Oh, dear
Oh, dear! I appear to have lost a lot of my readers! Oh well! I'll continue writing for those few who are still with me! Thank you for being so patient! XD
A.N: I have my own computer again! Now, the weekly updates can start. In fact, I've finished year 11 so it will probably be less than weekly, so keep checking on it: D Thanks – AlienSCIENCE (yep, changed my name again. I'm gonna stick with this one now!)
Chapter 14 – Who cares for the Carers?
Ron and Harry hadn't spoken since his outburst. Harry had gone back to the cabin, red-eyed and exhausted and sat down, resting his head on the window once more. Hermione looked over at Ron, who was feigning interest in a magazine he was idly flicking through. She could see his eyes occasionally flick to Harry.
"Ron, what's going on?" Hermione said. Ron's eyes shot back down to the magazine.
"Hmm?" He hummed, looking up at her. She threw him a look as if to say 'I wasn't born yesterday'.
"I think you know what." She said, nodding her head towards Harry. Ron refused to look at her; he just continued staring at Hermione. "What has he done to you?" Ron looked at the carpeted floor of the train carriage. He slowly closed the magazine and breathed a silent, deep breath.
"N-nothing." He said. Hermione narrowed her eyes. She raised her hand and gestured Ron to follow her out of the carriage. Ron furrowed his brow. She got up and left the cabin, taking one last look at Harry before she left. Ron looked over at the door, checking for any sign of Hermione. What does she want? He thought. He got up and followed her.
Hermione was leaning against the wooden door frame of the cabin that Harry was sleeping in. The door slid open and Ron stepped out, he had a doomy look on his face, not unlike a schoolboy who had been sent to the headmaster's office. He stood in front of her, waiting for her lecture. He wasn't prepared for what she had in store for him. She leaned close to him, her eyes burning him from the inside out.
"That boy in there," She nodded her head towards the closed carriage door. "Is your best friend! Why don't you start to treat him like it? Because, until you do, I don't want you anywhere near him or me!" she hissed. Ron looked up at her, not really listening to what she said after that. Why is she being like this? I haven't done anything…His mind rushed back to the dinner party, the way that Harry went out of his way to help his best friend, then he thought on his outburst in the toilets. Ron could feel the subtle sting of tears, nipping at his throat and eyes.
"You're right." He murmured. "I'm sorry, i…" He was pulled into a tight hug. Ron could feel Hermione's breathing, it was fast and agitated.
"Don't apologise to me." She tapped on the carriage door. "I'm going to go and talk to some other people, you make amends, please." She left, giving him no time to answer. Ron looked down at his feet. He knew there was a reason he was friends with Hermione; she was never afraid to tell the truth. Ron looked through the glass of the door at his best friend, who was resting his head against the cold glass of the window, looking out over the rain-battered fields. Ron felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He remembered that night, back at his house. The night Harry found out. He felt so bad, now he'd never forgive himself. What have I done?!" Ron thought. He slid the carriage door open and walked in.
Harry was snapped out of his daze by the sound of the door clicking shut. As soon as he saw it was Ron, he snapped his head back to the window, not wanting to remember what had just happened.
"Harry." Ron said timidly, "Harry, please." Ron took a seat opposite him and stared into his eyes, which were unblinking and not focused on Ron. Ron felt the sting in his nose that signified the start of the tears. I've lost him! Ron thought, getting ever more desperate. Ron tried to speak, but no words would come out, how could he hurt his best friend this bad? Ron slid off his chair, onto his knees, Harry's tear-glazed eyes momentarily flicked to him, and then back to the outside world. Ron shuffled over to Harry and reached out, placing a hand on either side of Harry's face. He tilted Harry's head towards him. "I-I need you, Harry." Ron stared into Harry's ever-filling eyes. "What I said, i…" Harry pulled Ron into a desperate embrace. Ron could hear Harry's muffled sobs as he felt Harry's hands clawing at his back.
"Ron, I'm so s-sorry, i…"
"Shh, please. Just tell me you're still here. Please, Harry, tell me that I haven't lost you." Harry felt Ron's grip tighten on him, as if he was going to disappear any second.
"I'm still here, Ron. I'm always going to be here…right next to you." Harry sobbed; his spirits lifting at the fact Ron didn't hate him. Ron was crying uncontrollably, Harry felt the tears on his shoulder, having penetrated his clothes. "Y-y'know what, mate?" Ron said nothing, being unable to. "I'm fucking starving!" Harry said. Ron pulled out of the hug and looked at him. Ron burst into fits of laughter, falling back against the opposite seat. Harry caught the giggle, and that soon escalated into a laughing fit, too. He slid off his chair, sitting on the floor, leaning against the leg rest of his own chair, as Ron was doing on his end. The laughter died down and Harry stared at Ron. I might never be able to have you the way I want to, but this is good enough for me, he thought, so happy at the smile on his best friend's face.
X X X X X X
Jut like that, all that tension, all that guilt had been purge from the pair. Harry, Ron and Hermione, after departing the train, had caught a coach up to Hogwarts together and for the first time in ages, Hermione didn't pick up any vibe of discomfort or of secrecy, because there wasn't one. Because just for now, this one shining moment, everything was alright with the world.
X X X X X X
The great hall was abuzz with the electricity of conversations between people who hadn't laid eyes on each other all summer. Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting at their usual place on the Gryffindor table, answering questions about what they've been doing and weather they have missed anyone, occasionally Harry and Ron would look at each other and smile. Ron leaned over and nudged Harry with his elbow. Harry looked at him. Ron leaned close to his ear.
"Thank you." He whispered. Harry smiled as Ron allowed himself to get swept up in the energy of conversation once again. The conversation died down immediately as the teachers all took their places. Harry turned to look at the table and he choked on his pumpkin juice. There, sitting in-between professor McGonagall and Hagrid, was Craig Tyler. Harry immediately looked at Ron, who still hadn't noticed. He grabbed Ron's wrist and squeezed. Ron looked at Harry, a questioning look on his face, then he saw past him, to the disgusting man sitting at the table. Ron twisted his hand around and squeezed back, his heart rate increasing ten-fold. Harry looked into Ron's eyes and noticed the return of that look that he had been sporting all summer.
X X X X X X
Harry lay in bed, looking up at the familiar sight of the wooden ceiling of the Gryffindor dorms. He was hungry, having not eaten much at the feast, because he was worrying about Ron, who didn't talk much, and came up to bed much earlier than the rest of them, who were swapping summer stories in the common room. All Harry could see in his mind was the look in Ron's eyes, as if he'd actually convinced himself it hadn't happened, and had his illusions shattered with such ferocious force. Harry looked over at him, he could tell he was pretending to be asleep.
"Ron." Harry whispered, he neither expected, nor received an answer. Harry quietly slid out of bed and padded towards Ron, whose breathing became shallower as Harry approached. He lent down to Ron's ear.
"I'm not going to let him hurt you again, Ron." Harry whispered, not waiting for a response, but padding back to his bed and climbing in. Ron felt his breathing slow down; he calmed slightly and thought about his best friend. Thank you, Harry.
There we go! Can I just start by apologising for the possible crumminess of this chapter; I think I might be losing my touch… :( Anyways, thanks for all the reviews so far, updates will become much more regular because of my lovely new laptop! XD Anyways, next chapter is where things take a turn for the worst. Bear with me people, I can do this, lol. Thanks - AS