This little drabble was inspired by the song Happier by Ed Sheeran. Hope you enjoy!

You Look Happier

Diagon Alley was bustling, and the sun shone an agonizing blanket of heat upon the cobblestone street. The cheeriness persona of its occupants beamed in comparison, and Ron felt grotesquely out of place. He walked with shoulders slouched and his head down, trying to stay unheeded from any and all passersby on the busy street.

He often walked alone these days since the fight he had with the woman who was meant to share his life with. Stupid past decisions that caught up to them after they finally decided to take their relationship to the next level. He couldn't get her out of his mind: the way her hair always fell loose from being tied up, the crazy stray pieces that framed her face and caught the light behind her, shining a glowing shimmer about her countenance. The pursed smile she pressed upon her lips when she fought back a snarky retort to something he had done to aggravate her on purpose. Or the way every inch of her lit up after discovering something new. If that were even possible.

"Ron!" waved Harry walking over. He had the same crooked smile on his face and that look of comfort in his eyes. "How ya been, mate?"

Ron peered at him through half lids, unable to form words. Harry shifted, tugging his hands in his pockets as he stared at his friend.

"You're going to have to move on at some point, Ron." his words were stern, but his tone was sincere, and Ron sighed in response.

"Don't you think I know that, mate?" he asked his friend, running a hand through his red hair. "And I was. At least until I saw them together." Ron's eyes were swollen from tears he'd never admit to had fallen, and Harry pulled his eyes to the ground.

The streetlights were already lit by the time I made it to the proper street. I was walking with a purpose, feeling the best I had in days since we split, and had finally talked myself into leaving the flat. Of course, they say once you've reached the top, the only place left to go is back down again. Karma was funny like that: gets you thinking that despite the negative shit you brought into the world, all would be forgiven. That's when I saw you. Walking briskly in his arms.

My lips pulled down as I saw yours smile, and my entire world crashed. You looked happier. The happiest I've ever seen you. I stood, shocked and lost all feeling in my ability to move, as he said something to make you laugh. The joy we shared, even on our best days, didn't compare to the width the two of your smiles held, and you looked absolutely beautiful as you walked into the bar.

I know there wasn't a single person you'd met that hurt you the way I hurt you, but I wish I could tell you there would be nobody who loved you like I do. I continued to stand there, seeing you both through the window as you sat at the booth, and snarled at the way he held your attention. I had promised I wouldn't take it personal if you were moving on with someone new, but it had only been a month. Thirty days of absolute hell of living without you.

"Ron?" Harry tilted back to catch Ron's eyes as he gave another one of his crooked smiles. "You'll feel it too one day." Ron scoffed, walking into the pub and sitting down, Harry on his heels.

"Until then, Harry," Ron sighed, knowing he would have to succumb to hiding the truth until that day actually happens, if that day happens, but he was happier with her by his side.

His mind raced as everything in the room reminded him of her. He sat in the corner of the bar and nursed an empty bottle of beer, arguing internally with himself that she was in fact happier now. Anger and dejection battled just beneath his flesh, remembering that he was the one to hurt her more than anyone else had thought plausible, but that no one in this world needed her the way he did. Does. Self hatred ensnared his heart, knowing there were others that deserved her far more than him, but he could never deny, not to himself nor anyone, that he was still in love with her.

"You have to pull yourself together, Ron," Harry pleaded, slapping a hand on Ron's shoulder. Ron sunk even further in his chair, fighting back the tears, and retorts, and the pain of a broken heart. Pretending he was alright, pretending he wasn't dying inside, but undoubtedly unable to fight off knowing how much happier he was with her. Harry knew it too.

"She's happier, 'Arry" he replied somberly, pulling his eyes to meet his best friend's. "She's happier and I'm here. I knew she would, you know. Fall for someone new." Harry swallowed, a frown spread across his features for the first time as Ron's sunken face peered under heavy lids at the bottle in his hand. "I swear to Merlin, 'Arry, if he breaks her heart," Ron paused, lifting the bottle to his mouth again, hovering it over his lips.

I'll be waiting here for you, Hermione.