Ron squealed and jumped up from the table. He ignored Harry's "Hey, Ron, where are you going?" and ran right to the Gryffindor tower. He sat on his bed, pulled the coverings around, and laid back with a happy sigh.
Twenty minutes later he was still laying there thinking the same lot of questions that ran through his head. Would Draco want to be his pen pal? Why had they been paired off? Should he write to him now? Or wait for Draco to write first? What if Draco never wrote? How long should he wait until he writes to him? Should he tell Harry about the pen pal system? Would Hermione be more understanding? Should he tell her about his sexuality, so that he can tell her about Draco? Should he tell Remus? Is Draco even gay? Is there a possibility they could at least become friends? Is Draco really as evil as he comes off to be?
He sighed again and cleared his mind. He hugged the letter tight and laid like that for five minutes. When he was calmed down, he put the letter away in his truck and headed down to the common room, where some people were lingering. Harry and Hermione walked in and ran over to Ron.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked.
"You just ran out of there like you weren't even sitting with us!" Hermione scolded.
"Sorry guys..."
"What was that owl about?" Hermione asked and sat down in front of the fire. Harry followed suite but Ron stayed standing by the sofa.
"Well...um, the truth is...don't laugh, but..."
"Ron, just spit it out already!" Harry laughed.
"Okay, I signed up for this new pen pal thing. I just feel like I need to connect with some other people. You two have other friends...I thought it was time I got some too."
"Oh..." Harry and Hermione said together.
"No offense to you guys at all!" Ron said, sensing that they felt pushed aside. He sat down between them. "Hermione...there's something I need to tell you." But just as he was about to say that, there was a tap on the window. A second year boy, named Linus, opened it and took an envelope from the strong silver eagle owl, and watched it fly off. Then he turned around.
"It's for you, Weasley." he directed to Ron, and levitated it across the room. Ron took one look at the elegant, mysterious, yet sinful handwriting spelling out his name, and bolted up the stairs towards the sixth year boy's dormitory.
Once he was sitting on his bed with the light from his wand glowing brightly for reading light, he carefully opened the envelop and pulled out the parchment letter inside.
Dear Weasel,
Sprout must have been out of her mind to pair us together. If you read the introductory letter, which I highly doubt you did, you would have seen her absurd reasons for it. However, I'm going to go through with this little chaired, because Father has hired some nutty shrink who thinks I need to "make friends". Friends are useless in this world. All I need is Crabbe and Goyle, and those bunch of nutters who follow me around like I'm some kind of god.
So...the letter suggests that we "get to know each other". It says to answer a few questions, so here it goes.
-My favorite color is black...silver is a close second.
-Of course I don't have any siblings everyone knows that!
-My favorite animal? What an idiotic question! Why would it be anything besides a snake. Honestly...
-My birthday is December 17th
-My favorite holiday is my birthday, because it's all about me...but then again, what day isn't? Halloween is after that, because we always have a big ball at our Manner
-My favorite sweets are Frizzle Wobblers...I doubt you've ever heard of them, they are very much out of your expense range.
-Something most people don't know about me...well, something most people outside of Slytherin don't know anyway... I'm a vegetarian. Now, now...don't think I'm soft. Just because I'm the son of Lucius Malfoy, doesn't mean I have to be a cannibal. (which I consider eating animals to be, because it's still the same as what's on the inside of us...and I couldn't stand eating something that I knew was once alive...yeah, it's just gross!)
So, Weasel, now that I have my weekly required letter out of the way, I'm off to open a new bottle of tequila.
Unfortunately Yours,
D. Malfoy
Ron's eyebrows knitted. It was like the evil Draco he knew writing it...but with details, or somewhat, or his life. Draco the vegetarian? It almost made Ron laugh. He got out of his bed and paced back and forth, determining weather to write back now and seem desperate, or wait a while. He settled for at least waiting until the next morning. He folded the letter gently, and put it in his pocket. Trying to hide his huge smile, he made his way back into the common room.
"Ron, what in the world is going on!? That's the second time you ran off today after receiving post!" Hermione huffed out.
"Sorry, sorry." he said shyly.
"Now, what did you want to tell me...Harry wouldn't say a thing, but I know that he knows!"
"Thanks, mate." Ron whispered to Harry.
"Okay, Hermione...let's go up to the boys dormitory...I can't tell you here." Ron said and grabbed her arm. He led her upstairs, and Harry followed close behind.
He sat her down on his bed, turned around to take a deep breath, and turned back around before blurting out "Hermione, I'm gay!" he didn't know any other way to put it, and he didn't want to go through his whole life story again, like he had to for Harry. He always thought Hermione would be more accepting anyway. However, he still figured she would be shocked, so he sat down next to her, and held her hand.
She turned to him with a warm smile. "Well of course you are, Ron. I'm glad you've finally come out with it."
Harry and Ron's jaws both dropped, and they screamed together "You knew?! All long?"
Hermione smiled and shook her head at how stupid they were. "Of course I knew, you bone heads! Ron, you two are my best friends. I know you both better than you think I do, and I know more than you've ever told me. Are you forgetting my IQ, Ronald? I can piece things together!"
"Oh, Hermione!" Ron said, flinging himself at her and tackling her onto the bed in a big hug. "How could I have underestimated you! Well...at least I really didn't have to worry about you hating me then."
"Hating you?! Ron! I could never!"
"Thanks 'Moine."
"Hey, Ron..."
"Yeah, Hermione?"
"GET OFF OF ME!!!"
Ron blushed in embarrassment and slid off of his friend.
"So..." Hermione said, straightening her robes. "Let's get to the topic of Draco Malfoy."
Ron panicked. "What?" he tried to play dumb.
"What's Malfoy got to do with anything, Hermione." Harry said, spitting the name out like a piece of trash.
"Ron... you mean you didn't even tell Harry? Now I expected better from you."
"Ron, what's she talking about?" Harry said, turning to his friend with a curious yet angered face.
"You haven't noticed, Harry? The way he drools over him in class, stares at him at lunch, do I need to say more?" Hermione stood up and walked over to Ron. She gave him a hug. "I'm right, aren't I?"
"Of course you're right, Hermione... I only wish you weren't." he whispered. "At least not right now...not right here..." he looked up at Harry in shame. Harry gave him the most disgusted look back before falling onto his bed. Hermione gave Ron a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving the two boys to work things out.
"Harry..." Ron said once Hermione left.
"Of all the people in the world... why Draco?!" Harry said as calmly as he could. He really didn't want to make Ron angry with him.
"I know it's strange...it's not that I like it...it's just how I feel, I can't help it!"
"After everything he's done to us. Trying to get us in trouble. Calling Hermione a Mudblood. Making fun of your family. His father nearly got Ginny killed!"
"That's his father, not him. Besides...everything he's done is kind of what turns me on."
Harry pretended to throw up at the thought of Ron being "turned on" by his enemy... or by any boy at all.
"Harry... I didn't want to tell you, because I knew you'd be mad. But I didn't tell anyone, so it's not like I wasn't being a good friend to you. I wanted you to be the first to know, and that's why I didn't tell Remus. It's just my luck that Hermione's brains exist in the world of love also."
"I believe you Ron... it's just going to have to take a ton of getting used to. But, you're still my best mate...and even though I'm completely grossed out by this... well, I'll deal with it."
Ron smiled and then ran down to get Hermione. When she was back in the dorm, he explained his conversations with Remus to them, and told them all about the pen pal system. He even read Draco's letter to them. It felt good to be open with both of his best friends, and Hermione was a great deal of help.
The next morning he woke up feeling as though all was right with the world, even if he knew deep down that the war was still happening, and he was still struggling in class. But there was still Draco... he went to his trunk and took out the introductory letter. After reading over it he found out it was true that all of questions Draco mentioned were on there. Also, it was a bit funny that Professor Sprout had paired them together for the reasons she had, but Ron was still happy. He began to write, hoping his words were perfect...
Dear Draco,
It is a tad funny that Professor Sprout went as far as to say that our fathers working with the Ministry of magic somehow made us compatible pen pals, but you have to think it's true that if we were to some how become friends, it would rock this school. Hermione says she made a wise decision. So...let me answer those questions now!
-My favorite color is orange, for my favorite Quidditch team!
-You know about most of my siblings...but I'm not so sure if you know about Bill and Charlie...they're a lot older than us.
-I'm not so sure what my favorite animal is...but I sure knows it's not spiders, three headed dogs, or gnomes!
-My birthday is in March
-My favorite holiday is Christmas. It's always fun, and we get to go home so I can see all of my family, and Harry always stays with us. Oh, and there's always lots of candy!
-My favorite sweet, believe is or not, is also Frizzle Wobblers...Charlie once worked at a candy shop, and got us all kinds of free treats. I hadn't had any for a really long time, but Harry got me some for my birthday this past spring!
-The only thing that people don't know about me is something that I'm not willing to say. There's nothing too interesting about me, but I'm not a completely boring person either... I'm just no Harry Potter...
Harry was, of course, quiet angry about us being pen pals. He can't stand you, but who could blame him? You haven't exactly given him reason to want to be your friend. Hermione on the other hand, thinks it will be a "great experience" what ever that means.
So, tell me Draco, do you really hate me? I mean like honest to God hate...so much so that you would kill me? Bloody hell, have you ever killed anyone!? Okay, I shouldn't have asked that. Is it just because of who my family is or because I'm a Gryffindor, so do you really hate me?
So, what are you into? We might as well get to know each other better if we're going to be pen pals. Write back when you can.
Your New Pal,
Ron Weasley
Ron slapped himself at how dumb he sounded, but stuffed it carefully into an envelope and set off to the owlery. When he arrived there, he looked up out the many windows. The sun was still rising, and a few owls were flying in through them, coming back from their nightly hunt. As he carefully stepped around and over the few droppings on the floor, Ron walked over to a owl who just came back, and didn't look too tired. "It won't be a long flight." he whispered to his before slipping a treat into it's beak, and tying the envelope around it's little leg. "Thank you!" he said, as it flew off. It's white and black feathers shone in the rising sun, leaving Ron feeling at peace.
He decided to head to breakfast early, so he made his way out of the chilly owlery, and through the corridors the led him to the Great Hall. He walked slowly, partly because he was tired, and partly because he hoped someone would actually be awake by the time he arrived there. He stopped to talk to the portrait of one of his ancestors (which he recently discovered) before walking into the Great Hall, noticing that only one other person was there.
A blonde, by the name of Draco Malfoy, sat at the Slytherin table, reading a piece of parchment. Ron gulped before walking over to his own table, being sure to sit where he would be able to see Draco, but not look as if he were doing it on purpose...even though he was.
He watched as Draco laughed, shook his head, and then looked in deep thought, before folding up the parchment and putting it in his pocket. The blonde looked up and saw Ron, but didn't acknowledge him at all. Both boys started to eat, Ron still staring at Draco.
A few scattered students came in over time, and by the time Ron was done eating, Harry and Hermione walked in, talking wildly. "Hey Ron!" Hermione said.
"You were up early." Harry said before sitting down and grabbing some toast.
"Yeah, well I wanted to er...write a letter." he blushed.
"Oh, I see." Hermione laughed and sat next to Harry.
Harry looked over at Malfoy and gave him his hourly evil glare. Ron saw this and kicked Harry under the table. Harry looked over and Ron and growled. "That really hurt!"
"Stop being such a baby! Don't insult my man, and I won't kick you."
Harry chocked on his toast and gave Ron an almost scared looked.
"Your man?" Hermione giggled. "You get one letter from him, and he's your man? Oh, please, Ronald." She and Harry laughed together, much to Ron's disliking. He sighed and rested his head in his palm, his elbow being the only thing holding him up. He looked up at Draco, who was talking loudly to Crabbe and Goyle.
"My Father bought yet another winter home in the tropics. But this time he's not selling the other one, so we have a choice! It'll be great this holiday vacation. Mom says we'll be spending next summer in Rome again. We were there all July this past summer, what could there possibly be to discover now? Personally, I'd prefer to go to Egypt. We've never been there yet." he overheard the blonde saying. Ron sighed, could he be anymore poor? But then again, he had something up on Draco. He had been to Egypt. He'd seen the pyramids and the mummies, along with everything else cool Draco probably wanted to see.
The redhead smiled to himself. "So what's up for today?" he asked his friends.
"I was planning on going to the library to work on my introductory speech for the National Honors Society. Apparently the wizarding world finally started one. I can't wait!" Hermione squealed.
"You don't even know if your in yet!" Harry said.
"Come on, Harry, it's me we're talking about."
"Good point..."
Ron had no clue what a Nation Honors Society was, so he just kept quiet, because he knew if he asked Hermione would come up with some long and boring explanation. "What about you, Harry?" Ron asked, changing the subject.
"No clue...probably whatever your doing. Unless it involves Malfoy, that is." He was only joking, but it sent Ron off into a daydream. He wished that he could spend a nice Saturday afternoon with Draco, even just as friends. It would be amazing.
"Ron... Ron, hello?" Harry waved a hand in front of the redheads face. Ron snapped back to reality and turned to his friend.
"Oh...sorry. Wait, you mean you're not playing football today?"
"Well, it's getting awfully cold. Besides, I'd like to spend some time with you."
"You can play if you'd like, I can watch. I don't mind. Besides, I have to work on that Potions essay. I can do that while you play."
"Sounds like a deal." Harry said. They shook hands in mock business and Ron waiting for Harry to finish eating before they went back to their Dormitory to get some warmer clothing.
They headed outside and Harry joined his friends in a large, empty field. Ron sat under a tree and opened his Potions book. He looked up to see Harry catch the ball and run towards what he called an "end zone". Ron never saw much point in any sports other than Quidditch, but at least this was more exciting that European football that Dean was always going on about. He looked back to his book and took out some parchment. He jotted down a lame opening paragraph, and then attempted to answer the first question. He flipped through the pages, wishing Hermione was there to help him out.
Just as he started to get frustrated, he heard someone whisper "Need some help?" He thought he recognized the voice...but at the same time it sounded so different. He looked up and saw nothing but the sun blinding him. He raised an arm to block out the sun, and saw Draco Malfoy standing there, radiating from the sun, and with a slight smile on his face. "I must have died...that's the only explanation...I've gone to heaven." Ron thought to himself.
!$!$! Oooh...a bit of a cliff hanger! Sorry, but I'm off to write thank you cards to everyone who's sending me money for American Music Abroad! Eep!! I had this ready Sunday morning...but as most of you probably know, the posting section was down...so here it is now! Chapter three coming soon! Love Ambz... P.S. I'm reposting the first chapter with a few things corrected...and I might repost this later if I have time!!! !$!$!