-1Tenderness in a Poem
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE- REVELATIONS
For three days Harry was annoyingly cooped up in the Hospital Wing with only his school work to keep him occupied during the long days. Whenever Madame Pince came to give him his medications, he put up a hefty fight to get out, yet it did no good. She had strict orders from McGonagall to keep him in bed until his wrists were fully healed and his blood count back to normal. That day was soon approaching though because his wrists were only tinged pink as if raw from the bandage.
While he was in the Wing, Harry thought about his life. It was full of let downs, heartache and surprising realizations. What was worse was not that he had once again trusted but that he had once again been hurt. It was depressing to think about it but no matter how hard he concentrated, his mind drifted as if it were out at sea. Thoughts of Draco Malfoy and other attractive boys filled the tiny crevices in his brain. Who had the stead-fast blonde left him for? Was he another Slytherin, bad to the blood like him? Or some naïve Hufflepuff who finally got the gold trophy? It was the only explanation Harry could come up with because otherwise it made no sense.
Finally, the day came when Harry was allowed to leave the now sickly white Hospital Wing. He felt relieved and free, unhindered by the claustrophobic walls. Hermione had offered to aid him to the Gryffindor common room; Harry turned her down, wanting to do it on his own. As he was rising up the stairs, a figure started to descend and then stopped.
"Oh, hi." It was Ron, pale and red headed as usual, but lankier, as if he had lost weight.
Harry grunted, unsure of what to say. He had not seen or talked to his ex-best friend in months. A thick and awkward silence fell between the distant boys before Ron moved over and Harry continued up the stairs. When he was at the final step, he looked back, noting Ron had not moved. The boy was rigid, glued between two steps. Harry almost started back down the stairs but then he remembered they weren't friends.
"Harry?" a weak voice came from the rigid Gryffindor. Harry thought he was hearing things and continued. "Harry." This time it was louder but still weak; it made him turn. Facing towards him, Ron opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He was obviously struggling with inner demons, or maybe just himself. For a minute Harry said nothing nor did anything. Then, Ron opened his mouth and ultimately changed his future:
"I'm sorry," he took a shaky breath and continued. "I was never there when you really needed someone not because I didn't want to be there, but because I didn't know how. Growing up with six brothers and sisters has its downsides yet never like what you went through. If anything difficult happened it was my parents who solved the problems. You don't have that and I couldn't offer that." He paused and gulped for air. "When Hermione told me you were in the Hospital Wing I thought I was never going to be able to forgive myself." Again he paused.
"So you felt guilty?" Harry asked, astonished.
Ron nodded. "But that isn't all. School hasn't been as great without you."
"So you are selfish?"
"What? No. I missed you."
"So you want me back around because you missed me?"
Ron nodded.
"So you don't care what I want?"
"No!" Ron's voice cracked. "This isn't coming out like I wanted."
"Ron-"
"I just wanted to tell you I was sorry and that-"
"Ron-"
"I'm trying and all I get-"
"Ron!" Harry jabbed. "Stop talking." The red head looked crushed. "You don't have to say anymore. I understand what you are trying to say. You're sorry, and I'm sorry. You want to be forgiven, and you're forgiven."
Ron's jaw dropped. "Just like that?"
"Yea. When I was in lock down mode I thought about everything and we have been through too much to just drop our friendship. I think that life is too full of mishaps to let it all get to you. I'd really like it ifwe could start over, in a way."
"Let's just erase these past few months; I don't want to have to reface Fluffy, a basalisk, a werewolf and a mad-man as well as a team of Death Eaters. Deal?"
Harry smiled. "You got it. So where are you headed?"
"I was actually coming down to visit you."
"Thanks, Ron, but you're a little late," Harry openly laughed, feeling as if ten years had just been lifted off his burdened shoulders.