Before I Cross My Heart 2

Summary: It's a sequel to the obvious. Ron and Harry break up, but Ron's habit is raising issues between him and Malfoy. And is Harry...straight? Set in the following school year.

(3rd Person)

Harry and Hermione walked onto the train with Ron behind them a few feet, smiling. It was a new year, he was glad. He and Harry had broken up a month before 6th year had ended. This year they were going to date new people. And they were going to graduate. More people were notcing them since the war had ended and the triumph over Voldemort was known by Harry using Ron's wand to kill the Dark Lord.

Ron had been affected by the war after being hit with a spell. He was apt to hallucinate things that weren't there. Healers at St. Mungo's were stumped and he was sent to several curse and spell specialists but no one was able to take the curse off of him. Ron promised that most of the time he could tell the difference between his hallucinations and real life but sometimes wasn't. His most common hallucination was spiders, which caused some trauma to him.

Ron's relationship between himself and the twins was fine. They never brought up Ron's past problems and everyone acted like it had never happened.

At the end of the last school year, Harry had dated a few Gryffindors and one Hufflepuff. Most claimed to be bi-sexual but some were just gay-curious. Ron spent most of his time with Dean and Seamus. He had turned onto the party scene and held parties with them in the Prefects lounge. Most got out of control and Harry took care of Ron's hang-overs.

Hermione and Ginny watched out for their boys, and Hermione was extremely scared for Ron's drinking habits. She warned him about his drinking and how they may affect his hallucinations but he didn't agree to stop, but just have only a few at each party.

"Ron," a voice behind the trio said.

Ron turned around and so did Harry and Hermione. It was Draco.

"Hi," Ron said, "Want to sit with us? Or are you sitting with your usual gang of over-rated, half-blood hating Slytherin posse?"

It was a playful taunt and Draco managed to crack a small smile but he replied with,

"No. I wanted you to sit with us."

Ron looked back at Harry and Hermione, shruged, and followed Malfoy. They snapped at a few first years who were talking to loudly and then waltzed into a Slytherin compartment like they owned the place. Blaise Zabini and a very pretty black-haired Slytherin girl were present, but the girl left after placing a passionate kiss on Blaise.

"Swinging both ways, now?" Ron asked.

"Got to be open to new things, Weasel," Blaise replied, not smiling, "Why do you think I got together with you?"

"Have you seen me?" Ron asked, sitting across from Zabini.

This got a smile from the Slytherin and Malfoy, who sat next to Ron. Blaise had to admit, Ron had gotten cuter over the summer. His facial features sharper, eyes brighter, skin seemingly more smooth, and body more athletic. Draco noticed too and was about to lay a beautiful dirty comment on the Gryffindor when the door opened and Seamus and Dean slid inside. Draoc and Blaise made no comment, they had been at plenty of Ron, Dean, and Seamus's parties. But Draco was annoyed that he and Blaise seemed to be the only Slytherin's that spent time with Gryffindors. He saw no point in the two houses being seperated after the war.

"First years are so annoying," Seamus commented, placing himself next to Blaise.

"Imagine what seventh years said about us when we were first years," Ron responded, "So Dean...any change of sexuality over the summer or am I still out of luck?"

Dean shook his head and smiled,

"Compliment as that is, I still can't find any interest in guys. Like I had any time over the summer to find out anyway, my aunt had a baby and moved in. I spent my summer watching after both of them." he saw the boys blank expressions and said, "My aunt has a memory problem. Most of the time she can't even remember that she had a baby."

Ron wasn't paying attention. A flash of light had erupted in front of his eyes and then dissapeared through the window. He then realized everyone was staring at him.

"What?" he asked.

"I asked how your summer was," Seamus said, "Must've been interesting with the war and all. The story was in the paper, but they said something about you being cursed?"

"I have uncontrollable hallucinations," Ron said, repeating the Healers words, "I basically see things that aren't there. Usually I can tell the difference but sometimes I can't."

"Weird," Seamus said, his eyes widening.

Ron grinned, Seamus looked cute when he was shocked or surprised. He couldn't wait to start parties again. ANd, as if he read Ron's mind, Draco said,

"Are we having a 7th year party tonight? For a welcome back kind of thing?"

"Absolutely," Seamus said, "Dean and I already told everyone in Gryffindor. Seventh years only. Justin will tell Hufflepuffs and Dean's girlfriend will tell Ravenclaw."

"Girlfriend?" Ron asked, "What?"

"Amanda," Dean said, shifting uncomfortably, "Met her over the summer."

"You said you had no time," Ron replied, cocking his head to one side.

"I know. I left her out. I'm dumping her tonight though, but I still need her to spread the word."

Blaise smirked. Using girls. He liked the idea. Silence followed Dean's statement, but it was a comfortable silence. The train started to move and then Dean went to go find Amanda to tell her to start spreading the word. Blaise left to go tell the Slytherin seventh years, and Draco, Ron, and Seamus were left alone.

"I think Harry's straight," Ron announced.

"What?" Seamus sputtered, "But you two were like the thing of the century!"

"Yeah, well, after he said we should start seeing other people I don't think his interest in guys really escalated."

"Maybe he was just gay for you," Seamus said, "But whatever. He's not that cute."

"Yeah he is," Ron retorted with a laugh, "Of course I've seen more of him than you have."

Draco raised his eyebrows. Seamus burst out laughing. Draco wasn't really enjoying the conversation. He wasn't as gay as everyone thought he was. He wasn't even sure that he was gay, so he wasn't open about it. He found a lot of guys at Hogwarts quite attractive, especially Ron, but never really fell in love with any of them. Sleeping with Ron was mostly entertainment for him, and then he started to care about him because of his problems. But Ron had no problems now (unless you coun't the hallucinating), and Draco didn't have to care about him.

Ron suddenly screamed. Then covered his face with his hands. Seamus and Draco watched him, and Ron slowly lowered his hands and smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry," he murmured, then cleared his throat and said, "Draco...besides the obvious...did anything happen over the summer?"

"Not really," Draco said, "My aunt died. I got sent to some other relative. I think they're my cousins or something. Not very nice. Upset about the outcomes of the war, but..." he shrugged, "I don't care. As long as I'm here I'm fine."

Ron smiled at him. Draco returned it half-heartedly and then yawned. He was bored.

(Harry's P.O.V)

I watched Ron carefully. He was weaving through people, Seamus in one hand and his fourth Firewhisky in the other. The walked over to Dean (who had just broken up with his girlfriend who left in a huff) and they all started laughing. Too tipsy. Ron's hallucinations seemed to be fine. I was standing with Draco and Blaise, who were quite good company at the moment.

"When is he holding tryouts?" Draco asked me.

"I don't know. Ron hasn't really thought about quidditch yet. He mentioned might having me be captain butr he didn't say anything else."

"Should he play?" Blaise asked, taking a sip of his first Firewhisky, "With his hallucinations and all?"

"He mentioned that too, but I don't really know what he'll do. The Healers gave him some potions which sort of calm them down but they don't go away completely."

Ron had set his Firewhisky down and was dancing with some Ravenclaw boy with black hair. He was taller than Ron and pretty good-looking, I remember him being on the Ravenclaw quidditch team last year. Seamus looked jealous and slammed the rest of his drink. I sighed and took a sip of my own drink.

"Ron said he doesn't think you're gay," Draco said with a slightly bitter tone, "Are you?"

"I don't know anymore," I replied, "After I broke up with him I couldn't find anymore feelings for any of the other guys I dated. I might just be bi. Or I might be straight."

"Do you still like Ron?" Blaise asked.

I was glad to finally find the sane half of these two.

"Not really," I replied, "I mean as a friend I love him, just not anymore than that."

Ron was laughing. The Ravenclaw dragged him off the dancefloor and to the other side of the crowd. I thought nothing of it. Seamus and Dean walked over. Well, Dean walked over, Seamus was having trouble.

"Three hours," I commented, "About two more and people will actually start getting tired."

Seamus and Dean grinned.

"Glad you came," Dean said, "Having any fun?"

"Just drinking and talking," I replied, "Mostly keeping an eye on Ron. Has he had any problems?" they knew I meant hallucinations and shook their heads.

Ron reappeared on the dance floor with the same Ravenclaw boy. From the looks of it, Ron was very drunk and the other boy was not. The music was getting louder and the lights were dimming, but there were several growing green orbs above the dancefloor which caused an eerie feeling throughout the room. Everyone loved it. Seamus wanted Blaise to dance with him so Blaise set his drink down and they walked onto the floor.

I watched Ron carefully, looking for signs of a sudden hallucination, but there were no indications of any. He was just dancing with the boy. I didn't really call this kind of dancing "dancing", it was more like having sex with your clothes on. Draco seemed to feel the same about it because he and I had never danced with anyone at any of these parties. We usually just stood and talked, watching over Ron, which tended to be quite entertaining considering Ron was a very good (suggestive) dancer. I won't go into details for the sake of myself trying to become straight again.

Draco liked to watch Ron too, he once said (after a few drinks) that it was more erotic to watch him dance then to actually dance with him (which he had never done, so how would he know?).

"For a few seconds I envied that Ravenclaw," Draco said suddenly.

"Me too," I responded.

"I thought you were straight," Dean said with a laugh, "Of course I kind of agree. Ron's quite amazing at that. I know Seamus is jealous."

"He has every right to be," Draco said.

"So you're gay?" I asked him.

"Bi," Draco replied, "I've kind of straightened things out...no pun intended. But more on the gay side."

I nodded. Also envying him for being abel to straighten out his feelings. I knew Ron was making it difficult for both of us to figure things out, but I knew I'd be able to eventually. The song ended, leaving everything in silence. Ron and the boy dissapeared again. Another song started. Blaise and Seamus returned, smiling.

"Having fun?" I asked.

Seamus just laughed lightly. Blaise shrugged, but he was smiling. Draco rolled his eyes, but didn't look annoyed.

Draco, Blaise, and I left an hour and one drink later. We went seperate ways to get to our common rooms. I ordered a few first and second years to get to bed (it was well late at night) and then headed upstairs. Neville had been donwstairs with Ginny. The room was empty other than me. I took a shower and then took my time getting into my pajamas. It was hot, so all I wore was a pair of boxers. I climbed into bed and lay awake, waiting for everyone to come in. I only had to wait for about an hour. Dean and Seamus stumbled in, followed by Ron. None of them bother changing or showering,t hey just collapsed into their beds and passed out.

Ron didn't stay asleep for long as I was anticipating. He quickly awoke and began to puke. He never held his alcohol well. Ron and I spent several minutes in the bathroom while I waited for him to throw it all up while I occasionally held a cold washcloth to his forehead because he normally got a bad fever at these times.

"Sorry," he muttered after flushing the toilet.

"Doesn't matter," I said, "Any better now?"

"Yeah," he replied, fanning his face, which was slightly pink.

He laid down on the floor, out of energy. Puking was tiring. He would know. I laid the washcloth back on his forehead and he held it there, his eyes closed. His face was still pink, I laid a hand on it, he was burning up. Worse than before.

"I don't feel good," he muttered.

"Don't look so good either," I replied, reaching for his shirt. I hesitiated for a moment, then proceded to unbutton it. Although it was just to help him cool down, it felt awkward. But if it hadn't been awkward, that would have been worse.

Once his shirt was unbuttoned I grabbed the washcloth to put more water on it to keep it cool. Ron pulled his shirt completely off. I laid the cloth back on his head.

"You should probably cut down on your drinking," I commented.

"He wanted me to," Ron replied, "I slept with him, too. I remember that kind of."

"The Ravenclaw guy?" I asked.

"Mm," he responded, "Matthew. He's hot. Gay, too."

"That's great," I said, trying to keep him talking, if he fell asleep like this he would be miserable in the morning. Not that he wasn't already, but along with a hangover then yeah.

"And he kept getting me drinks," Ron continued, "So I just kept drinking. I don't drink that much usually. You know that. I've never been this bad before."

"You should have told him you'd sleep with him whether or not you were drunk." I laughed. Ron smiled.

Eventually Ron fell asleep. I woke him up and helped him to get to his bed.

Ron is such a horndog. :P