316Disclaimer: With great sorrow and grief, I must admit, that the sexiest man on earth, our own Harry Potter, is not owned by me. J.K. Rowling, who is an absolutely brilliant woman, owns Harry and his friends at Hogwarts!
A/N: Ok, so I'm completely aware that the last chapter was really hard on Ron, and I know it's not fair. I'm also aware, that I never showed you Ron's thoughts on the scenario, and you only saw things from Harry and Hermione's point of view, who at this point, don't realize how they could have possibly hurt Ron with what they did, so I've decided to make this chapter more in Ron's point of view, so we can see his feelings as well. Some people have reviewed me saying that I am bashing Ron, or that it is obviously easier to make him an un-included nuisance than to make Harry and Hermione get together without hurting Ron, and I do understand what you are trying to say, but I also suggest that you first read this chapter to truly see what I have in store for the trio. Well, here it is… I hope it clears things up a bit… Oh yes, and I'm very sorry for the long wait! Many things have come up, and I've been very busy, so even when I desperately wanted to write, I wasn't able to get around to it too easily. I'm very sorry.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I HAVE A NEW STORY, AN ANGEL FOR MIA. IT'S A BIT OF A TIME TRAVEL STORY AND HAS A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT FACTORS INVOLVED IN IT, ONE BEING THE ROMANCE BETWEEN HARRY AND HERMIONE, WHO HADN'T KNOWN EACH OTHER PRIOR TO THE TIME-TRAVEL SENARIO, AND OTHER THINGS ARE HAPPENING AS WELL… SO I HOPE YOU GUYS DECIDE TO CHECK IT OUT.
Chapter 12:
Just Like the Old Days
The morning after his run-in with Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley awoke in the dormitory that he now shared with Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, and Eric Hunter. Ron had had a restless sleep, and as he sat up in his four-poster bed, a pang of terror hit him as the events of the previous day returned to his mind.
Ron just couldn't believe that this was happening to him. His two best friends, one being The-Boy-Who-Lived, the other being the woman he loved, had ran off to the Prefect Rooms for two days, and slept together. It isn't that Ron wasn't happy for his best mates. Ron was more than happy. He was happy that Harry was finally happy. But, he couldn't believe the way Harry looked back at him the previous morning in the Great Hall, and the venom written all over each syllable of Hermione's words as she spoke to him.
Ron was aware that he hadn't exactly had sunshine written on his face in the Great Hall that morning, but when Harry looked back at him with anger in his eyes, he just couldn't understand why. Why would Harry even have a reason to be angry with him? What had he done? He couldn't understand it, and he knew that he had to speak with Harry. Ron desperately wanted to fix things between himself and his two best friends. He knew that Harry had had a terribly difficult life, and he was sure there was some sort of reason for his anger, but he couldn't put his finger on it, and that made him feel so helpless. Ron truly wanted the best for Harry, and Hermione too, even if she wasn't going to end up with him.
Thoughts of Hermione crossed Ron's mind, as he thought of the way it should be him holding her in his arms, but he dismissed it. 'That's not important now,' he thought to himself. He wanted to make things right, and he was determined to do it. He had always tried to be there for Harry, as much as he possibly could, and if Harry was angry with him, and he didn't even know why, it hurt.
Ron sighed, as he swung his long legs over the side of the bed and stood up. He dressed and took off to the Great Hall, hoping that Harry and Hermione would make another appearance so he could make things right between the Trio once again. It was hard for Ron. He missed the old days. The old days when the Trio were all best friends, and nothing would ever come between that friendship, no matter what. But things were different now. Each member of the Trio was growing up, and they were all painfully aware of it, as they were, of the final battle, slowly but surely, growing closer.
Hermione was first to wake the next morning, noticing briefly that the basket of sandwiches she had brought for Harry and herself was still settled on the edge of the bed. She sighed deeply as she turned around in Harry's arms to face him, noticing the pain etched in his handsome features.
He looked so innocent yet so full of emotion, as she felt an overwhelming desire to kiss him deeply, but instead reached up to run her fingers through his hair, in attempt to comfort him, even slightly. She watched as his features relaxed considerably, and his bright emerald green eyes fluttered open, to look straight back at her. Hermione was almost startled at the intensity, which filled those emerald orbs, but she stared back nevertheless.
"Hermione…" he whispered hoarsely, causing chills to radiate pleasantly through her body.
"Harry, darling, how are you feeling?" she whispered back to him, recovering quickly, as she tangled her fingers through his untamable jet-black locks, holding him close to her.
Harry continued to stare back at her, and for moments Hermione thought that he would not answer her at all, until he finally did.
"I'm fine… I'm better," Harry said, in the same hoarse whisper, as he attempted a small smile, as to seize her worrying, though it didn't fool her in the least bit.
Hermione wasn't sure of what to say, and it took her a moment of thinking before she finally decided on it.
"Harry, I-I think you should speak with Ron… I know you're upset, but just think of it in his point of view. He can't possibly even understand why you're angry with him… And Harry, you know it yourself, that Ron isn't the only reason that you're upset. It got you thinking, yes, but yesterday… You weren't only upset because of Ron… A-And it's just not fair to him. I think I was too hard on him as well, though he was being slightly ridiculous, but you know he wants the best for you, and you know he cares for your friendship… Please, Harry, speak with him, and try to be reasonable, listen to what he has to say," Hermione explained, trying desperately not to further upset her lover. Harry stared back at her for a few long moments, seemingly absorbing what she had said into his mind, and over thinking it.
"Hermione…" Harry said, his voice still hoarse from sleep and from the crying the night before, as a small part of Harry was clearly still drifting between sleep and consciousness. "I know… I just… I guess I – Well, I shouldn't have cried on you like that… A-And I know it wasn't just Ron that upset me, and it really isn't fair to him… I, Well, I did feel guilty… For, you know, just leaving him to wonder where we were when we're supposed to his best friends and all… And, actually, I think… Well, I think, that I do feel guilty, and part of me was trying to rid myself of the guilt… And, I guess, the other part of me, just wanted to blame my pain on everyone else… When really I should've been blaming myself… And I… Well, I don't think I completely agree with Ron for being angry, because, I mean… What could we have done to prevent him being angry… but, well, I know it's still not fair to him… And I think, now, I'm thinking a bit more clearly… And, well, I guess… I do have to speak with him…" Harry concluded, voicing his thoughts out loud, in turn.
"Harry… I just want you to know, about all this… Don't beat yourself up about it, you know? You have enough to deal with… And I'm really proud of you… because you're being mature about it, instead of refusing to speak with him… which just wouldn't get us anywhere… and well, Harry, you know you can cry on me any time you want, you know that right?" Hermione was about to continue, but was unable to when Harry covered her lips with his in a soft and tender kiss. She was slightly taken aback, but after a moment, she returned it. Seconds later, they slowly broke apart, then looking into each other eyes.
Hermione smiled slightly, "What was that for?" she whispered.
Harry brought his hand up to stroke her hair gently, "You were going on and on, and I thought you'd never stop," Harry whispered back, in response, gazing at her intently, a small sad smile grazing his lips.
Hermione blushed slightly, then frowning, seemingly with the realization of something that must have been bothering her.
"Oh Harry… I-I really need to apologize to Ron… I was way too hard on him… I was upset… Oh God… I was terrible to him… we should go, Harry… we should go find Ron now… come on," Hermione said, her brows furrowing, as she sat up hastily, pulling Harry up with her.
Harry hadn't seen this side of her for what seemed like forever. The 'always-on-the-move' Hermione, determined to get the job done as quickly as possible. Harry wasn't sure if he was ready to face Ron just yet, but he knew he would have to sooner or later, and he decided now would be an okay time, also not wanting Hermione to become further upset by the circumstances, and it had to be done nevertheless.
Harry sighed, as he nodded slowly, his features grazed with thoughtfulness, as he contemplated what he might say to Ron once he saw him, but then turning to worry, once he thought of the possibility of Ron refusing to speak with him in the first place. Harry ran a hand through his hair thinking of the times he and Ron had had rows and hadn't spoken for days. He sighed again.
Hermione quickly noticed his hesitation and settled down next to him.
"It'll be ok, you know. Ron could be immature sometimes, but he does care, and he values your friendship greatly, I know it," Hermione said, her tone soft and reassuring.
"Merlin, I really can't let myself get out of hand like this, I'm supposed to be bloody fighting Voldemort, the most powerful dark wizard of all time, but instead, I'm bloody collapsing in random corridors and sobbing my eyes out. It's like I had no control over my emotions whatsoever!" Harry almost yelled, a look of frustration crossing his face, as he slammed his fist against the mattress, emitting a low agitated growl from the back of his throat.
"Harry, listen to me. No single person can deal with as much as you have without ever having some sort of release of emotions. And… well, you've never let yourself do that in any way besides you becoming angry. I know you do you don't want to seem weak, or as though you can't control your sorrow… but Harry, some things are out of your control… And holding the emotion in like that can never be good for you, love. And now, well, it all piled up inside you so much, that you couldn't hold it in any longer… And Harry, you shouldn't do that to yourself. You need some form of release, you can't always worry about Voldemort… and you can't let your anger and pain build up inside you like that," Hermione explained, her voice alternating between soft and comforting, and the famous 'know-it-all' tone that was Hermione's trademark.
"You are my release," Harry whispered, barely audibly. Hermione had caught it though, and she was slightly stunned at Harry's revelation. He had said he loved her, but she had never known about her being his 'release'. She hadn't known she meant that much to him. Yes, she had saved his life countless times, and Harry had thanked her for that, but she had thought that was a thanks for getting him out of all those tough situations. She didn't think there was that much behind that thank you.
Seeing the stunned expression on Hermione's face, Harry went on to explain.
"Remember how I told you that you made me feel as though I could let all my emotion out and trust you, and that I didn't feel as though I had to hold anything back when I was around you?" Harry questioned. When he saw Hermione nod he continued.
"Well, I meant every word of that, that's all. When we were making love, I felt as though I could give you my heart and show you everything I was feeling and tell you everything I was feeling, and I could trust you with it completely. And I let that happen a bit. I felt as though, I could remove that protection I had over my heart, and everything would be okay," Harry whispered, cupping her cheek slightly, and stroking it with his thumb, "And, I guess all of everything I was feeling, just made be break… and it's not as though I can't put that protection back and go back to getting angry at everyone when I feel pain, instead of finding some sort of release for it… but I think, I don't want to put that protection back up anymore. I mean, I can hold it off, if I feel pain, I can save it for later in a way, but it wouldn't be the same as trying to lock it up inside of me forever… Hermione, I've never felt this way before. And, it almost scares me," Harry finished in a whisper, as tears began to form in Hermione's eyes.
"Harry…" she spoke quietly, "I'm so glad you've realized it… that you didn't have to hold it in any longer," Hermione whispered, as a tear ran down her cheek, and Harry wiped it away quickly with his thumb.
"I love you, Hermione. I don't know what I'd ever do without you," Harry stated truthfully, his voice soft, as he caressed her cheek tenderly.
"I love you too, Harry. I'll never leave your side," Hermione whispered to him, before Harry captured her lips in a deep, breathtaking kiss.
"Let's go, Harry," Hermione said once they had torn their lips away reluctantly.
Harry nodded as he stood up, holding out his hand for Hermione and helping her off the bed, before they each took quick showers, this time separately, knowing that if they had taken one together it would simply lead to them staying up in the Heads' dorms for yet another day.
Once they had each brushed their teeth, taken their showers, and dressed, they exited the Heads' dorms hand in hand in search of Ron, desperately willing to speak with him, preferably sooner than later.
Harry and Hermione were quite sure that they would easily be finding Ron in the Great Hall, since it was relatively early and still breakfast time (which Ron would never even think of missing). Therefore, Harry and Hermione headed to the Great Hall without a second thought.
Once they reached the doors of the Great Hall, however, they felt all of the anxiety and worry from the earlier evening returning to them. Though, this time it wasn't purely caused by the suspense, which had been due to the thought of what the whole of Hogwarts (mainly Ron) would say or think after the Sixth Year Gryffindor Prefects had returned from their relatively long absence. This time it was caused by the thought of whether they would be able to make things right with Ron or not. Last time, they hadn't known how he would react to their newly found relationship, but they had been convinced that they would be able to work things out with Ron, even though Harry had known that Ron fancied Hermione. This time, it was much more complicated. There were many more feelings brought up, and both parties had misunderstood how the other must feel and what each ones reason had been for each thing they had said, or felt.
Harry took a deep breath to calm his nerves and, still holding onto Hermione's hand, took a determined step forward, but once seeing that Hermione was hesitant and hadn't moved since they reached the door, he turned back around to see what was wrong, his features softening.
"Hermione, c'mon," Harry whispered comfortingly, "we have to talk to Ron, and soon. We can't just let this situation hang between the three of us. Ron was our best friend, and I want it to stay that way," he explained.
Hermione nodded slowly, sighing.
"I know. I know, Harry," she began, "It's just, I'm scared of what will happen if Ron doesn't want to understand. He's clearly angry with us, since we got together and hadn't informed him of our plans to disappear for days. And although it wasn't much of our choice, since we hadn't thought of it beforehand and hadn't planned it that way… it just happened. Just, he still feels hurt, I assume, and I'm worried that he won't want to forgive us for leaving him out in a way. I mean, it's true… we did disappear for days. And Ron is supposed to be our best friend. And what kind of friends are we if we disappear for days and leave Ron wondering about where we had been…" Hermione continued, pausing for a moment to breath, before opening her mouth as if she was about to began talking about.
"Hermione…" Harry interrupted before she was able to continue.
"I'm babbling," Hermione said simply.
Harry couldn't help but smile slightly despite the situation, as he nodded. Though, his expression quickly became serious again as he tried to console her.
"Hermione, we weren't really in the position to be having coherent thoughts of where we had last left Ron, and so on. We were much too wrapped up in each other, and although we should have thought of Ron, since he our best friend, we hadn't. And we can't take that back now," Harry explained, pausing for a second as a thought came to him. "You don't still have that Time-Turner, do you, Hermione?" Harry asked curiously, though he hadn't dreamt of using it for even a second. He definitely didn't want to take back anything that had happened between him and Hermione in the past few days.
"Harry…" Hermione said warningly, glaring at him.
"Just a thought… I wasn't honestly thinking of using it anyhow…" Harry defended himself.
Hermione nodded in understanding, before Harry continued on his previous point.
"Honestly, Mione. Whatever happens happens. We can't take back what we'd done, and even if we could I wouldn't want to. We just have to learn from whatever we'd implied to Ron, and make sure to never do it again, and hopefully we'll succeed to keep the trio intact," Harry said softly, moving the hand which hadn't been holding hers, to cup Hermione's cheek comfortingly, before continuing, "Just like the old days," he whispered, smiling at Hermione softly in attempt to comfort her further.
Hermione was able to do nothing but smile back, before proceeding to nod in agreement, as she leaned into his hand, her eyes closing briefly of their own accord.
Covering the hand that had been on her cheek with her own, Hermione proceeded to pull Harry's hand down with hers, so that they were now facing each other, holding both of the others' hands, before Hermione dropped Harry's second hand, holding onto the other, and proceeded to retrace Harry's steps by taking that one determined step towards the doors of the Great Hall.
Harry followed quickly, feeling a bit more sure of himself than he had the last time he had stepped towards the Great Hall, due to Hermione being just as determined as he to make things right with Ron, and due to her having gotten over her hesitations. And in addition, Harry had to admit that his own words offered him a bit of condolence, as well, despite the fact that he was feeling hesitant while he had spoken them, though he hoped he was doing a decent job of hiding that particular emotion for Hermione's sake.
Harry pushed the doors of the Great Hall open without hesitation, knowing that if he had hesitated for even a second, he might not have been able to do it at all. Squeezing Hermione's hand both comfortingly, and to signal that she should not hesitate and follow him, Harry began to step into the Great Hall, being sure not to make any sort of eye contact while Hermione stared at her feet as she walked at his side.
The second they had stepped into the Great Hall, Harry and Hermione were predictably greeted with many whispers and hushed voices, as well as all of those inside the Great Hall, looking their way, teachers and students.
Once Harry and Hermione had made their way half way through the Great Hall, Harry looked straight to Ron, the same determination as earlier, plastered over his features. Ron looked back, mirroring that determination as well. Ron almost seemed relieved to see Harry and Hermione there. Harry found that fact a bit strange, but comforting nevertheless. If Ron was, in fact, relieved to see them, then perhaps he would be understanding and open-minded in relation to their situation.
Harry made a beeline for Ron, leading Hermione with him since she didn't seem to be paying much attention as to where she was going, as a result of her refusing to look up from her feet. Harry and Hermione reached Ron quickly, who had been sitting at the Gryffindor table, his plate piled with food. Many of the students weren't in the Great Hall at this moment, since it was nearing the end of breakfast, and those who had been down to breakfast had already eaten, and those who were sleeping in, would probably not be showing up at all.
Ron looked shocked to see that Harry and Hermione were headed straight for him. He hadn't expected to see them anytime soon, especially after his run-in with Hermione the previous day, therefore he never in his wildest dreams thought that Harry and Hermione would willingly approach him, especially as soon as it was.
Once Harry and Hermione reached Ron, everyone in the Great Hall seemed to be holding their breath, and since news traveled quickly at Hogwarts (usually via Lavender and Parvati), they were all sure to know about what had happened between Ron and Hermione the previous day. Therefore, everyone was undoubtedly expecting a full-blown argument between the Trio, and were quite disappointed to see that that wasn't what they would be getting in the least (and if there was to be a fight they would not be witnessing it).
Harry approached Ron quickly, releasing Hermione's hand after giving another reassuring squeeze, and leaving her to stand a few feet behind him, her gaze on her feet not breaking for a moment, as he closed the space between Ron and himself. Ron almost looked fearful to see how determined Harry had looked while marching up to him. After all, the possible worse position you could ever find yourself in would be at the business end of both Harry Potter and Hermione Granger's wands.
Ron's eyes widened slightly, seeing fully the determination that was plastered across Harry's face, though the origin of that determination was unreadable, which scared Ron further.
"Listen Ron," said Harry, without further ado, "We need to talk, right now," Harry demanded. Ron's mouth fell open in surprise at Harry's forwardness at all this, as he nodded slightly. Seeing as Ron wasn't planning on moving any time soon, Harry decided to explain himself a bit clearer.
"Ron, not here, let's go," Harry said, his tone sounding firm, though not angry.
Ron nodded slightly again, and stood up from the Gryffindor table. Harry, seeing that Ron was going to follow him to wherever he preferred to talk, turned around and walked back to where he had left Hermione standing, grabbing her hand again and heading to the doors of the Great Hall, a still extremely surprised looking Ron following several feet behind them.
The moment the trio had stepped out, the entirety of the Great Hall returned to their breakfast and conversations, though it had been obvious that the topic of those conversations had undoubtedly switched over to speaking Harry, Hermione, and Ron, instead of Quidditch and homework, and who they had gone out with the other day, as it previously had been.
As Harry walked, holding onto Hermione's hand tightly, he wondered where it would be best to speak with Ron. Logically, their Prefects' Common Room would have been the most private of places in which to work out the differences between the trio, but Harry wasn't quite sure that he wanted Ron inside their Common Room, let alone that he didn't want Ron knowing where it was at all.
That was fair, wasn't it? But Ron was their best mate, though, at this point, Harry wasn't quite sure whether he should be putting emphasis on the word 'was' on not. He was sure that they would, in fact, be able to work things out with Ron. It wasn't his fault, and it wasn't much of their either, so why on earth were they having this whole argument in the first place?!
'Because I had to go and get upset over things that were beyond Ron's control, all because Ron was angry over Hermione and I disappearing for days,' Harry thought to himself, 'Neither of us had really done anything wrong, right? I mean, yes, Hermione and I shouldn't have left Ron wondering where we were for days. It isn't fair on his part. But then again, what should we have done. We were so preoccupied with each other that we hadn't thought of anything else!' Harry defended himself in his thoughts, sighing exasperatedly, causing Hermione to give him a slightly questioning look, while she squeezed his hand comfortingly, causing Harry's exasperation at the whole situation to fade considerably.
After a few moments of walking almost aimlessly, though they had been walking the direction of Gryffindor Tower all along, Harry finally came to the decision that it would, in fact, be all right to show Ron the Prefects' Common Room. They could change the password if worst comes to worst, and if not, they could simply ask Ron not to go through their things while they were away. If the trio went back to being best mates, it wouldn't be too much of a problem. He guessed he'd know soon enough.
Minutes later, the trio reached the portrait that led to the Prefects' Common Room and dormitories, Ron still trailing a few feet behind Harry and Hermione. When Harry and Hermione had reached the portrait, pausing before it, Ron remained a few feet behind them so as not to invade on their personal space, seeing as how the three of them weren't on the best terms at the present moment.
Hermione looked to Harry questioningly the moment that she realized Harry had chosen to lead them to their Common Room. Hermione had decided once they left the Great Hall that she would let Harry lead them to wherever he thought was needed for his talking with Ron, and as a result, she simply walked with Harry, Ron trailing behind them.
Harry squeezed her hand once again to reassure her, telling her it would be all right, and that he was sure about letting Ron see their Common Room. Once Hermione nodded, showing that she accepted his decision, Harry spoke the password, as quietly as he could in hopes that Ron did not hear, and once he glanced at Ron, it was clear that he hadn't, though if needed, they would change it once Ron had left, anyways. Best mate or not, he wanted the Common Room and dormitories to be his and Hermione's, and Hermione undoubtedly agreed, seeing as her expression betrayed the bit of apprehension she had been feeling, the moment that they had reached the portrait.
Once the portrait had swung open, Harry and Hermione climbed through the portrait hole, walking over to the sofa, which stood parallel to the fireplace, leaving two armchairs, which had both been placed at angles, one to their left, and one to their right, also facing the general direction of the fireplace, from which Ron could choose from to sit on, as to easily talk with them (though there were many other seats in the room, as well, they were further away, and none would be quite as comfortable for conversation as these).
Harry and Hermione sat on the sofa, both slightly tense, as they waited for Ron to enter the Common Room. The moment he had entered, the portrait hole closed behind him. Rom took a moment to have a good look around and clearly couldn't hide his astonishment. He looked as though he was trying his absolute hardest to keep from yelling 'bloody hell' at the top of his lungs, followed by millions of questions, and then statements as to how cool it would be if he had a Common Room such as this all to himself and only one other person. But none of this came. There was simply silence as Harry and Hermione waited for Ron to get over his shock and take a seat so they could get started at trying to work things out between the three of them.
While Ron continued to busily look around, Harry wasted no time at taking a few deep breaths and attempting to make himself comfortable on the sofa with Hermione, as he continued to hold on to her hand, though now much more softly.
"Harry," Hermione whispered, quietly enough that only he could hear, "Everything will be all right," she continued, reframing from reaching up and running her fingers through his hair like she so desperately wanted to at that moment.
"I've been such a prat," Harry voiced his concerns to her, keeping his voice low, as he frowned slightly, and took her other hand in his, stroking both hands softly with his thumbs.
Hermione smiled weakly, "Well yes, but only a bit, Harry, and it's not as though you could be blamed for being cranky and emotional, not after everything that had happened last year," Hermione continued to whisper, as she ran her thumb lightly over his newest scar, on the back of his right hand, "I must not tell lies".
At the mention of the previous year, thoughts of Sirius and the prophecy quickly returned to him, as the emotions of it all came flowing back to him. Harry locked eyes with Hermione as she continued to stroke his hand softly, and at that moment, Harry began to feel an overwhelming desire to kiss her, oh so lovingly, and oh so tenderly, that it took nearly all the willpower he had to hold back. It wouldn't help the situation between the trio if Harry began kissing Hermione with Ron in the same room, at least not until they had worked things out a bit better.
Harry sighed and began, "Okay, Ron, listen here…" His voice was a bit harsher than he had originally hoped to make it.
"No, Potter! You listen here! You dragged me up here, so now you have to sit here and listen to me until I'm well and done saying whatever it is I need to say to you, understood?" Ron stated. His voice holding a demanding tone.
"Go for it, Weasley," Harry murmured, stifling the need to raise his eyebrow.
Ron had almost seemed shocked for a moment at Harry's willingness to hear what he had to say. Ron had half expected for Harry to up and yell at him, grabbing him by his collar and slamming him against the wall, but none of that happened. Ron stifled a sigh as he sat down on another sofa, diagonally facing that of which Harry and Hermione were seated on.
Harry sat before him, patiently, though expectedly, awaiting Ron's words. It took a moment for Ron to recover, but once he did, he spoke, his voice now much softer.
"Listen, I can't say I know what you're going through, Harry, but it hurts a bloke when his best mate up and leaves him to go off and shag the girl he fancied, the girl his mate knew he fancied. Whether the mate fancies her and she fancies him or not, it still hurts… and I'd think, that you know, as your best mate, you'd at least let me know, or something. It's not asking much," Ron said, sounding a bit depressed.
Harry sighed once again.
"Ron, first off, Hermione and I, we're in love. I know you fancy her Ron, but I've never felt real love, you understand what I'm saying? Ron, you've known love from your family. You have a mum, and a dad, and you have five brothers and a sister, and I've never had any of that. The closest thing I've to my own family is yours, and it's not the same, mate. When I realized that Hermione fancied me back, it was like all my dreams coming true. I know I probably sound like a sodding fruit cup right now, Ron," Harry paused for a moment as he felt Hermione elbow him. He simply smirked slightly, followed by a slight frown, before he continued speaking, "…but I'm being honest, mate. I know I haven't exactly been the best mate to you lately, but I'm being going through a lot, and I don't even know what to think of it myself. Surely, you understand that?" Harry finished, his voice quiet, and he was not quite meeting Ron's gaze.
Harry and Ron were quiet for a few moments, and it was Hermione who broke the silence.
"Ron, I'm sorry, as well, for the way I spoke to you last night. I was hoping I could justify it in some way by saying that I said the things I did, because Harry was upset and that upset me, but you had all the right to be angry at us for disappearing to go off and… well, you know," Hermione apologized.
"Yeah, I know," Ron muttered under his breath.
"Listen guys," Ron began to speak louder after another moment of awkward silence, "I- well, Hermione, you know I fancy you, and Harry's known this for a significant while, so umm, this whole arrangement is going to be near impossible for me to get used to. But – erm… I suppose, Hermione, Harry needs you more than I do, so I'm going to have to accept that. You guys are my two best mates, so I suppose what I'm trying to say is… go for it, you know," Ron finished, his gaze now planted on the patch of floor in front of his feet.
"Ron," Hermione whispered softly, "Do you really mean it?" she asked.
"I suppose I do, eh?" Ron looked up at her, a sad smile forming on his lips.
"Hey mate," Harry said softly, getting Ron's attention, "You know I'd switch lives with you any day. You know I'd trade in my fame, and money and publicity, and whatever the hell else people can sometimes think is so important… well, I'd trade that in for a family any day. Be happy you've got it, mate," Harry ended in a whisper.
Harry stood up before Ron, and clasped his hand in his; pulling him from the sofa he had been sitting in, before pulling him into a brotherly hug. When they separated, Harry was the first to speak.
"You'll be all right, mate?" said Harry.
"Sure," Ron replied, smiling slightly, though it only partly made it to his eyes.
"Thanks, Ron," Harry spoke.
It was then that Hermione stood, and walked up between the boys just as Harry was unclasping his hand from Ron's. Hermione stood before Ron, smiling slightly.
"Thank you," Hermione whispered, her gaze meeting Ron's. Ron seemed a bit surprised though quickly recovered in time to respond to Hermione's hug. His eyes fluttered closed as he buried his face in her hair for a moment, inhaling deeply. Harry furrowed his brows slightly watching them, seeing just how much Ron was giving up for him, and that's when Harry realized that this wasn't the only thing Ron gave up for him. Simply being his best mate, was sacrifice enough, because it might mean that Voldemort would be after him at any moment to cause Harry more emotional pain.
When Ron and Hermione pulled away from each other, Harry gently took Hermione into his arms, watching her adoringly.
"Harry, mate, watch out for her. Don't ever hurt her, understood?" Ron stated.
"I would never," Harry whispered, speaking the truth and nothing but.
A/N: Ok, so here's the deal. This story was an old one that I began writing when I was younger, and now I began turning it into something else, completely off instinct, no outline, no nothing, and that really came back around and bit me in the arse, because I feel like this story is becoming a great big waste of time – a bit like what Harry and Hermione have been doing in their dormitory shrug. So where I'm getting with this is, I'm going to wrap this story up, I don't know how, but well, I might just stop right here, because I've started a new story, and I can SWEAR it will prove to be FAR more interesting than this one could ever be, seeing as I have an outline and plans and all, and I've been planning it for quite the long while. So I'll see what I can do to wrap this up quickly enough, and then I'm going to put my full attention into my new story. Sorry guys, but honestly, nothing happens in this story, and you're hearing that from the author. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are okay now, they've worked out their insecurities, and I don't know where else to take this without using up good ideas that can be placed into some other future story that would be far more significant and meaningful. Perhaps I'll just add an epilogue to this story and sum everything up quickly and be done with it shrug. Feedback on this chapter would be well appreciated nevertheless.
Thank you to everyone who reviewed so far. I've been unable to answer those reviews, but just know that I read them all and each one helps.