Neville rarely ran into Ron's wrath. Sure, he would be made away when Ron was cross, but usually they got along well enough. Ron would sometimes complain to him about Hermione or Harry. He'd just quietly listen-the anger would pass, and their friendships resume.
"LONGBOTTOM!" Neville tripped into his bed at the surprise.
"What?" he yelped out as he rolled over to look up at a furious Ron Weasley, his face so red his freckles blended in.
"DON'T PLAY INNOCENT! HOW COULD DO THIS TO ME?!"
"Is this about the cauldron cake that was on the table? Forgetting to meet you and Harry to study? I'm sorry about both of those, and I promise I can make up for it. I'll buy you another cake, and there's still tomorrow-" Neville apologized as quickly as he could.
"It's not about that!" Ron's voice lowered, "It's about Hermione!"
"What happened? Is she all right?"
"Oh, of course she's all right" The anger stopped, then it returned after a pause. "But what are you doing?!"
"Studying for the essay tomorrow?"
"Oh, I should get to that, thanks for reminding-WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH HERMIONE?!"
"What?"
"Say what again! I dare you!"
"I guess I've been with her more" Neville turned pink.
"What was that flower about?" Ron's eyes narrowed
"Oh, the harebell? Well, I wanted to give her a flower and blue's her favorite color and –"
"Don't do that!"
"But she liked it"
"Did you snog her?!"
"I wouldn't call it snogging-"
"Stay away from her, Neville. "
"Why?" the apologetic tone vanished this time.
"You know why?"
"No, I don't, and I'd appreciate it if you told me" Neville's voice turned firm.
Ron took a deep breath.
"You know how I feel about her"
"Of course I do!" Neville's voice rose, "I honestly didn't think she'd actually go to Hogsmeade with me-I thought she'd go with you. I keep expecting that to happen, but Hermione made a decision and I'm respecting that. Can't you respect it too? You've been friends for years-why can't you give her a benefit of a doubt? Or how about you ask her yourself?"
He calmed down, surprised at his own outburst. Ron was just as surprised.
"You're right, you're right. I'm sorry. I'll…I'll talk to her myself. Just…" he paused. "Just please be good to her"
"Break my wand if you have to"
"Oh, I will if you treat her like…like I do"
"Is…is that why she cries?"
"Yeah. I…I don't know why I act like that. It's like…that's how I say I like her, like I'm still 7. Damn it. Just…just be good to her" Neville had never seen Ron this honest, this sheepish, all the bluster and bravado gone.
"I promise, I will" Neville looked into Ron's eyes, blue into blue, "I'm sorry it has to be this way, but we fell for the same girl"
"I know. Someone has to be left out, and she made her choice. I just have to respect it"
"If you love someone, you respect their choice. At least, that's how I see it.
Ron nodded, looked at the ground.
"So…"
"If it's all right with her, it's all right with me" Ron concluded.
"Thanks. I don't want to feel guilty or feel like I'm ruining something. "
"Oh, you'll feel that eventually"
And then the two laughed.
