For what felt like the millionth time that day, Harry glanced over at Ron, frowning in concern. Ron was usually loud and, some might say, annoying, though not Harry. However, today, Ron had been unusually quiet and wore a frown. It was clear that something was bothering the redhead.

When their eyes met, Ron caught Harry looking at him. He managed a weak smile before looking away. Harry's concern deepened.

Harry stood up from his bed and walked over to Ron's. "Hey," he said, sitting down beside him and placing a hand on his shoulder. "What's wrong?"

With a small gasp, Ron flinched, startled out of his thoughts, and a flush spread across his cheeks. Harry tilted his head, observing him closely.

"Oh, Harry," Ron said, smiling, though the expression didn't reach his eyes. "It's nothing."

Harry put his hands on his hips. "Ronald Weasley, don't you dare lie to me," he imitated Hermione's tone when she scolded them, and Ron's face broke into a genuine smile.

Ron laughed. "Okay, maybe I'm lying." His shoulders slumped. "But I can't tell you what's wrong."

Harry's expression fell. Why couldn't Ron talk to him? They had only known each other for a year and a half, but from day one, Harry felt as though he had known Ron for much longer.

"Why? You're my best friend, Ron." Harry sat beside him again and wrapped him in a hug. "You can tell me anything."

"Um, Harry?" Ron suddenly felt oddly shy.

"What?"

"You're hugging me."

Harry blinked. "Oh." He leaned back. "Sorry, you looked like you needed one."

"Uh, thanks." It was true, but Harry and Ron had never really done that before.

"Sure. Now please tell me what's wrong."

Ron shook his head. "I... I can't."

"Why not?"

Ron blushed. "It's too embarrassing."

Harry smirked. "Now what could be too embarrassing to tell your best friend?"

Ron's blush deepened, and Harry raised an eyebrow. "Um..." Now Ron's ears were turning red.

"I CAN'T KISS!" Ron yelled, then slapped a hand over his mouth. "Okay. I'm going to go die now," he said in a muffled voice.

Harry silently laughed. "Is that all?"

"All? I'll never have a girlfriend! Because I can't kiss."

"Why are you thinking about it all of a sudden?" Harry asked.

"Because," Ron looked down, "some Slytherins were teasing me about not having a girlfriend." Harry thought that was kind of silly because he didn't know many second-years who were in a relationship.

"They need to mind their own business. I'm sure you'll be a good kisser." Harry felt his own cheeks warm. It wasn't something he thought he would ever tell Ron.

"And you can't just know how to kiss before you ever actually kiss."

Ron sighed. "Yeah, yeah, I know."

"Maybe you can get someone to practice with." Harry thought for a moment. "Um, Hermione, maybe?"

Ron crinkled his nose. "Ah, I can't do that."

Harry was confused. "But I kind of got the impression you liked her."

"I don't! Kissing her would be like kissing Ginny."

"Hmm, then who?"

Ron shrugged.

"Luna?" Harry suggested.

"No," Ron shook his head.

"Um, Parvati?"

Ron snorted. "No way."

"Lavender?"

"No."

"Susan... that Hufflepuff girl?"

"No, I don't even know her well enough to kiss her."

"Hannah?"

"No…"

"How about Padma?"

"No. If I didn't want to kiss Parvati, what makes you think I'd want to kiss Padma?" Harry rolled his eyes. Ron, of all people, should know that twins are their own individuals even if they look exactly alike.

"Angelina?"

"No, Fred would kill me!"

"Parkinson?" Harry teased.

"If I asked her, she'd probably kill me. So, I'm going to say no!"

"That Greengrass girl?"

"Um, no. How about no one from Slytherin?"

Harry laughed. "Ron, we're running out of options, and it would be weird to ask any of the older students."

"Yeah, but I don't want to kiss any of those girls!"

"Is there someone you like?"

Ron shook his head. "Not really, but I want a girlfriend. And since I can't practice kissing, I can pretty much rule out any possible girl."

"Well, we've pretty much eliminated all the girls who might be willing to practice kissing," Harry said. "I'm the only option left. None of the other guys would want to do it, for sure."

Ron blushed. "Okay."

Harry's mouth fell open. "What?"

"Let's practice."

Harry gulped. "You're serious?"

"What… but you said…"

Harry smiled. Ron was so innocent. "Yeah, I know." He had been teasing and never imagined Ron would take him seriously.

"So we can practice?"

"I…" Harry blushed, "okay," he whispered.

"Have you kissed someone before?" Ron looked down at his hands and then shyly glanced at Harry through the messy curls hanging in his eyes.

"No. So this will be a learning experience for me, too."

"Oh." Ron scooted closer to Harry. "Um, are you ready?"

Harry was ready; of course, he couldn't tell Ron how ready he was, or he'd scare him. The truth was, Harry had always liked Ron a little bit. It was a confusing feeling, but it didn't feel bad.

He reached out and raised Ron's chin so he could look him in the eyes. "Uh-huh," he nodded. Harry leaned forward and pressed his lips to Ron's. It was a quick, chaste kiss, but both boys enjoyed it.

Harry's cheeks started to burn, a pink flush spreading across his nose and the tips of his ears. "How was that?"

"It was nice. But it didn't seem like the kind of kiss boyfriends and girlfriends do." Not that Ron had much clue about what couples did beyond simple kissing.

Harry laughed. "I guess you're right. So, do you want to… really kiss?"

"Yes!" Ron blushed. "I mean, if you don't mind." He looked at Harry, his heart pounding.

"I don't mind," Harry said, glancing at the sleeping figures of Dean, Seamus, and Neville. "But this isn't the right time."

Ron turned beet red. He had completely forgotten that the other boys were in the room with them. "You're right. The last thing we need is for Seamus to see us. The whole school would find out in seconds."

Harry giggled. He felt a little embarrassed, but the fact that things between him and Ron didn't feel weird made him happy. "So, tomorrow?"

"Yes," Ron agreed.

Harry paced back and forth, his whole body racked with nerves. What if Ron chickened out and didn't come? He was waiting for Ron in their empty dorm room. They had agreed the night before to meet when their roommates were visiting Hogsmeade. Hermione had given them a couple of questioning looks when they told her they were staying behind, but no one else questioned their absence.

Harry looked up when he heard someone enter the room. He smiled upon seeing a nervous Ron. His cheeks were already flushed, and Harry found him incredibly adorable.

"Hey, mate," Ron said, smiling faintly.

"Hey," Harry replied, walking over to his bed and sitting down. Ron, who was trembling, sat next to him.

"So, now what?" Ron asked, his voice uncertain.

"Do you still want to?" Harry asked, noticing the bashfulness in Ron's tone.

"I want to... but Harry, you really don't mind? Wouldn't you rather be kissing, I don't know, Ginny or someone?"

"Ron, Ginny is nice and all, and I do like her, but not like that. What, does she still like me?"

Ron shook his head. "No, I don't think so. So you really don't mind kissing me?"

"I don't mind at all," Harry said, smiling at Ron and moving closer to him. "You're probably a better kisser than Ginny anyway."

Ron blushed. "Harry... are you flirting with me?"

"If I said yes, would you hit me... or hate me?"

Ron couldn't believe his ears. His best mate was almost confessing to flirting with him. Ron wondered if he had an issue with another guy flirting with him or liking him.

'I feel so excited about kissing him again, and I only wanted a girlfriend because people were teasing me.,' He thought.

Ron smiled, realizing now why he had been so quick to agree to kissing lessons with Harry. 'I must be honest with myself. The idea of me and Harry together makes my heart flutter.'

Harry grew concerned as Ron remained quiet for a long time. "Ron?"

Ron jumped. "Oh, sorry, Harry. Of course, I wouldn't hit you, and I could never hate you."

"Really?" Harry asked, sounding hopeful.

"Yeah. Say, Harry, if you were flirting with me, does that mean... you like me?"

"Uh-huh, Ron, I do... like you." Harry reached for Ron's hand and held it, biting down on his lower lip. His heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest.

Ron looked up at Harry, his eyes wide. He hadn't expected such a straightforward confession. "Seriously?"

"Yes! I like you more than life itself. I'd do anything for you," Harry said, his voice filled with passion. It was a significant confession for a twelve-year-old, but it felt immensely important to express.

Ron felt himself bursting with pure happiness. "You do... you would? Then can you do one thing for me?"

"Yes, anything you want."

"Teach me how to kiss for real."

Harry was surprised. "You still want to practice?"

"Of course! Don't you get it? I think...well... I think I like you, too."

Ron gasped in surprise when Harry jumped on him, hugging him tightly. Feeling wetness on his cheek, Ron pulled away from Harry. "Are you crying?"

Harry blushed, wiping at his cheeks. "I guess so. I'm just so happy."

"Me too."

They gazed into each other's eyes, pressing their faces together and touching nose to nose. Harry felt warmth radiating from Ron's face. He closed his eyes and pressed his lips against Ron's.

It felt different now. Now that Harry knew how Ron felt, he was being bolder. He kissed Ron deeply and pressed his tongue against Ron's lips, just like he had seen in Muggle movies. It was kind of strange to think about putting his tongue in Ron's mouth, but when their tongues touched, it felt good. Harry had no clue how to kiss either, but it was clear that Ron had been worried for nothing; kissing wasn't that hard at all.

When breathing became an issue, they pulled away.

"How was that?" Harry asked with a grin.

Ron laughed. "Much better!"

"Good." Harry stood up, taking Ron by the hand. "Ron, we still have time. Would you like to be my date and go to Hogsmeade?"

"That sounds wonderful," Ron replied.

With another quick kiss, they walked out of the dorm room and headed downstairs to the common room, both smiling as they thought of all the wonderful possibilities that lay ahead of them.

As they got closer to Hogsmeade, Ron and Harry let go of each other's hands, as if they knew they shouldn't be caught. Neither of them understood why. Friends held hands all the time, and they were friends who liked each other, too. So what was the big deal?

Ron glanced over at Harry. "Do you think your mum and dad would mind me liking you?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. They think you're a good kid, so I guess they wouldn't mind." He flushed and kicked a rock, which sailed a few feet away from him, almost hitting Draco Malfoy of all people.

The blonde boy looked at them and stuck out his tongue before running away.

"Why's he such a butthead?" Ron asked, laughing.

Harry frowned. "I heard Mum say his dad was mean, so maybe that's why."

"Oh." Ron shuffled his foot in the dirt. "I guess that's sad." He looked over at Harry. "We can make him be our friend."

"Ron, you can't make people!" Harry hugged Ron, making the redhead blush. "But that's nice of you. See? This is why I think mum and dad wouldn't care if we liked each other!"

"Yeah?" Ron pulled back from the hug and looked around. Why did he feel nervous? Oh… that was why. A few feet from them, he saw some older people, probably shopkeepers from Hogsmeade, looking at the boys and frowning.

Harry followed his gaze. "Hm, don't worry about it."

Ron nodded. "Okay. Let's go get some butterbeer and try to find Hermione."

On their way to get butterbeer, they did indeed find Hermione. She was trying to help Draco, who had fallen and scraped his knee. Draco looked mortified that anyone would try to help him.

"Stop being a baby!" Hermione scolded. She looked up and saw Ron and Harry. "Hi! Malfoy hurt himself, and he's being a big wimp about it."

Ron would have laughed before, but now that he knew Draco's father was mean, he held his laughter in.

"I'm not being a baby or a wimp," Draco pouted.

"You're certainly not acting like a twelve-year-old!" Hermione crossed her arms and fumed.

Harry tilted his head as he watched the scene unfold. Draco wasn't used to people caring about him, let alone someone from Gryffindor. For some reason, Gryffindor and Slytherin could never get along. The house point rivalries seemed silly to Harry.

Draco's knee was badly scraped, and Ron winced when he looked at it.

"Let Hermione help," Ron encouraged. "She's good at first aid. Besides, you don't want it to get infected, do you?"

Draco bit his lower lip, glancing between everyone. Finally, he groaned, "Okay, do it. You happy?" The blonde crossed his arms and frowned.

A little later, the four of them sat at a table drinking butterbeer. Somehow, they had managed to drag Draco along, even though he complained the whole way.

Ron and Harry sat on one side, facing Draco and Hermione. Harry jumped, nearly spilling his drink when he felt Ron's hand reach for him under the table. They looked at each other and giggled, both slightly flushed.

After a few moments, Hermione narrowed her eyes at them, noticing that Ron and Harry were having a silent conversation.

"Why are you two looking at each other and giggling so much?" she asked.

"Nothing!" Harry replied, grabbing his drink and taking a big gulp.

"Yeah, nothing," Ron added.

Hermione pouted, feeling hurt that her two best friends were leaving her out. "Is it a secret?" she asked, glancing at Draco.

Draco huffed. "I'm not going to tell." He took a drink and leaned his head against the wall next to him.

"Why wouldn't you?" Ron asked. "I thought you hated Gryffindor, at least us."

"I don't!" Draco grumbled. "I…" He shrugged. "I don't know why I act… Never mind."

Ron and Harry had an idea why, but it wasn't their place to say anything. They were only twelve, but having a mean family probably made someone cranky.

"So you won't tell?" Harry asked.

"No," Draco said, slumping down in his seat. "Hermione helped with my knee, so I'll keep your secret."

Hermione smiled. "You said my name!"

"So?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. Can we call you Draco?"

"I-I guess," Draco replied, flushing.

Did he not have real friends? People he could talk to and be open with? Ron hoped theycouldmake him their friend.

Hermione turned her attention back to Ron and Harry. "So what secrets are you keeping from me? Your best friend!"

It was risky to share the secret, especially with the rocky foundation they had with Draco, but Harry didn't like that it had to be kept a secret. Neither did Ron.

"This is my first date with Harry!" Ron exclaimed.

"And I taught Ron how to kiss!" Harry said, laughing at the shocked expressions on Draco and Hermione's faces. "Okay, we taught each other. It's not that hard, actually."

"Wow," Hermione blinked. "Did not see that coming."

The three of them looked at Draco.

"You still promise not to tell?" Ron asked.

"I promise," Draco replied.

It was nice knowing they had one friend, maybe two friends, who supported them.

Harry and Ron shared a grin, looking at each other.

They were both so young, but they wondered if they would be together forever.

Ron hoped so.

Harry did, too.

-FIN-