The exciting epilogue enters production! Final, as in end of story! Well,
unless I do make that prologue story. But we'll see, eh? Oh, and so no
one knows any Elvish? :)
---------
"Thanks, Hermione."
Ron looked up at the curly-haired young woman, and smiled. She smiled back and patted his red head.
"You're welcome, Ron. Pleased if you don't put off your make-up work next time." She waited for him to collect his book and raise himself to his feet.
It had been a month since he had woken up to his mother at his bedside. Then and there he had been kissed by Harry, and his mother walked in on that. From there, Ron had gone home with no shame and no hiding. He decided that it was far more valuable to enjoy Harry openly than to sneak him away as before.
Hermione and Ron made their way back to Gryffindor common room.
"Where's Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Practice," Ron said, referring to Quiddich practice. Harry was practicing every night now. They had a big match with Slytherin coming up.
"Ah," Hermione said simply.
They walked in silence for a bit longer, then Hermione spoke again.
"Ron, are you happy?"
The question took Ron off-guard.
"Why do you ask?" he said defensively.
"Well..." Hermione started tentatively. "I guess I was just wondering. You seem to be on edge recently."
Ron nodded. "Yeah, so? I've been a little grumpy because Harry's been gone so much. They are working him too much."
"You never used to think so."
"I never used to sleep next to him."
Hermione's eyebrows raised considerably. After they lowered, she continued. "How did your parents take it? I mean, your relationship."
Ron shuffled next to Hermione. "Well, I suppose they were confused. Last they heard, Harry was dating Cho Chang, so mum asked a lot of uncomfortable questions of Harry."
Hermione nodded in understanding. "I was glad I left after a couple of days. I knew how you were going to be interrogated."
Ron looked at the ground and shuffled along. "I guess mum just thought...I dunno, she thought it just didn't seem right. Like it wasn't me, to be with a guy."
Hermione nodded.
Ron continued. "But I told her, it was more about being with Harry."
"Yeah, my mum was freaked about Viktor Krum. 'Too old!,' she'd say. But once she met him and got to know him, everything was fine."
"And mum's known Harry for a long time," Ron said.
When the two got to the common room, they found it mostly empty. Not surprising to Ron was the fact that Harry was no where around. Ron slumped in a chair unhappily.
"Why don't you go watch him practice?" Hermione said. "I'm sure he wants to see you too."
Ron nodded. "I just don't want to be there, like, all the time. I want to let him have his time away."
"Yeah, but when that time away is a good deal of the total amount of time, surely you could go see him every once in a while?"
"I should do more homework."
"Ronald Weasley, you and I both know that you wont concentrate one ink on any of your homework. Just go, would you? Give Harry a hug for me." Hermione stood over Ron's chair.
Ron grinned. "Yeah, yeah you're right." He got up and gave Hermione a hug. "Be back later."
Ron left the common room and made his way through the castle to the front entrance. He stepped out into the warm fall day and trotted down toward the Quiddich pitch. As he neared, he could see people flying about over the field. He didn't spot Harry until he was almost in the arena. At that time he also noticed the Slytherin team waiting on the sidelines, ostensibly to use the field after Gryffindor was finished.
Ron took a seat near to the place he had just entered from. He watched Harry up there, diving every once in a while. A familiar feeling of...stomach butterflies?...hornyness? both?...had grasped him. Funny how Harry could make him consistently feel that.
Things had been much better, at least on Ron's end, since the 'incident.' Harry had become more attentive, and more interested in more intimate touching like snuggling. Harry was still having issues with public displays of affection. Ron was trying to be understanding and be happy with the contact that he did get, which was any moment stolen alone in their room, in the shower, and the castle was a big place...
Ron was awaken from his stupor by a drawling voice next to him.
"Why aren't you practicing, Weasley?" Draco Malfoy sat down next to Ron. There was no one with him. His Slytherin cronies were a good deal away; they looked like they were waiting for a virulent reaction from Ron.
"I don't play Quiddich any more. You obviously don't remember last year?"
Draco nodded. "Yeah, we all remember. Are you kidding, I had new pins made up-" Draco suddenly stopped. "Well, it seems you've done the cowardly thing and quit. Why? Can't you snog Potter and still both be sports types?"
Ron's jaw dropped, and he sat stunned for a moment.
Draco continued. "Or are you the domestic one? Clean his laundry, maybe do his homework..."
Ron stood and yelled. "Fuck off, Malfoy! Just fuck the hell off!"
Draco stood, giving Ron one more cool look before walking haughtily away.
Ron sat again, mumbling. How did Malfoy know that he and Harry were together? Or was Draco just trying to get him all riled up? Either way, Ron was now worked up.
---------
Harry was concentrating hard on finding the snitch. He knew that these skills he built now would be invaluable, and he also knew that Gryffindor had to beat Slytherin. They would, since it would be his last year for such triumphs.
Just then Harry spotted that familiar golden flash from across the pitch. He honed in, and kicked off. As he sped closer and closer, he could feel his weight push forward slightly in anticipation of grabbing the flying creature. His hand arched out, and he was just there, when-
"Fuck off, Malfoy! Just-"
Harry was distracted by Ron's voice and he missed the snitch my several centimeters as it took advantage of his distraction. As it flew off, Harry's eyes flew down to where he heard Ron's voice coming from, and the bludger that was coming-
Harry narrowly avoided a hit to his head, and he sat panting heavily for a moment and regained his composure. That certainly wasn't going to do.
For the rest of practice he found himself keeping an eye down near where Ron was in case he had to go down there. Harry had a fleeting thought about how it might look like they were together, but felt guilty for it and pushed it aside. He was still grateful to have Ron, and he wasn't yet ready to give it up.
When practice had ceased (and the Slytherins had taken the field while chanting snide remarks) Harry walked over to Ron, who had waited patiently.
"Hey, Harry!" Ron said enthusiastically.
Harry looked around a bit suspiciously, and then said "Hey, Ron."
Ron's face dropped a little. Harry knew that Ron was sensitive about how 'out' they were. Harry tried to make up for this by patting Ron's shoulder, but Ron stood still.
"OK, then, you have to change? I'll wait, walk you back up."
"Why don't you start up, and I'll meet you in the castle?"
Harry regretted saying it as soon as it left his mouth. Ron's face dropped again, and he nodded and turned quickly. Harry guiltily thought that he wasn't going to get any that night. The thought turned into another picture of how dysfunctional they seemed to be. This was becoming a habit, how Ron would try to eek a bit of a kiss or hug out of Harry in public, and Harry would deny, and Ron would be aloof for a little while. Where was Ron's understanding? They had discussed it.
Harry walked absent-mindedly into the showers. He undressed and tried to keep his mind off Ron for a change. As he turned on the shower, a little cold at first, then much warmer, he let his thoughts wander off.
---------
Ron just couldn't believe. Now Harry wasn't going to let him walk him back to the castle? What kind of boyfriend was he, anyhow?
The secret kind, he admitted.
His thoughts were a jumble as he made his way back up to the castle. There was this little part of him that was okay with Harry's attitude and behavior, and there was the rest of him, which was squashing acceptance of it and telling him to be aggressive. Stand up for himself. The thing was, he just couldn't bring himself to have another of those conversations with Harry. There was nothing he had said so far that made it attractive to Harry to have their relationship be out. Ron thought for a moment that maybe what they had was a bit of excitement, that was it, and that maybe it had waned. For Harry, at least.
This thought made Ron subconsciously clench his fists as he entered the castle. He muttered greetings to a couple of people as he made his way up to Gryffindor common room. As he got there, he realized that he didn't want to be there. He didn't want Harry to find him, and try to comfort him; he didn't want that talk. But then he didn't want it to seem like he was bothered. This, though, seemed paradoxical to Ron.
"Ron."
Hermione's voice cracked the thought Ron was in.
"Hermione." Ron realized he was short, and he didn't want to snap. He took a deep breath.
"Ron, you look as though something's wrong. Come over here, tell me about it."
Ron found himself following Hermione over to the fireplace, which was going even though the room was quite warm. They sat next to each other, and Hermione put her hand on Ron's shoulder.
"Alright, so what's wrong now?" Her face was set.
Ron didn't make eye contact. "Oh, I'm just...I'm just overreacting. That's all." Ron took a deep breath again.
"Well then, you overreact all the bloody time!"
Ron shoved out of the chair and stormed to his room. Hermione called something after him, but it was no use. Ron was up the stairs and into his bedroom, door slammed for effect. Ron leaned his back against it and thought for a moment. His thoughts turned wicked for a moment, and he ran toward Harry's bed.
---------
Harry walked into the common room in long strides, eager to make it to his bedroom without confrontation. When he saw only Hermione sitting near the fireplace, he slowed, contemplated, and walked over to her. She was reading a copy of 'Kilker's Koolest Magical Vacations.' As he neared it was obvious to him that she wasn't actually reading; she was waiting for him.
"Hey, Hermoine," he said wearily.
"Hey, Harry," she said, glancing up from the book.
Harry slumped in the chair next to hers. He stared at the fireplace for a while, breathing calmly.
"Where's Ron?"
Hermione continued the façade of reading. "He's up in the boy's dorm." She turned a page.
"Ah." Harry sighed loudly. "So what has he told you?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow, then lowered the book. "Nothing out of the ordinary. I told him he should go watch you practice."
"Did you tell him to start a fight with Draco Malfoy?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "No, of course not. But don't you mean, 'did I tell Malfoy to start a fight with Ron?'"
Harry looked into his lap.
"Alright, Harry, what is it? Why so glum?" Hermione said this as if she'd asked this question every night for a fortnight, already knowing the answer for that evening.
There was silence between them.
"Seriously, Harry, here is my advice as one of your best friends." She looked at him questioningly. "I am still one of your best friends..."
Harry nodded emphatically. "Of course. Couldn't have made it this far without you."
Hermione nodded approval. "Yes, well. I think you should just break up with Ron and get it over with."
"Eh?" Harry choked and gasped simultaneously.
Hermione continued, nonplussed. "Try and get back a functioning friendship before we all go off on our own."
Harry looked shocked. "But we have a functional friendship! Ron and me, too! I just...I've no experience with the whole serious relationship thing."
"Yeah, well then, work it out." Hermione began to raise her book again. "I'm here for you, but I'll not be in the middle of your disputes every single time. I'd like to enjoy your mutual company again, without the doubt painted on your face or the exasperation painted on his!"
This seemed definitive. Harry stood slowly and made his way feebly up to the dorm. He wasn't quite sure what he was going to say to Ron. He was positive it wouldn't include the words 'break' or 'up.'
Harry opened the door and peeked in. There was no light on and the curtains around Ron's bed were drawn. This wasn't unusual; Harry was used to creeping under the covers with him after practice, or when everyone else was asleep. He made his way silently over to the bed and stood by the curtains. Other students wouldn't be back for an hour at least; there was dinner to attend to. Almost on cue, Harry's stomach churtled.
"Ron?" Harry put forth quietly. Then loudly: "Ron!" He drew the curtains aside slowly. There was no one in Ron's bed. Harry rounded the bed and went to his own, pulling the curtains a little more forcefully. There was no one there either. Harry let the curtains close with a frustrated sigh and went back out to the landing. Overlooking Hermione only, he spoke.
"Hermione, you said Ron was up here?"
"Yeah, he hasn't come back down." Hermione got a look on her face. "Why, he not up there?"
Harry turned and walked back into the room, turning on the lights with a flick of his wand as he went. Nothing was out of place. Harry began more actively looking around the room, under beds and such. Ron was nowhere. He went back out to the landing and practically ran into Hermione.
"Maybe he went to dinner?" Harry asked unsurely.
Suddenly Hermione caught a glimpse of a hand behind Harry. She got a shocked expression on her face until she also caught Ron's face hovering in the air, finger pressed to his mouth. Harry saw the look on her face and turned around abruptly, but Ron had hidden again.
"Listen, I'm not going to deal with this shit." Harry slipped past Hermione angrily, who pushed into the air as if to say 'C'mon, now!'
"Harry!"
Harry stopped and turned around. Hermione still stood on the balcony overlooking the common room; Ron's head was floating next to her. Floating...
Harry got angry quickly. "What do you think you're doing?"
The rest of the invisibility cloak slipped off Ron, hanging on his finger. Hermione's eyes raised, waiting for the ensuing conflict.
Harry climbed the steps after the silence and grabbed the cloak back. He went into the bedroom and shut the doors behind him.
"Ron, what were you going to do with that?" She looked severe.
"Surprise him?" Ron looked half innocent and half guilty. "I was...I dunno." He looked down.
"Honestly, Ron, you are so thick sometimes. You were going to spy!"
"On what?" Ron asked indignantly. "There's nothing I'd learn by spying on him."
"Well you have a funny way of surprising him. Haven't you heard of lingerie?"
Ron's face dropped three feet at lease, and Hermione laughed.
---------
Harry felt violated and hurt. He didn't know why exactly; he wasn't usually such a drama queen. He flung the cloak in his trunk and slammed the lid shut. He took off his clothing in a haste he didn't know he was there, then remembered that he was hungry. At this point he didn't care.
Harry crawled into bed wearily. He hadn't even thought of his homework. He sighed irritably, wishing for Ron's arms around him and chastising himself for the wish. He flicked his wand, closing the bedcurtains around him.
It was later that footsteps entered, Harry thought in unison. He knew it was the group of teens that lived in that room, and he wondered only momentarily if Ron was among them. He thought he could hear Ron's bedcurtains close, though among that din he couldn't tell.
Soon after the lights were out in their room, and Harry let his breath out. He closed his eyes, and his mind began to drift. He was flying, out over a great green field, hair flying wildly, should he have combed it?, that's stupid, Ron sitting down there, I should land-
The bed dipped; someone was getting in with him. Then the warm breath next to his neck.
"Harry..." A warm arm wrapped itself around his waist, and Harry had a moment of resentment before placing his hand over that of Ron.
"Ron..."
Right there, right then, Harry smiled. Not widely, nor enthusiastically, but happily. He could tell Ron was doing the same when he kissed the back of his neck.
---------------
Right, so I hope I haven't let anyone down too much. Lots of angst; for some reason I like this. Reference, by the way, to how it went on and on and how Harry really was out of character. :) Poor Harry...
Now I gotta go drool over the fleshy Harry tomorrow; gawd, are they trying to sexualize Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco? Cause if they aren't, geez...I'm a bad person.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed this; and I hope everyone sees the reworked scene in Chappie 2. You know which one. Still graphic, just not...erm...'gyrating.' Heh heh...sorry.
Peace out y'all!
---------
"Thanks, Hermione."
Ron looked up at the curly-haired young woman, and smiled. She smiled back and patted his red head.
"You're welcome, Ron. Pleased if you don't put off your make-up work next time." She waited for him to collect his book and raise himself to his feet.
It had been a month since he had woken up to his mother at his bedside. Then and there he had been kissed by Harry, and his mother walked in on that. From there, Ron had gone home with no shame and no hiding. He decided that it was far more valuable to enjoy Harry openly than to sneak him away as before.
Hermione and Ron made their way back to Gryffindor common room.
"Where's Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Practice," Ron said, referring to Quiddich practice. Harry was practicing every night now. They had a big match with Slytherin coming up.
"Ah," Hermione said simply.
They walked in silence for a bit longer, then Hermione spoke again.
"Ron, are you happy?"
The question took Ron off-guard.
"Why do you ask?" he said defensively.
"Well..." Hermione started tentatively. "I guess I was just wondering. You seem to be on edge recently."
Ron nodded. "Yeah, so? I've been a little grumpy because Harry's been gone so much. They are working him too much."
"You never used to think so."
"I never used to sleep next to him."
Hermione's eyebrows raised considerably. After they lowered, she continued. "How did your parents take it? I mean, your relationship."
Ron shuffled next to Hermione. "Well, I suppose they were confused. Last they heard, Harry was dating Cho Chang, so mum asked a lot of uncomfortable questions of Harry."
Hermione nodded in understanding. "I was glad I left after a couple of days. I knew how you were going to be interrogated."
Ron looked at the ground and shuffled along. "I guess mum just thought...I dunno, she thought it just didn't seem right. Like it wasn't me, to be with a guy."
Hermione nodded.
Ron continued. "But I told her, it was more about being with Harry."
"Yeah, my mum was freaked about Viktor Krum. 'Too old!,' she'd say. But once she met him and got to know him, everything was fine."
"And mum's known Harry for a long time," Ron said.
When the two got to the common room, they found it mostly empty. Not surprising to Ron was the fact that Harry was no where around. Ron slumped in a chair unhappily.
"Why don't you go watch him practice?" Hermione said. "I'm sure he wants to see you too."
Ron nodded. "I just don't want to be there, like, all the time. I want to let him have his time away."
"Yeah, but when that time away is a good deal of the total amount of time, surely you could go see him every once in a while?"
"I should do more homework."
"Ronald Weasley, you and I both know that you wont concentrate one ink on any of your homework. Just go, would you? Give Harry a hug for me." Hermione stood over Ron's chair.
Ron grinned. "Yeah, yeah you're right." He got up and gave Hermione a hug. "Be back later."
Ron left the common room and made his way through the castle to the front entrance. He stepped out into the warm fall day and trotted down toward the Quiddich pitch. As he neared, he could see people flying about over the field. He didn't spot Harry until he was almost in the arena. At that time he also noticed the Slytherin team waiting on the sidelines, ostensibly to use the field after Gryffindor was finished.
Ron took a seat near to the place he had just entered from. He watched Harry up there, diving every once in a while. A familiar feeling of...stomach butterflies?...hornyness? both?...had grasped him. Funny how Harry could make him consistently feel that.
Things had been much better, at least on Ron's end, since the 'incident.' Harry had become more attentive, and more interested in more intimate touching like snuggling. Harry was still having issues with public displays of affection. Ron was trying to be understanding and be happy with the contact that he did get, which was any moment stolen alone in their room, in the shower, and the castle was a big place...
Ron was awaken from his stupor by a drawling voice next to him.
"Why aren't you practicing, Weasley?" Draco Malfoy sat down next to Ron. There was no one with him. His Slytherin cronies were a good deal away; they looked like they were waiting for a virulent reaction from Ron.
"I don't play Quiddich any more. You obviously don't remember last year?"
Draco nodded. "Yeah, we all remember. Are you kidding, I had new pins made up-" Draco suddenly stopped. "Well, it seems you've done the cowardly thing and quit. Why? Can't you snog Potter and still both be sports types?"
Ron's jaw dropped, and he sat stunned for a moment.
Draco continued. "Or are you the domestic one? Clean his laundry, maybe do his homework..."
Ron stood and yelled. "Fuck off, Malfoy! Just fuck the hell off!"
Draco stood, giving Ron one more cool look before walking haughtily away.
Ron sat again, mumbling. How did Malfoy know that he and Harry were together? Or was Draco just trying to get him all riled up? Either way, Ron was now worked up.
---------
Harry was concentrating hard on finding the snitch. He knew that these skills he built now would be invaluable, and he also knew that Gryffindor had to beat Slytherin. They would, since it would be his last year for such triumphs.
Just then Harry spotted that familiar golden flash from across the pitch. He honed in, and kicked off. As he sped closer and closer, he could feel his weight push forward slightly in anticipation of grabbing the flying creature. His hand arched out, and he was just there, when-
"Fuck off, Malfoy! Just-"
Harry was distracted by Ron's voice and he missed the snitch my several centimeters as it took advantage of his distraction. As it flew off, Harry's eyes flew down to where he heard Ron's voice coming from, and the bludger that was coming-
Harry narrowly avoided a hit to his head, and he sat panting heavily for a moment and regained his composure. That certainly wasn't going to do.
For the rest of practice he found himself keeping an eye down near where Ron was in case he had to go down there. Harry had a fleeting thought about how it might look like they were together, but felt guilty for it and pushed it aside. He was still grateful to have Ron, and he wasn't yet ready to give it up.
When practice had ceased (and the Slytherins had taken the field while chanting snide remarks) Harry walked over to Ron, who had waited patiently.
"Hey, Harry!" Ron said enthusiastically.
Harry looked around a bit suspiciously, and then said "Hey, Ron."
Ron's face dropped a little. Harry knew that Ron was sensitive about how 'out' they were. Harry tried to make up for this by patting Ron's shoulder, but Ron stood still.
"OK, then, you have to change? I'll wait, walk you back up."
"Why don't you start up, and I'll meet you in the castle?"
Harry regretted saying it as soon as it left his mouth. Ron's face dropped again, and he nodded and turned quickly. Harry guiltily thought that he wasn't going to get any that night. The thought turned into another picture of how dysfunctional they seemed to be. This was becoming a habit, how Ron would try to eek a bit of a kiss or hug out of Harry in public, and Harry would deny, and Ron would be aloof for a little while. Where was Ron's understanding? They had discussed it.
Harry walked absent-mindedly into the showers. He undressed and tried to keep his mind off Ron for a change. As he turned on the shower, a little cold at first, then much warmer, he let his thoughts wander off.
---------
Ron just couldn't believe. Now Harry wasn't going to let him walk him back to the castle? What kind of boyfriend was he, anyhow?
The secret kind, he admitted.
His thoughts were a jumble as he made his way back up to the castle. There was this little part of him that was okay with Harry's attitude and behavior, and there was the rest of him, which was squashing acceptance of it and telling him to be aggressive. Stand up for himself. The thing was, he just couldn't bring himself to have another of those conversations with Harry. There was nothing he had said so far that made it attractive to Harry to have their relationship be out. Ron thought for a moment that maybe what they had was a bit of excitement, that was it, and that maybe it had waned. For Harry, at least.
This thought made Ron subconsciously clench his fists as he entered the castle. He muttered greetings to a couple of people as he made his way up to Gryffindor common room. As he got there, he realized that he didn't want to be there. He didn't want Harry to find him, and try to comfort him; he didn't want that talk. But then he didn't want it to seem like he was bothered. This, though, seemed paradoxical to Ron.
"Ron."
Hermione's voice cracked the thought Ron was in.
"Hermione." Ron realized he was short, and he didn't want to snap. He took a deep breath.
"Ron, you look as though something's wrong. Come over here, tell me about it."
Ron found himself following Hermione over to the fireplace, which was going even though the room was quite warm. They sat next to each other, and Hermione put her hand on Ron's shoulder.
"Alright, so what's wrong now?" Her face was set.
Ron didn't make eye contact. "Oh, I'm just...I'm just overreacting. That's all." Ron took a deep breath again.
"Well then, you overreact all the bloody time!"
Ron shoved out of the chair and stormed to his room. Hermione called something after him, but it was no use. Ron was up the stairs and into his bedroom, door slammed for effect. Ron leaned his back against it and thought for a moment. His thoughts turned wicked for a moment, and he ran toward Harry's bed.
---------
Harry walked into the common room in long strides, eager to make it to his bedroom without confrontation. When he saw only Hermione sitting near the fireplace, he slowed, contemplated, and walked over to her. She was reading a copy of 'Kilker's Koolest Magical Vacations.' As he neared it was obvious to him that she wasn't actually reading; she was waiting for him.
"Hey, Hermoine," he said wearily.
"Hey, Harry," she said, glancing up from the book.
Harry slumped in the chair next to hers. He stared at the fireplace for a while, breathing calmly.
"Where's Ron?"
Hermione continued the façade of reading. "He's up in the boy's dorm." She turned a page.
"Ah." Harry sighed loudly. "So what has he told you?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow, then lowered the book. "Nothing out of the ordinary. I told him he should go watch you practice."
"Did you tell him to start a fight with Draco Malfoy?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "No, of course not. But don't you mean, 'did I tell Malfoy to start a fight with Ron?'"
Harry looked into his lap.
"Alright, Harry, what is it? Why so glum?" Hermione said this as if she'd asked this question every night for a fortnight, already knowing the answer for that evening.
There was silence between them.
"Seriously, Harry, here is my advice as one of your best friends." She looked at him questioningly. "I am still one of your best friends..."
Harry nodded emphatically. "Of course. Couldn't have made it this far without you."
Hermione nodded approval. "Yes, well. I think you should just break up with Ron and get it over with."
"Eh?" Harry choked and gasped simultaneously.
Hermione continued, nonplussed. "Try and get back a functioning friendship before we all go off on our own."
Harry looked shocked. "But we have a functional friendship! Ron and me, too! I just...I've no experience with the whole serious relationship thing."
"Yeah, well then, work it out." Hermione began to raise her book again. "I'm here for you, but I'll not be in the middle of your disputes every single time. I'd like to enjoy your mutual company again, without the doubt painted on your face or the exasperation painted on his!"
This seemed definitive. Harry stood slowly and made his way feebly up to the dorm. He wasn't quite sure what he was going to say to Ron. He was positive it wouldn't include the words 'break' or 'up.'
Harry opened the door and peeked in. There was no light on and the curtains around Ron's bed were drawn. This wasn't unusual; Harry was used to creeping under the covers with him after practice, or when everyone else was asleep. He made his way silently over to the bed and stood by the curtains. Other students wouldn't be back for an hour at least; there was dinner to attend to. Almost on cue, Harry's stomach churtled.
"Ron?" Harry put forth quietly. Then loudly: "Ron!" He drew the curtains aside slowly. There was no one in Ron's bed. Harry rounded the bed and went to his own, pulling the curtains a little more forcefully. There was no one there either. Harry let the curtains close with a frustrated sigh and went back out to the landing. Overlooking Hermione only, he spoke.
"Hermione, you said Ron was up here?"
"Yeah, he hasn't come back down." Hermione got a look on her face. "Why, he not up there?"
Harry turned and walked back into the room, turning on the lights with a flick of his wand as he went. Nothing was out of place. Harry began more actively looking around the room, under beds and such. Ron was nowhere. He went back out to the landing and practically ran into Hermione.
"Maybe he went to dinner?" Harry asked unsurely.
Suddenly Hermione caught a glimpse of a hand behind Harry. She got a shocked expression on her face until she also caught Ron's face hovering in the air, finger pressed to his mouth. Harry saw the look on her face and turned around abruptly, but Ron had hidden again.
"Listen, I'm not going to deal with this shit." Harry slipped past Hermione angrily, who pushed into the air as if to say 'C'mon, now!'
"Harry!"
Harry stopped and turned around. Hermione still stood on the balcony overlooking the common room; Ron's head was floating next to her. Floating...
Harry got angry quickly. "What do you think you're doing?"
The rest of the invisibility cloak slipped off Ron, hanging on his finger. Hermione's eyes raised, waiting for the ensuing conflict.
Harry climbed the steps after the silence and grabbed the cloak back. He went into the bedroom and shut the doors behind him.
"Ron, what were you going to do with that?" She looked severe.
"Surprise him?" Ron looked half innocent and half guilty. "I was...I dunno." He looked down.
"Honestly, Ron, you are so thick sometimes. You were going to spy!"
"On what?" Ron asked indignantly. "There's nothing I'd learn by spying on him."
"Well you have a funny way of surprising him. Haven't you heard of lingerie?"
Ron's face dropped three feet at lease, and Hermione laughed.
---------
Harry felt violated and hurt. He didn't know why exactly; he wasn't usually such a drama queen. He flung the cloak in his trunk and slammed the lid shut. He took off his clothing in a haste he didn't know he was there, then remembered that he was hungry. At this point he didn't care.
Harry crawled into bed wearily. He hadn't even thought of his homework. He sighed irritably, wishing for Ron's arms around him and chastising himself for the wish. He flicked his wand, closing the bedcurtains around him.
It was later that footsteps entered, Harry thought in unison. He knew it was the group of teens that lived in that room, and he wondered only momentarily if Ron was among them. He thought he could hear Ron's bedcurtains close, though among that din he couldn't tell.
Soon after the lights were out in their room, and Harry let his breath out. He closed his eyes, and his mind began to drift. He was flying, out over a great green field, hair flying wildly, should he have combed it?, that's stupid, Ron sitting down there, I should land-
The bed dipped; someone was getting in with him. Then the warm breath next to his neck.
"Harry..." A warm arm wrapped itself around his waist, and Harry had a moment of resentment before placing his hand over that of Ron.
"Ron..."
Right there, right then, Harry smiled. Not widely, nor enthusiastically, but happily. He could tell Ron was doing the same when he kissed the back of his neck.
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Right, so I hope I haven't let anyone down too much. Lots of angst; for some reason I like this. Reference, by the way, to how it went on and on and how Harry really was out of character. :) Poor Harry...
Now I gotta go drool over the fleshy Harry tomorrow; gawd, are they trying to sexualize Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco? Cause if they aren't, geez...I'm a bad person.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed this; and I hope everyone sees the reworked scene in Chappie 2. You know which one. Still graphic, just not...erm...'gyrating.' Heh heh...sorry.
Peace out y'all!