Chapter Twelve: Maybe With A Little Time

The blush creeped farther up Draco's neck making his pale skin almost glow a dusty pink. Though Ron didn't mind since the light color, if possible, make the blonde even more breath taking. Thanks to the innocent look Draco was giving him Ron was devoid of thought as he placed one hand firmly on the ground next to the Slytherin's right hip bracing himself up. The other hand came to lie haphazardly near Draco's left hip. Not noticing the bystanders the red head brushed his lips just barely against his crush's. The kiss was sickly short but sweet enough to let the young Malfoy know he was being thought about. With a small smile that matched the Gryffindors, Draco chuckled.

"Guess you will see me tonight after all." Brushing their nose together Draco spoke softly fearing that the moment might be broken any second. He was pleasantly astonished when Ron's strong callous fingers came away from his hip to entangle in his blonde hair grazing his scalp from time to time. Being their foreheads together, the pair stayed still just breathing in the other.

To Ron, Draco smelled on fresh picked fruit in the beginning of spring right after a light shower of rain. There was also a light hint of honey. A smell the Gryffindor always loved since it takes him back home. As long as he could remember the burrow always had the aroma of honey. He figured it might be because of living way out in the country with tones of bees around. Or maybe the bees were just the reason the Weasleys constantly had fresh honey. Whatever the reason the honey scent on Draco was intoxicating yet homely.

Though the red head seems larger than life at time, Ron still had this way about himself that always illustrated his backwoods roots. Draco figured it might be the scent of oak wood that clung to the taller boy or the way some fried chicken and bake beans could lighten up him freckled face. Plus the smell of fire wood being burned on a summer night as kids roast marshmallows around the camp fire that clung to the Gryffindor.

Draco has never been camping but Theo has and the older Slytherin is never lacking a good camping story. It's one of many things that are on Malfoy's list of things to do before he kicks the bucket. Right above learning to bake a cake and right below go fishing. Draco wasn't a fool he knew his parents spoiled him. Maybe not rotten to the core but close to it. He also knew because of that they sheltered him from a lot as well. Draco didn't even know what fireworks were until his fourth year when Hogwarts put on a display to welcome Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and Durmstrang Institute for the Triwizard Tournament.

He didn't know what a real friend was like until meeting Blaise and Theo. Didn't know that jelly beans were lip-smacking delicious. He was never even made aware that skipping a social gathering wasn't the end of the world. Hell, he didn't even know love existed until he found himself falling for a blue eyed, red haired and freckled Gryffindor.

"I could fall in love with you."

"Then fall. I'll hold you as we fall together." Ron whispered watching the terror in sliver eyes give way to a spark…. Of something. Ron wanted to say the spark might mean hope or maybe even understanding of what they have. For now though he will settle with the knowledge that the blonde knew he could fall just as easily in love. And just as easily can be hurt beyond repair.

"So guess what Ron?" Harry asked crouching down. He waited until his best mate turned away from the blonde with an oh shit expression before he tapped Ron on the shoulder declaring he was now it. It took Ron a few seconds to realize that Harry must being playing the game tag since no one was with in arms reach of the boy wonder.

There were times when Ron found he really lucked out getting a best friend the like the boy who lived. And then there were times when Ron knew he was honored with the best damn friend named Harry James Potter. He knew Harry must have seen their exchange. Harry must have known that the moment between the Gryffindor and Slytherin wouldn't be ruined if he intervened. The boy wonder was also aware that Ron would talk to him when he was ready. Harry also knew that by offering both Ron and Draco a chances to play a silly muggle game like tag would show that Harry was willing to give the Malfoy part a second chance. After all that's what Ron was doing. The only difference was that Ron's heart was on the line and that would be a lot harder to fix than a failed friendship.

Grinning like a mad man Ron kissed Draco on the check as Harry took off. Brushing his lips against the blonde's ear right after the innocent kiss Ron informed the other that he was now it. After which Ron made a mad dash away from his confused…. Boyfriend?

Was that what they were now, boyfriends? Neither of them really talked about it before. Granted schools only just begun a week ago. The pair just kind of fell in together. Neither one taking the lead but not waiting around for some sign that may or may not come from the other boy. Sure Ron was the one that usually initiated physical contact and he was the one to make the first official move. Yet it was Draco that pretty must stated he wanted to be with the Gryffindor. All Ron had to do was say yes, which in a way he did the moment he paired up with Draco in potions.

"How do I play?" Draco called out hoping someone would take pity on him and teach him the rules to this strange game. The game seemingly to have a lot of running involved.

"So basically you have one person who is 'it', which just means that's the one person you don't want to be around." Harry yelled ten feet away laughing at the hurt confused look being shot his way by Malfoy. Strolling over Harry bit the bullet so to speak coming to stand before his old enemy. "The game is called tag. Muggles play and Mr. Weasley had a field day teaching it to us last summer. And I literally mean a field day."

"Shouldn't you have known the game growing up muggle and all." Draco stated. Realizing what he said might offend his crush's best mate Draco tried to correct himself but Harry just brushed the comment off like it was nothing.

"True but I didn't get to play outside a lot or inside mush actually." Harry confessed. "Even there yes, technically I knew of the game. I never played. So when Mr. Weasley wanted to teach us some games I was all in for it!" Draco could see the respect and admiration Harry held for the older Weasley. Could see it in how the savior recalled the summer Mr. Weasley held his field day that included games like tag, red light green light, sharks and minnows, and man hunt. And the more Harry talked the more things Draco added to his bucket list. Joining one of Mr. Weasley field days was number twenty one and slowly moving up the list as Harry bragged about more games.

"Ok I think I get it now." Draco announced proudly.

"Ok explain tag to me then." Harry said crossing his arms over his chest. No point in playing a game if all the players didn't get it.

"So the person that's 'it' tries to touch another person making them it. And the game doesn't end until everyone gives up!"

"That's correct!"

"So let's say I do this." Draco extended his arm pointing his index finger out poking Harry on the shoulder. "And tell you you're it. Technically you would be it since I was the person to avoid." Shaking his head Harry couldn't help laughing.

"But what's stopping me from poking you right back?" Harry inquired with a raised brawl.

"Me running away like a scared little girl?" Draco shot back with his own raised eyebrow. Laughing Harry took off running after Ginny but she hid behind Dean who got slacked in the face and the game was on. Draco found tag was more work then he first thought. Between trying to stay far enough away from the person who was it and away from the people willing to sacrifice the Slytherin was a lot of hard work. He foolishly even thought Ron would save him from Lune only to be proven wrong when the sixth year Ravenclaw collided with him. Once he shook it off Lune apologized repeatedly only to have Draco tag Caleb while laughing his head off.

The game went well into the night only ending when Theo chassed Colin Creevey up the bleacher and back down four times before Theo called it quits complaining about Gryffindors claiming Slytherins were devious. Gradually each one of them came to sit near where Harry and Ron fell on the ground.

Sitting next to Ron, Draco was pulled down to lie within the red heads strong arms as they watched the stars glisten in the moon light. It was a beautifully clear night with no clouds in sight to block the view of thousands of luminous stars that light up the dark blue skies more than the half moon did. Smiling Draco throw his arm across Ron's stomach idly listening to Bastian chit chat with Colin about who was better Harry Potter or Ron Weasley.

"Who's up for a midnight shank?" Glancing to the right Draco saw Hermione smirking at him with her arms full. "Well it's more like a two in the morning snack but hey who's paying attention."

"That sounds like a Ron's line to me." Seamus joked holding his sides as he shook with laughter.

"Suppose Ron's rubbing off on me." Hermione spoke with a shrug of her shoulders as she popped an open a chocolate frog.

"I'd say." Dean than joined Seamus laughing so hard his brown eyes started to water.

"I don't get what's so funny." Hermione stated taking a sit next to Lune who started to chuckle.

"That's definitely a Ron thing" Lune said between soft laugher nearing her a confused look from Hermione and the middle finger from the red head everyone seemed to be picking on.

"Don't worry honey I like you just the way you are. Dense and all." Draco smiled kissing Ron's cheek who scuffed at the blonde's actions.

"I've got the drinks." Blaise strolled from behind Hermione passing out pumpkin juice and butterbeers sitting next to bushy haired girl. Sitting up Ron brought Draco with him keeping an arm around the blonde's shoulders. Accepting a butterbeer Ron popped the top before handing it to Draco causing some of the girls to swoon and the guys to chuckle.

"So cute." Theo titter throwing a bag at Draco who caught it flabbergasted.

"How the bloody hell did you find marshmallows?" Ron grabbed the bag of white fluffy delights tearing into the large bag and shoved several into this mouth. "So good! Do you have gram crackers and ¯ "

"Chocolate. Come one Ron what kind of s'mores would they be without chocolate. Seriously Ron you hit your head or something." Harry laughed as he joined the group carry wood. "And I plan to have an actual s'mores, so don't say anything about school rules about starting fires Hermione." Spelling a shallow whole Harry placed the fire wood in the dirt which Hermione lit with her wand.

"Here Ron," Ginny said holding a blanket out to her brother. "Caleb and Neville thought we could use some blankets if we are sleeping out here tonight."

"Thanks Ginny." Ron took the red quilt warping it around him shoulders causing Draco to snuggle in closer. August wasn't to overly cold but the cool night air did have a chilly side every time the wind blow. "And thank you Caleb." Ron added when the only Hufflepuff in the group came walking up carrying more blankets with Neville. Ron made it a point to show each boy praise when they do something good. Whether it was bringing out blankets on a chilly August night or go looking for a friend when they don't show up for class. No one was fooled by Ron nonchalant act as they knew how big of an impact he was having on the first years, even if he didn't see it just yet.

"Question." Draco spoke up for the first time once everyone was seated around Harry's small camp fire. Draco was virtually in Ron's lap as the blond tried to move in closer for warmth. With a small chuckle the red head stood up and sit behind the blonde wrapping his arms securely around the smaller frame. Sheltering Draco in his arms, Ron placed his chest right up against the Slytherin's back. Across from them sat Harry with an arm around Ginny and to the right of Ginny sat Hermione talking to Blaise. Next to the Slytherin sat Theo who was, strangely, watching Colin and Neville. To Ron's left sat Bastian with Des by the first year side and to Ron's right showed Caleb playing cards with Dean and Seamus.

"Yes luv?" Ron asked laying his head in the hollow of Draco's neck.

"What's a s'mores?" Draco's question stopped all movement within a ten foot radius. All eyes turned on the blonde in a mix of horror and disbelief. None of them actually believing there was a person, wizard or muggle alike, who hasn't had a S'mores. Never mind said person not hearing about the existence of s'mores.

"You're kidding right?" Bastian deadpanned leaning around Ron's shoulder staring Draco dead in the eyes.

"No. Until I started Hogwarts I in no way had any form of chocolate. That's part of the reason why my father… Ummm….Dislikes Theo." Draco tried to reason only getting shocked looks in responses. "Chocolate ruins your teeth." He defended.

"Me giving you a tiny itty bitty piece of chocolate is the reason I'm on your dad's shit list?" Theo's confusion was clear as day as he tried to understand Malfoy logic. Head tilted slightly Theo began to laugh with a mischievous smirk. "Shouldn't convincing you to sneak out in our first year to spy on Potter earning you you're first detention or sneaking you out into the muggle world to what Superman or even when I gave-"

"OK! We get it Theo. You're a terrible influence." Draco stated leaning toward the camp fire sharing a meaningful look with his best mate that screamed 'shut your mouth or else'. Seeing the unspoken threat in steel eyes Theo's smirk grew larger in challenge.

"Nah I wanna here this one man. What else did you do that should've ended you on Malfoy's dad's shit list." Ron was completely curious. Why not learn from Theo's mistake? Better the Slytherin make them as Draco's friend than Ron as Draco's boyfriend. Besides if he was being totally honest Ron would tell everyone wanted to know what Theo was about to say that was causing Draco checks to flush.

"I gave blonde his first…. Wizard's magazine." Theo hesitated on what to say to keep the conversion pg13 for the kiddies. Wiggling his dark eyebrows towards Harry, Theo realized the boy wonder didn't understand the Slytherin's implied meaning. Harry's confusion only brought Ginny amusement. "A magazine that you're pretty little girlfriend would let a horde of dementors have you if she caught you with." That did it, Theo thought, as Harry's face went as bright shade of apple red.

"I don't get it." Bastian shared a baffled expression with his twin. Neither boy understood why a simple magazine would cause Ginny to hurt Harry over.

"No, he can have has many as he wants." Ginny declared sprouting a devious smile. "Just bear in mind for everyone he has I'll have a Play Witch." Ginny's comment caught Harry off guard but had most everyone sixteen and older laughing except Draco who was blushing as bad as the boy who lived.

"What a Play Witch?" Colin quietly spoken question had Theo whispering in the Gryffindors ear which caused the dirty blonde's face to join the same color as Harry.

"I think we got side track enough." Draco tried to stop the conversion before anymore damage could be done only to find Ron chuckling in his neck. "I don't feel up to the birds and bees chat tonight. Or any night any time soon to be frank."

"Maybe you could saw me sometime." Ron whispered kissing Draco's pale neck causing goose dumps to appear. "Maybe show what bees and bees would be like." Ron laid his forehead on Draco's boney shoulder blade hiding his burning checks. He would never admit to it but since his sixteenth birthday the one and only wet dream he had was about a blonde gray eye male. Though in the beginning Ron never saw Draco's face, he always woke up before dream Draco would lift his head from giving an amazing blow job.

"We'll see." Was the only reply Ron got as Draco snuggled until his hips pressed up against the Gryffindors pelvis. Getting back to the Slytherin's earlier question the group jumped to explain how to make the perfect s'mores. Ginny, Bastian, Caleb, and Blaise all said the chocolate being half melted was the best, while Harry, Hermione, Des, and Neville all said the melted the chocolate the better. While everyone fought over the perfect type Theo throw a stick towards Ron with a gentle expression.

Taking Theo's lead, Ron placed three marshmallows on the piece of twig explaining that Draco wouldn't have an amazing s'more if he didn't even know what a marshmallow tasted like. Leaning closer to the fire Ron held Draco's hands around the stick spinning it a few seconds to insure no burning. Once the white fluffiness was a nice golden brown Ron blow on one, placing his check flush against Draco's, to cool it down feeding it to the blonde. Ron smile grow wider as sliver eyes popped in size.

"Oh my." Draco had to bring a hand to his lips to make sure he didn't waste any of the amazing gooey deliciousness.

"If you thinks that good wait until you try a s'more." Melting a small piece of chocolate near the fire, Ron garbs a gram cracker placing one of the other golden brown mushy marshmallow on one side and the melted chocolate on the other. Smashing the two pieces of gram crackers together Ron proudly presenting it to Draco who held a hand under the treat as chocolate and fluff leaked out on all sides of the excellent looking sweet treat. After a small bite the blonde's eyes light up. Taking the rest into his mouth Draco couldn't help the soft moan that escaped his lips. He even licked the mess from Ron's fingers.

"It's amazing."

"Almost as amazing as you."

"Aww a'int that just the cutest thing you very saw" Without losing eye contact with Ron, Draco stuck his middle finger up towards Theo which only caused the older male to burst into uncontrollable laughter.

The rest of the night was spent in high spirits. Ron knew come tomorrow he would have to have that talk with Harry. Maybe even Ginny and his dorm mates. But right now the red head was too caught up in the blonde dozing off in his arms with as the dwindling flame began to flicker out and the dark sky gets a shade lighter. Most everyone had crawled up in their blanket letting the sandman claim them as his own. As dream of the future and nightmares about potion class filled the sleeping teen's subconscious.

The only ones still up beside himself were Colin and Theo. The Slytherin sat with a small smile nodding as he listened to the younger student as he went on and on enthusiastically about photography. Every once in a while Theo would stop Colin to ask a question about something that didn't made sense to him. Ron watched as the two grew closer almost sitting close enough to tough. And the Gryffindor laugh out loud when Theo accidentally blinded himself with Colin's camera when he was checking it out. After getting his vision back Theo smirked getting up and placed the camera four inches from his fellow classmate's face. Knowing the only way for Ron to get away would be to wake Draco up, which Theo was pretty sure the red head wouldn't do. Clicking the button Theo succeeded in blinding Ron which had Colin rolling around in the grass laughing.

"Traitor." Ron chuckled kicking Theo in the leg he strolled back towards Colin. Stopping halfway Theo turned back with a tender smile snapping a picture of Ron holding Draco to his chest. Theo then made his way around the group snapping picture after picture with Colin's advice on camera angles and proximity. Ron couldn't be sure but he could guess the Slytherin got a snap of Bastian sleeping half way on his twin and best mate. Theo might have caught a picture of Ginny using Harry's chest as a pillow and maybe even one of Blaise's right hand brushing up against Hermione's. Theo's antics ended with him pulling Colin in a one arm hug capturing the moment on film.

Ron knows that each day would bring new challenges. If being Harry Freakin' Potter's best mate taught him anything it was that no two days where the same. Alike yes but still it's owe mad house. And Ron was ok with that because as of right now he had a family that love him, friends that could be right arses but they sure did know how have his back, and a crush that given time might be more. Hell, Ron thought Theo could become a close friend maybe even someone he called a brother, if tonight was anything to go by.

Watching the skies above slowly turn from dark blue to light reds and yellows Ron knew that it was going to be a beautiful day. One that Ron vowed to make the best of as he scanned the faces scattered all around the quidditch pitch. Some students still chit chatting like Theo and Colin. Others were sleeping where they fell during the night. Arthur Weasley did a damn good deed to the students of Hogwarts when he fought for an opening bomb fire for the school's quidditch season. No longer did most students stick to their only house as Ron saw mix matched house colors spread all around. His own group showing more than any other that the lines draw before the war didn't matter much anymore.

Ron gently kissed the top of Draco's blonde hair tightening his hold before carefully moving the sleeping male to lean against his shoulder as he pulling his legs from around Draco. Laying the quilt on the grass, Ron laid them both down making sure the Slytherin had his bicep as a pillow. Before Ron slipped into a peaceful slumber he felt Draco burrow closer into the taller teens side, burning him pale face in the hollow of Ron's neck. Smiling Ron brushed stray blonde locks away. To insure Draco wouldn't go anywhere Ron hooked his arms together.