As Harry surveyed Ron from his place at the door, his heart felt like it was torn in two. He had never been the one to hide and keep secrets but this time he felt compelled to, like he was living a lie. But he could never tell, never. No one must ever know.
The next day
"Harry! Hey, Harry!" Ron called as he ran after Harry in the great hall. What's going on? Why is Harry avoiding me?
"Harry!"
Harry could not pretend he had not heard Ron any longer. Turning to face him, he said "What? Calm down mate."
"Why are you ignoring me?"
"Very subtle Ron" Harry said dryly. Ron had never been one to pretend or hide from something.
"Well…why? What did I do?"
"Nothing. Just….nothing. Come on, it's bloody hot. Let's go see Hagrid"
Their footsteps on the grass on the path to Hagrids seemed to mirror Harry's heartbeat, like a pounding drum. What if he blurted it out? Hagrid's mulled mead could make a guy pour out his deepest darkest secret, without even being aware of it.
"Hey wait mate, I think I left my er….er…bag at Giffindor tower. Yeah. I'll see you in a minute, just go on without me. Tell Hagrid where I am will you?"
"Yeah sure mate. See you" Ron replied, surprised at Harry, for he had been so eager to see Hagrid before and now he wasn't? Something was definitely up. But what was it?
Harry bounded up the stairs to his dormitory two at a time, going to fast that when Hermoine came down he almost knocked her over.
"Oh crap Hermoine sorry!" Harry said immediately, helping her up.
"Harry. I need to talk to you."
Harry's insides went cold. Did see know? How could she know?
"Ginny and you….well, I think that you should talk to her. You broke up over really bad terms and you should fix it"
"Oh! Yeah. Yeah sure." Harry said, very relieved, "I will. Don't worry about it."
As she left he continued running up the stairs, wondering how he could pass the time enough that he wouldn't run into Ron before dinner. How was he going to fix this mess?
Ron trudged up to the castle, his trainers covered with mud and grime. Of course it would rain as he was out on the grounds. This was turning out to be a crap day; first, Harry was acting weird and hiding things, Hermoine was completely oblivious to his feelings for her and Hagrid was drunk…AGAIN. He felt rotten and useless, there was no way he could get 1 OWL if he couldn't even keep up with the wild emotions of his friends and family. He ran into the Great Hall while shaking the droplets of rain and mud off his head, showering those around him with them instead.
"Hey!"
"Ron bugger off!" his friends yelled. But Ron ignored them. Harry and Hermoine where coming down the stairs obviously having a deep and meaningful conversation. And they were holdings hands. Ron turned on his heel and stalked off. He didn't want to know, he didn't want to see. How could they do this to him!? He thought, throwing his bag to the floor with a crash. His life, seeming so horrible a few minutes ago, was even worse now. What would he do on the holidays, when they would both be at the Burrow, whispering to each other and flirting in front of him and his family? Maybe….there was a way out….but no, he couldn't do it. But….there was no other option. Yes. He would do it. Ron pulled out his wand, pointed it at himself and said it…said
"Avada Kadavra, Hermoine! Just go away! Me and Ginny are NOT getting back together! It's over between us, we're finished!" Harry cried, angerly.
"Harry! Calm down, it's okay! I'm not trying to pressure you-
"Sir! Sir, come here! There's a dead boy down here…that ginger kid….Ron! SIIIIIRRR!"
Harry and Hermoine froze. No, no no no! Ron couldn't be dead…that kid was just lying. NO! but they couldn't deny it. There he was, wand in hand, face frozen into a mask of sadness. Harry dropped to his knees and cradled Ron. The man he loved.