Harry felt completely lost. For the next few days he felt like he was walking through water. Sitting in class with Hermione while Ron sat with Dean and Seamus, or Neville, was torture. He couldn't think about anything else but Ron.

"I need to get him to talk to me," Harry muttered in the library one afternoon.

"Does he want to talk to you?" Hermione asked, flipping through a book lazily.

"I don't know, any time I go near him, Fred and George cut me off," Harry sighed, slamming his book shut, "They don't seem angry with me anymore. I think they're just protecting him. What about Ginny?"

"Oh she's mad," Hermione said, "I asked. But…if Ron wants to talk to you…you probably could find a way. He's at practice now isn't he?"

Harry glanced out the window, nodding. He could see the Gryffindor team flying around.

"Why don't you try to meet with him?" Hermione suggested, "It's almost been a week."

"I just don't know that I have anything to say that won't hurt him," Harry said, "'Hey I changed my mind, I do love you'? 'I miss you'? He doesn't want to hear it."

"You don't know that," Hermione told him.

It was worth a try. Harry gathered his things and headed toward the locker rooms just as some teammates were leaving. Harry hid behind the building to avoid Ginny, who was walking out with Katie Bell. He waited, and once he was sure Ron was the only one left in the room, he went it. Ron was undressing, and looked up.

"Oh," he said, straightening.

"Hi," Harry said awkwardly, "I…"

"Want to talk?" Ron finished for him.

Harry nodded. Ron sat on the bench with a sigh, but said nothing.

"I'm sorry," Harry began, "For…everything. For everything I did. I was cruel to you. And you didn't deserve that. You were so good to me. And I liked it."

Ron was staring at the floor. He still said nothing.

"And I miss you, so much." Harry took a step forward. "I think about you all the time. I hate not having you in my life." He sat down next to Ron. "I hate…the thought of you hating me. And not being able to talk to you…" He placed a hand on Ron's leg tentatively. "Or touch you…or kiss you…" Ron looked up, his eyes were filled with sadness. There was a tension surrounding them.

Harry leaned forward and gently put his hand on Ron's face, Ron was breathing heavily now.

"Do you miss me?" Harry whispered. Without thinking, only listening to his body, he gently kissed Ron. Ron leaned into it for a moment, moving his mouth in tune with Harry's. Then he abruptly pulled away and stood up. Stunned, Harry stood up as well.

"Stop," Ron said, almost pleadingly, "Stop doing this to me."

"Doing what?" Harry asked. He was confused. He had apologized. And Ron had let him kiss him. Had kissed back.

"You just…" Ron stammered, "It's always about you. What you want from me, what you feel. And you don't even care about me."

"That's not true!" Harry cried, "I do care about you."

"You care about how I make you feel," Ron said, "And I…I'm empty, without you. I feel so broken and…" His voice was shaking. "And you don't care. You just want me back in your life so you can use me when you need me then just set me aside when you don't. I loved you."

"Ron," Harry said, stepping forward, "I loved you too."

Ron frozen, then shook his head.

"No you didn't," he said, his eyes brimming with tears, "You just needed me."

"I did," Harry replied, "I needed you. I still do. But I will never hurt you again. I can't stand seeing you like this. And I did love you. I just didn't know it. And I'm sorry. I do love you. I love you so much it hurts."

The door opened and Ginny walked in, looking furious.

"What are you doing here?" she asked Harry briskly.

But neither of them were looking at her. They were still staring at each other.

"It hurts," Harry repeated quietly, "And I promise you. What I said was true."

Ginny looked at her brother, who still had tears in his eyes. She scoffed and said,

"Let's go, Ron."

Ron ignored her, then spoke,

"I can't believe that." He grabbed his shirt from the bench. "I can't trust you. You're too selfish." He straightened up and headed for the door. "And I have nothing left to give you. I gave you everything. Everything you ever wanted, or needed. And I'm not sure you'd be happy with me, because…I have nothing else."

Harry let them leaving. He sat on the bench and covered his face with his hands. A few moments later he heard the door open and looked up. It was Lee Jordan.

"Didn't go well?" He asked, "I saw you coming."

"Didn't stop me?" Harry replied, "Thanks."

Lee shrugged. "It's not my place. Fred and George are my best mates, but, that's their brother." He sat next to Harry. "Can I tell you something?"

"Sure," Harry replied, happy for distraction.

"I like blokes," Lee said matter of factly , "And girls. I mean, more opportunities. Spread the wealth. Anyway," he continued, seeming completely unabashed, "One night Fred, George and I had gotten a bit tipsy. Here in the castle, in the prefects lounge. We snuck in. Fred went off to go find Angelina. And I kissed George."

"George?" Harry asked in surprise, "George is…?"

"Ah, no," Lee said, waving a hand, "Ladies man, through and through. But I had a bit of a crush on him. And I kissed him. And he kissed me back. And I was really happy. But…" Lee sighed, "He didn't like me like that. But we kissed. He let me kiss him, and touch him. And then I stopped. I guess I realized what I was doing. And I apologized. And he just smiled at me and said it was okay. I was still his best mate. That things were fine." Lee frowned slightly. "I got over my crush, eventually. And here we are, still friends. But…he let me do that. Fred doesn't even know. George was a good guy that night. I used him. I didn't mean to. But I did. And it felt good."

"I didn't mean to use Ron," Harry said, "I thought he wanted…"

"From what I've heard," Lee said, "Ron didn't mind at first, until he really fell for you. And then all he really wanted…was for you to love him back. And when he realized you didn't, he decided to keep waiting. Look," Lee slapped his legs and stood up, "He still has feelings for you. And you have feelings for him. Do the math, it will happen. But if you love him, really love him, find a way to prove it. Show him you're serious. That you're not just using him as a security blanket, or for sex."

"He said that?" Harry asked quickly.

"Not in so many words," Lee replied with a shrug, "Anyway, Harry, I know we don't know each other too well, but…I think we have something in common and if you ever need to talk, I'm here. I'm not choosing sides. I'm on the side of…" He raised his hands, "Love is love."

"Thanks, Lee," Harry said gratefully, "Really. It helped. A ton."

[][][][][][][]

Harry rushed back to Gryffindor tower to talk to Hermione. He told her everything, except for the story about Lee and George. Harry figured that should stay with him.

"Oh, Harry," Hermione said witheringly, "You kissed him?"

"It just happened!" Harry sputtered quietly, he glanced over to the corner where Ron was sitting with Ginny. Lee and the twins were in the middle of the room having a loud conversation with Angelina, Katie, and Alicia.

"Well what are you going to do?" Hermione asked.

"I have an idea," Harry said with a sigh, "But…it's kind of out there. And…people are going to find out about me."

"You're already in every paper and magazine, Harry," Hermione pointed out, "I mean, at least it's just your sexuality they'll be talking about."

Harry considered for a moment. Then said,

"Honestly…I don't care. I'm…I'm done being selfish. I hurt someone I really love. And…it's time for this to be about him."

Harry went to bed early. The emotional turmoil of the day had exhausted him. And he needed some rest. He awoke feeling full of energy, ready to begin the day. He dressed after letting Ron get ready and leave without giving him a single glance. He felt a little put out, but he knew he deserved it.

"You look good," Hermione commented when he met with her, "Are you going to tell me what it is you're going to do, exactly?"

"Nope," Harry responded.

"Well…okay."

They walked toward the Great Hall. Harry felt on edge, but in a good way. When they entered, Harry immediately zoomed in on Ron who was sitting with Fred, George, and Lee. Lee looked up and met eyes with Harry, below the table Lee gave him a thumbs up. Harry nodded and headed over. When he approached the group, the twins looked up.

"Ron," Harry said a bit loudly, "Stand up."

Ron looked at him, his brown furrowed and the sadness still in his eyes. Harry's heart twinged.

"Please," Harry said.

"Harry-" Fred said warningly but Lee interjected,

"Just let them."

"I know you guys are protecting him," Harry said, looking at Fred, "And that's good. I appreciate that. He deserves it. Ron," he looked over at Ron, people around them were staring now, "I screwed up. I used you. I broke you. And I also lied. And if you stand up, I can say more."

Ron looked pained, but he stood, and faced Harry. Hermione had taken a seat next to Ginny, and they were both staring, transfixed.

"I hurt you," Harry continued, "But I will never hurt you again. You deserve only good things, and good people. And…" He took a deep breath, it seemed like the whole room was watching in silence now, "And I love you. I always loved you I just didn't know. And if you let me…I will be as good to you as you were to me. And everyone will know that I love you because I won't stop trying. So please…forgive me, and let me try again, to be someone you can love, and let love you. Please."

Even the teachers were staring. People were listening. And Ron stood. But in the next moment, he was stepping toward Harry, and Harry's world was complete again as their lips touched. He heard whooping behind him from Lee Jordan. They parted for a moment, smiling at each other as they rested their heads together.

"I love you, Ron Weasley," Harry whispered, "So much. And I don't care who knows."

"I love you," Ron whispered back.