Simultaneously, Ron and Lavender's popularity seemed to skyrocket. While Ron sat in the hospital wing healing, the rumors about Lavender's supposed venture into his bed wound their way around the castle, and she did not seem eager to dispel them. What with Ron being a Supreme athlete those days, severely injured, and getting several visitors and gifts, Lavender flounced around the castle being stared at by both girls and guys. Girls seemingly jealous, and guys wondering how Ron had gotten her, and how they might.

Harry served his punishment without complaint. He new Michael hadn't deserved the punches, and he accepted Harry's apology graciously and with understanding. Harry visited Ron every day, and every night, happily watching him gain his strength. Ron's memory came back in full. And with Madame Pompfrey's help, his arm and head seemed to heal quickly. His leg, not healing as fast, was the only reason she was not letting him leave.

"It hurts to walk," Ron explained one afternoon to Harry and Hermione as they sat around his bed during lunch, "I could probably fly, but…" He shrugged. The tables and chairs around his bed were littered with sweets and flowers.

"When is she letting you leave?" Harry asked. He was eager to have Ron at his side again, though also dreading a conversation he knew they would have to have eventually.

"Hopefully tomorrow," Ron replied, "Another round of potions she said. She doesn't want to but, I told her I need to get back to practice."

"Maybe you should stay," Hermione said, a touch of worry in her voice, "You can't push yourself."

"I have to," Ron said, wincing as he shifted, "And I need to get out of here. It's boring. I'm losing my mind."

"Well at least you've stayed caught up on your homework," Hermione said, "And no more missing classes when you're back. Your grades really suffered."

"No more missing classes," Ron assured her, sharing a quick smile with Harry.

Hermione frowned, noticing this. Then cleared her throat and said primly,

"I know it wasn't Lavender."

"What?" Harry and Ron said in unison. A small flush rose to Ron's cheeks.

"I didn't see," Hermione continued, "I was asleep. But I heard her and Parvarti talking today. Lavender said it wasn't her." A disgusted look settled on Hermione's face. "Not that she's telling anyone else that. But it wasn't Lavender, Ron."

"Why does it matter who it was?" Ron groaned, rolling his eyes. "It's over. It was just one night."

"Because you can get in huge trouble!" Hermione snapped.

"How could they prove it?" Harry asked quickly, "Just leave it alone. As of right now they're just rumors. It'll die down, do drop it."

Hermione frowned at both of them. Her silence made Harry uncomfortable. Ron looked just as flustered, not making eye contact with either of them.

"Fine," said Hermione, "But, Ron, you need to start being careful. Skipping classes, sneaking people into your bed. Drinking." She pulled a few books out of her bag and some parchment, ink, and quills. "Do your homework." She deposited the items on his bed and got up. Harry stood as well.

"We'll come back later," he told Ron, "Get some good rest."

Ron nodded, looking miserable.

Harry followed Hermione out of the hospital and they walked silently. Something perturbed him about how Hermione had said "people," and not "girls." But he didn't say anything.

They visited Ron again that evening after dinner. It seemed Ron was eager to get back on Hermione's good side, as he had in fact caught up on his reading and homework. It seemed to work, and Hermione left in good spirits to turn it in for him.

"Do you think she knows?" Ron asked in a small, quiet voice.

"I don't know," Harry admitted, "She's smart, but…I don't know."

"She's our best friend," Ron said, fiddling with his blanket, "Maybe we should just…tell her."

Harry had to admit that the thought had crossed his mind, but ages ago. When he wasn't questioning things so much. And what exactly would they tell her? That they kissed, and shagged? That he made Ron beg Harry to fuck him? That Harry got turned on every time Ron said 'please'? He couldn't see her exactly being pleased about any of that. Or understand it.

"No," Harry said finally. Ron nodded. Harry glanced around the room, then inched his chair forward. "Look," he said gently, "Let's just…wait until you're all better okay? Let's just get you healed, and…and then we'll figure it out, okay?"

Ron nodded again. "I miss you," he whispered, making Harry sigh.

"I miss you too," he replied truthfully. "I like knowing where you are though," he added, Ron looked up and gave a small smile, a slight twinkle in his eye. "Here," Harry continued, placing a hand on the bed, "Safe."

"Thinking about you," Ron added, inching his hand close to Harry's but not touching it, "That's all I think about. And I'm lucky I'm alone here because…" He glanced down then back up quickly.

"Oh, yeah?" Harry said with a quiet laugh, a fiery sensation growing inside him, "Well…" he dropped his voice to barely above his whisper, "You better not be touching yourself without me." He grabbed Ron's hand and squeezed it tightly, "That wouldn't make me very happy."

"But it would give you something to think about," Ron whispered playfully, squeezing his hand back, "Don't you want to think about me like that?" His playful tone suddenly had a pitiful tone to it which increased the fiery feeling inside Harry. He slid his hand away.

"I already do," he said, standing up, "But it's just getting me ready for everything I'm going to do about it when you're out of here."

When Harry returned to the common room he and Hermione sat down and did their homework quietly. Harry's mind kept wandering, back and forth between Ron naked, writhing underneath him, to why Harry kept thinking about this and not about ending everything.

"Harry," Hermione said suddenly, making him glance up from his Transfiguration essay, "Can I ask you something?"

"Er…" Harry said hoarsely, "Yeah, what's up?"

"Do you…do you really not know who it was? In Ron's bed that night?" she was fidgeting with her quill as she spoke.

"I really don't," Harry lied, "He won't tell me."

"Oh," Hermione said softly, "And…do you think he's okay?"

"Yeah," Harry replied adamantly, "He'll be out tomorrow, he can start qui-"

"I mean emotionally, Harry," Hermione interrupted, "You know what I mean. You know he's been a bit off. He's not…right. Something is wrong."

"Well it's been a tough year on all of us," Harry said, "His dad and stuff. Maybe he's just still a bit stressed. He hasn't said anything to me."

"How can that be?" Hermione asked, "You two are completely attached lately. You've been…" she trailed off, her lip quivering slightly, "You guys have been shutting me out." She sounded very hurt.

"I'm sorry," Harry said heavily, "Really, Hermione. I haven't meant to. We're not trying to. I don't know why that's been. You're still our best friend!"

Hermione looked slightly gratified but still upset. She sighed heavily and said she was going off to bed. Harry felt extremely guilty. He thought he and Ron had been doing well at maintaining what they were doing as well as keeping their friendship strong with Hermione but clearly they weren't. Harry vowed, as he headed upstairs to grab his cloak and map, to make sure Hermione no longer felt left out. There was a Hogsmeade trip coming up, maybe they could spend the day getting a few butterbeers and going to her favorite quill shop, or get her some yarn for knitting.

As Harry wandered toward the hospital wing there was a heavy feeling in his stomach. Maybe it was time to tell Ron they had to stop. If Hermione kept noticing these little things, she was bound to find out.

But as he opened the door and pulled off his cloak when he saw Ron was the only one there again, and saw the happy look on his face, the way he glowed any time Harry was around, the thought fell out of his mind, as it always did.

"Hey, you," Ron murmured as Harry sat down on his bed, "You're a bit early."

"Yeah," Harry replied, sliding his hand up Ron's arm, "I guess I missed you." He smiled, and Ron smiled back in the bashful way that always made Harry's head go slightly fuzzy.

"Shut the curtains," Ron said softly.

"You bossing me?" Harry asked, chuckling.

"Sorry," Ron replied quickly, turning slightly red, "But I…I really want you to kiss me."

"Well in that case," Harry said, standing and closing the curtains, "I can allow it." He sat back down and leaned forward.

Almost aggressively, Ron pulled him close and kissed him first, like he had been waiting to do it all day, which Harry expected he probably had. Harry kissed him back, pulling his legs onto the bed and straddling Ron's uninjured leg, sliding one hand around the back of his neck, the other up his chest.

"I miss you so much," Ron whispered between breaths, tilting his head back to give Harry access to his neck, "I barely..mmm…think about anything else." He was breathing heavily now as Harry bit and sucked on the spot that drove Ron crazy. "Fuck…" He whispered breathlessly.

"I know," Harry said, pulling back to admire the mark that he left. He enjoyed marking Ron like this. Especially when everyone could see. And though no one knew who was doing it, Harry certainly did. And it pleased him in a possessive way. He kissed Ron again on the lips softly, then sighed. Did he really want to stop doing this?

"What is it?" Ron asked, suddenly looking worried.

"Nothing," Harry whispered, trying to smile reassuringly, "You're just…" He trailed off, running his hand that had been behind Ron's neck down to his chest. "You're so good."

"Good?" Ron repeated, smiling now.

"You're good to me," Harry explained, "You're good for me. And it's amazing. You're good."

"Oh," Ron breathed. Tentatively he raised a hand and touched Harry's face, stroking his cheek with his thumb, then lowered it. "You deserve good, Harry. And if I'm the one that can give you that, then…I'm happy." He smiled. "And I want you to be happy."

Harry felt like something was crushing him. He hadn't lied. Ron was good to him, and good for him. But what Harry had meant, truthfully meant, was that Ron was too good for him. Harry was using him, and Ron was just taking it. But why?

"Stop thinking," Ron murmured, tugging at Harry's shirt, "Just come back to me. Don't play tonight. Let's just…"

Harry knew what Ron meant. Wordlessly he leaned back into Ron. For a few blissfully thoughtless minutes, they just kissed deeply. Exploring each other's mouths, running their hands over each other. Harry was careful to not be too forceful, which was difficult for him as all he wanted to do was grab and bite and get as close to Ron as possible. To mark him all over, make Ron his possession.

When Harry finally needed to breathe for a moment he pulled back, breathing heavily, resting his forehead against Ron's. They just breathed together for a few moments.

"Harry," Ron murmured.

"Hmm?" Harry said, running his fingers along Ron's thigh through the blanket.

"I love you."