Chapter three: No where I have been
After watching Malfoy go, Ron joined his friends, pushing Hermione to the side so he could claim the window sit as his own. The journey was filled with jokes and good natured talk. The golden trio was going to make the best of everything this year as it was their last. This ride wouldn't be their very last but they would treat it as such to truly savor the feeling of going back to Hogwarts. Back to school for the very late time.
Once the train stopped, all the first years followed Hagrid, the grounds keeper and Professor of Care of Magical Creatures, to the row boats that would led them to the grandest sight of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Smiling at the innocence of the first years, part of Ron wanted to go back in time to the very night Harry and he was taking that same ride. Hoping the Giant Squid in the black lake wouldn't come up to make a meal out of him like his twin brothers, Fred and George, told him the squid only eats first years. Once Ron found that out he ran to Percy, the one guy that could never tell a lie and asked if what the twins had said was true. Percy's reply was "Don't be stupid Ronald, giant squids mostly eat deep sea fish". Which by no means helped Ron's fear. But one thing the twins didn't tell him was how amazingly beautiful Hogwarts would be the first time he would sat eyes upon the castle. Nothing was or would every be as breath taking as Hogwarts glowing by the crescent moon light.
Trailing behind his friends at a slower pace Ron started to recall all the times he came back to school dragging the work load but not the time spent with friends. Malfoy's blonde hair had Ron stopping in his tracks. Ron stared as Malfoy watched the first years with the same facial expression he was sure he wearing himself. Guess he wasn't the only one reminiscence. The only one hoping this would never ended. School yes but not the ties they have made over the last six years. The friends, the enemies, the memories. Maybe Ron wasn't the only one afraid of the future. Maybe Ron wasn't the only one hoping to not lose what sense of normality Hogwarts brought.
Again without thinking, Ron wander up behind the blonds. Before he could prevent himself, Ron laid his arm around Malfoy's shoulders catching the blonde off guard. Yet another thing to add to his growing list of questions to keep him up at night. As Ron went to remove his arm, Malfoy stopped him with a light blush dusting his pale cheeks.
"Wanna walk up to school with me?" Ron asked hesitantly as he watched the thestral drawn carriages pull away.
"Sure." The pair slowly turned making the long journey up the hill to Hogwarts. Neither saying a word nor removed Ron's arm. Somehow this was comfortable to the strange pair. For five years they loathed each other with a passion so fierce. Coming from different backgrounds and Hogwarts Houses they didn't see a reason to change their hatred. And then spent the last year oblivious to the other's existence. Maybe this year the tides will change. Ron found himself realizing how many 'maybes' he was holding onto.
Every few steps Ron would turn his head to glaze at the blonde while a million questions flew through his mind and when Malfoy would catch him staring the shorter male would merely shack his head slightly with a small smile. The closer the school the slower their pace became. For reasons unknown the mismatched pair they didn't want the stroll to end. Pulling out the pocket watch his mother had gotten him as a sweet seventh birthday present; Ron noticed the sorting had to be over with how late it was. Had he and Malfoy really been walking for an hour, saying nothing? While staring at his watch Ron didn't see the rock right before his foot causing him to tumble to the dirt ground. Since his arm was still warped around Malfoy, the unsuspected blond was yanked down to join the careless red head.
Malfoy deliberately waited to open his eyes when instead of the hitting the ground he felt a warmness below him. Hearing the light chuckle he chanced a peek and of course he landed on Ron's well formed chest. Picking his head up from taller boy's shoulder they locked eyes.
"Here let me help you up and am the reason you fall after all." Ron offered placing a bent knee between Malfoy's legs warping his arms tightly around the blonde, one arm around the smaller male's neck cradling it in his large hand and the other wrapped around his waist. In one flawless movement Ron had them both up straight and on their feet. Bring press firmly against Ron's chest Malfoy had to lean his head back to maintain eye contact.
Mere millimeters separated chapped rugged lips from moist silky ones. Caught between examining Malfoy's pale gray eyes and his rose soft looking lips Ron's mind went blank. Micro millimeter by micro millimeter Ron directed his attention on the full lips in front of him. Capturing the Slytherin's lips became sole motivation for the red head for some unidentifiable reason. Even though their lips were barely pressed together both teen saw sparks fly. However neither knew what to make of them.
Reluctantly Ron pulled back. "We should hurry up. I can just make out the gate entrance." Nodding, Malfoy allowed Ron to pull him alongside him replacing his arm on the Slytherin's shoulders. Although Ron was taller and could make the finally part of their journey take less than five minutes, he chose to keep pace with his shorter companion. Right before they walked through the open gate however Malfoy stopped Ron in his tracks.
With shaky hands Malfoy dragged Ron to face him fully. "I… I…" Taking several deep breaths, Malfoy licked him lip, wetting them slightly. Moving Ron closer, he stood on his tippy toes matching Weasley height. With less uncertainty Malfoy brushed his lips over Ron's leaving the red head wanting more. Gradually both leaned in to blossom a full blown kiss. Moving his hands off Ron's face, Malfoy laced his figures through red hair. As Malfoy played with his hair, Ron placed his hands on Malfoy's hips dragging him, if possible, closer. The kiss was soft and more than a little innocent. Never the less both pulled away with heartfelt smiles and wonder in their eyes.
Clearing his throat, Ron took half a step back glazing at Malfoy's smile. An honest to Merlin smile, the kind that said whatever it's wearing was doing is bliss. "That…Umm… It was nice." Ron said moving a hand to scratch the top of his ear.
Chucking, Malfoy nodded his agreement. To afraid to talk in case he couldn't form a proper sentence. Taking a step back himself, Malfoy removed his figures for red hair and onto Ron's shirt collar. "Soooo?" He asked looking towards the crescent moon.
"About the quidditch pitch… I was thinking maybe it could be changed…."
Malfoy's smile immediately fall a long with his hands. A hurt look flashing quickly in his gray eyes before he gathered himself together. Realizing Ron most have said the wrong thing he started randomly talking about anything to make the smile come back to the blonde's face.
"What I meant was … See every year we get to visit Hogmeats. But of course you knew that, duh. And as seventh years we get to go more than we used to. You knew that too, huh? The thing is.. I was thinking – hoping that maybe you might. Never mind you would want to study or something. I don't know. It's just seeing you smile… I never saw you smile like that before and I guess I was kinda happy I might have caused it, you know. I just wanted to do this – whatever this is again." Capturing the shorter boy's chin Ron made him turn his head until their eyes were locked on to each other. Letting his words sink in but holding his breath just in case. When it became clear that Malfoy wasn't going to say anything Ron sighed, "If you are gonna let me down best you do it now so it won't hurt so badly later on and I won't get any 'I told you so's'"
"Someone most have had blessed my broken road." Malfoy whispered as he leaned in to kiss Ron once more. Quickly pulling back before the kiss went passed innocent.
"Mr. Weasley. Mr. Malfoy we were beginning to worry something might have happened," Said headmaster Dumbledor. Both boys turned towards the open gates of Hogwarts to find several professors headed their way. Among them was their head of houses and a few friends. Ron than looked at Malfoy and could just image how the new comers would think what they were doing. There he was with one hand of Malfoy's waist and another on his chin. While Malfoy stood there gritting his shirt for dear life. He could only guess they would assume the worst.
"Ron what happened, we thought you were right behind us. But you didn't join us in the carriage and we thought maybe you just went to ride with some other friends." Ginny said in a rush running to her brother, Harry and Hermione not far behind.
"And when we heard Malfoy hadn't been at school yet either, we knew something was wrong!" Harry proclaimed moving in-between the too 'rivals'. More Gryffindors rushed to Ron's aid telling him what they thought had happened to him and all talking at once. Even when Professor McGonagall tried to ask him what caused him to miss the carriage and what caused him to get dirt on his face no one would let her say anything without commentary. Glancing over everyone Ron watched as only a handful of people where surrounding Malfoy.
As if feeling Ron staring Malfoy locked eyes, smiling briefly before answering something Professor Snape asked.
"I meant what I said Weasley and I intend to pay up!" Malfoy shouted over everyone talking. All looking between the two with curious eyes, bypassing everyone around him Ron strolled until he was nose to nose with the blonde.
"How's about you back that up in the first match of the season?" Ron asked as he contained a smile. Malfoy still wanted to go to the quidditch pitch with him! Ron hasn't messed his chance of whatever it was between him and Malfoy up after all.
"I don't play anymore." Malfoy whispered finding the ground to be more appealing. "You should have realized that."
"I did." Ron muttered feeling his heart ache for some unknown reason. No one said anything but all desperately wanting to know what was going on. But before anyone could really find out anything Malfoy ran towards the castle tears in his eyes. That tornado gray back in them once again. Though only Ron took notice. He may not be the brightest but even he could tell quidditch was a sore subject.
"Whatever that tosser did, he deserved it!" Ginny announced throwing her arm around Ron's neck. "Come on bro it's been a long night and I'm sure you're hungry." Slowly everyone followed Ginny's lead and made their way back inside but not before Dumbledor told Ron he wanted to see him tomorrow before classes. Which had Ron groaning since he barely got out of bed for breakfast. For once in his life though Ron wasn't thinking about food instead his mind was racing a mile a minute. His brain's main focus: Malfoy.
TBC! Hope you guy are liking it!