Chapter Text
Ron was tired. Everything hurts. He’s so sore. His body aches in ways they shouldn’t. “Ron, it’s time for breakfast.” Harry’s voice rings out from the other side of the curtain blocking out the rest of the world. Ron turns onto his side, back towards the direction his friend’s voice is coming from. There’s a sigh before the curtain is being pulled away. Ron’s heart stops and he closes his eyes tight, half expecting wandering hands. “C’mon mate, you can’t keep skipping breakfast. Hermione is waiting for us.” Ron stays still. Harry sighs again. “Don’t make me get your brothers.” He snaps. That gets Ron moving. He doesn’t need his family pitying him too. More than they already do at least. He sits up and waves Harry off. He climbs out of bed and picks up his uniform from the day before. He misses the face Harry makes.
“I’ll meet you in the common room.” He says as he heads to the bathroom. Harry nods and quietly leaves the room. He’s clueless as to what’s happening with his friend. He’s worried. But Ron doesn’t plan on telling anyone what’s been happening. He just got unlucky, it’s his burden. Once the bathroom door is closed and locked behind him, he works himself up to change. He carefully peels off the sweater clinging to his skin. Underneath reveals miles of pale freckled skin covered in bruises and bites. He inhales shakily at the sight. Next to come off is his pajama pants. His legs are littered in matching marks. He takes a deep breath before quickly pulling on his trousers. The next thing to go on is a sports bra. His chest isn’t too big so he doesn’t have a need to bind even if he could afford that. His shirt goes on easily next. He ties his tie before pulling on his sweater vest over top. He grabs his robe, an attempt at shielding himself from everyone else. Not many fourth years bother with them seeing as they get more in the way during class than anything else. Ron used to skip it but now he’s gone back to wearing it. He wishes it’s keep the hands away. It never does, usually allowing them to hide.
He makes his way to the common room, nearly forgetting his school bag. Hermione and Harry are waiting for him. They talk as they walk, trying to include Ron but he doesn’t respond. He feels eyes as soon as he’s in the Great Hall. His skin crawls but he keeps his eyes trained on the ground. They take their seats and Ron picks at his food. He’s trying to listen to his friends but his plans of pretending everything is normal comes crashing down when phantom hands start sliding around his robes. He swallows thickly, eyes closing tight as they explore. He hates this. It’s violating in a way being locked alone in a room with Him isn’t. At least then he doesn’t have to worry about audiences. Tears threaten to spill when the hands slide into his boxers, probing and prodding at his most vulnerable spot. He buries his head in his arms crossed on the table, forgetting his food completely. He wishes this would end. He’s getting bolder. Usually they only grope and feel, never slipping inside. The hands are clearly trying to bring him to the edge and he hates how his body is eagerly responding, enjoying what his mind is being tormented by. It doesn’t take much for him to clench down on the invisible fingers, giving them exactly what they want. They disappear and Ron stands on shaky legs. He flees quietly, no one noticing in the chaos that is a typical breakfast. Once he’s away from the Great Hall, he runs to the library, tears starting to fall. He moves through the shelves on autopilot, finding solace in a forgotten corner. He falls to the ground, back against the wall as he curls into himself and cries.
He loses track of time, hiding in the library for most of the day. He manages to miss most of his classes. He counts it as a win when he finally emerges from the shelves. He missed the one class that stresses him the most. He doesn’t understand how the Professor is still employed. He wanders the halls mindlessly before eventually making his way to his last class of the day. Transfiguration. He loves this class. McGonagall is his favorite. She feels like home. She’s more of a mother than his own ever was. He wishes he’d been born to her or left to her instead of his own mother. Maybe his life would be different. Maybe he wouldn’t have to hide behind his clothes and shelves. Everything might make more sense. He wouldn’t be so lost and clueless. Once he gets there, she looks at him with concern in her eyes. He swallows thickly as he darts to his seat. He can’t stand her concern. It hurts making her worry. He doesn’t need anyone worrying about him. He’s fine. He has it under control. Nothing is wrong. If he says it enough, maybe it will be true.
He makes it halfway through the class before he starts to feel dizzy. “Professor, can I go to the bathroom?” He asks. McGonagall gives her affirmative. He doesn’t make it far. He stands, takes two steps forward, and then is collapsing. Draco Malfoy just so happens to be the one to catch him.
“Ronald!” McGonagall rushes forward, quick to his side. Her heart plummets and she begins to check him over. “Granger! Go get Pomfrey!” She calls out. Hermione stays frozen in place. “Now!” That gets the bushy haired girl moving. It’s a blur. Students wanting to see what’s going on but not wanting to get in the way, Hermione running through the halls despite her rule following behaviors, Harry unsure whether to approach or not, Draco holding his sworn enemy as McGonagall checks him over. Soon Madame Pomfrey is rushing into the room, a frazzled Hermione on her tail. She clears everyone of the way before checking Ron over herself. She calls for some house elves to help transport him to the medical wing. No one knows what’s happening. No one is prepared for the news about to be learned.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Ron wakes in the medical wing. He looks around, seeing Madame Pomfrey off to the side. She notices he’s awake and rushes to his side. “Good, you’re awake. I need to ask a few questions. They’re personal. But I must know so I need you to answer honestly.” Ron nods. “What’s the last thing you remember?”
“I got dizzy, I asked to go to the bathroom, and then I blacked out.” His voice is hoarse and Pomfrey nods.
“Ok, next questions will be a bit more invasive but it’s important you answer honestly.” She waits for him to nod before continuing. “When was your last menstrual?”
He has to think a little harder about that. “Um, maybe two months ago?” He answers honestly. Pomfrey nods.
“When was the last time you had sex?” Ron’s heart stops. He panics.
“No, no, no. What’s going on? Am I….pregnant?” His voice is full of fear and his eyes are frantic. Pomfrey’s heart breaks at the sight.
“Ron, I need you to answer the question.” She presses.
“I didn’t want to. Please, Pomfrey, you have to believe me. He promised it couldn’t happen.” He sobs and she rushes forward to wrap him in a hug. It’s maternal and he clings to her. He sobs and begs and her heart breaks with every plea. Once he’s calmed down, she pulls away. This is the hardest part for her.
“Ron. Did you have consensual sex?” Her voice is gentle and he breaks more. He sobs and shakes his head. He clings to her, burying his head in her chest. She just holds him through it. “Shhh, I’ve got you. He can’t hurt you anymore.”
“He can, he can, he can!” He sobs out. “He does all the time.” It comes out quiet and broken. “Pomfrey, I’m scared.”
“Trust me, Ron. I will protect you. You just need to give me a name.” She promises. She means it, with her full heart. Few kids have come through that have broken into Minerva’s heart like this boy has and Poppy will do everything she can to protect him.
“P-professor…..Lockhart….” He mumbles. Poppy stills. She sees red.
“I’m going to get McGonagall to sit with you. I have to report this to the headmaster.” She says. Ron clings tighter to her. He begs her to stay, to not let anything happen, not to leave him. Her heart is heavy as she sends a patronus to retrieve Minerva.
The Head of Gryffindor rushes in and wraps Ron up into a hug easily. “Sweet boy, what’s wrong?” She asks softly.
“He got me pregnant.” He whispers as he clings. Her eyes shoot towards Poppy. She mouths Lockhart’s name to her lover.
“He won’t ever touch you again. I’ve got you. If he thinks about laying a hand on you, I will kill him myself.” She promises. It’s the safest Ron has felt in a long time. He falls asleep being held by his head of house.