AN: A bit more about Ron for this chapter; but will be back to H/Hr shortly-
enjoy!
Ron stared aimlessly out of the window, watching for Harry and Hermione's return; hopefully she'd convinced Harry to at least talk to him. He'd been feeling really low about everything lately; Lavender was giving him such mixed signals that he hadn't a clue where he stood with her, and his two best friends were in love and leaving him out of their friendship. He couldn't blame them though; he'd just gone and betrayed them both- 'What kind of a friend am I?' he said angrily.
"A stupid one," a voice said from behind him. Ron turned to see Harry and Hermione standing looking at him sat by himself.
"Guess I deserve that," Ron mumbled, not looking Harry in the eye. Harry walked over to Ron and sat down next to him.
"You may be an idiot, but I can't hate you for that can I?" Harry said, a grin spreading across his face. Ron looked at Harry, then at Hermione, then back to Harry.
"So you guys have forgiven me then?" he asked, amazed at them.
"Yeah, we know you didn't mean to do it," Harry replied, slapping Ron on the back, "Just make sure you don't go spreading any other stuff about us ok." Ron knew Harry was only being partly serious so he managed a half-grin back. Harry and Hermione said their goodbyes and retreated to the other side of the common room, away from people's stares. Ron continued to star out of the window, but this time he was thinking of a suitable revenge plan to get back at Malfoy for spreading the lies about his best friends. 'He'll pay,' Ron mumbled under is breath as he racked his brains for ideas.
The week pasted fairly uneventfully for Harry and Hermione; some of their friends continued to snigger and point, but generally they were calming down and forgetting the latest gossip, and besides, a new scandal was running riot around the school. According to some a certain Slytherin 5th year had an embarrassing secret, which naturally the whole school now knows about. Harry and Hermione were keeping quiet so as not to set people off about them again, but Harry did have a sneaking suspicion that his own best friend was involved.
"So, Ron," Harry whispered during a boring lesson of Divinination, "Was it your who started that stuff about Malfoy?" Ron merely grinned and returned to working on his premonition chart; today us a day for surprises, he wrote next to the symbol of a moon; surprises all right he thought amusedly to himself. Malfoy certainly hadn't seen this coming. Harry glanced at the pleased expression on Ron's face, and decided he'd guessed right; it was Ron that started the rumours; good on him Harry thought to himself, Malfoy deserves everything he gets. Gazing out of the window, Harry mused that this rumour about him had caused more trouble than me thought. Hermione seemed to be avoiding him lately, not wanting them to be 'together' in public until the talk had died down. Harry respected this and kept his distance, but he couldn't help wonder what was really behind it. And on top of that, he still hadn't figured out what was bothering Ron. After the lesson had ended, they went to meet Hermione for lunch.
"Hey, Ron wait a sec," Harry called as Ron headed down the stairs.
"What's up?" Ron asked easily.
"I just thought we could talk for a minute," Harry replied carefully.
"Sure," Ron responded, falling into step beside Harry. Harry didn't really know where to start, he didn't want to give Ginny away, but he did want to get to bottom of this. "Are you ok at the moment?" Harry asked, not trying to sound too concerned.
"Yeah, why?" Ron responded casually, not giving anything away. He didn't want Harry or anyone for the matter feeling sorry for him. Harry could sense Ron wasn't in the mood for talking so he left it there, not pushing him any further, save for a last comment.
"You know you can talk to me, right?" Ron looked sideways at Harry and frowned, but them grinned before running off to catch up with Lavender who was waiting for him outside the dinner hall.
"Catch you later!" he called over his shoulder. Harry was left standing in the corridor, wondering is he was really imagining the whole Ron situation, but his thoughts were interrupted by a hissing voice behind him.
"So, Potter!" Malfoy said as Harry turned to face him, "Thought you'd make up stuff about me to get even did you?" Malfoy was stood between his two 'bodyguards', Crabbe and Goyle who both sported threatening expressions.
"I had nothing to do with it you idiot," Harry replied, he was not in the mood for Malfoy's empty threats today.
"Mmm," was all Malfoy said as he sauntered off down the corridor. That was weird Harry thought as he watched Malfoy walking away, usually Malfoy would have had more to say than that. He guessed that everyone thinking he'd never kissed a girl before must have hit him pretty hard!
"Harry!" a familiar voice said.
"Hey you," Harry replied as Hermione walked up and hugged him.
"I missed you," she whispered softly into his ear. "I missed not being able to do this for the past week," she said as she kissed him lightly on the lips. Harry returned the kiss urgently as she clung to him. Neither of them cared that they were stood in the middle of the corridor; each them only cared about the other right now. Harry eventually pulled away and looked at the girl in his arms.
"You could have done you know," he said quietly, not wanted to offend her.
"I know, and I'm sorry for avoiding you, I just hated people staring at us when we were together, but now that they've stopped, I'm all yours," she finished with a sly grin.
"Well I suppose I better make the most of you then," Harry returned, kissing her once more and pulling her into a deserted classroom.
Another week passed, Christmas was just two weeks away, and that meant the annual Yule Ball was only a week away. Harry remembered last year when he had gone with Pavati- big mistake- that was when he had a crush on Cho he mused. Well at least this year he would be going with a girl he really was in love with. Ron and Lavender seemed have patched things up, but Ron was still being mysterious about something.
"Harry, you awake?" Ron's voice called from behind the curtain. Harry sat up in his bed after having just fallen asleep.
"Yeah," he murmured sleepily.
"Good," Ron replied, hauling Harry out of bed. He grabbed Harry's invisibility cloak and pulled Harry out of the room and down the stairs to the common room.
"Ron, what's this about?" Harry complained; he's just fallen asleep with thoughts of Hermione drifting through his mind, when Ron has awoken him abruptly.
"You know you said I could talk you," Ron said as they sat on one of the sofas, Harry nodded, "Well I need to talk you now.it's about me and Lav." Harry kinda guessed what was coming.
"Things are great and all, it's just." Ron's voice trailed off as he looked away towards the burning fire. Harry urged him to continue.
"She said she wants to take things further and." again Ron's voice trailed off, leaving Harry to finish his sentence.
".and you're not ready for it?" Harry suggested.
"No!" Ron said angrily, "No, it's that not that at all; the opposite in fact."
"Huh?" Harry asked confused.
"Harry," Ron said, lowering his voice, "I've already done.that." Harry stared at Ron amazed.
"When? With who?" Why didn't you tell me?" Harry fired questions at Ron, not giving him a chance to answer any of them. Ron stood up and walked towards the fire, trying to warm his hands.
"Last summer." he began, and so Ron told Harry all about how over the summer he'd met this girl who was the daughter of someone his Dad worked; Amy was her name, and they'd gotten really close, and one night, they'd both felt ready and, it happened. Ron looked back to Harry who sat with his mouth open in shock.
"I didn't tell you because, well, I don't know why," Ron tried to explain, "it was only the once and then she said she already had a boyfriend and that she loved him, and that I was just a 'bit of fun'!" he finished angrily, kicking away a stray cushion that was lying on the floor. Harry wasn't sure what Ron wanted him to say, so he remained silent.
"Well say something then!" Ron threw at him irritably.
"Well, ok," Harry began, "So you're already had sex, and she used you, right so far?" Ron nodded, so Harry carried on. "So that's pretty awful, for a first time I mean, but what's the problem with you and Lav? I mean, surely you're at an advantage here, aren't you?" Harry finished, looking questioningly at Ron.
"Well yeah, when you out it like that," Ron mused, "But the thing is she reckons I haven't." Harry now knew Ron was so worked out. He didn't want Lavender to know he'd already had sex; Harry guessed Lavender hadn't.
"Oh right," Harry said, "But I still don't really see the big deal, she'd understand wouldn't she?" "That's the thing," Ron said, irritable again, "I told her it would be my first time too, I've already lied to her about it."
"So just leave I then, and let things happen," Harry suggested, still not seeing the big problem here.
"You don't get it do you? Ron replied crossly, "She'll be able to tell!" Harry couldn't help laughing at this point.
"No she won't!" he managed to say though bursts of laughter.
"It's not funny Harry!" Ron replied still angry.
"Ron you're being stupid," Harry said, his chuckles subsiding, "Don't worry about it." Rin didn't appear to accept Harry's remark, but he remained silent anyway. After a couple of minute's silence, Ron went back up to his room, leaving Harry thoughtful on the sofa.
Harry's thoughts:
"Ron's had sex. Well I didn't see that one coming. I mean, I would have thought he'd told me, I am his best mate after all. I guess he didn't want to brag, but this is Ron! He's just the kind of guy to brag about it isn't it? Maybe underneath all the confidence and flirting, he's actually really sensitive." Harry's mind returned to Hermione. "I wonder what she wants. We're only 15, so I wouldn't expect her to want to have sex, but then you can never tell with girls! What do I want? I guess I would if Hermione wanted to, but." Harry's mind snapped back to reality as he heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
"Harry? Harry? Are you in here?" Harry heard Hermione calling his name, so he stood up from the sofa and turned to see her approaching the sofa. She was wearing a night dress- a pretty see through one at that- and she was shivering.
"Hermione you're shivering," Harry said as he pulled her into an embrace, sitting her down by the fire.
"I heard voices and saw Ron walking towards your dorm," Hermione said as she warmed her body by the fire. It just occurred to her that she was wearing only her nightdress and Harry's arms were drawn tight around her- she shivered at his touch and also at the thought of what was probably going through Harry's mind. She stopped herself imagining what they could be doing right now, as she needed to be truthful with Harry before anything else was said.
"Harry." she began, "there's something I need to tell you."
Ahhh! Another cliffie! Sorry guys- it's coz I haven't had time to write any more, but I'm on the case now, so let me know what you think so far.
Ron stared aimlessly out of the window, watching for Harry and Hermione's return; hopefully she'd convinced Harry to at least talk to him. He'd been feeling really low about everything lately; Lavender was giving him such mixed signals that he hadn't a clue where he stood with her, and his two best friends were in love and leaving him out of their friendship. He couldn't blame them though; he'd just gone and betrayed them both- 'What kind of a friend am I?' he said angrily.
"A stupid one," a voice said from behind him. Ron turned to see Harry and Hermione standing looking at him sat by himself.
"Guess I deserve that," Ron mumbled, not looking Harry in the eye. Harry walked over to Ron and sat down next to him.
"You may be an idiot, but I can't hate you for that can I?" Harry said, a grin spreading across his face. Ron looked at Harry, then at Hermione, then back to Harry.
"So you guys have forgiven me then?" he asked, amazed at them.
"Yeah, we know you didn't mean to do it," Harry replied, slapping Ron on the back, "Just make sure you don't go spreading any other stuff about us ok." Ron knew Harry was only being partly serious so he managed a half-grin back. Harry and Hermione said their goodbyes and retreated to the other side of the common room, away from people's stares. Ron continued to star out of the window, but this time he was thinking of a suitable revenge plan to get back at Malfoy for spreading the lies about his best friends. 'He'll pay,' Ron mumbled under is breath as he racked his brains for ideas.
The week pasted fairly uneventfully for Harry and Hermione; some of their friends continued to snigger and point, but generally they were calming down and forgetting the latest gossip, and besides, a new scandal was running riot around the school. According to some a certain Slytherin 5th year had an embarrassing secret, which naturally the whole school now knows about. Harry and Hermione were keeping quiet so as not to set people off about them again, but Harry did have a sneaking suspicion that his own best friend was involved.
"So, Ron," Harry whispered during a boring lesson of Divinination, "Was it your who started that stuff about Malfoy?" Ron merely grinned and returned to working on his premonition chart; today us a day for surprises, he wrote next to the symbol of a moon; surprises all right he thought amusedly to himself. Malfoy certainly hadn't seen this coming. Harry glanced at the pleased expression on Ron's face, and decided he'd guessed right; it was Ron that started the rumours; good on him Harry thought to himself, Malfoy deserves everything he gets. Gazing out of the window, Harry mused that this rumour about him had caused more trouble than me thought. Hermione seemed to be avoiding him lately, not wanting them to be 'together' in public until the talk had died down. Harry respected this and kept his distance, but he couldn't help wonder what was really behind it. And on top of that, he still hadn't figured out what was bothering Ron. After the lesson had ended, they went to meet Hermione for lunch.
"Hey, Ron wait a sec," Harry called as Ron headed down the stairs.
"What's up?" Ron asked easily.
"I just thought we could talk for a minute," Harry replied carefully.
"Sure," Ron responded, falling into step beside Harry. Harry didn't really know where to start, he didn't want to give Ginny away, but he did want to get to bottom of this. "Are you ok at the moment?" Harry asked, not trying to sound too concerned.
"Yeah, why?" Ron responded casually, not giving anything away. He didn't want Harry or anyone for the matter feeling sorry for him. Harry could sense Ron wasn't in the mood for talking so he left it there, not pushing him any further, save for a last comment.
"You know you can talk to me, right?" Ron looked sideways at Harry and frowned, but them grinned before running off to catch up with Lavender who was waiting for him outside the dinner hall.
"Catch you later!" he called over his shoulder. Harry was left standing in the corridor, wondering is he was really imagining the whole Ron situation, but his thoughts were interrupted by a hissing voice behind him.
"So, Potter!" Malfoy said as Harry turned to face him, "Thought you'd make up stuff about me to get even did you?" Malfoy was stood between his two 'bodyguards', Crabbe and Goyle who both sported threatening expressions.
"I had nothing to do with it you idiot," Harry replied, he was not in the mood for Malfoy's empty threats today.
"Mmm," was all Malfoy said as he sauntered off down the corridor. That was weird Harry thought as he watched Malfoy walking away, usually Malfoy would have had more to say than that. He guessed that everyone thinking he'd never kissed a girl before must have hit him pretty hard!
"Harry!" a familiar voice said.
"Hey you," Harry replied as Hermione walked up and hugged him.
"I missed you," she whispered softly into his ear. "I missed not being able to do this for the past week," she said as she kissed him lightly on the lips. Harry returned the kiss urgently as she clung to him. Neither of them cared that they were stood in the middle of the corridor; each them only cared about the other right now. Harry eventually pulled away and looked at the girl in his arms.
"You could have done you know," he said quietly, not wanted to offend her.
"I know, and I'm sorry for avoiding you, I just hated people staring at us when we were together, but now that they've stopped, I'm all yours," she finished with a sly grin.
"Well I suppose I better make the most of you then," Harry returned, kissing her once more and pulling her into a deserted classroom.
Another week passed, Christmas was just two weeks away, and that meant the annual Yule Ball was only a week away. Harry remembered last year when he had gone with Pavati- big mistake- that was when he had a crush on Cho he mused. Well at least this year he would be going with a girl he really was in love with. Ron and Lavender seemed have patched things up, but Ron was still being mysterious about something.
"Harry, you awake?" Ron's voice called from behind the curtain. Harry sat up in his bed after having just fallen asleep.
"Yeah," he murmured sleepily.
"Good," Ron replied, hauling Harry out of bed. He grabbed Harry's invisibility cloak and pulled Harry out of the room and down the stairs to the common room.
"Ron, what's this about?" Harry complained; he's just fallen asleep with thoughts of Hermione drifting through his mind, when Ron has awoken him abruptly.
"You know you said I could talk you," Ron said as they sat on one of the sofas, Harry nodded, "Well I need to talk you now.it's about me and Lav." Harry kinda guessed what was coming.
"Things are great and all, it's just." Ron's voice trailed off as he looked away towards the burning fire. Harry urged him to continue.
"She said she wants to take things further and." again Ron's voice trailed off, leaving Harry to finish his sentence.
".and you're not ready for it?" Harry suggested.
"No!" Ron said angrily, "No, it's that not that at all; the opposite in fact."
"Huh?" Harry asked confused.
"Harry," Ron said, lowering his voice, "I've already done.that." Harry stared at Ron amazed.
"When? With who?" Why didn't you tell me?" Harry fired questions at Ron, not giving him a chance to answer any of them. Ron stood up and walked towards the fire, trying to warm his hands.
"Last summer." he began, and so Ron told Harry all about how over the summer he'd met this girl who was the daughter of someone his Dad worked; Amy was her name, and they'd gotten really close, and one night, they'd both felt ready and, it happened. Ron looked back to Harry who sat with his mouth open in shock.
"I didn't tell you because, well, I don't know why," Ron tried to explain, "it was only the once and then she said she already had a boyfriend and that she loved him, and that I was just a 'bit of fun'!" he finished angrily, kicking away a stray cushion that was lying on the floor. Harry wasn't sure what Ron wanted him to say, so he remained silent.
"Well say something then!" Ron threw at him irritably.
"Well, ok," Harry began, "So you're already had sex, and she used you, right so far?" Ron nodded, so Harry carried on. "So that's pretty awful, for a first time I mean, but what's the problem with you and Lav? I mean, surely you're at an advantage here, aren't you?" Harry finished, looking questioningly at Ron.
"Well yeah, when you out it like that," Ron mused, "But the thing is she reckons I haven't." Harry now knew Ron was so worked out. He didn't want Lavender to know he'd already had sex; Harry guessed Lavender hadn't.
"Oh right," Harry said, "But I still don't really see the big deal, she'd understand wouldn't she?" "That's the thing," Ron said, irritable again, "I told her it would be my first time too, I've already lied to her about it."
"So just leave I then, and let things happen," Harry suggested, still not seeing the big problem here.
"You don't get it do you? Ron replied crossly, "She'll be able to tell!" Harry couldn't help laughing at this point.
"No she won't!" he managed to say though bursts of laughter.
"It's not funny Harry!" Ron replied still angry.
"Ron you're being stupid," Harry said, his chuckles subsiding, "Don't worry about it." Rin didn't appear to accept Harry's remark, but he remained silent anyway. After a couple of minute's silence, Ron went back up to his room, leaving Harry thoughtful on the sofa.
Harry's thoughts:
"Ron's had sex. Well I didn't see that one coming. I mean, I would have thought he'd told me, I am his best mate after all. I guess he didn't want to brag, but this is Ron! He's just the kind of guy to brag about it isn't it? Maybe underneath all the confidence and flirting, he's actually really sensitive." Harry's mind returned to Hermione. "I wonder what she wants. We're only 15, so I wouldn't expect her to want to have sex, but then you can never tell with girls! What do I want? I guess I would if Hermione wanted to, but." Harry's mind snapped back to reality as he heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
"Harry? Harry? Are you in here?" Harry heard Hermione calling his name, so he stood up from the sofa and turned to see her approaching the sofa. She was wearing a night dress- a pretty see through one at that- and she was shivering.
"Hermione you're shivering," Harry said as he pulled her into an embrace, sitting her down by the fire.
"I heard voices and saw Ron walking towards your dorm," Hermione said as she warmed her body by the fire. It just occurred to her that she was wearing only her nightdress and Harry's arms were drawn tight around her- she shivered at his touch and also at the thought of what was probably going through Harry's mind. She stopped herself imagining what they could be doing right now, as she needed to be truthful with Harry before anything else was said.
"Harry." she began, "there's something I need to tell you."
Ahhh! Another cliffie! Sorry guys- it's coz I haven't had time to write any more, but I'm on the case now, so let me know what you think so far.