Twice Shy

Twice Shy

"Hey, Harry," Ron Weasley said as he poked his head into the Deputy Minister's office. He was still wearing his Chudley Cannon Keeper uniform, having apparently come straight from practice.

"Ron!" Harry waved his friend in and laid down his quill. "It's great to see you!"

"I'm heading down to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink, and wondered if you'd like to come with me?"

Harry's first instinct was to say No, as Ginny, his wife, was expecting their third child, and he'd been aching to see her all day. But Ron had been gracious enough to bury the hatchet with him after so many years of anger, and Ginny would have Dobby around to help with the twins. "Sure. Let me just send an owl to Ginny, so she doesn't worry."

Ron waited, and then the two of them walked out of the Ministry, talking about Ron's performance in his most recent game against the Windermere Will O'Wisps. "That underhanded double-toss had you going for a while."

"Yeah, I admit it wasn't one of my better days," Ron agreed, shaking his head ruefully.

The two men Apparated to the alley in the back of the pub and then entered, and were greeted with nods and cheers from their mutual fans; a veteran of the war insisted on buying Harry a pint, and wouldn't hear of no. Harry bought Ron a round, and they took their place at a small table, clicked their glasses together once, and drank. "So, what did you want to talk about?" Harry asked.

Ron blinked and wiped foam off his trademark handlebar mustache. "What? I just wanted to have a pint with a friend, that's all."

"Ron," Harry said, laughing, "I've made a career out of dealing with people on one-to-one basis; from Muggle politicians to upstart wizards. If I can't tell when a man wants to talk to me about something personal, then I've learned nothing at all."

Ron sighed, and drained off half his beer. "All right, the truth is, I need your help." He rubbed his trademark handlebar mustache in his nervousness.

"You want my help? Okay, whatever I can do for you, I will."

Ron sighed, glanced at the floor, and then looked at Harry with an unreadable expression. "After Hermione died, I swore I'd never love again. She meant that much to me! So, I've buried myself in Quidditch: playing, training, studying tactics, and leading the Cannons to five consecutive championships. I've become one of the highest-paid players in the world."

"I know," Harry said, saluting his brother-in-law with his glass. "A lot of us have wondered, though, why you've never spent any of the money you've made. For a man who used to groan about being poor, you lead a very Spartan life."

He waved a hand dismissively. "That's another story, Harry. The point is, though, ever since you married Ginny, I've been watching. You two are happy together...and, well, I'm jealous!" He shook his head ruefully, and drank more beer. "I know I shouldn't be, but I am! You've got two great sons, and now you're expecting a third child and, well, I want to feel some of the joy that you two have." He finished his beer, and then sighed. "I think I'm finally ready to try sharing my life with a woman again, so, I've been looking around."

"And you think you've found someone?"

Ron smiled. "Yeah, and she's really beautiful, too. She has brown hair with hint of red, in a plait down her back, and such a kind-looking face. But the trick is, she works in the Ministry of Magic, and I'd like you to introduce me."

"Oh," Harry said. He felt flattered that Ron would ask him to play Miles Standish. "Who is she?"

"Susan Bones. I saw her recently at Quality Quidditch Supplies, and it rekindled a secret crush I had on her in school. I never told anyone, or pursued it, because Hermione and Lavender were there, and, well . . . you know how I felt about Hufflepuffs. Mostly thanks to Zacharias Smith! You might remember she used to be in the D.A. with you and me. But I lost track of her during the war. "

Tom, the bartender, laid a fresh pint in front of Ron and then left, sensing the two men were engage in a deep conversation.

"That's because she joined the Ministry Army, and became an officer. She helped lead the attack against Voldemort's forces at Backaland, and almost lost her right leg." Harry sipped his beer. "She's a great witch, Ron, but, here's something you may not know: she was married once before."

"Really? I didn't know that," Ron said, gaping at his brother-in-law.

Harry looked sad and sipped at his ale. "It was a real Shakespearean tragedy: Susan was part of the attack on Backaland, as I mentioned. The minister had delayed us for so long, though, that Voldemort's people had time to consolidate their positions. The lead wizard in Susan's squad was killed almost immediately. She took over, and even though she was badly wounded, she stayed on the field, commanding troops for nearly three more hours. One of the men she saved was a man named Timothy Higgins. They fell in love--one of those wartime courtships in between the fighting."

Ron nodded, remembering many of them during his own time in the Second War, where he'd attained the rank of Sergeant-Major.

"Susan was promoted to captain and ended up serving for another year, and was in command of a regiment at the Battle of Brougham. It was then that it happened."

"What?" Ron asked, locking his eyes on Harry's face.

"Susan took a direct hit to the chest by a concussive spell, which threw her across halfway across the battlefield. We all thought she was dead.

"The bad thing is that she had an agreement with a girlfriend in the same regiment that if either of them saw the other die, they'd send an owl to their families. Not surprising, really, since so many people were disappearing, never to be heard from again."

"Yeah," Ron said, signaling Tom for another round. "Look at Bill! We still don't know if he's alive or dead." He was silent, thinking about his eldest brother, now missing in action for fifteen years. "So, what happened with Susan?"

"Well, her friend saw her fall, and then got separated from her in the battle. You know our withdrawal from there was disorganized; half the people we pulled out didn't connect with their own units for days. Anyway, her friend sent the owl, and it got to Timothy, her husband. He was so distraught that he killed himself! He took poison, right on the spot."

"Merlin's Beard!" Ron swore.

"What made it worse was that she was pregnant, but no one knew it, not even Susan herself! After her husband died, she took a position inside the Ministry so she could safely carry the child to term. She's got a son, Duncan. I think he's ten, now.

"Since the war, she's stayed away from people, and spent most of her time with her boy." Harry grimaced, and leaned forward to speak confidentially. "She doesn't date, hardly ever comes to Ministry of Magic functions or office parties. Some people at the Ministry have taken to calling her Ice Maiden."

"Blimey!" Ron sipped at his second pint. "I never dreamed we had so much in common."

Harry suddenly had an inspiration. "Tell you what, Ron! Ginny and I are going to have an evening party, soon. We'll add her to the guest list, and you can sound her out, then."

"You're having a party?"

Harry blinked. "Ginny didn't tell you?" He explained why, and Ron gaped, and then laughed out loud. "That's great!" The two men saluted each other with their glasses again, and Harry felt a surge of happiness that they were friends again.

When Harry got home to his flat, Dobby met him at the door and told him that he'd put the twins to bed already, and that they were fast asleep.

Harry found Ginny sleeping in a rocking chair, an afghan draped over her. She opened one eye and looked at him, smiled, and then held up her arms. He pulled her to her feet and kissed her sleepy face. He levitated her into their bedroom, and they fumbled with each other's clothing, and then he picked her up and laid her in their bed. He looked down at her. "You're so beautiful," he whispered, and then rubbed his hand over the slight bulge of her pregnant belly. "You're more beautiful now than ever before."

She smiled, and pulled him closer, and for several minutes neither of them spoke. Their lust for each other needed no words.

Afterwards, as the sweat dried on their bodies she asked, "So, what did Ron want?"

Harry told her, and she slowly smiled. "Oh, that's fine," she said in a slight whisper, and she looked at him, smiling her 'Devilish Smile'. "Susan is a wonderful choice for Ron. She'll help him get over that old prejudice he's always had about Hufflepuffs."

"I was thinking they could meet up at the dinner party we were planning on having next month when we move into our new home."

"Perfect! I'll ask Mum's advice about helping Ron in the matchmaking department. She's wanted to do that for a while, anyway."

***

A month later, when the party date arrived, Ronald Weasley found himself strolling up the front walk of the new Potter house, with Percy and his wife, Penelope, at his side.

"I still can't believe it," Ron was saying, as he tightened the bowtie on his new dress-robes. The house loomed before them, still a bit intimidating.

Percy gave his younger brother a withering stare. "You just don't appreciate the irony, Ronald. Consider: the Malfoys were one of Voldemort's chief supporters, and like their liege-lord, the family is now extinct. It's eminently fitting for Harry to purchase, redecorate, and claim their mansion as his own. He conquered them, after all!"

Penelope Clearwater Weasley looked at the sprawling Malfoy Manor, now renamed Potter Place. It had been stripped of its black-green paint, now blazing in the Gryffindor gold and burgundy color scheme, surrounded by ivy planters, spiny boxwood, and a meticulously clipped lawn. "I've heard it's supposed to have twenty-two rooms, as well. Perfect for the Potters, especially if Ginerva succeeds in her plan to give Harry a dozen children."

Ron stood stock-still. "A dozen?" he gasped. "Did you say a dozen children?"

Penelope looked over her shoulder at her brother-in-law. "You didn't know? She told me! She said Harry's always dreamed of having a large family, and she loves the idea, herself. I don't agree, but I have to admire her." She and her husband mounted the steps and rang the bell. Ron joined them after a moment, still muttering the word, 'dozen' to himself.

"Greetings, Minister!" Dobby opened the door for the guests, and then waved at Ron. "My Master's Wheezy!" he bowed to Ron, who grinned at the house-elf with fondness.

"Hi, Dobby! That's a very nice suit." The house elf was wearing a three-piece black suit, complete with a tiny gold watch chain.

Dobby bowed and scraped, not speaking, but obviously pleased.

As Percy helped his wife adjust her jewelry, Ron bent low. "How does it feel, working in this house again?"

Dobby squirmed. "Most unpleasant at first, sir. But Master Harry and Madam Ginny let Dobby choose which things to get rid of, and asked Dobby about all the terrible secrets of the place; then Master Harry destroyed them. It doesn't feel like the Malfoy place at all anymore!"

The house didn't look like the Malfoy place, either, Ron guessed. The floor in the front hall was polished marble, and candlelit chandeliers threw light everywhere. The walls were spotless, and every corner and cranny was empty of cobwebs. Tapestries hung from the walls, along with mounted swords, wands, and souvenirs from the Second War Against Voldemort. Most prominently, hanging from the wall opposite the front door was a huge portrait of Harry's parents, James and Lily Potter. Ron waved, but the occupants of the painting didn't move. After a moment he decided it was a Muggle's work.

"Percy, Penelope, Ron!" Harry was suddenly there, his dress robes new and sparkling, pumping their hands and thanking them for coming. He kissed Penelope on the cheek, complimented her on her gown, and bantered with them for a few moments. Then Ginny came out wearing a sparkling robe that was gathered in under her breasts to hide her growing waistline. She greeted Penelope with a kiss, and then accepted one each from her brothers.

"Do come in; so many of the guests are already here. Social hour before dinner, you know?" Ginny accepted Ron's arm; he was talking with her earnestly.

"Is she here?"

"Yes, Ron. She arrived about ten minutes ago. She seemed a bit puzzled over the invitation, but she came all the same."

"Good," Ron said, and ran a nervous hand through his hair. "Is it true you're planning on having twelve children?" he asked in an urgent whisper.

Ginny's face was radiant. "Yes. Harry and I talked it over when I was first expecting the twins." She looked at him. "You don't approve?"

Ron flushed, and then said, "It's just...when I remember growing up in our house, having to make do...we had so little money, and there were so many of us. I can't believe you'd want to relive it all."

She was shocked. "You remember only that? I remember the laughter, the smell of gunpowder from Fred and George's room, Mum's homemade bread in the kitchen, and how we used to eat popcorn in the evening in front of the fire and play Exploding Snap." She leaned in close and spoke in a whisper. "Harry never had those sorts of experiences, Ron! Do you think his horrid aunt and uncle ever gave him anything nice to remember about childhood? He's never known what it is to have a loving family, and I want more than just my own memories to share with him!

"Here," she gestured at the sprawling mansion, "we have all the room that our children will need to grow."

Ron looked at his sister, touched by the earnestness in her voice, and didn't really know how to answer her. So he tried to lighten his mood. "It's a lot of birthdays to remember, though."

She laughed, and hugged him. "Touché!" She kissed his cheek, and then left him at the lip of the living room, and went to welcome some more new arrivals. Ron looked into the crowd, and spotting familiar faces: Horace Slughorn, Eldred Worple, Neville Longbottom, Justin Finch-Fletchley and his wife Juno, Colin Creevey, Dennis Creevey and his wife Dahlia, Professor McGonagall, Hannah Abbott, and there, in a corner of the room looking lost and out of place, Susan Bones!

Even from across the room, Ron could see that she was as lovely as ever. Her face was round, and framed by brown hair tinged with red. Her body was slender, and, he thought, quite desirable!

"Ronald Weasley, Keeper for the Chudley Cannons!" the footman roared.

Ron compulsively straightened his tie, and then strode into the room, nodding hello to people at random. Fortunately Horace Slughorn was blathering to Melinda Merrythought, so he could avoid the fawning fellow who was still trying to make up for ignoring him at Hogwarts. Now that he, Ron, was an international Quidditch star, Slughorn couldn't get enough of him!

After a few meaningless conversations, he'd worked his way within earshot, and put on a happy face. "Susan! Susan Bones! It's been a long time."

Susan blinked, and then she nodded. "Ronald Weasley," she looked him up and down. "You do seem to be as impressive as my son Duncan keeps telling me."

"Oh, is he a fan?" Ron thought that was pretty good. Most mothers loved to talk about their sons, and Susan appeared to be no different.

By the time dinner was announced, Susan and Ron had been chatting for over an hour. He let her do most of the talking, and studiously avoided any mention of the long silence he'd had with Harry since Hermione's death. No talk of dark matters that would cause her to remember her own pain.

Conversation flowed pleasantly, and he asked her about her work at the Ministry (Interdepartmental communications--'peacekeeping duty' she called it). "Harry and your brother make things work, but I make sure people don't kill each other during the course of the day. It's almost like being a full-time mother; it's been great training, let me tell you!"

"I can sort of sympathize. Keepers do the same thing."

"You'll have to tell my son that. He seems to think I spend all day doing nothing."

"Be happy to," Ron said with a grin. He played his gambit, steering her toward the goal. "Say, I've got a match coming up against Puddlemere in two weeks. If you and your son don't have tickets, I can arrange for a box in your name."

"Really? That would be wonderful! In fact, he's got a birthday coming up around the same time."

Ron seized on that. "Well, then he deserves a present! Bring him down to the team quarters, and I'll have everyone sign a Quaffle or something for him."

**

Harry stood up and rang his water goblet twice with a spoon. The sound at the table died down slightly. "Before we begin the first course, my brother-in-law, Percy Weasley, has asked for this moment to say something."

Percy stood up and smiled at everyone. "Yesterday, the board of governors offered me the position of Headmaster of Hogwarts School. After some consideration, I have decided to accept." There was a round of applause, and after nodding his thanks; Percy raised his hand for silence. "This leaves the position of Minister of Magic open, but I think we all know that there is only one person who could possibly succeed me in that office: Harry Potter!" He turned and joined in the applause, as Harry stood up, smiling.

Percy and Harry shook hands, and then their respective wives stood and both couples shared a brief, loving kiss. When they broke apart, Percy added his usual bon mot, "Curiously enough, the Ministerial Board has just approved pay rises for all Ministry members, so Harry will enjoy something I've been waiting for these last three years." Amidst the laughter, Percy and Harry shook hands again, and shared brief whispered congratulations to each other.

Percy then raised his hand one last time. "Also, I just wanted to add that Penelope and I are expecting our first child now, so I hope the headmaster's house comes with a nursery!"

The applause was greater than before, and Penelope blushed, and then embraced her husband. The applause grew louder, and one by one the guests all stood and gave the new headmaster of Hogwarts a standing ovation.

"And now," said Harry, gesturing for everyone to sit, "let the feast begin!" The first course materialized on everyone's plates, and they gasped and began a course of stunning soup. House-eleves appeared with bread, condiments, and pepper mills.

"I spent weeks practicing that," Harry confided to Percy.

**

"Mum, I can't believe it! Ron Weasley got these seats for us?" Duncan Bones, brown-haired and brown-eyed, the boy was an uncomfortable reminder of her long-departed husband; of course, like most children, he was a bundle of energy as well.

"Yes, he did," Susan said, trying to smile. Duncan kept running to the railing and looking out over the Quidditch Pitch. "Be sure to thank him, later."

"No need," Duncan said, pointing as the Chudley Cannons flew out into the air in front of the raised stands. "There he is!"

Sure enough, Ronald Weasley came flashing past the stands. He waved magnificently to all and sundry, and then came soaring back to hover in front of the box seat. Duncan was jumping and cheering and straining to reach across the gap to touch his idol. Ron dug into a pocket and tossed a box of Sugar Snitches over to the boy, gave both mother and child a salute and then sailed off to join his teammates.

"Wow!" Duncan said as he tore open the box and removed a Chudley Cannon trading card--Ronald Weasley's picture with a signature across the front. As the boy was ogling it, Susan saw a note inside the box, and she took it out.

"Come down to the changing room after the match. The team has a special gift for Duncan. Looking forward to seeing you. Ron." She smiled, looking at her son. Duncan smiled at her as he caught one of the sugar snitches hovering in front of him and stuffed it into his mouth.

"This is great, Mum! This is the best birthday present you've ever given me!"

As the Quaffle was released, Susan wondered if it was just the kindness of an old classmate, or did Ron have a special interest in them?

**

"Ron, I appreciate the attention, and yes, I think you're handsome, but I don't think I can return your feelings. I can't try again. I know as soon as I do, whatever happiness I build is going to be taken away again."
Ronald Weasley looked at Susan Bones, silhouetted against the fading sun of Land's End and said, "And if you never feel happiness again, then you're dooming yourself to a gray and tedious existence; and you condemn your son to the same world, through no fault of his own."

Susan flinched at his words, started to protest several times, but always stopped and finally stared at Ron in mute silence; her face was a battlefield of misery and hope and desperate fear. Finally she looked at him, her lower lip trembling, tears staining her face. "Is that what I'm doing?"

Ron nodded stepped forward and encircled her shoulders in his powerfully muscled right arm, his left hand stroking her long, lustrous hair. "I know what it's like to lose someone, Susan; especially if that person's unfairly snatched from you, when you were prepared to spend the rest of your life with them." She shuddered and shook, but didn't retreat from his embrace, as she had done several times before. "In a way, both our loves were consequences of the war; we're both victims of Voldemort, but that doesn't mean we have to keep paying for it."

"But Duncan--"

"I like your son, Susan. He likes me. We're friends. Not the same as father and son, but pretty close. Harry had a lot of older friends instead of parents, and he turned out okay."

She sniffled, and then nodded. "Point to you, Ron."

Ron smiled and kissed her on the nose, something that he'd learned always put a small smile on her face. This time was no different, and she grinned at him.

"You deserve some happiness, Susan. So does your son."

She took a long shuddering breath, and looked at Ron and half-sobbed, "I'm afraid."

"Life is scary, but that doesn't mean we have to hide from it. You've settled into a routine: work, raise your boy, do the domestic stuff, and avoid commitment to anyone. Yes, it works, but it doesn't leave much for you.

"Now me, I took the opposite approach. I kept fighting back, daring the universe to try to snatch me the way it had snatched Hermione from me; and hating Harry, of course. It was easy to put the blame on him, rather than try to find out why what went wrong had done so."

Ron looked at her and cupped her chin with his left hand and lifted her lips to his.

It was a tender kiss; a reintroduction for them both, back into a world that they'd long since divested themselves from. A place where passion breathed softly and love waited in cool glades and besides singing brooks.

Susan Bones, so long a resident of a cold world of duty and maternal affection felt a surging in her breast and a song begin in her ears. Almost unconsciously she hooked her hands around Ron's neck and pulled him in close, now and then sliding her hands over his powerful shoulders and sculpted biceps, lingering now and then over the rough scar tissue; hard and delightfully masculine.

His mustache kept poking her lips and skin, and she wondered if she could persuade him to shave it. Perhaps she could do it when he was asleep and--the thought surprised her, and in her embarrassment she felt a surprising surge of desire course through her body. She couldn't remember when she'd last felt that way! It was good...so very good!

At last, she placed one hand on his chest and gently, regretfully, pushed him back. "Ron..." She saw his disappointment, and placed two fingers on his lips. She took a breath, and smiled at him, "You're right. I've stayed away too long. But...can we please go slowly?" The disappointment grew, and she wondered if she was being cowardly, but then decided to compromise. She placed her hands on his shoulders and drew him close. "Not much more slowly, but...just give me time to adjust. It's been a long time since I've felt this way, and I want this to be right, for both of us."

Ron sighed, and then nodded. "All right, but I'm not going to let you run away."

She smiled and then inhaled his scent, reveling in how good he smelled. "Don't worry, Mr. Weasley, I'd never do that!"

**

Duncan looked at the two adults, and slowly smiled. "You mean, you're going to be Ron's wife, and he'll be my Dad?"

Susan nodded and said, "Yes, that's what it means." She held her breath, waiting.

Duncan broke in a huge smile. "Great! What took you so long?"

Ron laughed, while Susan's face bunched up in shock. "What?"

"I always wanted you to get married, Mum. It gets kind of lonely, sometimes. I know you've been lonely, too."

"What did I tell you, Susan?" Ron asked, grinning. "Kids aren't stupid."

"Just when I think I'm old and wise," she said, shaking her head.

"You're not that old, Mum," Duncan remarked, misunderstanding. "Do you think you and Ron will give me any brothers or sisters?"

"WHAT?" Susan asked again, her face aghast. "What did you say?"

"It was just a question, Mum," Duncan said, retreating slightly. Then, with a youngster's defiance, he said, "I mean, that's what happens when you get married, right? Have babies?"

Ron wisely said nothing as Susan started to lecture her son. He was having trouble holding in his laughter, however.

**

Amidst the handshakes and smiles of the wedding reception, Ron realized he had lost sight of Susan. He glanced about and saw her leaning against one wall, in tears. He rushed over, asking her what was wrong. She shook her head and hugged him.

"It's what's right, Ron!" She pulled away from him, and he could see that they were tears of joy. "Little James Potter walked up to me and said, 'Hi, Aunt Susan!' That's never happened to me before!"

Ron laughed, and kissed her soundly. "Well, get ready for more. Ginny tells me she plans to have nine more children! We're going to be Aunt and Uncle to a lot more Potters." He waved a hand in Ginny's direction, where she was holding her new daughter, Lily, wrapped in a blanket. A small crowd of admirers had gathered to look at the infant.

Susan sniffed, and then laughed weakly. "That's going to be wonderful."

Husband and wife held each other, and embraced their future together.