So my internet cut out last weekend and while I was procrastinating from studying this came to mind. I hope you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: If it was mine, I wouldn't still be waiting for my Pottermore email.
There's one sad truth in life I've found
While journeying east and west -
The only folks we really wound
Are those we love the best.
We flatter those we scarcely know,
We please the fleeting guest,
And deal full many a thoughtless blow
To those who love us best.
~Ella Wheeler Wilcox
It was late afternoon when Harry and Ron once again managed to escape Hermione's cold presence in order to search the forest for anything slightly edible. The mood had lifted considerably as soon as they were out of her sight and the two had quickly begun to strike up an easy conversation.
It was as Harry bent down to comb under a bush that the conversation took a different path.
"Hey, Harry?" Ron's voice was different from the casual tone of a few minutes ago, and it immediately made Harry straighten up and look around for intruders. Not finding any, he turned to glare at Ron but his gaze softened when he saw that Ron was avoiding his eyes and wringing his hands as if in nervousness.
"Yeah?" He replied.
Ron's blue eyes locked on to his. "I'm sorry."
Harry huffed in frustration. "Ron! How many times do we have to go through this? What matters is that you came back. But if you need to hear it, I forgive you. And Hermione forgives you," he paused as Ron snorted in disbelief and he gave a small smile, "She does, mate. Even if she doesn't show it. Anyway, it's in the past, so stop apologising."
Ron returned the smile. "Thanks mate, but this wasn't about me leaving. Well, I am still sorry about that, but that wasn't what I was talking about."
Harry raised an eyebrow in question.
"I'm sorry about what I said."
"What you said?"
"In the tent," Ron said as he started avoiding Harry's gaze again.
Harry was still confused. The last few months had been a blur for him and he had no idea what Ron was talking about. "Ron, we've spent the last 4 months in the tent. How am I supposed to know what you're apologising for?"
"What I said before I left," Ron's voice was so soft when he replied that Harry would have missed it had he not have been listening closely.
"Oh," Harry said, his stomach dropping like an anchor as he remembered Ron's words. "It's fine. You didn't mean it. It was-"
"The locket. Yeah, I know. But I don't want to make excuses anymore. I'm sorry," Ron had once again settled his steely gaze on Harry.
"I've already said it's fine, Ron."
"But it's not fine. What I said was awful. And totally false."
"Well, it was sort of true," Harry was the one avoiding Ron's eyes now.
Ron put his hands on Harry's shoulders, "It was false. Yes, your parents are dead. But you do have a family, Harry. We're your family. Don't forget that," he said, shaking Harry's shoulders so that they locked eyes once more. "Don't ever forget that. Ok?"
Harry smiled, "Ok."
Ron's hands dropped from his shoulders, "We should head back, before she decides we've been gone too long."
Harry laughed lightly, and picked up the few berries that they had managed to gather. Then he and Ron headed back to the camp together, the easy atmosphere between them restored.
"Hey, Ron?" he said, as he caught a glimpse of the camp through the trees.
"Yeah?"
"If I'm your family, does that make Ginny my sister?" Harry asked.
Glancing over and seeing the sly smile on Harry's face, Ron immediately replied, "Oh yeah, definitely your sister."
Harry made a sound as if he was contemplating Ron's words. "For some reason, incest just started to sound appealing," he said, before darting down the slope, leaving a gaping Ron behind.
Thanks so much for reading - I hope it was ok!
Reviews would be greatly appreciated :)