Green
His eyes were glazed as he stared at the letter, reading and re-reading the beautiful cursive that lay in tauntingly bold ink. He almost couldn't believe it, trying to tell himself that it was all a lie, that they must be wrong. It can't be.The words seem to jump out at him, screaming for his attention.
'I'm sorry...'
'... didn't want you to find out like this...'
'... given a chance to explain...'
Harry couldn't look at it any more, his anger building. He let his hands form fists, crushing the paper between them. His stomach was churning and his mind racing. How could this be happening?
It had been five years since the war had ended and people were only now getting back to their old lives. Families were being mended, job created, schools rebuilt. He had watched some of his closest friends strive to do something amazing with their new lives, and watched many of them throw it away. He would have liked to say he way one of the former, but as he sat in a three day old shirt, with take away containers strewn across the floor, he knew that wasn't true. The only thing that had kept him going, the only thing that kept him sane was his new found relationship with his long time best friend-turned lover, Ron Weasley.
It was shocking, to say the least, when a night out with friends turned into a hook-up. Harry had downed more than his share of Firewhiskey, and knew it was time to head home. Hermione had offered to lend him a ride, but Ron had interjected, saying that he needed to go too anyway. They had walked from the bar, practically leaning across each other. When they arrived at Grimmauld place, both of them shocked they hadn't lost a limb during their drunken apparation, Harry had stopped at the stairs and Ron stilled beside him. The boy-who-lived stared up at his friend, his sight slightly blurred. He slurred out a quick thank you and went in for a hug. Ron, being taller than Harry, bent down to accommodate. They both still claim it was an accident, but somewhere between the awkward hug and the civil handshake, their lips met.
After the booze wore off and the anxiety flared, the two managed to talk through the events of the night. As dinner turned to three a.m. the men finally got everything off their chest and feelings were admitted. They decided to keep it between the two of them, being cautious about where they went, unsure whether or not the Weasley's would understand. The papers constantly painted Ron and Hermione as the 'hero' couple, taking friendly outings and turning them into secret dates. Hermione was easily frustrated by these stories, but offered to deal with them when she found out what the red-head was really hiding.
"I can't believe you took this long to tell me!" she had squealed when the news was finally broken to her on Ron's next birthday; Harry had needed desperate help to find the perfect gift.
Ginny was the next to find out, because Harry could no longer bare stringing her along. She had been shocked beyond belief, but when she looked at it again, she had realised how obvious it was. The Christmas holidays two years after the war had brought something new to the table. Everyone had taken time off from their jobs to spend time as a family. Partners were introduced, and children announced. The shock escalated when Hermione had revealed that she and Neville were engaged, but nothing could beat the news that came just before dinner. Charlie had been late arriving, which cause Molly to start a riot. But everything was quietened when he finally walked through the gate, followed by a 'work friend' of his, Chris. To say that the reveal was dramatic would have been understating it. Molly had cried, so happy that her son had finally found someone despite who it was, and Arthur somehow managed to get through the entire night without understand what was happening. Charlie and Chris retired to his room as the festivities wore down, and Arthur offered to set up one of the lounges.
"Arthur, no. Chris it going to stay in Charlie's room," Molly said softly to her husband.
"But there's only on bed in there?"
"That's okay, love," Molly said, her voice now becoming strained.
"Won't they be more comfortable if they didn't have to share?" Arthur was looking between Molly and the two men, unable to understand what they were all trying to get out of saying.
"They don't haveto share, Arthur, they wantto." Arthur's face twisted into a look of thought, his eyebrows wrinkling together. Suddenly his eyes flew open and he looked between the two, his mouth forming a perfect 'o'. Without saying anything he just nodded as he walked away, keeping his eyes on them. The next morning he apologised profusely for not seeing it.
Harry and Ron had talked all night about it deciding that in the morning they would also reveal their relationship. Harry was not at all expecting what happened next. He woke to find the floor littered with flowers and Ron missing from the bed, a path leading out of the attic. He followed it down the stairs and into the kitchen, his mouth hanging open. The family was gathered in the kitchen, each holding a candle. Molly had tears in her eyes as she watched him, one of her hands pressed on her chest. Ron was standing in the centre of the group.
"I know you said you wanted to do it together," he started softly, a smile playing on his lips. He was wearing the dress robes from the Yule ball; he knew Ron hated them, but they always made Harry smile. "But, I needed some help organising this." Ron stepped forward, now only a couple feet from Harry as he watched, slack-jawed.
"Harry James Potter," he said, his voice shaking slightly. Harry shook his head as he realised what was happening. "For almost ten years you have been my closest friend, and the strongest person I know. For years I felt this huger within me, this need to be beside you. I always thought that that feeling was the result of feelings for Hermione or protection for my sister, but I realise it all now. All I ever wanted was to be near you, to hold you, to have you look at me the way you did Cho, or the way you are now." He had tears in his eyes, and Harry would never admit it, but so did he.
"When you gave your life for us, my heart broke. I thought I'd never see you again, never see those ridiculously green eyes, or that crazy smile. I fought so hard just to survive for you. You are my everything, always." Harry gasped as Ron's knee hit the floor. He was holding out a simple gold band.
"Hermione helped write the speech, but Gin picked the ring. Marry me?" Harry couldn't breathe. He had so much he wanted to say, but didn't know how to word it. Instead he just nodded, letting the tears fall as he pulled Ron to his feet and panted a kiss to his lips.
"I love you," he whispered, trying not to break the kiss.
"Ha! Gay," Ron said softly, his arms twisting around Harry hips.
"You know it."
Molly was a mess with happiness, congratulating them and chastising them for not telling her sooner. Charlie and Chris seemed happy to be no longer in the spotlight.
Now, three years after that, and the pair had never actually sealed the deal. While muggles were behind, wizards have allowed all marriages since the introduction of the ceremony. As it binds a wizard's power to their partner, the distinction seemed unimportant. Harry let out a small breath, which hitched in his throat as he thought back to that day. There was a crack as Harry disappeared which echoed around the empty house. He left the crumpled letter on the table, unsure where he was going but needing to get away. Ron wasn't expected home for another couple hours, but when he finally returned Harry was still gone, and the note was lying there. Ron picked it up, his face paling as he read it.
Dear Harry,
I'm sorry, but I can't let it go on any longer. You are one of my best friends, and your happiness comes before anything else. Last week I saw Ron with someone. I didn't think anything of it until I watched it go from something casual to something serious very fast. He kissed her.
I didn't want you to find out like this, but he's planning on eloping with you tomorrow, and I couldn't let you do it without knowing everything. Maybe if he was given a chance to explain it might make this all make sense.
I totally understand if you hate me now, but I'm just trying to look out for you. If you need anything, you know where I am.
Love forever, Hermione
A/N: Words – 1,561
Assessment - Ancient Runes/Task 1: someone reveling someone else's secret. Extra prompt: (word) cautious.
