Title: Crystal

Rating: PG-13/R

Genre: Romance/Humor

Summary: AU; "He's as… fragile as crystal…" To wear matching rings is believed to be the ultimate expression of love… complete detail inside
Pairing(s): Harry/Tom R.

Warnings: AU Yaoi, slash, Boy/Boy
Disclaimer: Don't own fandom. Concept behind story doesn't belong to me either. Story itself does. So does Moorinto… and various cameo characters. So don't sue me or have me erased because I'm not going to lose my very first-ever paycheck to people who don't know how to read a disclaimer.

Summary: The ultimate expression of love… In the small town of Moorinto, it is believed the ultimate expression of love is to wear a matching ring with the one you love. It could also be the deepest sign of friendship, depending on which finger you wear it on. When the semi-loner Harry Potter suddenly finds his matching ring with the person he least expects, it's an up and down coaster ride to discovering if this person could be his worst enemy… or his greatest love.

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AN: Here's the second chapter! Enjoy.

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"Hey, Harry, could you wait up a minute…?"

"…say, Harry, I was wondering…"

Harry sighed, slumping into the seat at his desk as the class began to file out for the day. He rested his head on his palm and stared out of the window.

The story, called the Ring Incident, spread through the school like wildfire. By the end of the day, Harry had been ambushed by what had to have been the entire female student body. He was more than ready to be done with it.

"Man," Ron said, sitting down at the desk next to him. "You look exhausted." Harry sighed.

"Everywhere I went today, I was jumped by girls wanting to know about my ring. They all wanted to know where I got it so they could have one too." He rubbed his forehead. "I'd wish they listen to me and just give up already."

"Well, Riddle's a popular guy, you know. This just proved it." Harry frowned.

They're all fools. The guy's no saint; he's just playing them. What an act.

"According to the rumor mill, no one knew Riddle even wore a ring, until today."

"He probably just carried it around, or something. Like in his pocket. Or he wears it at home but takes it off when he gets to school."

"Isn't that weird, though? I mean, why would he take it off?" Harry shrugged.

"I'd do the same thing if I had his popularity. I wouldn't want a dozen girls copying it, all claiming to me my match. It'd be a nightmare. It's a good idea, him keeping it secret. And he said it was important to him. He came all the way back down here just to get it back."

"Yeah," Ron shrugged. "I guess you're right. But Harry?" Harry turned to look at him, flinching back at the look on his face.

"Please don't tell Hermione where you got it! I don't want her to have a paired ring with Riddle!" Harry shook his head with an amused grin.

"Don't worry about it. I was telling the truth when I said I didn't remember where I bought it." Ron blinked, looking at him in confusion.

"But I thought it had some special meaning to you?"

"That's right. Because I lost it before." He smiled fondly at the silver band. "I couldn't find it anywhere, but suddenly it came back, just like that. It kind of opened my eyes to a few things. I grew really attached to it."

"So.. you're trying to say that though the rings are the same, the meaning behind them is different."

"Yeah." Harry smiled at him. "Something like that." He grew somber again. "But when I think about it… the differences between his ring and mine… They're significant for two completely different reasons. It's… kind of depressing." Ron sighed and patted his shoulder.

"Don't worry, Harry. This thing will die down in a few days."

"Yeah. I hope so…"