Gryffindor Common Room

Characters: Harry, Ron

Rating: PG-13

Warnings: Slash. If you have a wide definition of "slash".

It's night outside, and we're the only ones left in Gryffindor Common Room. We talked and fried marshmallows and toast until you fell asleep by the fire. I didn't want to leave, but I didn't want to wake you either. This is a chance for me to look at you without fear of being caught in the act of staring.

How much you look like your little sister when you sleep. So soft. So vulnerable. Your face is so often contorted with anger, when Draco's been picking on you, or with concentration during Potions class. But when you sleep, your features relax. Nothing troubles you. Is that a smile on your lips? Maybe it is. Maybe I'm just imagining it.

You take things to heart so easily. When Draco rants about your family, you try hard to make a brave face, but I know how much pain he always causes you. In situations like that, I wish you'd let me hold you. I wish you'd let me ease the pain. But instead, you shut yourself up and let no one talk to you. If you'd just let me be there. I don't want more.

I look at your face with the thousands of tiny freckles. Your body is covered in them. I don't know when I wished for the first time I could kiss each and every one of them. I have seen you undress so often, but during the last weeks and months I had rather turn my face away from you so I don't yield to that temptation.

I move over and kiss your forehead. I touch your collarbone and gently run my hand down your arm. You moan softly in your sleep. What are you dreaming?

More I dare not do for fear of waking you. And as I leave for bed I wish I were strong enough to carry you and lay you down beside me.