The events of the night before came rushing back to Harry as soon as he cracked his eyes open the next day. He quickly slapped a hand over his face and groaned as Malfoy's hurt expression appeared before him once more, the way his grey eyes turned so cold and angry before he had walked off.

Harry rolled over and sat up, rubbing his tired eyes and glancing at his bedside clock. It was nearly two o'clock in the afternoon. Harry swore under his breath and flopped back down onto his back. He still felt incredibly tired, as if he hadn't slept at all. All he remembered was waking up after an hour's sleep on his couch and then dragging himself off to his bed where he tossed and turned for the better part of the night.

He reluctantly dragged himself up and off to the kitchen for some coffee. He glanced at his reflection in the bathroom mirror as he waited for the coffee to be ready and frowned at the circles under his eyes and the off-colour pallor of his skin.

"Ugh, I look like shit," he mumbled, exiting the bathroom in disgust.

He threw open his balcony doors and took a great big breath of fresh air, filling his lungs and trying to clear away the sluggish morning state of his exhausted body and mind. He left the doors open as he poured himself a mug of coffee, then grabbed the newspaper and headed back out to sit in his chaise lounge. The sky was overcast and grey, the air muggy, the clouds seemed to be waiting for the perfect moment to start a torrential downpour.

The perfect moment came just as Harry settled down with his coffee and paper. Harry swore for the second time that morning and ran back inside, slamming the doors shut and throwing the damp newspaper onto his coffee table. He poured his untouched coffee down the drain and left his mug in the sink, then hurried off to his bedroom to get dressed.

He threw on a black jumper and trousers, the colour befitting his mood perfectly, then went through the rest of his morning routine with a bored efficiency. He felt a little better after having brushed his teeth and hair.

The phone rang as he walked back into the kitchen for some food.

"Hello?"

"Harry? Are you alright?"

It was Oliver Wood.

"Yes, why shouldn't I be?" Harry asked in confusion, holding the cordless phone in one hand as he rummaged through he contents of his fridge.

"Well…you missed practice this morning."

Double shit.

"Bloody hell," Harry groaned, slamming the fridge door. "I'm sorry, I completely forgot."

"Are you sure you're alright? You sound tired."

"It's nothing, just kind of having a bad day."

"I'll see you Thursday for the game, right?"

"Yes, of course. I'll be there."

"Alright, take care, Harry."

Harry apologized again and pushed the end button before setting the phone back on the counter. He shook his head and realized he wasn't hungry after all, so he grabbed his coat and decided to take a walk.

As he entered the lobby he saw that it was still pouring out.

"Perfect," he muttered under his breath. He headed towards the exit and nodded curtly to the doorman. He couldn't help feeling resentment towards the guy, he had after all just ruined...what?

Harry shoved his hands into his pockets and looked down at the ground as the rain pounded his body. His hair quickly became plastered to his head and he could feel the cold water dripping down his collar and soaking his shirt.

He realized that the reason he was so angry and uptight today was because he didn't know why he felt so upset about last night. Sure, they had had a good time. Sure, Malfoy had been friendly and nice for the first time to Harry's knowledge. But why was he so distracted? Why couldn't he just let it go? Was it guilt? Did he feel bad for tricking Malfoy like that? Heaven knows the man deserved it after the pain he had caused Harry for most of his childhood, but...he couldn't shake the feeling that he had just thrown away something important.

He sighed as he shuffled along the sidewalk, stepping into puddles and splashing his ankles without a care. He stopped after awhile and pushed his wet hair off of his forehead as he looked down at his watch. It was four-thirty. He had an hour before Ron was to meet him at his flat and he had yet to make the reservations at the restaurant.

He turned and headed home, his mind still uneasy and his emotions confusing the hell out of him.

ooooooo

Harry ran down the hall to the buzzer and let Ron inside the building. He checked his appearance one last time in the hall mirror and saw that his skin had returned to its normal colour but his eyes still looked tired. He tugged a brown suede coat on over his white dress shirt and black trousers then stood back and brushed imaginary lint from his sleeves.

The doorbell rang and he hurried to open it.

He greeted Ron with a smile and his eyes raked over his appearance with an approving gaze. Ron was wearing tan coloured trousers with a blue dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and a tan and pale blue striped tie. He looked fantastic, as if he'd just stepped off the cover of some magazine.

Ron smiled shyly and let his eyes rove over Harry's appearance as the brunette turned to lock his door.

"Ready?" Harry asked brightly.

"Yep."

Thankfully it had stopped raining by the time the two of them emerged onto the street and hailed a cab. A comfortable silence settled between them as they rode to the restaurant, each lost in their own thoughts of the sudden change in their relationship.

"Harry?" Ron suddenly asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah?"

"I just wanted to apologize for the way I acted when I came over to your flat the other day."

Ron took a deep breath and Harry patiently waited for him to explain.

"I was just a little startled by your appearance and it threw me off. It kind of felt wrong for me to...to think of you in that way. I had always thought of you as a brother, a best friend, then all of sudden there you were and I couldn't help feeling something more towards you. I felt myself being attracted to you and it scared me. I didn't think I wanted this between us, but now it just feels...right. I was a little shocked to say the least when you asked me out. I had no idea you felt that way about me."

Ron looked out the window as he spoke, his cheeks reddening slightly, but pushing on with his explanation nevertheless. Harry watched him with an affectionate smile.

"I was so scared that you would laugh in my face when I asked you out," Harry admitted.

"I'm just glad that you did." Ron smiled, turning towards him.

"It's funny, this is our first date but we already know so much about each other. There won't be any awkwardness or meaningless small talk."

"That's true, I already know all your dark secrets." Ron grinned.

Not all of them, Harry suddenly thought to himself, his smile fading.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked, noticing the sudden change in mood.

"Nothing." Harry forced a smile.

"You know, you look tired. Are you feeling alright?" Ron asked in concern, leaning forwards to peer into Harry's eyes intently.

"I'm fine, I just didn't sleep well last night," Harry said, looking away.

Ron wondered if it was something else, but let the subject drop.

They finally pulled up in front of La Belle Lune and got out of the cab. Harry paid the driver and the two walked up to the front door. The entrance to the restaurant was a revolving gold door and the large windows showed many richly dressed people inside seated at the small, cozy tables. The lighting was dim, with candles providing a soft glow from each table.

Harry suddenly felt a heavy weight settle in his heart as he neared the revolving door. He grabbed Ron's arm at the last minute and tugged him away from the entrance.

"What's wrong?" Ron exclaimed as he stumbled in Harry's grasp.

"I'm sorry, Ron," Harry said, "but this feels wrong."

"What?" Ron cried in disbelief.

"No, I don't mean us," Harry hurriedly explained. "I just mean us in a place like this."

"Oh." Ron smiled in relief. "Actually, I'm a little relieved. I don't really care for these fancy places anyway, I only agreed because I thought that you did now, as part of the new you."

"There is no 'new me.' I'm still the same guy on the inside."

"I'm glad." Ron smiled. "So what do you want to do now?"

"How about going for a burger then seeing a movie?" Harry suggested.

"Sounds good to me, only we're a little over dressed."

"Who cares?" Harry laughed with a shrug.

Ron grinned and followed Harry down the sidewalk towards the little fast food place around the corner. They laughed as they slid into one of the booths, noticing the strange looks they were receiving. Harry offered to get their food while Ron stayed seated.

"Here we are," Harry announced as he set the plastic tray in front of Ron. "The finest burger - all the way from France, the best chips the world has to offer, and the most exquisite Pepsi you'll have ever tasted."

"Excellent." Ron laughed.

They sat and talked companionably throughout the entire meal; subjects ranging from Quidditch, to work, and to their school days. After they had finished eating, they wiped the grease off of their fingers on the paper napkins and walked back out onto the street, their stomachs full and their arteries decidedly clogged.

"What movie do you want to see?" Harry asked as they stood in front of the Muggle movie theatre. Then a new thought struck him. "Have you ever been to the movies?"

"I went a couple of times with my dad, but that was when I was little and he spent most of the time turning around and watching the projector behind us rather than the actual picture."

Harry laughed and could easily picture Ron's dad in the Muggle theatre, exclaiming over the popcorn machine and the cash registers.

"Okay, here's our choices," Harry read. "Mambo Italiano, Once Upon A Time in Mexico, Pirates of the Caribbean, Thunderpants, Underworld, Finding Nemo, and Seabiscuit "

"I have no idea what any of those are about," Ron said.

"Well, do you want to see an action or a comedy?"

"Hmm...action."

"Alright, then we have to decide between Once Upon A Time in Mexico, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Underworld."

"What the hell is Thunderpants?" Ron asked, looking up at the marquee.

"It's a kid's movie, about an astronaut who farts."

"What?" Ron snorted.

"Yeah, it's for kids. Actually, one of the kids in it kind of reminds me of you in your younger days."

"Really? Oh, I have to see that." Ron laughed.

"See it on your own time," Harry said, shaking his head. "I am not going to see a kid's movie."

"So, what do you want to see?"

"Hmm...I wouldn't mind seeing Underworld."

"Okay."

Harry and Ron made their way inside and bought tickets. Ron looked through the array of Muggle candy at the counter and happily bought four different items. Harry just rolled his eyes and laughed. They found some seats in the back and sat down as the theatre quickly filled up around them.

"Want some?" Ron asked as he opened up a box of Junior Mints.

"No thanks," Harry declined as the lights dimmed.

A hush fell over the theatre as the trailers began. Ron sat mesmerized by the action-packed movie promos, first one for Resident Evil 2, then the special re-release of Alien, Haunted Mansion, and finally the Matrix Revolutions. Then the movie started.

Harry continually glanced out of the corner of his eye at Ron's enraptured expression; his brown eyes wide and mouth slightly open. The movie was poorly written but had enough action-packed sequences to keep you interested, plus loud music and good special effects.

Ron caught him peeking as Harry gave him another glance. He smiled and placed his hand upturned on the arm rest between them. Harry smiled back and placed his hand in Ron's. They intertwined their fingers and looked back to the film with smiles on both of their faces.

"Well, what did you think?" Harry asked as the credits rolled.

"Pretty cool," Ron answered, tossing his empty candy boxes to the sticky floor.

They both stretched their legs and stood up, their hands still clasped between them as they made their way to the lobby and outside. They filed out onto the street with the other people and saw that it had begun to drizzle out.

"Should we call a cab?" Ron asked.

"Why don't we walk to my place? It's not too far," Harry suggested.

"Okay," Ron agreed easily.

As they walked along in silence, Harry couldn't help thinking of last night when he and Dra- Malfoy had walked together, also holding hands. Harry shook the memory from his head and concentrated on Ron. He was with Ron now.

"When's your next game?" Ron asked.

"Thursday," Harry answered. "Oliver is going to be pissed at me though, I missed practice this morning."

"You did? What happened?"

"I over-slept," Harry admitted ruefully.

Ron chuckled. "Didn't Oliver call you wondering why you weren't there?"

"He did, but I think he thought I was sick or something so he let it go. He'll yell at me on Thursday for sure."

Ron squeezed his hand and laughed sympathetically.

Harry felt his heart warm as he walked along. He really did feel happy when Ron was with him. No confusing thoughts or mixed emotions messing with his head. Just a good warm feeling, like your childhood home on Christmas morning or the smell of your mom's cookies baking in the oven. Of course, Harry had never experienced those, so to him it was Christmas morning at Hogwarts and Hagrid's cookies baking.

Harry realised that Ron was with him in all those times, too. He was a part of Harry's fond memories and always would be.

They both subconsciously slowed down as they reached Harry's building, neither wanting the night to end. Ron led Harry to where he had parked his car and took out his keys, finally releasing Harry's hand.

"Well..." he said. "I had a great time."

"Me too." Harry smiled softly.

Before he could lose his nerve he leaned forward and pressed his lips to Ron's. Ron closed his eyes and took a step closer to Harry as they kissed. It was a chaste kiss, just a quick meeting of the lips, but it was warm and familiar.

Harry smiled as they pulled apart. "I'll call you tomorrow?" he finally managed to say.

"Sure, and I'll see you at your game on Thursday."

"Right."

Ron stepped forward and kissed him once more on the lips, very softly, before he unlocked his car door.

"Bye," Harry said as Ron got in.

"See ya later, Harry."

Harry waved as Ron drove off up the street and disappeared around the corner. He turned and walked on a cloud of happiness into his building.

He couldn't help comparing Ron to Malfoy as he got ready for bed that night. They were so very different. Where Ron was funny and sweet, Malfoy was passionate and mysterious. Ron was comforting, and Malfoy had a hint of danger.

"I have got to stop thinking about him!" Harry admonished himself as he climbed beneath the covers.

He laid on his back and put his hands under his head as he looked up at the ceiling. He smiled as he thought of Ron's kiss. He had wanted it for so long and now they were together. A friendship that blossomed into love - how perfect.

Harry hugged himself with joy and closed his eyes, the memory of Ron's smile after they had kissed still fresh in his mind as he drifted off.