Harry jumped at the sound of the buzzer and ran back inside from his balcony.

"Hello?"

"It's me...and Ron," Hermione's voice crackled through the intercom.

"Come on up," Harry said, pushing the button to unlock the door down in the lobby.

He stepped away from the intercom and nervously paced up and down the kitchen floor, waiting for the doorbell. He was anxious to see Ron, but worried about Ron's reaction to his new look. Would he like it? Would it make him look at him as more than just a friend?

The doorbell finally rang and Harry walked over, his pulse racing. He took a deep, calming breath and opened the door wide.

His eyes glanced over Hermione and rested on Ron's face; the familiar light brown eyes, the cute freckles sprinkled across his nose, and the full, pink lips. He was wearing a simple black t-shirt and jeans - and Harry thought he'd never looked better.

Harry grinned as Ron's jaw dropped in shock upon seeing him. Harry had chosen his outfit and styled his hair with great care that day, and it had paid off. He was wearing a pair of tan coloured cargo pants and a loose fitting white dress shirt with the top buttons undone to show just a glimpse of his tanned collarbone.

"Hi, Ron," Harry greeted, relaxing quickly. He didn't need to be nervous, this was Ron, his best friend for nine years.

"Harry..." Ron trailed off. "Er, you look different."

Ron continued to stare and Harry desperately wanted to ask if he liked his new look, but thought that it might sound strange.

"Are we going to stand in the hallway all day?" Hermione asked, hands on hips, but with a laugh pulling at the corners of her mouth.

"Oh, sorry." Harry quickly stood back and motioned for the two to come inside.

Ron entered slowly; a strange, unreadable expression on his face.

"Would you like a tour?" Harry asked with a smile, closing the door behind him.

"That's why I'm here." Ron shrugged.

Harry frowned slightly at Ron's comment as he led the way into the kitchen.

"Well, here's the kitchen," he said. "Do you want anything? Something to eat? A drink?"

"No thanks," Hermione declined politely.

"Ron?" Harry asked when the red-head didn't answer.

"Oh, no thanks," he answered distractedly, without looking over.

Harry glanced at Hermione and she shook her head and shrugged.

"Let's go out onto the balcony," she suggested.

"Right," Harry said uncertainly.

He led the way through the living room and out onto the spacious balcony over-looking the city. It was a perfect day; the sun was shining and there was a small breeze blowing through, lifting their hair and providing relief from the heat of the sun.

Ron walked over to the railing and leaned over, looking down at the street below.

Harry glanced at Hermione again before joining him. He leant his back against the railing, elbows resting on the silver rail behind him, and turned his head to face Ron.

"So, how was your trip?" he asked casually.

"Fine."

"Why did you come back early?"

"We finished early."

"Do anything exciting?"

"Not really."

Harry sighed and tilted his head back to look up at the sky. Ron didn't seem angry, just pre-occupied. Harry wondered with a sudden stab if maybe Ron was pre-occupied with thoughts of Oliver.

"Sorry I couldn't pick you up from the airport last night," Harry apologized.

"No problem," Ron answered, finally turning to look at him. "I got a ride from Oliver Wood."

"Really? That's good, I'm glad you weren't stranded," Harry said with a forced smile.

"Yeah," Ron reiterated, still looking at him.

"So, he just took you straight home then?" Harry couldn't help asking.

"Actually no, he had to go to The Crush first to meet his boyfriend and then the two of them dropped me off at my place."

"Boyfriend?" Harry repeated with barely concealed glee. "I didn't know he was seeing anyone."

"Me neither." Ron shrugged, flashing Harry the sexy, lopsided smile that always made his knees weak.

"Sorry, Harry," Hermione interrupted. "I've got to get to work now."

Harry turned in surprise, having completely forgotten that she was there.

"Already?" he asked in dismay.

"I'm afraid so, but Ron can stay if he wants," she added. "You're not working today are you?"

"No, I've got two weeks vacation starting today." Ron smiled.

"Do you want a ride home now, or are you going to stay for awhile?"

"I'll stay, if Harry doesn't mind?" Ron replied, glancing over at Harry.

"Not at all." He grinned.

"Okay, well I'll see you two later." Hermione waved. "I can see myself out."

Harry and Ron called their goodbyes and waved her off, then turned to look at eachother.

Harry felt awkward and looked away. All of a sudden, the thought of asking Ron out on a date seemed too daunting and frightening a task to comprehend.

"I hear you've been going out a lot lately," Ron said, breaking the silence. "To clubs and stuff."

Harry looked over and tried to read Ron's expression, but he simply looked interested.

"Yeah, Hermione's idea," Harry answered with a roll of his eyes. "I'm completely exhausted."

Ron laughed and seemed to relax into his old self, much to Harry's relief.

"I'm going to get a drink, do you want something?" Harry asked, starting to walk back inside.

"Sure, whatever you're having is fine."

Harry smiled to himself as he got out a large, frosty pitcher of lemonade, two glasses, and a bowl of Bertie Botts that he had bought on his last trip to Diagon Alley. He set it all on a tray and carried it into the living room, placing it on the glass coffee table.

Ron came in and gratefully accepted the cool drink. Harry poured himself a glass as Ron sat down in one of his new leather armchairs.

"Glad to be home?" Harry asked, lounging back with his drink.

"Very." Ron smiled. "Vancouver was nice, but there's no place like home."

"Now click your heels and say that three more times."

"What?" Ron asked, looking at Harry as though he'd lost his mind.

"Nothing." Harry laughed. "It's a Muggle thing."

Ron raised his eyebrows and took a sip of his drink. "Hey! Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans!" he exclaimed upon seeing the bowl. "They don't have those in Canada."

Harry smiled as Ron leaned forward to grab a handful of the brightly coloured candy. Ron really was still a kid at heart.

"Did you go to any clubs there?"

"A few." Ron grimaced as he bit into a brown and black coloured bean.

"Meet anybody interesting?" Harry asked casually.

"Erm...no, not really. But there are loads of cute, single guys there."

Harry choked.

"Are you okay?" Ron asked in concern.

"I'm fine," Harry gasped out, thinking his friend sure had picked a strangely off-hand way of telling him that he was gay.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Ron asked again.

"Yes." Harry smiled, trying to hide his excitement.

Ron smiled and popped some more beans into his mouth. "So, did you meet anyone interesting here?" he asked nonchalantly.

Oh God. Malfoy.

"Shit!" Harry swore loudly, standing up and glancing at his watch.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked, setting his glass down.

"I...er, have to meet someone soon."

"A date?" Ron asked, standing up.

"Kind of." Harry thought fast. "But I'm really just helping him with some personal problems."

"What kind of problems?"

"Just some past issues that he has to overcome, that's all."

"Alright, well..."

"I'm really sorry about this," Harry apologized. "I completely forgot about it."

"That's okay, I'll just be going then."

Harry watched helplessly as Ron headed for the door. He tried to gauge Ron's feelings as he followed behind. Was he upset? Jealous? Maybe he couldn't care less about Harry's date, but he needed to find out.

"Ron, wait!"

Ron turned in the doorway and looked back questioningly.

Harry stood in front of him and felt a rush of nerves and adrenaline as he opened his mouth to speak.

"Can I see you tomorrow?"

"Sure, what do you want to do?" Ron asked.

"How about dinner? At La Belle Lune?"

"La Belle..." Ron trailed off as he searched Harry's face intently. "Don't laugh, Harry, but...are you asking me out? On a date?"

"Maybe." Harry smiled nervously.

Ron looked at Harry as if seeing him for the first time, his honey-coloured eyes delving deep into the depths of Harry's emerald eyes.

"I'd like that," Ron finally said softly.

Harry sighed and closed his eyes briefly in relief. "I was so scared that you'd say no and laugh in my face," he said, feeling incredibly elated.

"Did you honestly think I'd do that?" Ron smiled.

"No, I guess not." Harry grinned.

"I'll give you a call tomorrow, then?"

"Okay, I'll be home all day."

"See ya, Harry."

"Bye."

Ron smiled at him for a moment then turned and walked away. Harry closed the door and threw his fist into the air, whooping with joy.

As he got ready to see Draco that night, he decided that he would just be friends with his old enemy. Any kind of relationship between the two of them would be impossible, plus he had Ron now.

Draco didn't even know who he really was, he'd probably bolt as soon as Harry told him.

Harry frowned thoughtfully as he dried his hair. Maybe he should get that over with and tell him tonight...