It wasn't until breakfast the following morning when Harry was starting to lose his confidence that Ron planned to end things with Michael. However, it was due to unforeseen circumstances. The mail came with nothing for Harry and Ron, and The Daily Prophet for Hermione. But soon they were interrupted by Seamus, who was sitting across from them.
"What's up with Corner?" He asked, leaning slightly to see past Harry.
"What?" Ron asked, quickly turning around.
Harry looked, too. At the Ravenclaw table, Michael was sitting, holding what appeared to be a short letter, his head resting on his other hand, looking miserable. He let the letter drop to the table and covered his face. Terry Boot placed a hand on his back in a comforting way, while Anthony Goldstein picked up the letter to read over it.
"Oh no," Ron said quickly, "It's probably his grandfather. He's been really ill."
"Oh," Hermione said sympathetically, "Poor Michael."
Ron got to his feet and, just before he started to walk, he looked at Harry, who raised his eyebrows. Ron hesitated, clearly torn, then walked away. Harry watched with his jaw clenched. Once Ron approached the Ravenclaw table, Michael got to his feet and rushed over to him. They embraced, and Harry seethed.
Incidentally, there was a match that day. Ravenclaw vs. Hufflepuff. So when breakfast came to an end, the students began filing out, Harry used this cover to look around for Ron after Hermione had walked off with Ginny. And when he finally saw Ron approaching, alone, Harry grabbed him and yanked him into an empty classroom.
"No, Harry," Ron said immediately, wrenching his arm out of Harry's grasp.
"'No' what?" Harry demanded. He took a step forward, but Ron backed away, knocking into a desk. Harry stopped moving, folding his arms over his chest.
"No I didn't break up with Mike and no I'm not doing anything with you." Ron looked pained. "His grandfather died. He can't even play, today. I'm not going to be an arse and dump him just because you want me to."
Harry sighed. He understood where Ron was coming from, despite his impatience. Ron was a fairly emotional individual, and he was dealing with a lot. Harry could see the hurt in his eyes.
"Okay," Harry finally said, "I understand." He saw relief flicker over Ron's face, and took a few steps forward. This time, Ron did not move back. Harry smiled at him, then glanced over his shoulder at the closed door. When he looked back he saw Ron was looking at him curiously. "Can I at least kiss you?"
"That's probably not a good idea," Ron said, but he looked torn.
"One kiss," Harry coaxed, stepping closer to his panicked friend.
"Harry," Ron said in a small voice, "I can't…" but his sentence trailed off as Harry's lips touched his, and Ron's hands were immediately on Harry's chest and shoulders. And when Harry deepened the kiss, Ron made the delicious whining noise that he loved. Harry pulled away with a chuckle.
"What?" Ron asked, pouting just slightly.
Harry shook his head and kissed him once again. "You," he murmured, "You're so sweet." He kissed Ron again. "Don't make me wait too long, alright?"
[][][][][][][]
After the game, which Hufflepuff won by a landslide, Ron announced he was going back to the Hospital Wing, where Michael was resting. Harry wanted to stop him, but he knew that, right now, he had to give a little. He couldn't care less about what Michael was going through, but he knew if he gave Ron something…he would get more in return.
As Ron walked off, Hermione nudged Harry.
"You were right," she said, "Michael really is their best chaser. This is the first time Ravenclaw has lost this year."
Harry nodded vaguely. They slowly made their way to the common room.
About an hour into their homework, Ron arrived, looking morose, and tired. He plopped heavily into the seat next to Harry and sighed.
"How is he?" Hermione asked softly.
"Horrible," Ron replied, "He and his grandfather were really close. That's who he's named after. He stayed with him every summer. So…he's really having a hard time. And there's not really anything you can do about that kind of pain, you know?"
"Just be there for him," Hermione said, "That's all you can do."
Ron nodded, his eyes flicked once in Harry's direction then back down to the table as he spoke again.
"His parents are coming to get him in a couple days."
"He's leaving?" Harry asked, trying not to sound too eager, but based on Hermione's glare he realized he had not succeeded.
"For a week," Ron muttered, looking miserable. Harry frowned. Ron wasn't supposed to be acting like this. He should have been pleased to be getting rid of Michael, especially since he would be ending things with him soon.
After they sat and relaxed for a couple hours, Ron announced he was going to go see Michael again. Harry let Ron leave before telling Hermione he wanted to go upstairs to work on some practice schedules. Once upstairs he quickly grabbed his invisibility cloak and threw it on. He felt the map wouldn't be necessary since it was still daytime and he had no one to avoid, other than Ron.
It took him a few short minutes to get to the hospital wing, and then he waited. He could not open the door himself, he knew Ron would figure out he had used his cloak if he saw the door open and close on its own.
But only moments passed before Professor Flitwick exited, holding a tightly wound scroll. Harry supposed he had come to check on Michael, being the head of Ravenclaw. Harry slipped in through the open door quickly, the cloak almost snagging on the door handle as he did so. His heart pounded as he pulled the cloak tighter around himself.
Ron was sitting next to Michael on his bad. They were both cross legged and holding hands, facing each other. Harry could see the grief all over Michael's face, and for one fleeting moment he actually felt bad for him. He knew what that kind of grief felt like.
"Can I get you anything?" Ron was asking, "Are you hungry? Thirsty?"
Michael shook his head. "No," he said quietly, "I don't need anything." He took a deep breath and stared up at the ceiling. Harry knew he was trying to hold back tears. "I'm just tired. But I can't sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I…" He trailed off, sniffing loudly.
Ron leaned forward and pulled him into a hug. Michael buried his face into Ron's shoulder, his own shoulders shaking. Ron rubbed his back slowly. Harry wanted to curse both of them. He had been very clear, Ron was supposed to be ending things. Not sitting here comforting the guy.
"I'm so sorry," Ron whispered, "And I'm sorry I'm not much help."
"I miss him so much," Michael said in a muffled voice, not raising his head. Ron tightened the hug, a look of guilt etched into his face.
Harry felt a sick feeling rippling through his body. It was supposed to have been simple. He would tell Ron to end things, and Ron would do it. People weren't supposed to die. Ron wasn't supposed to have feelings.
Harry crept over to the door, planning to leave the next time it opened. Then something stopped him. Michael's voice, stronger, but still quiet.
"Can you meet me tonight?"
"Of course," Ron's voice replied, "Here?"
"No," Michael said slowly, "Maybe…the prefects bathroom?"
There was a pause, Harry whipped his head around. The couple was looking at each other, Ron very pink in the face, and Michael looking sad still, but yet somehow determined.
"I…" Ron said slowly, "You mean…?"
"I just…I want to get my mind off things, you know?" Michael took Ron's hands, "But, it doesn't have to go that far. If you say stop, we'll stop. I promise."
Ron's face immediately fell.
"What?" Michael asked, suddenly seeming concerned.
"Nothing," Ron replied quickly, putting his face back to neutral, then hesitated before saying, "I just…I don't have good experience with saying stop, and the other person actually stopping."
Harry bit the inside of his bottom lip, realizing Ron was talking about him.
"Who would do that?" Michael said, his eyes wide, "You know I would never-"
"I know." Ron gave him a small smile. "I'll meet you. I'll do my best. I want to help you however I can." He glanced over his shoulder toward Madame Pompfrey's office, where she was busily writing something, then leaned forward so they could kiss.
"You're really an amazing boyfriend," Michael said softly.
"I'm really not," Ron argued with a sigh.
"You are," Michael insisted, "And I love you for it."
