----------Title: Even if it Hurts
Fandom: Harry Potter Fandom
Rating: Teen
Genre: Drama, Family, Marriage
Main Characters: Ron Weasley, Daphne Greengrass, Molly Weasley
Relationships: Ron Weasley/Daphne Greengrass
Warning: Light Character Bashing
Word Count: 1000
Summary: Choices don’t always come easy, but Ron Weasley is willing to make them even if it hurts.
Author Note: Written for Hermione’s Nook’s fest Ron’s Birthday Celebration 2023 where my prompt was space, and the word count had to be 500-1000. This was originally posted Feb 28, 2023 on Ao3.
“Mum,” Ron addressed. “We need some space.”
“What do you mean you need space?” Molly barked back.
“I mean exactly what I just said.” Ron said, finally standing up to his mother for the first time in his life. “We are tired of how you treat my wife—.”
“You mean that death eater? How can you put her over your family? Why are you just parroting what she is telling you too? Tell me what you really believe and not what that bigot does!” Molly screamed.
“I just did, and these comments are actually what I am talking about. Daphne and I do not ap—.” He tried to continue.
“Don’t mention that bitch’s name; I don’t want to hear it,” Molly talked over her son.
“You don’t want to hear anything. That is the problem.” Ron stated.
“That only problem is that death eater, and she is below us. How can you do this to me? It’s a betrayal to your family, me, and everyone who fought with us in the last war!”
“My wife is my family now, mum, and everyone else is supportive,” he yelled back.
“That’s not true, they just don’t want to hurt your feelings, and your father doesn’t support this thing you are doing at all,” Molly became even louder.
“Dad enables everything you do. He basically doesn’t think for himself because he is afraid of you. That sounds really healthy mum,” Ron spat back.
“This isn’t about me and your father Ronald; this is about you caring about that blonde vile evil witch more than the people who actually matter. Why do you not love me anymore? That you would do something so horrible?” Molly’s yelling causing her to tear up.
“I’m done, mum, I explained it to you very clearly, and you can pretend not to understand all you want, but that doesn’t matter to me,” Ron stood firm.
“Where is all this coming from? Never mind, don’t answer that we both know if that nasty woman wasn’t in the picture, you wouldn’t be throwing me, I mean, this family away for her,” Molly emphasized her as if it was a curse.
“I won’t stand here and talk about this anymore—.” Ron said.
“You haven’t said anything worth listening to since I know it’s not coming from you. It’s coming from that. There is no reason to listen,” Molly continued loudly.
“Goodbye, mother,” He said tiredly.
“Make sure when you show up for the weekly dinner not to bring the death eater,” Molly stated.
Ron just stood his head and vanished from his spot at The Burrow, knowing he wouldn’t be in his childhood home for a long time. It was for the best. He couldn’t let his mother treat his wife as badly as she was. His therapy had been helping him realize that how his mother treated him, his wife, and his sibling wasn’t right and wasn’t normal. He hoped that space, time, and distance would help, but he knew realistically that was a long shot.
He and his sister were the last to keep their distance from their mother and father since they were a two-pair deal. Bill wasn’t a fan of how their mother treated his wife, Charlie wasn’t a fan of her pushing him into a relationship when he wanted to stay single, George wasn’t a fan of how she only seemed to be proud of him when he was successful, and Ginny didn’t like how their mother kept throwing men at her when she was engaged to Luna. Right now, Percy was her golden child, and he was living it up.
It felt like it was a lot worse with him because of who Daphne’s parents were and that her Hogwarts house had been Slytherin, not that it should even matter, nor was she her parents. As soon as Daphne and he became a couple, most of the energy his mum spent on his sibling was now directed at Daphne. She pretended like she did nothing. It sucked that it came to this, but Ron had to protect his wife, and unborn child so that his mother and father wouldn’t meet. Daphne made a good point about not meeting any of their children while she treats them that way. Even this therapist agreed that his mum shouldn’t be rewarded for her bad behavior.
Walking into his and Daphne’s home in Phoenix Valley, his mood had brightened knowing he was about to see his wife.
“How did it go, love?” Daphne asked as she wrapped her arms around him from the back.
“As well as predicted,” Ron sighed.
He turned around so that they were facing each other and he could hold her in his arms.
“I’m sorry that you are hurting,” she said.
“I’m sorry that this went on too long. I should have stopped what she was doing a long time ago,” he squeezed her tighter.
“I scheduled an appointment with the mediwitch on Thursday at noon since we will both be free. The mediwitch will monitor how everything is going with the baby and prescribe some prenatal potions,” she explained.
“I can’t wait until we get the ultrasound,” Ron said.
“It won’t be too long now,” she smiled.
“You make me so happy, Daphne,” he held her closer.
“I feel the same,” as she did the same. “What did your brothers and sister say when you talked to him?”
“Everyone but Percy agreed, considering they are all taking a step back from mum and dad as well. Considering Percy doesn’t know anything, we won’t have to worry about him for now,” Ron said.
“Good, I know she will find out eventually, but I like to put that off as long as possible,” Daphne replied.
“That would be nice,” he smiled.
Daphne Greengrass and their unborn child were Ron Weasley’s immediate family, and he would do anything to protect them. The space and distance would be good. Hopefully, there would be change. Even if it hurt.
