A/N: Update 2022. It's really nice to look back at this. Fuzzy feelings.

Ron awoke to Draco's embrace. Once again, the sun was warming his face and the breeze was slipping through the crack in the window. Draco's head rested against Ron's neck as he slept. He was so close Ron could hear him breathing. He released a happy sigh, wrapping his arms around Draco and pulling him closer. He thought nothing of it to kiss Malfoy gently on the forehead.

It's probably early, Ron told himself. He turned to peer at the clock and found it was already half past two. Bullocks, they'd have to go back to Hogwart's soon. He stare at the ceiling for a while, basking in the light. Occasionally, he'd turn to gaze down at Draco's face and become overwhelmed with emotion.

Without warning, Draco had come to him. Was doing things to him. To his body. Making him feel a range of emotions. And the Slytherin had come equipped with those eyes. Yearning for him. Just at the right time. When he'd felt the most rejected. The most unwanted. Suddenly he was worth something to someone. Someone to whom he'd thought himself less than worthless. How wrong he was. How wrong he could be. How many things have I been wrong about?

Ron's mind raced, wondering if he had ever thought of anything in range of Draco that might lead him on. Not that it mattered now, but he was curious to know. Then Ron remembered Draco on Friday night when they'd been drinking. "I can do the things I always wanted to do."

For the first time he had found someone completely irresistible. As though it was not for him to decide whether he should or should not. He simply did. Ron had never expected anything other than a woman. Now, lying next to Draco, he recalled the question Harry had asked him only hours ago, Are you a gay?

He tried to think of laying this way with another bloke. Of kissing him. Ron was relieved to find it wasn't the same. He'd even felt his morning wood fall to half mast as he laughed at the idea. As though that would ever happen. He smiled and wrapped his free arm around Draco, confident that he had spoken true words to Harry.

'Shut it, Ron, I'm trying to sleep.' whispered a groggy, sarcastic voice.

Ron smiled and nuzzled Draco's hair, 'You're awake.' Draco rolled his eyes and propped up his head on his elbow. 'A certain Weasley won't shut up.'

'I was thinking, not talking.' Ron said defensively. Draco leaned close to Ron, blowing hot air on his ears. The Gryffindor shivered happily. 'Same thing.' Ron examined his expression closely, he seemed to be in a good mood. 'Will you teach me now?'

Draco sighed in frustration and turned over to lay on his back. 'First thing in the fucking morning.' Dracos words were icy. So much for the good mood.

Ron sat up in disappointment, 'I just wanna know what you're thinking. You know what I'm thinking.' Draco sighed, slipping a hand under his shirt to graze his own stomach with his fingertips and said, 'Well... not constantly.'

Ron gulped as he watched, wishing he were beneath them, instead. 'You wanna know what I'm thinking?' he asked in his velvety voice.

Ron reached out, hypnotized and touched the soft flesh of Draco's stomach with him. Draco withdrew his hand and provided him full access. His cock stiffened as his fingertips slid further under Draco's shirt. He didn't know if he could ever get enough of the other's silken skin. 'I can guess what you're thinking...' Ron said with a nod. 'But I can't know exactly... yet.'

Draco cupped the back of Ron's neck with his hand and turned to his right, dragging the Gryffindor up to straddle his hips. Their cocks pressed together between their trousers. 'That's good enough until later.'

Ron mewled and nodded submissively as Draco kissed him softly. 'But you will teach me, right?' His tone begged for more than a lesson in Legilimency.

Draco sucked the nape of his neck and whispered, 'I promise.'

Ron groaned and rotated his hips against Draco's thickening cock. Draco chuckled and stayed Ron's hips with his hands, shifting up to kiss him. Their tongues entwined and Draco brushed his fingers across Ron's cheek. Ron felt the affection the other was offering and closed his eyes. His hand travelled up Draco's arm, caressing it lovingly.

'Thank you. For this.' Draco whispered, suddenly breaking the kiss. His eyes turned away, as though he were reliving a memory. His face fell, saddened. Ron desperately wished he could peek inside of Draco's world. 'Do you want to keep going?' He asked, 'Like we are?' Ron brushed his lips across Draco's. 'Please.'

Draco smiled into the kiss. 'Regrettably... we have to go.'

The sun was hanging low over the Black Lake when they finally made their way back up to the Castle. Draco had arranged for all of their belongings to arrive by morning and all that was left to do was go back and get ready for class the next day.

Ron had taken another long shower in Suite Number Five before they left. After laying down to enjoy the steam, he fell asleep in the bath tub and had been greeted with a soaking wet and naked Draco when he woke up.

It was three more hours before they turned the keys in to Rosemerta. Draco had insisted on having a few drinks for the road. Ron was willing to delay their return as long as he could. 'See you boys next month!' She called after them cheerfully. That woman must make a killing off of students. Ron thought. He noticed Draco roll his eyes and opened the door, allowing Ron to pass through first.

They walked along the main road that led through the forest to Hogwart's, which was abandoned. By then, sun was sinking behind the horizon. It painted the landscape with an orange tone. All of the other students were already back at the Castle.

As they walked, he waited for Draco to say something. Anything. But he remained silent until the Shrieking Shack came into view and Ron was a nervous wreck. They rounded the corner to trudge up the nearly vertical driveway to the Shack. 'Draco...' He said softly. 'Yes?' Draco replied. Ron gulped, 'Have I done something wrong?'

Standing outside the Shrieking Shack, Draco turned abruptly. Seizing Ron by the shoulders and flattening him up against the wall. His eyes locked with Ron's, who fell into their mercury depths. He felt instantly magnetized. He desired immediate contact with Draco. His body ached for him. His member stiffened against Draco's pelvis. Draco released a scornful sigh, 'I wish... we...'

His hand groped over the begging bulge between his legs. He easily found the outline of Ron's cock and rubbed it. 'I'm so hard for you.' The Gryffindor breathed out. Draco groaned as Ron's erection jumped under his palm. ' Yeah... you are...'

He knew when they were at Hogwarts, they were going to have to try and maintain some level of composure. Hogwarts offered less privacy than the Three Broomsticks. Ron leaned forward and pressed his lips against Draco's. He moaned softly as cool fingers drifted up his arm to rest on his neck.

'No, of course, you haven't.' Draco sighed, allowing his eyes to flutter closed, 'I have just never told anyone about my... ability. Let alone had them want to learn all about it.'

Ron frowned at him and shifted his weight so that Draco could lean on him. He wrapped his arms around Draco's waist, kissing him softly.

'I'll accept you no matter what.' Ron told him. Draco smirked, but still did not look up.

'I wont tell anyone.' He promised. Draco smiled and let out a gentle sigh of relief. 'Thank you... Ron.'

Draco held him there, tracing his hands all over Ron's body under his robes. He sighed and surrendered to the sensation of Dracos hands on his skin. Goosebumps rose on his flesh. He could now recognize and understand the desperation in Draco's touch. The next Hogsmeade trip was not for another month.

Ron began tracing his fingers along the back of Draco's neck. The skin was so soft. He sucked Malfoys lower lip into his mouth and gently closed his teeth around the delicious flesh. Malfoy moaned and buckled against Ron's body. They were breathing heavily and leaning against the door when they realized how much time had passed.

'We'd better get back.' Draco said, reluctantly forcing some distance in between them. He gestured to the twilight that had befallen the town.

'Fuck... I don't want to go.' Ron whispered sadly. He had never predicted a scenario where he did not want to return to Hogwart's. His heart sank. 'I dont want to be away from you.' At this, Draco smirked, 'Trust me... I get it.'

They really had to get back to the school. As they entered the Shrieking Shack and made their way down the stairs Ron decided he would try his luck again. You should give me a quick lesson on Legilimency, Ron thought at Draco, who heaved a heavy sigh. 'What do you want to know?'

'How do I read your mind?' Ron asked cheerily.

Draco snorted and shook his head, 'As if it were that easy.' Ron shrugged as he continued down into the cellar.

'You can start by learning the spell you use with your wand.' Draco suggested, 'It isn't difficult. I'll show you, if you insist.' His sneer had returned, it was as though being a Legilimencer frustrated him. Ron sensed such weary irritation. Whatever Draco's pain was, Ron knew he wanted to share it. Perhaps he could even lessen that pain.

'When can you teach me? Once we can both do it... being together might be easier.' Ron explained, trying to sound convincing, 'Because we'll be able to think things at one another. Private conversation.' He was as insistent as he could be.

Draco didn't reply as they walked down the tunnel. Ron felt a sting within his chest. Draco averted the subject for a moment before sighing in defeat. He turned his gaze to Ron and shrugged, 'I'll teach you tomorrow. We'll decide where at breakfast.' Ron smiled and nodded. Malfoy seemed to be willing to do anything for Ron. Feelings Ron undoubtedly reciprocated.

As they approached the stairwell at the end of the passageway, Malfoy wheeled around and Ron once again found himself forced into a wall. He pressed the entire length of his body against Ron's who shivered and released a slight moan.

He was relieved when Draco still reached out to him. Ron twisted his fingers through Draco's hair and inhaled his scent. When he had inhaled so much of Draco he could no longer smell him, Ron leaned in and pressed his lip's eagerly against the others. He wrapped his arms around the Slytherin and held him tightly.

'I cannot wait for the Hogsmeade trip next month.' Draco whispered with his signature smirk. Ron nodded in agreement and smiled before they continued up the stairs and on to Hogwart's Grounds.

After getting past the Fat Lady, Ron was excited to find the Common Room void of any soul (including any of the castle's many ghosts). So many times Ron had come to sit in his favorite scarlet armchair by the fire with some Chocolate Frogs only to find it occupied by some fourth years having a snogg off. He sunk into its squishy cushions and sighed out in pleasure, kicking his shoes and socks off and sticking his feet near the fire.

This is what he would've done in the old days, long after Harry and Hermione had fallen asleep. He'd be there into the wee hours of the morning. He'd read mostly about Quidditch while he stuffed his face with his Chocolate Frogs. Ron had enjoyed those ever since he was a kid and wasn't planning to let up on his Card Collection any time soon.

Being a person who generally liked to take naps, it wasn't long before Ron nodded off. He awoke later to voices. When he opened his eyes he saw Harry and Hermione talking quietly. Hermione was actually sitting with some Transfiguration homework instead of a love letter. Crookshanks was sprawled across her parchment, purring loudly. Harry was doing puzzles in the Quibbler. It was almost like the old days. Ron thought he might have been dreaming until Hermione spoke.

'Look who decided to join the waking world.' He heard her say. Ron was surprised to hear she wasn't extremely pissed off after what he had said on Wednesday. Ron was sure he didn't sense any hostility from her, so he tested the waters.

'Oh... yeah.' Tried Ron with a sleepy smile and stretched himself out, careful not to stick his foot in the flame. 'What time is it?'

Harry tossed the magazine down and announced, 'Ten o'clock.'

Ron nodded and sat up in his chair. 'So what are you guys doin?'

'I'm getting some homework done.' said Hermione, sounding like her old self. Ron blinked in confusion. She was behaving as though he hadn't said anything inappropriate to her at all. Which was bizarre for Hermione.

'Harry and I have been waiting for you to come around,' She stood and crossed over to the couch, plopping down beside Harry. 'So that we could have a little chat.'

Ron rolled his eyes. He knew where this was going and he definitely wasn't dreaming. Harry and Hermione both stared expectantly at him with furrowed brows. 'What?' He asked, pretending to be oblivious.

'You tell us what.' Harry said, unable to hold back his grin. Hermione punched Harry on the shoulder.

'Honestly,' she said agitated, before turning back to Ron, 'We wanted to talk to you about what's been going on over the weekend.' She was drumming her fingers on the armrest impatiently. She looked like his mother.

Ron felt his face flush red and he clenched his fists, sending a glare in Harry's direction, 'What about it? I told you there was nothing going on, Harry.'

Hermione narrowed her eyes and looked from Harry to Ron. 'I've been informed it's a little more... bi-curious than that.' Ron huffed angrily and if he wasn't afraid of loosing his spot in his armchair, he would've stormed up to his bed.

'Thanks for not telling anyone.'

Harry held his hands up defensively, 'It wasn't me, it was her. She was here writing a letter to Viktor when I got back. I had to tell her why I didn't stay with you.'

Ron rested his forehead in the palm of his hand and groaned. 'You could've made something up.' Harry shook his head vigorously.

'He couldn't possibly.' Hermione said eyebrows raised, she leaned close to Ron and whispered, 'He seemed completely traumatized. He didn't get here until I was writing to Viktor in the morning.'

Ron couldn't suppress his laughter at the mental image. He could see Harry, glasses askew and white as a ghost after a night long trudge from Hogsmeade to Hogwart's. Not to mention half-in-the-bag and hung over.

Hermione frowned and went on, 'I can't believe you wouldn't want me to know about something so serious.' She turned her eyes to her hands which were fumbling in her lap, 'Even though we've all been separated... The three of us are best friends.'

Ron felt a pang of guilt in his stomach. She was right. They'd stuck together through thick and thin. He should have known his friends would never abandon him and that he could trust Hermione. He had just been so lonely. After a few moments of silence, Ron leaned forward on his knees. He owed this to them.

'All right. I'm going to tell you guys.' His two best mates leaned forward attentively. 'Wednesday morning after I...' He looked at Hermione apologetically and she smugly folded her arms, 'Said such terrible things to my best girl mate in the world...' Hermione cracked a half smile and leaned back, seeming satisfied with that statement as an apology.

'Malfoy cornered me and I thought we were going to get into a fight. But we didn't! Well... we did at first... but don't mind that bit! Instead he told me his dad was in Azkaban and that he wanted to go to class with me.' Both nodded in unison as he continued, 'Since I had been an asshat to every single person I knew, I agreed to go to class with him...' Both were staring at him, waiting for juicer details. Ron wasn't going to give in.

'...And when we went to detention with Sprout, Draco and I planned to slack off.'

Hermione bust out in a fit of giggles, '"Draco"!?' Ron fixed a glare upon her and she managed to contain herself.

'When we left he took me to this weird place by the black lake...' Ron trailed off, suddenly lost in the memory of his first kiss with Draco. He remembered how appalled he'd been at the things it caused him to feel. Now he...

Harry waved a hand in front of his eyes, 'Ron... ? Are you going to finish?'

Ron shook his head and laughed nervously, 'Yeah uh... After that he... he told me he wanted to hang out more and...' He looked at his friends expectant faces. They obviously knew he'd edited out certain parts. 'He told me to meet him in the library the next night. That's when he gave me the robes and asked if I wanted to go to Hogsmeade with him. I didn't say no... The end.'

Hermione sat forward in her seat. 'Ron,' she began in a soft comforting tone, placing her hand over his platonically, 'I know this must be very difficult for you. I can't imagine how confused you are...'

Ron snorted and pulled his hand away, 'I'm not confused now!' Hermione folded her arms again, 'Oh, well that's good.' She didn't seem convinced.

Ron nodded and leaned back in the armchair, folding his hands behind his head with a grin. 'It is very good.'

'What are you then, mate?' Harry asked, 'Because I'd be pretty damn confused.'

Ron shrugged, closing his eyes. He could feel the stupid smile on his face, but he did not care! He turned his thoughts back to Suite Number Five. 'I don't know. I am... Happy. I think.' After a moment's pause he said, 'I just can't control it.'

He heard Hermione chuckle and the squeak of the couch as she returned to the desk. Ron opened one eye and saw her laughing and shaking her head slightly, seated before her homework.

He smiled to himself. It really was like old times. Almost. That night, for the first time, his mind wandered to the Slytherin Common Room in the dungeons.

I'll just follow Draco and everything will be fine, Ron told himself assuredly and allowed himself to fall asleep in his favorite arm chair once again.

Ron woke again in the middle of the night, the fire barely burning with embers. He was jolted by the weight of someone straddling him. He jumped in shock and tried to throw the person off. When they spoke, Ron found it to be a voice he knew very well. 'Shh, it's just me.'

'Harry!?' Ron choked into the darkness, 'What the fuck are you doing!?' He felt Harry's lithe frame a top him. He was eye level with Ron, who could only make out the frame of his glasses. 'I just... was curious what it was like.'

Ron sputtered and tried to push Harry off of him by placing his hands of Harry's hips. Harry sighed out in a way that was far too familiar and he withdrew his hands as though he had stuck them in a bucket of dung.

'Curious of what?!' he hissed, squirming beneath his best mate, trying to escape. 'You can't just go climbing on top of people!'

'I don't get why you're doing this...' He gestured to their close proximity and squirmed in Ron's lap. He could hear Harry panting and could feel his breath across his neck and chest where his button down shirt was open. Ron couldn't ignore it. It didn't feel like Draco's breath.

'Harry, you are dating my sister. Get off of me.' Ron said in a desperate yet firm tone. This is mad, he thought. Everyone's going mad.

'Please,' Harry whimpered, 'I've been thinking about... things.' Harry trailed off, cheeks flushing pink. 'I mean... the sounds...'

Ron knew Harry had heard them in the bathroom. It was safe to assume they sounded like they were having a good time.

He thought of what Hermione had said earlier, He seemed completely traumatized. Ron remembered wandering through the dark Thursday night and into the morning. Horror stricken and thinking of nothing but Draco's mouth and hands all over him. He found himself considering Harry's request out of pity.

'Ron,' Harry said focusing a serious gaze on him, 'I can't ask anyone else. I couldn't if I wanted to.' Ron knew that it was true.

'Just once?' Harry suggested. Ron rolled his eyes and grimaced. He did not want to do this. He felt Harry squirming in his lap, and bit his lip. The feeling of his ass against Ron's cock was too arousing and he felt he had to remove himself from this situation fast. 'Please? I need to know.' Harry may have been dating Ginny, but he was Ron's best friend first.

'You do realize we weren't just kissing in there?' Ron said with chagrin. Harry froze, 'Not that part...' he shifted. 'Just a snog, mate! Is it different? I mean it's you. Malfoy sounded... pleased. I don't understand it.'

Ron sighed in annoyance and looked away from him into the dying flames. 'Draco is different. That's all I can really tell you.'

'Show me, then.' Harry said doubtfully. 'How different can it be?'

'All right, fine!' Ron peered over at the stairs to see sure no one was coming. 'Just once.'

Ron could feel Harry awkwardly place his hands on his shoulders. He locked eyes with Harry, who was gazing upon him with skepticism. Unable to help enjoying the dominant position, Ron lifted a hand and brushed it across Harry's face, weaving his fingers through Harry's soft, dark hair. As Draco had done to him.

Ron grimaced internally, it felt nothing like Draco's in all the wrong ways. It was too short.. it was too thick. 'Well... here goes nothing.' He said, holding his breath.

He heard Harry exhale in anticipation as they drew nearer. Ron tried to ignore the obscurity of nearing his best friend in this way until finally he felt Harry's lips on his. His kiss was tentative. Ron flicked his tongue into Harry's mouth and his tongue traced against Ron's. He felt nothing like he felt when he was kissing Draco. It felt like snogging his teddy bear. There was no spark. After a moment they broke away.

Harry was silent, and his face was blank.

'So?' Ron sighed, 'How was it?'

Harry blinked. 'It was... rather plain, really.'

Ron was amused by Harry's conclusion, 'What did you expect, tentacles?' He was silently reaffirmed that there was something different about being around Draco. It wasn't like Lavender. It wasn't like Harry. It wasn't like being with anyone. It was completely it's own experience.

Harry climbed off of Ron and stood awkwardly in front of him, 'I don't know. But I didn't expect...'

'Bland?' Ron got up this time, too, heading with Harry to the spiral staircase. Harry laughed, 'I guess! Certainly didn't sound bland last night.'

Ron was glad to hear Harry poke at him as if he'd heard one of the other's hooking up. It felt good to be teased in the way the other students teased each other about their hookups. Even though he know without an unequivocal doubt it was not just a hookup.

'So, are you gay, Harry?' He asked mockingly.

'No,' Harry said quickly. Ron quirked a brow at him. He had spoken a little too quickly and Ron eyed him with suspicion.

'I think I'll stick to snogging your sister. She's got boobs to hold on to.' He said obnoxiously. Ron pointed a finger at Harry's chest. 'Hey, watch it.' That is a way he would not be teased.

Harry laughed at him. He knew there wasn't a damn thing Ron could do about their relationship. Ginny had made it clear who she dated was not for Ron to decide.

'Just do me a favor, Harry. Tell her to go easy on you.'