Ron knows he's not the sharpest tool in the box.
He'll admit, even if it's only to himself, that he can be an 'inconsiderate prat' as his sister Ginny sometimes says. It's why he messes up his first encounter with Harry so badly. Only it isn't any Harry, it's Harry Potter.
Harry Potter and his best friend: Hermione Granger.
It would have been fine if he put his foot in his mouth with Harry, but he put his foot in his mouth about his best friend. Ron can't blame him for brushing him off (he tries, really he tries, but when he actually reflects on what happened, he can't deny he was being really immature).
That he comes to this conclusion after Hermione Granger totally thrashes Malfoy is neither here nor there.
He concludes to stay well out of her way, even if that means not befriending Harry like he'd hoped.
He'd just wanted a friend, someone who maybe would take his side for once or just listen to him, who'd pay him attention, true attention, just a little more than any of his family could.
Hopefully someone sweet and good-natured who understood that he did have problems but that he was working on them, that he was a lot better than how he presented himself.
He thought, if anyone, that Harry could be the one the first time he laid eyes on him. But it wasn't to be.
And yeah, he did stew for a bit but he was quiet about it, kept it in so as not to alienate all his dorm mates. What if one of them turned out to be like Fred or George? Or worse - Ginny?
Or Perfect Prefect Percy, or cursebreaker Bill? Charlie handled dragons for a living, a guy like that wouldn't hesitate to curse you until you were barely clinging to life. So Ron wasn't antagonistic to his dorm mates, even if he didn't speak to any of them much.
He's reminded of that resolution somewhere between Samhain and Yule when Charlie comes to Hogwarts to pick up Hagrid's baby dragon.
He sees the two of them then, comforting Hagrid.
Ron doesn't know why but after they leave, he goes to Hagrid himself, chats with him for a bit and finds him a lot more interesting than he expected. So interesting that he misses curfew and Hagrid takes him back to the Gryffindor dormitories, leaving before he can point out the Fat Lady's left.
He idly wonders what her name is. Hermione would know.
He feels sort of like a stalker, the amount of times he thinks of them both: Hermione and Harry. He thinks of them somewhat kindly now, the festering resentment having died down.
He hears a sniffle next to him and sees Neville lying there on the ground.
He's not great at feelings but he gives the other boy an awkward hug and reassuring pats on the back. He can do that at least. And maybe get him some food - food always helps him feel better and the twins showed him the kitchens a week ago.
It's a terrible idea.
Filch's cat appears out of nowhere and they flee, making it pretty far away before Peeves decides to bother them. Ron, way to rash for his own good, takes a swipe at the poltergeist and Peeves yells, all too happy to get them into trouble.
Ron wouldn't have known the Unlocking spell if he hadn't happened to glance at Harry's book before passing by but he does and a mix of desperation, his memory and magical abilities result in an unlocked door.
Neville whimpers but Ron is looking through the keyhole so pays him no mind. Right until he first lays eyes on Fluffy. He confronts Hagrid about Fluffy later and gets the name Nicholas Flamel for his efforts.
He doesn't find Nicholas Flamel until after Yule, following a reference from Dumbledore's chocolate frog card. Fluffy appears to be guarding a stone and Ron decides that this is the point where he should stay out of it, let it go.
He reconsiders this decision when Harry and Hermione go missing and the last place anyone saw her was the third floor. They might not be his friends but Ron is a Gryffindor and a Gryffindor wouldn't just sit and wait.
Neville stops him in the Common Room but after Ron lays out the situation, agrees to come along.
They make their way into the forbidden corridor just as Hermione and Harry rise from it on a broom. Ron allows himself a small smile, despite Harry's condition. What else would he expect from the sharpest wix in their year?
They all shuffle of to the Hospital Wing, Neville and Ron sheepishly explaining their presence. Hermione doesn't laugh at them, a serious expression on her face, pensive. Ron feels a little uncomfortable. And then a little surprised because she asks them to stay and watch over Harry with her.
She doesn't hide the thankful letter from Flamel or frown at them for their awkwardness. Ron has always thought that if he became friends with Harry, they'd only tolerate each other but in those three day of practically living in the Hospital Wing, he bonds with Hermione and Neville, loyal Neville, first.
They sit together on the train home and share Harry's sweets, all four of them, and Ron finally, finally finds a friend. Three friends to be precise.
It was well worth the wait.