The next few days were hell for Harry. Literally. Draco had him at his beck and call, Harry would run errands, finish homework and even, though Harry tried not to think about it, sent a love letter to Pansy Parkinson on behalf of Draco.
Ron was defiantly avoiding Harry. Since the incident with the detention Harry hardly spoke to Ron. He desperately wanted things to be the way they were before but every time he tried to engage Ron in anything Ron drifted away. It was like they were strangers.
Harry had never felt worse in his life. What with Voldemort causing other students to avoid him he didn't think he'd be able to cope if Ron kept this up. It was like Harry was on the outside looking in on where he used to belong. Though in truth he'd never felt like he belonged anywhere.
That's why getting Ron back as a friend was so important. He meant everything to Harry. Ron was Harry's only family now. Everyone else was gone, he couldn't bear to lose another.
Harry made a plan. He continued to do whatever Draco requested and decided to wait for Hermione's return in a few days time. Then he would get Ron on his own and tell him everything.
In the meantime however, Harry closed himself off more and more. Now whenever he saw Ron they didn't talk. In fact Harry didn't talk to anyone for five days straight.
When Hermione returned she knew instantly something was wrong. Neither boy seemed particularly comfortable around the other, the way they had been before the Christmas holidays. When quizzed though, the boys skirted the questions. The first evening of Hermione's return Harry went to bed early just to escape the tension. As he was getting changed however he heard someone come into the dormitory and shut the door behind them. Assuming it was Ron, Harry continued to pull on his pyjama's and it was only when she spoke that he realised it was Hermione.
"I want the truth. What's wrong with you and Ron?" Hermione asked firmly, standing in front of Harry.
Harry sighed and averted his gaze from hers.
"It's complicated." Harry sat down on his bed and motioned for Hermione to join him. She perched herself next to him.
"Well, you'd better tell me everything then. By the way, what happened to your face?"
Harry subconsciously touched the scar that Draco had left and swallowed. He started from the beginning and went through everything that had happened over the holidays. He very wisely chose not to tell Hermione about running errands for Draco though.
"So basically Ron fancies you, which is causing all this tension between you two and Draco is teasing you both." Hermione frowned. "So how do you feel about Ron?"
Harry squirmed uncomfortably.
"Well… that's where… that's ummm…" He had no idea what to tell her.
"I'll take that as 'you feel the same way', shall I?" Hermione chuckled slightly as Harry turned to look at her, his cheeks flushing furiously. He nodded and Hermione flung her arms round him, hugging him tight.
"You daft dope. So why don't you just tell Ron you feel the same. You've got the easy job, you know you won't have to face rejection." Hermione said quietly.
"It's not as easy as that though. What if Ron hates me for not telling him sooner?" Harry moaned. There was also the slight fact of Draco Malfoy sticking his oar in. If Harry stopped running errands for him and told Ron the truth then Malfoy would spread the news about, that the 'Boy Who Lived' batted for the other side.
"Look, just explain why you were scared, Ron is your best friend, he'll understand…" Hermione said. Just then the door of the dormitory opened again and Ron entered. He glanced over at Harry and Hermione.
"Well, I hope you solve your problem Harry." Hermione smiled, standing up.
"Thanks, Hermione." Harry replied gratefully, though inside he felt just as bad as he had done previously.
"Oh and thanks for remembering to write Ron." Hermione joked glancing at Ron. Ron went red and muttered something that Harry assumed was 'sorry'. "Oh, Ron. I was joking. I know you've had a lot on your plate."
Hermione gave Ron a hug as well. Ron glanced at Harry, through Hermione's hair and gave him a small smile. That night Harry kept replaying that moment in his head over and over again.
The next day their lessons began. Draco was giving Harry funny looks and at lunch time the Slytherin caught up with the Gryffindor.
"You know Potter, I think I've had my fun so I was just coming to tell you this. I'm going to tell Weasel your secret tonight, whether you beg me or not." Malfoy smiled maliciously. Harry stared as the Slytherin walked away. He was doomed.
Harry joined Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table for lunch.
"Alright, Harry?" Hermione asked noticing how freaked Harry looked.
"Yeah. I'm… I'm fine." Harry replied glancing over at the Slytherin table where Malfoy was just sitting down.
Harry knew what he had to do. But how to do it? He waited and waited and waited, but knew he'd have to tell Ron soon.
They had astronomy that night with the Slytherin's and Harry knew that would be where Malfoy ambushed Ron. So that night as they were finishing the hoework they had, Harry watched carefully as student after student left the common room.
Soon there was only Harry, Ron and Hermione left. Harry tried to catch Hermione's eye. He needed to get Ron alone, but she didn't glance up. The minutes ticked away and before Harry knew it, they had to go to their lesson.
As they climbed out the portrait hole Harry could feel the necessity to tell Ron rising in his chest. His stomach was tying itself in knots, which meant each step sent a stab of pain up through Harry's body.
He waited until they were at the staircase before he said anything.
"Listen, Hermione," Harry began. Both Hermione and Ron stopped. "I…I need… to talk to Ron… alone… can we meet you up there?"
Hermione gave Harry a significant look that said 'Good luck'.
"Yeah, sure, see you in a minute then." Hermione continued to climb the staircase and Harry wandered over to an empty classroom and opened the door, gesturing for Ron to go in.
It was quite dark in the room, but Harry couldn't bring himself to do anything about it in case he lost his nerve.
"Ron…I…I have to tell you something." Harry began. He suddenly found it very hard to swallow, due to the large lump in his throat.
"What?" Asked Ron curiously. Harry could make out every feature on Ron's face by the moonlight. The way his red hair stuck up all over the place the same way Harry's did, the countless freakles scattered across his nose, the red lips that Harry longed to kiss…
"I…I…"