonder if this is about me. Have I done anything wrong to upset them? I began to feel dreadfully worried. I began to think of all the things that I have done, but I couldn't think of anything that could have done it.

Bill looked at the ceiling. 'This is madness, dad,' he interrupted, leaning on the fireplace. He looked at him. 'You have got to be joking.'

I wanted to shrink and leave that very moment. They were having an argument and I was there.

'I might be able to find someone,' interrupted Percy, his face hardening.

'Don't tell me that you approve of this idea as well?!' exclaimed Bill. 'Great Merlin! What is happening? Have you even considered Ginny's say as regards to this matter?'

'Shut your mouth, Bill,' said George wrathfully. Fred began to soothe his back to calm him down.

'Ginny will listen to me,' said Ron inaudibly.

I have absolutely no idea what they were talking about. Frowning, I just moved my head from person to person as they spoke.

'Bill,' said Mr. Weasley softly. 'I just don't think that I can live without Ginny.'

I looked at Ron in horror. Without Ginny? 'What is wrong with Ginny?' I gasped.

Ron just looked down and didn't say anything.

'Do you think that I can?' said Bill. 'I'm not being the bad brother here. For Merlin's sake! She's not even seventeen---'

'I can't live without Ginny, too,' said Ron wretchedly.

'Neither can I,' said Percy.

'Is there anything I can do to help?' I finally asked, sensing their desperation. I figured that maybe my money could help them.

All of them looked at me immediately, and I began to step back. 'I'm so sorry for speaking,' I said gawkily. 'I'll shut my mouth now. As a matter of fact, maybe I should leave---'

'No!' I heard them all say. I looked at them, strangely.

'Harry,' said Mr. Weasley. 'Maybe there is something that you can do to help us...'

I looked at him intently. 'I'll do anything, sir. Anything.'

'Ginny's sick,' he began. 'The doctor said that she only has three more years to live---'

I walked towards him and then took out my Gringott's key. I placed it in his palm. 'Here, Mr. Weasley,' I said. 'Please take as much as you need.'

I just received fifty million galleons on my 17^th birthday and I'll be receiving more in a few weeks for my 18^th birthday. I'm rich... very very rich.

He forced a smile and then gave it back to me.

I frowned. 'What is the matter?'

'There is nothing that the doctor can do about it but make it painless. She will live a normal life but will eventually die. It's an illness that affects one out of a hundred witches,' he continued.

'What is it that I can do to help then?' I asked, completely unaware of the situation.

No one spoke.

'Well?' I said again. 'Yes?'

Still complete silence but I saw them all look at each other, though.

'You know you can tell me anything... And whatever it is, I'll gladly do it, Mr. Weasley,' I added.

At last, Mr. Weasley spoke. 'I want you to get her pregnant,' he finally said without any trace of uncertainty or humiliation.

My jaw dropped. I couldn't believe my ears. They were all staring at me. I didn't know what to say. 'I beg your pardon,' I said before laughing. 'You almost got me there, Mr. Weasley!'

'No,' he said. 'I am not joking.'

'Yes, you are,' I said knowingly but he shook his head.

I frowned. I studied Mr. Weasley's face very well. For once, I thought that he was Fred or George in Polyjuice potion. But then I realized that the twins were sitting side by side on the couch. 'You--are--not?' I squeaked. I literally collapsed on the chair.

'Harry,' said Mr. Weasley hesitantly. 'The doctor said that somehow once a woman affected with this illness conceives, five out of ten women becomes fine. The illness miraculously disappears. It is unexplained but that is how it is.'

I took a deep breath. 'Hold on a minute, Mr. Weasley,' I said, taking a another deep breath. 'Did you just say that you want me to get Ginny, as in your baby Ginny, pregnant? Me?'

'Yes, that's what I said,' he replied, swallowing hard.

All of his sons' face, especially Ron's, hardened. I suddenly felt really agitated. 'Mr. Weasley, think of what you just said,' I said to him. 'I don't think that---'

'I would like you to get her pregnant,' he said again. 'If I or any of my sons could only do it---but we can't. She doesn't have a boyfriend. We can't find anyone else but you---at least we know you. I know that you'll treat her nicely.'

Nicely, I thought. 'But---' I squeaked. This is going on very fast. I felt that I couldn't keep up any longer.

'Alicia would never approve if I asked Lee,' said George.

'You do know that my best friend, Oliver, is already married,' said Percy.

I just moved my eyes from one Weasley to another as they began talking.

'All my friends are already married,' added Bill hesitantly.

'So are all my friends,' said Charlie.

'We really tried Harry,' said Ron. 'Besides, you are---You are my age, we know you and most of all, you are single. You just broke up with Susan, right? You could really use some company right now---' He winced.

I cannot believe that he just said that! I felt as if the whole world began spinning so fast. I took of my glasses and then rubbed the bridge of my nose gently before putting it back on.

'I'm not asking you to marry her,' continued Mr. Weasley. 'All I am asking is that you get her pregnant and that's it. We will never bother you about the child or anything else. It will be as if nothing happened. The child will be a Weasley and you have nothing to worry about. We will never ever ask you for anything.'

'Nothing,' concluded all of his sons. 'Absolutely nothing.'

'But Mr. Weasley,' I said, looking very shaken. 'Asides from Sirius' and Remus' family, you are the only family that I have. I don't want to---'

'Oh Harry,' he said, assuring me. 'You have nothing to worry about. This will not ruin your relationship with us. We will still love you. I promise.'

There was an odd silence. Neither of us spoke.

'Harry,' he finally said with unshed tears in his eyes. 'I'd rather see my daughter pregnant than dead.'

They were all looking at me with an indescribable expression on their faces. I felt horrible.

'There's really nothing that the doctors can do?' I asked softly, swallowing really really hard. I was being put on the spot here.

'Harry, you don't have to answer now,' pleaded Fred. 'Will you at least think about it?'

'Fine, Harry,' said Ron, interrupting Fred. 'Forget that we even asked you. We understand. I understand.'

Great Merlin! Why did Ron have to say that? I closed my eyes and then took a deep breath. Damn it! Damn Ron!

'All right,' I forced myself to say, 'I'll---do---it.'

I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into.

They insisted that we begin immediately and again, I couldn't refuse when my dim-witted best friend, Ron, spoke. I was actually beginning to hate Ron that very moment. Correction, I hated him. It was nerve-wracking. This wasn't just any girl. This was Ginny Weasley, the apple of the eye of the entire Weasley clan. If I do something wrong... I am six foot two. Mr. Weasley, Bill and Charlie are my height. Fred, George and Percy are an inch taller than me. Ron is two inches taller than me...

I might as well bid farewell to the world!

'Well then,' I said neurotically. 'When can she come home with me?'

'Come home with you?' asked Mr. Weasley.

'Yes, sir,' I said, my voice cracking. 'If we will be doing it then---'

'Can't you do it here?' he asked.

My lips began to feel really dehydrated. 'Here?' I breathed out.

'In her bedroom, I mean,' he said quickly. 'Not in front of us---'

My jaw dropped to the floor. 'Can---we---do---it---here?' I squeaked, looking at him as if he was mad and breathing before every word. 'Here---at---the---Burrow? In---her---bedroom?'

I collapsed on the nearby chair once again, feeling that the whole world was on my shoulders. Ginny's bedroom is in between Ron's and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's. It is also one of the smallest rooms. I am not criticizing their house, it's just that---Well, we might get heard doing it... I couldn't bare the thought of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley hearing me shag their daughter... I couldn't bare the thought of it. It's absolutely horrible. I looked at Ron pleadingly.

'Da--ad,' interrupted Ron, 'Harry is right. You see, Ginny's bedroom is in between mine and yours and mum's. I don't think that, well, dad, you, er, I, you know---'

Fred and George actually chuckled a little, followed by their other brothers. Mr. Weasley and I were the only ones who didn't laugh. I really hate Ron at the moment...

'Haven't you heard of Silencing Spells?' he replied.

My face hardened. I wanted to bang my head on the wall and squash it into pieces. I have never felt so ashamed in my entire life.

'Please Mr. Weasley,' I said, my head bowed. 'She'll come and visit all the time. Before I leave in the morning, I'll take her here whenever I can and then I'll pick her up again in the evening before I go home. We will also come and visit every Saturday and Sunday, I promise.' I looked at him.

'See dad,' said Ron, 'it's as if, she still lives here. Besides it's only temporary. Only until he gets her pregnant, then she'll be back home.'

'And dad,' added Percy, 'if we want her to get pregnant fast, it has to be on a regular basis. They have to be near each other.'

Regular basis? What have I gotten myself into... Holy Merlin...

'Dad,' said Ron, 'Harry's only doing us a favour. We would really want to make it easy for him.'

Thank you, Ron! But you are still not off the hook. After all, this is his entire fault. You prat!

'Oh all right then,' said Mr. Weasley forcefully, nodding his head. 'It is set then, I'll be talking to Ginny tonight about this matter.'