Nov.02: Well....hmmm, I dunno what to say.....MY COUSIN IS COMING
TOMORROW!!!!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!! So, that's about it with me...I also
have to really get started on this project.....I don't want to. Damn,
school really knows how to stick it to you over the summer. I HOPE YOU LIKE
THIS CHAPTER! Read and Review please!
PS ~ Still not beta-ed. I'll remember to do it sooner or later....[-] at the beginning and end of sentences mean sign language.
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Chapter 4
The days past and Ron's eyesight weaken causing the boy to isolate himself from the family. He stayed locked away in his room, never leaving his seat from in front of the window. Everyone was trying their best to keep his spirits up for it had been two weeks since the accident.
Harry inched his way into the orange room, wanting to watch Ron before he would sense his presence. He really wished he could wrap his arms around Ron, kiss him and make this all better, but he couldn't. That wasn't his place.
Ron was always his source of strength. He was the reason why Harry fought that 'good fight', the reason why he would make sure he would be the one standing, full-filling the prophecy. And when he did just that, Ron was there, making him feel better. That was the Ron he knew and came to care for. That red, fire angel of his was his true reason to make sure the world would remain. If Ron had died, Harry could truly say that he would have given up. What kind of life would he have without Ron? None. Empty. Void. Meaningless. Each word could accurately describe that world. He had lived a brief time in his life where Ron was absent. That 4th year, where Ron's jealousy overtook him, was hard. He didn't like seeing Ron upset with him, ignoring him, not there for him. Crushing was the only word that held all the feelings of those few months.
"Who's there?" Ron whispered, not bothering to look for himself.
Harry walked up behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder. He wanted to wrap his arm around him, the other snaking down towards Ron's free hand, taking it in his palm. He yearned to at least kiss the top of his hair. Those gingery strands of copper that made Ron a Weasley.
"Oh, Harry."
- How'd you guess? -
"It's true what they say. Once you lose a sense, your others heighten. I could smell you."
Harry sat down next to Ron who had now pushed his writing desk in front of the window. "I hope it was a good smell."
He waited for Ron to dechiper what he said, agonizing over the feeling of Ron's eyes on his lips. This was going to be hard.
"It is. You smell like rosemary and mint. I can't really explain it other than that. Woodsy and refreshing." Ron smiled wistfully out the window.
"You have a visitor."
"Who?"
Harry motioned for the guest to come in from the opened door.
Recognition and excitement spread across the freckled face boy. "Thank Merlin! I was getting bored with the people around here." He laughed.
Remus entered the room, a smile pulling at his lips. - It's wonderful to see you, Mr. Weasley. -
"You don't have to call me that. It's not like you're teaching me." He got up from his seat and gave him a hug.
- Well, I must get back into the habit. Especially since I'm going to be back, teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts again. -
"Really? Are you-? That's great. So, I see you've been practicing. Pretty good."
- All the professors are learning it the hard way. But most of us have it down pack. It doesn't take too long to learn actually. -
"Woah. But.." Ron returned to his seat.
"What? What's wrong now?" asked Harry.
"He'll be there. Everyone will be actually learning and I won't be able to. I'll be stuck doing paperwork. You are my favorite Defense professor and I won't be able to enjoy it! I'll be blind by then."
"Ron," soothed Remus as he began to near the emotional boy.
"I know you didn't mean it but could you just leave me be?"
Harry returned to Remus and shook his head. "He's been like this for two weeks. I'm scared. He's so depressed. I understand that, don't get me wrong, but I wish he could take the lighter road."
"He will after he can accept his shortcomings. He just needs time to heal. It'll take time. Let's go."
The two walked down the first flight of stairs that lead away from Ron's landing. Remus abruptly stopped before stepping on the top stair.
"You really care about him? Don't you?"
"Huh? Of course I do. Why wouldn't I? He's my best friend."
"You've been living with me for a couple of weeks. I think I can tell when there's something wrong with you. And there definitely seems to be something bothering you."
"If saving the whole magical world and moving in with you after the fact has given you the right to ask so many questions maybe I shouldn't have done it." Harry began to descend down to the staircase.
"Harry. I know you're upset but why?"
"Let's see here. Everyone is trying his or her best to put Ron and me together. I think it's horrid. He's so despondent but everyone doesn't seem to care. All they want is for me to just ask him out!"
"What's so bad about that?"
"You too! This is so sickening. He's hurting up there and all anyone can think of is my happiness. I don't care about that right now. I just want to make sure he's comfortable and okay and.."
"Have you ever thought about how if you asked him out, that it would make him feel happy? What if he says 'yes'? Wouldn't that make you and him feel so much more excited, exuberant? He might not need or want their support. He might just want you to be by his side." Remus' soft voice calmly considered.
"I think he's straight anyway." The younger of the two sighed, leaning against the handrail.
"But do you think he would shun you? He's deaf, soon to be blind. I doubt he'll leave you just because you have feelings for him."
"Maybe you're right. I dunno. Come on. I hear that our school letters arrived. Last year!" Harry flew down the flight of steps to receive his last letter from Hogwarts.
Mrs. Weasley, Ginny and Hermione were standing around the open door, a fresh breeze cooling them.
"So, how is he?" Ginny called.
"Same. I guess I would be too if all of this were to be dealt to me." Hermione whispered as she rubbed her arms. "It's a bit cold out. How odd. Harry, you're letter is on the table and Ron's things are as well."
So, Harry left to find the mail. Finally, in the kitchen there sat his Hogwarts letter and a parcel. "Are you sure this is his?" he called.
"Yes, dear. From the letter, Dumbledore purchased all the books he would need, already in Braille." Said the matriarch with subtle dismay in his voice.
"I'll take it up to him."
And back he went up the stairway, a smile flashing towards him from Remus.
"Ron," he knocked. "Oh, smooth Potter. Like he can hear you." He stepped inside, closing the door to the room that he had called his own since 2nd year. The room he had been sharing with that boy by the window. He dropped his letter on his cot and placed the package on the chair he was sitting on earlier.
- I didn't know you could draw. -
"Oh," Ron shuffled the sketch under some papers.
- Don't. I think that is pretty good. Actually really good. -
"No. Oh, what's that?" Ron stared at the parcel.
- It's for you. -
"Open it."
Harry ripped through the wrapping and box to find every book that Ron would need. A plain white strip was placed length-wise near the binding.
"Braille."
The bespeckled boy nodded.
"Well, stuff it under the desk. I don't really care to see it right now." Ron went back to his sketching.
"Fine." Harry placed the box of schoolbooks on the floor and kicked them out of his way. He took a seat on the now unoccupied chair and watched Ron draw the scene of the yard. The chicken coop with its chicken milling about, the small dust clouds and patches of green were drawn out meticulously.
- That is so good. I didn't know you could draw. - Harry leaned over and looked over some of the other small pictures. There were some of sunset and sunrise. Of rain and sunshine. Pictures of people leaving and coming. Of Kate, who made a house call yesterday and of his family at dinner. A picture of Hermione, Ginny and himself outside doing yard work. The gnomes scrabbling away seemed to be sketched out perfectly. There was even a picture of the Quidditch game from that afternoon. That was the best out of all the small portraits. Harry could see the determination on his face, the pure excitement of Fred and George and the utter terror on Hermione's face as the Quaffle was kicked toward her on the ground from Charlie's miscalculated move.
Ron was going to miss Quidditch the most. Harry could see it in the picture, in the colors he put in it. Th blending that Harry never knew you could get from mere color pencils. The vibrancy, the skill and emotion that was woven into the paper for all eternity. And Harry understood; Ron was always obsessed with the sport. He was Captain of the team, turning out to be another Oliver Wood but a little less uptight. But now, that was to be no more.
"Harry, how did you do it all?"
The raven-haired young man stared at his friend with confusion and surprise.
"I mean, how did you handle being the 'savior' and having all that responsibility? We've never really talked about it and lately I've been wondering how did you handle it so well? If I were in your shoes, I would've panicked."
- I didn't have such a wonderful time. I snapped at you and Hermione at every chance I could get. I guess that's how I handled it. I just forged ahead and yelled. You just have to let it out or else it could take over you. I was overwhelmed. When Professor Dumbledore finally told me about the prophecy, it angered me even more. How dare Professor Trelawney foresee that? How dare she make it known that a child would have to shoulder the responsibility of freeing the wizarding world of the Dark Lord, once and for all? Did I tell you that there were two boys who were born at the right time and fit the description? -
"No!" Ron put down his pen. "Obviously you but who else?"
- Neville. -
"No! That can't be! Neville?"
- Yes. He was born around the same time I was, his parents defied Voldemort, but the Dark Lord didn't see him as his equal. He thought it was I. He chose someone who was much like him. I'm a half-blood and so was he. He wasn't supposed to kill me but to 'mark me as his equal', which, in doing that, gave me powers and a future. That really ticked me off; the only reason I'm here was because of him and that prophecy. But since I had you and Hermione by my side, I knew I could get through this. I knew that I could defeat him. I had before and was going to do it again. And I did, thankfully. -
"Wow. I know how you feel, I think. But I'm so afraid of what's next. I don't know if I can handle this? Not by myself. But I can't go down there and be happy. I feel like everyone is unhappy because of me. I feel as if they pity themselves and me for what happen. Everyone is putting up some happy façade, and they're doing well, but I don't have to see it, I can feel it. So, I let out my feelings in these pictures. I can be left alone to think, to see everything and everyone without really seeing them. You probably don't even understand me. But I don't think I want them to see me so upset. I'm usually the strong one, even though I freak a lot, but I'm the one who's loyal and brave and willing to be strong for others. And now, I'm the one who needs others to be strong for me. I hate that."
- I understand. I was the same way. I didn't like showing everyone I was so hurt and afraid because I was the symbol of strength; I was to whom everyone looked to for guidance and protection. It was hard. I couldn't crack too much or else they would not believe that I could do it. -
"But you had us."
- I did. That's why I'm still here today. And you should know that you have everyone here to help you. -
"I know. Maybe I'll come down and finally eat with everyone."
"Good."
"So, how's everything at Remus'?"
- Great. You'll have to come over before school. -
"Well, I must hurry since school starts in three days."
- Maybe holiday break, then. -
"Sure. So, have you finally figured out what you're going to do about this person you're infatuated with?"
Harry sputtered. - What? How did you know? -
"The senses. So, who's the lucky girl?"
"Boy."
"Boy? I didn't even know. So, who's the lucky boy? Do I know him?"
Harry simply nodded, not looking at Ron but intently gauging the works of art that were still cluttered on the desktop. "Yes. So, how about you teach me Braille so I can help you with schoolwork later on?" He reached under the desk and pulled out a deep midnight blue book.
Ron gently ran his hands over the bumps. "'Advanced Potions by Carl Centemp.'"
"Moving on." Harry took the book and tossed in onto the parcel paper. "How about this one?" He laid a red book in front of Ron.
"'The Complete Encyclopedia of Monstrous Mammals by Harriet Hornelby.' I think this might be too advanced for you. There should be a thick book by my Braille Machine and walking stick thingy. It'll take you step by step on how to learn Braille."
Harry went and got the book, then returned to his chair, flipping past the introduction. "So, teach me."
Ron smiled as he scooted his chair over to Harry. "Braille is just a series of dots that make of words and such. It's like reading but feeling the words. Here." He took Harry's hand and began showing him the patterns of raised dots.
Being this close to Ron was intoxicating. He could smell him, just like Ron could smell his scent. Ron smelled of cotton and soap. This was going to be a long session. He could already feel himself enjoy Ron's closeness. So, he scooted his chair closer to the desk hoping to mask his groin area. He had to think of something else..that potions book...Snape. And the mood was killed.
"There's also Moon Braille. Moon is a method of reading and writing by touch, using raised shapes. I believe it's based on some forms of the Roman alphabet. But they believe I can use regular Braille since I have a keen sense of touch."
- So how can you read Braille? I mean there's not enough room to put all those letters on one page. -
"'The letters of the alphabet and the numbers are formed from different combinations of a set of six dots arranged in two vertical rows of three, like a domino.' That's how Mrs. Nicholas explained it to me. So, this is A and B and C.."
Ron continues to teach Harry until he could dechiper the alphabet. "So, are you going to tell me who the mystery man is?"
"It's late. I think it's almost time for dinner."
"Don't change the subject! Who is it? Is he a Hufflepuff? No, they are a bit too weak and most of them have talked behind your back. Slytherin? Oh, Merlin that would kill me. They're slimy. Ravenclaw? Probably. Gryffindor?"
Harry squirmed.
"Gryffindor! I knew it! Has he passed or is he still there? Do I know him personally?"
"Kind of."
"Is he here now?"
"Yes." Harry sighed. Maybe Remus was right. He should let Ron know before it ate him alive.
"You like one of my brothers?" Ron grinned as he turned to Harry, their chairs still pressed together. "Who is it? Fred? George? Percy?"
- Ron drop it. It's no big deal. -
"It is a big deal! You like Percy, don't you?"
"No. Okay! Fine, I'll tell you. I like you. I've liked you since our fourth year. Are you happy now?"
"Me?" Ron's voice dropped to a hard whisper. He moved his chair and went over to his bed.
- Yes, you. I couldn't help it. I wanted to tell you a long time ago. I was planning on telling you that day this all happened. But I thought it would be too harsh to say something with all of this going on. -
"But I don't know if I'm even gay myself. I don't know if I like girls or guys or both or neither."
- Well, we can experiment. - He quickly regretted saying that.
"Experiment? That's really lovely Harry. Experiment? So, you wanna just shag me then leave me?"
- No! I meant, this was so much easier when I dreamt about this day. I don't want to experiment but if that's the only way I can have you, then I'm willing to settle for it. Any time that I spend with you, I'll be happy. Ron, you are the reason why I continued to fight back. Without you, I would have curled up one day and willed it all to go away. I wouldn't have survived. You kept me going. And when you're not near, I feel incompletely. I guess I realized this in 4th year when we had that fight. And when they took you away and I saw you passed out under the water, I was so scared. I was afraid I had lost you. When Dobby told me they had my Wheezy, I was scared. I think I was more afraid in that moment than when I faced off with Voldemort in the finale battle. Ron, I like you a lot. And I want to go out with you. -
"Harry, you don't deserve to be some experiment. I'm rather flattered. The Harry Potter, who can get anyone, male or female, wants little old me. It's a bit overwhelming to hear you say that. Can I think about it?" Ron got up and opened the door.
- Of course. - Harry began to leave, relieved that it went so well.
"Hold on. Aren't you going to do something cute or romantic to sway my judgement?" Ron smiled as he leaned his head against the door.
"I didn't know if...of course." Harry placed one arm on Ron's shoulder, his hand pressed against the back of Ron's neck. The other hand was resting on the slight curve of his hip. He leaned forward and kissed both cheeks, then his forehead. Harry was amazed at how warm his best friend's skin was. He leaned his forehead against Ron's, kissing his long nose. "Is that good enough?"
"Yes," breathed Ron as Harry pulled away.
"Good. I hope to see you downstairs." The hero of the magical world continued to smile as he lifted the glasses from Ron's face. "You know you actually look decent in these." He placed butterfly kisses on each eyelid. Then he left.
Ron closed the door behind him as he migrated back to his seat in front of the window.
Harry liked him.
Harry Potter like him, Ronald Weasley.
Everytime he thought about it, Ron couldn't help but feel a bit excited. Though he didn't know if he could make Harry happy, he was grateful in knowing that someone could still like him even though he was broken.
"Maybe I will head down to dinner."
PS ~ Still not beta-ed. I'll remember to do it sooner or later....[-] at the beginning and end of sentences mean sign language.
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Chapter 4
The days past and Ron's eyesight weaken causing the boy to isolate himself from the family. He stayed locked away in his room, never leaving his seat from in front of the window. Everyone was trying their best to keep his spirits up for it had been two weeks since the accident.
Harry inched his way into the orange room, wanting to watch Ron before he would sense his presence. He really wished he could wrap his arms around Ron, kiss him and make this all better, but he couldn't. That wasn't his place.
Ron was always his source of strength. He was the reason why Harry fought that 'good fight', the reason why he would make sure he would be the one standing, full-filling the prophecy. And when he did just that, Ron was there, making him feel better. That was the Ron he knew and came to care for. That red, fire angel of his was his true reason to make sure the world would remain. If Ron had died, Harry could truly say that he would have given up. What kind of life would he have without Ron? None. Empty. Void. Meaningless. Each word could accurately describe that world. He had lived a brief time in his life where Ron was absent. That 4th year, where Ron's jealousy overtook him, was hard. He didn't like seeing Ron upset with him, ignoring him, not there for him. Crushing was the only word that held all the feelings of those few months.
"Who's there?" Ron whispered, not bothering to look for himself.
Harry walked up behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder. He wanted to wrap his arm around him, the other snaking down towards Ron's free hand, taking it in his palm. He yearned to at least kiss the top of his hair. Those gingery strands of copper that made Ron a Weasley.
"Oh, Harry."
- How'd you guess? -
"It's true what they say. Once you lose a sense, your others heighten. I could smell you."
Harry sat down next to Ron who had now pushed his writing desk in front of the window. "I hope it was a good smell."
He waited for Ron to dechiper what he said, agonizing over the feeling of Ron's eyes on his lips. This was going to be hard.
"It is. You smell like rosemary and mint. I can't really explain it other than that. Woodsy and refreshing." Ron smiled wistfully out the window.
"You have a visitor."
"Who?"
Harry motioned for the guest to come in from the opened door.
Recognition and excitement spread across the freckled face boy. "Thank Merlin! I was getting bored with the people around here." He laughed.
Remus entered the room, a smile pulling at his lips. - It's wonderful to see you, Mr. Weasley. -
"You don't have to call me that. It's not like you're teaching me." He got up from his seat and gave him a hug.
- Well, I must get back into the habit. Especially since I'm going to be back, teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts again. -
"Really? Are you-? That's great. So, I see you've been practicing. Pretty good."
- All the professors are learning it the hard way. But most of us have it down pack. It doesn't take too long to learn actually. -
"Woah. But.." Ron returned to his seat.
"What? What's wrong now?" asked Harry.
"He'll be there. Everyone will be actually learning and I won't be able to. I'll be stuck doing paperwork. You are my favorite Defense professor and I won't be able to enjoy it! I'll be blind by then."
"Ron," soothed Remus as he began to near the emotional boy.
"I know you didn't mean it but could you just leave me be?"
Harry returned to Remus and shook his head. "He's been like this for two weeks. I'm scared. He's so depressed. I understand that, don't get me wrong, but I wish he could take the lighter road."
"He will after he can accept his shortcomings. He just needs time to heal. It'll take time. Let's go."
The two walked down the first flight of stairs that lead away from Ron's landing. Remus abruptly stopped before stepping on the top stair.
"You really care about him? Don't you?"
"Huh? Of course I do. Why wouldn't I? He's my best friend."
"You've been living with me for a couple of weeks. I think I can tell when there's something wrong with you. And there definitely seems to be something bothering you."
"If saving the whole magical world and moving in with you after the fact has given you the right to ask so many questions maybe I shouldn't have done it." Harry began to descend down to the staircase.
"Harry. I know you're upset but why?"
"Let's see here. Everyone is trying his or her best to put Ron and me together. I think it's horrid. He's so despondent but everyone doesn't seem to care. All they want is for me to just ask him out!"
"What's so bad about that?"
"You too! This is so sickening. He's hurting up there and all anyone can think of is my happiness. I don't care about that right now. I just want to make sure he's comfortable and okay and.."
"Have you ever thought about how if you asked him out, that it would make him feel happy? What if he says 'yes'? Wouldn't that make you and him feel so much more excited, exuberant? He might not need or want their support. He might just want you to be by his side." Remus' soft voice calmly considered.
"I think he's straight anyway." The younger of the two sighed, leaning against the handrail.
"But do you think he would shun you? He's deaf, soon to be blind. I doubt he'll leave you just because you have feelings for him."
"Maybe you're right. I dunno. Come on. I hear that our school letters arrived. Last year!" Harry flew down the flight of steps to receive his last letter from Hogwarts.
Mrs. Weasley, Ginny and Hermione were standing around the open door, a fresh breeze cooling them.
"So, how is he?" Ginny called.
"Same. I guess I would be too if all of this were to be dealt to me." Hermione whispered as she rubbed her arms. "It's a bit cold out. How odd. Harry, you're letter is on the table and Ron's things are as well."
So, Harry left to find the mail. Finally, in the kitchen there sat his Hogwarts letter and a parcel. "Are you sure this is his?" he called.
"Yes, dear. From the letter, Dumbledore purchased all the books he would need, already in Braille." Said the matriarch with subtle dismay in his voice.
"I'll take it up to him."
And back he went up the stairway, a smile flashing towards him from Remus.
"Ron," he knocked. "Oh, smooth Potter. Like he can hear you." He stepped inside, closing the door to the room that he had called his own since 2nd year. The room he had been sharing with that boy by the window. He dropped his letter on his cot and placed the package on the chair he was sitting on earlier.
- I didn't know you could draw. -
"Oh," Ron shuffled the sketch under some papers.
- Don't. I think that is pretty good. Actually really good. -
"No. Oh, what's that?" Ron stared at the parcel.
- It's for you. -
"Open it."
Harry ripped through the wrapping and box to find every book that Ron would need. A plain white strip was placed length-wise near the binding.
"Braille."
The bespeckled boy nodded.
"Well, stuff it under the desk. I don't really care to see it right now." Ron went back to his sketching.
"Fine." Harry placed the box of schoolbooks on the floor and kicked them out of his way. He took a seat on the now unoccupied chair and watched Ron draw the scene of the yard. The chicken coop with its chicken milling about, the small dust clouds and patches of green were drawn out meticulously.
- That is so good. I didn't know you could draw. - Harry leaned over and looked over some of the other small pictures. There were some of sunset and sunrise. Of rain and sunshine. Pictures of people leaving and coming. Of Kate, who made a house call yesterday and of his family at dinner. A picture of Hermione, Ginny and himself outside doing yard work. The gnomes scrabbling away seemed to be sketched out perfectly. There was even a picture of the Quidditch game from that afternoon. That was the best out of all the small portraits. Harry could see the determination on his face, the pure excitement of Fred and George and the utter terror on Hermione's face as the Quaffle was kicked toward her on the ground from Charlie's miscalculated move.
Ron was going to miss Quidditch the most. Harry could see it in the picture, in the colors he put in it. Th blending that Harry never knew you could get from mere color pencils. The vibrancy, the skill and emotion that was woven into the paper for all eternity. And Harry understood; Ron was always obsessed with the sport. He was Captain of the team, turning out to be another Oliver Wood but a little less uptight. But now, that was to be no more.
"Harry, how did you do it all?"
The raven-haired young man stared at his friend with confusion and surprise.
"I mean, how did you handle being the 'savior' and having all that responsibility? We've never really talked about it and lately I've been wondering how did you handle it so well? If I were in your shoes, I would've panicked."
- I didn't have such a wonderful time. I snapped at you and Hermione at every chance I could get. I guess that's how I handled it. I just forged ahead and yelled. You just have to let it out or else it could take over you. I was overwhelmed. When Professor Dumbledore finally told me about the prophecy, it angered me even more. How dare Professor Trelawney foresee that? How dare she make it known that a child would have to shoulder the responsibility of freeing the wizarding world of the Dark Lord, once and for all? Did I tell you that there were two boys who were born at the right time and fit the description? -
"No!" Ron put down his pen. "Obviously you but who else?"
- Neville. -
"No! That can't be! Neville?"
- Yes. He was born around the same time I was, his parents defied Voldemort, but the Dark Lord didn't see him as his equal. He thought it was I. He chose someone who was much like him. I'm a half-blood and so was he. He wasn't supposed to kill me but to 'mark me as his equal', which, in doing that, gave me powers and a future. That really ticked me off; the only reason I'm here was because of him and that prophecy. But since I had you and Hermione by my side, I knew I could get through this. I knew that I could defeat him. I had before and was going to do it again. And I did, thankfully. -
"Wow. I know how you feel, I think. But I'm so afraid of what's next. I don't know if I can handle this? Not by myself. But I can't go down there and be happy. I feel like everyone is unhappy because of me. I feel as if they pity themselves and me for what happen. Everyone is putting up some happy façade, and they're doing well, but I don't have to see it, I can feel it. So, I let out my feelings in these pictures. I can be left alone to think, to see everything and everyone without really seeing them. You probably don't even understand me. But I don't think I want them to see me so upset. I'm usually the strong one, even though I freak a lot, but I'm the one who's loyal and brave and willing to be strong for others. And now, I'm the one who needs others to be strong for me. I hate that."
- I understand. I was the same way. I didn't like showing everyone I was so hurt and afraid because I was the symbol of strength; I was to whom everyone looked to for guidance and protection. It was hard. I couldn't crack too much or else they would not believe that I could do it. -
"But you had us."
- I did. That's why I'm still here today. And you should know that you have everyone here to help you. -
"I know. Maybe I'll come down and finally eat with everyone."
"Good."
"So, how's everything at Remus'?"
- Great. You'll have to come over before school. -
"Well, I must hurry since school starts in three days."
- Maybe holiday break, then. -
"Sure. So, have you finally figured out what you're going to do about this person you're infatuated with?"
Harry sputtered. - What? How did you know? -
"The senses. So, who's the lucky girl?"
"Boy."
"Boy? I didn't even know. So, who's the lucky boy? Do I know him?"
Harry simply nodded, not looking at Ron but intently gauging the works of art that were still cluttered on the desktop. "Yes. So, how about you teach me Braille so I can help you with schoolwork later on?" He reached under the desk and pulled out a deep midnight blue book.
Ron gently ran his hands over the bumps. "'Advanced Potions by Carl Centemp.'"
"Moving on." Harry took the book and tossed in onto the parcel paper. "How about this one?" He laid a red book in front of Ron.
"'The Complete Encyclopedia of Monstrous Mammals by Harriet Hornelby.' I think this might be too advanced for you. There should be a thick book by my Braille Machine and walking stick thingy. It'll take you step by step on how to learn Braille."
Harry went and got the book, then returned to his chair, flipping past the introduction. "So, teach me."
Ron smiled as he scooted his chair over to Harry. "Braille is just a series of dots that make of words and such. It's like reading but feeling the words. Here." He took Harry's hand and began showing him the patterns of raised dots.
Being this close to Ron was intoxicating. He could smell him, just like Ron could smell his scent. Ron smelled of cotton and soap. This was going to be a long session. He could already feel himself enjoy Ron's closeness. So, he scooted his chair closer to the desk hoping to mask his groin area. He had to think of something else..that potions book...Snape. And the mood was killed.
"There's also Moon Braille. Moon is a method of reading and writing by touch, using raised shapes. I believe it's based on some forms of the Roman alphabet. But they believe I can use regular Braille since I have a keen sense of touch."
- So how can you read Braille? I mean there's not enough room to put all those letters on one page. -
"'The letters of the alphabet and the numbers are formed from different combinations of a set of six dots arranged in two vertical rows of three, like a domino.' That's how Mrs. Nicholas explained it to me. So, this is A and B and C.."
Ron continues to teach Harry until he could dechiper the alphabet. "So, are you going to tell me who the mystery man is?"
"It's late. I think it's almost time for dinner."
"Don't change the subject! Who is it? Is he a Hufflepuff? No, they are a bit too weak and most of them have talked behind your back. Slytherin? Oh, Merlin that would kill me. They're slimy. Ravenclaw? Probably. Gryffindor?"
Harry squirmed.
"Gryffindor! I knew it! Has he passed or is he still there? Do I know him personally?"
"Kind of."
"Is he here now?"
"Yes." Harry sighed. Maybe Remus was right. He should let Ron know before it ate him alive.
"You like one of my brothers?" Ron grinned as he turned to Harry, their chairs still pressed together. "Who is it? Fred? George? Percy?"
- Ron drop it. It's no big deal. -
"It is a big deal! You like Percy, don't you?"
"No. Okay! Fine, I'll tell you. I like you. I've liked you since our fourth year. Are you happy now?"
"Me?" Ron's voice dropped to a hard whisper. He moved his chair and went over to his bed.
- Yes, you. I couldn't help it. I wanted to tell you a long time ago. I was planning on telling you that day this all happened. But I thought it would be too harsh to say something with all of this going on. -
"But I don't know if I'm even gay myself. I don't know if I like girls or guys or both or neither."
- Well, we can experiment. - He quickly regretted saying that.
"Experiment? That's really lovely Harry. Experiment? So, you wanna just shag me then leave me?"
- No! I meant, this was so much easier when I dreamt about this day. I don't want to experiment but if that's the only way I can have you, then I'm willing to settle for it. Any time that I spend with you, I'll be happy. Ron, you are the reason why I continued to fight back. Without you, I would have curled up one day and willed it all to go away. I wouldn't have survived. You kept me going. And when you're not near, I feel incompletely. I guess I realized this in 4th year when we had that fight. And when they took you away and I saw you passed out under the water, I was so scared. I was afraid I had lost you. When Dobby told me they had my Wheezy, I was scared. I think I was more afraid in that moment than when I faced off with Voldemort in the finale battle. Ron, I like you a lot. And I want to go out with you. -
"Harry, you don't deserve to be some experiment. I'm rather flattered. The Harry Potter, who can get anyone, male or female, wants little old me. It's a bit overwhelming to hear you say that. Can I think about it?" Ron got up and opened the door.
- Of course. - Harry began to leave, relieved that it went so well.
"Hold on. Aren't you going to do something cute or romantic to sway my judgement?" Ron smiled as he leaned his head against the door.
"I didn't know if...of course." Harry placed one arm on Ron's shoulder, his hand pressed against the back of Ron's neck. The other hand was resting on the slight curve of his hip. He leaned forward and kissed both cheeks, then his forehead. Harry was amazed at how warm his best friend's skin was. He leaned his forehead against Ron's, kissing his long nose. "Is that good enough?"
"Yes," breathed Ron as Harry pulled away.
"Good. I hope to see you downstairs." The hero of the magical world continued to smile as he lifted the glasses from Ron's face. "You know you actually look decent in these." He placed butterfly kisses on each eyelid. Then he left.
Ron closed the door behind him as he migrated back to his seat in front of the window.
Harry liked him.
Harry Potter like him, Ronald Weasley.
Everytime he thought about it, Ron couldn't help but feel a bit excited. Though he didn't know if he could make Harry happy, he was grateful in knowing that someone could still like him even though he was broken.
"Maybe I will head down to dinner."