Ask Ron Weasley

Ron was overcome with an overwhelming sense of emotion as he stared at his wife and new son. "He's beautiful. Like his mother." He said, softly. "And our family is complete now." He commented. "Owana, I...it amazes me, thinking back. How did I get this lucky?"

It was only during labour that Owana would be close to willing to use her status in the wizarding world as an advantage. The whole ordeal was just far too painful to wait for. Thankfully, the hospital had enough private rooms still available. Just as they were settled in, Owana felt another contraction hit and she grabbed Ron’s hand and squeezed incredibly tightly, trying hard not to yell out.

Ron knew she was in pain, and he knew she was being incredibly patient as she wasn't yelling. "It's alright, love. You're doing great. Just a little bit longer." He said, trying to be encouraging. Ron knew that there was really nothing he could do to help, but he had to do something, or he would feel useless.

The spinning sensation did nothing to settle the cramps ripping through Owana, but it was still better than Apparation which would have been killer. “Tell them to give me any room, I don’t care if it’s a bloody janitor’s closet.” Owana said irritably.

"Yes, dear." Ron said, trying to hold back his smirk. Merlin, he loved this woman. He went to deliver her request and the St. Mungo's staff immediately found her a room. Within five minutes, the two were ushered into a room.

She felt that underserved irritation flicker in her that seemed to happen whenever a woman entered labour: anything and everything became aggravating. “Well, come on then,” she said through a wince, motioning to the fireplace.

After making sure they had everything they needed, Ron took his wife's hand in one of his, and floo powder in the other. Stepping into the fireplace, they flooed to St. Mungo's. 

Already she felt those bloody contractions that she would never get used to. “The- the baby - the baby’s coming!” She managed to get out through gritted teeth, clutching the mound that was her child and leaning on the fireplace mantelpiece.

Ron's eyes widened and he couldn't help but panic. Yes, they'd been through this three times already, but something could always go wrong. Taking a deep breath and summoning every ounce of Gryffindor bravery he had, Ron looked at his wife. "Alright, it's going to be okay." He said, trying to convince himself as well as Owana. "But, uh, we shouldn't apparate, so let's get everything we need and then we'll floo to St. Mungo's." He said, trying to remain as calm as possible. "I'll owl the children and the rest of the family when we get there."

Ron loved his wife dearly, and he loved the fact that she was giving him another child, but he had to admit he was glad her due date was approaching. He knew they were both more than ready for this child to be born. He knew Owana was probably tired of being pregnant, and well...he was tired of dealing with the mood swings and everything else. They both had agreed this would be their last. Ron was in the kitchen, making food, which was no surprise to anyone who knew him when he heard his wife's panicked voice. Abandoning his sandwich, he ran into the room. "Owana, love, what's wrong?" He asked, concerned.

Long Time No See || Ray and Ron

“To each their own, Dad. I mean, I never thought I’d want kids young, but now I see myself having at least two before I’m thirty.” She shrugged, shaking her head. “I know, but I put you through hell. I put everyone through hell. I just..I just want Damien not to be like me in that aspect. ” She sighed and ran a hand through her hair, unsure of what she was saying. “I know. I just sometimes feel as if you would’ve rather me had a ‘real job’. A full time healer, or a teacher, or even a bloody ministry official. Merlin knows I had the options.” It was true. Ray had recieved offers from nearly everyone-Mungo’s, the Department for Control of Magical Creatures, the local Apothecaries, hell, even the Department of Mysteries had sent her an inquiry owl. Legislator, apothecary, medicinal researcher….none of them had appealed to her. She wanted to be outside, with people and animals she could love and trust. Not to mention her fascination with dragons.

"Yeah, I know. It was the subject of a lot of problems for her and I in the beginning, believe me." He said. He then frowned. "Really? With who, exactly?" He asked. "Ray, that's not true. You're a great kid, even now, all grown up." He insisted. He knew she felt bad for some of the things that had happened, but they loved her. "We want you to be happy and to be doing something you love. That's all we want."

Long Time No See || Ray and Ron

“I won’t if you won’t,” she said, smiling. “I suppose we’re all paranoid. I mean, you two are still fine to be having children medically speaking, especially since you’re both in relatively good shape, but the risks of having problems with the child do increase as we get older. Optimal child bearing years are ages 27-29, apparently.” She shook her head, baffled by both of their needs to check up on Owana, who was pretty much only in danger of over-indulging on chocolate. ” Me too. Merlin, I just want this baby to be normal. In all our family, we’ve got to have someone who’s normal. Or at least just not like me. I mean, we don’t need any more dragon keepers, right?” She tried to cover the guilt she still felt, but knew it came through- she never could lie to her father. She felt the corners of her mouth twitch up into a smile, remembering her threat to mum about putting Damien in her room, filling it with dragons.

"Yeah, well blame your mother." Ron said. "I was the one who wanted to have kids right away. She insisted on waiting several bloody years to have children." He muttered. He then laughed. "Sweetheart, no one in this family is normal. Nor will they ever be. Every last one of us is completely mad. That's what makes us Weasley's." He explained, with a grin. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with being a dragon keeper. It's something you love. And yes, we've given you a hard time for it, but it's only because we love you and we want you to be safe."

Long Time No See || Ray and Ron

Ray laughed and scratched the back of her neck, saying “Well…don’t tell mum, but after we found out she’s pregnant I’ve been visiting a lot more. To keep an eye on her, you know? I know, I know, she’s done it three times already. But I like to make sure she’s all right.” She shook her head, laughing at the idea that her mother, Owana Potter-Weasley, one fourth of the Golden Quartet, would need to be looked in on by her daughter. Her dragon keeping daughter who was about thirteen times as likely as anyone else to get injured. “It makes me feel better. Plus, I’m still interning in the maternity ward, so I figure I should be around as often as I can. Just-just in case.” She’d purposely chosen the maternity ward as her next area of study after they’d found out about Damien, wanting to know everything there was about keeping a pregnant mother and child healthy. And of course, how to deliver a baby, give it’s initial check-up, etc.

Ron smiled. "I won't. Your mother is already annoyed with me and my hovering." He explained. "I can't help it. I've always been overprotective when it comes to her. Especially when she's pregnant. This time it's different, though. We're older now. More things could go wrong." He explained. "It's not paranoia. I'm just being cautious." He insisted. He didn't want to smother Owana, but he wanted to make sure she and Damien would be okay. "I'm glad you're looking out for them too, Ray. It makes me feel better to know they're safe."

Long Time No See || Ray and Ron

“Dad! Merlin, it’s been ages,” Ray said, a smile breaking out on her face as she made her way over to him, giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “How are you?” She asked, hopping up to sit on the counter next to his cooking space, leaning against the cupboards. They used to do this all the time, they had a deal- he’d make the food, she’d make the tea. But today she didn’t feel much like making tea, so she simply sat on the counter and watched him work, glad to see him.

"Yeah, it has, Raelyn. Which is why you should visit more often." He said, grinning. He hugged his daughter back. "I'm good. Making food for your mother, unborn baby brother, and myself of course." Everyone knew Ron loved food. That was something he hadn't outgrown, and likely never would. "So, not that I'm not glad to see you, because I always am, but what brings you by?"

It was no surprise that Ron was in the kitchen. If he could, he'd be in there all the time, but sadly, Owana wouldn't let them move their bed into the kitchen, and yes he'd actually asked her once. Of course, this time he wasn't just making food for himself, but also for his very pregnant wife. When he heard his daughter's voice, he smiled. He looked up when she entered the kitchen. "Ray, it's good to see you." He said, happy to see his oldest child. 

Say what now?

-le normal aged Ray-