An Abundance of Third Wheels An Abundance of Third Wheels (Chapter Twelve), a harry potter fanfic

Title: "An Abundance of Third Wheels"

Author: Emmyjean

Classification: H/G, R/H, G/Other, Multiple POV

Summary: Ron and Hermione are finally a couple, and Harry is only beginning to realize his true feelings for Ginny - but is it too little, too late? Set during Harry's seventh year.

Spoilers: Through Goblet of Fire

Rating: PG

Notes: Everything belongs to Rowling.

PART TWELVE

Harry stared at Fletchley's retreating back, feeling as though he had just given him a punch to the stomach rather than a mere verbal jibe. He didn't know for sure what had caused this sudden display of animosity, but he could guess as to what had happened. After Ginny had retreated to her dorm the night before, Hermione had let both him and Ron have it. She had told them that what Ginny did was none of their business, and that they had acted childishly and like inconsiderate boors - or something to that effect. Ron had fought back for all he was worth, claiming that his right to interfere came with the fact that he was Ginny's older brother, and that he needed to look out for her.

Needless to say, Hermione had soon followed Ginny's example and had stomped up to her own dorm...she still wasn't talking to them this morning.

While this fight had been going on, Harry hadn't been able to think of anything other than Ginny, alone and crying in her bed. He had never felt so utterly wretched in all his life - and when he had finally had the chance to think about the entire episode later, he realized that he didn't have any rights to speak of in this case. At least Ron had his position as her brother...but what was Harry?

Not only that, but he had been waiting with baited breath for Ron or Hermione to ask him what he had to do with all this, and why he had suggested going after her in the first place...well, at least he was waiting for Ron to mention it. Hermione didn't know about that, thankfully. He supposed Ron had just assumed he was looking out for Ginny as a courtesy to the family, or out of some sense of responsibility towards Ron. Maybe Ron even thought it was a result of brotherly feelings Harry himself possessed for Ginny...or, he might have. Not anymore.

"Harry?"

As if on cue, Ron's voice broke into his thoughts. They were still standing on the stairs, and Harry was still staring blankly in the direction Justin had long since disappeared. He turned to look at Ron and, if the situation weren't so grim, would have laughed at the bewildered expression on his face.

"What the hell was that all about? He must be going crazy," Ron muttered, but he eyed Harry as if he was trying very hard to figure something out.

Harry sighed...this couldn't go on. He was simply going to have to tell Ron the truth. He got the sudden feeling that even if Ron strangled him to death over this, it would still feel better than all this bloody pretending.

"Ron...I have to talk to you."

Ron swallowed and shifted his books to the other arm almost nervously.

"So talk."

Harry shook his head, and then jerked his thumb in the general direction of Gryffindor Tower.

"Alone...it's kind of important."

Ron nodded, but didn't say anything. Harry led the way back to the tower, going in the opposite direction of all the other Gryffindors who were heading down to breakfast. He kept looking for either Ginny or Hermione while he walked, but was glad not to see either of them. He needed to get this off his chest, but he'd be damned if he was going to do it with an audience looking on. Finally, they got back to the common room and Harry was relieved to find it completely deserted. He sat, then beckoned for Ron to sit down in a chair across from him. He did, and then finally he spoke.

"Harry, what's this all about? Is something the matter?"

Harry swallowed, and suddenly felt as though he was going to choke. How was he supposed to do this? He had never planned on having to confess to Ron about his feelings for Ginny, because he never planned to act on them. He had assumed they would simply go away, not grow into something that was unbearable. He looked up and found Ron making an effort to look relaxed, although his eyes were regarding Harry intensely.

"Ron," he began, "You've been very happy with Hermione over the past year or so...right?"

Ron nodded slowly, frowning slightly as if he hadn't expected this question. Harry took a breath and pushed his glasses further up his nose for want of something physical to do.

"Well...when you first started...er, y'know...I promised myself that I'd do everything I could to allow you and Hermione time to yourselves. Even if it meant making myself scarce, I knew that it was the only right thing to do."

"But Harry..."

Harry held up a hand, knowing he had to continue until he finished, or he would lose his nerve. Ron shut his mouth and leaned further back in his chair, conceding this.

"I...I was often on my own last summer, trying to let you two catch up and everything. I didn't mind...but..."

He paused, thinking about how he wanted to say this.

"Sometimes, certain odd situations can bring about other...er, odd situations. There's nothing you can really do to change it, it just...happens the way it happens. That's all there is to it."

He looked up to find Ron staring at him as if he had suddenly declared his love for Snape.

"I don't want to interrupt, Harry, but...what in bloody hell are you talking about? I can't understand a word of this."

Harry sighed and ran a hand through his untidy black hair. This wasn't working...he was just going to have to spit it out.

"Ron, while you and Hermione were off by yourselves over last summer, I ended up spending a lot of time with the only person who was available...Ginny."

Ron's eyes changed almost imperceptibly...he was starting to see where this was going, but Harry couldn't tell what he felt about it yet. Undaunted, he went on.

"She...she turned out to be...well, I found that she was very..."

"Harry."

At this tone of voice, Harry looked up at Ron and found him now leaning forward, his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped in front of him. He wasn't looking at Harry but rather was staring at his hands.

"Are you trying to tell me what I think you're trying to tell me?"

Harry swallowed hard, and Ron glanced up. His expression was still completely neutral, and it unnerved Harry. This wasn't the reaction he had been expecting.

"It depends on what you think I'm trying to tell you."

Ron continued to regard Harry seriously as he replied, "I think you're trying to tell me that you have feelings...those feelings...for my sister."

He could obviously read the confirmation on Harry's face, because he leaned back abruptly and rubbed at his eyes, grimacing.

"Bloody hell," he muttered for what seemed like the tenth time in two minutes.

Harry stood up, unable to sit still any longer, and began pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace. He rubbed the back of his neck in frustration as he attempted to explain this whole thing to his best friend without sounding like a prat.

"Look, it's not as if I expected it to happen. It just...kind of snuck up on me. Believe me, if I could have prevented it, I would have...I knew it would just cause trouble sooner or later. I thought they were just feelings born of loneliness, and that they would go away once we got back to school...but they didn't, and it only got worse. I never meant to have to tell you this, and I know it's probably really uncomfortable for you...but there's nothing I can do about it."

He fell silent, suddenly realizing he was almost shouting at Ron...and feeling that this wouldn't do much to help his case. He turned to look at him, and found that Ron was staring at him with a weary expression on his face...and that to Harry's surprise, his eyes were alight not with anger, but with curiosity.

"You really like her?" he asked quietly, furrowing his brows.

It was a serious question...and Harry was compelled to give him a serious answer. He owed him that much.

"Yes, I do."

"Why?" he asked idly. Harry knew this was very hard for Ron to get his mind around, and wanted very much to make everything clear - to Ron as well as to himself. He sat down again and explained,

"A lot of reasons. I don't know...she's so much more fun to be around that I ever would have thought before I actually started spending time with her. She...she's the nicest person I've ever known, and she's so loyal and honest. I...I don't know how I can say this so that it'll make sense, but...she understands me better that most people ever have."

He looked up somewhat sheepishly at Ron, who was still listening intently. He wanted to say more, but somehow he didn't think Ron would be too keen on hearing about how utterly beautiful Harry thought his sister was. How all he could think about every time he saw her was how badly he wanted to kiss her...

"Well," Ron said at last, breaking into Harry's train of thought, "I suppose I like you better than Fletchley."

Harry's eyes shot to Ron's.

"You mean...you aren't sore?"

Ron let out a breath and shook his head resignedly.

"Nah...not really. I suppose that maybe, somewhere deep down, I suspected it all along."

Harry smiled in sheer relief, and Ron returned it.

"I do think you ought to tell Ginny how you feel, though, before she writes you off completely," Ron added, standing up and stretching his long limbs.

Harry stood quickly, shoving his hands into the pockets of his robes.

"You think she would?"

Ron cast Harry a look and grimaced.

"Look, I don't want to get involved in this. It's one thing not to fly off my rocker about it, but don't expect me to start giving you detailed advice in how to...well, whatever! You know! She's my sister, after all!"

Harry rolled his eyes and replied, his tone matching Ron's, "I know that! Why do you think I've been killing myself trying to keep you from finding out!?"

Ron shrugged and said, "Well, alright, then! So long as we're clear...anyway, that's all I'm going to say. Tell her. Otherwise, you're on your own."

"Thanks a lot."

They frowned at each other for a moment, and then Harry forced himself to relax. Ron was right...it was enough that he didn't disapprove of the whole thing, and Harry couldn't very well ask him for more than that. He silently cursed himself yet again for allowing his feelings to get out of control. Of all the girls he could have fallen for, he had to pick Ginny and therefore make Ron unavailable for dispensing of advice.

Harry thought about it until long after the conversation with Ron was over, and decided that he would simply have to catch her alone in order to explain himself to her. Steeling himself for what was certain to be a less than pleasant encounter with her, he stood and strode out of the common room with a single-minded purpose.

To find Ginny Weasley.

To Be Concluded in Chapter Thirteen

More Fic by Emmyjean at:

The Hidden Tower