The boys helped Hermione pack her trunk a week later as she prepared to leave Hogwarts. She had said she could manage by herself but both boys were going to miss her so they thought a bonding session was in order. Even if it was a little unorthodox.
"What is this?" Asked Ron incredulously holding up a small instrument that didn't look very friendly. It was a seven-inch-long metal spike that had several dials and switches.
"That, my friend, is a high-tech wan-shaped straightener." Hermione replied smiling and taking the straightener out of Ron's hand and packing it into her bag.
"A what?" Harry asked not entirely sure if he'd understood. It still looked like some form of torturing device.
"It's a hair straightener." Hermione smiled. "Trust me. I know my hair isn't exactly strait but it isn't this neat either if I don't use that."
Ron bit his lip and shook his head, deciding not to comment.
"Hey Hermione? Why do you have four pairs of Bulgarian Quidditch socks?" Harry packed away the offending socks before Ron could snatch them out of his hands. Harry also failed to mention that the only player they concerned was Viktor Krum.
"Present…" Hermione mumbled quickly packing the rest of her stuff before they could question her any more. "Anyway, the train will be leaving soon so I guess I better say goodbye."
The trio looked at each other and for the first time in their six years of friendship there was a slightly awkward silence. Hermione took a few tentative steps towards Harry and he looked up, meeting Hermione's brown eyes with his own green one's.
"I'll miss you Harry. Don't worry about Voldemort and stuff just have a good Christmas. I'll write loads, promise, but you'll have to make sure you write back, because Ron always forgets." Hermione whispered hugging her best friend.
"Hey!" Ron protested but didn't push it when Hermione shot him a look that said, "Well it's true!"
She let go of Harry and moved onto Ron, standing on tiptoe to hug him tight.
"Be patient with Harry. He's going through a tough time. Well he's been going through it his whole life but it doesn't make it easier. Look after yourself and don't get into trouble!" Hermione warned. She let go of Ron and smiled at him. "You know I love you guy's so much. Be careful ok?"
Harry and Ron nodded, not quite sure why Hermione was giving them such dire warnings. It wasn't like Voldemort was about to attack Hogwarts.
"Love you too." They replied in unison. The boys caught each other's eye and blushed slightly, but Hermione didn't seem to notice. She shut her trunk and crossed the Gryffindor common room with it. When she reached the Fat Lady's portrait she turned.
"Bye." She smiled at them.
"Bye." The boys watched as she left. The common room seemed strangely empty and the boys didn't quite know what to do.
Late that evening when they were in the great hall having tea the pair found, much to their annoyance, that Malfoy was also staying, though it appeared he was the only Slytherin and he wasn't as cocky without his body-guards. Ernie MacMillan, Hannah Abbot and Luna Lovegood were also staying. Harry and Ron found it very unnerving that so few students had remained at Hogwarts. It was almost as though everyone else knew something they didn't.
Over the next few days it snowed heavily and the fires in the common room were kept burning all day. Harry and Ron spent much of their time outside throwing snowballs at each other until they got so cold they almost couldn't move, and then they would return inside and sit in front of the fire until they thawed out. Harry noticed that Ron seemed to spend a lot of time deep in thought and he didn't talk as much as normal. One evening a few days before Christmas Harry decided to confront Ron about it, since something was obviously troubling him.
"Ron?" Harry began as they sat in their pyjamas in front of the fire. Ron looked up; his crystal blue eyes full of an emotion Harry couldn't quite put his finger on. "Are you ok? I mean there's nothing troubling you is there?"
"No. Why?" Ron replied a little too quickly to be believable.
"You just seem…" Harry searched for the right word. "Distant."
"I'm fine… I…" Ron trailed off. Evidently he'd been on the verge of confiding in Harry but had lost his nerve.
"What is it? I know something's bothering you, I can tell." Harry turned slightly and stared right into Ron's eyes. "I'm your best friend. Tell me."
"I…I…" Ron didn't know what to say. He desperately wanted to tell Harry everything that had been nagging away at him, but he wasn't sure how to start. "What… did it feel like when you first got a crush on Cho?"
Harry stared. Of all the things he thought might be troubling Ron he didn't think it would be his love life.
"Like… when you're about to do something scary you get butterflies in your stomach and it feels kinda weird. But when you get a crush on someone it feels nice rather than scary. It's difficult." Harry paused. "You just feel… happy, I guess."
Ron watched the flames crackling on the logs in the fire and made a non-committal noise.
"Why did you want to know?" Ron looked up sharply. Harry's green eyes showed no sign of teasing, they looked genuinely curious.
"I think…" Ron bit his lip. "I think I've got a crush on someone."
Harry smiled.
"Excellent!" Ron didn't say anything. "Who is it?"
Harry's question was followed by a moments pause.
"That's the thing Harry. I've been acting weird because there is no way my crush will ever like me." Ron sighed. Harry frowned.
"Why not? Is it Lavender? Or Parvati?" Harry asked excitedly.
"No." Ron couldn't help smiling at Harry's enthusiasm even though his insides were deflating.
"Oh my… it's Hermione isn't it?" Harry said, realisation dawning on his face.
"No." Ron said firmly. He loved Hermione as a sister but going out with her would seem to weird.
"Well who is it then? You're not telling me its Luna Lovegood?" Harry laughed at the ridiculous idea.
"It's not a girl Harry." Ron said flatly, not even smiling now. Harry frowned again.
"Not a girl?" Harry looked confused. "You're telling me it's…"
"A boy. Yes." Ron didn't meet Harry's gaze. "That's what I've been trying to tell you for days now. I think I'm gay."
Harry didn't say anything for a moment then a new thought came into his head.
"Is it Dean?" He asked. He was hoping that Ron might take the hint and understand that Harry didn't care whether his best friend was gay.
"What?" It was Ron's turn to look confused as he turned to Harry again.
"You said your crush was a boy, so is it Dean? Or maybe Seamus? Or Neville!" Harry couldn't help laughing again at his ludicrous suggestions for Ron's crush.
"No." Ron smiled finally understanding what Harry was getting at. "Don't you mind that you're sleeping in the same dormitory as someone who's gay?"
Harry stopped laughing.
"Ron, you are my best friend and always will be no matter what. I don't care if you're gay, straight or get crushes on monkey's." Harry said firmly. Ron nodded relieved.
"So you gonna tell me who he is or not?" Harry asked. Ron punched Harry softly.
"That's for me to know and you to find out!" Ron replied scowling yet smiling.
"I might just do that." Harry whispered slyly to himself.