Chapter Four

It had taken two days for him to realize that something was upsetting Harry and that he was trying to hide it from Ron. Of course the first thing that he began to think was that Harry really wasn't okay with his sixth sense, and he began to feel dread settle over him. Hermione had been spending all her extra time at the library fishing out books for them to read over the hols. They didn't have time now seeing as they were swamped with revision, prefect duties and quidditch practice. They had a game the first week back and were desperately trying to get ready, seeing as their routine would be disrupted over Christmas.

It wasn't until after quidditch practice, three nights after they discovered that Ron was different, that he found the right moment to approach his friend about it. The rest of the team had cleared out in a rush, hoping to get to dinner before it closed, and Harry had lingered behind, distracted by what was on his mind. Ron tossed his practice robes on a bench and, clad in thick practice pants and a long sleeved shirt, rounded on his friend sharply.

"What is it?" He demanded and Harry looked up startled, his green eyes flashing. Ron walked right up to him, wanting to get to the bottom of this. In the past he and Harry had had some spectacular fights because they refused to talk about what was wrong. He didn't want to repeat that particular history.

"Ron?" Harry replied, confused and backing up a step, pushing his glasses onto his nose properly.

"What's wrong? Have you decided that you don't feel comfortable around me anymore?" Harry's eyes widened in comprehension and, now that he knew what was going on, stood taller. Harry never backed down, that was one of the reasons Ron liked him so much. He had an edge that Ron was only recently cutting for himself, whereas before he just noticed Harry's strength and worked his own from there.

"Don't be daft, you know that doesn't bother me."

"Then why are you moping around? What is upsetting you? And don't say it's nothing, because you can't fool me anymore, we've known each other too long." Ron stated, deciding to make it clear from the start.

"Ron…" He cut off when Ron glared at him, daring him to continue his lie. "Bloody hell, you're a lie detector too?" He suddenly looked guilty and nervous, a very un-Harry like characteristic. He moved to sit down and Ron dropped his glare, suddenly worried for his friend.

"Harry, was it something I said? Because I never meant to upset you."

"It's nothing you said so much Ron, it's just that I've realized what an awful friend I am."

"What? How have you ever been a rotten friend? If anything I should be the rotten one, what with the way I've let my temper hurt our friendship in the past."

"No, it's true. I never really noticed that something was wrong with you. When Hermione came to me about you acting queer, I just figured it was some sort of after effect from our fight with the Death Eaters. I never imagined something so…important was happening to you. I live with you, we sleep barely two meters apart and I didn't notice! What kind of friend misses the fact that their best friend is afraid and hurting right under their nose?" and it all became clear to Ron. Harry thought he had let him down, and the fact that it had been Hermione to notice something was up was making him feel an absolute shit. He laughed, unable to stop himself as relief flooded through him. He leaned back against the cool wall, feeling his damp clothes begin to chill him slightly.

"We are quite the pair you know? Here I was worried that you didn't want to be my best mate any more, and you were thinking that it was somehow your fault that I lied to you lot." This didn't seem to make Harry feel better though and Ron sighed, gripping his friends shoulder firmly and feeling the tense muscles underneath the robe. "Harry, there is a perfectly good reason that you weren't aware that something was up with me. Let's think about it logically okay?

"First, we were both recovering at the same time, me from physical injuries and you from mental. We were both in a rather shitty state, and you were grieving and blaming yourself for everything that had happened. You were at the Dursley's the first two weeks when I was coming to grips with what was going on, and by the time you moved into my room I had started to learn how to hide it. Not to mention the fact that since we were both in such close quarters we adapted to the changes in each others personalities without really noticing. Hermione wasn't there, and because we hadn't seen each other in such a long time she remembered the old me and not the new. It was easy for her to notice some different personality quirks of mine because she wasn't used to it. You changed with me, so it makes sense that you didn't see it all." Harry blinked at him a moment and then snorted in a rather undignified way. Ron felt the tense energy begin to leave his friend and instantly began to feel better himself.

"Are you trying to convince me that by being around you all the time I managed to convince myself that nothing was wrong? That is one of the silliest theories I've ever heard."

"Ah, but it is the truth I think. Besides which I was trying extra hard to make sure you and my family didn't notice. I suppose I forgot how observant Hermie can be, which is a right nuisance sometimes."

"It still doesn't erase the fact that I never noticed you were hurting."

"Harry, let me explain something to you, and please don't get upset with me. You grew up almost completely alone. From what you told me you never had friends when you were with the Dursley's."

"You were the first." He confirmed quietly and Ron nodded, feeling a flood of warmth at the admission despite the rage that he felt for Harry. It must have been a horrible introduction to life, living with those awful muggles.

"Right. Over the years you have grown so much, but that doesn't erase the fact that you were raised to look out only for yourself. You never learned how to really look out for others. I, on the other hand grew up with my family. I will never, for one moment, ever regret that I have them or that you are now apart of them, but I will admit that it taught me a lot about how to know when someone is upset about something. I also learned how to lie rather convincingly. Now, if I could only control my temper I'd be set." Harry finally laughed and twisted to hug Ron, who returned it whole heartedly. It wasn't their nature to really open up like this, but they had both grown so much over the last year that they realized how much they could trust each other. Ron felt a pang of guilt as he held his friend, knowing that while he was honest about his feelings, he wasn't telling Harry all about himself. He couldn't.

"So, that's how you were able to stop the twins from pulling more pranks on you then? By feeling that they'd tampered with your things?" Harry asked, pulling away and standing to change. Ron followed suite and grinned.

"Nah, I placed a surveliance charm on all my things, let me know when they had been at them. Drove them nuts it did. Bill and Charlie weren't too happy when they were up visiting those last two weeks." And that was that, Harry no longer felt guilty and Ron was no longer afraid that he had chased away his best friend. In two weeks they would head to the Burrow for Christmas and Hermione would join them for the last week of the holidays. For now he would try his best to enjoy the time he had with his friends and family.

tbc

Notes: This is an extremely short chapter. Sorry. Reviews are greatly appreciated though, just to let me know that people are at least reading this story ;) I promise the next one will be out in a few days.