Chapter 21: When All Else Fails
Ron closed the portrait hole behind him even though he felt the overwhelming urge to turn and run for it. He stepped toward the angry pair before him and his eyes never left the Marauder's Map held tightly in Harry's right hand. Things like his flying hair and his messily tucked shirt seemed like incriminating evidence to use against him. He was sure that Harry could easily see the many bruises on his neck where Malfoy had feasted for hours. Ron shifted his shirt a little higher when he realized that the necklace holding his ring wasn't tucked into his shirt. He knew better than to move it. He was already caught; he had to deal with the consequences. He was no where near ready for this.
Harry stared into Ron's downcast face. He squeezed the map in his hand. Someone looking that sorry had to be guilty of something; and Harry was too distraught to consider exactly what that something exactly was. He glanced down at the map again and he saw that Malfoy was now in his common room. He wiped the map clean and placed it as gently as his frustration would allow, on to the table beside him. The anger he felt now was more than he could stand. All this time Ron had been seeing Malfoy behind his back. He had only pretended to like him. But what for, Harry thought? Did he feel sorry for me, or was it just for a distraction when he wasn't with the person he really wanted to be with. Every time Malfoy crossed his mind he got the urge to hit something; to hurt someone. He walked toward Ron with his fist balled tightly; ready to strike out and make Ron feel as hurt as he felt right now. Hermione pulled him back in time; his fist just grazed Ron's face.
"How could you?" he yelled as he struggled from Hermione's grasp. He stormed over to Ron who was holding a hand to his face. He gripped his arms and shook him violently.
"Harry, stop," screamed Hermione from behind him. She yanked on his arms to pull him from Ron. He dropped his arms and instead picked up a vase and threw it against the wall, inches from Ron, where it shattered into millions of pieces. Ron trembled and turned his head to avoid the glass shards. He looked at Harry, but didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say.
"Say something you bastard," bellowed Harry.
"Harry, stop yelling and let him explain. There's probably a logical explanation for what we saw," said Hermione.
Harry turned and faced Ron with his arms crossed. His breathing was rushed and forced with suppressed rage. Ron looked at Hermione, but turned quickly away from her hopeful face. He didn't want to see the hurt there when he told them the truth.
"I was with Malfoy last night…" murmured a trembling Ron.
"No shit," yelled Harry cutting his sentence short.
"Harry, shut up and listen," moaned Hermione. She pulled Ron to the sofa and sat him down. She sat beside him holding his hand, comforting him. Ron looked at their intertwined fingers and he felt sick to his stomach.
"We spent the night together in the Room of Requirement," confessed Ron shyly while looking toward the floor. Hermione pulled her hand from his and glared at him questioningly. Harry paced the room behind them and every once in a while he would stop and scowl at the back of Ron's head before pacing the room again.
"Ron, what happened?" asked Hermione weakly.
He looked at her face and still the hope was there. Hermione was always the one to want things to go smoothly. He turned away from her and his mind raced to find a reasonable lie. He changed his mind. He wasn't going to tell the truth anymore. He wasn't ready for Harry's reaction yet. He heard Harry stop behind him as he began to speak.
"We left the library to get extra ingredients for our potion. We knew we couldn't use Snape's storage, so I came up the idea to use the Room of Requirement to get the ingredients." Ron paused and when they didn't comment he continued; his mind in overdrive.
"We were there for a long time looking for the right stuff and when we finally found them, we were about to leave when Filch and his cat showed up. We didn't want to get caught coming from that room so we sat in there for quite a long time. It was really late and ee must have gotten sleepy because I can't remember anything after that. That's the reason you saw us leaving the room together this morning. We lost track of time," concluded Ron.
He thought over what he had just said and he couldn't see any loopholes. He looked around at Harry and they stared into each other's eyes. Hermione's eyes lingered on his face for a moment as well, before they traveled down to his collar and his many hickies; then further down to the necklace around his neck. She read the initials DM RW on the ring and her mouth dried nervously. She placed a hand on his chest, covering the necklace and pulled him into a hug. Her hands fumbled with the necklace as she stuffed it in his shirt.
"I knew it wasn't what we thought," she murmured as she pulled back from him rubbing his shoulder length red hair down around his neck, hiding the bruises there. Ron looked at her completely stunned, but he didn't speak, but smiled at her sheepishly. She's helping me, he thought.
"Yes, I should have been back hours before; I just got sleepy is all," Ron grinned. Harry glanced between them, his heart rate slowing down considerably. Why had he rushed to conclusions, he smirked?
"That's all it was?" asked Harry to confirm his allegations.
"Yes, what did you think happened?" asked Ron.
"Well, you know Harry. He's convinced you're cheating on him with Malfoy. I've told him he's silly, because why would you date Malfoy?" she laughed loudly. Ron smiled up at Harry as Harry bent to kiss him on the lips. Ron pulled away with only a peck though. He hoped Harry didn't over think the quick kiss.
"Why was Parvati holding my map when I woke up this morning?" asked Harry, looking at Hermione.
"You know Parvati; she was probably trying to find someone to spy on," grimaced Hermione. Ron laughed a little too ecstatically as the thought crossed his mind that Parvati had probably been trying to get him caught. That bitch, he thought.
"Well, I'm going to my room. I need some more sleep. Harry kept kicking me in my back last night," Hermione groaned. She ascended the stairs to her dorm leaving Ron and Harry alone.
The room buzzed around them. Harry sat next to Ron, but he wasn't looking in his direction. Ron readjusted his shirt and brushed his hair around his ears. He was so relieved that Harry had believed his story, even though it hadn't been a very good one. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted from his chest. Hermione, being who she was, knew of course. But, she had helped him cover his indiscretion. He knew she didn't like lying, but she also didn't like it when Harry was angry. He wasn't very pleasant to be around when he was.
"Did Malfoy try anything while you were stuck in that room?" asked Harry quietly, but still not looking at Ron.
"No, actually we didn't talk at all," lied Ron.
"Did you ever finish that potion?" Harry asked.
"No, damn it. I can finish it later though."
Harry nodded and finally looked at Ron.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that alone," he smiled.
"It was nothing. I did miss being in your arms though," Ron grinned trying his hardest to truly convince Harry that he missed him.
"Yeah, sleeping with Hermione just isn't the same," Harry joked. Ron shook his head grinning.
Harry leaned toward Ron and kissed him on the forehead before standing.
"You coming?" he asked gesturing toward the stairs.
"I'll be up in a few minutes," Ron responded.
Harry crossed the room and got his map and then climbed the stairs to the dorms. Ron looked after him and when he heard the door close he reached behind his neck and undid the necklace, letting it drop into his waiting hand. He pocketed it as he crossed over to a wall mirror. He leaned his head to the side and rubbed a hand over the red bruises on his neck. Some of them were fresh for he and Malfoy had a quick drive by before separating. Having slept with Malfoy's erection deep inside of him, Ron could still feel the soreness there. He kind of felt empty without Malfoy's hard penis penetrating him. He looked at his face and saw that it was flushed from the mere memory of hot sex with Malfoy. Images of the night before made him moan with anticipation. He could still taste Malfoy's cum covered penis in his mouth squirming. His legs trembled under him. He had to lean against the wall to steady himself. It took all his strength to not leave the Gryffindor common room and go fuck Malfoy into oblivion in some random corridor. God, he thought, I have to stop thinking about this. He climbed the stairs to the dormitory in silence. He had no idea how he was going to cover the hickies on his neck, he would just have to ask Hermione to help when she came down for breakfast. He hoped that she would know how to help him anyway, being as she never had a hickie before.
Until then though, Ron would have to avoid Harry at all cost or Hermione's attempt to keep Harry in the dark would have been pointless; and he didn't want to see Harry's reaction when he realized that they had both lied to him. He entered the dorm to the snores of his fellow roommates. He pulled his shirt over his head, and quickly pulled on another shirt. Deep scratches lined his chest and back. Malfoy had put them during; they still burned, but Ron didn't mind. He unbuckled his jeans and pulled them down to his knees before he realized that he wasn't wearing his boxers. He must have left them downstairs. He cursed himself and looked around at his roomies and saw that they were all still asleep, including Harry. He rushed to pull on his pajama bottoms and climbed into bed quickly. He rolled over onto his stomach and closes his eyes. He figured he could easily get two more hours sleep before anyone stirred. His dreams were undisturbed but usually wet. He smiled in his sleep as his dreams took him back to that memorable night.
"Harry, pass the jam," mumbled Hermione as she reached her hand out to him from across the Gryffindor house table.
"Harry," she yelled irritably. She banged on the table and when he still didn't look her way, she huffed loudly and stood to get the jam herself. When she sat down she glared at him and then at Ron who was held in Harry's arms kissing him.
"You two need to get a room," she cried as she spread raspberry jam over her toast. She watched as Harry's tongue entered Ron's waiting mouth and she shook her head grinning.
"Really, I don't think a room would contain you two. You need a whole motel," she smirked.
Harry pulled away from Ron and looked around at her.
"Did you say something Hermione?'' Harry asked. She huffed angrily and turned away frowning.
Ron scooted away from Harry. His heart was racing from the intensity of the kiss and he felt slightly ashamed. He looked over his shoulder and saw that Malfoy had his arms wrapped around Pansy. Pansy was running a lip stick mark from his cheek with her thumb as she ran a hand through his hair making it fall into his face. Malfoy nudged her away playfully and fixed his hair back, while Crabbe and Goyle laughed and pointed at him. Malfoy sneered at them, but Ron couldn't tell what he was saying; yet right after Crabbe and Goyle looked stoned faced and silent. Ron laughed and turned back around. That's what he loved about Malfoy. He could be so generous and caring one moment and then a complete ass the next. Ron leaned his head on Harry's shoulder and focused his attention on the argument going on before him.
"What are you guys yelling about now?" Ron asked.
"Harry threw bacon at me," Hermione shrieked playfully.
"Oh, Harry, how dare you?" cracked Ron sarcastically.
Hermione scowled at him but a moment later was stoned faced as she looked into Ron's laughing eyes. Ron knew exactly what she was thinking and he didn't want to go into it right now. They still hadn't talked about Ron's secret for everywhere Ron was; there was Harry in his wake. Ron knew Hermione was itching to know why he would do such a thing to Harry, and how he could skillfully pretend that everything was all right. He diverted his eyes from her and heard her exhale irritably. He would avoid her until he the time came, and he hoped that he wouldn't have to explain anytime soon.
Hermione had skillfully covered the bruises on his neck with makeup earlier, and she had artfully tried then to bring up his indiscretion, but he had dodged around it by bringing up his sister Ginny. This just sent Hermione into complete silence mixed with resentment. He knew it was a low blow to mention the fact that it was her fought that her and Ginny were fighting, but right now he would do anything to keep Hermione off his back.
They had been practicing all week for their match against Slytherin. Harry had held practices for the teams almost every week since the season started and they now were forerunners for the cup. They just had to beat Slytherin, and they would have the cup under their belts. Ron had improved considerably from the first practice. He now could pass the ball to fellow teammates without sending them to the hospital wing cursing at the top of there lungs.
Actually, Ron was playing extremely too well. Since he had begun hanging out with Malfoy, his game had improved considerably. Harry was actually looking at him with suppressed awe. Every time Ron would have to perform a very complicated save, he would imagine the happiness on Malfoy's face and everything would seem clear and substantially easier. When Harry had asked recently how he had managed to improve so much over such a short time, he would respond. "How could I not. I have the best coach in the world."
This was his attitude as he dressed in his robes with the rest of the team. Harry was going over last minute plays in his head as he paced the changing room.
"Do you believe that we can actually do this?" Harry asked his stoned faced team.
"Sure we can," added Katie from behind Ron. Ron looked around at her and then at Angelina. He rolled his eyes and turned back to look at a very nervous Harry.
"Stop worrying so much," cried Ginny. "You're making me nervous."
Ron nodded in agreement as he looked out the opening toward the field. He could see the slytherin team gathered on the field. He could easily spot which one was Malfoy; his blonde hair glinted in the sunlight. Ron hoped that Malfoy wouldn't be too angry when his team beat his. It was just a game after all.
Harry was speaking beside him so he focused his attention to the speech.
"We've beaten the slytherin's constantly over the years; let's not change it now," yelled Harry. The team cheered in agreement; they were all completely motivated.
"Let's wipe that greasy grin from Malfoy's face ugly face," yelled Ginny; and they all cheered enthusiastically. Angelina and Katie looked in Ron's direction at these words, and he just smirked at them and cheered with the rest.
"Come on let's go," bellowed Harry. They all shouldered their wands and stepped out onto the field.
The cheering was fierce and motivating. Usually this would have scared the crap out of Ron, but when he noticed that Malfoy was looking in his direction smiling, all fear evaporated. This was just a playful game between him and Malfoy. He couldn't wait to rub it in his face later on that day. He smirked at Malfoy nastily and mounted his broom. Harry shook the hand of the slytherin captain, and when the whistle blew, they all set off in opposite directions. The game had begun.
"We did it," yelled Harry as he spun Ron around in wide circles. Everyone in the common room cheered as the anthem "Weasley is Our King," vibrated through the air once more. Harry put Ron down and kissed him fiercely on the lip. Instantly "Ooh's and Aahhs," followed. Ron pulled away and laughed.
"It wasn't all me you know. I did have some help from you guys," smirked Ron smugly. Everyone laughed as the party erupted. Seamus and Dean brought food out by the arm loads.
"Ah, we forgot the butterbeer," moaned Seamus as he scanned the display of refreshments.
"I'll go and get some," called Ron over to him.
"I can get it," said Harry.
"No, it's okay. I need to get something on the way, anyway," Ron smiled. Harry grinned and kissed him on the cheek before he was attacked by the Creevey brothers who wanted a first hand account of the game.
"I'll help," yelled Hermione as she followed him through the portrait hole. Ron turned and stared at her disbelievingly as the door closed after her.
"I can manage, Hermione," Ron added quickly seeing her determination.
"Well two's always better than one," Hermione smiled. Ron rolled his eyes and walked away. He knew exactly why she wanted to help, and he also knew that she had been waiting for this opportunity since she found out about him and Malfoy.
They walked in silence down one floor before Hermione finally spoke.
"So, how long has this been going on behind our backs?" she asked. Ron didn't say anything. Maybe if he dodged again, she would lose interest.
"What are you talking about Hermione?" he asked.
"Ah, don't play with me. You know very well what I'm talking about Ron," she snapped. When he still looked lost she continued.
"You and Malfoy? How long have you been seeing him?" she asked.
"Does it matter how long?" he moaned from irritation.
"Yes, actually it does; especially when I'm covering for you."
He let these words linger for a moment. She was right, he thought impatiently. She is helping me. She does deserve the truth. He stopped and looked around at her. She crossed her arms, waiting.
"It started after I was raped," he confessed. She stood quietly and waited for him to continue.
"After that fight, we made up afterwards, and we've been seeing each other ever since," Ron concluded. When she still didn't say a word, he turned and started to walk again.
"Why didn't you tell us," she asked quietly beside him.
He frowned at her and shook his head. "You know Harry would've gone berserk if he found out I'm still seeing Malfoy, Mione."
"You could have told me then. You know I want you to be happy Ron"
"Yeah, that message came across clearly after you repeated "Why would Ron choose Malfoy over you Harry," over and over again," he smirked.
"Oh, sorry about that; I was just trying to comfort Harry, that's all."
"Yes, well, now he has it drilled into his head that I'm madly in love with him," Ron snapped.
"Why don't you just break up with Harry then?" Hermione asked.
"Come on Mione. You know Harry just as well as I do. He would think he did something wrong and get even more possessive than he already is."
"He's not possessive. He's trying so hard to make up for what he did to you," Hermione yearned.
"Well, I'm not telling him; so that's final," said Ron. Hermione opened her mouth to retort, but he glared at her and shook his head.
'Please just let me handle this Hermione," he groaned. She nodded as they continued to the kitchen. Ron reached a hand to tickle the fruit there and the door quivered open. They proceeded on through and to their surprise Malfoy and Pansy were there. They were bent over a bowl of ginger newts. Pansy was giggling as Malfoy whispered seductively into her ear.
"Humph Humph," called Ron, from behind them.
Pansy jumped and looked around.
"Ah, it's Weaselbee and Granger. How lovely it is to see you too," she sneered.
"Shut up Pansy," jeered Hermione.
"Oh, the mudblood needs to watch her mouth doesn't she?" Pansy cackled menacingly.
"Shut up Pansy or I'll make you," hissed Ron as he pulled out his wand.
Pansy stepped closer to him and opened her mouth to yell back when Malfoy cut her off.
"Take this stuff back to the dungeons and I'll catch up with you," said Malfoy. All the anger on Pansy's face was replaced by sheer admiration and lust as she nodded her head to acknowledge her sweeties words. She grabbed the basket of food and stormed pass them angrily. Ron distinctly heard the words mudblood and trash as she passed him, but he ignored her. Hermione though, spun around.
"What did you just say bitch," she yelled.
"Hermione, no," yelled Ron as he gripped her wrist to hinder her descent upon Pansy face. Pansy stuck her tongue out at her as she exited. Hermione fixed her hair and turned to face Malfoy angrily.
"You need to control that girlfriend of yours Malfoy," Hermione jeered.
"Looks to me like you should be the one being controlled Granger. Can I offer you a leash?" Malfoy laughed.
Hermione glared at him as she passed to go retrieve the butterbeer from the freezer. Ron shook his head and grinned.
"So, Draco; we creamed you today," laughed Ron.
"Luck, that's what that was Weaselbee," Malfoy scowled in an attempt to look pissed.
"Yes, luck. 200 points to 10; pure luck," cackled Ron.
Malfoy frowned at him, but a grin wasn't far behind. Ron walked up to him and gripped his black tee. He rubbed one hand around to the back of Malfoy neck before he lavished his lips. Malfoy pulled away nervously and looked around at the open freezer door. When he didn't see Hermione, he turned back to face Ron.
"Are you drunk? Granger's here remember," he whispered.
"She knows already," grinned Ron as he leaned in for another kiss. Malfoy pulled away looking stunned.
"You told her," he asked.
"No actually, she came to the conclusion herself after seeing all those nice little hickies you left on me."
"Does Potter know?" asked Malfoy.
"No, Hermione helped me cover. He did see us leave the Room of Requirement though; the map; remember."
"Ah, yes. Potter and his damn map," Malfoy laughed.
Ron nuzzled his head into Malfoy's neck, before his head was raised by Malfoy's forceful hand. He bent and kissed Ron tenderly on the lips, wrapping his arms around him. Ron groaned deep in his throat. He lifted Malfoy's shirt a little and ran his thumb along the top half of Malfoy's jeans. Malfoy smiled into the kiss.
"You want me don't you?" Malfoy groaned as he licked down Ron's neck, making him shiver. Ron closed his eyes and moaned inwardly.
"Isn't it obvious?"
Malfoy kissed Ron's chin then attacked his lips again. Ron hands gripped the hardness that was Malfoy's erection as he pulled away.
"I see you want me too," he smirked as Malfoy's erectioin moved in his hand.
"Damn Weasley," Malfoy laughed. Ron laughed as well as he wrapped his arms around Malfoy's waist.
Hermione glanced around the corner of the freezer again to see if it was safe for her to come out yet. From her eavesdropping all the while this was happening, Hermione could tell that Ron's desire for Malfoy was way stronger and more developed than that with Harry. Another thing she noticed was how sexy the two of them were together. There wasn't that neediness that Harry bestowed on Ron; there was just pure lust; lust you only see with two people that have crossed that sexual barrier…
Oh my God, she thought. They've slept together. She looked around the door and her eyes followed the way they kissed. Their tongues were in sync with each other. She knew she should be ashamed of herself, but she couldn't help but fantasize about how sex would be for them. She knew from experience with Malfoy personality that Malfoy was demanding and completely masculine. There would be no love making; just fierce and infuriating sex. Ron would be completely different. Everything about him was a joke. He would be the raw creativity. Ron was always willing to try new things, so sex for them would never grow old. Ron would also be the "girl" in the relationship. It was completely impossible for Malfoy to take the inferior role.
Hermione couldn't believe her own thoughts. She was actually wishing that they would let her watch them. I'm being silly, she thought. I'm trying to keep Harry and Ron together, not fantasize about watching hot, and sweaty sex between Ron and eww; Malfoy. She knew she was fooling herself.
She stepped around the door carrying several bottles of butterbeer in a case. It took them a moment to realize she was there. Malfoy pulled away from Ron still holding him in his arms.
"Are you ready to go?" she asked.
Ron frowned at her and then up at Malfoy. Malfoy kissed him on the forehead and nodded.
"I have a party to get to anyway," said Malfoy.
"Why are you guys celebrating? You didn't win." asked Hermione.
"Well, Granger, why throw away a great opportunity for a party," he smirked. He pulled away from Ron and smiled.
"Don't get too drunk, I need you completely sane tonight." Malfoy grinned as he backed to the door.
"You're warning me?" Ron laughed sarcastically.
Malfoy laughed heartedly as he left the kitchen. He nodded a goodbye to Hermione as he disappeared behind the door.
Hermione jerked Ron from his daze and pulled him around to face her.
"What do you have planned for tonight?" she asked.
"Oh, nothing." He smiled slyly as he took the butterbeers from her grip and they left the kitchen
"Then what was he talking about?" she asked.
"Well okay, we're going to hogsmeade for a…a…drink," said Ron as they took a detour to the commonroom.
"A drink; yeah right," hissed Hermione.
"What do you mean; yeah right?" he asked skeptically.
"Ron, are you having sex with Malfoy?" she asked; finally building up the nerve.
He paused and his eyes darted around in the darkness of the secret corridor. He didn't know whether to tell the truth or not. It wasn't really her business.
He waited to long to answer though, so the truth was confirmed for her. She bit her lip in silent happiness as images flashed before her of them lying across some random bed, going at it. A small moan escaped her; making Ron stop to look sideways at her.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing; so how long as this been going on?" she asked hoping she didn't sound too eager.
"What, I didn't say we were Mione," said Ron angrily
"Oh, but your silence did," she laughed. Ron cursed himself under his breath making her laugh mirthfully.
"So?" she asked.
"We've only done it once; okay, the other night in the Room of Requirement." He confessed.
She smiled to herself as they came upon the portrait hole. She turned to him and grinned. He looked at her completely stunned. Why in the world was she so happy, he thought?
"If you need me to keep Harry company while you're gone, I'll help, okay?" she asked.
Ron raised his eyebrow at her. She looked completely serious and he did need a distraction.
He nodded.
"Jumping Ginger Newt," he said to the Fat Lady.
The Fat Lady smiled down at the two of them and realizing who he was she said. "That was really hot; you know; the other day!" she winked as she swung forward. Hermione looked at Ron questioningly, but he shook his head and clambered through the portrait hole.
"I'll explain later," he grimaced. Hermione nodded as they entered the portrait hole to the tremendous uproar of the ongoing celebration.