On a particularly nice, sunny day the following week, Harry found himself sitting outside near the lake with Ron and Hermione. Hermione was going over Harry's essay for Potions, making suggestions and editing mistakes. Ron and Harry were discussing their next quidditch match which, incidentally was tomorrow, and against Ravenclaw.

"Are you going to be able to play?" Harry asked wearily.

Ron gave him a Look that he could not read.

"Do you honestly think I would throw the match for Mike?" He asked with a scoff.

"Well," Harry started, hating how hurt Ron looked, "I mean I dunno…he's a competitive guy-"

"I would never do that," Ron interrupted, "We already discussed quidditch. We're going to play like we don't even know each other. It's not going to affect me, alright?"

"Okay, okay," Harry replied briskly, "I'm sorry."

But Ron remained silent, poking at the ground with a stick. Hermione cleared her throat.

"Here you go," she said, handing Harry his revised essay, "Ron, where's yours?" she glanced around, forehead creased in confusion, "You didn't bring your homework?"

"Mike looked over it," Ron responded with a shrug, "I'm all caught up. He's as strict as you when it comes to me doing my homework." He scoffed, "No offense to you, Hermione, but doing my work with him is a little more fun." He grinned mischievously.

"Well," Hermione said, still looking mildly offended, "I guess that's fair." She sniffed and began organizing the homework in front of her.

Ron sniggered. "He is a Ravenclaw. He's smart too." His smile fell slightly and he lowered his eyes, poking at the ground again. Then he said quietly, "He thinks I'm smart."

"You are smart, Ron," Hermione said gently, losing her offended look and her face growing soft. She reached out and touched Ron's arm. "You just don't always apply yourself."

Ron scoffed. "Yeah. He says that, too."

Harry felt odd. His skin still prickled when he thought about Michael Corner. The way he had appeared so vulnerable in Hogsmeade had vanished the moment they were back at Hogwarts. And Michael had quickly gone back to being smug and possessive. And lately, Ron was spending more time with him. Usually Ron was pretty fair and spent equal time with Harry and Hermione, and his boyfriend, but now it was as if he only spent time with his friends if Michael was busy. Like now, the Ravenclaws had Herbology with the Slytherins.

"Will you be at practice tonight?" Harry asked suddenly, they heard the hustle and bustle of students getting out of class and he and Hermione began to gather their school work.

"I missed one," Ron snapped, getting to his feet and tossing the twig aside, "And we still beat Hufflepuff if you don't remember."

"This is our last practice before the match tomorrow," Harry replied bitterly, "I don't want you skiving it to snog your boyfriend."

Harry hadn't meant to put emphasis on the word 'boyfriend,' it had just happened. He immediately wished he could take it back. Repeat the sentence without sounding so…homophobic. But the damage had been done. Ron's eyes widened and he froze. His anger diminished into sadness, and something close to fear.

"I didn't…" Harry stammered, "I didn't mean to say it like that."

Hermione looked from Ron to Harry, biting her bottom lip.

"Whatever," Ron finally muttered, and as he walked away he purposely shoved into Harry's shoulder.

For a brief moment Harry considered going after him. It certainly would have been the best choice. To apologize. To explain. But as his left foot twitched to move after his friend, Ron had already been approached by Michael Corner and his two fellow Ravenclaw buddies. He saw Michael's forehead crease in concern as Ron spoke to him. Seconds later Michael stepped forward and pulled Ron into a comforting hug, saying something. Anthony Goldstein and Terry Boot both looked over at Harry with dark expressions.

"Great," Harry mumbled, walking with Hermione toward the castle.

"I mean you did sound a little bitter," Hermione pointed out, "It came off a tad…offensive."

"I didn't mean it like that!" Harry cried as they ascended the steps, "It was actually an accident."

"I thought you were doing better with the Michael thing," Hermione continued as if she hadn't heard him, "Are you really that worried about the match? Because upsetting Ron isn't going to give you the best results. You know how his nerves are."

Harry heaved a great sigh. "It was an accident. And it is specifically Michael Corner I dislike. I don't care that Ron fancies blokes, alright?" He felt his face burning in anger. Anger at himself, and for his two best friends not believing him.

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

"Thanks for coming." Harry kept his voice steady as Ron walked into the locker rooms later that evening, barely making it before Harry deemed him a no-show.

Ron ignored him and stood next to his sister, who had been glowering at Harry since he had started talking about the drills they would run that evening. Harry decided to ignore their dark looks and just keep it about quidditch.

"Ravenclaws new beaters aren't that great," Harry said, moving his Firebolt from one hand to the other, "But they have really strong chasers so everyone give Ron the best you got, alright? I've got Cho covered." He dared to lock eyes with Ron briefly as the rest of the team nodded obediently. Ron stared back at him, his face neutral. "We'll start with some passing drills to warm up, then Ron you take your post and we'll let you have it."

The practice ran smoothly, Ron saving nearly every goal, even when half the Ravenclaw team, Corner included, came to scope out the competition. He fumbled once, and Harry looked over at Michael to see his reaction, he had smirked and said something to Cho. But Ron made up for it by saving every goal after that. And by the end of practice, everyone seemed breathless and pleased with themselves, even Ron and Ginny accepted a conspiratorial pat on the shoulder from Harry.

As they all trudged into the locker room Michael swooped down from the stands and gave Ron a one armed hug and then let him go in to change, leaning against the stone building to wait.

The team changed quickly, eager to get to dinner. But Ron moved slowly. After Ginny said goodbye to her brother, Harry chanced a look at his friend. But Ron was faced away from him, tugging off his shirt. Harry sighed quietly and decided to just leave. As he walked out, he looked over at Michael, who glared at him, but did not say anything, merely looked him up and down, as though sizing him up.

"I didn't mean it," Harry tried to say, but Michael simply breezed past him and went into the locker room.

It was only when he was a few yards away that he realized he had left his school bag. Stiffly, he turned and started walking back. He didn't want to face Ron and Michael but he also didn't want to have to walk back later, either.

As he walked into the locker room he heard quiet laughter that sounded like it was on the other side of the wall, where the showers were.

"You're really going to make me work for it tomorrow, huh?" Michael's Scottish accent drawled.

"Damn right," Ron replied teasingly.

A silence followed, only broken up by wet, smacking noises that made Harry's stomach clench. He grabbed his bag and left quietly, taking deep breaths, hoping his stomach would relax. He could not pinpoint the feeling that was coursing through his veins, making his face hot, his chest tight, and his heart pound. The thought of Michael Corners hands on Ron, their lips touching, the teasing, gentle way they spoke to each other when they thought they were alone…

Harry stopped at the entrance to Hogwarts and pushed his fingers into his closed eyes under his glasses, trying to get the images out of his mind. He heard someone approach him from behind and he moved his hands and turned around, unfortunately coming face to face with Draco Malfoy. But as he opened his mouth to undoubtedly make some kind of Nancy-Boy remark about Ron, Harry spoke bitterly.

"Not today, Malfoy."

And with that, he stomped up the stairs and entered the castle, still fuming.

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

Harry awoke the next day with his mind and body buzzing. As he had fallen asleep he thought about everything Ron had ever done for him. Everything he had sacrificed. All the times he had gotten in trouble, risked his life for him. And now Harry was repaying him by causing him pain and grief. Harry was being an ass.

He sat up slowly, putting on his glasses. He looked across the room at Ron, who was shirtless and stretching. He yawned and rubbed his eyes, then realized Harry was staring at him.

"What?" He asked. Not sounding angry, just curious.

Harry glanced around. Neville and Seamus were already gone. And Dean was on his way out.

"I've been an ass," Harry said bluntly, climbing out of bed, "I…I have. I've been an ass to you and to Co-…Michael. And I'm supposed to be your best friend. So…I'm sorry."

Ron didn't say anything, but looked at Harry appraisingly. Harry continued.

"I don't care about your, um…your sexuality, you know? You can like whoever you want. As long as they treat you well. And it seems that Michael does. So…I'm done being an ass, okay? You have done a lot for me in your life, and I want…no I need to do this for you."

Ron still did not respond, and Harry felt itchy. Then, Ron got out of his bed, strode across the room, and hugged him. Harry sighed in relief, then laughed. They had never hugged before, and it surprisingly did not feel awkward.

"Thank you," Ron murmured, his breath warm on Harry's neck.

"You're welcome."

Ron released him and grinned.

"Well, let's go kick Mike's ass at quidditch, yeah?" He said cheekily.

"Absolutely," Harry chuckled. He felt as though a weight had finally lifted off his shoulders.