Bottom of his Shoes

Jealously gnawed at the bottom of his shoes.

Ron stared at the shoes, growled, and kicked them off. The bounced and landed very close to the glowing embers of the fire. He frowned again but didn't move them, content just to stare in anger and frustration.

Sitting almost lopsided in a Gryffindor common room chair, his socks half coming off, Ron gazed balefully at the fired, watching the sparks fly up the chimney.

Closing his eyes Ron sighed. It wouldn't be problem, there wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't because of this. Without opening his eyes, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the faded and dried daisy.

Strange, he thought staring numbly at the crooked daisy, how little things mean so much.

Someone was coming down the stairs, he heard their heavy, sleepy, fumbling footsteps crash down the stairs. With his heart racing he slowly placed the flower back into his pocket and closed his eyes, pretending to be dozing.

Then they, whoever they could be, was standing over him, breathing harshly. Ron stiffened slightly and rolled over deeper into his over stuffed couch.

"Ron?" Harry. Harry spoke huskily, slurring the vowels, "Are you awake?"

He sat beside him, their lower limbs not quite touching. He felt Harry's hand touch his shoulder and shake his roughly, "Ron?" he whispered, "Are you awake?"

"I am now," He grumbled, glaring at Harry through slim slits. "Why'd you wake me up? I was having a good dream..." Ron leaned away into the shoulder of the couch.

Harry smiled, but it was a sad smile. "I had a bad dream."

"Oh..." Ron awkwardly tried to think of something to make him feel better, "You... er, all right now?"

He smiled that bittersweet smile again and his glasses slid down his nose, absently he pushed them back up, "No... But I felt like talking, 'bout something else. Are you up to it mate?"

Looking uneasily at Harry, he nodded shortly, grinning nervously. "Sure. What d'you want to talk about? Quidditch?" He desperately hoped that was so. It would be much easier than... Something else.

Eyes shutting and closing rapidly, Harry shook his head, "No." He was fiddling with his fingers.

"Ah..."

Harry looked him in the eyes, the green eyes making him choke at the intensity, "Ron?" Harry said quietly. "Have you every liked someone, er, a lot?"

Ron swallowed, staringin quiet despairback at the fire. Nodding he whispered, "Yeah..."

AN: Thanks to the reviewers. No I don't own HP.