Chapter Eleven: Ron Speaks

Harry entered the common room after practice. He sighed, the twins had been simply brutal. And Katie and Angelina hadn't helped; they kept cooing and giggling over how cute he and Ginny were. He was looking forward to a nice few minutes with his two best friends--he had begun to miss them--before bed.

However, Ron seemed to have other things in mind. He approached Harry the moment he had entered the common room. "We need to talk," he said simply. Harry was a bit puzzled, but he complied and climbed the stairs to their room, throwing a questioning glance towards Hermione, who could only shrug sympathetically, over his shoulder.

When they reached their bedroom, Harry slumped down onto his bed as Ron began to pace in front of him. Doesn't this sound familiar? Harry noticed the similarity of this to their little chat a few days earlier and idly wondered when Ron and Hermione would get together.

But Harry could see that this was certainly not what Ron wanted to tell him. The look on Ron's face was deadly serious, and slightly worried, which of course in turn worried Harry. "Ron…?" Harry began. Ron shook his head. "I'm trying to find the words," he said. Harry nodded and waited.

"You. Are dating my sister."

"…Yes, I am."

"As much as that bothers me, I realize she has a right to date whoever she wants--and I've discovered that I'm dam glad it's you."

Harry let out a sigh of relief.

"But…" Ron sighed as well. "It's just…well, since you two have been dating--"

"It's only been two days!"

"--since you've been dating, neither of you has spent any time--

"I was just coming to spend time with you guys! If you hadn't dragged--"

"--any time with me and Hermione!"

Harry sighed, he was beginning to think this might take awhile.

"And… well, I guess…"

Harry looked at him expectantly. Ron suddenly gave a very frustrated sigh and slumped down next to Harry, burying his head in his hands. Harry blinked. What was going on?

"Ron…?"

Ron shook his head. Slowly, he opened his hands enough so he could speak through them. He spoke slowly, uncertainly. "Well…Hermione…she kindof said something…"

"What did she say?"

"Well… she said that I could get a girlfriend too…"

Harry had trouble not grinning. So Hermione had figured it out too.

"…And I think I might know what she means… but I'm not sure…" Ron continued.

Harry nodded. "Yes, Ron. It is what you think. Tell her how you feel."

Ron nodded, looking rather pale, as if he were on his way to get a very nasty shot. "Easier said than done," he muttered. Harry shrugged. "If you can't say it, you could just kiss her. That's what I did to Gi--"

"Don't tell me!" Ron said quickly, "I really don't want to know."

Harry tried not to laugh, though he let himself grin just a little; he thought Ron's protection of Ginny was very sweet. "Well anyway," Harry said, "if you and Hermione don't get together soon, I think one or the other of you is going to burst!"

Ron laughed a little at this, some of the color returning to his face. "Thanks Harry," he said, "sorry for being a prat about you and Ginny…"

"It's fine," said Harry, "you have a right to be protective of your sister."

Ron raised his eyebrows in a way that made Harry regret what he had just said. "Well, as long as you're not too protective," Harry corrected himself quickly.

Ron grinned and nodded. "Deal," he said, holding out his hand. Harry shook it gratefully, grinning back.