Chapter 1- Brother Mine

Ron cracked an eye open, unsure of what had caused his sudden waking. He opened his other eye and starred around. The room was as it always was, 4 other beds with their scarlet hangings pulled close. So what had woke him? He sat up and strained his ears, listening for any unusual sounds. He heard Neville's rumbling snore's, Seamus's light ones, Dean's steady breathing. He didn't hear anything from Harry's side of the room but that wasn't unusual. Besides from when he was having nightmares, Harry always slept silently. Then again, with the weird circumstances in which he woke up maybe he should check. Ron pulled himself out of bed and crossed to the bed next to him. He pulled open the curtains of his best mate's bed and found it to be empty. Maybe he's in the loo? Ron checked their too. No Harry. He was starting to get worried. Maybe he's in the common room? With as much stealth as he could muster, the redhead crept down to the firelight common room.

To his relief, his best mate was found sitting rug in front of the couch, staring into the fire. Ron approached and Harry said,

"Hi Ron." Harry hadn't turned around. Ron didn't question how he knew it was him, but slid onto the floor beside his friend.

Harry had his knees drawn up to his chest and his arms wrapped around them, making his small frame look even smaller. He looked like a scared young child. Ron didn't like seeing his friend like this, it was so different to the usual stubborn, reckless Harry he usually knew. Ron put an arm around his friend and Harry spoke.

"It's hard to believe, that he was their friend. That years ago they walked these hallways together, maybe eve sat where we are now and confided with each other. And that he betrayed him. He betrayed his best best friend."

Ron had listened without talking but on the inside he felt cold. Harry's voice, it wasn't scared or sad. Not even angry. It was steady but cold and toneless. Ron didn't show it but it scared him.

They sat in silence for a while watching the dancing flames. Ron finally broke the silence. "I don't know. I don't know how someone could plot against their best mate. How they could betray someone they spent 7 years with." He spoke in whisper that penetrated the silence. "But I do know one thing. Just because you're parents are… dead, doesn't mean you're alone. You have me, and Hermione, and the rest of my family. And I know that… that we can't replace your mum and dad, but were here for you. Heck, your not just my friend, your my brother in all but blood." He tore his gave away from the fire and turned his head toward Harry, the green eyed boy doing the same thing and their faces meeting inches apart.

For the first time that night Ron got a good look at Harry's face: It was pale and sweaty, his emerald eyes bloodshot, and filled with unshed tears. Harry spoke so quietly that had they not been inches apart he would have not heard him.

"Really?" The one word was filled with so much longing and loss. Green eyes bored into blue and Ron replied,

"Always." Harry's eyes sparkled and a lone tear slide down his face. Harry rested his head against the older boy's shoulder and they drifted off to sleep.

Royal-Phoenix7000- More Chapters Coming! Don't forget to come back often and check for updates! (;