The next few days were practically uneventful as nothing really seemed to happen, Harry had been ill for the following days, he hadn't managed to hold anything down and his head hurt vigorously constantly. He had wondered when the period would end, Molly had told Arthur to pick up some health potions to try and get rid of the flu and it seemed to be working. Harry was just grateful that he'd been ill now rather than later and miss out on more schooling.

Today was new years eve, Harry was determined not to let his immune system get the better of him like it had been. Once he'd taken the replenishing potion and the anti - nausea potion, he got out of bed slowly, his head throbbed as he stood when all of the blood rushed from his numbing backside, to his head.

Harry thought it was best to get up and head downstairs for breakfast rather than waiting for Ron to bring him up some toast. He'd surprised everyone when he appeared in the doorway.

"Harry dear! Goodness, what are you doing out of bed?" Molly squealed, she was ready to march Harry back upstairs.

"Honestly I'm fine, really." For the first time in the last four days he'd felt genuinely better, he even managed to smile. Harry had regained some colour in his cheeks and he was no longer running a fever, Molly was pleased that he was making a recovery.

"You still look lile shit though mate." Fred teased, it wasn't a secret, Harry did. Nobody cared to say anything after the ordeal he'd been through. Even he had held back, not saying what he truly thought, Harry didn't just look terrible, he smelt terrible too but Harry already knew that.

"Leave off." Ron sighed. The last few days had been quite emotionally tiring for him too, he'd been up with Harry whilst he'd been violently sick - whilst withholding his own gag reflexes. He'd also walk Harry to the toilet and helped him get dressed and undressed. Hermione had asked to help but Ron had insisted that Harry only wanted Ron. Hermione had later gone home to spend the rest of her time with her family.

"Do you want a spot of breakfast dear?" Harry nodded eagerly, he'd woken up with a growl in his stomach and it was a sign of improvement. Yesterday morning he'd slept in until 3 and only woke when Ron gave him a foot rub, it was quite counter productive because as soon as Harry woke he'd felt nauseated. Molly's eyes gleamed as she began to ponder over what to feed Harry. "I have some fruit loaf, it'd be good for you."

Molly took the lid off of the cake stand and began to slice the loaf, "I've never had any before..." Harry was a little sceptical seeing as he wasn't big on fruit.

"Oh no, it's really nice toasted." Ron reassured. Harry was still slightly on edge as Molly placed the bread in the toaster.

"You'll have to make your own Ronald Weasley, I'm not your house elf." Ron rolled his eyes, he hadn't even asked for any. Harry giggled a little at his friend's misfortune.

"Gee thanks. Harry I thought that it would be a good idea to get some fresh air. Now that your better. It'll help." Harry had been bedridden and cooped up inside the house, missing out on the snow.

"As long as you dress up nice and warm - hats, gloves and scarves." Molly pointed the butter knife in Ron's direction. Ron already knew that Harry needed the extra layers, he wasn't as obvious as he seemed. Luckily Harry had just the right equipment, his new jumper and his gloves. "Don't be out too long either, Harry shouldn't exhaust himself." Molly spread the butter on the slices and carried the plate over.

"Where do you expect to be heading off to then?" Arthur perked up from his newspaper. The Daily Profit had already been delivered but the family were still waiting patiently for their mail.

"Just around." Ron hadn't really thought about where they would go but he was just yearning to leave the confines of the house. Even a long walk in the yard would be sufficient.

"Ah, right. Don't wonder off too far." Harry seemed to be loving the fruit loaf, sultanas and raisins were disgusting but when baked in sweet bread they weren't chewy or sharp tasting, in fact the toast was sweet yet somehow still savory.

"You ate that quickly! Want some more?" Molly knew best, the bread would give Harry a little bit of a boost due to the high sugar content and carbohydrates. Not only that, comfort food is best when you're down.

"No thanks, I need a shower." Harry pushed his plate to the side before Molly decided to make him some more and he'd have to reluctantly eat it whilst people held their noses.

"Ron, go and grab Harry a warm towel from the boiler cupboard. I'll turn on the hot water." Molly had refused to upgrade her heating system claiming that she loved warm towels and that the boiler kept the house warm. That and she didn't have the money to change, other wizards and witches were beginning to adopt new muggle methods of household heating. Ron and Harry both got up and headed up stairs.

"There's some nice bubble bath here, if you're into that kind of thing." Ron grabbed a fresh crisp towel from the shelf above the boiler and hung it over the rack next to the bath, "you know how bleeding temperamental this thing is." Ron began to run the taps as if Harry hadn't ever bathed before. He checked the temperature with his fingers and flinched at the excruciating heat.

"Here, I've got it Ron." Harry turned the cold tap a little further to the right and finally the water got to a batheable warmth. Harry dropped the plug into its hole and the water began to fill the tub. Harry wanted the bubbles but had decided against it whilst Ron was still in the room.

"Right, I'll leave you to it." Ron lowered his head and causally strolled out of the room.

"Mnn.." Harry muttered. He wasn't used to taking bubble baths, at school he'd only have time to shower and when he went home to the Dursleys they'd tell him off if he ever tried to fill up a bath, claiming that it was a waste of money and that he should shower instead with a very tight restriction of five simple minutes in other words - get in and get out. Harrydidn't really know where to begin only that he unscrewed the bottle of bubble bath and smelt it. It smelt great, of coconut and passion fruit, each sent distinctive. Unknowing the right amount to use, he tipped the bottle and the contents drained into the water.

Immediately the pressure of the tap created thick and foamy bubbles. It had become obvious that he'd put too much in when the water was no longer visible under a thick blanket. He waited patiently, watching the slow and steady rise of the volume. Once at a satisfactory height he turned off the water and stripped off. A toe dipped in shyly testing how hot the water had gotten. Perfect. Harry slipped the rest of his body in.

Undeniably, the aroma and the warmth made his eyelids heavy. He refused to let the water get the better of him and so he got to work getting clean. Picking up the sponge that sat on the edge of the bath he began to scrub away at the dirt. The soap lathering on his skin was refreshing, once he'd finished he hunted for the shampoo, he found several bottles of conditioner but only to find shampoo at the side of the bath tub. Harry leaned over, the porcelain was cold under his armpits. Once Harry had washed his hair and rinsed it several times under the water he pulled the plug out. Harry stood and reached over for the towel, he scrubbed his face and then his limbs, leaving his intimate areas till last. He loosely wrapped himself in the towel and stepped out. That is when he had, he suddenly realised that he'd not gotten any clothes. He was so eager to get in that he'd been forgetful like usual and forgotten his clothes.

He stoppedand looked around the room for a moment, wondering what to do. He checked the boiler cupboard for anything to put on, nada. His face drained as the reality set in, he'd have to walk out in just his towel. He was doomed. Harry waited for a moment before braving the courage to put his ear to the door, listening to see if there was anything upstairs. Harry couldn't hear any voices and so slowly twisted open the handle and stepped out into the hallway. Ron's room was a few flights of stairs away but he could see it. His feet fell softly on each stair as he made his way. Finally he'd gotten to Ron's bedroom. He was safe. Harry opened the door and turned quickly to pull it shut behind himself so it wouldn't slam.

"Harry?" Ron spoke out. Harry jumped up, losing grip on the edges of the towel, only briefly but enough for the towel to drop down to the ground. Harry went bright red as a hand flew to his phallic area. "Woah!" Ron looked away sharply. He'd seen it, the entirety of it. Inside, he felt giddy and he so desperately wanted to smile but he refrained knowing how embarrassed Harry would be. Harry quickly picked the towel from the floor and wrapped himself up tightly.

"Forg-for forgot some clothes." Harry stuttered nervously. He was humiliated, in front of the one person he cared for the most.

"Oh, erm..." Ron got up, still trying to avoid eye contact with Harry. He walked over to Harry's trunk and pulled out a pair of jeans and a grey t-shirt. He cautiously walked them over to Harry. "I'll leave you to get dressed." Ron leftthe room, once outside he exhaled deeply.

Harry didn't think it could have gone any worse, then he mentally slapped himself, it could have gone so much worse. His towel could have fallen off in front of Molly or Ginny, then he wouldn't have died of shame. Ron was the least worst scenario so Harry was glad it'd happen in front of Ron. Harry had seen Ron's a while back when Ron had accidentally drenched his boxers with the shower hose and Harry Had brought him a fresh pair. Ron had relieved them through a gap in the door which wasn't as closed as he would have liked. The two had laughed about it the entire night and spoke oddly about puberty.

Still. Harry was embarrassed, he wasn't as easy going as Ron and he frankly felt a little ashamed of what he had to show, he was only fourteen but he truthfully wondered when he'd hit a growth spirt like Ron did over the summer. Harry pulled out some boxers and put on what Ron had given him.

Ron had been waiting patiently outside the door and all the while, his mind was drifting, he couldn't help it, he wished he could. After seeing his friend and crush, exposed he was shocked. He'd never really thought about Harry in a sexual way before but he knew now that his unconscious mind would go rabid for what he'd just seen. Harry's pale, peachy... Ron shook his head. He was getting sucked into the image again, he could feel his prick twinge a little, Ron knew that this was not the time or the place.

Harryhad gotten dressed and looked around for his jumper, Molly had washed it and hung it on the line, but he was sure that she'd brought it in this morning. Where, he didn't know. He hunted the room, he looked under the blankets on Ron's bed to find only a single piece of parchment and an envelope. Out of curiosity Harry unfolded the parchment. It read;

Ron,

Stop being a pansy. Harry's a great guy - from what you've told me. If you can't tell your best friend that you might be gay then you who can you bloody tell!

Harry's eyes widened as he read, Ron, gay? There was no way, he liked Hermione. How could Ron be gay? Was Harry really that oblivious, that he'd completely missed any hints because he'd been too self involved? He read on;

You're not going to scare him, he's part muggle, all muggles in London are gay, trust me. Just bring it up when you get a chance, don't leave it too late otherwise he'd feel untrustworthy. Even if you aren't sure... although it seems like you are, get it done before it's too late. He's too great a catch to pass up.

Charlie.

Harry couldn't make much sense of what he had read. Only that his best friend was worried about being gay and from the looks of things Ron had a crush on somebody. He'd never seen Ron take interest in any other male, Harry's mind began to jump to assumptions. He thought about how obsessed Ron was over Viktor until he paired up with Hermione, maybe that was it.

Harry snapped out of his delusions, he wouldn't make any more assumptions until Ron had told him about being gay, he wasn't feeling angry with Ron for not telling him, it was afterall a big life decision that would have to be carefully approached.

Knock knock.

"Are you done Harry?" Ron called out from the other side of the door. His legs were beginning to go numb from standing for so long.

"Yeah, yeah." Harry folded the letter bacl up and slid it back under the sheet. As the door opened he stood and walked away from the bed. He wasn't going to tell Ron he'd seen the letter because clearly Ron wasn't ready for such conversations. Ron watched suspiciously as Harry walked away from his bed, he'd quickly hid it as Harry walked in.

"So you ready to go out? Figured we could take a walk around the farm? Nowhere's open, it's new year's eve." Ron had read the letter and decided that if he could muster up the courage he'd tell Harry when they were far away from prying ears.

"Sounds great." Harry continued to look for his jumper, of course it was hanging in the wardrobe,he felt silly for not checking there in the first place but Molly had originally placed a pile of clothes on Ron's bed. He was obviously made to put them all away.

"Yeah? Alright. Mum said to wrap up as much as you can." Harry didn't have much of a coat but he did have plenty of underlayers that would gladly suffice. He unhooked his Bulgarian team scarf off of the handles of the wardrobe and grabbed Ron's whilst he was there.

"Cheers." Ron took the scarf and wrapped it around his neck. Harry followed him closely, "your gloves? Aren't you gonna take 'em?" Ron had noticed that Harry wasn't wearing his gloves when he really aught to.

"Oh, right." Harry dashed up the few stairs back to Ron's room, he lifted up his blanket, knowing that they were caught up in the sheet, he rustled it around and watched as the balled up gloves rolled onto the floor. Harry picked them up and held them in his hands, already with just minimal contact they were heating up. Harry hadn't really appreciated the gloves fully until now, they were a really thoughtful gift seeing as his hands were always cold. Harry unpicked the knot and put on his gloves. He quickly ran back to Ron.

"Don't you boys be out for too long otherwise Harry will catch a cold, his immune system is already running low." Both Ron and Harry agreed to the terms, be back in two hours and at no point was Harry to remove anything.

The two boys headed out, Harry stopped in the doorway, everything past the welcome mat was snow. White stretched to the horizon, as far Harry could see, left and right. Already there were snow men sitting in their front garden. Harry walked over to the closest one and began poking the buttons for eyes.

"Percy, Fred and George helped Ginny make a snow man." Ron had watched from the window. His mother had offered to look after Harry and Ron should go and join in but Ron had refused and simply continued to watch them roll the snow.

"Oh, I've never made one before. Got to a certain stage where I just didn't see the point." Of course Harry had watched Dudley play in the snow with his friends, aunt Petunia and uncle Vernon thought playing in the snow was beneath them, even if it was with Dudley. Harry had wanted to join in and Dudley had always pleaded for Harry to help but they always said no. Jt was pretty soon when Dudley learned not to associate with Harry. Of course he missed out.

"No? Ermm well, here." Ron took a handful of snow in each mit and squished them together. "You start off with this." Ron handed Harry the lump of snow.

"Yeah?" Harry watched as Ron made his own.

"Then you kind of... roll it on the floor..." Ron began to roll his small lump around in the fallen snow at his feet, the once small ball was growing and growing in size the more he pushed it along. Harry copied Ron but his broke apart and crumbled. Ron watched with a gleaming smile on his face.

"Its not that easy!" Harry protested, clumping more snow together to begin again.

"Let me start it off." Ron took the snow from Harry's hands and rolled this one along the ground too. "Here. Just roll it." Harry rolled the ball, patting it every so often to flatten the snow. He didn't want to show it but je was beginning to feel immensely proud. "See, it's easy."

"Where to?" Harry ignored Ron's cockieness and continued to build up his mass of snow. Ron grinned and walked back to his own.

"Over there. Race ya'?" Ron began to frantically push his boulder around in the snow and down the slight hill. Harry rose to the challenge and chased after Ron, whilst he wasn't as quick he hurried as quickly as he could, being careful not to break his snow ball. Once they'd reached the clearing away from the house, Ron stopped and stretched. His back clicked from leaning over for so long.

"Given up?" Harry coaxed from behind. He was out of breath and slightly sweating despite the below freezing temperatures.

"Here's good." Ron turned back. He carefully dug his fingers beneath the ball and lifted it up, he gingerly placed Harry's ball on top of his own. Once satisfied that it was sturdy he stood back to look at their work.

"Bit muddy. I thought they were supposed to be white." Harry thought that his and Ron's man wasn't as nice as the ones the others made the other day. Theirs was a pretty dirty with blades of grass and sticks trapped in the snow.

"Yeah, well, it'll do." Ron shrugged and began to shift the snow away with his foot, "we need some sticks and stuff to make the face and arms." Ron bent down to pick up a twig that was stuck to his boots. Harry continued continued with the search. The both silently scooted around in the snow finding odd bits and pieces. The two reunited with a handful of things.

"I've got some stones for the eyes or the buttons. I don't think it matters which." Harry opened his palm and Ron took one of the stones, he placed it where the left eye should be. Harry did the same and filled in the gap opposite.

"Looks better already." Ron pushed the stones in a little further into the face of the snowman before they dropped off. Ron took another stone and pushed it into the nose space. Harry began making the mouth, stone by stone, he gave the fictional man a smile. He searched the ground for some more to complete the expression. "Here," Ron held up two long sticks, which were dug in either side of the fat body.

"He looks better than you did at the ball." Harry gathered a small piece of snow and held it in his hand, expecting Ron to retaliate, starting a snowball fight.

"Oi!" Ron had, he gathered a dangerously large handful of snow and hurtled it towards Harry, anticipating the attack Harry dodged the ball and threw his own back, "cheeky bugger!" Ron gathered another clump of snow and chucked it at Harry, this time getting his arm. It was an unsatisfactory victory.

"I'm sure you were thinking about it!" Harry claimed defensively.

"Maybe." Ron and Harry engaged in a heart match, which felt like to the death, snow was beginning to melt and clothes were getting wet. They'd completely forgotten about their snowman. Ron threw a snowball and it exploded on impact making Harry's face wet and some dribbled down his back. "Mum will kill me if you come back wet and cold." Ron dropped the ammunition he had in his hand and brushed off the snow that was stuck to the fibres of his gloves.

"What shall we call him?" Harry took another look at their snowman, realising that he wasn't quite finished still, but he was charming nonetheless.

"Dunno. Mr Snow?" Ron posited a name.

"Mr Snow? That can't be the best you can do." Harry giggled. The name was weak and even Ron knew that ot wasn't fitting for their scholarly man made from snow.

"Go on, you have a go." Ron had no clue, it was always Ginny or Molly who named the creations. Ron never really cared enough to contribute.

"Snowy Weasley." Harry suggested. Ron simply shook his head with disappointment.

"You're worse than my sister. Snowy Weasley it is then." Ron couldn't be bothered to think about it for any longer. He let Harry pick the name rather than questioning his terrible imagination.

"There's nothing wrong with the name." Ron had begun to shiver, kt was definitely time to make their way back to the house. Ron paused for a moment and stood incredibly still, he wondered whether now was the opportunity he was looking for, what Charlie had told him about. He was happier than he'd been in a while and so was Harry.

"Harry..." Ron let out. He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. He'd grown incredibly nervous and his coldness was replaced with warm sweats. His hands grew clammy in his gloves so he took them off. Harry waited for Ron to speak. "I need to talk to you about somethin." Harry gulped, could Ron really be telling him about what the letter meant?

"You know you can tell me anything." Harry smiled reassuringly, Ron seemed to be struggling a little and Harry felt like Ron needed all the support he could muster.

"I know, which is why I've got to tell you something. If I don't do it now, I might not at all." Words were falling from his mouth, hks brain telling him to throw a hand over his mouth and say no more, yet the words kept coming, with thought, "I think that... well..." Ron stuttered hopelessly. Harry held back, he so desperately wanted to finish Ron's sentence for him but it was best to sit back ansI'm listen. "I mightbe gay." Ron shut his eyes, not knowing what to expect, he feared the worst and crumpled them shut as if he was about to be hit. Instead nothing came, he waited with his eyes shut.

Harry knew that what Ron had done was beaver than anything he could account for, he fully supported Ron in every way, his sexuality was not a limiting factor, Ron was still Ron. Harry couldn't help but feel overwhelmingly happy, he gave Ron a hug to settle his nerves.

Ron wasn't expecting a hug, he was expecting a long and awkward silence and that Harry would be disappointed in him. To feel Harry's puffy arms wrapped around him felt like a weight lifted, he felt like he could collapse onto the floor, he was so relieved. Instead of falling to his knees in the snow he reciprocated the embrace and tightened his hold on the shorter boy.

"Thanks." Ron whispered weakly.

"You're you - I wouldn't have you any different." Ron felt a lump grow in the back of his throat and tears filled his eyes but he held them back, not wanting to cry. The two stood in the snow for a while, not wanting to break the embrace.

"You're freezing, Let's go." Ron gave Harry a final squeeze before opening his arms, releasing Harry. As soon as Harry stood back, emptiness took over and the cold washed in. He'd managed to accomplish that much, but tell Harry the whole truth would have to wait for another day, not any day soon,not until he knew if his feelings would last.

"And tired." Harry rubbed his eyes, he'd been out of the house and running around for too long now and today has been undeniably emotionally draining, it's not every day you find out that your best friend is gay.

...

"Goodness you two! How long have you been out?" Molly pointed angrily at the clock in the living room. It was in fact almost 7PM. Molly had gone out and called their names a couple of times thinking that they'd come in but they were too far away to hear Molly's cries.

"We built a snowman behind the house." Fred and George glanced at each other and simultaneously 'aww' ed. Ron was a little flushed still from the big reveal and ignored their belittling. Molly whipped them both with her tea-towel.

"I'll put the kettle on, you boys go and get some fresh clothes on." Molly filled the kettle with water and turned on the stove. Thr appliance had been used non stop these last few weeks since the chill of winter washed in. Ron and Harry trudged up stairs, kicking their boots off before they began the treck up. Wet foot prints were left on each wooden step.

"Wanna borrow some socks?" Ron offered as he took off his own, pulling two pairs of hand woven woolen socks out of the draw. Ron threw him over the pair, Harry caught the ball despite Ron's awkward throw it was apparent why he was the team seeker. Harry threw himself onto his bed and pulled off his socks, they were wringable and his toes were wrinkly. He came to the assumption that there must have been a hole in the bottom of his shoe.

"How long have you known?" Harry blurted out, Ron paused for a moment thinking through what he wanted to say.

"Not long. Few weeks?" Harry nodded curiously as he put his new warm socks on. "Since the Ball." Ron had planned to slowly reveal the whole nature of his feelings until Harry could pretty much guess for himself, avoiding the shocking confrontation. It was a terrible move seeing as Harry was almost as dense as he was. Over the last couple of days he'd really thought about what the best moves would be to take, looking after Harry and their 'kiss' had only strengthened his feelings.

"How do you know?" Harry dared not say the word aloud encase Ron's mother had her ear pressed to the door.

"Don't really. More of a feelin' I suppose." Ron shrugged, he didn't know that he was actually gay, he didn't have feelings for anybody else apart from Harry, he didn't really think that qualified him to be gay - bisexual at best.

"Have you told Hermione yet?" Harry knew that after the ball him and Hermione had a falling out, neither of them actually told Harry what they fought about, it seemed suspicious now that he thought about it.

"No, not yet. I figured she'd be freaked out." Ron hadn't even thought about telling Hermione, now he did, it seemed that the nerves that once got him were beginning to eat at his stomach once again. Whilst he wasn't still in love with Hermione, he deeply cared for her. He would definitely have to tell her soon otherwise it'd upset her to be the last to know.

"Doubt it, this is Hermione we're talking about. She wouldn't care. She'd probably be a little confused but that's just her." Harry could imagine Hermione taking the information in and trying to rationally process and shift through her brain, having felt like she'd completely missed any signs. "Maybe she already knows?" It wouldn't come as a surprise if Hermione already knew, she was highly observant.

"Nahh, she's too busy with Viktor." Ron wished it'd stay that way for a while longer so that he could tell her himself rather than her waltzing up and asking him outright.

"Find anybody attractive? Cedric? Viktor?" Harry couldn't help but admire his two elder competitors, they were the physical essence of a man and highly skilled. He on the other hand paled in comparison.

"Not my type." Ron admitted bluntly. Harry couldn't really think about anybody else, there wasn't much 'eye candy' to gawk at.

"Who is your type? Don't tell me it's Malfoy." Ron grimaced at the very thought, if he ever developed feelings for a snake then he'd probably have to kill himself.

"Fek no, that ferret? You've got to be having a laugh." Harry couldn't stop laughing, he never would have thought that a Weasley would ever end up with a Malfoy. It was unthinkable, impossible.

"What about somebody else? In our year? I guess Dean isn't a bad looking bloke." Ron shook his head dramatically. Harry would never guess who it would be even if he went through all the names in the school.

"Knock it off Harry. There's nobody. If there was I'd tell you." Ron refused to give Harry any more information, Harry would only pester him to death if he carried on answering each of his questions.

"Alright alright." Harry put on a clean jumper and hung his wet one over his bed post to dry. The two were ready to go down and have something to eat, they were both starving. "Funny, I had a dream the other night..." Ron's ears perked up.

"About? About You-Know-Who?" Ron asked.

"No, about me and you. We were in the shed, cleaning and we sort of kissed." Ron blushed a bright red. He knew that Harry had dreamt about him the other night when he'd been calling out his name in his sleep.

"Why? You're mental you are." Ron coughed a little and frowned.

"Yeah? I guess it was pretty weird. Haven't really had one since." Apart from the dozy dream he had the other night on the sofa, although that felt too real to bring up. It'd probably scare Ron away, thinking that he was unconsciously after him.

"Probably a freak dream like kissing Madam Pomfrey." Harry looked horrified. "What? You've never had that?" Ron appealed desperately.

"No, I can safely say I haven't!" Harry mocked. Ron silenced himself in anguish. Would Harry ever see him the same after learning that he had dreams about their Medi-Witch? He could safely assume that Hermione would know as soon as they went back to school and even she would be mocking him.

Hey guys it's me!

I was wondering if you could help me and drop some reviews on how you think I'm doing and any ideas are much appreciated. I really want to build up a rapport with you guys as the fic progresses because I'm not thinking of writing a sequel to this fic after its done.

Thanks for reading x