Even as he could now feel some hard, physical evidence to the contrary, Ron had no choice but to – once again – confront the uncomfortable realities of his own perceived impotence. Had he failed as a best mate? As a lover? As a husband? Surely he must have. Ever since their wedding nearly three years ago now, he and Hermione had been actively trying to have a child. So far, no baby had materialized. Lately, it was hard not to notice how concerned Hermione was becoming, the perfectionist that she was. He thought back to a conversation they had had up in their bedroom just a couple of weeks before, when Hermione had bemoaned to him how she thought she would have a child by now, or be expecting one at the very least. Then she had muttered something about it only taking Ginny a little more than a year to get pregnant.